Jessica Fiur is the editor-in-chief at Multi-Housing News and Commercial Property Executive and writes the award-winning blog What Renters Want.

Jessica has been with the company since 2011 and previously was with Weekly Reader and IQPC. Contact Jessica at jessica.fiur@cpe-mhn.com, on Twitter @jfiur or on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicafiur/.

Yardi Unveils CONDOCafé for Automated Status Certificate Processing

Yardi announced today that it has launched CONDOCafe™, an automated platform for status certificate and document service for condominium buyers, real estate agents and property managers.

Economy Watch: QE3 Soon? Probably (Maybe)

Investors waited all week for Ben Bernanke’s annual Jackson Hole, Wyo., end-of-summer speech, and the chairman of the Fed delivered… something.

Bringing it Together

A rebranded and integrated Pennrose expands into market-rate.

Editor’s Note: Back to School

Virtual or face-to-face, education is key at all career stages. E-learning solutions enable apartment companies of all sizes to implement new employee training on Day One. They also allow management to leverage the talent pool and facilitate promotion from within. Tracking tools simplify staying abreast of performance details for large numbers of employees across a far-flung portfolio—and since you can see which employees are struggling with specific skill sets, costly in-person training can be deployed only when and where it’s needed.

MAA Acquires Texas Multifamily Community

MAA, a real estate investment trust, has completed the acquisition of Haven at Blanco, a multifamily community in San Antonio.

Alternatively Built Multifamily Development Uses Upcycling as a Hook

South Africa is the latest country to embrace the emerging trend of alternative building for multifamily developments.

Economy Watch: Personal Income, Spending Up

While investors were anticipating Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke’s pronouncements from Jackson Hole the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that personal income increased $42.3 billion, or 0.3 percent.

Guest Blog: Business Development 101

Business development excellence is based on four main principles: ethics, planning, appearance and appreciation. Part 1.

Two NYC Apartment Properties Win HUD Financing

Greystone Funding Corp., a multifamily and commercial property mortgage specialist, has originated $72.7 million in financing for two multifamily housing projects in New York City. HUD provided the financing for the properties.