Archive for October 2009
Preserving the Past
What could a Japanese pagoda, a Swiss chalet, a Dutch windmill and an Italian villa possibly have in common? They, along with eight other architecturally distinct homes share a 32-acre campus with 116 multifamily residences in Forest Glen, Md.
Read MoreInvesting in Apartments Today
Investing in apartments is a multi-part effort that involves determining return expectations, seeking apartments, conducting due diligence and exiting the investment. The economy and financing conditions have changed, and that impacts the apartment investment process.
Read MoreSycamore Urban Properties Revives Distressed Inland Empire Asset it Purchased from a Bank
Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.— Sycamore Urban Properties, a multifamily investment and development company based in Irvine, rescued a troubled 41-unit townhome development in a successful demonstration of its model for acquisition, stabilization and rapid revival of financially distressed real estate.
Read MoreN.J. Multifamily Investment Market: Slower but Holding its Own
Over the last few generations, a handful of local old-line families controlled New Jersey’s multifamily inventory. However, in the early 2000s, the popularization of Northern New Jersey’s Hudson Waterfront (Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken, West New York and Edgewater) and the entry of institutionally backed builders paved the way for a liquid investment market that took hold in 2004.
Read MorePortal Protocols
Resident portals are mini sites where tenants can pay their rent, check out activity calendars and request maintenance service. Owners and managers are finding that these portals are must-have amenities today, impacting both resident retention and leasing efforts.
Read MoreIncrease Resident Retention
With more and more renters moving back home or doubling up, vacancy rates throughout the nation are on the rise. Industry experts agree that, while the emphasis is usually placed on leasing and marketing, there needs to be a shift toward focusing on the current paying customer. In other words, resident retention in today’s difficult economy is even more important than ever before.
Read MoreMaintenance Costs
In today’s difficult economic times, it’s particularly important that both owners and operators watch their dollars closely. When it comes to maintenance issues, cutting corners can be risky, particularly since resident satisfaction and retention can oftentimes be tied to how renters feel about the upkeep of both their apartment and the building in which they live.
Read MoreHeatTrak’s Heated Walkway and Stair Mats Reduce Risk of Slip-and-Fall Injuries
HeatTrak has developed a product line of walkway and stair mats in a variety of standard dimensions that helps melt snow and ice thereby preventing accidents caused by slipping.
Read MoreNew Program Offers $1B for Green Retrofits
A new program could provide a sizable jolt to the already-popular practice of retrofitting existing commercial properties to increase environmental sustainability. The Community Preservation Corp., a non-profit affordable housing lender, has unveiled a new public-private partnership that aims to provide $1 billion in funding for energy efficient upgrades and green retrofits to multifamily properties.
Read MoreCommunity Preservation and Development Corp. Celebrates Opening of Affordable Inter-Generational Housing in D.C.
Washington, D.C.—Community Preservation and Development Corp. (CPDC) and Crawford Edgewood Managers Inc. (CEMI) recently celebrated the grand opening of The Overlook at Oxon Run, a seven-acre, 316-unit inter-generational housing development for low-income seniors and moderate-income workers.
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