ABODE August 2020

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ABODE THE HOUSTON APARTMENT ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE

www.haaonline.org

August 2020

The pandemic has created new and unexpected challenges for multifamily leasing professionals.

Onsite or online, the basics still matter.

Leasing Solutions

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CONTENTS August 2020

ON THE COVER 30 Leasing Solutions – The pandemic has created new and unexpected challenges for multifamily leasing professionals.

Whether onsite or virtual, lean into leasing with the tips found in this issue.

On the cover is the leasing office of Grace Woods Apartments in Austin, Texas. Thank you to Dayrise Residential.

Cover © Mark Hiebert / Hiebert Phototgraphy

FEATURES & PHOTOS 30 Back to the Basics – Bring your focus back to exceptional service while still respecting the current moment’s normal.

34 Virtual Touring Tips to Stay Connected – As leasing shifts to virutal, learn how to do it with these easy, effective tips.

38 What the World Needs Now – Is a little love. Studies show that by caring for others, we can also help care for ourselves.

42 Hiring in a Pandemic – Valuing potential over experience will help you hire in an volatile and rapidly changing environment.

COLUMNS & MONTHLY UPDATES 7 President’s Corner – Thank you, frontline apartment employees.

8 Patron of the Month – Meet and support Gemstar Construction Development.

9 Legislative Update – City of Houston and Harris County appoint the Houston Housing Stability Task Force.

11 It’s The Law – How to handle, legally, an employee testing positive for COVID-19.

14 Resident Relations – An apartment community fails to return a former resident’s security deposit within 30 days.

46 Is Your Fitness Facility Ready to Reopen? – Five critical elements to consider when reopening your fitness center.

18 CDC Update – The CDC’s explanation on testing for COVID-19.

50 Lowering Energy Costs – Here are some tips and tricks on how to gain savings on your energy contract.

26 NAA Update – Hiring maintenance positions requires targeting the right job seekers.

54 State of the Insurance Market – Taking a look at 2020 trends and beyond.

28 New Members – Take a look at HAA’s newest members.

58 60 Years – We celebrate the Houston Apartment Association’s 60th anniversary this month by recognizing all individual Honors Awards winners since 1980.

20 Calendar – HAA’s schedule of events for the next coming months.

65 Welcome Mat – Meet the newest HAA members.

66 Go-Getters – Recruit for HAA and become part of the Go-Getter Club.

68 The Ambassador ONE Society – HAA’s welcome wagon shares what they’ve learned from COVID-19.

70 Portfolio Changes and In the News – Industry news clips from our members.

74 Index of Advertisers – See the supplier members who support this publication.

75 MarketLine – The latest area market numbers.

76 BackPage – News from around the community.

We welcome your comments. Email us at comm@haaonline.org.

www.haaonline.org

August 2020

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OFFICERS AND ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP PRODUCT SERVICE COUNCIL OFFICERS JOHN BORIACK President-Elect CLAY HICKS President

TINA CAVACO Vice President at Large

LAURA LESTUS, CAS President The Liberty Group

SCOTT DOUGLAS Vice President at Large

DAVID LINDLEY, CAS Vice President, FSI Construction

STEPHANIE GRAVES Vice President at Large

DEREK DEVRIES, CAS Secretary, Camp Construction Services

SHELLEY WATSON Vice President at Large

CANDIS MOHR, CAS Treasurer, AAA Plumbers

CHRISTY RODRIGUEZ Secretary/Treasurer

HOWARD BOOKSTAFF General Counsel

JACOB KUNATH, CAS Immediate Past President, Century A/C Supply

JEFF HALL Executive VP

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Clay Hicks President Starla Turnbo Immediate Past President Mack Armstrong Jeff Blevins, CAS Jill Bounds, CAM Michelle Bridges, CAS Kyle Brown Joseph Bryson, CAM, IROP John Boriack Tina Cavaco Terri Clifton Michelle Croasmun Derek DeVries, CAS Ian Douglas Scott Douglas Gina Erwin Tamara Foster Israel Garza, CAS Diane Gilbert Monica Gracia Stephanie Graves Ira Gross, CAPS Bryan Head, CAM Melissa Herrera Deborah Holcombe Crystal Jackson, CAM, CAPS Debbie Kelm Jacob Kunath, CAS Barby Lake Laura Lestus, CAS David Lindley, CAS Robert Lopes, NALP, CAM, CAPS Sonia Lopez, CAM, CAPS Betsy Marshall, CAM, CAPS Kristin McLaughlin, CASE Candis Mohr, CAS Carlos Neto Dean O’Kelley, CAS Jenifer Paneral Mark Park, CAS Velissa Parmer Michelle Pawelek Loyal Proffitt Jackie Rhone Christy Rodriguez Kelly Scott Kurt Seidel Kelley Suess Debbie Sulzer

Dana Tucker Shelley Watson Quintina Willis, CAM Tracie Yoder, CAPS DIRECTORS EMERITUS Josh Allen Ken Bohan Gary Blumberg Kathy Clem Jack Dinerstein Jenard Gross Darlene Guidry David Hargrove Alison Hall Larry Hill Stacy Hunt Hap Hunnicutt David Jones Mel Kieke Mike Koch Dick LaMarche Tim Myers P David Onanian John Ridgway Kim Small Eileen Subinsky Steve Sweet Kirk Tate Suan Tinsley H J Tollett, Jr. Pat Tollett Vic Vacek, Jr. Beth Van Winkle Jerry Winograd ADVISORY DIRECTORS Billy Griffin Manu Gupta Cesar Lima Mary Lawler Patrick Magnuson Bruce McClenny Angelee Kumar Parikh Nikki Sekunda Penny Sprang Theri Tinelli Tony Whitaker GENERAL COUNSEL EMERITUS Joe Bax

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS Claude Arnold Kenn Brown Tina Cavaco Terri Clifton Kevin Fenn Diane Gilbert Anita Harrison Dwayne Henson Mike Koch Merry Mount Monette Reynolds Sherry Stevenson Kirk Tate Suan Tinsley Sonny Unverzagt Del Walmsley Nancé Wells H.P. Paul Young Jeanne Marie Zublin Dicks PATRON MEMBERS 1961 CSC ServiceWorks 1978 Houston Planned Energy Systems 1979 RentPath 1982 Cotton Commercial USA Inc. 1984 AAA Plumbers 1985 Gemstar Construction Development 1986 Craven Carpet 1987 Dixie Carpet Installations 1994 Camp Construction Services 1997 Apartments.com 1999 FSI Construction Inc. 2006 Lowe’s Pro - MSH

PRODUCT SERVICE COUNCIL MEMBERS Liz Levins, CAS, Marivel Bownds, Rasa Floors CAS, Valet Living Tracey Moore, CAS, Dixie Caldwell, Flooring Warehouse CAS, ControlByNet Cloud Karen Nelsen, CAS & Management Video ALN Apartment Surveillance Solutions Data Shaun Callaway, CAS, Matthew Nunn, CAS, Earthworks Camp Construction Peggy Charles, CASE, Services Fidus Construction Doug Oehl, CAS. Services Flooring Warehouse Neal Conant, CAS, Joseph Rodriguez, Gemstar CAS, The Urban Construction Foresters Development Nikki Sekunda, CAS, Sean Cunningham, The Liberty Group CAS, Flooring Blaise Spitaleri, CAS, Warehouse Gemstar Deborah DeRouen, Construction CAS, Designs By Development Holmes Blake Subinsky, CAS, Clark Gregg, CASE, HD Supply Fidus Construction Mat Tilley, CAS, Dan James, CAS, WeDoTrash Redevelopment Alan Young, CAS, Services Dixie Carpet Debra Knight, CAS, Installations Fidus Construction Services Stephanie Krop, CASE, Poolsure

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AUGUST 2020 I VOLUME 43, ISSUE 8 Executive Vice President and Publisher JEFF HALL, CAE jhall@haaonline.org EDITORIAL AND DESIGN STAFF Director of Publications and Design DEBORAH NIX dnix@haaonline.org Managing Editor MORGAN TAYLOR mtaylor@haaonline.org ADVERTISING Vice President of Membership and Marketing AMANDA SHERBONDY, CAE asherbondy@haaonline.org CONTRIBUTING STAFF Vice President and General Manager SUSAN HINKLEY, CAE shinkley@haaonline.org Vice President of Professional Development EMILY HILTON, CPP, CAE ehilton@haaonline.org Vice President of Public Affairs ANDY TEAS, CAE ateas@haaonline.org Vice President of Finance NANCY LI LO, CPA nlo@haaonline.org Director of Information Technology ART EIDMAN aeidman@haaonline.org Director of Resident Relations MATILDE LUNA mluna@haaonline.org Director of Events and Meetings LAUREN RAGIN, CMP lragin@haaonline.org Director of Rental Credit Reporting TINA DEFIORE tdefiore@haaonline.org Assistant Vice President – Outreach LAUREN TURNER, CAE, CMP lturner@haaonline.org Public Affairs Manager ALPA PATEL apatel@haaonline.org Education and Meetings Coordinator KAREN MITCHELL kmitchell@haaonline.org Membership and Marketing Manager KAYLON NEWCOMB knewcomb@haaonline.org Membership Engagement Assist. MONSERRAT BUFFINGTON mbuffington@haaonline.org Webmaster and IT Specialist WILL ALFARO walfaro@haaonline.org PRINTER TGI PRINTED www.tgiprinted.com

HOUSTON APARTMENT ASSOCIATION COMMITTEES COMMITTEE CHAIR STAFF ADVISOR Executive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CLAY HICKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JEFF HALL Program & Budget . . . . . . . . . . . .JOHN BORIACK . . . . . . . . . . . . .JEFF HALL Nominating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .STARLA TURNBO . . . . . . . . . . .JEFF HALL Ethics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MICHELLE PAWELEK . . . . . . .JEFF HALL Investment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CHRISTY RODRIGUEZ . . . . . .JEFF HALL Fair Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MACK ARMSTRONG . . . . . . .JEFF HALL By-Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .KYLE BROWN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JEFF HALL Past Presidents Council . . . . . . .KATHY CLEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JEFF HALL Leadership Development . . . . .ALISON HALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SUSAN HINKLEY Product Service Council . . . . . . .LAURA LESTUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SUSAN HINKLEY Community Outreach . . . . . . . .TRACIE YODER . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SUSAN HINKLEY Legislative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JOHN BORIACK . . . . . . . . . . . . .ANDY TEAS HAA Political Action Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .STACY HUNT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ANDY TEAS Multifamily Fire Safety Alliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JOHN BORIACK . . . . . . . . . . . . .ANDY TEAS Developers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TODD TRIGGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ANDY TEAS Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TERRI CLIFTON . . . . . . . . . . . . .AMANDA SHERBONDY Ambassador ONE Society . . . .MARIVEL BOWNDS/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .RYAN WEIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .AMANDA SHERBONDY 2020 Expo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .DAVID LINDLEY . . . . . . . . . . . . .AMANDA SHERBONDY Independent Rental Owners . .STEPHANIE BRYSON . . . . . . .AMANDA SHERBONDY Education Advisory Council . . .MONICA GRACIA/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BETSY MARSHALL . . . . . . . . . .EMILY HILTON Career/Community Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PENNY SPRANG . . . . . . . . . . . .EMILY HILTON NEXT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PATRICK MAGNUSON/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NIKKI SEKUNDA . . . . . . . . . . . .EMILY HILTON Strategic Outreach . . . . . . . . . . . .CHRISTY RODRIGUEZ . . . . . .LAUREN TURNER Century Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CANDIS MOHR . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ALPA PATEL PAC Fundraising . . . . . . . . . . . . . .GARY BLUMBERG . . . . . . . . . .ALPA PATEL Golf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MARK PARK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ALPA PATEL Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . .NORMA ALVEAR/ . . . . . . . . . . .ALPA PATEL/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MARILYN ROMERO . . . . . . . . .LAUREN RAGIN HAF Fundraiser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .DEBBIE ANDREOZZI/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MARK PARK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .LAUREN RAGIN Resident Relations Appeals . . .DARLENE GUIDRY . . . . . . . . . .MATILDE LUNA Resident Relations A . . . . . . . . . .BEVERLY NORRIS . . . . . . . . . . .MATILDE LUNA Resident Relations B . . . . . . . . . .KEVIN HARTMAN . . . . . . . . . . .MATILDE LUNA Property Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SUSAN DEAR/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CRYSTAL JACKSON . . . . . . . .TINA DEFIORE IT Task Force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JOE BRYSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ART EIDMAN HOUSTON APARTMENT ASSOCIATION MISSION AND VISION: HAA is the leading advocate, resource and community partner for quality rental housing providers in the Houston and surrounding area. HAA develops leadership in the multifamily industry by engaging broadly diverse membership, embracing effective technology and advocating for a geographically inclusive association. ABODE IS THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE HOUSTON APARTMENT ASSOCIATION serving the multihousing industry in Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Waller and Wharton counties.

ABODE, AUGUST 2020, VOLUME 43, ISSUE 8 ABODE (USPS 024-962) is published monthly by the Houston Multi Housing Corporation. Publishing, editorial and advertising offices are located at 4810 Westway Park Blvd., Houston, Texas 77041. Telephone 713-595-0300. The $50 annual ABODE subscription rate is included in all member dues and additional subscriptions are available. The annual subscription rate is $50 for members, $65 for non-members.

Advertising rates are available upon request. Contributed material does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Houston Apartment Association. Copyright © 2020 by HAA. Periodicals Postage Paid at Houston, Texas.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ABODE, 4810 Westway Park Blvd., Houston, Texas 77041.

www.haaonline.org

August 2020

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SPONSOR MEMBERS These companies have generously supported the Houston Apartment Association with their sponsor membership.

Please give them careful consideration, whenever possible, in your business.

3 Men Movers A + Infinity Blue Outdoors, LLC A Homestead Specialist LLC A-Affordable Roofing Co AAA Staffing Ltd AAA Texas AAdvantage Laundry Systems Absolute Construction LLC ACM Contractors of Texas ACT Security Group Action Towing, Inc Action Window Coverings Inc ACTIV Answer by Audio Images ACUTRAQ Background Screening Inc Adobe Floors Inc Advance LED Solution Adventure Playground Systems Inc Aftermath Services Ages Consulting, LLC dba Alternative Green Energy Solutions Alcaraz Lawn Care Alexander-Rose Associates Inc All About Doody Pet Solutions LLC All American Mailboxes of Houston Inc Allegion Allied Powder Coating The Allshouse Group LLC ALN Apartment Data Inc AlphaGraphics of Central Houston AM Conservation Group AmCap Insurance America Outdoor Furniture American Fire Systems AmRent Anchor Roofing Inc Andrews Myers PC Apartment Life Inc Apartment Lines ApartmentData.com AppFolio Arbor Contract Carpet Inc ARC Solutions Archcon Arizona Tile ASAP Personnel Inc ASAP Steamers Carpet Cleaning Asphalt Maintenance Inc Atom4 Security Camera & Electronics B&G Construction Bath Fitter Belfor Property Restoration Believe, Achieve and Conquer LLC Bell’s Laundries Benefits 4 Rent BGE/Brown & Gay Engineers Inc Bio-One Houston South BioTechs Crime & Trauma Scene Cleaning Blue Eye Defense BMI Brady Chapman Holland & Assoc Brannan Designs LLC Architecture & Interior Design BSI CAD Restoration Services LLC Cameras Onsite Cano Electric Inc Cantrell McCulloch Inc Carradine Valet CashFlow Pros LLC

Centex Construction Century A/C Supply Certified Termite and Pest Control CFI Group Chadwell Supply Cinch – Cabinet Refacing Kits Citi Fence & Concrete Classic Same Day Blinds Classic Touch Painting Classic Towing Comcast Construction ECO Services Continental Adjusters Inc Contractors Inc ControlByNet Cloud CoreLogic Rental Property Solutions CORT Furniture Cougar USA CRE Business Solutions LLC CSI LED & Hardware Cypress Landscaping & Irrigation Inc D.A.M. Remodeling Group Dal-Tile Corporation DeNyse Companies Designs by Holmes DNM Contracting Inc DoodyCalls Dooley Tackaberry, Inc Door Clearance Center DreamCoat Cloud Services Ecolo Environmental Inc Electric Eel Mfg Embark Services EnviroSmart Multifamily Pest Solutions Epic Air Conditioning Everest Siding and Windows Expertz Construction & Renovation LLC Fantastic Floors Featherston Sign Partners Fidus Construction Services Finish Factory Inc First Responders Cleaning & Decon Flavor Finish Resurfacing Floodproofing.com Frost Insurance Agency FTK Construction Services Fun Abounds Gambit Construction Gateman Inc General Recon, LLC Giordano Construction Inc Go-Staff Inc Granite Surfaces of Texas Great American Business Products Green City Security LLC Green Garbology GT Security Solutions LLC Guardian Gutters H.S. Services Halo Doors Inc HARCO Insurance Services Heritage Construction Co Higginbotham Hillco Building Service Hive Technology Hoover Slovacek LLP Howitzer Building Engineers Inc Hurtado Roofing & Construction IGD Plumbing LLC Imperial Hospitality and Security Services Inc

In Service Security LLC Infinite Energy Inc Infinity Power Partners Interior Logic Group Property Services IronEdge Group ITWS LLC J and B Carpet Services J Guzman General Remodeling J National JAK Environmental, LLC DBA: Legacy Power Washing & Graffiti Removal Johnstone Supply Jonah Digital Agency Kastle Systems Kathy Andrews Interiors Kerely Towing Solutions King's Granite and Marble Knight Restoration Services, LP KONE Leah McVeigh Design and Consulting Ledge Lounger Lexington Group International The Liberty Group Liquid Waste Solutions Lithotech Printed Products/ Forms Center Lopez Carpet Care & Painting Love’s Plumbing Company, Inc LP Building Solutions: LouisianaPacific Corporation LSR Multifamily Maldonado Nursery & Landscaping Inc Marvin F Poer & Company Masonry Solutions Inc Matrix Construction Services Max Digital Printing McKenzie Drake Corporate Housing McMahan’s Flooring Inc Merricks Company Moen Inc Moveforfree.com Inc MPS Direct Mueller Water Conditioning Inc MX2 Commercial Paving Nations Roof Houston LLC Nationwide Eviction Norman Construction Northwest Construction Group Notifii LLC O’Conor, Mason & Bone PC On Site Towing LLC On-Site Propety Services Onesource Moving Onyx Restoration LLC Opiniion Outdoor Elements Pace Mechanical Services LLC Parking Management Company/PMC Towing Pathfinder Insurance Group Paul Davis Restoration North Houston PCS Creative Surface Penco Access Control PERQ LLC Platinum Enterprises LLC The Playwell Group Inc Pool Knights Pool Works LLC Pura Flo Corporation Quatro Tax LLC Quick Roofing RAM Construction

Ram Jack Foundation Solutions RCPS of Texas Redevelopment Services Reliable Roofing Reliant RENCON Rent Debt Automated Collections RentSense, LLC Resto Medic Restoration 1 of Central Houston RG Miller Engineers Roto-Rooter Services Co Royal Painting & Remodeling LLC Saifee Signs & Graphics Saint Clair & Sons Inc SEAL Security Solutions LLC Secure Insurance Service Master by Century Sherwin Williams Company Sign-Ups & Banners Signal 88 Security Slime Busters Inc Smart Water Valve SOS-ASAP Softwashing Sparkle Wash Pressure Washing Storm Maintenance & Monitoring Strata Roofing and Construction LLC Streamline Construction Houston LLC Structural Concrete Systems, LLC Swadley Roof Systems LLC Swain & Baldwin Insurance & Risk Management Texas Apartment Pool Services Texas Concrete Professional Company Texas Crime Prevention Agency Texas Engineered Roofing & General Contracting Texas Landscape Group LLC Texas Management Group LLC Texas Southwest Floors Inc Texas Steam - Laars Heating Systems The Lane Law Firm Tidal Renovations LLC Total Safety Security Services, LLC Tropical Roofing Products TXU Energy Multifamily Services United Protective Services US Multifamily LLC USA Patrol Division Valet Living Veteran Supply Services, LLC Vima Decor W Partnership WASH Multifamily Laundry Systems Waterproof Solutions Wayfinder Tax Relief LLC WCA Waste Corporation Webb Pest Control WellKept Whitmans Contracting and Roofing Wickley Interactive Wildlife Removal Experts LLC Willbanks & Associates Inc Wilsonart Winhill Advisors YottaReal Zillow Rentals

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Letter from the President

By CLAY HICKS, 2020 HAA President

DURING THIS PANDEMIC, ONE THING THAT CONTINUES TO AMAZE ME IS THE RESILIENCY OF OUR ONSITE EMPLOYEES. Every day the apartment industry’s onsite teams, the people who are literally living and working on the frontlines, have had to adapt, evolve and remain resilient in the face of change, constant change. They are doing things they’ve never done before – that no one else in our lifetime has done before.

So, to our onsite teams who represent us all so well every day, I want to thank each one of you for balancing the concerns of your residents and their public health and safety with your own health, the changes to your lives outside of work, while keeping your apartment community as safe as possible for your residents.

In my career, I have not seen more dedication, innovation and perseverance in this industry than I have this year. We always see things in the media about appreciating the people on the frontlines. Well, you all are literally the frontlines of our industry.

Thank you for wearing your mask nearly all day, every day (even in the hot Texas heat), for enforcing social distancing, cleaning and disinfecting constantly, entering apartment units, managing the fears, questions and unknowns of your residents, navigating the ups and downs of amenity openings, doing whatever it takes to make residents feel safe, and everything else that has to be done to operate and manage an apartment community under normal circumstances.

I could not be prouder of our groundskeepers, housekeepers, leasing consultants, maintenance techs, make ready, assistant managers, bookkeepers, property managers, maintenance supervisors, concierges, resident services teams and everyone else working onsite, on the frontlines. Thank you for providing residents with a home during a time when our home is the safest place to be.

There is discomfort in change, in having to do something you’ve never done before.

As the pandemic continues to present its constant changes, it can be overwhelming.

Everyone, even the most experienced people in the apartment industry feel like rookies at times right now. But I love how we’ve responded. I love how we’ve come together. But it’s not over. We must continue to work together, rely on each other and remain unified to come out stronger as people and an industry.

I’ve said it before: Change will pull us out of our comfort zones. Rising up, remaining resilient and persevering through these challenging times are going to make you, our association and our entire industry better. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to all of you, our industry’s frontline heroes for your hard work and endurance during these challenging times. I challenged each of you to “Make It Better” earlier this year. There is no doubt in my mind you have.

www.haaonline.org

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Houston Planned Energy Systems

These companies have generously supported the Houston Apartment Association with their patron membership. Please give them careful consideration, whenever possible, in your business.

HAA Member since 1997

Cotton Commercial USA Inc.

Gemstar Construction Development Inc.

HAA Member since 1982

Lowe’s Pro - MSH

HAA Member since 2006

CSC ServiceWorks

HAA Member since 1961

Craven Carpet

HAA Member since 1986

Camp Construction Services

HAA Member since 1994

August Patron of the Month

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August 2020

Apartments.com

HAA Member since 1978

HAA Member since 1985

AAA Plumbers

HAA Member since 1984

FSI Construction Inc.

HAA Member since 1999

Dixie Carpet Installations

HAA Member since 1987

RentPath

HAA Member since 1979

www.haaonline.org

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Legislative Update

By JOHN BORIACK, HAA Legislative Chair, with ANDY TEAS, CAE, Vice President of Public Affairs

KEEPING PEOPLE HOUSED The City of Houston and Harris County appoint the Housing Stability Task Force.

LAST MONTH, CITY of Houston COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Czar Marvin Odum and Harris County COVID-19 Recovery Czar State Rep. Armando Walle appointed a Housing Stability Task Force, charged with looking for ways to address the short-term and long-term needs of residents in our area, many of whom are struggling to pay rent as large segments of our economy struggle.

The task force is heavy on activists but also includes some Houston Apartment Association members. Co-chaired by HAA Hall of Fame member Ric Campo of Camden Property Trust and Justice of the Peace Jeremy Brown, the task force also includes HAA General Counsel Howard Bookstaff, HAA board member Mary Lawler and me (HAA President-elect John Boriack).

In June, the Kinder Institute at Rice University issued its State of Housing in Harris County and Houston report, which described significant challenges for housing affordability. Among its findings: • Renters are hardest hit by the region’s decrease in affordable housing.

• Nearly half of renters are spending more than 30% of their income on housing.

• The number of “cost-burdened” renter households increased by 24% between 2010 to 2018.

“The affordability once associated with the Houston region was disappearing even before we began to grapple with the one-two punch of economic and public health crises,” Kinder Institute Director Bill Fulton said in a statement.

Steven Dow, executive director of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, who will be providing staff support to the task force, has talked about a “structural deficit” in the rental housing industry – noting that the total combined income of all renters is inadequate to pay the real cost of providing their housing. As the cost of building and operating an apartment property has skyrocketed www.haaonline.org

over the past three decades, real wages for low-skilled and unskilled workers has remained stagnant. He sees an urgent need to deal with the short-term problem of residents losing their housing, as well as a longterm need to address the impact of an extended economic downturn.

Adding to this problem is the certain decline in available government revenue to provide social services and rental assistance. The treasuries of state and local governments rise and fall with the economy. Sales tax receipts – especially with necessities like groceries exempted – are a function of discretionary spending by consumers. Property taxes depend on the value – or at least the perceived value – of real estate. Imagine next year’s property tax valuations of half-empty office buildings and shuttered restaurants and movie theaters.

So, what can a volunteer task force do about this? While there will be no easy answers, here are a few issues to consider.

Evictions – Nobody wants to see families evicted from their apartments. Professionals in our industry know this is always a last resort, but many on the task force will certainly call for solutions that make it a more difficult, expensive and lengthy process for housing providers to regain possession of units from residents who don’t pay their rent. The task force will need to deal with this difficult issue, understanding that the longer and more difficult the eviction process, the higher rent will be for everyone else. The apartment business is like any other business – the price has to cover the cost of providing the product or service. The cost of a lengthy, expensive eviction process is paid for by higher rents.

At the same time, leaders like Brown have advocated for a voluntary eviction diversion process that helps match residents at risk of eviction with services that can help them pay

rent and stay in their homes. Like many great ideas, this has been slow to start, but a countywide program to help those in need pay rent would be a win for everybody.

Housing Supply – The price of housing, as with most things, involves supply and demand.

Most recent studies have shown that our entire nation needs far more apartment units than the market is scheduled to provide. Why aren’t we producing more units, especially at the lower price points that have the highest demand? With the rising cost of land, and of the construction and operation of apartment properties, many builders have found luxury units with high rents the only part of the market that justifies the high costs of production.

Finding ways to produce more housing at different rent levels will be a key challenge for our industry in Houston and elsewhere.

Houston’s Economy – Is the downturn in the energy sector temporary or permanent?

If temporary, how long will it last? Houston’s economy is more diverse than ever before, but the oil and gas industry still generates a tremendous number of jobs for apartment residents in our area. How will our area deal with long-term, or even permanent, changes in this key sector of our economy?

Government-driven Costs – How much are rent increases a function of government-driven costs? In recent years, property tax valuations for multifamily properties have risen faster than for any other sector, and property taxes now make up about a third of a typical resident’s rent. This, combined with aggressive increases in water and sewer rates, license and permit fees, development restrictions and stricter code requirements are significant factors in rental rates. Houston’s most recent change in floodplain regulations will make some new apartment construction significantly more expensive, and the cost of raising the foundation of / See Legislative, Page 53

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It’s the Law

By HOWARD BOOKSTAFF, Hoover Slovacek LLP , HAA General Counsel

WHAT TO DO IF AN EMPLOYEE TESTS POSITIVE What should you do when an employee is not feeling well?

What actions should you take if the employee tests positive? Who should you tell?

IN EARY JUNE, Harris County announced a color-coded, numbered system to inform residents regarding the current level of risk from COVID-19 and of the actions the county strongly urges residents to take to stay healthy, save lives and ensure our local economy recovers in a way that is sustainable over the long term. The threat level system identifies four levels.

The initial threat level was level 2 (orange).

Level 2 is identified as a significant uncontrolled community transmission. The public health recommendation associated with level 2 is to minimize contact with others, but to begin leaving the home for non-essential needs, except medium and large gatherings, and to practice social distancing and use face coverings.

By late June, the threat level was changed to level 1 (red). Level 1 is identified as a severe and uncontrolled level of COVID-19 in Harris County, meaning outbreaks are present and worsening, and that testing and contact tracing capacity are strained or exceeded. At this level, residents are to take action to minimize contact with others whenever possible and avoid leaving home except for the most essential needs like going to the grocery store for food and medicine.

In early July, Governor Greg Abbott issued Executive Order GA-29 relating to the use of face coverings during the COVID-19 disaster. The governor’s order recognizes that we continue to have a problem with the spread of COVID-19.

Specifically, the governor found that: • As Texas reopens in the midst of COVID19, an increase of spread is to be expected.

• The key to controlling the spread and keeping Texas residents safe is for all Texans to consistently follow good hygiene and social-distancing practices. www.haaonline.org

• Due to recent substantial We are seeing more positive test results every increases in COVID-19 positive cases, positive rate and hospiday. Many employees of apartment communities talizations, further measures have tested positive. Chances are that we will are needed to achieve the least continue to see more positive tests. restrictive means for reducing the growing spread of COVID19, and to avoid a need for more When should employees isolate? extreme measures.

According to the guidance, employees who We are seeing more positive test results are undergoing testing for COVID-19 or who every day. Many employees of apartment have been confirmed with COVID-19 must communities have tested positive. Chances be isolated until they have been fever free are that we will continue to see more positive (without the use of fever reducing medicatests. What should you do when an employee tion) for 72 hours AND until it has been at is not feeling well? What actions should you least seven days since they first started feeltake if the employee tests positive? Who ing symptoms. should you tell?

The Harris County Public Health “GuidWhat do employers do when employees ance to Mitigate Spread of COVID-19 in the are awaiting test results or have been Workplace” (the “guidance”), which can be confirmed with COVID-19? found at https://publichealth.harriscountytx.gov/portals/27/Documents/Business%2 Suggested Steps: 0Guidance%20for%20Mitgating%20the%20S 1. Send the employee home. According to pread.pdf?ver=2020-06-05-142005-537, provides guidance with respect to some importhe guidance, employees with confirmed ditant employment-related issues. agnosis or suspected of COVID-19 should stay home and not come to work. For further What should I do if an employee is not self-assessment, employees should visit feeling well?

ReadyHarris.org.

If any employee is not feeling well at work, 2. The infected employee may be eligible they should go home and contact their for the new Emergency Paid Sick Leave and healthcare provider. If an employee is feeling should submit the proper forms and docuill at home, they should not come to work mentation verifying the reason for leave. and contact their healthcare provider. If an Under the Families First Coronavirus Reemployee has any symptoms associated with sponse Act (FFCRA) and Emergency Family COVID-19, they should also contact the puband Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLEA), lic health department regarding their sympan employee seeking a diagnosis (waiting for toms. If it is an emergency, call 911. a test result) qualifies for leave for the time they are waiting for results, even if it turns out to be a negative result. The documentaAugust 2020

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Although the identity of the person should not be revealed, and independent factual circumstances will determine whether a duty is owed to warn residents of a person with a positive test, it may be beneficial to notify residents that there has been a positive test among the onsite team. Residents may be more upset if they hear from others that an employee has tested positive.

tion should be kept for payroll and tax credit processing purposes.

3. Thoroughly clean the areas and rooms where the employee worked, and all surfaces that may have been recently touched by the employee. For facilities that have had persons suspected or confirmed with COVID-19 in the area, Harris County Public Health recommends closing off the areas used until the areas can be cleaned and disinfected. The areas should be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting your facility (which can be found at cdc.gov/coronavirus).

4. Contact the health department and follow instructions with respect to notifying other employees. Please note that the local health department has indicated that they will conduct the appropriate investigation and notify those persons that may have been at risk.

5. As the health department may become overloaded with cases and tracing, an employer may want to consider notifying employees who worked within 6 feet of an infected employee for an extended period of time in order to comply with OSHA recommendations (https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf) for “prompt identification and isolation” of potentially infected employees. This may include informing employees so that they can “self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 if they suspect possible exposure.” Having these employees work in an isolated area, such as an office or separate unit, may be warranted, depending on the level of contact. Use of PPE at the worksite, including masks, face shields or

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gloves may also be warranted.

6. According to the guidance, if an employee is confirmed to have COVID-19, employers should inform fellow employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace but maintain confidentiality.

What if the employee lives in the same household as a confirmed case of COVID-19?

According to the guidance, an employee who lives in the same household as a confirmed case of COVID-19 must stay quarantined for 14 days AFTER the confirmed case of COVID-19 in their household has been without fever. The employee should self-monitor and seek medical care if symptoms develop.

What if an employee suspects close contact directly with a case or someone under investigation for COVID-19?

According to the guidance, if an employee suspects close contact directly with a case or someone under investigation for COVID-19, they must quarantine at home for 14 days after their last potential exposure and selfmonitor. If symptoms develop, the employee should seek medical care immediately. A potential exposure could be travel-related contact to a known COVID-19 case, through a health care encounter or through community interaction. Close contact is defined as being within 6 feet of a person highly suspicious of or confirmed with COVID-19 for a prolonged period of time or within direct contact of infectious secretions (being coughed on).

Do we inform residents that a staff member has tested positive?

Although the identity of the person should not be revealed, and independent factual circumstances will determine whether a duty is owed to warn residents of a person with a positive test, it may be beneficial to notify residents that there has been a positive test among the onsite team. Residents may be more upset if they hear from others that an employee has tested positive.

You can take the opportunity in any notification letter to reiterate what steps are being or have been taken to minimize transmission of the disease. You may have closed common areas and amenities, restricted access or closed management offices to resident traffic, reduced maintenance services to emergency situations only, and increased cleaning activities in common areas. You may also want to remind residents what they can do to protect themselves, including following CDC and health department guidelines regarding social distancing, handwashing and following personal hygiene tips.

Can we require employees returning from being sick to provide a health care provider’s note?

Harris County Public Health recommends not to require a health care provider’s note for employees who are sick to confirm illness or to return to work. Health care provider offices and medical facilities may be extremely busy and may not be able to provide such documentation in a timely manner.

Inevitably, you will run across a situation where an employee tests positive. Be prepared to act. By following the direction of the health department officials and the CDC and acting in accordance with your prepared plan, you will hopefully minimize problems.

This article was updated on July 13.

www.haaonline.org

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Resident Relations from the RESIDENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE

DELAYED RETURN

An apartment community fails to return a former resident’s security deposit within 30 days.

A RESIDENT FILED a complaint with the Houston Apartment Association to receive the total amount of the security deposit she paid when she moved in.

When this resident moved in, she paid a $160 security deposit. Nearly 45 days after the resident moved out, she received only a portion of her security deposit.

Management responded to HAA and that response was forwarded to the resident. The apartment community openly stated there were delays in returning the resident’s security deposit. After one failed attempt, the apartment community mailed another check, which was received by the resident.

Upon move-out, the apartment community

The HAA Resident Relations Committees provide

charged the resident with the an impartial review of resident complaints using final water bill and a “carpet the documentation provided by both the resident shampoo/pet treatment,” as and management. stated on the final account statement, removing $102.92 from her security deposit. The apartment community sent the resident a refund of $57.08. a forwarding address. Management failed to Enclosed in management’s response were return the resident’s security deposit within copies of the application, the lease, the final the required 30-day time period. account statement and the resident ledger.

Management is to return the remaining Management felt the resident was charged security deposit, of $102.92, to the resident. accordingly.

The committee decided in favor of the resIf you are a manager with a resident ident. The resident supplied the apartment relations issue, call HAA at 713-595-0300 community with a proper notice to vacate and for direct assistance.

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

I wasn’t expecting it at all surprised that they nomina said, laughing. “ I’ve been business for 15 years. I nev anything. For me, if I get m or get it right, I’m satisfied don’t need recognition. As resident and my managem owner are happy, I’m happ good experience, though, f way. I didn’t know that som watching!”

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

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www.haaonline.org

I su sa bu an or do re ow go w w

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VISI N

NEW DATE! October 8 Join Conference and Expo Chairs David Lindley, FSI Construction Inc., and Monica Gracia, Barvin, and sharpen your vision at NRG Center.

HAA 2020 Education Conference & Expo NEW DATE! Thursday, October 8 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. NRG Center, Hall C All Stars Registration opens at 8 a.m.

Expo Show Floor opens at 1:30 p.m.

Don’t miss the

Apartment All Stars!

9 a.m. – Coffee Bar and Registration 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Program

Luncheon for All Stars Attendees 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Early Bird pricing until September 30: $135 $175 after September 30 Special pricing for NAA Credential holders (must be current) $105

Visit www.haaexpo.org

OCTOBER 8

NRG

for more information and to register

Expo Show Hours 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Over 250 Exhibitors!

$3,000 in Cash Prizes!

Free professional headshots available on the show floor during Expo show hours. Presented by HAA NEXT

Expo only is FREE for all management personnel. No registration required.

Non-exhibiting suppliers are not admitted.

NRG Parking: $15 CASH ONLY

#haaexpo2020 www.haaexpo.org

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Now Vi rtual!

BUSINESS EXCHANGE

Judwin

Morgan

Veritas

Property management supervisors and executives: Don’t miss this free networking opportunity that supports our industry.

Join HAA for the 14th annual HAA Business Exchange and first Virtual Exchange, a great opportunity to learn about the latest industry products and services in an online, controlled environment and give back to your industry. Find supplier partners that can help with your needs with CapEx Projects, renovations, staffing, pest control, technology and more!

Owners/Property Management: The Business Exchange will be an online forum where property management leaders are placed at virtual “tables” with supplier representatives. Each visit has a seven minute limit. Supplier companies pay for this opportunity and your attendance makes this possible.

Suppliers:

Thursday, August 20 9 a.m to 11 a.m.

Virtual Format

Participants will receive emailed links, information and instructions with their registration.

See more at: www.haaonline.org/businessexchange or contact Susan Hinkley at shinkley@haaonline.org or 713-595-0313 for more information.

You will have access to a number of property management leaders from owner executives to maintenance supervisors.

One participant per company pays $350 with the option to add one addition representative for $100.

Limit two representatives per company.

Register at www.haaonline.org/business exchange and thank you for your support.

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COVID-19 Update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

TESTING FOR COVID-19 The CDC’s explanation on testing for COVID-19.

Who should be tested?

To learn if you have a current infection, viral tests are used. But not everyone needs this test.

• Most people will have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care and may not need to be tested.

• CDC has guidance for who should be tested, but decisions about testing are made by state and localexternal icon health departments or healthcare providers.

• If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and want to get tested, call your healthcare provider first.

• You can also visit your state or local health department’s website to look for the latest local information on testing.

• Although supplies of tests are increasing, it may still be difficult to find a place to get tested.

Results • If you test positive for COVID-19 by a viral test, know what protective steps to take if you are sick or caring for someone.

• If you test negative for An antibody test may not be able to show if COVID-19 by a viral test, you probably were not inyou have a current infection, because it can fected at the time your take 1-3 weeks after infection to make antibodies. sample was collected.

We do not know yet if having antibodies to the However, that does not virus can protect someone from getting infected mean you will not get with the virus again, or how long that protection sick. The test result only might last. means that you did not have COVID-19 at the • Headache time of testing.

• New loss of taste or smell If you test positive or negative for COVID• Sore throat 19, no matter the type of test, you still should • Congestion or runny nose take preventive measures to protect yourself • Nausea or vomiting and others.

• Diarrhea SYMPTOMS OF CORONAVIRUS This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this What you need to know list as we learn more about COVID-19.

• Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms.

When to Seek Emergency Medical At• Older adults and people who have severe tention underlying medical conditions like heart or Look for emergency warning signs* for lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher COVID-19. If someone is showing any of risk for developing more serious complicathese signs, seek emergency medical care imtions from COVID-19 illness. mediately • Trouble breathing Watch for symptoms • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest People with COVID-19 have had a wide • New confusion range of symptoms reported – ranging from • Inability to wake or stay awake mild symptoms to severe illness.

• Bluish lips or face Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after *This list is not all possible symptoms. exposure to the virus. People with these Please call your medical provider for any symptoms may have COVID-19: other symptoms that are severe or concern• Fever or chills ing to you.

• Cough Call 911 or call ahead to your local emer• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing gency facility: Notify the operator that you • Fatigue are seeking care for someone who has or may • Muscle or body aches have COVID-19.

Image © Martinmark | Dreamstime.com

TWO KINDS OF tests are available for COVID-19: viral tests and antibody tests.

• A viral test tells you if you have a current infection.

• An antibody test tells you if you had a previous infection.

An antibody test may not be able to show if you have a current infection, because it can take 1-3 weeks after infection to make antibodies. We do not know yet if having antibodies to the virus can protect someone from getting infected with the virus again, or how long that protection might last.

Want to see current and previous issues of ABODE online? Go to http://issuu.com/haa_abode.

Or view this issue on your computer, iPad or smartphone at http://issuu.com/haa_abode/docs/abode_aug2020.

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THANK YOU, HAA MEMBERS

We are grateful to you, our Houston Apartment Association family, for supporting us during this challenging time by renewing your membership and making your dues payments.

Your continued commitment to HAA allows us to continue to help the apartment industry survive and move forward.

HAA recognizes and understands the challenges facing our members, and we thank you for staying with us.

Together, we are multifamily strong.

Houston Apartment Association • 4810 Westway Park Blvd., Houston, Texas 77041 • 713-595-0300 • www.haaonline.org

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Calendar HAA Education, Events and Meetings SCHEDULE

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As of press time, dates and locations are tentative.

Please see www.haaonline.org for the most up-todate information.

Social distancing and masks will be required for in-person meetings.

HAA has modified procedures to reduce opportunities for the COVID-19 virus to spread as we realize there is a risk associated with interacting with the public.

• We are minimizing the number of people allowed in our building.

• All guests are instructed to remain 6 feet apart.

• We are providing social distance markers to guide access.

• We have hand sanitizers in common areas throughout our building.

• We have enhanced cleaning of our building nightly.

• Guests will be required to wear masks at all times. If you are able to provide your own mask, please do so. We will have disposable masks in case you do not bring your own.

• We will take the temperature of each guest as they enter our building. If any guests has a temperature that registers over 100.4 you will not be able to attend the meeting/event.

• If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or have been in contact with someone who has the virus or has been exposed to anyone who is sick, we ask that you remain at home.

Thank you for your patience as we implement these new guidelines to keep you safe.

AUGUST 4 Expert Exchange LIVE Series Tuesday, August 4 Noon Zoom and Facebook Live Do you need help navigating recent operational challenges? The Houston Apartment Association’s new series called “Expert Exchange” will feature industry experts who will answer the top questions concerning current and pressing topics.

These carefully curated sessions will offer guidance that you can use right now. See Page 23 for details.

5 New Supplier Member Orientation Virtual Wednesday, August 5 10 a.m.

Zoom All new supplier members welcome. Contact Amanda at asherbondy@haaonline.org for details.

Ambassador ONE Society Meeting Virtual Wednesday, August 5 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Remo Contact Amanda at asherbondy@haaonline.org for details.

6 Virtual Summer Sponsorship Auction Thursday, August 6 10 a.m.

Contact Amanda at asherbondy@haaonline.org for details.

7 HAA NEXT Professional Development Webinar Friday, August 7 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

This niche group within HAA is dedicated to the networking and professional development needs of HAA members 35 and younger. Network with your peers and grow your career together among the next generation of HAA leadership!

11 Expert Exchange LIVE Series Tuesday, August 11 Noon Zoom and Facebook Live See Page 23 for details.

12 Resident Relations Virtual Wednesday, August 12 2 p.m.

Zoom

13 HAAPAC Luncheon Virtual Thursday, August 13 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Zoom Program fee: $30 per HAAPAC member; $40 per non-HAAPAC member Contact Alpa at apatel@haaonline.org for details.

14 IROC Breakfast Friday, August 14 (rescheduled from July) 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

It’s the Law Luncheon Friday, August 14 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Join HAA's Legal Counsel, Howard Bookstaff, for lunch and a legal discussion in a casual environment allowing for questions and answers.

Topic: TBA

18 Expert Exchange LIVE Series Tuesday, August 18 Noon Zoom and Facebook Live See Page 23 for details.

18-19 Leasing 101 (day and a half) Tuesday, August 18 and Wednesday, August 19 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Program fee: $75 if payment is received before Tuesday, August 20; $85 at the door An in-depth introduction to the apartment industry for new leasing professionals, as well as those individuals looking to learn more about the industry as a career. This day

S 1 8 15 22 29

SEPTEMBER S M T W 1 2 6 7 8 9 13 14 15 16 20 21 22 23 27 28 29 30

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F 4 11 18 25

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and a half program also includes TAA lease paperwork curriculum.

Topics covered include greeting and qualifying the customer; executing the lease contract; overcoming objections and closing techniques; an overview of Fair Housing and more. Students who complete the course will receive a certificate, as well as a listing of placement agencies and management companies that are members of HAA. If you are not working for a member company of HAA, download the registration form https://www.haaonline.org/uploaded Files/Site_Content/Education/Profess ional_Development/leasing101_2020 .pdf.

20 Avenues: Mainstreet Session 3 – “Leasing in a Saturated Market: Stand Out with Personal Branding” with Lisa Trosien Thursday, August 20 8:30 a.m. to noon See Page 22 for details.

Sponsored by CORT Furniture FEATURED EVENT: HAA Business Exchange Virtual Thursday, August 20 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

See Page 17 for details.

21 ACES Luncheon Tentative Friday, August 21 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

25 Expert Exchange LIVE Series Tuesday, August 25 Noon Zoom and Facebook Live Do you need help navigating recent operational challenges? The Houston Apartment Association’s new series called “Expert Exchange” will feature industry experts who will answer the top questions concerning current and pressing topics.

These carefully curated sessions will offer guidance that you can use right now. Topic: TBD See Page 23 for details.

UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, all events meet at our Dinerstein Reed Prokop Education Center, 4810 Westway Park Blvd., second floor, in either the Direct Energy and Liberty Personnel & Executive Search or the Camden and Michael Stevens Interests Room. Meetings located at the HAA Offices, 4810 Westway Park Blvd., first floor, will be held in the Redi Carpet and Winograd Families/Judwin Properties Conference Room. See www.haaonline.org for an interactive calendar.

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Please note that dates and times are subject to change. Check the calendars at www.haaonline.org for the most up-to-date information.

SEPTEMBER 2 New Supplier Member Orientation Wednesday, September 2 3 p.m.

Craft Republic 11470 Westheimer, 77077 All new supplier members welcome. Contact Amanda at asherbondy@haaonline.org for details.

Ambassador ONE Society Meeting Wednesday, September 2 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Craft Republic 11470 Westheimer, 77077 Contact Amanda at asherbondy@haaonline.org for details.

8 Expert Exchange LIVE Series Tuesday, September 8 Noon Zoom and Facebook Live Do you need help navigating recent operational challenges? The Houston Apartment Association’s new series called “Expert Exchange” will feature industry experts who will answer the top questions concerning current and pressing topics.

These carefully curated sessions will offer guidance that you can use right now. See Page 23 for details.

9

15

24

Certified Pool Operator Course Wednesday, September 9 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Expert Exchange LIVE Series Tuesday, September 15 Noon Zoom and Facebook Live Do you need help navigating recent operational challenges? The Houston Apartment Association’s new series called “Expert Exchange” will feature industry experts who will answer the top questions concerning current and pressing topics.

These carefully curated sessions will offer guidance that you can use right now. See Page 23 for details.

HAAPAC Luncheon Thursday, September 24 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Program fee: $30 per HAAPAC member; $40 per non-HAAPAC member Contact Alpa at apatel@haaonline.org for details.

Resident Relations Committee A Wednesday, September 9 2 p.m.

10 Avenues: Marketing Session 2 – “Reputation Management: A Winning Strategy in Response and Recovery to Bad Reviews” with Amy Kosnikowski Dilisio Thursday, September 10 8:30 a.m. to noon Sponsored by ALN Apartment Data Go-Getter Happy Hour Thursday, September 10 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Cadillac Bar 1802 Shepherd Drive, 77007 Sponsored by Hire Priority Staffing & Executive Search and Pavement Services Corporation

15-16 Leasing 101 (day and a half) Tuesday, September 15 and Wednesday, September 16 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

9 Pearland Education Outreach – “Build and Better Your Leasing” Tentative Wednesday, September 9 8:30 a.m. to noon

17 FEATURED EVENT: 60th Anniversary Celebration Thursday, September 17 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Houston Museum of Natural Science - Wiess Energy Hall 5555 Hermann Park Dr., 77030

22 Expert Exchange LIVE Series Tuesday, September 22 Noon Zoom and Facebook Live Do you need help navigating recent operational challenges? The Houston Apartment Association’s new series called “Expert Exchange” will feature industry experts who will answer the top questions concerning current and pressing topics.

These carefully curated sessions will offer guidance that you can use right now. See Page 23 for details.

23 Onsite-Goes-Offsite: The Woodlands Tentative Thursday, September 23 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Board Meeting Thursday, September 24 4:30 p.m.

25 IROC Breakfast Friday, September 25 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

28 2020 Bill Dinerstein Memorial Golf Tournament Monday, September 28 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Quail Valley Golf Course & City Centre 2880 La Quinta Dr., Missouri City

29 Expert Exchange LIVE Series Tuesday, September 29 Noon Zoom and Facebook Live.

Do you need help navigating recent operational challenges? The Houston Apartment Association’s new series called “Expert Exchange” will feature industry experts who will answer the top questions concerning current and pressing topics.

These carefully curated sessions will offer guidance that you can use right now. See Page 23 for details.

www.haaonline.org/rcr

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Now Vir tual! or in per son see www at the HAA Edu ca .haaonli ne.org f tion Center, or detail s.

Main

ST

Avenues: Main Street – 3 August 20 Leasing In a Saturated Market: Stand Out with Personal Branding With Lisa Trosien Lisa Trosien began her multifamily career 20+ years ago as a part time Leasing Professional while trying to finance her undergraduate degree in education.

Discovering that she thoroughly enjoyed the apartment industry, she decided to put her teaching degree to work instructing multifamily professionals in all aspects of the industry. A frequent presenter on the national level as well as state and local apartment associations and multifamily owners, management companies and developers across the country. Lisa is a curriculum development content specialist and has contributed to many of NAA’s credential courses as a subject matter expert.

Supplier

CIR

Avenues: Supplier Circle – 3 October 12 Own Your Awesome . . .

Delivering Exceptional Customer Service With Patty Morgan Seager Patty Morgan Seager began her marketing career in nearly 40 years ago in Indianapolis, Indiana. During her 13-year tenure, she held a prestigious position as Marketing/Training Director overseeing 12 apartment communities in the Greater Indianapolis and Southern Indiana area. In 1989, Patty was recruited by HPC Publishing where she successfully launched the Columbus Apartment Guide publication and increased its size from 92 to 452 pages. In 1995 she was promoted to National Sales Trainer and was instrumental in training all new sales personnel while developing and implementing a new National Sales Training Program. In 1996, Patty was promoted to Midwest Regional Director overseeing eight markets in seven cities. Patty continues to be a highly respected and innovative speaker providing her services at popular Trade Shows and Conferences nationwide.

Sponsored by

Follow a road that fits you career journey with Avenues.

The Avenues series of seminars feature some of the best nationallyacclaimed speakers in the industry with learning sessions for every level of multifamily professional. There are five Avenues to choose from, Main Street, Maintenance Boulevard, Leadership Lane, Marketing Place and Supplier Circle. Follow just one path or pick and choose from all of the 15 great sessions.

Don’t miss the next three sessions:

Marketing

PL

Avenues: Marketing Place – 2 September 10 Reputation Management: A Winning Strategy in Response and Recovery To Bad Reviews With Amy Kosnikowski Dilisio Reputation management is the hot buzz words right now in the industry.

Attend this session to understand why managing a community’s positive reputation is crucial in marketing a real estate asset. With the continuing rise and use of rating and review sites, gain a clear understanding of how to respond effectively. Discover the best practices to turn around a series of negative comments and how to get customers to post positive comments and reviews.

Amy will extend suggestions on how to turn around a tarnished reputation along with a step by step honest review of the customer service that is provided that may have led to the troubling reviews. You will not want to miss this session to gain a new set of tools and ideas to build a fan base full of residents and beyond!

Learning Points: Reputation Management: Defined / Fundamentals / Cause of the Rave and Rating surge / Examples of Reputation Recovery / Respond Strategy / Steps To Get Empowered / Secrets to Gain Positive Raving Reviews

Need

Individua just one se per perso l sessions are pri minar? n, a real s c teal for q ed at only $50 Annual Property Subscriptions are uality edu available with unlimited attendance cation! for all on-site property staff to all sessions at discounted prices: • Only $199 per year per property for properties with fewer than 200 units • Only $399 per year per property for properties with 200 to 350 units.

• Only $450 per year per property for properties with more than 350 units.

If you need a single workshop, individual sessions are priced at only $50 per person, a real steal for quality education.

Virtual access instructions will be provided upon registration.

Register online at www.haaonline.org.

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Do you need help navigating recent operational challenges?

The Houston Apartment Association’s new micro-webinar series called “Expert Exchange” will feature industry experts who will answer the top questions concerning current and pressing topics. These carefully curated sessions will offer guidance that you can apply right now.

These bite-size learning sessions are free to all HAA members. You can join via Zoom, Facebook Live or YouTube. Join the HAA Facebook group page and subscribe to our YouTube channel HAATV to get notices of new content.

Check your emails and social media for August’s session schedule.

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Need Social Distancing Meeting Space?

The Houston Apartment Foundation Dinerstein Reed Prokop Education Center is here for you.

The HAF Education Center is located at the HAA/HAF facility, 4810 Westway Park Blvd. in the Westway Park Development at Clay Road and Sam Houston Parkway. This premier location with easy access for members and their employees offers several options to choose from.

• Large Conference Room • Computer Lab • Open Event/Training Space • Presentation/Projection Equipment Available Keep the education center in mind when your company is in need of a facility for your next meeting or employee training.

The center is available for rental to members and is the perfect venue for budget meetings, planning sessions and more.

For more information, contact Susan at 713-595-0300, e-mail shinkley@haaonline.org or visit us online at www.haaonline.org.

For more information, visit us online at www.haaonline.org

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Industry Update from the NATIONAL APARTMENT ASSOCIATION and the NATIONAL MULTIHOUSING COUNCIL

SOLVING FOR SERVICE TEAM SHORTAGES Meeting the maintenance team requires targeting the right job seekers.

THEY HANG IN shop windows.

They’re strung up as banners in front of heavily trafficked intersections. “Now Hiring” signs are nearly as prominent as traffic signals today.

Although most rental housing operators haven’t implemented the window-shopping technique to attract potential employees, the labor shortage is just as tangible in the industry, especially within the maintenance team.

According to the National Apartment Association, rental-housing operators posted 25,000 maintenance tech jobs in 2018, while turnover among maintenance techs reached 39 percent and continues to rise.

Meeting the maintenance team member shortage challenge, however, isn’t about posting the right signage. It’s about targeting the right job seekers and implementing the right skill-based training programs, according to the industry professionals on the “Solving for Service Team Shortages” panel at NAA’s Apartmentalize in 2019.

As many of the most qualified maintenance workers have turned to the construction industry where wages are higher and work is steady, many rental-housing providers are turning to opportunity youth.

Opportunity youth, according to Raphael Rosenblatt, Senior Director of Employer So-

lutions for Grads of Life, describes the 15-30year-olds who are smart, ambitious and through a set of unfortunate circumstances never found themselves in college.

“Largely overlooked but hugely valuable, it’s a talent pool that’s not utilized very frequently,” said Raphael Rosenblatt, Senior Director of Employer Solutions for Grads of Life. “By going to an alternative talent source, it opens a whole new pipeline to bring into your pool.”

The talent source needs some training to become effective service team professionals, but it’s made up of individuals who are loyal to the organizations that invest in training them.

“Opportunity youth stay in their careers a lot longer than other talent pools,” Rosenblatt said. “Another benefit is these individuals are coming in with limited priors. By investing in this talent pool, you can make sure they do it your way the first time and every time after that.”

The Apartment Association of Metro Denver (AAMD) and the Atlanta Apartment Association (AAA) are trying to do just that by creating their own training programs that feed certified associates into maintenance tech positions.

The AAMD operates a six-week Maintenance Apprenticeship Program that offers 48

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hours of technical training and 100-plus hours of paid, on-the-job training. They’ve partnered with 38 management companies, three staffing agencies and one technical college to help place graduates in difficult situations into full-time positions.

“Some of our candidates that have come to me are homeless or close to homeless,” said Lisa Godbehere, Director of Education and Career Development for the Apartment Association of Metro Denver. “This program has changed people’s lives. They finally get that chance, and they’re set for a career path in this industry.”

The AAA’s Service Training Academy provides career changers and recent high school grads with four industry certifications and hands-on training. The program has partnered with over 50 member companies to place service technicians in communities throughout Atlanta. Each participant is completely immersed in the multifamily housing employment experience.

“That’s something that we pride ourselves on is completely immersing these students in multifamily,” said Lisa Russo, Workforce Development Manager for the Atlanta Apartment Association. “We are all sitting in this room because multifamily is a wonderful place to be.”

With HAA’s job board, you’ll discover a professional community that’s committed to helping you find the right candidate or your next job opportunity in the greater Houston and surrounding areas.

jobs@haaonline.org 713-595-0300 www.haaonline.org

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Welcome New HAA Members

THE NEW ESSENTIALS Say hello to some of our newest Houston Apartment Association members.

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www.haaonline.org

With HAA’s job board, you’ll discover a professional community that’s committed to helping you find the right candidate or your next job opportunity in the greater Houston and surrounding areas.

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Back to the Basics It is time to bring our focus back to exceptional service while still respecting the current moment’s normal.

By

MOLLIE WITT, CAM, CAPS, Venterra Realty

S When we connect with our customers and take a step back from the situation and mentally meet them where they are, we then set ourselves up to really advocate for the customer experience.

www.haaonline.org

ince the onset of COVID-19, everyone in the property management industry has completely pivoted the way their day to day business operates in a moment’s notice. We went from an industry thriving on in-person connections to closed doors. Despite the rules and restrictions, guidelines and regulations that came with COVID-19, we still have a customer-centered business to run. Our business bases itself upon taking care of our prospects, and residents.

When we were given new guidelines, we pivoted. We pivoted quickly and gracefully. We listened to the CDC, we listened to our leaders and we found a way to work in this new environment. The way to work included new policies and procedures. We had time to adjust to these new guidelines and continued to find the moment’s normal.

We find ourselves now sitting a few months into COVID-19, so it is time we must bring our focus back to our people while still respecting the current moment’s normal. Getting back to the basics and really connecting with our customers by figuratively meeting them where they are in the moment is what will ensure that you are truly advocating for the customer experience, therefore setting you apart from your competition.

Getting back to the basics sounds easy enough, right? Sure, it does. But it often plays out that once we become comfortable, these are the steps we forget. We get complacent, we forget to take a step back, we put our focus on everything except the basics. The policies, the paperwork, the guidelines on what we can and can’t do, the cleaning schedules, the deadlines and whatever else takes up our day gets in the way. But, losing sight of the customer service basics is a quick and efficient way to create more busywork.

When we lose sight of the customer experience forest because we are looking at the tree of tasks, we will not connect with customers. When we do not connect, we do not lease to new resi-

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Remember, we may be working at the office, this is our job, but this is your customer’s home. Think about all of the things that you experience at your home, the place that should be your sanctuary. This is your customer’s sanctuary, their peaceful place, the place where they can be themselves.

dents, and we do not keep our current residents happy, then they start giving notice. This leads to more vacant apartments, more marketing, more make-readies, more work and fewer customers. No matter your role in your community, it is time to get back to the basics.

Take advantage of the time we have now and really spend it focusing on the customer experience. The easiest way to get back to the basics is to remember the golden rule, treat others as you want to be treated. Think about this in terms of contact with the customers.

Remember, we see things from our side of the desk, from our side of the conversation. When you can, take a step back, and look at situations from the other side of the desk or conversation it impacts your response and allows you to see the customer’s side. You are then able to align yourself with your customer and try and get in the mindset that will propel the conversation, versus the mindset that allows the conversation to fizzle.

Finding ways to obtain the most pertinent information for your encounter with your customer gives you an advantage in connecting.

In the leasing role, take a little longer on that phone call to get all of the information that you can in order to help you with your tour.

An extra thirty seconds itself will not allow you to finish one more task off your list, but it will allow you to start connecting.

Take little bits of information you find and build upon it. One of my favorite things is changing up the wording on some of the routine questions we ask our prospects.

Everyone else asks if they have any pets coming with them, but you can be the one asking if they have any fur babies coming into their new home. The simple rephrasing of the same question right there surely resonates with an animal lover. Now, if your prospect tells you that they do have a pet coming with them, great, ask the animal’s name. Use this throughout your conversation. Describe the apartment in detail, make mention of the apartment features and how they cater to

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their pet. An easy way to do this is, “We have a lot of green space in our community, and I know that Sparky is going to love that when you take him on his evening walks.” When you show your prospect that what they value is important, you get that strong connection from the start.

Equally important as making the connection, is meeting the customer where they are.

With a little practice and patience, this becomes an easy step that really sets your service apart from others. It is simple and just takes a moment to mentally take a step back.

If an upset resident calls and raises their voice, take a moment to mentally step back from the conversation to get all of the details.

Take the moment to align yourself with what they are saying versus focusing on how they are saying it. Use words letting them see that you are trying to put yourself in their shoes. If it is a maintenance request, take a moment to look over previous requests. Is this their third call for the same problem? Consider your personal feelings if you had the same work order multiple times.

Another example is you may have a prospect coming in and they are not able to meet your qualifications. Don’t just dismiss them as if they are a waste of your time, align yourself with what they must be going through, and how frustrated it is to be turned down. Refer to that golden rule mentioned earlier, treat everyone as you want to be treated. In other words, decline them how you would want to be declined.

This thought process holds especially true for evictions. Nobody wants to be evicted.

View this as a moment to make a positive impact in a negative situation versus a burden that you deal with. This thought shift will really allow you to understand the external factors pushing your resident here. You can consider actions to take that can make this as positive of a bad experience as possible. Evict someone how you would want to be evicted.

Listen to someone how you would want to be

listened to. Decline someone as you would want to be declined.

When we connect with our customers and take a step back from the situation and mentally meet them where they are, we then set ourselves up to really advocate for the customer experience. To successfully do that, we need to understand that the experience is based on their entire experience and not just one touchpoint. Only when we really consider everything that our customer has gone through to get to us at that moment, we are truly able to advocate for them to have the best overall experience.

Remember, we may be working at the office, this is our job, but this is your customer’s home. Think about all of the things that you experience at your home, the place that should be your sanctuary. This is your customer’s sanctuary, their peaceful place, the place where they can be themselves.

When they call your community home, they are trusting you with this. As long as we recognize the weight of the responsibility and constantly remind ourselves that this is where our customers live out their lives, we can’t help but keep the basics of exceptional service a priority.

Mollie Witt, CAM, CAPS is a regional trainer at Venterra Realty with almost 11 years of experience in the multifamily housing industry. Witt has a passion for learning and spreading knowledge and has shown this through volunteering to facilitate NALP certifications through the Houston Apartment Association. She also has a passion for serving the community and holds two regular volunteer positions with Ronald McDonald House at the Texas Children’s Hospital in the Medical Center and as a Sunday school teacher at her church.

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Virtual Touring Tips to Stay Connected T Your leasing strategy must evolve for it to be effective in the future.

By

CHRISTIN DANIELS, CAM, Buyer’s Access

Technology can make the leasing process easier for both prospects and operating teams but reliance on it alone won’t show increasing returns.

he term “new normal” has had negative connotations, but when it comes to technology, is this new normal so bad? Pandemic disruption to multifamily operations created a desperate need for alternatives to the standard, in-person apartment tour.

Virtual touring and leasing solutions bridged the socially distanced gap, serving as the industry’s lifeline and only hope to keep occupancy from plummeting. Are the virtual tours helping enough to justify its presence after the pandemic? Is leasing activity soaring due to the increased efficiency and convenience? Is it safe to say the virtual realities were needed before the pandemic or are they just an upgrade to an already solid system? Below we take a deep dive into leveraging technology for your advantage, when closing leases and communicating with residents.

Is it working for or against you?

Technology can make the leasing process easier for both prospects and operating teams but reliance on it alone won’t show increasing returns. Using technology platforms without strategizing a holistic approach to resident and prospect interactions will leave holes in your interactions.

When prospects find tours available on the website, it’s easy for them to dodge an interaction with someone, if they are afraid someone might sell them. The downside to this is it robs prospects of valuable information that can only be provided through personal interaction. Using the website data to your advantage whenever possible is a way to leverage technology to close more leases.

Who do you remember? Who do you forget? Not the chatbot!

The best leasing professionals in the industry have one thing in common, they know what to say and when to say it. They also know when to stop talking. Why? Because they listen and show interest in their prospect while looking for clues. But this interaction isn’t hap-

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Urgency is an undeniably effective closing technique that loses some of its relevance with virtual tours. Finding ways to still create that same urgency by leveraging any data collected on your tour platforms and directing outreach accordingly can help create synergy between technology and human interactions. pening as often with virtual tours and it’s important to still hold urgency in outreach to them even if they seem like they don’t want to talk.

A simple introduction lets them know you are there. You can gain their trust by showing them you won’t be a pushy leasing agent but a trustworthy friend. By a quick email or conversation, you can open the door for them to reach out when they need to or are ready to. And they likely will!

Why is the phone ringing if everything is virtual?

Anyone Home, an industry CRM solution, recently revealed that only 65% of calls into the leasing office were answered between Feb. 25 and March 14. That number decreased to 33% only 10 days later. Ironically, the volume of calls increased during this same period by 30%, meaning that the 33% multiplied in number of calls, leads or missed. In relation to this, LeaseHawk, showed similar trends amid the pandemic, reporting the average call return time of 23.5 hours. If interested prospects or even residents are unable to get in touch with someone, you are giving them more opportunities to go elsewhere. The value of the telephone is still valid and returning calls is a really great way to get virtual tours or better, leases.

Always urgent, never pushy Urgency is an undeniably effective closing technique that loses some of its relevance with virtual tours. Finding ways to still create that same urgency by leveraging any data collected on your tour platforms and directing outreach accordingly can help create synergy between technology and human interactions. Going back to analyzing any available website traffic can help convert leads into residents when used to personalize the approach. The effectiveness of the contact will be influenced by prior built rapport and your ability to come across as genuine, helpful and unforgettable.

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THE TOURS Live tours through video chat Video chat and the ability to tour prospects instantly opens up a whole new level of convenience without sacrificing personalization. It makes sticking to the time-tested truths in effective leasing activity easy, as the process is comparable to the in-person tour.

Where you can go wrong is by forgetting that the unit itself must be ready for the tour when you show up, so walking units is still imperative to increasing the effectiveness of using technology. Remember to be thorough and listen for buying cues along the way, later using them to gain a new resident.

Self-guided tours With the use of smart-lock technology, residents are now able to gain access to the apartment available to tour with leasing teams on video chat throughout the process. This is the second most personal way to be able to use virtual touring to personally connect, but there are some things to consider.

To be able to speak to what the prospect is looking at, ask them to turn the camera so you can both see the same thing at the same time.

Urgency is easy to implement on self-guided tours because leasing teams can be present.

Following up within 24 hours via phone is the best way to continue the process if they don’t lease right away.

On-demand virtual tours and web hosted tours On-demand lifestyles are here to stay, making the on-demand virtual tour popular for both prospects and onsite teams. The downfall, though, is it eliminates of personal interaction and it makes it easy for people to dodge a conversation that could have led to an application without the prospect realizing it.

Creativity can be your friend. Custom video solutions, personally written emails and telephone follow-ups help bridge the gap. Website traffic analytics can reveal valuable behind-thescenes insight that can be used to personalize your approach even more. Designing web based

virtual tours so that contact information is required in order to unlock access can assist in converting follow-up interactions. If your marketing traffic system can track a prospect’s user interaction experience through the IP address, you can gain key insights about their tastes before they even realize you exist. Don’t give away your secret though, use it to your advantage and allow them to continue to elaborate on their needs, making the process easier than ever, for both them and for you.

The Formula The value of technology during the COVID-19 pandemic is undeniable. Technology has saved many properties amid social distancing restrictions. With all the positives it brings, leasing strategies must evolve in order for it to be effective in the long term.

Tossing aside all the time-tested practices of the past isn’t the best way to leverage resources right now. Strategize, test and craft an approach using both technological advancements and tactics that have worked for years to build the ultimate virtual apartment community touring experience for you and your new residents.

Christin Daniels, CAM, has been in the apartment industry since 2006. She was exposed to opportunities in the apartment business through industry influencer, Debbie Phillips, who encouraged her to explore the career.

Finishing in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Housing and later a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Economics, Daniels promotes the industry everywhere she goes.

She has developed multiple teams, sourced external talent from outside industries and has developed them into industry leaders.

After working her way from leasing to community manager at highly valued assets, she wanted to influence the industry on a broader scale and became the outreach content and sales development strategist for Buyers Access. Daniels can be reached at cdaniels@buyersaccess.com. www.haaonline.org

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What the World Needs Now Is love, sweet love, to yourself and others.

By

ROMMEL ANACAN, The Relationship Difference

I

don’t know about you, but I want to change the world. There is so much happening right now. I wish I could just snap my fingers and change it all. People are angry, frustrated, hurting, fearful and confused; I wish I could just take it all away.

And yet at times, I also just want to crawl back into bed, ignore everyone, binge watch Hallmark movies and not leave the house until it’s 2021.

The fact is we cannot change everything in the entire world, but that shouldn't stop us from trying to bring positive changes into the world. As we change our personal world, we can trigger the kind of changes that will make our entire world a better place, for more people, more often.

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Can you relate?

If you’re like me, you’re probably overstressed, overwhelmed and over it. And if you are, it’s okay. Feeling these things is not a sign of weakness, it’s not a sign that you don’t have enough faith or that something is wrong with you.

The fact is we cannot change everything in the entire world, but that shouldn't stop us from trying to bring positive changes into the world. As we change our personal world, we can trigger the kind of changes that will make our entire world a better place, for more people, more often.

Where can you start?

Did you know that if you’re feeling overstressed, overwhelmed and over it one of the most powerful things you can do to care for yourself is to care for others?

Studies show that caring for people helps you more effectively deal with stress. Cortisol is the hormone that is typically associated with stress and it’s commonly referred to as the stress hormone, however, when we’re stressed our body actually produces both cortisol and oxytocin. According to psychologist Shelley E. Taylor, PhD, who directs the University of California, Los Angeles, Social Neuroscience Lab the stress-related manifestation of oxytocin may produce physiological changes that then encourage people to seek contact with others. When people do seek contact with others, oxytocin is released and creates feelings of “calm and closeness, according to Carol Rinkleib Ellison, a former assistant clinical psychiatry professor at the University of California, San Francisco. So, by caring for others, we can also help care for ourselves.

In my several of my talks, I have mentioned this quote by author John Eldredge, “The greatest impact you will make in your life is in the quality of relationship you offer to people.”

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When all is stripped away, the one thing that will matter the most to you is the relationships you’ve had in your life. If you want to make a positive impact right now in a world that desperately needs it and you want to help yourself feel less stressed, less overwhelmed and less over it, offer great relationships to the people in your world.

Of course, the problem with this is that we all define great relationships differently, because we are all different. Sure, we logically know we are all different, but we tend to have a harder time emotionally with the differences between us. I like to say that we all have “a way” of experiencing the world and we all tend to believe that our way is the right way.

Sometimes this plays out in silly ways. For example, I don’t like seafood, yet, I’m an Asian guy who grew up in Hawaii, which leads many people to believe that I must love sushi, sashimi, poke, lobster, crab and anything that comes from the ocean. When people find out I’d rather have a ribeye steak or fried chicken over lobster tail, they cannot believe it.

So, for much of my life I have been castigated for not liking seafood. Countless people have told me that it’s wrong that I don’t like seafood and that I am missing out. I want to reply, “I’m not missing out because I don’t like it!” But I usually smile on the outside and roll my eyes on the inside.

If people can disagree on what someone should or shouldn’t eat, how much more passionate could we be on the major issues affecting our world today?

them share their story, without your needing to share your story.

People just want to be heard, period. We all want the freedom to express our truth, our experience, our feelings and our perspectives without having shame, guilt, minimization and/or insults hurled our way.

The problem, as I mentioned earlier, is that we all have a way and we think our way is the right way. This is why we talk when we should be listening. This is why we debate when we should be agreeing to disagree. This is why we try to prove that someone else is wrong and we’re right, instead of allowing people to have their own opinions.

You can give a huge gift to people by simply giving them the space to share their stories with you and by listening actively and intently when they do. During this time, don’t interrupt, don’t steer the conversation back to you, don’t minimize their experiences, don’t tell them what they should or shouldn’t do and don’t offer solutions nor input. In fact, don’t offer anything except for your love, attention and empathy.

Empathy doesn’t mean that you agree with the other person’s point of view. All it means is that you are giving the other person the dignity to have their own experience. Try these empathy statements: • I’m so sorry.

• That must have been really hard to go through that.

• I cannot even imagine what that has been like for you.

• Thank you for sharing with me.

What can you do?

If you’re wondering what you can do to help both you and a hurting world, start with a commitment to offer great relationships to the people in your world. Here’s how:

LEAD The world needs people who will lead the charge and choose to be the change we all want to see. I hope you’ll choose to do! The world needs YOU.

LOVE What the world needs now is love! While there are many ways to show love, in this context I’d encourage you to love, serve, care and be there for someone else without getting something in return.

Do you have a neighbor that could use some help around the yard? Help them. Do you know of someone who could really use some grocery money right now? Give them a gift card or purchase their groceries for this week. Find the volunteer opportunities available in your community and make it a point to serve someone else.

Rommel Anacan (Roe-mel Ana-kin) is an award-winning motivational speaker, entrepreneur and strategist. He powerfully impacts people, companies and organizations by providing the clarity, motivation and education they need to break through their limits and achieve the success they desire. Prior to founding his company, The Relationship Difference, in 2011, Anacan had a successful career in multifamily housing where he worked at all levels of the industry from onsite to corporate, where he developed a reputation for solving common problems in uncommon ways.

Learn more about him at www.RommelAnacan.com

LISTEN Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do to connect with someone is to simply let

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Hiring in a Pandemic In 2020, potential is valued well beyond years of experience when considering the current volatility and rapidly changing environment.

By

ROBERT COTE, Hire Priority & Executive Search

I This is most likely one of the best times to secure top talent for your organization. While many, if not most, business leaders may read this statement with skepticism, read on to consider an almost limitless opportunity in from an unforeseen economic tragedy, an opportunity to build a leaner, stronger organization while keeping human capital costs in check.

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t can be downright difficult to avoid negativity these days.

The country is reeling from exponentially escalating infection rates. The economy remains a fraction of its previous boom-self just prior to COVID-19. Community leaders are deeply divided on when and how to fully restart the economy, our schools, favorite bars and beaches, just about everything. And, we can all agree it’s time to drop the “new” from the phrase “new-normal”. Still, there is a silver lining to be found.

For hiring managers, it is all about leveraging an unimaginable negative into an incredible talent acquisition bonanza.

This is most likely one of the best times to secure top talent for your organization. While many, if not most, business leaders may read this statement with skepticism, read on to consider an almost limitless opportunity in from an unforeseen economic tragedy, an opportunity to build a leaner, stronger organization while keeping human capital costs in check.

Some Industries Are Better Prepared Than Others It was clear, almost immediately, that many industries would face massive layoffs when the pandemic hit, while very few others would be able to weather the storm, unchanged. The hardest-hit industries include the airline industry, hotels, restaurants, retail, health care and other sectors where stay-athome orders evaporated a customer base. Top talent from these affected sectors have since gone looking for opportunities of stability within organizations likely to be pandemic proof. The multifamily industry is one of those industries.

Talented professionals with customer service, sales, marketing and technology experience all dovetail nicely into both onsite and corporate roles in multifamily. As well, these talented individuals match perfectly with many supplier partner opportunities.

Smart human resources professionals and hiring managers would do well focusing on recruiting from these industries to secure talented individuals who would have an immediate, positive impact on their companies. Even where there are limited open positions, special consideration to acquire these top performers could bring additional expertise and massive creative energy to teams suffering from the “caution fatigue” of this prolonged pandemic.

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“We regularly consider talented individuals from outside of multifamily when hiring, appreciating these hires can inject creativity and unique perspectives into our teams. We see the current employment environment supportive of this strategy as we provide an inclusive and empowering culture for our professionals and the best communities for our residents,” Partner for Alpha Barnes Real Estate Services, Hugh Cobb, said.

The multifamily industry is not without its pandemic problems. During this crisis, property managers have been forced to up their protocol prowess in providing their staff and community members with a safe living environment. Some of these protocols are likely to stick around for the unforeseeable future to ensure the public health and safety of residents and employees. These protocols have created new positions that oversee public health and safety standards in multifamily communities. These new positions could be filled by candidates from outside the industry, possibly by those who have experience overseeing health and safety standards. This enduring industry will be amongst the winners in obtaining top talent looking for their next opportunity.

Look for Potential In Lieu of Experience Many hiring managers may be reading this and thinking, “How can my company benefit when I have someone who may have relevant and relatable experience but has worked outside the industry?”

It’s helpful to understand the paradigm of hiring top talent is changing. In 2020, potential is valued well beyond years of experience when considering the current volatility and rapidly changing environment. Consider Amazon, a company that has targeted the

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aforementioned industries and the military to find new talent.

According to the Harvard Business Review, these four key attributes help identify top talent potential in any new addition (experienced or newbie) to your organization: 1. Curiosity: A penchant for seeking out new experiences, knowledge, candid feedback and an openness to learning and change.

2. Insight: The ability to gather and make sense of information that suggests new possibilities.

3. Engagement: A knack for using emotion and logic to communicate a persuasive vision and connect with people.

4. Determination: The wherewithal to fight for difficult goals despite challenges and to bounce back from adversity.

Another factor to be considered are the repetitive tasks that the candidate performed in their previous roles and how those tasks correlate well to what your company is looking for. As an example: If a management company is hiring a director of health and safety, looking at candidates with experience overseeing quality control makes perfect sense.

Many health care professionals have been displaced in the pandemic. In an article published by the WashingtonPost.com it was reported that, 1.4 million health-care jobs disappeared in April, according to the latest monthly government jobs report. Those included nearly 135,000 jobs lost at hospitals, more than 243,000 at physician offices and more than 503,000 at dental offices.

These professionals would make excellent health and safety directors and fit well in many other positions that require interaction with people, training, problem solving and establishing or refining protocols.

Utilizing Remote Technology to Interview and Hire With technology that makes it easier to work from home, such as Zoom, G Suite, Slack, it would be a mistake to avoid hiring until the pandemic passes. As companies have adjusted to the pandemic, as they strategize for the post pandemic normal, remote working environments have been joined by remote recruiting, remote hiring and even remote onboarding procedures.

No longer is in person the only way to find the best person and the best fit for your property or company.

In times of high stress, there may be an urge to play it safe and to wait to see how things turn out in the business world. But, brave, creative and proactive hiring managers will attract and secure top talent in 2020. It is a widely held belief that the deepest talent pools provide the highest results. If your property or company expects to soar into 2021, now’s the time to act on this unprecedented windfall of available talent. Get to hiring!

Robert Cote is the Chief Operating Officer at Hire Priority Staffing & Executive Search. In a career spanning more than 20 years, he has worked in a variety of leadership roles in multifamily while serving for the Houston Apartment Association and the Texas Apartment Association. Hire Priority has been a leader in multifamily search and staffing since 1990, providing temporary, temp-to-hire, payroll hire, permanent placement, training and career coaching.

He can be reached at rcote@hirepriority.com.

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Is Your Fitness Facility Ready to Reopen?

Five critical elements to consider when reopening your fitness center.

By

VAUGHN MARXHAUSEN, Advanced Exercise

W What do people need to feel safe (and to be safe) returning to beloved fitness facilities? What old programs need to change or close and what new experiences need to be offered? Importantly, what will those changes and adaptations cost?

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e knew it would come, eventually. We knew that we’d reach a point where the rhetoric would turn towards opening up instead of closing down. It seems as though we’ve come to that point, but are we ready?

Financially, yes, we’re all desperately ready to reopen.

Functionally however, there are five critical issues that every facility needs to address for themselves over the next few weeks to welcome people safely back through currently-closed fitness facility doors.

1. Cleaning and Disinfecting The biggest concern for fitness facilities is cleanliness, to make the environment safe and as non-transmissive as possible.

The CDC has released a complete set of general guidelines, containing most of what has been the topic of news reports for the past several weeks. Hand washing is vital, disinfecting equipment and surfaces is too, wearing protective masks and gloves, and many more tips are widely shared, though no one method has been proven fail-safe.

A reliable, recommended set of sanitizing services should include moving the cardio equipment to clean under and around those pieces of equipment that are most often touched (and sweated on), with full attention given to disinfecting the floor. The floor is the one piece of equipment that every single person who enters the facility touches, so that’s a disinfecting must. All free

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The practice of social distancing will likely require changes to the layout of your fitness facility, as the spacing for any piece of equipment needs to be rethought. Packed group exercise classes may be a thing of the past as numbers of participants may need to be limited. Cardio machines may need some extra inches to keep exercisers at safe margins from each other.

weights, bars, bands, balls, mats and accessories should be thoroughly sanitized as well as entry point doors and surfaces.

As far as cleaning products are concerned, the CDC has something called “List N” which is a 15-page long document of chemicals approved as effective against COVID-19. The list includes brain-busting ingredients like “dedecylbenzenesulfonic acid” and “quarternary ammonium” among thousands of others. Most are dilutable solvents – which can be good for deep cleaning in trained hands, but not for everyday use. Many cleaners can do irreparable harm to fitness equipment if used improperly, so that’s another consideration when you’re planning to sanitize your facility and everything inside it.

The most transmissive pieces of concern are made of porous materials (i.e. foam, fabric, etc.), where viral droplets and molecules can easily find a home. As a caution, some facilities are considering air spray systems to dispense disinfectant, but you’ll want to be wary of how the chemicals used will impact skincontact for employees and patrons, and any damage that might be caused to equipment.

2. Layout Changes The practice of social distancing will likely require changes to the layout of your fitness facility, as the spacing for any piece of equipment needs to be rethought. Packed group exercise classes may be a thing of the past as numbers of participants may need to be limited. Cardio machines may need some extra inches to keep exercisers at safe margins from each other.

In the short term, that might mean blocking off, unplugging or putting safety locks on certain pieces of equipment to ensure that visitors can’t use them. Long term, it will likely mean a reconfiguration of the entire space.

Products like The Mirror and Echelon’s Reflect are seeing a surge of interest from

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commercial facilities, who are now looking at how to create small-space experiences that are considered safer.

The antithesis of many of the efforts that the fitness industry has encouraged up until this point, classes of all kinds may need to be capped, with maximum capacity limits and marked-off spaces for individual participation. It’s plausible that a limit will be needed for the number of people that can use the free-weight area at the same time. How will weightlifting distances be enforced? How will personal training sessions work? There are countless unknowns.

3. Consider Outdoor Options With more spacing issues happening indoors, facilities are taking an even more serious look at outdoor options where spacing isn’t as constrained. With underutilized recreation fields and tennis courts or unused parking lots, fitness areas can be quickly created and just as quickly dismantled when activities are over.

The open air of the outdoors is a natural disbursement, so viral transmission is a lesser concern, though it’s still a necessary consideration. Equipment that’s exposed to the elements is usually more impervious to contagions and likewise easier to clean and disinfect. With outdoor equipment there are no electronics to be sensitive to chemicals, and the high-touch areas are minimal (since there are naturally less of them). You can really put tape lines on the grass or dirt, and individual equipment use might be a factor.

4. Equipment Replacement Like getting the lawn mower out after a few months of winter, checking equipment that hasn’t been regularly used is important before ramping back up to full speed.

Equipment with porous surfaces should be carefully examined to see if replacement is

necessary, or if safer (i.e. individual use) options might be needed. This includes items like fitness or yoga mats, foam rollers or other pieces that are difficult to disinfect after each use.

By far the largest consideration for germ transmission in any facility is the floor. Some industrial carpets are notorious breeding grounds for bacteria and fungi. With functional fitness on the rise, and now even more so due to the individual nature of the workouts, having a floor that is anti-microbial and easy to clean (which means it can be frequently cleaned) can be a compelling advantage. Luxury woven vinyl products like those offered by bWell Flooring have anti-microbial properties, is easy to power wash since it was originally created to be deck flooring for yachts, and it has both indoor and outdoor uses. There are also some select, anti-microbial carpet tile options, if carpet is a must, but prepare to pay a premium. Safety, cleanliness and anti-bacterial options are soughtafter requirements for many communities to feel comfortable returning to their fitness routines.

5. Cost Considerations/Budgeting for Necessities What do people need to feel safe (and to be safe) returning to beloved fitness facilities?

What old programs need to change or close and what new experiences need to be offered? Importantly, what will those changes and adaptations cost?

If deep cleaning and disinfecting programs need to be more frequent, it can be cost-prohibitive to maintain that over time. However, if it is considered a necessity, it has to be budgeted for. The same thing goes for space allocation, creating more individual fitness experiences inside the facility, there’s a sacrifice of numbers. Overall, there’s differing opinions on whether people are missing their www.haaonline.org

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social groups so much that they’ll be more group participation out of the house or whether fear and habit will see some avoiding larger group facilities and staying home more. Either way, many facilities are preparing for smaller number of participants, which means changes in group programs, participant levels, and again, the numbers that underlie it all.

Please note, this article was originally published on Advanced Exercise’s blog, with the original title of “5 Critical Fitness Facility Elements that Require Planning and Consideration.” Read more of Advanced Exercise’s helpful blog posts here: www.advancedexercise.com/blog/ready-toreopen/. Founded in 1986, Advanced Exercise is a leading fitness equipment and facility design resource, combining more than 30 years of design expertise with access to top fitness, wellness and recreation equipment brands to help clients create fitness experiences specific to the needs of their distinct communities. Advanced Exercise fitness consultants work with clients to maximize the use of available space in any facility, sourcing the best new or used equipment solutions for diverse ranges of fitness amenity end users.

For more information on fitness equipment and facility design services, visit www.advancedexercise.

Vaughn Marxhausen is a regional sales manager for Advanced Exercise and he can be reached at 832-334-3193 or at vmarxhausen@advancedexercise.com.

If you’re receiving this magazine, your company has joined and made your company and YOU part of the largest local apartment association in the nation! Every employee of your team is a member of HAA and also a member of the TAA and NAA. Check us out online at www.haaonline.org.

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Lowering Energy Costs Here are some tips and tricks on how to gain savings on your energy contract.

By

WILL MCGINNIS, CAS, Infinity Power Partners

L

ooking at so many pertinent and important aspects of apartment communities during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, one item that can often be overlooked or seem hopeless is your electricity and natural gas accounts.

Transparency is key in the world of commodities. Trusting in your supplier or consultant can be the difference between massive savings or lost savings.

Looking at so many pertinent and important aspects of apartment communities during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, one item that can often be overlooked or seem hopeless is your electricity and natural gas accounts.

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Energy Costs Energy costs are a calculation of a multitude of items but mainly the following: time of year (the contract’s start date), usage or load and weather. It is important to note, your electricity rates are not correlated to oil and gasoline prices at the pump.

Instead, it is natural gas prices that correlate with your electricity rates. I say this because it is a myth we hear far too often.

Right now, the heat rate portion of the calculation is driving energy costs. Heat rates are basically a calculation of how efficiently a power plant is converting its fuel source to electricity, i.e. coal-fired, natural gas, wind/solar.

Start Date Your start date is more meaningful than most people realize.

The start date is the date that your contract begins. Most clients believe they cannot setup a renewal or plan until their current agreement expires. This is not true. The ideal structure is to get a term that lands you in the spring or fall months for the best pricing. Including more summer or winter months in a term can create added premium due to expected spikes in usage.

So, the start date has a lot to do with your pricing and the models structured by the supplier. Finding a sweet spot term that can put your start date at a more advantageous date is ideal for pricing and future renewals. One aspect that we see, espe-

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What could a review of my electricity or natural gas account accomplish? Why is now an opportune time to review my energy accounts? If oil and gas prices have dropped, will electricity be cheaper too? Now may be as good of a time as any to take advantage of a light summer. If you know you are up in 2021, future pricing will continue to become less favorable as you approach expiration.

cially in the multifamily sector, is the proactive approach to renewals. You can lock-in pricing for electricity or natural gas contracts at any time. You simply set the start date to your current expiration date. You aren’t breaking a current contract, but instead you are guaranteeing savings and ensuring that you beat the market moving forward.

Usage Usage or load is an obvious factor. Like anything, the more you use, the cheaper the cost.

The unknown is your demand factors. Think of your energy use as a car. Your speedometer meters the exact level of usage at that moment, or kilowatts (kW). Your odometer also measures the overall usage through the entire service period or month, or kilowatt hours (kWh), what most people are familiar with on their invoices. If you have severe spikes or increased usage (speedometer), the utility has to account for supplying that power at any given time. This can increase premiums for future renewals in following years, however, the demand totals each year are reset on a rolling 12-month strip, so not all is lost if you have a bad month.

Weather Lastly, the weather is a key factor. If it is summer and very hot, it is likely that costs will be higher as usage and demand across the grid will increase. Recently, with the COVID-19

epidemic, Texas only saw a drop of approximately 2% in total demand through the month of June. The type of usage shifted in two forms, by the time of day and residential increases exceeding commercial usage. But as summer months hit (or the inverse, winter), you will notice that usage will continue to remain constant no matter if COVID-19 impacts are still being felt by businesses.

This goes back to timing. If you must look at renewing an electricity or natural gas contract in the winter or summer, try to wait for a mild (weather) time or week that can alleviate some of the premiums. Reviewing or pricing ahead of time will also help in this situation, as the premiums become more aggressive the closer to the start date. Consultants that focus on the market can be a great partner for items like this, as they can advise the absolute best time(s) to go to suppliers for pricing.

What could a review of my electricity or natural gas account accomplish? Why is now an opportune time to review my energy accounts? If oil and gas prices have dropped, will electricity be cheaper too? Now may be as good of a time as any to take advantage of a light summer. If you know you are up in 2021, future pricing will continue to become less favorable as you approach expiration.

The most ideal situation is if your contracts expire in 2021 through 2022. As such, begin your review(s) now. We are seeing major suppliers work to accommodate any green initia-

tives to win renewal opportunities, which means that you can negotiate great rates that include marketing green efforts (as well as the impact on the environment) for your communities. It is always a great time to ensure your utility accounts are in-line and that nothing is being billed incorrectly.

Think of ways to take advantage of $1.50/gallon at the pump before it goes to $2.25 next year.

With everything going on this year thus far, we are recognizing and realizing the changes that can often be overlooked are sometimes the most meaningful. Energy and electricity pricing can seem like a secondary item in the grand scheme of things. But as you review, reset and restart it may turn out to be a worthwhile effort to give to your utility accounts.

Will McGinnis, CAS, is the vice president of business development for Infinity Power Partners, an energy management and consulting firm based in Houston. Infinity Power Partners work with electricity and natural gas customers nationally. They also provide procurement management solutions, risk management services and market insight throughout the development of client-specific strategies. McGinnis can be reached at 713-559-0559 or via will@infinitypowerpartners.com.

Want to see this and previous issues of ABODE online?

Go to http://issuu.com/haa_abode. and view this issue at http://issuu.com/haa_abode/docs/abode_aug2020.

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Legislative, continued from Page 9 many existing buildings will make them impossible to repair after the next hurricane.

High-Opportunity Areas – Years ago, government-subsidized housing for low-income people was concentrated in low-income parts of town. Whether you believe this was due to institutional racism, politics or simply the lower cost of building there, this trend held true for many years.

One of the key goals of modern affordable housing policy is to make low-income housing available in “high-opportunity areas” – areas zoned for good schools, with easy access to nice parks, good jobs and grocery stores stocked with healthy food. While everyone agrees with the goal behind this practice, building affordable housing in more expensive parts of town is more expensive – meaning fewer units can be provided with the finite amount of money available. Additionally, some people believe that redirecting public investment away from traditionally low-income communities dooms those communities to further decline. How can we balance the goal of high opportunity areas with the need to provide more units? One answer may involve voucher mobility programs like NestQuest, which make it easier for voucher holders to use their housing choice vouchers in a wider range of properties.

Modern history is filled with reports written by task forces, many of which are presented with great fanfare, then sit on a shelf until quietly forgotten. We hope this will be different.

Houstonians need housing stability, and the industry that provides housing needs a way to do so that is sustainable and profitable in a free market. I’m honored to serve and look forward to reporting great progress to you in future issues of ABODE. If you have a regulatory problem or question, call the HAA main line at 713-595-0300 and ask for Public Affairs.

If a particular code requirement or issue concerns you, let us know by emailing Andy at ateas@haaonline.org.

The Houston Apartment Association Political Action Committee is the PAC of the Houston Apartment Association, a non-profit trade association representing the area apartment industry. Without political capital, our industry would not be as successful in representing you or your clients’ interests, and thus, your financial well-being. For more on HAA PAC, visit www.haaonline.org.

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State of the Insurance Market Taking a look at 2020 trends and beyond.

By

BRADEN GRIFFITH, Higginbotham

T Think about this: COVID-19 will have the same effect on the market as three catastrophic natural disasters.

While the world and the media are focused on the present impacts of COVID-19, the financial strain of this pandemic will have lingering effects for years to come.

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he insurance market is the hardest it has been in nearly a decade. Almost all markets and lines have been affected with the habitational industry facing the brunt of it all.

First, it makes sense to explain what exactly a “hard market” is in insurance. A hard insurance market is the opposite of a soft insurance market. During a soft market, rates are lower, high limits are available and insurers are eager to write more policies. During a hard market, rates are increased, high limits are harder to find and insurers are hesitant to write more insurance policies. In a hard market, underwriting becomes stricter and coverage may be limited. In partnership with AmWins, a specialty distributor of property, casualty and professional lines insurance products, here is some data that describes what is happening and why.

COVID-19 Let’s start with the most pressing and time sensitive factor: COVID-19.

• In May, Lloyd’s, an insurance and reinsurance market located in London, United Kingdom, reported it will pay at least $3B and as much as $4.3B as a result of the far-reaching impacts of COVID-19. In comparison, this amount is approximately equal to losses incurred due to 9/11, or the combined losses due to Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria.

• Insurers are also concerned about the long-term impact of the pandemic on claim activity that was not accounted for in their rate development or policy wording.

• Though communicable disease exclusions and other policy form modifications are being added to policies in almost every

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The National Centers for Environmental Information said that 2019 was the fifth consecutive year in which the United States experienced 10 or more natural disasters causing at least $1 billion in losses. This is unusual. In the last 40 years, only four other years had 10 or more natural disasters with $1 billion or more in losses. In 2019, there were 14 such events, including three floods, two tropical cyclones, eight severe storms and one wildfire. segment, there are lawsuits and legislative measures proposed that provide coverage to anyone who purchased business income insurance regardless of policy language.

Think about this: COVID-19 will have the same effect on the market as three catastrophic natural disasters. While the world and the media are focused on the present impacts of COVID-19, the financial strain of this pandemic will have lingering effects for years to come. Although the market was starting to see some stability after the spikes seen in Q3 and Q4 of 2019 and Q1 of 2020, it appears that the curve will not flatten as quickly as we had hoped or expected.

Property Market – Natural Disasters to Blame The state of the insurance market typically goes in cycles, and many factors contribute to the hardening or softening of the market, however, natural disasters appear to be a key element in the current market conditions.

The National Centers for Environmental Information said that 2019 was the fifth consecutive year in which the United States experienced 10 or more natural disasters causing at least $1 billion in losses. This is unusual. In the last 40 years, only four other years had 10 or more natural disasters with $1 billion or more in losses. In 2019, there were 14 such events, including three floods, two tropical cyclones, eight severe storms and one wildfire.

These natural disasters have a significant impact on insurers. Particularly in high-risk areas, insurers are offering less coverage, raising rates and canceling some policies. The multifamily and habitational industry has felt this impact more than others. Apartment properties and management companies are currently

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among the most challenging to place in the property sector, with the impacts of COVID-19 further complicating such placements.

“Throughout 2019, we experienced carriers requiring a combination of rate and deductible improvements in an effort to achieve underwriting profitability in this class,” Bob Black, the executive vice president and a national real estate practice leader for AmWINS, said.

With all of this said, the importance of good data is key – the better the narrative to the market, the better the renewal an account should see. The primary points of data that carry the heaviest burden are previous loss history, age and construction of the property as well as any implemented updates and security measures. As to the kind of renewals that should be expected, please see the excerpt below from Black.

“For multifamily accounts with a relatively clean loss history, appropriate valuation and a stable carrier panel, a rate increase between 15% and 22.5% is a common outcome currently,” Black said. “To the extent an account has meaningful losses during the policy year, a string of problematic years of loss history, important incumbent markets exiting the program and/or undervaluation, a rate increase between 25% to 40%+ is a common outcome currently.” In response to COVID19, “As a part of carrier renewal offers, many Property carriers are meaningfully reducing or eliminating coverage for anything that doesn’t have a direct physical damage trigger associated with it,” Black shared.

In an effort to deliver some good news, insurance buyers can, barring anything unforeseen, find some consolation in the fact that rates may level out toward Q4 2020.

Casualty Market Joins the Party Aside from the property market, the liability/casualty market has also taken a turn. Due to events such as the wildfires in California and the shooting in Las Vegas, the insurance market has paid north of $1B in losses over the past few years.

“In the casualty space, capacity restrictions within the excess sector are the most prominent,” Tom Dillon, a national casualty practice leader for AmWINS, said. “The trend of reduced capacity and increased rate started prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, but effects of the pandemic have added additional pressure to not only rate but the terms carriers are willing to offer.”

In regard to general liability, due to an increase in claims severity and frequency, standard carriers and programs are no longer writing risks with losses or those in undesirable classes, such as senior living, Section 8 or student housing. “These accounts, which two or three years ago would have been written guaranteed cost, are now in the [surplus] market having to take large [self-insured retentions (SIRs)],” Jack Reid, senior vice president with AmWINS Brokerage in Los Angeles, CA, said. “Insurance agents should prepare their insureds that they may have to accept larger SIRs between $50,000 and $500,000. On the excess liability (umbrella) side, standard markets and programs are losing their [appetite] or drastically cutting back capacity.

Historically, these accounts … were severely underpriced, making the new, more realistic pricing a difficult pill to swallow for insureds.”

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the multifamily industry. These impacts apply regardless of function, whether you’re involved in ownership, development or property management. For my friends in the supplier community, it’s important to understand what issues your clients are currently facing and how you can best serve them moving forward. Stay safe out there, and cheers to another year of membership in the best apartment association in the United States.

Braden Griffith is an associate for Higginbotham, a single source for insurance, risk management and financial services. Griffith is a commercial insurance broker, focusing his practice and managing risk within the commercial real estate, habitational and private equity worlds. Primarily focused on working with firms with portfolios in Texas. Their team is experienced with clients in excess of $4B in assets and understands development (new and existing), construction, management and acquisition/exits. Higginbotham provides access to commercial and personal property/casualty coverage, employee benefits, retirement plans, life insurance and executive compensation plans. Their inhouse consultants also deliver custom loss control and benefit plan administration solutions. Higginbotham's breadth ensures that clients of every scope and size have competitive options without engaging multiple brokers. Feel free to reach out to Griffith with any questions at bgriffith@higginbotham.net.

TARGET QUALIFIED LEADS With HAA’s job board, you’ll discover a professional community that’s committed to helping you find the right candidate or your next job opportunity in the greater Houston and surrounding areas.

www.haaonline.org jobs@haaonline.org 713-595-0300 www.haaonline.org

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HAA HONOR AWARDS Since the August issue of ABODE is typically the Honors Awards issue, we celebrate the Houston Apartment Association’s 60th anniversary this month by recognizing the individual Honors Awards winners, previously known as the Industry Achievement Awards and the Go-Getter Recognition Awards.

Owner/Management Executive of the Year

Independent Owner of the Year

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Bob Pisaturo Tony Banfield Bill Dore Foy Midkiff Lan Bentsen Roger Greer Paul Nichols Herb McDonald Walter Eeds Pat Tollett Jack Dinerstein Mike Biggs Ronny & Marvy Finger Doris Hemsworth Darlene Smith Stacy Hunt Linda Handley Eileen Subinsky Kathy Clem David Hargrove Al Bradley and Tim Myers Jenifer Paneral Gary Blumberg, CAPS, CPA Suan Tinsley Beth Van Winkle, CPM, CAM, CAPS Kirk Tate, CPM David Jones Etan Mirwis, CPM, CAPS Darlene Guidry, CPM Jerry Winograd Jackie Rhone Kim Small John Ridgway Debbie Sulzer Mack Armstrong Clark Gregg, NALP, CAPS Kelly Scott, CAPS Michelle Pawelek Stephanie Graves, CAM, CAPS, IROP Diane Gilbert, CPM

2019

Supplier Partner of the Year (previously the Associate of the Year award)

Henry Swanson John Fedorko Marie DeBakey Frank Puryear Rosemary Virk Roy Kaylor Robert Barnwell Jr. Del Walmsley Trey Stone Emery Jakab Ira Gross Ian Hancock Robert Martinez Jerry and Sharon Turner John Boriack Carlos Neto Robert Martinez Felicia Lewin Elizabeth Castro Gray, CAM, CAPS, NALP, IROP Joe and Stephanie Bryson, CAPS, IROP

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Tim Benson Nora Krakower Ed Kanyuck Jerry Rega Les Keaton Merry Mount Tim Brady Ken Bohan John Moore Bruce McClenny Susan Rudman Nance Wells Sherry Stevenson Pat Keller Sonny Unverzagt Nona Durrett Jim Hauser Dwain Capodice Kathy Smith Rick Luke Roger Camp Billy Griffin Cesar Lima and Steve Park Theresa Lamar Carol Marple Barbara Brett Vicki Summitt Michelle Bridges-Pahl Patrick Brothers, CAS Tony Whitaker Jeff Blevins, CAS Kevin Fenn, CAS Beth Rohani, CAS Dean O’Kelley, CAS Laura Lestus, CAS Mark Park, CAS Kristin McLaughlin, CASE Jacob Kunath, CAS Izzy Garza, CAS Grant Crowell, CAS

Ronnie and Marvy Finger Mel Kieke and Mike Dillon

Bob Pisaturo Dwayne Henson

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Portfolio Supervisor of the Year

Property Manager of the Year

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Ann Miller Derrell Ralston Kirk Tate Jan Daub Betty Penninger Louise Camp Carolyn Hudson Marinelle Austin Debbie Joyce Martie Terry A J Simpson Monette Reynolds Jan Svoboda Suan Tinsley Sheri Thomas James Tollett Alison Hall Mike Maerz Kelly Scott Deborah Parker Michael Bright Kim Small Michelle Ybarra Tracie McCaulley Georgeanne Longoria, CAPS Brenda Boyd Jackie Rhone Kyle Brown Dawn Jakubik Michelle Gates, CPM Kathy Vandegaer Barby Lake, CAPS Clark Gregg, NALP, CAPS Kelly Rightmire-Suess, CAPS Debbie DeRoche Kurt Gilpin John Dang, CAM, CAPS Kristin Settles, CAM, NALP Richard Wall, CAM, CAPS Scott Douglas, CAM, CAPS

On-Site Manager of the Year – Less than 500 Units or 200 to 499 Units

Mona Fendeson Thelma McClanahan Jan Chaffin Carolyn Sauslberry Fran Copeland Marty Morrison Shell Wolff Mona Miller Julie Whal Tanya Hickman Elsie Sikes Becky Bordman Dori Locke Pat Johnson Mary Durham Elizabeth Peel Lucy Holt Betty Vestal Jill Bounds Teresa Elliott

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

On-Site Manager of the Year – More than 500 Units 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

On-Site Manager of the Year – One to 199 Units 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Michelle Croasmun Heather LaClaire Cynthia Montenegro Kathy Vandegaer Carol Daniel Melissa Coffey, CAM Theresa Tribbett Yvonne Saenz, CAM Linda Belk

Teresa LeBlanc Christi Araiza M Graham Elisa Gonzalez, NALP, CAM Scarlet Davis Jayne Leopold, CAM Traci Henderson, CAM

Julie Davidson Irene Winebarger Nancy Baker, ARM Audrey Ingram Betty Vestal, CAM Linda Henderson, ARM Patrick Nevins Kurt Gilpin Reneé Renobato

On-Site Manager of the Year – One to 150 Units 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Cynthia Coffman Courtney Martin Malissa Alvarado, CAM Tiffany Rose Margaret Sangster LaTasha Ferguson Rebecca White Yaneth Luna, NALP Erika Pierce Vanessa Fernandez Wendy Reyes, CAM Ronnie Morgan, Eileen Subinsky, Ken Bohan and Tim Myers

Sonny Unverzagt with Tim Myers

Peggy Nelson, Raedean Fabian and Linda Handley Darlene Guidry with Tim Myers

Karen and Howard Bookstaff with Suan Tinsley Alison Hall and Carolyn Hudson

1994 www.haaonline.org

1995

Eileen Subinsky with Gene Blevins

1996

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On-Site Manager of the Year – 151 to 349 Units 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Pamela Lupercia, CAM Morgyn Keneson, CAM Susan Wells Mark Billig, CAM Nancy Gilman, CAM Brandon Coleman Chris Runyon, CAM Richard Hester, CAM Nancy Gilman, CAM Chris Palacios, CAM, NALP Jason Richards, CAM

On-Site Manager of the Year – 350 Units or More 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Christina Zimmerman Brittany Polach Jeffrey Peloquin Brooke Steidl, CAM Richard Wall Susan Byus, CAM John Dang, CAM Jennifer Ramos, CAM, CAPS Angie Barajas, NALP Tammie Garcia, CAM, CAPS Alisha Cain, CAM

Assistant Manager of the Year

Leasing Professional of the Year

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Cheral Wooley Lesa Brown Tamara Foster Eric Kelsoe, NALP Nohemi Fruia Mona Gonzalez Jackie Mendez Aaron Blinka Marie Mendez Ronda Gonzalez Gaylnn Parris Shawna Campbell Larry Williams Nicole Rankin Cheri Freeman Amanda Montgomery, CAM Margarita Gonora Leslie Stafford Theresa Juroska, CAM Chavonne Lafleur, NALP Vincent Vuong, CAM Maria Alam, NALP Anna Huerta, CAM Amber Tristan

Sheila Michaelis Tammy White Martha Micholas Sonya Smith Monica Phillips Laurie Meehan Liz Dziadik-Keith Raedean Fabian Michelle Meier Jennifer Coleman Jasmin Guerrero Juana Cornejo, NALP Carlos Palmer Dorcalis Palmer Patricia Villareal Brice Navarro, NALP Deondra Jackson, NALP Sarah Maestas Anita Gilliam, NALP Kim Buckalew Starr Evans Sharon Livingston April Toman Brittany McDowell, NALP Cortney Lindley, CAM Emilio Garcia Misty Smith Stephannie Green, NALP Bibiana Moreno, NALP David Dill, NALP Ashley Fafatas, NALP

Betty Vestal and Diane Gilbert

Roger Camp with Kirk Tate and Alison Hall

Kelly Scott with Vic Vacek and Eileen Subinsky

Walter “Bo” Simpson with Kirk Tate

Tomas Benitez with Kirk Tate

Kathy Clem with Vic Vacek and Eileen Subinsky Michelle Croasmun with Kirk Tate

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2000

2001

2002 www.haaonline.org

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Maintenance Supervisor of the Year – Multiple Properties 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Pete Cilone Pablo Paz Carlos Alvarez Kenneth Block Jaime Riveros Don Reitmeier Francisco Martinez Arnold Sanchez Frank Zavala David Vasquez Jose Alvarado, CAMT David Aleman Roberto Ramirez, CAMT Francisco Hernandez

Maintenance Supervisor of the Year – Single Property 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

David Herrera, CAMT Daniel (Danny) Alicea Manuel Medrano, CAMT Rolando Valdez Efrain Gomez, CAMT William Lobo Miguel Orellana, CAMT Nick Gomez Jesus Rojas Osrick Mitchell, CAMT

Maintenance Technician of the Year

Go-Getter of the Year

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Mac McCaskill Sonny Unverzagt Tom Lasater John Fontana Doug Brown Stephen Randall Edward Garcia Walter “Bo” Simpson David Bankston James Moorhead Cesar Lebron, CAMT Ruben Alzate Wayne “Jr” Pendleton, CAMT Tomas Benitez Duane Bennett, CAM, CAMT Rafael Villegas Derek Oliver Jose “Tony” Vasquez Bobby Jones CAMT Miguel Trujillo Jessie Santana Carl Hoehn Juan Ramirez Stephen Whatley Marlon Castro Jose Alvarado, CAMT Miguel Orellana Mike Starr Hugo Gomez Javier Chavez Roberto Espinosa Leonardo Valtierra, CAMT Angel Quiroz

Georgeanne Longoria with Darlene Guidry

Dwayne Henson Jim Womack Dick LaMarche Monette Reynolds Nora Krakower, Kirk Tate Dave Marshall Robin Reed Doris Hemsworth Sherry Stevenson Merry Mount Nance Wells Jeanne Marie Zublin Suan Tinsley Mike Dillon Cristina Buaas Sonny Unverzagt Carolyn Hudson Nona Durrett Alison Hall Tina Cavaco Carol Marple Julie Davidson Cesar Lima Mike Koch Diane Gilbert Guthrie, CPM Billy Griffin Anita Harrison Roger Camp Gloria Haney, CAM, CAPS Kevin Fenn, CAS Quintina Smith, CAM Claude Arnold Debbie Sulzer, ARM, CAPS Jimmie Hotz, CAS Nancy Gilman, CAM Christy Rodriguez, CAM Crystal Jackson, CAM, CAPS David Lindley, CAS Diane Gilbert, CPM Terri Clifton

David Jones with Tony Whitaker and Dean O’Kelly

Monica Gracia with Dan James and Amy Maher

Stacy Hunt with the Greystar team Jackie Rhone with Jerry Winograd and Tony Whitaker

Billy Griffin

2003 www.haaonline.org

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2005

2006

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Marketing/Training Director of the Year

Human Resources Manager of the Year

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011

Paula Ray Danna Fox Anne Tucker Peggy Nelson Carol Marple Trish Thompson Peggy Nelson Carol Marple Nancy Provenzano Maitri Kapeel Johnson Karen Robertson Marsha Floeter Monica Gracia Karen Robertson Karen Nelsen Pat O’Shea Stephanie Graves Carina Bryars Stephanie Graves, CAPS Beth Ackerman-Ornelas Carina Bryars Nola Gordon Debbie Andreozzi Vi Lewis, CAM Sarah White Joe Melton Merideth Savoie

Tim Douglass Tanya Dusek Nancy Shipp Rick Hodge Tanya Dusek Jill Koob Jeannie Whitney Cecilia Pantoja Ileana Sepulveda Tony Wheeler Reda Kelly LaRue Lane

Accounting Manager of the Year 1999 2000 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Paula Prentis Mertha Johnson Jeannette Clark, CPA Michelle Dawkins Belinda Howard Steven C. Otermat, CPA Debra Williams Verla Roy Ken Thurmond Pam Dyer Emily Hansen Julie Clay

Distinguished Service Award 1997

2008

2009

Administrative Support Professional of the Year 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Patti Johnson Kathy Avet Bobbi Oliver Blanca Valdez Heather Crimmins Audrey Nardecchia Tonirae Gorcie, NALP Blanca Anderson, CAPS Theresa Hayes Gloria Liz Macias Kathleen Coddou, CAM, NALP Kendra Lyon Brityn Maddox Marilyn Rivero

Distinguished Volunteer of the Year 1988 1989 2001 2002 2009

Jenifer Dugat Liz Peel Doug Brown, CAMT Debbie Andreozzi Michael Flores

Rising Star Supplier Partner of the Year 2017 2018 2020

Doug Oehl, CAS Blaise Spitaleri, CAS Mat Tilley, CAS

James W. “Tiger” Hood

2010

2011

2012

Etan Mirwis and Audrey Ingram Michelle Pawelek with Debra Knight and Beth Van Winkle

Ira Gross

Jeff Blevins with Cesar Lima

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2010 winners

Carina Bryars with Laura Lestus www.haaonline.org

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Carlos Neto

John Dang

2011 winners

David Vasquez Robert Martinez

Stephanie Graves with Kim Small

2013

www.haaonline.org

Chavonne Lafleur

2014

2015

2016

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Doug Oehl with Angie Lavarack and Brenda Nite

David Aleman

Honoring Harvey’s Heroes

Joe and Stephanie Bryson Chris Palacios with David Lindley

2017

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2018

Merideth Savoie

2019

2020 see Page 73!

www.haaonline.org

Welcome Mat OWNERS

Chad & Lee Ann Haglin Chad Haglin 27143 Allenby Park Drive Magnolia, TX 77354 832-455-6781

Clyde and Joletta Cassel Joletta Cassel P.O. Box 4482 Carson, CA 90749 310-612-6032 Clyde and Joletta Cassel Properties Comuna Property Management, LLC Antonio Marquez 21750 Hardy Oak Blvd #104-28567 San Antonio, TX 78258 308-379-6348 Villas del Paseo

Disrupt Management Sharon Carbaugh 1001 S. Dairy Ashford Drive #350 Houston, TX 77077 713-691-7039 Pointe at Garden Oaks

Dwellynn Ola Dantis 6214 Barkermist Lane Katy, TX 77450 667-786-2484

Eric Yen Eric Yen 126 Copper Stream Lane Richmond, TX 77406 217-714-0912 Eric Yen - Properties

Infinity Capital Equity Management LLC Brandon Hersley 1530 Ballinger Creek Lane League City, TX 77573 903-714-2902 Woodcreek Townhome Apartments Infinity Capital Equity Management LLC Properties Referred by Randa Dick

Introducing HAA’s NEW MEMBERS

Jacobson Solutions LLC Chap Jacobson 8826 Croes Drive Houston, TX 77055 713-444-8584 Jay Kulkarni Jay Kulkarni 1022 Fisher St. Houston, TX 77018 832-605-9951 Referred by Alan Yu Juliet Lawrence Juliet Lawrence 5238 Eigel St. Houston, TX 77007 310-801-8610 Juliet Lawrence Properties KARICK Investments Rick Martin 2162 Spring Stuebner Road #140-410 Spring, TX 77389 832-953-5392 MPC Magnolia Property Management, LLC Nathan Lewis 2435 E. Southlake Blvd. #150 Southlake, TX 76092 817-769-2580 Avondale Highline Realty Simplified LLC Nakul Kongovi P.O. Box 131285 Houston, TX 77219 949-295-5308 Related Management Company Pamela Shannon 2 N. Lasalle #2300 Chicago, IL 60602 312-513-4607 333 Holly SBCG Construction, LLC Raj Thapar 2950 Unity Dr. #571404 Houston, TX 77257 832-314-8081

Venture Legacy Partners, LLC Felipe Mondragon 929 3rd St. Rosenberg, TX 77471 713-702-1168 6414 Sloan Victoria Casa Properties LLC Cendy Friedrichs 13932 Victoria St. Houston, TX 77015 346-867-6157 Casa Villa Apartments Victoria Apartments Wisener Real Estate Jeff Wisener 12955 Willow Place W. #691746 Houston, TX 77269-1746 713-714-6603 Wisener Real Estate Properties Woodbranch Management, Inc. Rob Bridges 4265 San Felipe #550 Houston, TX 77027 713-621-3222 Market Square Tower I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

SUPPLIERS

Aftermath Services Tom Donalson 13940 Bammel N. Houston Road #231 Houston, TX 77066 800-366-9923 Cleaning Specialists Bio-Hazardous Material, Cleaning Specialists Trauma

Alcaraz Lawn Care Cesar Alcaraz P.O. Box 671811 Houston, TX 77267 713-829-5434 Landscape Contractors, Lawn Maintenance

B&G Construction LiLianeda Medina P.O. Box 37325 Houston, TX 77237 832-770-4953 General Contractors, Remodeling & RepairBuilding Contractors Referred by Donna Farthing Carradine Valet Kate Weaver 1414 Wood Hollow Drive #822 Houston, TX 77057 901-896-5984 Trash Service - Valet, Garbage Collection, Trash Hauling, Waste Reduction/Disposal/ Recycling, Amenities, Ancillary Revenue Providers, Dumpster Service, Recycling Services, Resident Retention Services ControlByNet Cloud Dixie Caldwell 1 Meca Way Norcross, GA 30093 281-851-0447 Security Consulting Service, Security Guard/ Patrol Service, Home Theater Systems CCTV, Security Control Equipment/Systems, Security Systems Consultant Referred by Dixie Caldwell, CAS I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

D&D Precision Services Caroline Diaz 12104 Linden Walk Lane Pearland, TX 77584 832-975-4388 Trash Hauling, Trash Service - Valet Dooley Tackaberry, Inc Alisa Standley 1515 W. 13th St. Deer Park, TX 77536-2535 936-668-1232 Fire Protection Equipment & Supply, First Aid Supplies, Janitorial Equipment & Supplies, Occupational Health & Safety Products, Safety Equipment, Water Co Bottles, Bulk, Etc. Referred by Israel Garza, III, CAS

First Responders Cleaning & Decon Donna Spiser 2001 Timberloch Place #500 The Woodlands, TX 77380 832-773-0770 Cleaning Specialists Bio-Hazardous Material, Cleaning Specialists Trauma Limestone Commercial Real Estate John Greene 1509 Whispering Pines Houston, TX 77055 832-689-3159 Real Estate Commercial/ Indust, Real Estate Consultants Total Safety Security Services LLC Noe Villegas 9711 S. Mason Road #125123 Richmond, TX 77407 281-216-2805 Security Guard/Patrol Service, Security Systems Consultant Trash Butler Keith Conrad 9118 Fernwillow Dr Spring, TX 77379 346-260-7817 Trash Service - Valet, Waste Reduction/Disposal/ Recycling, Recycling Services Velocity Services Group Brandon Goodson 2300 Holloman St. #101 Conroe, TX 77301-1467 877-707-8676 Disaster Recovery/Relief, General Contractors I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

ALL SUPPLIER MEMBERS are listed online at haabuyersguide.com, searchable by product/service category or company name.

www.haaonline.org

August 2020

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I wasn’t expecting it at all. I surprised that they nominate said, laughing. “ I’ve been wi business for 15 years. I never anything. For me, if I get my or get it right, I’m satisfied w don’t need recognition. As lo resident and my managemen owner are happy, I’m happy. good experience, though, fee way. I didn’t know that some watching!”

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The Go-Getters HAA’s MEMBERSHIP RECRUITERS

MEMBERSHIP: ENGAGE! The Go-Getters are still recruiting during challenging times.

What is a Go-Getter?

The Go-Getter Club is a year-round membership recruitment drive comprised of individual HAA members who work for owner/management and supplier companies.

Join our Quarterly Meetings!

Be the top recruiter for each quarter and win $500 cash!

Plus, for each new member you recruit, you’ll earn a chance to win gift cards ranging from $25 to $250!

JOIN A TEAM and build relationships with like-minded members.

Get involved with Go-Getters and make lasting industry connections.

Visit www.haaonline.org/gogetterscorner to get all the information you need.

Recruit all year long!

Go-Getter meetings are quarterly: Thursday, September 10 Thursday, December 10 All meetings start at 4 p.m. at Cadillac Bar & Grill.

Visit www.haaonline.org/gogetters for details.

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS Members who have recruited more than 100 companies Monette Reynolds Claude Arnold Sherry Stevenson Kenn Brown Kirk Tate Tina Cavaco Suan Tinsley Terri Clifton Sonny Unverzagt Kevin Fenn Del Walmsley Diane Gilbert Nancé Wells Anita Harrison H.P. Paul Young Dwayne Henson Jeanne Marie Zublin Dicks Mike Koch Merry Mount

THE GO-GETTERS ARE THE BACKBONE of the Houston Apartment Association. By recruiting new members, the Go-Getter Club helps both new management and supplier companies and the association grow for the future.

To join the club and get going on recruitment, see online at www.haaonline.org or contact Amanda and Kaylon in the Membership Department at members@haaonline.org.

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directory ad pg 67.qxp_Layout 1 7/21/20 3:26 PM Page 1

Connect with potential customers.

Online, on their desk and in their hands. uide G s ’ r e y 2021 Bu now on sale! t ad spacertising rates, visi sGuide/

r For adve nline.org/Buye his o st ww.haa t to mis http://w You don’t wan ortunity Hurry! !

EAR opp

r ONCE A Y for you all yea rks that wo

Released at the beginning of each year, the Buyers Guide is the multifamily industry’s complete buyer's guide resource when searching for the “perfect match.” This publication is used year-round as the “yellow pages” of the industry. No other full service guide reaches decision makers in the Greater Houston area, and we guarantee ad placement in the category of your choice.

Direct mailed to almost 1,800 member companies which include 900+ management companies and 800+ supplier companies, plus 2,500+ apartment communities, the Buyers Guide reaches your prospects both online – on the www.haabuyersguide.com website – and in print at the most critical stage of the buying cycle: When members are looking for products and services to meet their specific challenges.

Your targeted ads and enhanced listings online ensure that your company is the name that jumps off each page and generates a lead. One ad placement lasts all year long because this unique package provides a year-long reference value with information targeted to your prospects’ needs.

Put yourself out there with increased exposure! Our full-page advertisers get an extra boost of marketing by having their online listing moved to the TOP of the search page along with their company logo displayed at www.haabuyersguide.com for every category you’re listed under.

NEW! Two-third pages and half-page ads now include online boosting and company logos displayed in the order of ad size. Or, just add your logo to your regular online listing for just $89 a year!

Tab advertisers (section divider) will get a FREE 12-month scrolling banner ad on the Buyer's Guide website. (Limited space available.)

This offer ends soon! Early Rates are available until August 30! Final ad space sales will close on September 30. Don't miss this once a year advertising opportunity to get your message directly into the hands of industry professionals ready to do business with you!

Contact Amanda at asherbondy@haaonline.org or 713-595-0316 for options plus complete details on all the value-added online listing enhancements available.

ambassadors pg 68,69.qxp_Layout 1 7/21/20 7:45 AM Page 1

The Ambassador ONE Society HAA’s WELCOMING COMMITTEE

ALWAYS LEARNING

The HAA Ambassadors let us know “what I’ve learned from COVID-19 is …”

Mark your calendars and join us!

Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month either virtually or at Craft Republic, 11470 Westheimber.

Dates as of press time.

Please check the calendar at www.haaonline.org for updates: August 5 September 2 October 7 November 4

THE AMBASSADOR ONE SOCIETY is an organized network exchange that helps supplier partners build their business contacts within HAA. It’s the perfect way for new suppliers to get started with the association. Group members share leads, make introductions and support HAA and its members. For details on how to join and for meeting dates, visit www.haaonline.org/ambassadors or contact Amanda in the Membership Department at 713-595-0316, or email asherbondy@haaonline.org.

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Portfolio Changes The following owner/management companies have added the listed properties to their portfolios: • 360 Realty & Property Management: Gayle Villa Apartments, 26 units at 1022 Witter St., Pasadena.

• Asset Living: Vintage at 219 Marshall, 72 units at 219 Marshall St. and 524 Heights, 10 units at 524 Heights Blvd.

• Axiom Residential: Hardy Oaks Place, 66 units at 915 Tidwell Road #43.

• CAF Management LLC: Chateaux Dijon, 426 units at 5331 Beverly Hill St. • Cangor Apartment Management LLC: Westview Court Apartments, 27 units at 1275 Witte Road.

• Centra Partners LLC: Portofino Landing / The 910 Apartment Homes, 464 units at 910 Cypress Station.

• Clyde and Joletta Cassel: Clyde and Joletta Cassel - Properties, two units at various locations.

• Comuna Property Management LLC: Villas del Paseo, 384 units at 2901-3030 Elmside Dr. • Cortland Partners: Cortland Inkwell Greenhouse, 301 units at 2218 Greenhouse Road.

• Crowned Investments LLC: Gregory Street, three units at 4302 Gregory St. • Dakota Enterprises: Milwee Street Apartments, 170 units at 5310 Milwee St. • Disrupt Management: Pointe at Garden Oaks, 96 units at 300 Victoria Drive.

• Embery Management Services: The Mill, 201 units at 780 Sawdust Road, Spring.

• Eric Yen: Eric Yen - Properties, one unit at various locations.

• First Choice Management Group: Miramar Townhomes, 48 units at 2380 Bering Drive.

• Fogelman Management: Artesian on Westheimer Phase II, 330 units at 2727 Synott.

• Franco Acquisitions: Franco Acquisitions - Properties, three units at various locations.

• Frasier Holdings LLC: Frasier Holdings LLC - Properties, three units at various locations.

• Gatesco: Pecan Place Apartments, 252 units at 2001 Jenkins Road, Pasadena.

• Gray Spear Capital: Westwood II Apartments, 66 units at 9560 Deering Drive.

• Graywood Properties LLC: Aria at Kirkwood, 108 units at 11717 S. Kirkwood Road; Aria at Wilcrest, 81 units at 10111 Wilcrest Drive; and Aria at Stancliff, 300 units at 10919 Stancliff Road.

• Greystar: The Westcott, 315 units at 929 Westcott St.; Ellison Heights, 152 units at 510 W. 20th St.; and The Sarah at Lake Houston, 350 units at 1751 West Lake Houston Parkway, Humble.

• Infinity Capital Equity Management LLC: Infinity Capital Equity Management LLC - Properties, four units and Woodcreek Townhome Apartments, 16 units at 900 Holly Drive, Conroe.

• Knightvest Management LLC: Briar Forest Lofts, 352 units at 13202 Briar Forest Drive.

• Krishna Management LLC: Briar Forest Lofts, 352 units at 13202 Briar Forest Drive.

• KVA Investments LLC: Bristol Court Apartments, 164 units at 8404 S. Course Drive.

• Laramar Group: Stonehaven, 192 units at 15301 Northwest Freeway.

• MPC Magnolia Property Management LLC: Avondale Highline, 50 units at 214 Avondale St. • Oakleaf Management Co.: The Brixton, 301 units at 1601 Garth Road, Baytown and MarBella, 248 units at 12221 Fleming Drive.

• Related Management Company: 333 Holly, 332 units at 333 Holly Creek Court, The Woodlands.

• Tarantino Properties Inc.: La Plaza Apartments, 534 units at 5909 Glenmont Drive; KeiraBella Apartments, 179 units at 3400 Shady Hill Drive, Baytown; and Serenity at CitySide Apartments, 362 units at 6061 Beverly Hill St. • Victoria Cassa Properties LLC: Casa Villa Apartments, 29 units at 803 Nancy Rose St. and Victoria Apartments, 46 units at 13932 Victoria St. • Woodbranch Management: Market Sqaure Tower, 463 units at 777 Preston Road.

• ZRS Management LLC: Montrose at Buffalo Bayou, 224 units at 1320 Montrose Blvd.

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

www.haaonline.org I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

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I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

www.haaonline.org

In the News Boardwalk at Town Center, an upscale property located directly on The Woodlands Waterway, announces the completion of the exterior and interior renovations that have been in progress since fall 2018. The luxury apartment community is now offering virtual and by appointment, in-person tours to lease the newly-renovated apartment homes.

Harris County and City of Houston recovery czars State Rep. Armando Walle and Marvin Odum on Wednesday, June 24 announced the names of the members of a joint task force designed to bridge gaps in housing stability. The Housing Stability Task Force, which will be co-chaired by Harris County Justice of the Peace Jeremy Brown and civic leader Ric Campo of Camden Property Trust, consists of the following additional HAA members: John Boriak of Veritas Equity Management, Mary Lawler of Avenue CDC and Howard Bookstaff of Hoover Slovacek. There are a total of 24 members.

New Hope Housing breaks ground on its 10th property, Avenue J. It is the first affordable housing community to break ground since COVID-19.

Morgan

MORGAN announces the succession of Philip Morgan to chief executive officer and the promotion of Evan Schlecker to executive vice president, effective July 1, 2020.

Mike Morgan will retain his title as chairman, while Alan Patton will continue as president of MORGAN and head the investment committee, and Stan Levy will remain COO and CFO.

Schlecker

Corrections

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

CSC Service Works is the longest-serving HAA member. The company joined HAA in 1961 as Coinmach Corp. In the 60th anniversary feature printed in the July 2020 ABODE, CSC Service Works was incorrectly exluded from the list of longest-serving supplier partner members. Thank you, CSC Service Works, for 59 years of support! www.haaonline.org

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was

August 2020

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rcr pg 72.qxp_Layout 1 7/21/20 7:49 AM Page 1

Do you really know your applicants?

Comprehensive applicant screening tools available today can uncover financial and criminal background information. Proper screening can also reveal identity fraud issues, including stolen and fabricated identities, which may result in costly problems.

The Houston Apartment Association’s Rental Credit Reporting and CoreLogic have partnered to offer numerous searches in one bundled report with immediate and unlimited inquiry access.

RCR provides Houston’s apartment industry with the most effective rental credit reporting tool available. RCR was established in 1977 to solve screening problems HAA founders felt plagued the local apartment industry. RCR has unsurpassed data on resident rental histories in the Houston region and gives your leasing staff immediate access to information about which prospects have fulfilled their leases and who have been residents in good standing. RCR also tells you who hasn’t paid rent, who has broken leases and who has received their deposit refund.

a service of

in partnership with

To subscribe or to learn more, call RCR at 713-595-0300, email rcr@haaonline.org or visit www.haaonline.org.

honor nomination pg 73.qxp_Layout 1 7/21/20 7:49 AM Page 1

Nominate your stars!

T

The event has been

T

RESCHEDULED

Property awards will be based on size, age and style of the property.

to November 13

T

Don’t miss the opportunity to nominate your best and brightest properties and people!

T

T T

Individual awards are in 14 categories based on nominations made by management company executives, supervisors, coworkers, vendors and friends.

Nominate online at https://www.haaonline.org/nominations See the link for nomination forms and more information, including category breakdowns and award criteria. The deadline for

property nominations is August 11.

ad index pg 74.qxp_Ad Index pg 74 7/21/20 7:50 AM Page 1

Index of Advertisers By CATEGORY

A/C Supplies

Landscape Contractors

Century A/C Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 281-530-2859 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.centuryac.com

Outdoor Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 713-955-0990 . . . . . .www.outdoorelementstx.com

HAA reserves the right to reject any advertising if its content is inappropriate or inconsistent with HAA’s standards for publication or HAA’s business interests, in HAA’s sole opinion.

Texscape Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 281-846-3779 . . . . . . . . . .www.texscapeservices.com

Carpet Installation Dixie Carpet Installations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 281-261-6334 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.dixiecarpet.com

Laundry Equipment & Supplies

Texas Southwest Floors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 800-719-4321 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.texasswfloors.com

Scott Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 713-686-7268 . . . . . . . . .www.scott-equipment.com

Collection Agencies

Locks & Locksmiths

Alexander-Rose Associates Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 713-644-4441 . . . . . . . . . . .www.alexanderrose-inc.com

CKI Wholesale Lock Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 713-462-0704 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.ckilock.com

Electric Contractors

Personnel Agency

Affordable Quality Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 713-695-5992 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.acuityelectric.com

ASAP Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 972-432-6667 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.asapdo.com

Brandt Electrical A/C & Heating Services . . . . .41 281-693-3383 . . . . . . . . . . .www.brandtelectrical.com

Plumbing Contractors AAA Plumbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 713-462-4753 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.aaaplumbers.com

Foundation Repair Church Foundation Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 713-468-8400 . . .www.churchfoundationrepair.com

Resident Screening Service General Contractors Camp Construction Services . . . . . . . .Back Cover 713-413-2267 . . . . . . . .www.campconstruction.com

CoreLogic Rental Property Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inside Front Cover 888-297-8821 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.corelogic.com

Centex Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 800-322-3868 . . . . .www.centexconstruction.com

Resurfacing

Cotton Commercial USA Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 877-511-2962 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.cottongds.com

Perfect Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 713-952-0202 . . . . . . . .www.perfectsurfaceinc.com

Crestmark Construction Services . . . . . . . . . . . .33 713-426-6161 . . . . . . . . . . .www.crestmarkservices.com

Screens

FSI Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 832-767-1115 . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.fsiconstruction.com

Ameristar Screen and Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 713-683-6767 . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.ameristarglass.com

Gemstar Construction & Development . . . . . . . .1 281-821-1195 . . . . . .www.gemstarconstruction.com Guardian Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 832-672-4196 . . . . . . . . . . . .www.guardianconst.com

TARGET QUALIFIED LEADS With HAA’s job board, you’ll discover a professional community that’s committed to helping you find the right candidate or your next job opportunity in the greater Houston and surrounding areas.

www.haaonline.org jobs@haaonline.org 713-595-0300

Security Control Equipment/Systems SentriForce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 888-671-2202 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.sentriforce.com

MultiFamily Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 713-266-9100 RENCON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inside Back Cover 713-666-3636 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.rencon.com

Swimming Pool Service Poolsure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 800-858-POOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.poolsure.com

Glass – Plate, Window, Etc. Ameristar Screen and Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 713-683-6767 . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.ameristarglass.com

Trash Hauling

www.haaonline.org/rcr

Waste Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 713-354-5230 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.thinkgreen.com

Insurance Harco Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 713-681-2500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.harco-ins.com

HAA Products & Services Rental Credit Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 713-595-0300 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.haaonline.org/rcr

Want to see current and previous issues of ABODE online? Go to http://issuu.com/haa_abode.

Or view this issue on your computer, iPad or smartphone at http://issuu.com/haa_abode/docs/abode_aug2020.

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August 2020

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Marketline pg 75.qxp_Layout 1 7/21/20 7:51 AM Page 1

MarketLine By BRUCE MCCLENNY, President, ApartmentData.com

• • • • • • • • • • • • • 1050 – • • • • • • • • • • •

HOUSTON Snapshot 88.8% $1,045/mo. $1.18/sq.ft./mo.

884 sq.ft.

Recently Opened (12 months): 76 communities 21,492 units

1000 – – 90.0 975 –

– 89.0

– 88.0

Under Construction: 66 communities 18,633 units Jun 20

May 20

Apr 20

Mar 20

Feb 20

Jan 20

Dec 19

Oct 19

Nov 19

Sep 19

Aug 19

Jul 19

Jun 19

May 19

Apr 19

Mar 19

Jan 19

Feb 19

Dec 18

Nov 18

Oct 18

Sep 18

Aug 18

Jul 18

– 87.0

Proposed Construction: 89 communities 27,707 units

History of Effective Rental Rate & Occupancy for All Units

Hottest Submarkets Over the Past Three Months

Concessions

Annualized Rank 1 2 3 4 5

Occupancy (%)

Operating Supply: 2,873 communities 676,711 units

Rental Rate (¢/sq.ft./mo.)

Past 12 Months: -0.1% rental rate growth 8,424 units absorbed

1025 –

•

Occupancy: Price: Rental Rate: Size:

Submarket Richmond/Rosenberg Beltway 8/I-45 South Willowbrook/Champions/Ella Lake Houston/Kingwood Braeswood/Fondren SW

% of Market Absorbed 4.0% 3.2% 3.4% 1.5% 4.5%

Rental Rate Growth % 1.4% 1.4% 0.8% 1.4% 0.7%

Total Units Class w/Concessions All 337,875 A 102,955 B 135,919 C 88,103 D 10,898

% of Total Units 50% 65% 49% 45% 25%

Average Special -3.6% -5.9% -2.5% -2.5% -1.8%

Citywide Effect -6.8% -8.7% -5.2% -5.6% -6.8%

One Month Free = -8.33%

THE FIRST TABLE ABOVE GIVES A SNAPSHOT of the current market conditions. The graph displays the overall occupancy and effective rental rates over the past 24 months. These statistics are derived from a continuous survey of all apartment communities in the Houston region. The effective rental rates are the calculated net of concessions and utility adjustments. The second table lists the five hottest submarkets in the Greater Houston area. There are a total of 42 submarkets, and the ranking is based on the best combination of rental rate growth and absorption over the past three months. The third table distributes and analyzes concessions (specials) by classification.

Concessions generally are represented by three types of specials: move-in, months free or floor plans. The effect of these specials is captured and prorated over a lease term to arrive at a percentage reduction in market or street rents.

TEXAS

Dallas/Ft. Worth

San Antonio

Austin

Occupancy: Price: Rental Rate: Size:

Occupancy: Price: Rental Rate: Size:

Occupancy: Price: Rental Rate: Size:

91.2% $1,161/mo. $1.32/sq.ft./mo.

877 sq.ft.

89.4% $976/mo. $1.14/sq.ft./mo.

854 sq.ft.

89.3% $1,274/mo. $1.46¢/sq.ft./mo.

875 sq.ft.

Past 12 Months: 0.8% rental rate growth 18,010 units absorbed

Past 12 Months: -1.0% rental rate growth 3,002 units absorbed

Past 12 Months: -2.0% rental rate growth 5,825 units absorbed

Operating Supply: 3,188 communities 754,961 units

Operating Supply: 936 communities 200,246 units

Operating Supply: 1,041 communities 244,241 units

www.haaonline.org

ApartmentData.com has been providing apartment data and marketing products since 1986.

ApartmentData.com provides real-time access for property specific information, market surveys and historic submarket data for more than 3.5 million apartment units in Texas, Florida, Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina and Tennessee.

For more information, contact Bruce McClenny at 800-595-8730. © 2020 ApartmentData.com August 2020

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Back Page

with News from around the COMMUNITY

HAA Blood Drive

FREE COVID-19 Antibody Testing!

Be a Hero! Wednesday, August 12, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

CHANGE SOMEONE'S LIFE! Since one in 20 people donate, only 5% of the population is saving lives. Here's your chance to be part of the 5%. It takes 800 to 1,000 donations a day to serve all of their patients in the community and HAA wants to help.

We will be holding a blood drive with social distancing measures in place at the HAA Education Center, 4810 Westway Park Blvd., Houston, Texas 77041, with free COVID-19 Antibody testing. Please consider donating.

See the link below or drop by HAA on August 12 to donate.

HAA has modified procedures to reduce opportunities for the COVID-19 virus to spread as we realize there is a risk associated with interacting with the public.

• We are minimizing the number of people allowed in our building.

• All guests are instructed to remain 6 feet apart.

• We are providing social distance markers to guide access.

• We have hand sanitizers in common areas throughout our building.

• We have enhanced cleaning of our building nightly.

• Guests will be required to wear masks at all times. If you are able to provide your own mask, please do so. We will have disposable masks in case you do not bring your own.

• We will take the temperature of each guest as they enter our building. If any guests has a temperature that registers over 100.4 you will not be able to attend the meeting/event.

• If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or have been in contact with someone who has the virus or has been exposed to anyone who is sick, we ask that you remain at home.

Thank you for your patience as we implement these new guidelines to keep you safe and thank you for your support of the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center during these difficult times.

Sign up here or come by HAA on August 26: https://www.commitforlife.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/314643

76

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Houston Apartment Association 4810 Westway Park Blvd.

Houston, Texas 77041

Return Service Requested