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FALL GOLF OUTING ON SEPTEMBER 23 RAISES MONEY FOR GCNKAA INDUSTRY DEFENSE FUND On Wednesday, September 23, GCNKAA will host the Association’s 20th Annual Fall Golf Classic benefiting the GCNKAA Industry Defense Fund. This year’s Fall Golf Classic is moving to Glenview Golf Course centrally located in Cincinnati. Registration opens at 8 am with the scramble at 9 am. Golfers will enjoy breakfast, lunch, beverages and 18 holes at one of the finest golf courses in the Greater Cincinnati area. Thank you to both Forcht Bank and Towne Properties for their Presenting Sponsorships; and to Chadwell Supply for their Event Sponsorship. For complete list of sponsors, click here. Foursomes are sold out but limited sponsorships are still available. With thanks to AssuredPartners, every par 3 hole hosts a hole-in-one

contest for $5,000. Be sure to stop by holes West #4, West #7, South #2, and South #5 to test your luck. Also, be sure to stay for lunch! We have $1000 in cash giveaways to raffle off and all golfers are automatically included. The GCNKAA will use all net proceeds from this outing to meet our commitments to the National Apartment Association (NAA), Apartment Association of Kentucky (AAK) and the Ohio Apartment Association (OAA) government funds as well as provide financial backing for the legislative committee’s political needs. Thank you to all our members for continuing to support us. We can’t wait to see you in person at Glenview Golf Course in September!

MAINTENANCE APPRECIATION NIGHT RETURNS OCTOBER 7

Maintenance Appreciation Night on Wednesday, October 7 at Fowling Warehouse is our chance to shine a well-deserved spotlight on the hardworking maintenance technicians who keep the multifamily housing industry running smoothly. From keeping communities safe and comfortable to tackling repairs big and small, these skilled professionals are truly the backbone of our industry—and this night is all about celebrating them. The 4th Annual Maintenance Appreciation Night promises an evening filled with good food, refreshing drinks, fun games, and, of course, fowling—a one-of-a-kind combination of football and bowling that’s perfect for friendly competition and plenty of laughs. Beyond the entertainment, this event is about bringing our multifamily community together. Property managers, suppliers, and industry peers can come together to show their appreciation for those who work behind the scenes every day to keep residents happy and communities running smoothly. This celebration is more than just a fun night out—it’s a chance to make sure our maintenance professionals know how much their hard work matters. We invite everyone to join us in recognizing their contributions, enjoying some camaraderie, and giving our maintenance techs the appreciation they truly deserve. Admission for maintenance technicians is FREE! All other admissions are $55 per person when registering and paying online or $65 per person if you prefer to be invoiced. Sponsorships are also available for $250 and include two admissions. The 4th Annual Maintenance Appreciation Night is Wednesday, October 7, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Fowling Warehouse, 2940 Highland Avenue, Cincinnati. To register or reserve your sponsorship, please click here. We hope you’ll join us for a fun evening celebrating our maintenance professionals!

DO YOU HEAR WHAT WE HEAR? HOLIDAY CHEERS IS COMING DECEMBER 10 The 29th Annual Holiday Cheers Benefit raises funds for the Apartment Association Outreach Inc., a 501(c)3 charitable organization dedicated to assisting residents with rent payments during times of personal emergencies or crisis. Monies raised will help fund the Rent Assistance programs of various local agencies including: • Free Store Foodbank • Citizens Active In Northside (CAIN) • Jewish Family Service and • Santa Maria Community Services Again this year, this fundraiser will be a hybrid event with portions held online and other portions happening live at the Holiday Cheers Party from 5 pm to 9 pm at the Savannah Center in West Chester. All members and the general public will have a full week of bidding opportunities for silent auction items beginning on December 3 and will culminate on December 10 with the Heads or Tails Raffle, Mystery Bags, Gift Basket Auction, raffle ticket items and more! If you would like to donate an item, cash, or become a sponsor, contact Michele at the Association office at michele@ gcnkaa.org or 513-407-8612. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. Registration for the Holiday Cheers Party will open soon but mark your calendar now for the highly-anticipated event!

Diamond Sponsors Management Group www.dmgcontractors.com

2026 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE JUSTIN SEGER HILLS Properties President JustinS@hillsinc.com

MEGAN LAWHON PLK Communities Vice President megan@plkcommunities.com CRAIG COFFMAN Uptown Rental Properties Treasurer ccoffman@uptownrents.com MIKE MARKUS BRG Apartments Secretary mmarkus@brgapartments.com MELISSA JOY Acre Real Estate Immediate Past President mj@choosejoyps.com

2026 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Heather Barrow, A&H Properties Brian Fullenkamp, Legacy Management Rod Herper, NCS 360 Associate Council President Lisa Isham, CMHA Angela Lacy, Jeffrey R. Anderson Property Mgmt. Oksana Lukjanenko, Denizen Management Dennis Merkle, Advanced Turf Solutions Associate Council 2nd Vice President Jordann Morgan, Fath Properties John Recob, Towne Properties Grant Saunders, Hays + Sons Restoration Associate Council 1st Vice President

GCNKAA STAFF

Rebecca McLean, Executive Vice President Michele Klusman, Director of Communications & Programs; Apartment Advantage Editor Rick Holste, Director of Membership Sales Zach Jameson, Social Media and Education Manager Susan Peck, AA Outreach Coordinator Nicole Metz, Membership & Belonging Manager

GCNKAA PAST PRESIDENTS

2002…Jim Ruh 2025...Melissa Joy 2001…Jay Ingram, CPM 2024...Melissa Joy 2000…Roy Wergers 2023...Tonya Petersen 1999…Roy Wergers 2022...Tonya Petersen 1998…Robert J. Wahlke, CAPS 2021...Don Brunner 1997…Terry Sievers 2020...Don Brunner 1997…Dave Lockard 2019...Jud Oscherwitz 1996…Jim Cohen, CPM 2018...Jud Oscherwitz 1995…Jim Ruh 2017...Stacy Walton 1994…Mark Robinson 2016...Stacy Walton 1993…David Noll 2015...Rusty Lykes 1992…Bernie Wessels ** 2014...Rusty Lykes 1992…Jerry A. Molique, CPM, CAPS ** 2013...Maria Stanton 1991…Jay O. Ingram, Jr., CPM 2012...Maria Stanton 1990…Ronald Bommer 2011...Jeff March 1989…John Cobey 2010...Brian Fullenkamp 1988…Robert J. Wahlke, CAPS 2009...Brian Hendy, CPM 1987…Robert J. Wahlke, CAPS 2008...Brian Hendy, CPM 1986…Charles Berling 2007...Becky Alejandrino, CPM 1985…Joseph Fullenkamp, CAPS 2006...Marc Cameron, CPM 1984…John Stalnaker 2005...Marc Cameron, CPM 2004...Gary Sanzone, CPM, CAPS, CAM, NALP 1983…Jerry A. Molique, CPM, CAPS 2003...Gary Sanzone, CPM, CAPS, CAM, NALP 1982…Harry Fath **Apartment Association of N. KY merged with GCNKAA

Office Hours:

Monday Through Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm

ADVERTISING RATES 2026 The following advertising rates are for full year contracts. Six month contracts are also available. Call the GCNKAA office at 513 407-8612 for more information. Business Card ........................................................................................ $95 Quarter Page........................................................................................ $115 Half Page .............................................................................................. $145 Full Page .............................................................................................. $165 Inside Front .......................................................................................... $209 Back Cover .......................................................................................... $219 Ad rates are for full color ads. Link from your ad to your website is included. Ads must be submitted as a press quality pdf file or high resolution jpg sized correctly.

ADVERTISING DEADLINES Ad deadlines are the first of the month for the next month’s issue. Placement of articles and ads is limited to pre-set space and dimensions of the Apartment Advantage. Submissions may or may not be used and placement is at the discretion of the editor. September 2026....................................................................August 3, 2026 October 2026................................................................... September 1, 2026 November 2026................................................................... October 1, 2026 December 2026............................................................. November 2, 20266 January 2027....................................................................December 1, 2026 February 2027......................................................................January 4, 2027 March 2027........................................................................February 1, 2027 April 2027..............................................................................March 1, 2027 May 2027.................................................................................April 1, 2027 June 2027.................................................................................. May 3, 2027 July 2027................................................................................... June 1, 2027 August 2027...............................................................................July 1, 2027 Apartment Advantage is a monthly publication of the Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Apartment Association, Kenwood Executive Center, 7265 Kenwood Rd, Ste. 100, Cincinnati, OH 45236; phone (513) 407-8612; fax (513) 407-7868. For up-to-date information check out our website: www.gcnkaa.org.

SEPTEMBER 2026 8

SUNDAY

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

Apartment Advantage Deadline, 5 pm

Labor Day Office Closed

Membership Committee, 9 am

Programs Committee, 10 am Associate Council 11 am

Executive Committee, 2 pm

Board of Directors 8:30 am

Holiday Cheers Task Force, 3 pm

IRO Committee 10 am

Smart Marketing and Automation, 9 am

Education Committee, 10 am

NextGen Passport to Possibilities: Connections and Career Paths in Multifamily 5 pm

Legislative Committee 8:30 am

SATURDAY

The ABCs of Affordable Housing 9 am NextGen Committee, 9:30 am

AAO Board Meeting, 9 am

Annual Fall Golf Classic 9 am

FRIDAY

SEPTEMBER 2026 5K-4-Rent 9 am

COMING UP IN OCTOBER 2026 COMMITTEES

EVENTS

7 IRO Committee, 10 am 8 Legislative Committee, 8:30 am 13 Membership Committee, 9 am 13 Programs Committee, 10 am 13 Associate Council, 11 am 14 NextGen Committee, 9 am 14 Education Committee, 10 am 14 Voices Committee, 11 am 19 Executive Committee, 7:30 am 20 Board of Directors, 8:30 am

7 Maintenance Appreciation Night 5 pm 8 Night Out for Outreach, 5 pm

EDUCATION 7 Leadership 101 for APMs, 10 am

20 General Membership Meeting 5 pm 27 Ask Us Anything, 5 pm

8 APARTMENT ADVANTAGE 3

SEPTEMBER 2026 8

Across the Board A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT By Justin Seger, President

September is here! I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say that I am looking forward to a long Labor Day Weekend. September is a busy month for the Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Apartment Association (GCNKAA). We have some exciting Education opportunities with Megan Orser on September 9 and September 10. It’s not too late to sign up for “Smart Marketing Automation” or “ABC’s of Affordable Housing.” Just visit www. Justin Seger gcnkaa.org to get more details or to register HILLS Properties your team. On September 16, our Next Gen Committee will be hosting “Passport to Possibilities” at One Eyed Jack’s at Factory 52. I look forward to attending this event and connecting with our industry’s future leadership. One of the longest standing Association traditions is the Fall

This section contains articles and information concerning the Board of Directors and Association policies.

Golf Classic. This year’s event is being held at Glenview Golf Course. Glenview is a great set up for an outing like ours. The event is currently sold out but please reach out to GCNKAA about getting on the wait list. The is always a chance of a last-minute foursome or two coming available. Lastly, I want to take a minute to thank everyone that was involved with last month’s Management Forum. The event was held at The Rambler Hotel in Montgomery and was a tremendous success. The entire GCNKAA team did an incredible job creating a panel full of industry experts. The level of engagement and quality of conversation during the various sessions was as impressive as I’ve seen at any Association across the country. October also brings many more events including the Maintenance Appreciation Night on October 7 at Fowling Warehouse, Night Out For Outreach on October 8 at Capital Grille, and our Elections and Candidate Forum on October 20 at Cooper Creek. Looking forward to seeing everyone this month and hopefully some cooler weather….

8 APARTMENT ADVANTAGE 5

GREATER CINCINNATI NORTHERN KENTUCKY APARTMENT ASSOCIATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS - NOMINATION APPLICATION The 2026 Nominating Committee will submit the names of candidates to serve on the GCNKAA Board of Directors for the 2027-2029 Term. (According to the GCNKAA bylaws Article I Section 2.a. Primary Membership is open to any person, firm or corporation that subscribes to the Code of Ethics of the Association and who is engaged in the business of construction, ownership and/or management of multi-family housing for sale or rent.) We currently have five (5) seats that are up for re-election. All applications must be received in the GCNKAA office by 5:00 pm, on Friday, September 11, 2026. If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors, please submit this application to the GCNKAA offices. If you have any questions, please call Rebecca McLean at the Association office at 513 407-8612.

General Information: Name/Title:___________________________________________________________________________ Company Name:_______________________________________________________________________ Street Address:________________________________________________________________________ City:____________________________________State:___________Zip:_________________________ Phone Number: Fax: E-mail:_________________________ Experience: Please briefly describe your current job responsibilities: _______________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ Please briefly describe your past experience in multifamily housing: ______________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ Are you currently serving on any other Committees?__________________________________________ If yes, please list name(s) of the organization(s): _____________________________________________ Organizations or associations you are currently affiliated with or have been affiliated with in the past: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Additional Information: Why are you interested in serving on the Board? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ What do you see as the major local and state issues that affect our industry? _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ List any skills or experience you possess that you feel would be beneficial to the Board: _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________

Signature

Date:_________________ Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Apartment Association Kenwood Executive Center | 7265 Kenwood Road, Ste. 100 | Cincinnati, OH 45236 Phone 513 407-8612 | Fax 513 407-7868 | rebecca@gcnkaa.org

Article VII Government. Section 5. In the event a member of the Board of Directors should be absent three consecutive times, or four times in a calendar year from regularly stated meetings of the Board of Directors, or three times in a calendar year from general membership meetings, it shall be considered as a resignation from the Board of Directors unless a valid excuse is presented to and accepted by the Board at the following regularly scheduled Board Meeting. All Board Members must sit on a committee and report to the Board of Directors as necessary.

SEPTEMBER 2026 8

8 APARTMENT ADVANTAGE 7

Brain Power

SEPTEMBER 2026 8

8 APARTMENT ADVANTAGE 9

The Apartment Association Outreach, Inc.

A 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT By Jordann Morgan, Fath Properties, Outreach President A NIGHT OUT FOR OUTREACH – CELEBRATING 15 YEARS Please join us as we celebrate the 15th Anniversary of our A Night Out for Outreach, October 8, 2026, from 5:30 pm to 7 pm, at The Capital Grille. A special thank you to Alex Parlin with BRG Apartments for chairing this meaningful event. Hurry…. Our deadline is September 15th for sponsorships and tickets so now is the Jordann Morgan perfect time to reserve your spot. In addition to the benefits included with our Champions For Outreach sponsorship, we offer several ways to participate: Community Impact Sponsor ($1,000), Neighbor Sponsor ($500), Hope Sponsor ($250), and individual tickets ($200 per person). This promises to be a wonderful evening with our industry friends and an opportunity to celebrate AAO’s continued efforts to help those in need throughout our community. THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS We are grateful to all the sponsors who have committed their support so far. Your generosity makes a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve. • $1,000 Community Impact Sponsors: BRG Apartments, Forcht Bank, JLS Properties, Rent Manager, and Sandstone Properties • $500 Neighbor Sponsors: Apartments.com, appfolio, Carpetland, DMG Management Group, Hays & Sons Complete Restoration, and The Heldman Group

SEPTEMBER 2026 8

Champions For Outreach makes it easy for Primary and Associate members to support the important work of our organization through one simple sponsorship that encompasses all three of our fundraising events. Through the generosity of our Champions, AAO can help individuals and families in need through rental assistance, food pantry donations, backpacks and school supplies, senior events, scholarships and emergency assistance. I am very proud of what we have accomplished, and the Champions sponsorship allows us to continue doing even more. Through August 2026, AAO has made a tremendous impact, helping thousands of individuals throughout our community. We have donated $86,000 to our service partners for Rent Assistance and $60,000 to our food pantry partners in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. We have also donated more than $5,000 to school supplies helping 700 students and donated $1,500 for our Emergency Fund and Senior Events. Please reserve your tickets or sponsorship before September 15th deadline and join us on October 8th as we celebrate 15 years of outreach, compassion and community impact. I look forward to sharing this special evening with all of you! CHILDHOOD FOOD SOLUTIONS Our upcoming food bagging dates with Childhood Food Solutions are September 23rd, October 21st, and November 18th. If you and your colleagues would like to volunteer, contact Susan in the GCNKAA office. We would like to have you join us and make a difference in our community.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO

Tuesday, October 8, 2026 Capital Grille 3821 Edwards Road

From 5:30pm - 7:30pm Join us as we celebrates the 15th Anniversary of A Night Out for Outreach. Enjoy a fantastic evening featuring cocktails and appetizers with many industry leaders and friends in attendance. Proceeds from the event will beneﬁt our six Outreach Programs!

Tickets are $200 per person. Please RSVP to Susan Peck by September 16, 2026 at susan@gcnkaa.org or call 513.745.2601 8 APARTMENT ADVANTAGE 11

The Apartment Association Outreach, Inc. is very excited to announce our ﬁfteenth annual A Night Out for Outreach. The event will take place on Thursday, October 8, 2026 at The Capital Grille at 3821 Edwards Road. Enjoy a fantastic evening with many industry leaders and friends in attendance. Cocktails and appetizers begin at 5:30 pm followed by a short program. Please support this Outreach event and help our neighbors in need of assistance. Our six programs are: Rent Assistance, twenty Food Pantries, School Supplies, Educational Scholarships, Senior Events and Emergency Funds. $1,000 Sponsor

$500 Sponsor

4 Tickets to the main event Company Logo included on AAO Website Recognition in GCNKAA Newsletters Company Logo included in event digital presentation Thank You at October 2026 GCNKAA General Election

2 Tickets to the main event Company Logo included on AAO Website Company Name listed in event digital presentation *Deadline is 8/15 to receive all sponsor beneﬁts

*Deadline is 8/15 to receive all sponsor beneﬁts

$250 Sponsor

1 Tickets to the main event Company Logo included on AAO Website Company Name listed in event digital presentation *Deadline is 8/15 to receive all sponsor beneﬁts

Name: _____________________ Company Name: _______________________ Email: _______________________________ Phone: ___________________

EVENT OPPORTUNITIES ______ $1,000 Community Impact Sponsor

CHECK PAYMENT - Amount Enclosed: $____________ Checks payable to “The AAO”

Please mail your donations to: The Apartment Association Outreach - 7265 Kenwood Rd, Ste 100,Cincinnati, OH 45236

CREDIT CARD PAYMENT

______ $500 Neighbor Sponsor

Name on Card:___________________________________________________________________

______ $250 Hope Sponsor

Card Number: ___________________________________________________________________

______ $200 Individual Ticket per person

Exp Date: _______________ Security Code: _______________ Zip Code: _________________

All donations made to the Apartment Association OUTREACH, Inc, are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Please contact Susan Peck, Outreach Administrator, with interest at 513.745.2601, susan@gcnkaa.org.

SEPTEMBER 2026 8

Government & Housing Legalities

This heading deals with housing & legal issues within the Governmental structure.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FOR OHIO By Kevin Coughlin, Director of Governmental Affairs This month’s Ohio update focuses on a few of the key races the Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Apartment Association (GCNKAA) is monitoring for United States Senate, United States House, Ohio House, Ohio Senate, and County Commissioner. The association is hosting a candidate forum at its General Membership Meeting on October 20 at Cooper’s Creek Event Center in Blue Ash. Mingle with candidates Kevin Coughlin at the 5:30 pm reception, then hear from them during the meeting, beginning at 6:00 pm. More than ninety area candidates have received GCNKAA’s 2026 Candidate Survey. The survey gives candidates an opportunity to share their views on rental housing and on current issues impacting our members. Results will be posted on the Advocacy page at gcnkaa.org. Thanks to the generous contributions of our members, GCNKAA PAC is in strong shape and is actively engaging in races around the region. The PAC is a powerful tool that elevates the voice of the apartment industry by building relationships with our elected officials. This is the busy season for fundraisers. GCNKAA is attending several as we head into the final stretch of election season. KEY RACES IN THE REGION United States Senate: When JD Vance assumed the office of Vice President, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine appointed Jon Husted to fill the seat. Husted, previously the Republican Lieutenant Governor, is now running to fill out the remaining two years of the term. Former Senator Sherrod Brown, the Democratic nominee, was defeated in his re-election bid in 2024 but is seeking a return. In a normal year, this race would lean Republican. In 2026, with voters uneasy with Iran and inflation, as well as President Trump’s unpopularity, the race is a tossup. Whoever wins this November will have to run again in 2028 for a full six-year term. United States House of Representatives District 1: When Ohio’s Redistricting Commission redrew the First Congressional District last November, Democrat incumbent Greg Landsman saw the district move from slightly blue to Republican +1. President Trump won this new district by 2.5% in 2024. Landsman’s Republican opponent is Air Force and CIA veteran Eric Conroy.

Still, DC prognosticators call this a Lean Dem race. External factors will drive the outcome of this one. Ohio Senate District 7: With Senator Steve Wilson term limited, Republican businessman Zac Haines is squaring off against Democrat Cara Jacob in a district that includes Warren County and northeastern Hamilton County. This district is a +23 Republican index, so Haines should coast to a victory. He could become an impact player right away in Columbus and strongly supports our industry. Ohio House District 27: Most area House seats are heavily weighted to the Incumbent’s party. But there are a few competitive races. Democrat incumbent Rachel Baker faces Republican challenger Nancy Aichholz, a business owner and former school board president. The district includes Wyoming, Madiera, Terrace Park, and part of Cincinnati’s East Side and has a +.06 Democrat index, making it a potential toss-up if Ohio Republicans spend heavily. Ohio House District 28: The district includes Springdale, Blue Ash, and Loveland and has a +3.62 Democrat index. Democrat incumbent Karen Brownlee faces Republican Blue Ash Mayor Jill Cole. It’s a Lean Dem district but Ohio Republicans view it as a potential flip. They got the right candidate, but will need to pump a lot of money into the race in the current environment to win. Ohio House District 29: Incumbent Republican Cindy Abrams faces Democrat Jonathan Bradner in a district rated at +15 Republican. Nevertheless, Ohio Democrats are making a play to flip this seat. They will need a significant blue wave to dislodge Abrams in a district that includes NW Hamilton County, including Harrison, New Baltimore, North College Hill. Hamilton County Commissioner: Democrat Cincinnati City Councilwoman Meeka Owens is running for an open seat against Republican Jonathan Pearson, a small business owner. Hamilton County is almost assured to elect Owens, who has been willing to work with GCNKAA on housing issues during her time in City Hall. Meet these and many other candidates from Ohio and Kentucky at our October 20 candidate forum. You can find details and register by clicking here.

8 APARTMENT ADVANTAGE 13

CITY, NEIGHBORHOOD INVESTMENT PARTNERS LAUNCH FIRST PHASE OF WORKFORCE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT Courtesy of Marc Wilson, GCNKAA Kentucky Lobbyist

Marc Wilson

Affordability pressure continues across Boone, Kenton, and Campbell Counties. Data from the Northern Kentucky Atlas shows an average of 40% of regional residents spend more than 30% of their monthly income on rent — a share that climbs to 43% in Covington and 50% in Newport. Local officials and housing advocates point to a range of contributing factors, including a tight supply of longterm rental units.

SHORT-TERM RENTALS Short-term rental (STR) regulation remained a hot topic in Frankfort and in Northern Kentucky city halls this year. State Senate Bill 112, introduced in January by Senator Craig Richardson (R-Hopkinsville), would have preempted local governments statewide from imposing STR licensing requirements, density caps, residency requirements, and most zoning restrictions — voiding existing local ordinances, including Covington’s registry and transient room tax rules. Covington, along with Bellevue, Fort Wright, Newport, and Independence, formally opposed the bill, arguing it would strip cities of tools to manage neighborhood character and housing supply. SB 112 never advanced past the Senate Committee on Committees and did not pass during the 2026 session. Meanwhile, Covington continued refining its own STR framework. In June, the city council gave final approval to an ordinance amendment requiring STRs to operate as a “low-intensity residential use” compatible with surrounding neighborhoods, building on the city’s existing licensing, ownership-limit, and density-limit structure. At the county level, Boone County requires an STR Permit from its Occupational License Office along with zoning compliance, liability insurance, and an on-call emergency contact, while all three Northern Kentucky counties impose a combined 5% transient room tax on short-term stays.

LANDLORD-TENANT NOTES BY COUNTY Boone County maintains stricter rental-property inspection requirements than most of the state, including mandatory sealed 10year battery smoke detectors. Kenton County requires landlords to obtain a rental license and imposes detailed lead-paint disclosure rules for pre-1978 properties. Campbell County has added tenant protections related to security deposits. POLITICAL UPDATE: NKY LEGISLATIVE RACES Kentucky’s May 19 primary set the field for several Northern Kentucky-area Kentucky House seats. In District 63, Republican Cole Cuzick defeated Kim Banta and Seth Winslow Young and faces no Democratic opponent in November. District 64 will be contested between Republican incumbent Kimberly Poore Moser and Democrat William Nick Whalen. In District 69, Republican Steven Doan will face Democrat Wilanne Stangel. District 78 Republican nominee Mark Hart is unopposed heading into the general election. Three other Northern Kentucky incumbents are also on the November ballot. In District 65 (part of Kenton County, including Covington), Republican incumbent Stephanie Dietz faces a rematch against Democrat Aaron Currin, whom she defeated in 2024. In District 67 (northern Campbell County, including Newport and Bellevue), Democratic incumbent Matt Lehman faces a rematch against Republican Terry Hatton in what was one of the closer races in 2024. In District 68 (part of Campbell County, including Alexandria), Republican incumbent Mike Clines is seeking reelection. All 100 Kentucky House seats and half of the state Senate’s even-numbered districts are on the November 3 ballot statewide. *Sources: LINK nky, WVXU, Covington city government, Rent Responsibly, Kentucky Legislative Research Commission.* Marc Wilson is managing partner for AdvocateNKY and Marc Wilson and Associates, LLC.

MAKE YOUR VOICE

HEARD SUPPORT OUR PACS

Influence at the local, state and national government levels would not be possible without your contributions. If you have not already done so, please invest in GCNKAA’s PAC. Our recommendation is $1 per unit. For More Information

513-407-8612 X 1

SEPTEMBER 2026 8

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Our House

This heading contains membership, staff, committee information and events.

NAA MAINTENANCE LEGENDS RETURNS: ENTER YOUR TECHS TODAY FOR SEPTEMBER CONTEST PRIZES The National Apartment Association (NAA) Maintenance Legends returns for the 2026-2027 season. This program shines a spotlight on the maintenance heroics we’ve all seen and heard about. It gives the rental housing industry the chance to celebrate the Maintenance Professionals going above and beyond every month. WIN BIG EVERY MONTH Three monthly winners will receive prizes up to $5,000 retail value. Submit your maintenance story for a chance to win. PAID TRIP TO NAA APARTMENTALIZE 2027 Monthly winners will get airfare, lodging, and access to 2027’s Apartmentalize Conference in Denver in June. FREE TRAINING CERTIFICATIONS In June 2027, 25 additional winners will be selected for a free certification including the Certificate for Apartment Maintenance Technician (CAMT), Certified Pool Operator (CPO), EPA 608 Certification, and more. A SHOT AT OUR GRAND PRIZE Monthly winners will have a chance to win big during the

2027 Apartmentalize Conference. The overall grand prize is a new Ford truck. HOW DO YOU BECOME A LEGEND? Are you, or do you know, a maintenance tech or property manager that goes above and beyond for their tenants? Time to turn those stories into Legends! Each month, in addition to the story with the most fan votes, our panel of judges will pick two favorites, for a total of 3 winners. Candidates can submit their story from September 1 through September 20 at www.maintenancelegends.com. HOW, WHEN AND WHERE CAN WE VOTE? Voting will be open to the general membership beginning September 23 and will close September 30. It is one vote per person. THANK YOU TO THE NATIONAL SPONSORS Thank you to the National Apartment Association (NAA), HD Supply, AO Smith, GE, Kwikset, Rheem, Kidde, Insinkerator, Midea, and Carrier for their ongoing sponsorship of this program. Learn more at www.maintenancelegends.com.

September 2026 Prizes Pack Your Bags. Adventure Awaits.

This month’s prize package includes • Round-trip air transportation for two travelers from home city within the contiguous 48 states to a destination within the contiguous 48 states. • Four nights' accommodations at your choice of one of the select Marriott properties • Full-size car rental for five days • Breakfast at the hotel each day • Dinner at the hotel one night

How To Become a Maintenance Legend Hard work, dedication and 3 easy steps can make you a Maintenance Legend! Provide Your Info Fill out our form with your name, address, affiliate association & more. Tell Your Story Tell us all about you or your Legend's actions and why they deserve to win. Submit Your Photo(s) Every maintenance pro deserves to be recognized.

Enter at www.maintenancelegends.com Three monthly winners will receive prizes up to $5,000 retail value. Submit your maintenance story for a chance to win.

8 APARTMENT ADVANTAGE 23

BUILD YOUR BUSINESS CONTACT US ABOUT ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NEWSLETTER, MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY, AND ONLINE!

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SEPTEMBER 2026 8

Minimize liability naahq.org/lease Minimize liability Accelerate & Simplify Your Leasing Today Customizable

Customizable

Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN

End of August, 2026

New Construction Summary Property Type

# Projects

# Units

Garden

129

22,984

Mid-Rise

5,966

High-Rise

1,427

174

30,377

# Projects

# Units

Pre-construction

124

20,829

Under Construction

5,866

Construction/Lease-up

2,130

Lease-up

1,552

174

30,377

Total Progress

Total

Conventional Summary Property Type

# Units

Garden

21,324

Mid-Rise

5,464

High-Rise

1,177

Total

27,965

Progress

# Units

Pre-construction

19,650

Under Construction

5,247

Construction/Lease-up

1,604

Lease-up

1,464

Total

27,965

Non-Conventional Summary Property Type

# Units

Garden

1,660

Mid-Rise

502

High-Rise

250

Total Progress Pre-construction

2,412 # Units 1,179

Under Construction

619

Construction/Lease-up

526

Lease-up

Total

2,412

For additional details and definitions, visit our methodology page: . https://alndata.com/methodology

www.alndata.com NATIONWIDE MULTIFAMILY DATA

8 APARTMENT ADVANTAGE 25

Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN

End of August, 2026

City Stats Top 5

# Units

Cincinnati

11,331

Springdale

1,826

Lebanon

1,515

Batavia

1,114

Milford

1,098

Submarket Stats Top 5

# Units

Bottom 5

# Units

Downtown / Midtown Cincinnati

9,144

Covington / Newport

3,016

Mason / Lebanon / Middletown

5,870

Cincinnati Intl Airport

2,716

Eastern Cincinati

4,185

Fairfield / Hamilton

792

Tri-County /Reading

3,691

Forest Park / Woodlawn

560

Covington / Newport

3,016

Western Hills

363

Pipeline Rankings Market by Units

Rank (of 208)

# Units

Market by Capacity*

IN - Indianapolis

36,246

TX - San Antonio

32,328

Lease-Up Comparisons**

OH - Cincinnati

30,377

OH - Cincinnati

VA - Richmond

29,650

National

UT - Salt Lake City

29,191

Rank (in tier)

# Units

Capacity %

Avg # Units/mo

Velocity

883

15.8

157,626

16.1

*Capacity percentage is calculated by dividing the number of units in the pipeline by the total number of existing units in the same market. Tier based on market size. **Velocity is the average number of months to reach an 85% occupancy. Average is over the past 24 months.

ALN Apartment Data tracks more than12K management companies with over 202K properties, comprised of over 26.2 million total units. We offer our clients feature-rich, user-friendly platforms to perform research with confidence, and our comprehensive services are available nationwide. Copyrights: All data, information and material provided through ALN Platforms or Reports are copyrighted. All resales, redistribution, or other forms of dissemination is strictly forbidden. For ALN editorial inserts, sourcing, questions, or additional information about our services, please contact Sales@alndata.com or call 800-643-6416 x 3.

SEPTEMBER 2026 8

www.alndata.com NATIONWIDE MULTIFAMILY DATA

Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN

End of August, 2026

General Overview

Stabilized and Lease-up Properties Conventional Properties

Aug 2026

Occupancy

90.8

Unit Change

3,428

Units Absorbed (Annual)

3,600

Average Size (SF)

Annual Change +0.5%

925

+0.2%

Asking Rent

$1,498

+3.1%

Asking Rent per SF

$1.62

+2.8%

Effective Rent

$1,480

+2.7%

Effective Rent per SF

$1.60

+2.4%

% Offering Concessions

14%

+19.1%

Avg. Concession Package

6.0%

+22.4%

Stabilized Only Properties Conventional Properties

Aug 2026

Occupancy

93.7

Unit Change

Units Absorbed (Annual) Average Size (SF)

Annual Change -1.6%

-1,546 918

$1,456

+2.0%

Asking Rent per SF

$1.59

+1.9%

Effective Rent

$1,441

+1.7%

Effective Rent per SF

$1.57

+1.7%

% Offering Concessions

14%

+15.7%

Avg. Concession Package

5.7%

+17.0%

Asking Rent

www.alndata.com NATIONWIDE MULTIFAMILY DATA

8 APARTMENT ADVANTAGE 27

Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN

End of August, 2026

Age Breakdown By # Units

50,188

3,021

329

10,569

13,281

2,014

458

2,403

10,657

1,481

288

4,198

8,964

1,025

337

2,474

11,877

1,479

1,956

1,310

16,326

1,559

843

1,954

Market Breakdown Property Type

% of

Market

Props

Units

Occ.

Avg

Average Rent

Mkt

Eff

Rent Concessions Props Offering

Avg Package

Conventional

73%

993

115,351

90.8%

925

$1,498

$1,480

14.2%

6.0%

Affordable

16%

261

25,579

91.4%

930

$1,144

2.5%

1.0%

Senior Living

153

12,243

89.5%

746

$1,895

$1,889

5.1%

5.0%

Student Housing

4,268

73.2%

1,031

$2,399

0.0%

1,437

157,441

Totals

Top 5 Submarkets Occupancy Annual Change

Aug-26

Change

Effective Rent Gains

Aug-26

Change

Covington/Newport

94.1%

7.0%

Western Hills

$1,100

6.9%

Cincinnati Intl Airport

91.8%

4.6%

Tri-County/Reading

$1,616

4.6%

Downtown/Midtown Cincinnati

87.3%

4.6%

Fairfield/Hamilton

$1,389

4.0%

Western Hills

94.3%

1.0%

Cincinnati Intl Airport

$1,398

2.8%

Fairfield/Hamilton

91.4%

1.0%

Dearborn - Ohio Counties IN

$1,181

2.7%

New Units

ALN Apartment Data tracks 12K management companies with over 202K properties, comprised of over 26.2 million total units. We offer our clients feature-rich, user-friendly platforms to perform research with confidence, and our comprehensive services are available nationwide. Copyrights: All data, information and material provided through ALN Platforms or Reports are copyrighted. All resales, redistribution, or other forms of dissemination is strictly forbidden. For ALN editorial inserts, sourcing, questions, or additional information about our services, please contact Sales@alndata.com or call 800-643-6416 x 3. www.alndata.com NATIONWIDE MULTIFAMILY DATA

SEPTEMBER 2026 8

MAINTENANCE APPRECIATION NIGHT SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 7 On WEDNESDAY, October 7, the Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Apartment Association will host the Fourth Annual Maintenance Appreciation Night. This event gives us the chance to show our deep gratitude for all of the hard work and dedication the maintenance teams bring to work each and every day. Not only do they tackle maintenance issues like changing locks, repairing leaky pipes, and servicing AC units on hot summer days, they also jump into action to go above and beyond for your customers. Join the GCNKAA at our Maintenance Appreciation Night as we treat our service teams to food, drink, games, fun, camaraderie, and some good oldfashioned competition. Fowling lanes will also be complimentary for all attendees...so pick your team and challenge others for a fun night. Admission for maintenance techs is free; all other admissions

are $65 per person - but if you register and pay directly online, you only pay $55 per person! Sponsorships are available for $250 and include 2 admissions. Maintenance Appreciation Night is WEDNESDAY, October 7, 2026, from 5 pm to 7 pm at Fowling Warehouse, 2940 Highland Avenue, Cincinnati. Click here to register today! What is Fowling? It started as a one-lane mashup of football and bowling while tailgating at the 2001 Indy 500. Today, Fowling is quickly turning into a national sensation. Give it a try and you’ll see. How Do You Play? It’s as easy as throwing a football at ten bowling pins until someone knocks them all down. BONK™. Drink. Repeat. For more details on how to play and the rules involved, click here.

4TH ANNUAL

MAINTENANCE APPRECIATION

Networking, games, food, drink, fowling, and fun all focused on showing appreciation for all the maintenance techs in the local multifamily housing industry.

WEDNESDAY, October 7, 2026 Fowling Warehouse 5 pm - 7 pm **FREE For Maintenance Techs!** Click here for sponsorships and registration details.

8 APARTMENT ADVANTAGE 29

TRADE SHOW BOOTH SALES NOW ON SALE Mark your calendars for the Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Apartment Association (GCNKAA) 2027 Trade Show, happening Wednesday, March 24 at the Sharonville Convention Center. Booth sales are officially open—secure your spot now before prices increase! • $850 per booth from September 1, 2026 – February 24, 2027 • $950 per booth after February 24, 2027 WHY EXHIBIT AT THE GCNKAA TRADE SHOW? More than 500 multifamily industry professionals attend our show each year—giving you the chance to connect directly with property managers, leasing agents, maintenance teams, and decision-makers. Here’s what’s new and exciting for 2027:  Updated Floorplan with Carpet Our refreshed layout is designed to improve traffic flow and allow for more booths. Each 8’ x 10’ booth includes pipe and drape, one table, two chairs, booth signage, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Center aisle is reserved for our VIP Sponsors. Electric, additional furniture, and upgrades can be ordered separately through Sharonville Convention Center or Academy Rentals.  Expanded Education Rooms We’re offering more seminars for property managers, leasing agents, and maintenance technicians—bringing even larger audiences to the show floor once sessions conclude. Expanded Leadership Forums will also bring key decision-makers out to the event. That means more opportunities for you to connect with attendees face-toface.  More Sponsorship Opportunities New sponsorship levels ensure you’ll get maximum exposure, whether your company is large or small. Opportunities range from $300 logo or food sponsorships to $1,000 VIP Sponsorships, with benefits including premier booth placement, signage, verbal recognition, and promotion on gcnkaa.org and in Apartment Advantage. RESERVE YOUR BOOTH TODAY Booths are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t wait! Visit www.gcnkaa.org to download the floorplan and booth contract. You can reserve your booth online, or complete the contract with your top three booth choices and return it to michele@ gcnkaa.org. Questions? We’re here to help! Call us at 513-407-8612 for assistance. BOOTH SALES INFORMATION • Booth price includes table, 2 chairs, pipe and drapes, booth marker. Facility is carpeted. Electric, additional tables and chairs can be ordered separately through Sharonville Convention Center and Academy Rentals for an additional cost. All orders for carpet, electric, additional tables and chairs

SEPTEMBER 2026 8

need to be placed directly through Sharonville Convention Center or Academy Rentals and NOT through GCNKAA. See Exhibitor Kit for more detailed information. • Booths are sold on a first come first serve basis. • Each booth is 8’ deep x 10’wide. • Booths are $850 from September 1, 2026, through February 24, 2027; $950 after February 24. Select booths are reserved for VIP Sponsors. BOOTH RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENTS • After you have selected your booth with the Apartment Association, you must either forward GCNKAA a signed contract or remit full payment to reserve that booth. • We will hold all booths for 14 days without signed contract or payment. • You may pay for your booth with check or credit card or call the office for an invoice. • We cannot hold a booth longer than 14 days without contract or payment. After those 14 days, if we do not receive a contract or full payment, GCNKAA will contact you for payment or contract. If no response, GCNKAA may release the booth you selected. • Full payment of all booths must be received by February 24, 2027.

2027 GCNKAA Trade Show

Sharonville Convention Center Wednesday, March 24, 2027 | 4 pm - 6:30 pm Booth Information Size: 8’ x 10’ Loading Dock Area

Food Court

Cost Per Booth

$800 Before September 1; $850 Before February 24 $950 After February 25 VIP Sponsor Only

PRIZE BOOTH 29. 10. 84.

83. 66.

65. 48.

47. 30.

28. 11.

85.

82. 67.

64. 49.

46. 31.

27. 12.

86.

81. 68.

63. 50.

45. 32.

26. 13.

87.

80. 69.

62. 51.

44. 33.

25. 14.

88.

79. 70.

61. 52.

43. 34.

24. 15.

89.

78. 71.

60. 53.

42. 35.

23. 16.

90.

77. 72.

59. 54.

41. 36.

22. 17.

91.

76. 73.

58. 55.

40. 37.

21. 18.

92.

75. 74.

57. 56.

39. 38.

20. 19.

Booth Includes Pipe and Drape 1 - 6’ Table and Skirt 2 - Chairs 1 - Booth Marker Wifi Access You May Order Additional Items Directly Through Our Contacts at Your Cost Carpet - $125* Electric - $79* Additional 6’ Table - $50* Additional Chair - $6* See inside for ordering information. *Deadlines to order do apply. Prices after deadline will increase as noted on individual order forms. Prices subject to change.

93.

Enter 43. 1. VMintegrated 24. TRI-WEH Restoration 2. 25. 44. 3. 26. Klekamp & Co 45. 4. 27. McSwain Carpets 5. 28. Lance Roofing & Siding 46. 6. Ohio Geese Control 29. NCS 360 7. 30. Jetz Service Co. 47. 8. 31. 9. 32. 10. 48. 33. G&G Fitness 11. 34. 12. 35. altafiber 49. 13. 36. ALL Laundry Service 14. 37. ICS Advanced Technologies 15. 38. ServPro of Boone, Kenton 50. 16. and Campbell Cos. 17. SWORD Roofing & Siding 39. 51. 18. 19. ServiceMaster Restoration 40. by Integrity 52. 41. 20. KeyTrak 21. Nationwide Energy 53. 42. Partners 22. TNT Power Wash Services 23. Pure Property Solutions 54.

Enter 55.

75. 76. 56. 77. 78. 57. Rent Manager 79. Roto Rooter Services Co. 58. 80. 59. HD Supply 81. 60. 82. 61. BGSF 83. Brandstetter’s KangaRoof 62. hellospoke 63. Paramount Commercial 84. National Heating & Air 85. HandyTrac Systems Roofing 86. 64. Fresh Coat Painters of 87. South Dayton 88. 65. Pothole Heroes 89. 66. CORT 90. 67. The Lake Doctors 91. 68. O’Brien Pools Inc. 92. 69. 93. 70. 71. 72. 73. Scherzinger Pest Control 74. Kings III Emergency Communications

8 APARTMENT ADVANTAGE 31

THE 2ND ANNUAL GCNKAA PINS AND PINTS BOWLING TOURNAMENT RETURNS IN NOVEMBER! The GCNKAA Pins & Pints Bowling Tournament is back for its 2nd year! Join us for an afternoon of bowling, friendly competition, networking, food, drinks and plenty of fun. Whether you’re chasing strikes or just hoping to keep the ball out of the gutter, Pins & Pints is a great opportunity to connect with fellow GCNKAA members while enjoying a little friendly competition. • Friday, November 6, 2026 • Stones Lanes | 3746 Montgomery Road • 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm • Registration includes bowling, shoe rental, food, drinks, prizes and more! Put together your five-person team, come up with a creative team name, and get ready to compete for bragging rights, trophies and prizes. We’ll also have contests, raffles and plenty of opportunities to have fun both on and off the lanes. BOWLING TEAM RULES Pins & Pints is designed to bring our supplier partners and property management professionals together. To encourage networking and create balanced teams, each five-person team must include a combination of Associate and Primary Members. • Each team must consist of 5 players. • A maximum of 2 Associate Members (vendor) may participate on each team. • A minimum of 3 Primary Members/customers from property owner, management companies, or other customers are required on each team. • Teams must register in advance and provide the name and company affiliation of all five players. • Every team must create a Team Name. • Teams that do not meet the required composition may be asked to make adjustments prior to the tournament. SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Want to put your company in front of GCNKAA members while supporting one of our most fun events of the year? A variety

of sponsorship opportunities will be available. Watch for more details on sponsorships soon! CONTESTS & PRIZES Bowling is only part of the competition! We’re bringing back some fun ways for teams to show off their creativity—and even take home some cash. • Best Team Uniform Contest: Show us your team spirit! Coordinate matching shirts, create a theme, incorporate your company brand or come dressed to impress. Creativity, coordination and originality are encouraged, so have some fun with it! • Best Team Name Contest: Let your creativity roll! We’ll recognize the cleverest, funniest or most original team name of the tournament. Bowling puns, company-inspired names and completely outrageous ideas are all fair game. • Split-the-Pot Strike Challenge: Think you can throw a strike when the pressure is on? Purchase a raffle ticket—or a few—for your chance to win half the pot. If your ticket is drawn, there’s just one catch: you have to bowl a strike to win! No strike? We’ll draw another ticket and keep going until someone delivers the perfect shot and takes home the cash. • Red Pin Challenge: Keep your eyes on the pins—you never know when the Red Pin Challenge will pop up! When the red pin appears in the designated position, you’ll have the chance to turn your next roll into a prize. Knock down a strike while the red pin is in play and you’re a winner! It’s a fun, fast-paced twist that adds a little extra excitement to every frame, so be ready when you see red! Space is limited, so gather your team, choose your name and register early. We can’t wait to see you on the lanes for the 2nd Annual GCNKAA Pins & Pints Bowling Tournament! Let the good times roll! Spots are limited—registration opens September 10!

Event Details

Get ready to roll with us at the 2nd AnnualGCNKAA Pins and Pints Bowling Tournament! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just in it for the laughs, this is your chance to show off your skills, enjoy some friendly competition, and connect with fellow members of the association.

�� Date: Friday, November 6 �� Location: Stones Lanes, 3746 Montgomery Rd �� Time: 12 pm to 4 pm �� Registration Includes: Bowling, shoe rental, food, drinks, prizes & more

Registration opens September 11! 32

SEPTEMBER 2026 8

GOING THE EXTRA MILE: BRG APARTMENTS RALLIES BEHIND MMN RESEARCH At BRG Apartments, being part of the team means being part of a family—and when one of their own faces a challenge, that family comes together. Mike Markus, BRG Apartments’ Director of Maintenance and a respected multifamily professional with more than 20 years of experience, is living with Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN), a rare autoimmune neurological disorder that affects the motor nerves responsible for controlling muscle movement. As MMN progresses, it can cause increasing muscle weakness, particularly in the hands and arms, making everyday activities such as carrying groceries, buttoning a shirt, writing, or lifting a child increasingly difficult. While there is currently no cure, treatments such as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) can help slow the progression of the disease and preserve muscle function. These treatments are often needed every few weeks on an ongoing basis and can bring significant physical and financial challenges. Despite those challenges, Mike continues to bring resilience, determination, and a positive attitude to BRG Apartments every day. He is an exceptional leader and invaluable member of the BRG team who consistently puts others first. Now, one of Mike’s colleagues is going the extra mile - or, more accurately, 31 miles - to show his support. 31 MILES. 60+ OBSTACLES. ONE IMPORTANT CAUSE. On September 19, Gary Whittle, who works alongside Mike on BRG Apartments’ services team, will take on the Spartan Ultra Race in Vermont in Mike’s honor. The grueling event features approximately 31 miles of rugged trail and more than 60 obstacles. Gary is using the challenge to raise awareness and funds for MMN research, and BRG Apartments is encouraging employees, friends, family members, industry colleagues, and community partners to join the effort. Consider donating $1 - or more - for every mile Gary runs. A $1-per-mile pledge means a $31 donation toward helping individuals and families affected by MMN and supporting the search

for better treatments and, ultimately, a cure. And every contribution has the opportunity to go even further: BRG Apartments’ leadership team has committed to matching the total amount raised, up to $5,000! Those who aren’t able to donate can still help by sharing the fundraiser with friends, family, coworkers, and their networks to spread awareness of MMN and Gary’s incredible challenge. HOW TO HELP To make a donation electronically, visit the GBS/CIDP Foundation International donation page and select “Make Donation.” When making your contribution, please indicate that your donation is in honor of Mike Markus or mention BRG Apartments so the team can track the campaign’s progress and celebrate the collective impact. Cash and check donations may also be made directly through the BRG fundraising effort. Every mile Gary completes will represent more than an obstacle conquered—it will be a show of support for Mike and others living with MMN. Together, the BRG family and the multifamily community can turn 31 challenging miles into something much bigger: hope, awareness, and meaningful support in the fight against Multifocal Motor Neuropathy. LEARN MORE & SUPPORT THE CAUSE • Donate: GBS/CIDP Foundation International https://www.gbs-cidp.org/donate/ • Learn About MMN: GBS/CIDP Foundation International https://www.gbs-cidp.org/ • MMN Foundation Testimonial Video: https://youtu.be/dhv4haxM_1Q • Learn About the Spartan Ultra: https://www.spartan.com/en/race/ultra

GCNKAA Management Forum August 28, 2026

8 APARTMENT ADVANTAGE 33

Trend Setting

This heading contains information on Management & Leasing.

SMARTER SPENDING WITH AI: FROM COST CONTROL TO PERFORMANCE INSIGHT By Andrew Ruhland, Account Executive and Content Writer with LinnellTaylor Marketing During the 2026 Apartmentalize session, “Smarter Spending with AI: From Cost Control to Performance Insight,” industry leaders explored how AI, automation and data orchestration are helping organizations transform purchasing data into actionable business intelligence. THE EVOLUTION OF SOURCE-TO-PAY The discussion highlighted several trends reshaping source-to-pay processes across multifamily operations. Automation and AI are streamlining procurement workflows, reducing manual tasks and enabling faster, more informed decision-making. At the same time, cloud-based platforms are providing scalable access to purchasing and spend management tools, allowing organizations to standardize processes across growing portfolios. Panelists noted that AI-powered analytics are playing an increasingly important role in improving spend compliance, identifying savings opportunities and strengthening risk management efforts. Combined with enhanced user experiences and self-service capabilities, these technologies are making procurement more accessible while improving accountability throughout the organization. Kristina Loeza, procurement manager for Prometheus Real Estate Group, which manages approximately 15,000 units, shared her first-hand experiences with both manual work and automation implementation. “Before automation, purchasing was weighed down by manual effort and excessive data entry,” Loeza said. “It was defined by too much searching and not enough visibility to guide smarter buying behavior.” TURNING VISIBILITY INTO ROI A key theme throughout the session was the importance of visibility. Loeza shared how her organization transitioned from a largely manual purchasing environment characterized by limited visibility and inconsistent vendor compliance to a more centralized and accountable operating model. By standardizing products, negotiating supplier agreements and creating a single source of truth for purchasing data, the company gained greater insight into spending behavior across its portfolio. “While analyzing our spend data at one property and connecting it to our purchasing behaviors, we identified a wide cost variance for batteries, ranging from $0.30 to $1.40 per unit,” Loeza said. “By standardizing on a single battery across our entire portfolio, we reduced that cost to $0.35, resulting in approximately $65,000 in savings.” Panelists emphasized that visibility is what transforms data into meaningful business outcomes. AI-driven automation reduces manual data entry, accelerates approval processes and helps teams identify preferred vendors and standardized items more quickly.

SEPTEMBER 2026 8

Meanwhile, data orchestration connects purchasing, contracts, vendor oversight, invoicing and reporting into a unified view that supports stronger compliance and vendor accountability. FROM REACTIVE OVERSIGHT TO PREDICTIVE OPTIMIZATION The session also addressed how portfolio size influences spend management challenges. Without visibility, smaller portfolios often struggle with inefficiencies while larger portfolios face compounding compliance and vendor management risks. According to panelists, the solution is a connected operating model built on standardized data, consistent practices and shared operational intelligence. When spend information is unified across the organization, operators can move beyond reactive oversight and toward predictive optimization. This approach links spending patterns with vendor performance, compliance outcomes and sitelevel planning to drive better decisions at scale. “Smarter spending starts with visibility and consistency,” Loeza said. “Standardization enables us to scale more easily, and the right tools transform that data into actionable insight before small issues become costly ones.” AI-driven automation delivers the greatest value when paired with trustworthy data. Spend insights only create impact when they change behavior, leading to improved compliance, strengthened vendor selection and accelerated decision-making. Ultimately, organizations of every size can move from reactive cost management to connected, predictive optimization by prioritizing visibility, consistency and AI adoption.

SURVEY SAYS…NOTHING! RENTAL HOUSING METRICS NO ONE’S QUESTIONING By Paul Willis, Content Director with LinnellTaylor Marketing

Most apartment operators are guilty of it to some degree. They’ll peruse a data point that sheds a favorable light on their property and give themselves a proverbial pat on the back. The problem is, sometimes that metric doesn’t tell the entire story. Whether it’s a small sample size of 5-star reviews or glowing scores from an incentivized resident survey, the numbers might reveal little about actual resident satisfaction levels. That concept was thoroughly examined at the 2026 Apartmentalize session “Survey Says… Nothing! Rental Housing Metrics No One’s Questioning.” “A survey will tell you if they’re satisfied,” said Kate Good, Principal of Multifamily Development and Operations at Hunington Residential, who guided the presentation. “We need to know whether we have outperformed, so they’ll stay with us for years to come.” While operators often concentrate on potentially fluffed-up satisfaction scores, metrics that truly measure resident sentiment include renewal behavior, trust in operations and brand advocacy. Those equate to resident retention, referrals and other positive behaviors that move the needle much more than inflated survey scores taken right after a resident event. SATISFACTION AND LOYALTY ARE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE Good drove home the idea that satisfaction doesn’t necessarily equate to loyalty. Residents can be satisfied and still leave, after all, rendering satisfaction as more of a lagging emotional concept rather than a true predictive indicator of intention. “Customers often report being highly satisfied right up until the moment they cancel that lease, and they’re off to a competitor,” Good said. “They did it for a better price, maybe a better experience, a better location. What do we do with that information? Is there anything we could have done to save them?” HIGH SCORES, POOR RESULTS Properties most in need of reevaluating their data-assessment practices are those with high satisfaction scores and low renewal

percentages. This often occurs when teams chase metrics rather than outcomes, leaving them with poor visibility of genuine resident sentiment. “Just because you’re satisfied with something as a consumer, it doesn’t really predict that you’re going to buy from that brand again,” Good said. “It could be the next shiny object that gets your attention. So as property managers, we can’t put all of our weight, our money and our budget into something that’s telling us people are satisfied if we haven’t earned their loyalty. The real objective is to get to that loyalty point.” Good said that strong signs of loyalty include whether residents are referring their friends, or if they land at a sister community if they do decide to relocate. It’s the type of behavioral telemetry operators should focus on, because it’s less about how a resident is feeling and more about the actions they’re taking. IMPACT IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER Even though a team believes it’s the best apartment home, coolest amenity or most valuable perk, the resident might not feel the same way. Offering an upgrade represents a noble approach, but sometimes a resident would prefer to pass and should be given the option to decline. In some cases, they’ll believe they have to settle for the offered upgrade but will get passed up for a perk that is truly valuable to them. Taking the time to learn specific preferences of residents represents a personalized approach that can build genuine loyalty. “People have different perspectives, and that impacts how they review things,” Good said. “So, there’s a trap of satisfaction, and I think we need to spend some time really thinking about what we are going to do differently in the future to truly understand the satisfaction of our residents.” The idea isn’t that properties should avoid the pursuit of strong satisfaction scores and be delighted when they receive them. It’s that they should view these results through the proper lens—perhaps as a solid start—and continue to identify the gaps between perception and actual resident behavior. This will enable teams to concentrate on the areas that truly drive resident engagement and loyalty.

WATCH YOUR INBOX! 2027 MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY Watch your email for your chance to review and update your company information to ensure your 2027 Directory listing is accurate and up-to-date.

NEW THIS YEAR DIRECTORY FORMS ARE BEING SENT VIA EMAIL 8 APARTMENT ADVANTAGE 35

HOW TO BUILD A BETTER MARKETING BUDGET IN 2027 By Robyn Friedman. Multihousingnews.com

Apartment-marketing pros also know that preparing an accurate and effective 2027 budget requires more than just taking last year’s numbers and arbitrarily adjusting them up 10 percent to account for rising costs. Instead, the best marketing plans are created by determining your goals, reviewing the status of your assets and the overall market they’re situated in, evaluating the performance of every marketing channel you’re using—and then allocating marketing spend on the strategies that will achieve measurable results. “We don’t start with a dollar amount—we start with business objectives,” said Jeff Klotz, CEO of The Klotz Group of Cos. “Before we discuss budgets, we ask what we’re trying to accomplish. Are we leasing a new community, improving occupancy, hiring 150 employees, raising capital? Once those priorities are clear, the budget becomes much easier to build.” But even with the best analysis and planning, things happen that can blow your budget. For example, within months of The Breeden Co. taking over third-party management of The Collection at American Tobacco Center, a portfolio of five loftstyle communities in Richmond, Va., and putting a budget in place, nine rooftop air conditioning units blew. Replacement resulted in nearly $50,000 of unplanned expenses. “This unforeseen expenditure required careful evaluation of other budgeted items and operational priorities and created substantial financial pressure that had not been anticipated,” shared Christine Gustafson, the company’s vice president of marketing and public relations. The moral: Your budget should always account for contingencies, either by having a dedicated line item to cover unexpected costs or price hikes, or by adding a buffer for contingencies to each expected expenditure. WHEN TO START Don’t wait until the last minute to start your 2027 budget. Kyle Jones, search manager at REACH by RentCafe, said he knows of companies that started the budgeting process during the second quarter of 2026, with plans to have it finalized by the end of the third quarter. The first step in creating your 2027 marketing budget is to establish your goals. “That’s the most important thing,” according to Kelly Siegal, managing director of marketing for Greystar. “If we understand the goals and objectives of the property, we can recommend the proper marketing mix that allows us to hit those goals and objectives.” For example, are you trying to lease up a new project, which will require a blitz of marketing and substantially more money than you’d spend on a stabilized asset? Or do you just have a few vacancies to fill? Once you’re clear on the goal, base your expected expenditures on actual numbers. “Talk to your marketing and advertising vendor partners to get 2027 pricing,” Gustafson said. “You need to start gathering proposed price increases (early) so that you can budget appropriately.”

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This step is essential, because costs are likely to rise next year. Many apartment executives expect to spend more money in 2027 on artificial intelligence, both for advertising and to optimize their existing websites and content to better catch the attention of platforms like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot. Klotz expects to increase spending in 2027 on AI tools, video, content creation, marketing automation, reputation management and data analytics. He also expects to invest more in branding the company as a whole, “because attracting great employees has become just as important as attracting residents.” With the cost of labor, materials, taxes and insurance on the upswing, apartment marketers are looking to reduce spending as well—and should cut marketing expenditures that don’t yield measurable results. Klotz said that next year he’s reducing spending on generic awareness advertising, print ads and campaigns that generate impressions without conversions. Jones has another recommendation for apartment marketers to save costs next year: Cut spending on internet listing services. “You don’t need to be on every single ILS,” he asserted. “You have to do a source-by-source performance analysis to see which are sending you the highest number of leads that turn into the lowest number of leases—which means your team is wasting time trying to qualify leads that aren’t really that qualified.” REVIEW YOUR BUDGET REGULARLY The process doesn’t end even when your marketing budget for 2027 is finalized. “It’s an ever-moving conversation,” said Siegal. “It’s never a set-it-and-forget-it. There will be channels that perform better in certain time periods or markets, so we always encourage being really agile and shifting funds to where we see the highest and greatest return.” Cali Crossing, a value-add apartment project in Houston by The Klotz Group, is a good example of how marketing budgets need to evolve with the property’s business objectives. Rather than simply rolling over the budget from the previous year, it needed to be updated because the business objectives had changed—from generating more leads to repositioning the community. “That required a very different marketing strategy,” he explained. “Rather than spreading dollars evenly across every advertising channel, we concentrated on the areas we believed would have the greatest impact.” That included professional photography, updated visual branding, community-focused video content, online reputation management and local employer outreach. The result: Occupancy increased by 29% in 62 days and is currently sitting at 98 percent. Gustafson evaluates both market conditions and the status of her portfolio every week and makes the necessary adjustments. Jonathan Starzyk, director of marketing for Bonaventure, said he meets with his marketing team once a month to go over key performance indicators to see which marketing strategies and channels are working and which aren’t. His team also does a midyear budget review with the accounting department, to go over the KPIs and make changes if needed. To be sure you’re not wasting your money on marketing strategies that don’t work, testing is key. “If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it,” noted Siegal. “Data is everything, and measurement is your directional on where to spend.”

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