NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2024
PROJECT UPDATE PROPERTY VIDEOS
BY ERIN BALL
An exciting marketing project is well underway here at FRED. For the first time since 2017, all properties are receiving brand-new property videos!
So far, 13 videos have been filmed and are currently in the editing process By the end of the project, we will have 34 videos total
Scheduling, coordinating, planning, and preparing for 34 videos is quite the task! Working around capital projects, scheduling issues, landscaping mishaps (like a huge tree falling a few days before filming day!), and much more, our end goal is to have videos that are the best possible reflection of each community.
Leading up to filming day, our team has a call with the property team to talk through the big and small details We are thankful to the property managers who have enthusiastically planned ahead and to Karla Schultz who has played an important role in preparing the spaces being filmed. From this call, a shot list of community and local area amenities is developed and sent to the videographer. Recent additions to the shot list have also included capturing new photography of spaces Overall, this project will result in beautiful websites and a full marketing toolkit
Lessons learned (so far!) include early communication that we will be closing the amenities during filming to make the most of the time we have available. Overall, the project has been an exciting endeavor and we can’t wait to get the first few videos back any day now.
Our vendor partner in this project, Rockrose Productions, was chosen because of their attention to detail and high-quality final product You can learn more about them here.
REARRANGING THE OPS DEPARTMENT
BY HEIDI KIVI
Did you know?
FRED’s Corporate support team is always happy to help and loves to hear your ideas and feedback!
It would be an understatement to say that the Entrata Help Desk simply supports our on-site teams in their day-to-day operations. The team behind the help desk is also responsible for developing new processes, creating tools for understanding (including MyFREDWay.com), and working diligently with Entrata to ensure issues are resolved promptly.
With the continuing growth of FRED and after 6+ years of leading our Entrata efforts, Erin Ball has officially transitioned to her new role as the Director of Marketing This strategic move will allow the marketing team to establish proactive marketing efforts and to invest necessary time into upcoming initiatives including a focus on new construction properties, building a new corporate website, and developing a thoughtful marketing plan as we head into 2025.
Along with this transition, I will now take more of a direct lead with the Entrata Help Desk and all property operations/policy and procedure-related items. With the continued need for process improvements and future software implementations on the horizon, it was a good time to look at
what we do and how we do it a little closer
We always need to “treat every lead like gold” . Our Marketing team will work to generate leads and our Entrata/Operations team will ensure the necessary tools for efficient and effective day-to-day operations are available.
We are excited about the future in both marketing and operations with this new structure to support our on-site teams in their continued success
THE TEAM
HEIDI KIVI Senior Director of Business Operations
ERIN BALL Director of Marketing
ERIKA ACIMOVIC Operations Specialist
SHANNON MCINNIS Creative Marketing Coordinator
LINCOLN Administrative and Program Specialist
JULIE
FRED HAPPENINGS
EXCITING THINGS HAPPENING AT FRED!
SEASONS AT CHARLOTTE CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA
Seasons at Charlotte is officially underway with ground breaking in June 2024 Our first project in North Carolina, this property will be an exciting addition to the Seasons line with one, two, and three-bedroom floor plans Amenities at this property will be typical of the Seasons brand
VALLEY VIEW APARTMENTS FITCHBURG, WISCONSIN
The team at Valley View Apartments added raised garden beds to their community as a capital project this year and residents are LOVING this unique amenity! Trevor Scott (Property Manager) and Mary Beth Jurewicz (Assistant Property Manager) proudly show off the vegetables and herbs growing in their shared garden plot.
UPCOMING EVENTS
AUGUST 2024 FRED GAME DAY American Family Field
All FRED Employees welcome for a day of baseball fun
FRED proudly sponsors the building of a Milwaukee area home
Stay tuned for upcoming fall 2024 Habitat for Humanity volunteer opportunities/dates!
PROPERTY SPOTLIGHT THE 85 AT MAPLE GROVE
BY SARAH HARRINGTON
The 85 at Maple Grove is a beautiful community located in Fitchburg, WI. This community is one of the most unique in the Madison portfolio as it hosts apartments, stacked flats, and townhomes Co-managed with Elan Apartments just 5 minutes away, the full-time team at The 85 includes Amanda Davidson, Jesse Stott, Nicole Risch, Sean Kean, Tristin Schmidt, and Jeremy Statz.
THE 85 AT MAPLE GROVE WILL BE CELEBRATING ITS 3RD ANNIVERSARY ON 7/30/2024!
In addition to its unique offerings, The 85 was developed in an established neighborhood where there is an abundance of green space, grilling areas, and a variety of popular shopping and dining places nearby. This community is the first of FRED's properties to try turf in certain areas vs. grass to maintain green curb appeal outside of the apartment buildings.
WHAT’S TRENDING
BY CASEY MALEK
Since 2018, the average number of renters per household has steadily increased However, in the past year, this trend has reversed significantly. More people are now choosing to live alone for various reasons, such as the desire for greater independence and personal freedom Living solo allows individuals to create a space that reflects their tastes and lifestyle preferences without having to compromise Additionally, many people value the privacy and tranquility that comes with having their own place, which is particularly appealing in our fast-paced, interconnected world Financial independence and career success have made it more feasible for individuals, especially young professionals, to afford to live alone. Furthermore, the rise of remote work has enabled more people to seek living arrangements that best suit their personal needs and work-life balance, further driving the trend toward solo living
OUR GROWING COMPANY
JUNE 16, 2024 - JULY 15, 2024
TONY LOVERDE
MAINTENANCE TECH II
SEASONS AT HOFFMAN ESTATES
KARINA LANGEN
ASSISTANT PROPERTY MANAGER
HIGH BLUFF TOWNHOMES
Whether promoting from within or bringing new team members on board, we are always excited to see the ways FRED is growing. Help us in congratulating the individuals below on their new roles! INTERNAL PROMOTION
JEFF GRABO
ASSISTANT PROPERTY MANAGER
SADDLE BROOK
KEITH TIEDT
MAINTENANCE TECH II
BARRINGTON PLACE
RECOMMENDATIONS MOVIE
BY MADISON HUNT
I highly recommend watching the new movie Twisters (2024) alongside the original movie Twister from 1996! Growing up, my siblings and I absolutely loved the original film starring Helen Hunt, as we would often watch it with our grandma during our “scary” movie nights
WHEN I HEARD A NEW ONE WAS COMING OUT, I WAS EXCITED TO SEE HOW IT WOULD COMPARE TO THE ORIGINAL.
The new version incorporates elements from the 1996 classic while offering an evolved, 21st-century take on storm chasing If you enjoy action/thriller movies or films about storm chasing, you should definitely see both! Twisters, the newest release, is currently only in theaters, but will most likely reach streaming platforms very soon. The 1996 original is currently available on HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and a few other streaming platforms
Overall, I give both movies a 10/10 and would highly recommend them!
ALLYSSA WEYER LEASING PROFESSIONAL ARBOR LAKES
AUSTIN SALYER GROUNDSKEEPER SEASONS AT HOFFMAN ESTATES
