New social media stats from SatisFacts...Resident Retention: Dare I Say It - Don't Believe the Hype.

Do review Web sites give business owners enough say? The subject popped up again on my radar screen when I saw a story about a California veterinary center suing review site Yelp “for allegedly promising to bury bad reviews in exchange for purchasing $3,600 worth of advertising on the site.”

One of the most common mistakes made by maintenance technicians while working with electrical components is not following proper safety procedures and guidelines.

Got empty apartment units in your building that face north?

It can be tough to justify costly apartment renovations at a time when most renters are looking to save money, not splurge on new amenities. But that doesn't mean apartment providers must abandon renovations entirely. Multifamily REIT UDR, for instance, has been outfitting some of its apartments with new kitchen appliance packages, which start as low as $1,100.

Just read a posting "What Makes Residents Renew"; this included discussing resident events to help with retention. I am actually going to share my reply here.

Retaining residents is a top priority for apartment operators, no matter the time of year or state of the economy. But with falling rent rates, rising concessions and even the extended homebuyers’ tax credit tempting residents to pack their bags for a better deal at the end of their leases, savvy apartment management firms are honing their retention strategies.

How difficult is it to get your child, your pet, your best friend or family member to smile and say “cheese” for the camera. The person blinks, a hair is out of place, their smile looks weird or their shirt has a spot on it. Even when the setting is right, there’s still the chance the camera is out of focus.

Times, as they say, they are a changing… and in our world in the multifamily industry, we are definitely not immune to the changes around us. Apartment industry professionals are expected to stay on top of federal, state and local laws and regulations.

U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced this week that nearly 200 apartment units in New York City will become more energy efficient as the result of $3.6 million in funding being awarded to Jonathan Rose Companies, a New York-based property owner and developer. It is the first award to be announced under HUD's new Green Retrofit Program for Multifamily Housing, created through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Brent Sobol is no stranger to crime. He fights it on a daily basis at the 1,100 apartment units he owns and operates in the Atlanta area.

Wyndchase Apartments Service Manager Julie Lehman, CAMT, credits her commitment to education for her advancement through the ranks of maintenance positions in the apartment industry.

The consistently incredible service and attitude I experience when I visit my local Lowe’s hardware store has earned my loyalty. What do they do that is so special? What is the impact? Does your staff have a world class attitude and deliver award winning service? Given today’s challenging market, can you afford to not be providing the greatest level of service ever? No, not given the huge impact turnover has on NOI and asset value...great service protects your revenue!

Even though Meredith Ginter lives on the sixth floor of a high-rise, she’s only steps from her parking space. Ginter’s unique situation is the result of an uncommon parking arrangement at her Charlotte apartment community, the 310-unit Ashton South End. The building’s parking garage extends six and a half stories high from the basement level and includes secured-access, double-glass-door entrances on each of the first six floors.

Unfortunately, the H1N1 epidemic is here and everyone needs to be prepared. For apartment owner/operators this means implementing risk mitigation strategies and contingency plans centered on outbreak prevention and sustaining operations. These simple steps can help mitigate the financial risk associated with an H1N1 occurrence at your property.