Hall offame. Join us in honoring the newest member of the HAA Hall of Fame, David Hargrove, Greystone Asset Management, August 27 at Hotel ZaZa.

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1 AUGUST 2009 The Houston Apartment Association Magazine Join us in honoring the newest member of the HAA Hall of Fame, David Hargrove, Greystone Asset Management, August 27 at Hotel ZaZa. Hall offame REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE: Pass this issue along to a colleague and help HAA Go Green!

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5 CONTENTS ON THE COVER Photo by MARK HIEBERT, Hiebert Photography August 2009 Leadership 38 Jackpot! A winner takes all as David Hargrove joins the HAA Hall of Fame. 42 What it Takes Five award winners tell ABODE how to achieve and succeed in this business. 46 Better and Better Jerry Winograd is looking forward to taking the reins at TAA next year and has high hopes for both the state and local associations. 48 Survive and Thrive Our managers of the year discuss the increasing professionalism of the business and what it takes to succeed in property management. 52 All in the Details Ira Gross talks about building a business by planning ahead and paying careful attention to everyday concerns. Join HAA at Hotel ZaZa on August 27 as we honor the latest recipient of the Hall of Fame Award, David Hargrove, Greystone Asset Management. Learn more about Hargrove on Page 38. Thanks to Greystone s The Falls at Copper Lake for the use of their community space for our photographs Features & Photos 16 Community Works With a little help from HAA, the Brays Oaks Management District launches an effort to attract and retain quality residents. 30 Photo Album Scenes from the Sponsorship Auction. 32 Photo Album Scenes from HAA s big night at the Industry Achievement Awards dinner. 37 Photo Album Scenes from the Supplier Education Event sponsored by the Product Service Council. 56 Designate of the Month With barely a year in the business, Daviana Rivero has already earned her NALP and is looking forward to continued success in leasing. 58 HAA: It s Not Business as Usual See who helped us wrap up the official 2009 membership campaign and learn more about further recruitment efforts. 64 Photo Album Scenes from the SOAPS luncheon honoring corporate and administrative staff. Departments 8 PATRON 19 EDUCATION 20 CALENDARS 25 REGISTRATION 58 GO-GETTERS 60 AMBASSADORS 62 PROPERTY UPDATE 63 IN THE NEWS 66 WELCOME MAT 70 OWNER RESOURCES 72 SUPPLIER RESOURCES 74 ADVERTISERS INDEX 75 MARKET LINE 76 BACK PAGE Columns 7 President s Corner As a new school year and the height of hurricane season approach, make sure you and your property are ready for the challenges they bring. 9 Legislative Update The state and city provide measures to protect on-site employees from personal liability for code violations. 11 It s The Law This first part of a two-part series reviews the 2009 Texas Legislative Session. 14 Resident Relations One resident gets a favorable decision while another is denied for failure to comply with the lease agreement. 17 TAA Update TAA reports good news for apartment operators from the 2009 legislative session. 26 NAA Industry Update The House climate change bill includes provisions unfavorable to apartments. We welcome your comments and letters. Write to us at: HAA Communications Dept Westway Park Blvd., Houston, Texas or fax to: Or send us an at: comm@haaonline.org. ABODE AUGUST

6 OFFICERS AND ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP BETH VAN WINKLE PRESIDENT DAVID JONES PRESIDENT-ELECT KIM SMALL VICE PRESIDENT JENIFER PANERAL SECRETARY MACK ARMSTRONG TREASURER HOWARD BOOKSTAFF GENERAL COUNSEL JEFF HALL, CAE EXECUTIVE VP BOARD OF DIRECTORS John Ridgway, Immediate Past President Josh Allen Brian Austin Gene Blevins Jeff Blevins Kyle Brown Roger Camp Kathy Clem Ernest Etuk John Fedorko Kevin Fenn Paula Forshee Darlene Guidry Alison Hall David Hargrove Larry Hill Barby Lake Theresa Lamar Dick LaMarche Cesar Lima Etan Mirwis Michelle Bridges-Pahl Velissa Parmer Jackie Rhone Kelly Scott Trey Stone Eileen Subinsky Vicki Summitt Sal Thomas Suan Tinsley Starla Turnbo Vic Vacek Jr. Debbie Webre Tony Whitaker Jerold Winograd Michelle Ybarra DIRECTORS EMERITUS Gary Blumberg Al Bradley Jack Dinerstein Billy Griffin Jenard Gross Hap Hunnicutt Stacy Hunt Mike Koch Nora Krakower Tim Myers John Moore P. David Onanian Stephen Sweet Kirk Tate H.J. Tollett Jr. Patrick J. Tollett GENERAL COUNSEL EMERITUS Joe Bax HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS Claude Arnold Kenn Brown Anita Harrison Dwayne Henson Mike Koch Nora Krakower Merry Mount Monette Reynolds Sherry Stevenson Kirk Tate Suan Tinsley Del Walmsley Nancé Wells Jeanne Marie Zublin PRODUCT SERVICE COUNCIL OFFICERS Vicki Summitt, CAS, President Direct Energy Jeff Blevins, CAS, Vice President Camp Construction Services Michelle Bridges-Pahl, CAS, Secretary Century A/C Supply Kevin Fenn, CAS, Treasurer Pavecon Tony Whitaker, Immediate Past President FSI Construction MEMBERS Peggy Charles Taylor Contracting & Roofing Arrie Colca, CASE Craven Carpet Laura Collins, CAS Classic Touch Painting Mary Estrada Certified Recovery Systems Inc. Michael Flores Higher Standard Construction James Gregory Redi Carpet Sales Lisa Grimes D&C Contracting Jimmie Hotz, CAS HD Supply Deona James, CAS Resident Data Alan Jones, CASE ICI Paints Stephanie Krop, CAS Direct Energy Susan Lee, CAS Craven Carpet James Lenhardt Hire Priority Staffing & Executive Search Carol Marple, CAS For Rent Media Solutions Robert McDaniel, CAS FSI Construction Brenda Nite J&L Distributors Dean O Kelley, CAS Liberty Personnel/Executive Search Mark Park, CAS AAA Plumbers Mindy Price BG Personnel Services Beth Rohani, CAS Ameritex Movers Nichole Williams, CAS Apartment Guide Andrea Winans Bishop s Office Needs PATRON MEMBERS 1980 Coinmach Texas Apartment Locators 1982 BFI Waste Services of Texas/ Allied Waste 1983 Royal Plumbing Supply 1994 AAA Plumbers Presto Maintenance Supply Whirlpool Corp Houston Planned Energy Systems 1997 Apartment Guide 2003 Dixie Carpet Installations MAB Flooring Inc Camp Construction Services SPONSOR MEMBERS 1968 Reliant Energy 1976 Mueller Water Conditioning 1977 M&M Lighting Inc Liberty Personnel/Executive Search 1980 Great American Business Products Penco Construction Co. Marvin Poer & Co Hoover Slovacek LLP 1982 Wallace Garcia Wilson Architects Inc Webb Pest Control Cort Furniture Rental 1984 Brady, Chapman, Holland & Assoc Gemstar Construction & Development Inc. Golden Greek Carpets Inc For Rent Media Solutions Houston Metro Electrical Corp. Namco Manufacturing Co. Inc AmRent Big Z Lumber Company HCI Building Group Redi Carpet Sales Sherwin Williams Company 1991 Apartment Data Services Century A/C Supply 1992 Alexander-Rose Assoc. Inc Comcast 1997 Paramount Insurance Repair Service RENCON 1998 AAA Staffing Ltd Pools by Dallas 2001 Pura Flo Corporation Renovation Services Inc Gexa Energy Southwest Painting Contractors Inc. Wilmar Industries Inc Capitol Welding & Construction Sign-Ups & Banners Corp. Southern Wrecker Utility Advantage of Texas 2004 Assessment Advisors Embark The Tree Specialists Ygnition Networks 2005 Classic Touch Painting First Advantage SafeRent Inc. Lone Star Roofing of Texas Regal General Contractors Inc. United Protective Services 2006 Bell s Laundries N.D. Chandler Mechanical CAD Restoration Services LLC DoodyCalls First Co. Lopez Carpet Care & Painting Masonry Solutions Inc. Parking Management Company Quantum Fitness Corp Roto-Rooter Services Co. Texas Contract Floors Inc. USA Decon Valet Waste 2007 ABC Restoration Inc. ACR Supply Inc. American Sports & Concrete LLC Builders Granite & Tile Inc. Choice Corporate Housing Inc. D&C Contracting The Mad Hatter of Corpus Christi Inc. Merit Parking Company Premier Carpet Cleaning RoofTec SLM Construction Services Site Reconstruction LLC Suntrust Real Estate Corporation Veritas Services 2008 AAPCO Group ACS Partners LLC AMS Restoration Services Inc. Accent Coat Refinishing Acorn Reporting Enterprises All Stages Plumbing of Texas LLC Anderson Restoration Atlas 1031 Exchange LLC Blue Bay Construction Cotton of Houston Daniels Plumbing Co. Inc. M.L. Deer Construction Co. LP Eco Lawn LLC Elite Apartment Services Inc. Fire Restoration Inc. Flavor Finish Resurfacing Harco Insurance Services Holden Roofing Hou-Tex Paving Company LLC In-Ex Designs The Master s Roofing Construction Contractors Med Security Inc. Media Nation Nationwide Investigations & Security Services Inc. Rehab Systems SEALS...Sales Experts & Leasing Specialist SatisFacts Research SpaceCenter Systems Inc. Texas Turf Management USI Energy Inc. Vincent s Roofing Inc ABM Security Services Admired Exteriors American Concrete Flooring Solutions American Services Asset Management & Billing Services Bio-Techs Bulls Eye Storage Carpet Giant Contractors Inc. Cornell & Pardue DK Distributors dba dpi Energy FITT Telecommunications Inc. Heavenly Works Construction LLC IES Residential Stephen Kiser Public Adjuster Kustom Ohio Inc. Legato Construction Services Metro Mini Storage Inc. Moen Inc. Moon Shepherd Baker Insurance Orange Sun Builders & Development Service Response Team Inc. Southern American Insurance Agency Inc. Triumph Parking Lot Maintenance Inc. Western Restoration Services AFFILIATES 4 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

7 ABODE AUGUST 2009 VOLUME 32, ISSUE 8 Executive Vice President and Publisher JEFF HALL, CAE jhall@haaonline.org EDITORIAL STAFF Director of Publications and Design DEBORAH NIX dnix@haaonline.org Managing Editor RACHEL ZOCH rzoch@haaonline.org ADVERTISING Director of Supplier Services AMANDA SHERBONDY asherbondy@haaonline.org CONTRIBUTING STAFF Vice President and General Manager SUSAN HINKLEY, CAE shinkley@haaonline.org Vice President of Events and Meetings CARA JOHNSON, CMP cjohnson@haaonline.org Vice President of Professional Development EMILY HILTON, CPP ehilton@haaonline.org Vice President of Public Affairs ANDY TEAS, CAE ateas@haaonline.org Controller NANCY LI LO, CPA nlo@haaonline.org Director of Facility Services LANA SHILLER lshiller@haaonline.org Director of Form Sales FRANCES TORRES ftorres@haaonline.org Director of Information Technology MARY PARKHOUSE, CAE mparkhouse@haaonline.org Director of Member Services LISA BUTLER lbutler@haaonline.org Director of Resident Relations MATILDE LUNA mluna@haaonline.org Education and Meetings Manager KIRSTEN DEAGEN kdeagen@haaonline.org Public Affairs Specialist AIMEE BERTRAND ARRINGTON aarrington@haaonline.org Resident Credit Reporting Manager LUISA AREVALO larevalo@haaonline.org Webmaster and IT Specialist WILL ALFARO walfaro@haaonline.org PRINTER TGI PRINTED HOUSTON APARTMENT ASSOCIATION COMMITTEES COMMITTEE CHAIR STAFF ADVISOR Program & Budget Committee DAVID JONES JEFF HALL Nominating Committee JOHN RIDGWAY JEFF HALL National Liaison DAVID HARGROVE JEFF HALL State Liaison JERRY WINOGRAD JEFF HALL Ethics Committee EILEEN SUBINSKY JEFF HALL Investment Committee TREY STONE JEFF HALL Owners Committee STACY HUNT JEFF HALL Leadership Development Task Force JERRY WINOGRAD JEFF HALL Fair Housing Committee PAT TOLLETT ANDY TEAS/JEFF HALL Legislative Committee DAVID JONES ANDY TEAS HAA Better Government Fund STACY HUNT ANDY TEAS Century Club KEVIN FENN ANDY TEAS Developers Committee BRIAN AUSTIN ANDY TEAS Multifamily Fire Safety Alliance LARRY HILL ANDY TEAS Product Service Council VICKIE SUMMITT SUSAN HINKLEY Community Relations Committee KYLE BROWN SUSAN HINKLEY Community Outreach Committee KATHY CLEM AIMEE ARRINGTON/JEFF HALL Media Relations Committee MACK ARMSTRONG AIMEE ARRINGTON Resident Relations Committee DARLENE GUIDRY MATILDE LUNA Resident Relations Committee A SANDRA HAZELWOOD MATILDE LUNA Resident Relations Committee B STACI MCMILLAN MATILDE LUNA Membership Committee KIM SMALL LISA BUTLER Ambassador Club PEGGY CHARLES/LAURA COLLINS LISA BUTLER Go-Getter Club BILLY GRIFFIN/GLORIA HANEY LISA BUTLER Membership Campaign VARIOUS CAPTAINS LISA BUTLER IROC Committee RON AST EMILY HILTON Education Advisory Council JENIFER PANERAL EMILY HILTON Career and Community Development LASHAUNE TISDALE EMILY HILTON SOAPS Committee MICHELLE GATES KIRSTEN DEAGEN Golf Tournament Committee ROGER CAMP CARA JOHNSON RCR Advisory Task Force JENIFER PANERAL CARA JOHNSON HAF Fund-raiser DEBBIE SULZER/MINDY PRICE CARA JOHNSON 2009 Education Conference & Expo JENIFER PANERAL CARA JOHNSON 2009 Expo Exhibitor Committee JEFF BLEVINS AMANDA SHERBONDY Online Advisory Committee JULIE MARIE IRVIN WILL ALFARO HAA MISSION AND VALUES The Houston Apartment Association is the leading advocate and resource to further the quality of rental housing in the greater Houston area. Core values guiding the governance and management of HAA are: Promoting community involvement, leadership and collaboration Grounded in integrity, excellence and ethics Embracing diversity Source of lifelong career development Visit HAA Online at 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 2009, VOLUME 32, ISSUE 8 ABODE (USPS ) is published monthly by the Houston Multi Housing Corporation. Publishing, editorial and advertising offices are located at 4810 Westway Park Blvd., Houston, Texas Telephone 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 2009 by HAA. Periodicals Postage Paid at Houston, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ABODE, 4810 Westway Park Blvd., Houston, Texas ABODE AUGUST

8 2009 Hall offame The Houston Apartment Foundation cordially invites you to a special luncheon honoring David Hargrove Greystone Asset Management Thursday, August 27 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Hotel ZaZa 5701 Main Street $65/Person; $85 after August 21 Reserved tables of 10 available with company name All proceeds benefit the Houston Apartment Foundation and its educational programs. For more information and to register, contact the Education & Meetings Department at , educ@haaonline.org or visit Registration form on Page 25. American Express, Visa, MasterCard and Discover are accepted in person, over the phone and by fax. Notice of cancellation is required two days prior to the event for a refund, less a $10 administrative fee. All preregistered no-shows will be billed. Payment will be required at the door if not received prior to the event. Sponsored by Liberty Personnel/Executive Search and Maintenance Supply Headquarters The HAF is the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational component of the Houston Apartment Association. If unable to attend, donations are greatly appreciated. 6 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

9 PRESIDENT S CORNER By BETH VAN WINKLE, CAM, CAPS, CPM, 2009 HAA President Be Prepared As a new school year and the height of hurricane season approach, make sure you are ready for the challenges they bring. I want to extend my thanks to everyone who has supported our school supply drive this summer. First of all, I want to extend my thanks to everyone who has supported our school supply drive this summer. Because of you, thousands of children in our area will get a fresh start this school year with the tools they need to succeed. In particular, thanks to Kathy Clem and the Community Outreach Committee for their extra efforts to make this project a success. Look for more detailed thank-yous in the next ABODE. Speaking of getting ready for school, consider reaching out to the schools your youngest residents will attend to make sure you have information about bus schedules and holidays so that you will be prepared should residents come to you with questions. A less exciting date on the horizon is the first anniversary of Hurricane Ike. Be sure to visit for the latest tips and other helpful information about hurricane preparedness, water safety and much more. HALL OF FAME On a much happier note, I am excited to congratulate our newest Hall of Fame member, David Hargrove of Greystone Asset Management. Join us for a fine lunch and good stories at the Hotel ZaZa in the Museum District as we celebrate David s achievements and thank him for his contributions to the See PRESIDENT, Page 15 ABODE AUGUST

10 PATRON OF THE MONTH These companies have generously supported the Houston Apartment Association with their patron membership. Please give them careful consideration, whenever possible, in your business. Houston Planned Energy Systems HAA Member since 1978 BFI Waste Services of Texas/ Allied Waste HAA Member since 1982 Presto Maintenance Supply HAA Member since 1983 Coinmach HAA Member since 1961 Texas Apartment Locators HAA Member since 1974 Camp Construction Services HAA Member since 1994 Royal Plumbing Supply HAA Member since 1969 MAB Flooring Inc. HAA Member since 1998 AAA Plumbers HAA Member since 1984 Whirlpool Corporation HAA Member since 1966 Dixie Carpet Installations HAA Member since 1987 Apartment Guide HAA Member since 1979 AUGUST S PATRON 8 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

11 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE By DAVID JONES, CPM, HAA Legislative Committee Chair with ANDY TEAS, CAE, Vice President of Public Affairs Citation Clarification The Texas Legislature and the City of Houston provide measures to protect on-site employees from personal liability for code violations. Almost four years later, some city inspectors still don t know about the law, don t understand it or simply choose to ignore it. At the same time, on-site employees, especially new employees, often don t understand their rights. It is legal because I wish it. Louis XIV Imagine an apartment property with a construction code violation. Maybe an electrical box is grounded incorrectly. Maybe an appliance exhaust vent isn t angled properly. Perhaps an attic draft stop has a hole left by one of the numerous technicians that have been through the property s attic over the years. Until a few years ago, it was quite common and perfectly legal for a city inspector to pull out his ticket book and issue a citation to a maid, a porter or a weekend leasing agent, holding her personally, criminally liable for a construction defect about which she has no knowledge and no ability to correct. Slumlords loved this. It was tragic but not uncommon to see a poorly educated employee take a boatload of personal citations, then be fired and left to deal with them on her own. In 2005, Texas lawmakers passed legislation advocated by the Texas Apartment Association clarifying that liability for a municipal code violation always rests with the property owner. An on-site employee cannot be held liable as long as that employee gives the inspector the necessary contact information for the property s owner. An inspector can write all the citations he wishes, but he must write them to the owner. Simple, right? In practice, implementation of the on-site employee liability law has proven much more difficult than expected. Almost four years later, some city inspectors still don t know about the law, don t understand it or simply choose to ignore it. At the same time, on-site employees, especially new employees, often don t understand their rights. Even veteran employees are sometimes confused by what seems an obvious question: Who (or what ) is the property owner? On-site employees often receive their paychecks from a management company. They obviously know the name of the property where they work. Because it s usually not an issue, however, they may never have heard the name of the single-asset entity often a limited partnership or limited liability company that is the actual deed owner of the property. That s the information the inspector needs to issue a citation to the correct party. HOUSTON REGISTRATION ORDINANCE In 2006, Houston adopted an ordinance requiring all apartment properties to register with the city. Unlike registration requirements in many cities, Houston agreed that registration should be free of charge. They also agreed to a provision specifically requested by HAA. Section (h) specifies that registration shall be deemed to meet the requirements of Sections and of the Texas Local Government Code. That means that, once your property is registered, the City of Houston acknowledges that its inspectors have received the ownership information required under the 2005 property employee liability law. The ordinance also requires a copy of the registration statement to be posted in property s leasing office. This is a problem for some properties that registered very early in the program when Houston Police Department software wasn t set up to generate a registration statement. The easy solution if you don t have one? Just register again. It s free, remember? Go to and click the button that says Online Registration. Fill in the fields, submit, print a copy of the certificate (maybe two one for the property and one for your management company or owner) and put it next to your occupancy certificate, pool permit and other required postings LEGISLATION This year, the Legislature clarified a couple of points about the on-site employee liability law. First, the original law didn t specifically say when the owner s contact information had to be given to the city. The new law says you have up to five calendar days (it s still best to provide that information at the See LEGISLATIVE, Page 15 Get the inside track on city government join the HAABGF! ABODE AUGUST

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13 IT S THE LAW By HOWARD BOOKSTAFF, Hoover Slovacek LLP, HAA General Counsel After the Dust Settles This first part of a two-part series reviews legal changes brought about during the 2009 Texas Legislative Session. The apartment industry has been successful in its lobbying efforts to stop adverse bills from becoming law. For six months every other year, our legislative leaders go to Austin to discuss the passage of new laws designed to make Texas a better place to work and live. Of course, from the apartment industry s standpoint, most of our effort is spent on educating our leaders about the adverse unintended consequences of the ideas they put forth. More than 7,000 bills were filed. Fortunately, only about 1,600 passed. Bills that did not pass would have: (1) required disclosure that a unit was used as a meth lab; (2) required sales price disclosure; (3) required the disclosure of the square footage of a unit; (4) required a five-day right of rescission if a resident hasn t seen the unit before signing the lease; (5) prohibited reletting fees and certain concession paybacks; and (6) allowed a resident to terminate a lease if he or she has been a victim of crimes ranging from public lewdness to more serious offenses. Fortunately, the legislative process is designed to have bills fail rather than pass, and the apartment industry has been successful in its lobbying efforts to stop these adverse bills from becoming law. Of those bills that passed, several may affect you from an owner or management standpoint. Let s take a look at some of the bills that will affect you: APPRAISAL REFORM SB 771: Amends chapters 6, 23 and 41 A of the Tax Code (effective January 1 for appraisals for tax year 2010) Change in the law: If the appraised value of a property in Texas is lowered through the protest process, that value is considered to be the appraised value of the property for that tax year. In the following tax year, the chief appraiser may not increase the appraised value unless the increase is reasonably supported by substantial evidence when all of the reliable and probative evidence in the record is considered as a whole. The chief appraiser may satisfy the requirement to reasonably support by substantial evidence an increase in the appraised value by presenting evidence showing that the inequality in the appraisal of property has been corrected with regard to the properties that were considered in determining the value of the subject property. The burden of proof is on the chief appraiser. A sale is not to be considered to be a comparable sale unless the sale occurred within 24 months of the date as of which the value of the subject property is to be determined. However, a sale that did not occur during that period may be considered if enough comparable properties were not sold during the period to constitute a representative sample. A sale of a comparable property must be appropriately adjusted for any change in the market value of that property during the period between the date of the sale and the date as of which the market value of the property is to be determined. Whether a property is comparable is determined based on similarities with regard to location, square footage of the lot and improvements, property age, property condition, property access, amenities, views, income, operating expenses, occupancy and the existence of easements, deed restrictions or other legal burdens affecting marketability. What this means to you: This new law was designed to address the rollercoaster of values that apartment owners were facing with respect to the valuation of properties from one year to the next. The problem was that after a property protested a value in one tax year, the appraised value would be higher than the originally (non-protested) value from the previous year, causing the owner to have no choice but to protest the value every year. While this practice benefits consultants and attorneys, neither the owner nor the state reaped any benefit. Whether the legislation will have the intended effect of minimizing the rollercoaster ride that property owners have suffered remains to be seen. Most chief appraisers will argue now that they always have substantial evidence to support the valuations they give. As a practical matter, in large counties, such as Harris County, the appraisals are determined on a mass-appraisal basis through formulas used by the appraisal district. Consequently, while this law brings recognition to the issue, and may facilitate more significant changes in years to come, it may not result in significant changes to initial values. However, the law should allow you to bolster your argument when you protest. LEASE GUARANTEES HB 534: Adds section to the Property Code (effective January 1) Change to the law: The new law substantially limits a guarantor s potential liability. A guarantor is liable only for the original lease term except that a person may specify that the person agrees to guarantee a renewal of the ABODE AUGUST

14 IT S THE LAW See next month s ABODE for part two of this article discussing significant changes in the laws affecting the apartment industry. lease, but only if the original lease states: (1) the last date, as specified by the guarantor, on which the renewal of the lease will renew the obligation of the guarantor; (2) the guarantor is liable under a renewal of the lease that occurs on or before that date; and (3) that the guarantor is liable under a renewal of the lease only if the renewal involves the same parties as the original lease and does not increase the guarantor s potential financial obligation for rent that existed under the original lease. The law does not prohibit a guarantor from voluntarily entering into an agreement at the time of the renewal, in a separate written document, to guarantee an increased amount of rent. The law does not release a guarantor from the obligations under the original lease or a valid renewal for costs and damages that arise after the date specified by the guarantor in the original lease if the costs or damages relate to actions of the resident before that date or arise as a result of the resident refusing to vacate the premises. What this means to you: This will require certain lease changes to be made. If you use the standard TAA lease, the changes will be made. If you do not, you will need to check your lease to be sure that your lease meets the appropriate requirements. If you have a guaranty of lease, the guaranty will need to be renewed (re-signed) at the time that the resident s lease obligation is renewed in order to be valid for any increase in the amount of rent. INTERRUPTION OF UTILITIES HB 882: Amends Section of the Property Code and adds Section to the Property Code (effective January 1) Change to the law: A landlord is not entitled to interrupt or cause the interruption of water, wastewater, gas or electric service furnished to a resident by the owner as an incident of the tenancy or by other agreement unless the interruption results from bona fide repairs, construction or an emergency. The law has been changed to eliminate the owner s right to cut off electricity, even if the resident has not paid rent. If a landlord has interrupted utility service in violation of the law, the resident can file with the justice court a sworn complaint specifying the facts of the alleged unlawful utility disconnection by the owner or the owner s agent. The resident can also testify orally under oath to the justice. If the justice reasonably believes an unlawful utility disconnection has likely occurred, the justice may issue, ex parte (without the owner being present), a writ of restoration of utility service that entitles the resident to immediate and temporary restoration of the disconnected utility service, pending a final hearing on the resident s sworn complaint. The writ of restoration is required to be served on the owner or the owner s agent in the same manner as a writ of possession is served in a forcible detainer suit. The owner is entitled to a hearing on the sworn complaint not earlier than the first day and not later than the See LAW, Page AUGUST 2009 ABODE

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16 RESIDENT RELATIONS From the RESIDENT RELATIONS COMMITTEES Win Some, Lose Some One resident gets a favorable decision while another is denied for failure to comply with the lease agreement. The Resident Relations Committees investigate complaints from residents about charges levied after move-out and requests for refunds of security deposits. The balance of the committee s decisions is usually split evenly between residents and management. COMPLAINT A One resident filed a complaint with HAA to dispute charges for money owed to management. The resident said she had a pest problem which she did not report to management and took care of without consent from management. Management believed that the resident was charged according to the terms of the lease. The charges were explained to the resident, and she was shown an invoice for new carpet and the pest products purchased by management. Enclosed were copies of the deposit disposition, move-out condition form, application and lease. The committee decided in favor of the resident, noting that the dates of the invoices provided were inconsistent. The carpet charge of $1, was not a real invoice, just a quote. Management is to remove charges of $1, COMPLAINT B Another resident filed a complaint with HAA for a refund of her security deposit. Her rent changed in June 2006, and the resident fell behind on payments until January She then failed a March 2007 apartment inspection when she changed locks and refused to provide a key for management. Enclosed were copies of the move-out statement and resident ledger. The committee decided in favor of management, noting that the resident was delinquent in paying her rent. The resident owes the property $1, PLEASE NOTE When the committee finds in favor of the resident, we would appreciate a direct response from the property to the resident within two weeks and a copy of the payment sent to HAA for our records. If you are a manager with a question about a resident relations issue, please call the HAA Operator at and ask for the Resident Relations Department. Please identify yourself as a manager so that we may direct your call appropriately. 14 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

17 LEGISLATIVE, continued from Page 9 time the citation is issued). Second, the new law clarifies that an inspector can write a ticket to the owner and hand it to an on-site employee but stipulates that the city must also mail a notice of the ticket directly to the owner. WHAT MANAGERS SHOULD DO Make sure your Houston employees understand where the registration statement is posted and why it s important. If a Houston inspector wants to issue a citation, an employee should quickly be able to show the registration statement to the inspector. It s not a bad idea to have a copy of the employee liability law as well (p. 133, TAA Redbook). Tickets that clearly violate the law are a hassle, but they can usually be dismissed. If your property is not in the city limits of Houston, make sure the leasing office has a copy of the state employee liability law and something with the property owner s name (remember, it may be an entity rather than an individual), street address and telephone number. Make sure all employees know the location of that information and why it s important. If an inspector insists on personally citing an on-site employee after being shown the law, don t argue, but make sure your attorney receives a copy of the citation immediately, along with a copy of your registration statement if the property is in Houston. Tickets that clearly violate the law are a hassle, but they can usually be dismissed. PRESIDENT, continued from Page 7 industry. Take a moment to read the interview with David beginning on Page 39, then contact HAA to reserve your seats at the luncheon in his honor on Thursday, August 27th (see Page 6 for details). It is sure to be a popular and wonderful event, so make your reservations early. David has served as president of both HAA and TAA, and our associations thrive because members like him make the commitment to take an active part in addressing the needs of our industry. We are fortunate to have so many long-term, dedicated members who do so much! FUN & FELLOWSHIP As always, our annual bowling tournament was a rocking success. Hundreds of members braved the heat and packed 300 Houston to strut their stuff and benefit our association. Photos will appear in the September ABODE, including tournament winners and winners in the always-popular costume contest. Many thanks to those who participated and to our sponsors for helping to make the event such a success. Don t forget this year s HAA Chili Fest is a month earlier! See Page 54 for all the details on Big Chili in Paradise, set for October 3 at the Farm & Ranch Club on Hwy. 6 in west Houston. More details will be available at and in next month s ABODE. ABODE AUGUST

18 COMMUNITY WORKS Information from the BRAYS OAKS MANAGEMENT DISTRICT Working Together With a little help from HAA, the Brays Oaks Management District launches an effort to attract and retain quality residents in southwest Houston. In partnership with HAA and many of the multifamily property owners in its jurisdiction, the Brays Oaks Management District has rolled out a marketing and resident retention plan aimed at improving the quality of life for residents living in the district s 72 apartment communities. The plan s components focus on crime prevention, exchanging resident leasing history, offering return-to-home bus service for middle school-aged children and an aggressive advertising program to attract new residents to live in the southwest Houston district s multifamily communities. The BOMD board dedicated $75,000 to implement the plan for the 2009 budget year. While the plan includes components for aiding in crime prevention and cleaning up the apartment properties, it goes far beyond these elements typically seen in similar packages, said David Hawes, executive director of the Brays Oaks Management District. Cash incentives to apartment staff to provide more complete tenant leasing information emphasizing new adds, terminations, skips and pending evictions; and a return-to-home bus service for middle school-age students to reduce the number of latch-key kids coming home at 3 p.m. form the core focus of our district s stimulus plan. SHARING INFORMATION A key element of the plan is the district s partnership with HAA s resident credit reporting system so that properties within the district can take advantage of RCR s background information and leasing history on prospective residents. The district s partnership with HAA reduces the cost of both the RCR service and an HAA membership for BOMD properties. Sharing this information among our area s owners will aid in decisions whether to lease or not to lease, said Rene Joubert, a partner with Judwin Realty Group, owner of the newly renovated The Reserve at Bankside. This service greatly strengthens our resident community standards. AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS Many apartment owners have struggled with how to provide afterschool programs on site. The death of a child at a westside tennis club while in daycare has made licensing of this service a major financial and management stumbling block. It is the goal of owners to provide a safe and secure on site environment for their youngsters, including safe transportation home from school. BOMD investigated a method to transport students from Fondren and Welch middle schools and from other certified after-school community providers to their apartments in the evening. Our kids are not eligible for HISD busing as they live within the 2-mile restriction zone, so walking home in the early evening can be dangerous and lonesome, said Jim Myers, BOMD s director of community services. Now their parents can allow the kids to stay at school to participate in the tutorial and enrichment programs and still be safe returning home. A key element of the plan is the district s partnership with HAA s resident credit reporting system so that properties within the district can take advantage of RCR s background information and leasing history on prospective residents. SPREADING THE WORD Another powerful marketing tool in the plan is general paid advertising to reach prospective residents. Its purpose is to attract new residents outside the typical 5-mile re-location area to Discover living in the Brays Oaks District. BOMD will promote all of the properties participating in the plan with phone numbers and Web sites on its full-page ads. The complete plan is located on the BOMD Web site, WHAT IS BOMD? The Texas Legislature created the Brays Oaks Management District in The district covers approximately 9 square miles in southwest Houston in City Council District C and is empowered to finance projects related to public transportation and mobility, community safety, beautification, parks and green space land management, economic development and related issues. Furthermore, the District provides a means by which the community can leverage local resources, public and private, to secure additional services and funding, gain political strength, and improve quality of life. BOMD provides programs and services in accordance with its published service plan and is funded through 10 cents per $100 property value assessment on commercial properties. Services are supplemental to those offered by the City of Houston, Harris County and other units of government. An 11-member, all-volunteer, board of directors, consisting of area commercial and apartment property owners and civic leaders living in the district governs the BOMD. Members are appointed by the Houston City Council. For more information on BOMD, call Jim Myers at For more information on RCR, call Luisa Arevalo at AUGUST 2009 ABODE

19 STATE UPDATE From the TEXAS APARTMENT ASSOCIATION Successful Session TAA reports good news for apartment operators from the 2009 legislative session. The end of the regular legislative session closed the books on perhaps the most successful session TAA has seen. Despite tracking a record number of bills, including an unprecedented number of landlord/tenant bills, no bills that were outright opposed by TAA were passed into law. In addition, acceptable compromises were reached on more than a half-dozen major bills, including measures dealing with utility disconnections, smoke detectors for hearing-impaired residents, lease guarantors and lease termination for sexual assault and domestic violence survivors. In addition, TAA played an integral role in passing major appraisal reform legislation, which has been at the top of our affirmative legislative agenda for several sessions. Two other bills that were part of TAA s affirmative legislation ensuring that stakeholders have a voice when cities consider amending or adopting national model codes and clarifying when late fees may begin to be charged also passed. In addition, TAA strongly supported the passage of legislation to allow most property owners who submeter water to charge a service fee of up to 9 percent. Most landlord/tenant legislation takes effect January 1, However, the legislation regarding the code adoption process is already effective, and the submetering bill takes effect on September 1. A report providing greater detail on major industry legislation from the session has been posted on the TAA Web site, and will also be published in the summer issue of Texas Apartments magazine REDBOOK Work has already begun to update the TAA Redbook and the TAA Redbook Online, as well as the lease contract and other forms. Copies of the printed Redbook will be available from local associations at the No bills that were outright opposed by TAA were passed into law. In addition, acceptable compromises were reached on more than a half-dozen major bills end of January Changes to the Redbook Online will be made as soon as updated information is available, with a target of completing all updates by December 1. TAA s revised leases and related forms will be available in Forms for Windows and Forms Online in early November, and printed versions will be available to order in early December. For more details, visit ABODE AUGUST

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21 UPCOMING COURSES Schedule and fees are subject to change without prior notification. Notice of cancellation is required two days in advance to receive a refund, less a $10 administrative fee. Seats are guaranteed on a first-come, first-served basis when payment and registration are received in advance of the program. Unless otherwise indicated, courses are held in either the Camden and Michael Stevens Interests Room or the Direct Energy and Liberty Personnel & Executive Search Room at the Dinerstein Reed Prokop Education Center, 4810 Westway Park Blvd. on the second floor of the HAA Office Building. Seating is From the HAA EDUCATION DEPARTMENT limited. You must pre-register. A registration form for all courses and seminars listed here is on Page 25. For more information, contact the Education & Meetings Department at or or register online at Notice to Attendees: All pre-registered no-shows will be billed. For admittance into HAA/HAF events, payments will be required at the door if not received prior to the event. Start times listed below include a 30-minute registration period. Notice of cancellation is required two days prior to the event for a refund, less a $10 administrative fee. August Advanced Microsoft Excel Wednesday, August 5 8:30 a.m. to noon Program cost: $55 Sponsored by J&L Distributors Learn to do more than just get by in Excel. This outstanding workshop is your ticket to a faster, more productive way to master every aspect of this powerful software. See Page 24 for details. APPLE Marketing Session III: Marketing Your Tax-Credit Property with Brenda McClain Asbury Thursday, August 11 8:30 a.m. to noon $249 per property; $40 each for non-enrolled property personnel Sponsored by Apartment Guide Tax-credit properties need special marketing considerations in order to tackle marketing issues effectively. See what this lease-up expert recommends and participate in a strong discussion of costcutting marketing for tax-credit managers during this session. See Page 22 for details. Advanced Microsoft Excel Wednesday, August 12 8:30 a.m. to noon Program cost: $55 Sponsored by MAB Flooring Learn to do more than just get by in Excel. This outstanding workshop is your ticket to a faster, more productive way to master every aspect of this powerful software. See Page 24 for details. Leasing 101 Tuesday, August 18 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. $65 if payment is received by August 17; $75 at the door Sponsored by Hoffer Furniture Learn more about the industry as a career. Topics covered include greeting and qualifying the customer, presenting the lease, an overview of Fair Housing and more. CAMT: HVAC Maintenance & Repair Tuesday, August 18 through Thursday, August 20 and Tuesday, August 25 through Thursday, August 27 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Program Cost: $695 or $145 per module Sponsored by Century A/C Supply The heating, ventilation and air conditioning maintenance and repair course teaches students how various heating and air conditioning systems work, as well as how to maintain and repair these systems. Classes will meet August and August See Page 24 for further details. September Rental Owners Course Thursdays, September 3 to October 15 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Program fee: $399/members $520/non-members Sponsored by Apartments.com and FSI Construction The seven-week series from the National Apartment Association is specially designed to provide the knowledge and skills needed by new independent owners and managers of rental properties. Topics covered include employee relations, preparing the property, rent, applications, screening, rental agreements and lease forms, resident relations, evictions, maintenance, taxes, Section 8 and much more. APPLE Maintenance Session III: Cost Cutting Through Preventative Maintenance with Nichole Curl, CAMT Wednesday, September 9 8:30 a.m. to noon $249 per property; $40 each for non-enrolled property personnel Sponsored by Ameristar Screen & Glass Learn how to save money and keep your residents happy by fixing problems before they start. See Page 22 for more details. Blue Star Program Thursday, September 10 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Braeswood Assembly of God Fondren $35 if paid by September 8, $45 at the door Sponsored by HD Supply Learn how to deter criminal activity on your property and earn a Blue Star from the Houston Police Department. NOTE: Properties must be located within the Houston city limits to be certified by HPD. APPLE Core Session VII: Customer Service en Español with Allison Goldberg Tuesday, September 15 See EDUCATION, Page 25 Most courses and events take place at our offices and education center, located at 4810 Westway Park Blvd. (off Clay Road just east of the toll road). Note: map not to scale I-10 Clay Road Hwy. 290 I-45 N Sam Houston Toll Road Gessner To see a more detailed map and search for directions to the HAA Offices and HAF Dinerstein Reed Prokop Education Center, visit Google Maps and enter: 4810 Westway Park Blvd ABODE AUGUST

22 CALENDAR OF EVENTS August 2009 AUGUST S M T W T F S Events 20 Take 5 Business Exchange Thursday, August 20, 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Chateau Crystale Ballroom, 2517 So. Gessner near Westheimer. Contact Susan at shinkley@haaonline.org for details and to register. 21 SOAPS Professional Closet Friday, August 21, 9 a.m. to noon at the HAA Offices. Contact Kirsten at or kdeagen@ haaonline.org for details. 27 Hall of Fame Luncheon Thursday, August 27, 11:30 a.m. at Hotel ZaZa, 5701 Main St. See Page 6 for details. Sponsored by Liberty Personnel/Executive Search and Maintenance Supply Headquarters. Education 5 Advanced Microsoft Excel Wednesday, August 5, 8:30 a.m. to noon. See Page 24 for details. Sponsored by J&L Distributors. 11 APPLE Marketing Session III: Marketing Your Tax-Credit Property with Brenda McClain Asbury Thursday, August 11, 8:30 a.m. to noon. See Page 22 for details. Sponsored by Apartment Guide. 12 Advanced Microsoft Excel Wednesday, August 12, 8:30 a.m. to noon. See Page 24 for details. Sponsored by MAB Flooring. 14 CAM Community Analysis Workshop Friday, August 14 at 9 a.m. 18 Leasing 101 Tuesday, August 18, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sponsored by Hoffer Furniture , CAMT: HVAC Maintenance & Repair August 18-August 27, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. See Page 24 for details. Sponsored by Century A/C Supply. Meetings 10 Online Advisory Committee Monday, August 10 at 2 p.m. 11 Community Relations Committee Tuesday, August 11 at 10 a.m. BGF Luncheon Tuesday, August 11, 11:30 a.m. NOTE: Location to be announced. Register at Sponsored by FlagshipPDG. 12 Resident Relations Committee Wednesday, August 12 at 3 p.m. Chili Committee Wednesday, August 12, 3 p.m. Location to be announced. For details and to RSVP, contact Cara at cjohnson@ haaonline.org Hall offame The Houston Apartment Foundation cordially invites you to a special luncheon honoring David Hargrove See Page 6 for details. Ambassador Club Wednesday, August 12, 4:30 p.m. Location to be announced. For details and to RSVP, contact Lisa at lbutler@ haaonline.org or Resident Relations Committee Wednesday, August 26 at 3 p.m. 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 Room or the Camden and Michael Stevens Interests Room. 20 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

23 CALENDAR OF EVENTS EPTEMBER S M T W T F S September 2009 Events Education Meetings 7 Offices Closed The HAA Offices will be closed on Monday, September 7 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. 20 Kidney Walk Sunday, September 20, 7 a.m. in Sam Houston Park in downtown Houston. See Page 76 for details. 22 Membership Campaign Luncheon Tuesday, September 22, 11:30 a.m. NOTE: This is the last chance to join or renew before the deadline for the 2010 Directory & Buyer s Guide. Contact Lisa for details and to RSVP at lbutler@haaonline.org. Sponsored by Emergency Services Restoration of Texas & Moen Inc. 30 HCC Program Career Fair & Mixer Wednesday, September 20, 6 p.m. Contact Emily at ehilton@haaonline.org for details. 3, 10, 17, 24 Rental Owners Course Thursdays, September 3 to October 15, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. See Page 19 for details. Sponsored by Apartments.com and FSI Construction. 9 APPLE Maintenance Session III: Cost Cutting Through Preventative Maintenance with Nichole Curl Wednesday, September 9, 8:30 a.m. to noon. See Page 22 for details. Sponsored by Ameristar Screen & Glass. 10 Blue Star Program Thursday, September 10, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Braeswood Assembly of God, Fondren. See Page 19 for details. Sponsored by HD Supply. 15 APPLE Core Session VII: Customer Service en Español with Allison Goldberg Tuesday, September 15, 8:30 a.m. to noon. See Page 22 for details. Sponsored by BG Personnel , CAMT: Appliance Maintenance & Repair Wednesday, September 16 and Thursday, September 17 and Wednesday, September 23 and Thursday, September 24, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sponsored by Presto Maintenance Supply. 22 Leasing 101 Tuesday, September 22, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sponsored by Hire Priority Staffing & Executive Search. 25 IROC Breakfast Friday, September 25, 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Sponsored by FSI Construction. 29 APPLE Leadership Session III: Happy Managers Hire Right with Bill Nye Tuesday, September 29, 8:30 a.m. to noon. See Page 22 for details. Sponsored by For Rent Media Solutions. 1 BGF Luncheon Tuesday, September 1, 11:30 a.m. Register at Sponsored by AAA Plumbers. 9 Ambassador Club Wednesday, September 9, 4:30 p.m. Location to be announced. For details and to RSVP, contact Lisa at lbutler@ haaonline.org or Product Service Council Tuesday, September 22 at 10 a.m. 23 BGF Luncheon Wednesday, September 23, 11:30 a.m. Register at Sponsored by For Rent Media Solutions. 24 Legislative Committee Thursday, September 24, 3:30 p.m. Board of Directors Thursday, September 24, 4:30 p.m. Sponsored by BG Personnel. Log on to register! Look for this icon and register for the event online at 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. ABODE AUGUST

24 It s not too late! Half-Year Enrollment Now Available! Send your entire property staff to any and all of the remaining 2009 sessions for only $249 per property! APPLE features some of the best nationally acclaimed speakers in the industry. The entire series is only $249 per property, and the fee includes unlimited attendance by your entire property staff to any or all of the 20 workshops in four tracks: CORE Maintenance Leadership Marketing Registration for individual sessions by non-enrolled property personnel is $40 per person. All APPLE sessions meet from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the HAF Dinerstein Reed Prokop Education Center. APPLE: Marketing Session 3 Tuesday, August 11 Marketing Your Tax-Credit Property with Brenda McClain Asbury Tax-credit properties need special marketing considerations in order to tackle promotional issues effectively. See what this lease-up expert recommends. Strong discussion of cost-cutting marketing for tax-credit managers is included during this session. Enroll your property today. Contact the HAA Education Department at , educ@haaonline.org or look online at APPLE: Maintenance Session 3 Wednesday, September 9 Cost Cutting Through Preventive Maintenance with Nichole Curl, CAMT, CAMTII See the education course section of the HAA Web site at for a detailed synopsis of this session. APPLE: Core Session 7 Tuesday, September 15 Customer Service en Español with Allison Goldberg In the second session in the series to be conducted entirely in Spanish, participants will learn the impact superior customer service can have on their residents and their property s performance, and that no matter what language you may speak, excellent customer service speaks for itself. This session is conducted entirely in Spanish. APPLE is sponsored by APPLE: Leadership Session 3 Tuesday, September 29 Happy Managers Hire Right With Bill Nye With the economy in the state that it is in, you simply can t afford to make a mistake in your hiring. Your organization s success depends on your people being the best in the market. When unemployment goes up, people become desperate and will say just about anything in order to find a job, which means that they won t be honest with you during the interview process. This seminar is designed to teach you the skills and techniques necessary to be outstanding during the selection process. Having great interviewing skills will not only cut down on costly mistakes, it will also make the best people want to work for you. During this program you will learn: How to write a recruitment ad that attracts the very best to your organization. How to keep your interviews legal. Interview questions that will tell you what you really want to know. How to get the applicant to tell you the truth. The best way to get accurate and relevant reference verifications. Keeping good people longer: Practice the five firsts. APPLE: Marketing Session 4 Thursday, October 8 Marketing on the Skinny Recession-Proof Your Budget With Kathy Banker Everyone has a limited marketing budget, and in this session you will learn how to get your piece of the prospect pie and more using conventional and not-so-conventional resources. In the end, you will be more informed, save more on your marketing budget, have more resources and have more fun in the process! DON T MISS THESE FIVE GREAT SESSIONS WITH MORE TO COME IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER!

25 Networking makes up until now I have resisted a difference jumping on the bad economy bandwagon. I don t Get want Involved to add to the fear and panic that is already setting in Volunteer and causing a self-fulfilling HAA prophecy, but even the most optimistic The Houston person Apartment in Association s the world committees and clubs are some of the can no longer deny that times most productive tools we have to ensure are that tougher we remain the than nation s we largest have and seen most effective apartment association. in Committee a long time. and club members face the challenge of getting involved to carry out So the how duties do and we purpose make of each sure club that we and survive committee. these times and come Some general out even responsibilities stronger? of committee I think and club members include a commitment that to attend is the all meetings key coming and help develop out of it marketing strategies (i.e. telemarketing, stronger. We must keep our developing handouts, fliers, articles). To vision serve on in any focus of these and committees not let andthe clubs, please contact the HAA office at constant , bad online news at cause us to or the departments listed below. get away from what makes us strong. Education educ@haaonline.org Education Advisory Council EXAMINE SOAPS Committee* YOUR COMPANY S VALUES HAF One Fundraiser of the things Committee* that every business should Career be and doing Community right now Development is looking at your corporate Committee values. This won t cost you any money Government but will Affairs take some time and effort. Are we govaffairs@haaonline.org doing the things that matter most to our customers? HAA Better Right Government now we Fund* are all questioning our Century spending, Club* and if we don t think that our current Media service Relations provider Committee is doing enough to Community Outreach Committee earn Fair our Housing business Committee we are moving on. So is your team doing all that they can right now to Membership make sure that your customers feel that the money members@haaonline.org they are spending on your product or service Ambassador is the right Club choice? Your corporate values Go-Getter Club Membership should instill Campaign trust and loyalty. If you are employing people who are not adhering to your Supplier core values, Services they are making your company suppsrvc@haaonline.org weak, and you simply can t afford that. Expo You need Exhibitor to look Committee* at the general health of your Community organization Relations and how it functions. The executive shinkley@haaonline.org team must minimize office politics, Community Relations Committee Product Service Council* Resident Relations resrel@haaonline.org Resident Relations Committee *Note: These committees have specific requirements for membership. Contact HAA for details. ABODE AUGUST

26 Maximize your organization s profitability and employee performance by attending our informationpacked, highly cost-effective computer courses! Each course is a great bargain at only $55 per person. Classes are conveniently located at the HAF Dinerstein Reed Prokop Education Center, 4810 Westway Park Blvd., off Clay Road and the Beltway. Advanced Microsoft Excel Wednesday, August 5 or Wednesday, August 12 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Registration 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Program Learn to do more than just get by in Excel. This outstanding workshop is your ticket to a faster, more productive way to master every aspect of this powerful software. Conquer the Spreadsheet! For more information, contact the Education Department at , educ@haaonline.org, or register online at Programs sponsored by J&L Distributors and MAB Flooring Instructor Julie Marie Irvin is a national presenter and consultant specializing in computer literacy and technical solutions for effective communication. Irvin, president of Houston-based Keystone Resources, is a Microsoft Office User Specialist with more than 10 years of experience. She combines creative and technical talents to deliver solutions to a national and international client base. is back! NAA DESIGNATION PROGRAMS: CERTIFIED APARTMENT MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN HAA is looking for instructors for this new program and is offering compensation. If interested, contact Emily at ehilton@haaonline.org. CAMT comes back to HAA! Course Times: 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Program Cost: $695 Individual sessions are available at $145 each. Non-Technical Courses: The two non-technical courses are taught entirely online, allowing learners to take each course at their own convenience and at their own pace. Each online course is approximately two and a half hours in length. Online courses can be available via the HAA computer lab for students without access to a computer or highspeed Internet: Inside the Apartment Business People, Projects and Profits Both courses online only. Programs sponsored by Century A/C Supply, AAA Plumbers and Presto Maintenance Supply Technical Courses: The five technical courses take place in the classroom with an instructor presenting core concepts and procedures, as well as leading course participants through reinforcing learning activities. Don t miss the next three courses for 2009: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Maintenance and Repair (six nights) Tuesday through Thursday. August and Appliances Maintenance and Repair (four nights) Wednesday and Thursday, September and Interior and Exterior Maintenance and Repair (two nights) Wednesday and Thursday, October Register online today at or call for details. 24 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

27 Register online at EDUCATION, Cont d from Page 19 8:30 a.m. to noon $249 per property; $40 each for non-enrolled property personnel Sponsored by BG Personnel In the second session in the series to be conducted entirely in Spanish, participants will learn of the impact superior customer service can have on their residents and on their property s performance and that no matter what language you may speak, excellent customer service speaks for itself. CAMT: Appliance Maintenance & Repair Wednesday, September 16 and Thursday, September 17 and Wednesday, September 23 and Thursday, September 24 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Program Cost: $695 or $145 per module Sponsored by Presto Maintenance Supply The appliance maintenance and repair course teaches students how to maintain and repair various appliances commonly supplied in apartment units. For details, see Leasing 101 Tuesday, September 22 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. $65 if paid by August 17, $75 at the door Sponsored by Hire Priority Staffing & Executive Search Learn more about the industry as a career. Topics covered include greeting and qualifying the customer, presenting the lease, an overview of Fair Housing and more. IROC Breakfast Friday, September 25 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Free/members, $25/non-members Sponsored by FSI Construction All independent owners and those preparing to invest in multifamily real estate are welcome to come network with your peers. APPLE Leadership Session III: Happy Managers Hire Right with Bill Nye Tuesday, September 29 8:30 a.m. to noon $249 per property; $40 each for non-enrolled property personnel Sponsored by For Rent Media Solutions With the economy in the state that it s in, you simply can t afford to make a mistake in your hiring. Your organization s success depends on your people being the best in the market. When unemployment goes up, people become desperate and will say just about anything in order to find a job, which means that they won t be honest with you during the interview process. This seminar is designed to teach you the skills and techniques necessary to make outstanding choices during the selection process. Interested in a class but don t think you can afford it? Contact our Education Department staff at educ@haaonline.org for information on scholarships and other financial assistance. Register online at or call for more information. REGISTRATION Register online at to receive a discount! Enclosed is $ to register for the following event(s). Please make checks payable to the Houston Apartment Foundation. For courses and events designated by an asterisk (*), please make checks payable to the Houston Apartment Association. o MasterCard o Visa o American Express o Discover Card Number Name as it appears on card Expiration Date / Signature o Advanced Microsoft Excel, Wednesday, August 5. $55. o APPLE Marketing Session III: Marketing Your Tax-Credit Property, Thursday, August 11. $249/property; $40 each/ non-enrolled property personnel. o Advanced Microsoft Excel, Wednesday, August 12. $55. o Leasing 101, Tuesday, August 18. $65 if paid by August 17; $75 at the door. o CAMT: HVAC Maintenance & Repair, August and $695 or $145/module. o Rental Owners Course, September 3 to October 15. Program fee: $399/members; $520/non-members. o APPLE Maintenance Session III: Cost Cutting Through Preventative Maintenance, Wednesday, September 9. $249/property; $40 each/non-enrolled property personnel. o Blue Star Program, Thursday, September 10. $35 if paid by September 8; $45 at the door. o APPLE Core Session VII: Customer Service en Español, Tuesday, September 15. $249/property; $40 each/non-enrolled property personnel. o CAMT: Appliance Maintenance & Repair, September and $695 or $145 per module o Leasing 101, Tuesday, September 22. $65 if paid by August 17; $75 at the door. o IROC Breakfast, Friday, September 25. Free/members; $25/non-members. o APPLE Leadership Session III: Happy Managers Hire Right, Tuesday, September 29. $249/property; $40 each/non-enrolled property personnel. Name(s) Company Address City State Zip Phone Fax Mail to the Education and Meetings Department, Houston Apartment Foundation: 4810 Westway Park Blvd., Houston, TX 77041; fax to HAF at , educ@haaonline.org or online at Schedule and fees are subject to change without prior notification. Notice of cancellation is required two days in advance to receive a refund less a $10 administrative fee per registration; payment will be considered nontransferable at this time. Because of guarantees at hotels, restaurants and other venues, all pre-registered no-shows will be billed. For admittance into HAA/HAF events, payments will be required at the door if not received prior to the event. The Houston Apartment Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin in any of its education programs. Register online with a credit card at ABODE AUGUST

28 INDUSTRY UPDATE From the NATIONAL APARTMENT ASSOCIATION and the NATIONAL MULTI HOUSING COUNCIL Efficiency Mandates The House of Representatives passes a climate change bill that includes provisions unfavorable to apartment operators. Early in July, the U.S. House of Representatives passed comprehensive energy and climate change legislation by a narrow seven-vote majority. In addition to having economywide effects on energy costs and supply, The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (H.R. 2454), or the Waxman- Markey bill, includes a provision that specifically targets building efficiency. The section provides incentives for retrofits of existing buildings as well as very troubling building code-related mandates. NAA, NMHC and other real estate organizations opposed the measure because of the unreasonably tight timeframes for achieving the levels of efficiency called for in the measure and the usurpation of the states role in the code process. The tight final vote in the House reflects the deeply divided constituencies on this broad measure, which Republicans have labeled as an energy tax bill. Fueling the controversy was the disparate cost estimates of the measure released by the Congressional Budget Office, although there is no doubt that the costs of this bill will be reflected throughout the economy from utility bills to transportation and building construction costs. The House-passed language is now in the Senate for consideration. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee has been considering legislation that contains several apartment-related provisions, including building code requirements, new appliance efficiency standards and a grant program for energy-efficient retrofits. Notably, this measure does not call for federal building code enforcement. NAA and NMHC will continue to work with the Senate to seek more realistic building code energy targets and to oppose federal enforcement of such codes. Our sideby-side analysis of the House measure and a more limited Senate bill is available at LEGISLATION INTRODUCED FOR NATIONWIDE FAIR HOUSING TESTING Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) has introduced legislation (The Housing Fairness Act of 2009, H.R. 476) authorizing funds to conduct a nationwide discrimination testing program. Under the proposal, the tests would be conducted by qualified Fair Housing enforcement organizations and the results (as well as legislative and administrative recommendations to address any issues identified) would be reported to Congress on a biennial basis. The results could also be used for enforcement purposes. The bill would also increase funding for the Fair Housing Initiatives Program and authorize a state matching grant program to assist nonprofit organizations in their research efforts to combat housing discrimination. We are closely monitoring this bill and will work to ensure that adequate measures are included to prevent program abuses and to strengthen the educational component. To date, there has been no action on it in the House, and there is no companion legislation in the Senate. CATASTROPHIC PROPERTY INSURANCE UNDER CONSIDERATION On the eve of hurricane season, Rep. Ron Klein (D-Fla.) introduced a bill (H.R. 2555) to create a national catastrophic insurance program. This proposed legislation would create an insurance pool or consortium for states that wish to participate and thus would spread the risk associated with natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes and wildfires. Liquidity loans would also be available to state reinsurance programs. While this bill is largely dedicated to shoring up the homeowners insurance market, a key provision specific to the multifamily industry was added that requires the Secretary of the Treasury to study the need for and the impact of expanding the program to commercial residential policies and the likelihood that such an expansion would increase insurance capacity for this market. The multifamily policyholder community saw significant price increases in property insurance after Hurricane Katrina, and such a study would aid in the development of The tight final vote in the House reflects the deeply divided constituencies on this broad measure. future legislative or regulatory initiatives to ensure continued stabilization of this market. A companion bill in the Senate, S. 505, was introduced by Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.). The legislation has the support of the Obama administration, is comparable to a bill passed in the last Congress, and is expected to be enacted this year. STUDY DOCUMENTS RENTAL AFFORDABILITY IN 200 METRO AREAS A new study from the Center for Housing Policy ( Paycheck to Paycheck: Wages and the Cost of Housing in America ) compares housing costs in more than 200 U.S. metropolitan areas with the wages earned by workers in 60 occupations and finds that often workers in key professions are unable to afford buying a house even after the recent drop in housing prices. The report, offered in an online, interactive database format, can be used by apartment firms seeking to overcome resistance to new affordable apartment construction by showing whether critical communities members such as teachers, police officers and nurses can afford an apartment in their specific community. The database is available at REPORT EVALUATES STATES PROGRESS TOWARD SMART GROWTH The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy has issued a landmark research report titled Smart Growth Policies: An Evaluation of Programs and Outcomes. The result of a 21-person research team working for more 26 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

29 than two years, the report is the first major evaluation of smart growth policies in the United States. It analyzes data from the U.S. Census, Census of Government, Natural Resources Inventory and many other sources to determine whether state-level smart growth policies are achieving their goals of promoting compact development, protecting natural resources, offering a variety of transportation choices, supplying affordable housing and achieving positive fiscal impacts. Eight states are studied four with formal statewide smart growth policies (Florida, Maryland, New Jersey and Oregon) and four without formal statewide smart growth legislation (Colorado, Indiana, Texas and Virginia). Among the study s conclusions are that achieving smart growth is possible, but states must remain focused on their key policy goals, since no single approach is right for all states. It offers three sets of recommendations to guide future smart growth legislation, including the need to have smart growth policies coordinated at the regional level. The full report is available at E-VERIFY RULE POSTPONED On June 5, the federal government issued the fourth postponement of federal rules requiring federal contractors to use the flawed E-Verify system. The rule was issued last November by the Bush administration and was opposed by NAA and NMHC. The latest postponement delays implementation until Sept. 30. On January 9, the Justice Department agreed to a month-long postponement in response to a legal challenge by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and industry groups. It agreed to a second postponement on January 28 to give the Obama administration time to review the rule. The government issued a third postponement, until June 30, in April. In addition, on June 2, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland extended a stay postponing implementation of the rules for 70 days, or until August 16. The stay is the result of a lawsuit brought by a coalition of business groups challenging the rule, led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. For the latest apartment industry news, visit and ABODE AUGUST

30 LAW, continued from Page 12 seventh day after the date the owner requests a hearing. If the owner fails to request a hearing before the eighth day after the date of service of the writ of restoration, a judgment for court costs may be rendered against the owner. Either party can appeal the court s judgment in the same manner that an appeal of a judgment can be made in a forcible detainer suit. If the owner or the owner s agent fails to immediately comply with a writ that has been properly served, or later disobeys the writ, the failure is grounds for contempt of court against the owner or the person on whom the writ was served. If the justice finds that the person has directly or indirectly disobeyed the writ, the justice can put the person in jail without bail until he or she acts in a manner that the justice orders. If a resident files a sworn complaint in bad faith, the owner may, in a separate action, recover from the resident an amount equal to actual damages, one month s rent or $500 (whichever is greater), reasonable attorney s fees and costs of court, less any sums for which the owner is liable to the resident. What this means to you: If you do not currently cut off utilities, you do not have to change your policy. However, if you have a practice of cutting off utilities, the law requires that you stop. As with any new law, there may be unintended consequences. If a resident has electricity service to the premises but has failed to comply with the lease obligation to put the service in his or her name, there may be an issue of alleged utility cutoff when the owner asks the retail electric provider to take it out of the owner s name. The result may be that the electricity gets cut off to the premises and the resident then complains that the owner directly or indirectly caused the interruption. Of course, the owner would argue that the electricity service is not furnished to the resident by the owner as an incident of the tenancy or by other agreement and consequently there is no unlawful utility cutoff under the law. However, since the resident can file a complaint with the justice and have a hearing based upon the resident s testimony only (it is an ex parte proceeding), the owner may not know that the resident is going to the justice court until the owner receives a writ of restitution. Be careful before you take action that would result in the resident having electricity cut off to the unit. EMERGENCY VEHICLE ACCESS HB 1063: Adds Section to the Local Government Code (effective September 1) Change to the law: The commissioners court of a county may require that each electric gate to a gated community or multi-unit housing project be equipped with a gate-operating device that is approved by the county fire marshal and will activate the electric gate on the sounding of an emergency vehicle siren. What this means to you: Watch for an order by the commissioners court to require the gate-operating device. If required, and the appropriate device is not installed, there could be liability concerns if something happens on the property and the allegation is made that the emergency vehicle was delayed in gaining access to the property. HABITABILITY STANDARDS HB 1819: Adds Section to the Local Government Code (effective immediately) Change to the law: This law, which only applies to the city of Houston, requires the city to adopt an ordinance to establish minimum habitability standards for multifamily rental buildings, including requiring maintenance of proper operating conditions. The city is required to establish a program for the inspection of multifamily rental buildings to determine if the buildings meet the minimum required habitability standards. The program must include inspections under the direction of the building official, the fire department and the health officer. Houston may not order the closure of a multifamily rental building due to a violation of the ordinance adopted by the city relating to habitability unless the city makes a good-faith effort to locate housing with comparable rental rates in the same school district for the residents displaced by the closure. What this means to you: Since the city has minimum habitability requirements in its code of ordinances and has the authority to develop an inspection program anyway, the law may not have that much impact. However, it does provide the city with a mandate to continue with an inspection program, even with future administrations. It is interesting to note that the city has an additional burden before it can close a property. The new law requires that the city make a good-faith effort to find comparable housing in the same school district for residents that are displaced. While this may have been done informally by the city in previous closures, it is now required by the law and may make it more difficult for the city to close substandard housing. ONLINE RENTAL PAYMENTS HB 2031: Adds a definition to section 1.07(a) of the Penal Code (effective September 1, 2009). Change to the law: The law adds the definition of sight order to the Penal Code. A sight order is a written or electronic instruction to pay money that is authorized by the person giving the instruction and that is payable on demand or at a definite time. The term includes a check, an electronic debit or an automatic bank draft. What this means to you: According to the bill analysis for this piece of legislation, an increasing number of residents pay their rent online with credit cards and the automated clearinghouse debit system. The ACH, being an automated electronic system, is treated differently under the law than a signed bank check, and when there is not sufficient money in the account from which ACH attempts to draw money, there is no penalty under the law. The bill adds the definition of sight order to the Penal Code for the purposes of prosecuting offenses for theft and fraud if there is not sufficient money in the account from which the ACH attempts to draw money. REPAIRS TO UNITS SB 1448: Amends Section of the Property Code (effective January 1) Change to the law: If a suit is filed by a resident in justice court for an owner s failure to make repairs, the justice court can order that the owner make repairs. If a suit is filed in the justice court requesting repairs to be made, the justice court is required to conduct a hearing not earlier than the sixth day after the date of service of citation and not later than the 10th day after that date. A justice court may not award a judgment, including an order of repair, that exceeds $10,000, excluding interest and costs of court. An owner can appeal an adverse judgment from the justice court without posting an appeal bond. What this means to you: For the first time, a justice court has the jurisdiction to order that repairs be made. Previously, the law only gave this authority to a county or district court. The new law also allows an expedited proceeding to be filed in the justice court. Although an owner will still be served with process the same way that an owner is served in any other justice court action, the hearing will be conducted between six and 10 days after the date of service. This will substantially expedite matters if a resident files suit for an owner s failure to repair or remedy conditions required under the habitability subchapter of the Property Code. See next month s ABODE for part two of this article discussing significant changes in the laws affecting the apartment industry. 28 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

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32 PHOTO ALBUM Photos from the JUNE SPONSORSHIP AUCTION Thanks to the support of these generous sponsors, more than $132,000 was raised for HAF education programs: Tatiana Armenta and Eli Attal, TXU Energy Cary Wright and Kenyon Carroll, Maintenance Supply Headquarters Carol Marple, For Rent Media Solutions, and Marivel Villanueva, Apartamentos Para Rentar Tony Whitaker and Robert McDaniel, FSI Construction Jennifer Robbins, Rick Walker and Lisa Bradley, CORT Furniture Auctioneers Mike Koch, Camp Construction Services, and Billy Griffin, Century A/C Supply, with Kathy Clem, UDR Karen Ostermann and Stephanie Krop, Direct Energy Bryan Evans, Blackmon Mooring, and Jimmie Hotz, HD Supply David Koenig, Brandon Bridwell and Jeff Blevins, Camp Construction Services Theresa Lamar and Ken Bohan, Liberty Personnel/Executive Search Christy Rodriguez and Dixie Caldwell-Greer, Apartments.com TXU Energy For Rent Media Solutions CORT Furniture MAB Flooring Liberty Personnel/Executive Search Houston Pest HD Supply Maintenance Supply Headquarters Gemstar Construction Direct Energy FSI Construction Apartments.com AAA Plumbers Craven Carpet Apartment Guide Ameristar Screen & Glass BG Personnel Services Golden Greek Carpets Ygnition Networks Camp Construction Services Flagship PDG Perfect Surface AAA Staffing Hire Priority Century A/C Supply J&L Distributors TPI Inc. Taylor Contracting & Roofing Dixie Carpet Installations Crestmark Construction Hardman Signs Classic Touch Painting Apartment Data Services Ritchmond Construction Resident Data Building EMTs Wilmar Best Plumbing Gexa Energy Pavecon Apartment Finder IES Residential Guaranteed Builders On-Site.com WCA Waste RPM Daily Services Pittsburgh Paints Presto Maintenance Supply ICI Paints D&C Contracting Brown Wholesale Lighting Certified Recovery Systems Blackmon Mooring Access Electric 30 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

33 PHOTO ALBUM Photos by HAA STAFF Eileen Subinsky, Michael Stevens Interests; HAA President Beth Van Winkle, Milestone Management; and Ken Bohan, Liberty Personnel/Executive Search Robert McDaniel, FSI Construction, and Andy Dukewith, Ameristar Screen & Glass, with representatives from WCA Waste Corp. Michelle Mosher, FlagshipPDG Robert Cote, BG Personnel Services Beth Van Winkle introduces the auctioneers to the crowd. Anne O Connell and Shirlee Villanueva, AAA Staffing Jennifer Robbins bids for CORT. Kyle Brown, Milestone Management, and Ed Hoffman, Perfect Surface A large crowd attended the June Sponsorship Auction. Nichole Williams, Apartment Guide Thursday, August 20 Alan Jones, ICI Paints, and Sal Thomas, Tarantino Properties Ken Bohan bidding for Liberty Personnel/ Executive Search Mike Brown and Maika Amador, Brown Wholesale LIghting Mark Park, AAA Plumbers Mike Koch runs the show. Owner/Management: We need your support. Suppliers: Get your spot on the waiting list. Contact Susan at shinkley@haaonline.org. ABODE AUGUST

34 PHOTO ALBUM Photos from the 2009 HAA INDUSTRY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS HAA President-elect David Jones, Southhampton Management, and HAA President Beth Van Winkle, Milestone Management, congratulate Texas Apartment Association Olin Steele nominees Tony Whitaker, FSI Construction; Cesar Lima, AAA Plumbers; and Jeff Blevins, Camp Construction Services. Independent Owner of the Year Ira Gross, Integrity Asset Management. Property Supervisor of the Year Michelle Gates, Greystar Supplier of the Year Tony Whitaker, FSI Construction Owner/Management Executive of the Year Jerry Winograd, Judwin Properties Maintenance Supervisor of the Year, 500+ units, Victor Paguinto, Riverstone Residential The 2009 National Apartment Leasing Professional designates with HAA Secretary and Education Advisory Council Chair Jenifer Paneral, Concierge Asset Management The 2009 Certified Apartment Manager designates 32 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

35 Photos by MARK HIEBERT, Hiebert Photography Thanks to event co-sponsor Liberty Personnel/Executive Search. Thanks to event co-sponsor TXU Energy. Congratulations to the HAA Leadership Lyceum graduates. Leasing Consultant of the Year Starr Evans, Guardian Equity Management Assistant On-site Manager of the Year Nicole Rankin, Milestone Management Manager of the Year, 1 to 150 units, Cynthia Coffman, Hettig Management Distinguished Volunteer Michael Flores, Higher Standard Construction Accounting Manager of the Year Pam Dyer, Oak Leaf Management Go-Getter of the Year Kevin Fenn, Pavecon, and his wife, Charlene ABODE AUGUST

36 PHOTO ALBUM Winners and Nominees of the 2009 HAA INDUSTRY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS Lead Maintenance Technician/ Maintenance Supervisor (1 to 500 units) Winner: Juan Ramirez, Archstone, Lofts at the Ball Park Juan Alvarado, Concierge Asset Management, The Aberdeen Apts. Anthony Anderson, Greystone Asset Management, Catalina Village Apts. Jose Cavallero, JRK Residential, Stirling Court Apts. Esteban Echegoyen, Guardian Equity Management, 3737 Hillcroft Apts. Pablo Fores, Riverstone Residential, Alexan Lofts Gustavo Gomez, Rockwell Management, Windfield Townhomes Obed Lopez, Hettig Management, Fallbrook Ranch Apts. Alejo Luna, Archstone, Archstone Medical Center Jorge Perdomo, Archstone, Archstone Memorial Heights Regional Maintenance Supervisor Winner: Kenneth Block, Archstone Jamie Canizalis, Venterra Realty Phillip Cisneros, Michael Stevens Interests Brian Ferrel, Lincoln Property Company Richard Garcia, Madison Group David Newsome, Realty Center Management Gustavo Perches, Greystone Asset Management Richard Pisarski, CAPS, Berkshire Property Advisors Maintenance Supervisor (500 units or more) Winner: Victor Paguinto, Riverstone Residential, Old Farm Apts. Julio Briones, Oak Leaf Management, Woods of Greenbriar Charles Castleberry, Montex Property Management Inc., Lantern Village Apts. Jose Castro, Martin Fein Interests, Gateway at Sienna Plantation Joe Contreras, Realty Center Management, Willow Creek Apts. Esbin Garcia, Archstone, Archstone Westchase Apts. Gary Heath, The Morgan Group, Three Thousand Sage Apts. Ronald Holder, Verde Apartment Communities, Verde Woodson Park Apts. Cirilo Lares, Oak Leaf Management, Savannah Place Apts. Francisco Lares, Oak Leaf Management, Spring Lake Apts. Juan Ortez, AMLI Residential, AMLI Towne Square Apts. Miguel Rivera, Martin Fein Interests, Sorrento at Tuscan Lakes Apts. Rolando Rivera, Milestone Management, Brandon Oaks Apts. Tania Vanessa Romero, Archstone, Archstone Medical Center Bobbye Sage, Tarantino Properties, Timbers of Pine Hollow Apts. Duane Stewart, AIMCO, Stoney Brook Apts. Accounting Manager Winner: Pam Dyer, Oak Leaf Management Janice Hurts, Oak Leaf Management Sheila Irvin, Greystone Asset Management Israel Roberson, Greystar Human Resources Director Winner: Reda Kelly, Orion Real Estate Services Tod Grice, GFI Management Mary Horton, Martin Fein Interests Jennifer Johnson, GFI Management Nelly Quiroz, Greystone Asset Management Independent Owner Winner: Ira Gross, Integrity Asset Management Ian Hancock, HM Equity Management B.G. Patel, Holistic Equity Management Owner/Management Executive Winner: Jerry Winograd, Judwin Properties Julie Batche, CPM, Martin Fein Interests Karlene Chambers, Oak Leaf Management David Hargrove, CPM, Greystone Asset Management Stan Levy, The Morgan Group Lisa Purdy, CRES Management Jackie Rhone, CAPS, ARM, CPM, Greystar Kelley Rightmire, CPM, Capstone Trey Stone, Guardian Equity Management Leasing Consultant Winner: Starr Evans, Guardian Equity Management, Madison Park of Westchase Apts. Andrea Alexander, Oak Leaf Management, Bay Meadows Apts. Laura Andrews, GFI Management, City View Place Apts. Brandon Attaway, Greystar, Metropole Apts. Ashley Core, Riverstone Residential, Alexan Main Street Apts. Maricela Gomez, Archstone, Archstone Westchase Apts. Starla Jones, AMLI Residential, AMLI Memorial Heights Apts. Alexana Max Kech, Orion Real Estate Services, 2125 Yale Apts. Pedro Pique, Guardian Equity Management, Fox Pointe Apts. Daviana Rivero, NALP, Martin Fein Interests, Gateway at Sienna Plantation Judy Rodriguez, CRES Management, Towers at Clear Lake Apts. Amber Tyler, Riverstone Residential, Old Farm Apts. Nameelah Uthman, Greystar, Boardwalk at Town Center Apts. Assistant On-Site Manager Winner: Nicole Rankin, Milestone Management, Bar Harbor Apts. Erica Askew, Alliance Communities, Broadstone at Piney Point Apts. Carla Campbell, Riverstone Residential, Old Farm Apts. Johanne Ciechowski, Hettig Management, Manor at Jersey Village Apts. Donna Dixon, Hettig Management, Waterside Court Apts. Deborah Espinoza, Greystar, Carlingford Apts. Marisela Garza, Concierge Asset Management, Westchase Forest Apts. Andez Groff, Bayshore Properties, Trails of Ashford Apts. Christi Lindauer, The Morgan Group, 2222 Smith Street Apts. Azuceria Lugo, GFI Management, Bennett at CityView Apts. Danielle Melville, Archstone, Archstone Medical Center Apts. LaTanya Minix, Greystone Asset Management, Falls at Copper Lake Apts. Jessica Pico, Martin Fein Interests, Gateway at Sienna Plantation Manuel Santiago, Guardian Equity Management, Madison Park of Westchase Apts. Ericka Santos, GFI Management, Wesley Gardens Apts. Brenda Saucedo, Greystar, Renaissance Village at Shadowlake Apts. On-site Manager (350 units or more) Winner: Christina Zimmerman, Riverstone Residential, Old Farm Apts. Sandra Cardenas, Guardian Equity Management, 3737 Hillcroft Apts. Nancy Galvan, Greystone Asset Management Tammie Garcia, CAM, WRH Realty, Turtle Pointe Apts. Dawn Nolen, Milestone Management, Hidden Lake Apts. Nere Peales, Realty Center Management Inc., Willow Creek Apts. Tia Smith, Greystone Asset Management, Canfield Lakes Apts. Cindy Sterling, GFI Management, Springfield at Cityview Apts. Janie Ventura, Guardian Equity Management, Fox Pointe Apts. Richard Wall, Concierge Asset Management, The Aberdeen Apts. On-Site Manager (1-150 units) Winner: Cynthia Coffman, Hettig Management, Baybrook Park Apts. Melanie Flowers, Greystone Asset Management, Town Plaza Apts. Shannon Huskey, Southhampton Management, Heritage at Park Row Apts. Jennifer Ruiz, Greystar, Boulevard Apts. Sharon Smith, FDI Property Management, Pecan Village Apts. Melissa Watts, Oak Leaf Management, Bay Meadows Apts. Marketing/Training Director Winner: Stephanie Graves, GFI Management Amy Asch, Oak Leaf Management Oscar Ayala, Archstone Linda Mohan, Berkshire Property Advisors Administrative Support Winner: Blanca Valdez, GFI Management Lacey Abshire, The Morgan Group Regina DeLeon, CRES Management Nancy Gaisbacher, Hettig Management Aimee Hebert, Greystone Asset Management Lisa Lopez, Guardian Equity Management Darci White, Martin Fein Interests Property Supervisor Winner: Michelle Gates, CPM, Greystar Tonya Ahmann, CRES Management Cheryl Canova, GFI Management Services Trisha Cardwell, Orion Real Estate Services Veronica Chavez, NALP, CAPS, Guardian Equity Management Debbie DeRoche, Milestone Management Dana Evans, ARM, Capstone Diane Gilbert, ARM, CPM, Greystone Asset Management Clark Gregg, NALP, CAPS, The Morgan Group Marsha Hollis, CPM, The Morgan Group Barby Lake, CAPS, Westdale Asset Management Lori Lindley, Greystar Sonia Lopez, Southhampton Management Mark Moore, WRH Realty Kathy Moriarity, CAPS, Greystar Robin Smith, Hettig Management Natalie Spratt, Asset Plus Paula St. Charles, ARM, Oak Leaf Management Kathy Vandegaer, ARM, CPM, Greystone Asset Management Go-Getter of the Year Kevin Fenn, CAS, Pavecon On-Site Manager ( units) Winner: Pamela Lupercio, CAM, Milestone Management, Silverado Apts. Anita Alvarado, NALP, Martin Fein Interests, Gateway at Sienna Plantation Kiki Campbell, ARM, Orion Real Estate Services, Lancaster Apts. Anthony Campise, The Morgan Group, Meyerland Court Apts. Bernadine Chavez, Oak Leaf Management, Hickory Ridge Apts. Winfried Dixon, Henry S. Miller, Enclave at Mary s Creek Apts. Hollie Clark-Henson, Mid America, Reserve at Woodwind Lakes Apts. Carolyn Jackson, Archstone, Archstone Westchase Apts. Crystal Jackson, NALP, Martin Fein Interests, Sawyer Heights Lofts Patricia Kendrick, GFI Management, Wesley Gardens Apts. Morgan Keneson, Greystar, The Inverness Apts. Lori Latham, Henry S. Miller, Villas at Coronado Apts. Anamarie Lopez, Myan Management Group, Apache Springs Apts. Cynthia Micyk, Hettig Management, Fallbrook Ranch/Waterside Court Kathy Miranda, CPM, Tarantino Properties, Forest Creek Apts. Dixie Moreau, Riverstone Residential, Downs at Cinco Ranch Mai Olaussen, Greystar, Reserve at Woodbridge Apts. Whitney Penn, CRES Management, 3525 Sage Condos Monica Plant, Mosaic Residential, Mansions of Shadowbriar Apts. Tammi Puckett, Concierge Asset Management, Riverbend/Ashwood Apts. Mary Segovia, Greystar, Presidio at Clear Lake Apts. Raven Skelton, GFI Management, Bennett at Cityview Apts. Gary Smith, CAM, CAPS, Orion Real Estate Services, Bay Harbour Apts. Lynda Stallworth, Hettig Management, Oak Tree Manor Senior Housing Bob Turner, American Realty Investments, Waverly Apts. Betty Vestal, Hettig Management, Manor at Jersey Village Apts. Supplier Winner: Tony Whitaker, FSI Construction Jeff Blevins, CAS, Camp Construction Services Dixie Caldwell, Apartments.com Peggy Charles, Taylor Contracting & Roofing Jose Escobar, Alfred Painting and Carpet Cleaning Brian Febbo, Apartment Guide Kevin Fenn, CAS, Pavecon Michael Flores, Higher Standard Construction Fernando Gomez, CAS, Century A/C Supply Jimmy Hotz, CAS, HD Supply Deona James, CAS, Resident Data Jacob Kunath, CAS, Century A/C Supply Jason Lavrack, Maintenance Supply Headquarters Dean O'Kelley, CAS, Liberty Personnel/Executive Search Michelle Pahl, CAS, Century A/C Supply Mindy Price, BG Personnel Services Christy Rodriguez, Apartments.com Andrea Winans, Bishop s Office Needs Distinguished Volunteer Michael Flores, Higher Standard Construction 34 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

37 Photos by MARK HIEBERT, Hiebert Photography Maintenance Supervisor of the Year, 1 to 500 units, Juan Ramirez, Archstone The 2009 Certified Apartment Property Supervisor designates On-site Manager of the Year, 151 to 349 units, Pam Lupercio, Milestone Management Marketing/Training Director of the Year Stephanie Graves, GFI Management On-site Manager of the Year, 350+ units, Christina Zimmerman, Riverstone Residential Regional Maintenance Supervisor of the Year Kenneth Block, Archstone Human Resources Director of the Year Reda Kelly, Orion Real Estate Services Administrative Support of the Year Blanca Valdez, GFI Management ABODE AUGUST

38 PHOTO ALBUM Photos from the 2009 HAA INDUSTRY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS Greystar Greystone Asset Management HD Supply The Direct Energy table The FSI Construction table Integrity Asset Management The Morgan Group Asset Plus 36 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

39 PHOTO ALBUM Photos from the SUPPLIER EDUCATION PROGRAM Thanks to our PSC presenters: Jeff Blevins, Camp Construction Services; Michelle Bridges-Pahl, Century A/C Supply; Dean O Kelley, Liberty Personnel/Executive Search; Andrea Winans, Bishop s Office Needs; and Carol Marple, For Rent Media Solutions. PSC President Vicki Summitt, Direct Energy, talks about getting involved. Anne O Connell and Shirlee Villanueva, AAA Staffing Michelle Mosher, FlagshipPDG, and Penny Fryckland, GTA Towing Laura Lestus and Debra Knight, Liberty Personnel/Executive Search, with Elizabeth Hixon (center), WCA Waste Corporation Clint Cooper, Marathon Fitness; Bill Roberts, Core Landscaping Group; Beth Rohani, Ameritex Movers; Joey Pennington, Ran-Mar Sales & Services; and Carolina Boulanger, HIServices Tony Cupito, Environmental Specialized Solutions John Douthitt, Site Reconstruction, and John Griffin, Med-Security Inc. Mandy Bennett, d lish Catering, and Mark Herbert, Camp Construction Services Beverly Huet, Respro RM Inc.; Denise McLarty, Kings III; Jeff Blevins, Camp Construction Services; and Dan Hunter, Jeff Ray/DanMarc Group Inc. Herb and Kevin Anderson, U.S. Biologics; Susan Martinez, Roofing Analytics; Kevin Banks, Southern Global Safety Services; and Elizabeth Hixon and Erin Nichols, WCA Waste Corporation ABODE AUGUST

40 A winner takes all as David Hargrove joins the HAA Hall of Fame. By DEBORAH NIX, HAA Staff Photo by MARK HIEBERT, Hiebert Photography Wearing his father s gambler-style hat, David Hargrove runs the table in the poker room of one of Greystone s newest luxury communities, The Falls at Copper Lake. Jackpot! On Santa s lap 38 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

41 Calm under pressure, David Hargrove is an even-keeled, much-beloved leader in the multifamily industry. He is president of Greystone Asset Management, a company re-formed by himself, Walter Eeds, Mack Armstrong and Monica Morrison in 2000, with roots dating back to Hargrove began his career in the mortgage banking industry, moving to property management with Greystone Group in Now a principal with more than 30 years in the multifamily industry, he has extensive and diverse experience including all phases of property management and apartment development. A long-time, active HAA member, Hargrove served as the 2002 HAA president and was the president of the Texas Apartment Association. Previously, he served as the vice-president of multifamily for the Institute of Real Estate Management and is a member of the IREM National Faculty. He is also a certified instructor for the Texas Real Estate Commission and the National Apartment Association. Hargrove, a third generation Houstonian, grew up in the Memorial area and has known his spouse of 37 years, Lee, since the fourth grade. He is a 1974 graduate of the University of Texas and spent one semester in the Texas National Guard. He is also a designated Certified Property Manager by the Institute of Real Estate Management. You would be hard pressed to find a more deserving recipient of the HAA Hall of Fame Award. ABODE sat down with David in mid-july. Your last conversation with ABODE was your presidential interview in Can you catch us up with what s been going on with Greystone? A lot. We ve grown. We re right at 10,000 units now. We were probably at about 5,000 then, so we ve doubled in size. We re active in Colorado, Arizona and Texas, of course. Mainly Houston though that s where our focus is and where the majority of our properties are, in the greater Houston area. I have known David since we first started working together in the mortgage banking business in the fall of He has always been one of the best leaders in our industry due to his terrific knowledge level of all aspects of our business. He is also such a genuine nice guy that people do not want to let him down because they respect him so much. He has done a terrific job of leading HAA and TAA during his presidency of those organizations, and our industry has been fortunate to have a spokesperson of his abilities. On a personal note, he is as loyal a friend as anyone could ask for and one of the best guys in the world to go on a road trip with. The man knows his wine, fine dining and four-star hotel accommodations better than the travel writer for the Chronicle, and he can also out cook anyone I know. I was fortunate to work with him for many years as he made everyone around him look good, but I have been even more fortunate to have him as a friend for all these 35 years. It is only fitting that he be named a member of the HAA Hall of Fame. Stacy Hunt, executive director of management, Greystar Your presidency was right after 9/11. How did Greystone fare after that? Well, we did OK. Everybody was a little bit paranoid about terrorist activity, and there was some heightened security for a while and everybody was making contingency plans about what to do if there was a terrorist attack locally or on one of the properties that we managed. So we focused on that for a while, then it kind of faded out after a year or so. And now we re facing the Great Recession. Are you shored up well? How do you plan on taking it on? Well we are. It is interesting, though, that we ve seen people cutting back in what they want to spend, either on housing or anything else for that matter. Obviously, the car industry is a real clear example of how people are cutting back. And the retail industry has slowed down. Commercial real estate is very slow right now. So it s impacted everybody, and people are having to be more careful about what they spend on sites, more cautious about who they do business with to make sure those people are going to be around and are going to be solvent, especially on big projects that go over time. That s one of the area s that has impacted us. And I think the whole rental market has slowed down, frankly. Everybody thought that it would be great with the fallout from the single-family housing market, and that has probably helped a little bit, but the overall economy and the contraction of jobs has impacted everybody, especially in the multifamily world. How would you compare this recession to the 80s recession? You know, during the 80s recession I was in the mortgage banking business, so it killed HAA President 2002 with his dog Caleb Route 96: Hargrove and Linda Bradley hit the road for the 1996 Membership Campaign. TAA President ABODE AUGUST

42 our business at that time, and the market was overbuilt and the savings and loans collapsed all those things that everybody remembers. It s hard for me to compare, but I think this is a pretty deep recession, and I think the thing that will be unique about this is this will be a longer lasting recession. Are you making any contingency plans? No. Walter Eeds, who is my partner on the developement side out in California, has obviously pulled back a lot, and we don t see a lot of development going on in any area for the next few years. I think in management there are going to be opportunities as properties go to lenders or go to special servicers working for lenders, and then gradually coming out into private ownership. So that always provides opportunities for fee-managers like us. How are the different markets for Greystone faring? The Texas markets are doing better than the markets out of state. Denver has slowed. It had always been a good market for us, but it s slowed down a little bit, though we re starting to see maybe a little upturn in Denver. Phoenix is probably the worst market I ve ever been in. It s overbuilt, and their economy is in a deep, deep rut. I think it s going to take a long time for Phoenix to come back. We re not in Atlanta right now, but I understand Atlanta is having similar problems. Texas is holding up better than most of the other markets. That s Hargrove was a member of the Texas National Air Guard during the same time as George W. Bush. not to say we re not impacted, but certainly we are a bit stronger. Houston is particularly stronger because of the oil and gas industry, and medical has become a huge factor. You have been very, very active in HAA, of course. I can t think of a single committee you haven t been on. What has been your favorite committee? You know, thinking back, I would say the most fun was probably the membership drive. That was, of I have worked with David for 15 years now, and he is like family. I find him to be the most fair, even, uplifting leader I have ever had. He has more integrity in this business, and I am very proud to work with him. He has always taken the time to make every employee feel at ease, and that he is just a regular guy. It must be a winning approach, as Greystone has little or no turnover at the corporate level, and we have a very stable management staff. It is a joke that I interviewed with David over a threeyear period 13 times. He now says, I needed to make sure you knew what you were doing, I guess you do! I can t think of a more deserving industry leader to bestow this honor on. Diane Gilbert, vice president, Greystone Asset Management David Hargrove has obviously been successful in the apartment industry, but he has another accomplishment in our industry that is extremely rare and possibly unique to only David. In my 15 years in the business, I have never heard a negative comment regarding the man. Not from a vendor, a client; nor a competitor or an employee. This is testament not only to the professional, but the person that David is and his place in the Houston Apartment Association. Congratulations David! Mack Armstrong, senior director of real estate, Greystar course, when I was a lot younger and I could get up on the disco stage and do all the things we did at City Streets. So that was a lot of fun. You know, they ve all been good. It s just such a great group of people to work with and such a great volunteer organization. There s no lack of people willing to step up and do what needs to be done. And of course the staff s great, standing there right behind you to make sure that everything goes right. It s all been fun, and I ve enjoyed all of it. And teaching. I ve taught a lot of the CAPS and CAM financial courses over the years. I enjoy doing that because I like teaching, so that s in the forefront. What do you think the future of HAA holds? What should we concentrate on? The future s bright. HAA, compared to a lot of trade associations, has grown rather significantly over the last few years and, one, I credit that to Jeff Hall, who s done a great job of leading the association, and two, the volunteers who are willing to step up both with time and, frankly, money. The product/service members are unbelievable. There s never been a minute they haven t stepped up when we needed them to sponsor events. And you know, I think it works for them too. They wouldn t be doing it just to do it. It s got to work both ways. So I think the future is bright. I mean, I think you have to be careful with trade associations, especially now with people cutting back, because David and Lee today David and Lee Hargrove in 1972, the night of their rehearsal dinner 40 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

43 they are being more selective about what they re involved with and they re being more selective where they spend their money. So you ve got to clearly show there s a benefit to get people involved, and that will be the challenge coming in the next few years to convince the members that it s worthwhile, both from a time standpoint and from a money standpoint. Same for the product/service members, they ve got to realize the benefit from their involvement. How did you become so involved with TAA? Well, really through HAA. You kind of get involved with one association level, and I guess if you do OK, they recognize you at the next level, so one thing leads to another. Kirk Tate came to me, I guess it s been about six years ago, and asked if I d be interested in moving up in the TAA, after having served on the board for quite a while, and I said sure, I d love to. And one thing leads to the next and here I am. Now I m a past president. Time flies. See HARGROVE, Page 67 David with Andy Teas, Jeff Hall, John Ridgway, Representative Ted Poe and Jerry Winograd during the 2008 National Apartment Association Capitol Conference David and Lee with their children, Clay, Jeff and Katherine ABODE AUGUST

44 What it Takes Five award-winning members of Houston s multifamily industry tell ABODE how to achieve and succeed in this business. Compiled by TORI BLANCHARD, HAA Staff Intern, Mayde Creek High School Leasing Consultant of the Year Starr Evans, Madison Park of Westchase, Guardian Equity Management What do you do during a typical day at work? A typical day consists of following up on all traffic, marketing, speaking with new and current residents regarding any issues that they may have with their apartment home and finding a solution to their problem. How did you get started in the apartment business? I started out in the business as a weekend leasing agent in How do you challenge yourself on the job? I feel that every day is a challenge to accommodate all residents and prospects and to make yourself amendable to each individual or situation. What advice do you have for people new to the business? The best advice I could give is to keep an open mind, because we encounter so many different individuals and situations that will test your character. What is something people don t know about your job that you wish they did? It is not as easy as it seems, and not just anyone can do it. Who are your heroes, at work and in life? My hero in life is my late uncle Justo Ybarra Jr., who was a civil rights attorney. He gave me a lot of insight and wisdom. My work heroes are my fellow team members, because without them I would not be able to accomplish the goals that I have set for myself! Marketing/Training Director of the Year Stephanie Graves, GFI Management What do you do during a typical day at work? Everything is a free-for-all and different every day. Sometimes I m at a property leasing and checking guest cards and models, and sometimes I m at the office designing and updating curriculum and marketing campaigns. Many days I am up and out by 5 a.m. to purchase goodies for a training class and get set up for a 9 a.m. start time for training other days it s awake at 8 a.m. but not out of the house until noon with computer work and calls to make. Did I mention conference calls and meetings and travel to my out-of-town sites somehow fit their way in there too? How did you get started in the apartment business? I was working at a bank, and one of my customers approached me about assisting them with some tax-credit applications. I learned the owner, developer and construction/rehab side of things and then worked with the owner to start a management company, which we did and I ran for about a year. Our focus was tax credit and propertybased Section 8 conversion. I had done training and teaching in college but entered the training/marketing arena of property management full-time in Houston with CNC Investments. What do you consider your greatest professional challenge in the past year, and what did you learn from it? Working through the CAPS curriculum was a challenge for me this year. Although I assist with due diligence and have supervised communities in the past, for the past eight years I have not dealt with the financial management or day-to-day management of communities like a typical supervisor does, so revisiting that information and retaining it to actually pass the test was tough for me. I learned great information NAA did an awesome job with redoing the curriculum and the leadership module is really great. I recommend every supervisor take it, even if you have your CAPS or don t want to take the other modules. I had a renewed appreciation for the budgeting and financial analysis that our supervisors go through. It was a great learning experience but was challenging with many hours of flash-card quizzes! What advice do you have for people new to the business? Practice consistency I don t mean as it applies to Fair Housing (although that is important) but I mean that the only way you can measure success is to consistently do something. If you do things hit or miss or every now and then, you ll never know the true results or impact of the action. Consistently manage yourself decide on a path and consistently practice it for a set amount of time (evaluating performance as you progress) and then make a true evaluation of the result. Also, laugh! We work where people live the only two other professions that do that are prison guards and elderly or nursing facilities. If you don t laugh and try and have a good time at work, the obstacles you 42 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

45 see daily will grind on you and you ll easily become burned out or worse, apathetic, and apathy is death! What is something people don t know about your job that you wish they did? In the training/marketing positions it sometimes feels like you are responsible for everything but have the ability to control and change very little because you are not the supervisor of any community. It is imperative that the trainer/marketer for any property or company really work hand-inhand with the supervisor. In a training capacity, you have to teach the company way of doing and then rely on the supervisors and managers to enforce the behavior that you taught so you must train and get the team to buy into what you re training while helping them understand the importance of doing it, yet rely on the supervisor to actually ensure the action is done day in and day out. Who are your heroes, at work and in life? At work, my heroes are the on-site teams. They deal with real-life, everyday challenges and the sometimes uncomfortable feeling of working where people live. They have to live and breathe the deaths, the births, the evictions, the domestic disputes, the toilet clogs, the police calls, the noise complaints, the parties in the pool and the interruptions all day long. No matter what class of property you work on, people are people, and sometimes they are crazy, and our job is to try and manage that craziness and make money for our owners. It s a tough job, and too many of us that are not on site daily forget that struggle. When I get frustrated with someone not getting me a report when I ask for it or not updating their ads, I go work on site for a day and then it all comes back to me! The executive team is important, but the on-site teams, in the office and out, are the underappreciated heroes who make themselves uncomfortable to do something extraordinary for someone else. Administrative Support Person of the Year Blanca Valdez, GFI Management What do you do during a typical day at work? I run the Yardi Help Desk, correct user errors and help them with mini-training sessions online or over the telephone, and I troubleshoot basic IT issues. We also have a training center with computers where I give monthly Yardi classes to all new hires and all those needing a refresher course. How did you get started in the apartment business? My sister was the manager at a 612-unit apartment community in Pasadena back in I was working nights at the airport and cleaning apartments for her on contract. During the day I would go to the office and help post rent, balance rent rolls and answer phones I was a natural! until a friend of my sister s gave me the opportunity to become her assistant manager at a 200-unit community, Shadowtree Oaks in Spring Branch. I was ecstatic! I loved it! I became the manager at that community within six months when I was 20 years old. I have never left the industry, and now I have been working on the corporate side for six years. While on the corporate side, I have done everything from human resources, accounts payable and audits to Fair Housing training and ESL classes to marketing, systems analyst, IT, administrative assistant and safety training most of the time tackling several projects at once. What do you consider your greatest professional challenge in the past year, and what did you learn from it? When my boss went on maternity leave right before the hurricane, I learned that I am stronger than I thought. What advice do you have for people new to the business? Work hard, don t complain, don t be a clockwatcher, dress to impress, learn as much as you can from as many people as you encounter in the business, always learn everyone s job and take on new projects. Never blame the market! Be the one who makes a difference. Always treat people with respect and courtesy. Shop your comps and see what is working for the comps you will learn not only what to do but what not to do. Knowing what the competitions weaknesses and strengths are will empower you. What is something people don t know about your job that you wish they did? It is awesome! The GFI corporate team totally rocks! But it is also very hard work. The one thing I don t think people realize I know I didn t is that no matter how many years you have been on site, it does not prepare you to be on the corporate side. Accounting Manager of the Year Pam Dyer, Oak Leaf Management What do you do during a typical day at work? The first couple of weeks I spend preparing financial statements and helping the other bookkeepers with situations, questions and problems. I also collect some rent payments, make deposits and post in the computer. I also take calls from on site and help them with various accounting questions. I also prepare bank reconciliations, cut checks and do some training. What do you consider your greatest professional challenge in the past year, and what did you learn from it? I helped in the set-up of a new accounting software one property at one time while still running our current software and continued to get all financial statements out on time. How do you challenge yourself on the job? I continue to set goals and take opportunities to learn more about the business. ABODE AUGUST

46 What advice do you have for people new to the business? First, want to be in this type of business. Second, be able to multi-task. Last, be able to handle pressure and meet deadlines. What is something people don t know about your job that you wish they did? I can honestly say at Oak Leaf my coworkers there know what I do, and I cannot think of anything else that I would like them to know. We just work as a team. Who are your heroes, at work and in life? At work, my heroes are Pat Tollett and Tom Asch. In life, that would be my lord and savior Jesus Christ. Human Resources Director of the Year Reda Kelly, Orion Real Estate Services What do you do during a typical day at work? My workday consists of payroll processing and maintaining the employee database entry and accuracy, as well as handling 401krelated issues. How did you get started in the apartment business? About five years ago I came to Orion to do some contract filing and never left. What do you consider your greatest professional challenge in the past year, and what did you learn from it? My greatest challenge of the past year was making sure all employees were taken care of on payroll before Hurricane Ike hit Houston. How do you challenge yourself on the job? I strive continuously to have an error-free payroll run. What is something people don t know about your job that you wish they did? Payroll processing is a very multi-faceted position and not one-dimensional. Who are your heroes, at work and in life? I work with the greatest group of folks around in this industry. I believe they re all heroes. My parents will always be my inspiration for life. The foundation I received from youth keeps me striving to always do my very best in all tasks. 44 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

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48 Better and Better Owner/Management Executive of the Year Jerry Winograd is looking forward to taking the reins at TAA next year and has high hopes for both the state and local associations. By TORI BLANCHARD, HAA Staff Intern, Mayde Creek High School Growing up around the apartment business, Jerry Winograd enjoyed a jumpstart to his career that most in the industry didn t. Since helping out with his family s company Judwin Inc. is a constant memory from his childhood, Winograd brings the advantage of experience to his work, which makes him a strong leader for HAA and for the Texas Apartment Association. A former HAA president, he was named our association s Owner/Management Executive of the Year. The accomplishments Winograd has under his belt are impressive, and he says he continues in the business for pure love of the industry. Looking on to the next year as president of TAA, he hopes to continue with business as usual as well as trying to make the state association even better. What is it about the political aspect of the business that attracts you? I never really realized until I was older how much the politics and stuff affect the business on a day-to-day scale. There are so many bills that affect the industry, not just for apartment industry, but statewide for everything. The number of those bills is just mind-boggling, and the number of the bills that actually affect us, that affect the industry is even more so, so if we didn t have people looking out for our interests, it would be a real problem. What are you looking forward to most about being president of TAA? Probably working with the locals and understanding their issues and seeing if there s anything we can do as an association to help them and the members do a better job. How have you prepared throughout your career to take on the position? Getting to participate with amazing people through the Houston and Texas apartment associations, I ve gotten to see how a lot of people understand and deal with issues and see where we end on several issues. Luckily I have seen some amazing people in our industry work through the process and hopefully have learned from what they have done. And we re very fortunate, both Houston and statewide we have a staff that understands the issues more than anyone. I think that s just a resource for everyone to use to do what we need to do with our jobs. Describe your typical day. My typical day isn t very typical. The night before, I like to think about what I need to accomplish the next day, and when I get into the office, the day changes rapidly. You could get a phone call or that changes the course of your day. Some days I m working on acquisitions or analyzing another property, or some days we re looking at things we do in our operation just how we do it, proper procedure and ways of changing that. The more I ve gotten involved with the associations, the more I ve seen how other people do things, and I just continued to learn and evolve from being around other people. Jerry Winograd 46 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

49 Do you have any big plans as TAA president next year? To continue what we do so well and try to do it even better. We ve done an amazing job of education and legislative work, and I think we can look at where we ve been going and try to focus on making it to the next level. Who has helped you the most to get to where you are today? There have been a lot of people who have helped me. I would have to go back very early in my career when I worked very closely with both my mother and my father, who started working in the industry in the early 60s. I really learned a lot from them as far as direction, how to deal with people, how to treat people and how to run a business. But on the other hand, the more I ve gotten involved with the associations, the more I ve seen how other people do things, and I just continued to learn and evolve from being around other people. What do you see happening in the company in the next year? I proceed with business as usual and look at all angles to see what we can do. I think we re going to have an incredible (statewide) education conference going on next April. There are already a lot of people working to set up the event. It s going to be a great event here in Houston. I think we re going to go to all corners to see where we can go to keep this association moving along. It s doing some great things with the education foundation and legislative areas. We ve made a lot of progress this year, and hopefully we keep everything moving in the right direction. What is something people don t know about your job that you wish they did? That I come to work and have fun every day. ABODE AUGUST

50 Survive and Thrive Our managers of the year discuss the increasing professionalism of the apartment business and what it takes to succeed in property management. By RACHEL ZOCH, HAA Staff Our top managers for 2009 each bring between three and twenty-plus years of experience to the industry, as well as backgrounds in banking, restaurants and insurance. ABODE gathered these talented women for lunch and conversation in July to discuss changes in the industry and what s to come, as well as what makes a star performer stand out. Congratulations again to each of you! Tell me how it felt to hear your name called as an award recipient. Christina Zimmerman: Shocked. I didn t know I was nominated! (laughter) Actually, I had to switch my trip (to visit family in Greece), and my supervisor was so nice. I had gotten my tickets on a Thursday because it was a $500 difference. She said, You have to go. What can I do to make you go? What s the difference in the ticket? I will give you a bonus so you can go. Nicole Rankin: I had no clue. I mean, I ve only been in the industry for not even three years, and to win an award like that I would have never expected it. When they said my name, I just kind of froze up, and I had no idea what to do. I was like, OK, stand up, walk to the stage. Put one foot in front of the other. You can do this! (laughs) I never would have expected it. It was such an honor. Michelle Gates: Did you know that you won at the beginning when they started announcing it, by the middle, or at the end of the descriptions? Pam Lupercio: I got it at the description. This was the second time that I was nominated, and I just didn t expect it. Actually, my husband has always gone with me to other HAA functions, and this time, he took our son down to South Texas. He said, I ll cancel it until the next day, and I said, No, it s OK, it s no big deal. I m not going to win. You re not going to miss out on anything. Keep your appointment for Friday. (laughs) So then he was really disappointed that he wasn t able to share in my moment but I was just surprised. Cynthia Coffman: I knew I was nominated, but I wasn t going to go, and Darlene insisted that I go and I said, OK, all right. It s just 50 miles from where I live. (laughter) So I got there, and when they started describing the senior part, I knew, because I knew there was nobody else I could think of that took care of the seniors. I didn t know what to do. I just tried to get up, like you did, and stand up and walk up there. So I was very surprised. I got back to the office, and there was all kinds of stuff all over that said We re proud of you! Congratulations! My driver that drives my seniors around did it for me, and I was just really tickled. Gates: I hadn t even allowed myself to think about it. I was going because it s the awards banquet, and we ve got other people nominated but I was walking up the stairs to the event, and the thought crossed my mind, You know, it would be nice to win. And that was the one thought that I had. The other times, it was just business as usual. Clockwise from left: Manager of the Year Pam Lupercio, CAM, Silverado, Milestone Management Supervisor of the Year Michelle Gates, CPM, Greystar Manager of the Year Cynthia Coffman, Baybrook Park, Hettig Management Manager of the Year Christina Zimmerman, Old Farm, Riverstone Residential Assistant Manager of the Year Nicole Rankin, Bar Harbor, Milestone Management 48 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

51 When I was sitting there and they were reading it, I was thinking about my current portfolio. It was like, OK Hey, I ve been on the chili committee, but so have like 27 other people in the room, too. (laughter) And then when Beth said black belt, I stood up. And then I realized, Oh, was that rude of me? (laughter) because she didn t even say my name, and I stood up because I have a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. I didn t look around and then I thought, Oh my gosh! I should have waited for her to say my name! What are some of the challenges you are facing in your day-to-day work? Lupercio: Right now it s job loss, people moving out without giving the notice it s hard to budget and forecast numbers. You do the expected, you do your averages and that type of thing, but when you get three or four more and they write the notes, Lost my job, I can t do this, you try to sympathize with them, but you gotta do what you gotta do and charge them up. Zimmerman: For me, it s just competing with new construction. There s so many units that are being delivered right now or in the process of being built. We are going through renovations, but you have to balance both of those, because you re kind of in the middle. You have to price your product competitively but not lose your current residents, which keeps happening, to new construction, because they re giving away, literally, the farm. Gates: For me it s finding ways that we can exceed expectations on customer service. What added value that we can offer at no cost, low cost to the property, but have the most bang to the residents as far as service and presentation? Trying to just be a step ahead of what else can we offer or do to service the residents, to keep them there. Building a community within the property is a real big challenge. Rankin: Definitely the economy s had a huge change in the way that we have to do our marketing and the way we have to do our resident retention. It s almost like getting back to square one, and yes, down the street they may give you an extra month free, but here, Michelle Gates, Greystar The level of professionalism in the apartment industry continues to excel. If you re not crosstrained, you can t be promoted. Pam Lupercio, Milestone Not only are we managers, leasing agents and assistant managers we re marketing directors on a daily basis. Nicole Rankin, Milestone We have to wear more hats. We play so many different roles that I didn t know that we needed to play at the beginning. we re willing to take care of your maintenance, take care of you, make sure that you are special and show you that we want you to be our resident. Bottom line is, our consumers are changing, and trying to keep up with that market and find out what it is that they re looking for and what s keeping our current residents is such a challenge. You re constantly having to try new things and try to implement new ways of getting things done. How do you see things changing in the next year or so? Zimmerman: I think what goes down comes up. Obviously now is the bottom, and it ll just go up from now. Again, probably our strategies will have to change what we re doing now with concessions, what we re doing now with customer service. We ve even come up with ways of retaining residents with job-loss clauses that our owner approved. I know those things are probably going to be eliminated once it s our advantage and our market. It just always changes, so I think in the next year, it will be better. Gates: I think Texas runs a little behind national averages on all of the impacts of it, so I think Houston is probably still a little on the downhill side, but it s not going to be huge. It s going to be a soft market. We are going to give concessions. We re going to give renewal concessions. We re going to do anything it takes to get the person to stay there. Because of the cost to turn the unit, we might as well give this guy what the new guy is going to get if we have to re-lease the unit. It reminds me back to when Houston had the oil bust, and it was cutthroat, soft market, concessions everywhere, do what you can. Now, though, we ve evolved. Besides doing Christina Zimmerman, Riverstone Our strategies will have to change what we re doing now with concessions, what we re doing now with customer service. Cynthia Coffman, Hettig I m lucky I have never had to evict anybody, as long as I ve been in the business. the concessions, we go above and beyond with added service to all of our residents the package delivery, the dry cleaning on site just all of those things that we do in addition to try and keep them. (To Coffman) You ve got a unique situation with the seniors property. Coffman: With affordable housing, the State of Texas is the one that tells you what you re going to raise your rates to, and this is the first time they ve raised rates in four years. Now my market units, I keep raising them all the time. I don t have any problem with that. But there s not enough housing for seniors. It doesn t affect me like it does y all. I know at first we had to do a lot of marketing, but I ve got a six-page waiting list to get people in, and they have to qualify. Lupercio: I wish we had a waiting list! Rankin: As far as our market goes, it really took the hurricane for us to see the biggest change. It really took Ike for people to realize what could happen in our area. I m curious to see how it s going to be affected with the ongoing economy problems. We have a lot of people buying houses right now, especially with that first-time homebuyers tax credit, the $8,000. So we re losing about 40 to 50 percent of our move-outs to new houses. We re not really losing them to job loss right now. It s just funny to see how whatever area you re in, your submarket, can be affected. We talked a little bit about changes in the business and what you anticipate in the next year or so. What about changes you ve already seen during your careers? Rankin: We have to wear more hats. I ve noticed, even though I haven t been there long, not only am I now an assistant manager, ABODE AUGUST

52 50 AUGUST 2009 ABODE but now I am a counselor, I am part-time childcare for the kids that come around the swimming pool whose parents don t have the money to keep their kids in daycare. We play so many different roles that I didn t know that we needed to play at the beginning. We re just doing so many more jobs than just our one standard job now that it really expands what you do at work. You re able to really just sink yourself into your community and be there for your residents on all different levels instead of just being there to collect rent or just being there to put out notices or just being there for maintenance requests. You re there all the time for whatever they need. Zimmerman: For me, one of the biggest changes is how we advertise. When I started, you did the balloons, you opened up a property and you had the banners and maybe you did an ad and whatever and then you called it a day. Now it s Internet-based, and you have to search for your leads and find out where you are going to get the best traffic through the Internet or position your Web site. It s just very technologically advanced now, and you have to be above the market because now everybody is just like this (gestures to indicate a cluster). Gates: The level of professionalism in the apartment industry continues to excel. I mean, from maybe even three years ago when you started to 20-something years ago when we started, the level of professionalism, what s expected of every position now, is so much greater. A leasing agent doesn t just sell. The leasing agent does the full paperwork, understands the legalities of that lease when they re explaining it to a resident and should be able to handle the issues when a resident walks in. And the assistant manager it s not just posting rent. It s doing the pre-close, it s doing the collections, and it s paying the bills, because now the assistant managers pay bills. Hey, if you re not cross-trained, you can t be promoted. Lupercio: Not only are we managers, leasing agents and assistant managers we re marketing directors on a daily basis. Zimmerman: For me, what she said about having elevated our positions is because of training. That s another thing. When I started, you went to leasing class, and that s it. Maybe you got shopped, and then to become assistant manager, your manager taught you, or whoever was the assistant manager taught you to be an assistant manager. Now there s training, and we have Craigslist workshops who would have thought? Things like that. It s just very different now. You have all sorts of training Internet training, advertising training, marketing. I think that s why it s elevated, because you have so much support and training that s coming out there. You are expected to excel because you didn t have those things before. Coffman: No, I started out with a manual rent roll. (laughter) Gates: And a policy and procedure manual that was in a binder. Coffman: And it was dusty when you got it. Zimmerman: And it was probably 10 years old. Gates: And outdated because they never put in the inserts, so you never knew if you were really reading the right policy or not. And it s so different now because technology has changed all that for us. Zimmerman: You get updates. For us, whenever something changes, it s on our Web site that this section changed. Gates: Employee portals the portals that we all operate on. Like benefits everything you need is there. What a great resource for the companies to evolve to provide us tools. Even seeing the executives within our companies move into those types of technologies to keep their company young and innovative and in connection with the people that work for them. That s really cool.

53 What does it take to succeed in this business? What advice would you give somebody who s brand-new at it? Lupercio: In this business, you either love it or you hate it. It s in your blood or it s not. My husband and I both started out in the apartment business they hired us as a husband-and-wife team and he got out and went into the commercial end, and I don t want to. I love what I do. I love the apartment business. I like dealing with people on a day-to-day basis, not just one or two contact tenants. So you really have to like it, and I think it s very important to go and get started with a reputable, good management company because you have stability and you re loyal to that company. Rankin: I think it takes a lot of ambition for a new starter, because it is a lot of work, and it s very frustrating at times because there are just some people out there that you just cannot make happy no matter what they want. You have to have a sense of humor, and you have to have that drive, and you have to have something different that somebody else doesn t have. You have to be able to set yourself apart from your competition and just keep a good head on your shoulders. Gates: I absolutely believe in drive, whatever the position is, whoever you are. It s not an 8-to-5 job in our business, and if you think it s an 8-to-5 job, you re going to be average, moderate or adequate and maybe not around, because it takes more than that to be successful in our business. And then I also personally think that being in leadership positions it s very much about lead by example. Whether it s pick up the piece of paper when you walk by or stay late and get the move-ins done side by side, or go to bat for a losing cause, and it may be, for some employee issue but you know what, you ve got to go and take it to the plate to at least say, You are important to me as an employee, and I ve done everything I can do. So lead by example and have that commitment to your profession and your team and your company. Rankin: You have to stand by your team. I think that s one of the most important things, because if you don t stand by your team, they re not going to stand behind you, and it takes a whole team to make that property function to 100 percent. Gates: It s a team. Managers aren t successful unless their teams are successful, and it s the whole way. My VP is not successful unless each of his RPMs is successful, so it s all about one for all, all for one, really. See MANAGERS, Page 55 ABODE AUGUST

54 All in the Details Ira Gross talks about building a business by planning ahead and paying careful attention to everyday concerns. By RACHEL ZOCH, HAA Staff Ira Gross, our 2009 Independent Owner of the Year, got his start in the apartment business only recently but has already built his portfolio into Integrity Asset Management, a small and growing management company. Here, he talks with ABODE about his successes and strategies. How did you get into the apartment business? Before I got into the apartment business, I was the owner and operator of Southwest Auto Salvage Inc. I sold that business in 2003 for a healthy profit and was living off the proceeds for a couple of years when the cold realization hit me that it was going to take more than the money that I had to raise my young and growing family in an acceptable manner. I started hunting around for opportunities and was directed to Lifestyles Unlimited and Del Walmsley by a former president of the RICH club. He told me that Del could offer me a better education in multifamily real estate than anyone else in the country. At Lifestyles, I met Emery Jakab of JAW Equity Management, who has since become my good friend and mentor. He encouraged me to take the next step and purchase my first property. I m glad I took that next step. I now own two properties and plan to buy more. Tell me about your properties and your company. I only recently started my management company, Integrity Asset Management, so there s not much to talk about there. The first property that I purchased is Stafford Oaks Apartments. It s 175 units and was a Class C property headed for a D because of years of neglect. I completely renovated the property, including new siding, roofs, parking lot, fence, boilers, a new leasing office and a dozen other things. Stafford Oaks is now beautiful and full, and we have almost no delinquency month after month. My latest purchase is Ashford Court Apartments, which is also a beautiful property. Its 442 units are located in the Westchase area. Ashford Court was in much better shape than Stafford Oaks was in when I bought it. Right now, I m in the midst of repairing the parking lots, replacing all of the air conditioners, fixing foundations and a few other things. Once that s done it ll be perfect, and I can devote my full attention to filling the place up. What is the most rewarding part of owning and managing apartments? There are many gratifying aspects of owning an apartment complex. The monetary returns I generate for myself and my business partners are the most tangible, of course. In addition to that, my business model of revitalizing struggling properties breathes new life into communities that have become discouraged by the rental experience. When everything on a property gets fixed, when resident needs are addressed in an effective and timely manner, when my staff treats our residents like customers instead of prisoners, those things have a huge impact on a community, and I receive regular feedback, either directly or indirectly through my staff, that my efforts are appreciated. I get great satisfaction from helping others, and owning apartments gives me many opportunities to make a difference in other people s lives. What is your biggest challenge? Finding good staff has been my biggest challenge. I m very picky about who serves my customers. I went through many maintenance people at Stafford Oaks before settling on my current crew, and it also took a while to find an assistant I like to tell people that I may not be the smartest or the fastest, but I m dedicated, have integrity, work hard, and I m always learning how to do things better. Ira Gross 52 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

55 manager that complemented the skills of my manager there. I was fortunate at Ashford Court to inherit a fantastic outside staff from the previous owner, and Emery helped me find a superstar manager. Unfortunately, we ve been through a small army of leasing agents. I look forward to finally getting our inside staff settled. Throughout recruiting, my staff and I have made good use of the HAA job board to find qualified candidates. What advice would you give to someone entering or considering entering the multifamily housing business? First, get educated and find a mentor. The worst thing a new person could do in this business is to simply wade in and try to reinvent the wheel. Lifestyles Unlimited, HAA and IROC have provided me with an invaluable education that has allowed me to dance around many a hazardous pitfall. I also have the good fortune to have a mentor like Emery who already owned several properties by the time I bought my first. Whenever I feel like I m wandering off course, I call Emery, and he guides me back onto the path to success. From a more nuts-and-bolts perspective, I highly recommend that you avoid undercapitalizing your deal. If you re on your own, don t overextend your personal finances to buy a deal. If you have investors, make sure you have a healthy working capital account at closing to handle surprises, including unanticipated rehab items. The easiest way to undermine your partners confidence in your abilities is to go to them, hat in hand, to beg for more money to avoid insolvency or to complete an over-budget rehab. Speaking of rehabs, make sure you do your due diligence to get multiple, realistic bids for all major rehab items prior to closing and make sure you have the money to finish the project. I have enjoyed considerable success hiring vendors that belong to HAA. Finally, don t underestimate the impact that the current economic crisis has had on the relationships between borrowers and lenders. Be prepared for some nasty surprises and rude awakenings as you approach closing. How did you become involved in HAA? Lifestyles Unlimited, of course, recommends to all of its members to join HAA, so that s what I did. It turned out to be great advice. I attended the IROC classes and also started taking classes to become CAM certified. HAA is a top-notch organization. I ve met some great people and formed lasting relationships with vendors, peers and HAA employees. Any other thoughts, words of wisdom or budget-stretching tricks you d like to share? I like to tell people that I may not be the smartest or the fastest, but I m dedicated, have integrity, work hard, and I m always learning how to do things better. Working in the apartment industry is like any other profession. You need to constantly update your education in order to stay on top. In addition to working hard and staying educated, I do my own accounting. You ve probably heard the old saying, Keep your eye on the ball. In the apartment industry, the ball is your income statement, balance sheet and all of the rent checks and invoices that go into creating them. There are hundreds of opportunities to be had every month, both large and small, by keeping a close eye on the everyday details that go into the income statement and balance sheet. If you pay attention to the details, you can t help but succeed. ABODE AUGUST

56 Saturday, October 3 Big Chiliin Paradise! Noon to 5 p.m. The Farm & Ranch Club One Abercrombie (off Highway 6, 1.9 miles north of I-10) Come change your latitude and attitude and catch a wave of lei-d back fun! It s all an HAA state of mind! Grab the whole family and join us in paradise for the 19th annual Chili Fest. Blow out your flip flop hot chili and frozen concoctions will help you hang on for boatloads of activities, games and goodies galore. It s a real beauty and you know come Monday it ll be alright after the Big Chili in Paradise 2009! I like mine with A panel of industry and celebrity judges will hang ten with their taste buds to catch the flamin fare and award top honors to four cooking teams. Chili will be judged on characteristics other than heat namely aroma, consistency, color, flavor and aftertaste. Other foods, such as barbecue, may be prepared but will not be judged. Awards will also go to the best single and double booths for theme, costumes, design, action and audience appeal. So don t go wastin away again, grab your pop tops and get shakin for the Big Chili! Cooking Teams: Single Booth: $350 includes four (4) tickets Double Booth: $700 includes eight (8) tickets (If paid by September 18) Attendee Tickets: Adults: $7 if purchased by September 18: $10 on site Children (ages 4 to 12): $3 if purchased by September 18: $5 on site Children 3 and younger: Free Facility & Security Sponsors Abbey Residential Brown Wholesale Lighting Building EMTs Camp Construction Services Century A/C Supply CORT Furniture Rental Craven Carpet D&C Contracting Dixie Carpet Installations For Rent Media Solutions Gexa Energy Golden Greek Carpets Hardman Signs Houston Pest ICI Paints J&L Distributors MAB Flooring Pavecon Pittsburgh Paints Resident Data Ritchmond Construction RPM Daily Services Taylor Contracting & Roofing TPI Inc. Westdale Asset Management Children s Activities Sponsors Apartments.com Classic Touch Painting CORT Furniture Rental Impact Floors MAB Flooring Ritchmond Construction THS Renovation & Development Trophy Sponsor Golden Greek Carpets Music Space Sity Sounds Rain or shine! All activities are under the Farm & Ranch covered pavilion.

57 MANAGERS, continued from Page 51 Rankin: One of my first eviction court cases was a woman whose daughter lived at Bar Harbor, and the daughter hadn t paid rent for a month, and we took her to court. It was one of my first eviction courts by myself as an assistant manager, and Stacie, our manager, was right there by my side. Her being there for me was a huge thing. It really did help. Gates: You never know what the judge is going to throw out there. Most cases, you can expect, but in some cases where it s already kind of crazy before you get to court, no telling what the judge will require of you then. Coffman: I guess I m lucky I have never had to evict anybody, as long as I ve been in the business. (astonished laughter) Gates: You are very, very lucky, and you must have worked on really nice properties. Lupercio: I don t think it matters whether you live at a C property or an A property personalities just differ. Gates: Crazy s crazy, no matter how much they earn. (laughter) Speaking of crazy, we always close this luncheon by sharing stories about the wacky things you ve seen on site. What are some of your most memorable experiences? Lupercio: In San Antonio, we had a resident whose dog just took over his apartment, and the resident was sleeping in his truck while the dog had full run of the apartment. We had to change the sheetrock because it was just so disgusting in there. He never walked the dog that s why he just never went into his apartment because he couldn t stand it! (laughs) Gates: So he was paying rent for a doghouse. (laughter) Lupercio: Exactly! He literally slept in his truck. Zimmerman: We had wild chickens. One of our residents called and said, There s chickens or something in the breezeway. We thought, OK, that s just funny, because the guy that was calling it in always calls like, Oh, can you check this? and it s always something that s not there, and so we said, Let s go out there and look. Sure enough, in the breezeway, these two birds were right on top of each other. All of a sudden, their heads just go -poof!- (gestures like feathers puffing out), so it wasn t like a regular chicken. I thought it was an exotic bird, and the one starts putting his legs forward and starts coming toward me and so of course, our natural reaction was to yell, oh my God! (laughter) This resident actually wrangled the chickens for us. I mean, he literally came out and pulled them with his hands and put them in the leasing office bathroom then I had to ask another property manager where do you send birds, because obviously they re not going to go home with me. There s a wildlife place where they rescue raccoons and anything that you can think of. We figured out which resident it was, so I called him in the office and he just wanted to know where they were so he could go pick them up. He didn t understand, so we were trying to tell him in a nice way, I m sorry, sir, you can t we don t take any kind of exotic birds. Rankin: An apartment locator came with (this resident) one day, kind of cradling her in his arms, She tells funny stories, but don t listen to her, she s just a crazy old lady. So I leased her an apartment. I had just started and didn t know any better. I didn t know how to sort the crazies out. Gates: I don t know how to, either! (laughter) Check this box if you have ever been involved in any kind of crazy activity. Then it s documentable, and we can say, Oh, I m sorry, we do not accept crazy people. ABODE AUGUST

58 DESIGNATE OF THE MONTH By RACHEL ZOCH, HAA STAFF A Foot in the Door With barely a year in the business, Daviana Rivero has already earned her NALP and is looking forward to continued success in leasing. That s one of the biggest things that I use now just always treating everybody the same and always making sure that you stick to the basic things. Before she started leasing apartments for Martin Fein in Missouri City, Daviana Rivero had worked in just about every storefront you could think of, from the Disney Store to Starbucks. I ve worked pretty much everywhere, she said, laughing. I was a shift supervisor (at Starbucks), and then before that, I had worked Smoothie King. I always worked with mall jobs. A family friend Gateway at Sienna Plantation manager Anita Alvarado knew about Rivero s experience with sales and customer service and offered her a leasing position at the suburban property. Rivero started working at the property right before Hurricane Ike struck, and in the midst of on-site training and getting her bearings, she began helping with cleanup and finding apartments for people displaced by the storm. Before long, she was told she would begin training to earn the National Apartment Leasing Professional designation. I didn t really realize what it was at first, Rivero said. Once I actually got there and got the course started, it was really good. I enjoyed it. It really got in depth with a bunch of things. Of course, the manual is huge, but not only that, it opened up your eyes to all the stuff that you know you do wrong. She especially enjoyed the market survey part of the course, where students visit and shop different properties and see first-hand how the things they learn in the course should be put into action. I had done it a little bit, but I had never gone by a certain criteria, she said, but it definitely opened my eyes to, Oh my gosh, I can t do that, or Wow, this is what I do, and I m glad that I do this, because they didn t do it right. So it was definitely an eye-opener. Here, you ve got to pop right up as soon as anybody walks in and get in their face and say hello and greet them and treat them with the same respect. The customer service aspect of it is always going to be there, she said. Definitely with retail, you have to sell what you re doing, and you have to make sure it s organized. You have to make sure that you present it well, so it s the same thing you have to do in retail. She credits the NALP course with helping her refine her customer service skills for the apartment industry, particularly when it comes to greeting customers and keeping Fair Housing in mind. That was always the biggest thing that they stressed treat everybody the same, because you can go to a property, and you can look like it s your day off, and they will treat you a little differently than if you go all dressed up, she said. So I definitely took that back SALES SKILLS From all her retail experience, Rivero knows the importance of making her customers feel welcome and knowing how to answer their questions, and she applies those same skills at the leasing desk. 56 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

59 with me, and that s one of the biggest things that I use now just always treating everybody the same and always making sure that you stick to the basic things. Rivero also enjoyed the opportunity to meet her fellow leasing professionals and share experiences and ideas. I enjoyed the fact that we got to be in a class with people who were in the industry but also who had never been in the industry before, she said. It was nice to see everybody s different point of view. Some of them had been in the industry 10 years, so it was really nice to have all the different experiences and all the different levels there. I like being able to have someone have that feeling of She s going to take care of me. Honestly, that s the most rewarding. SUPER SERVICE Rivero enjoys leasing and would like to gain experience in different submarkets, but right now she is focused on providing excellent service to her residents and making them feel at home. I enjoy being with the prospects that come in and being able to take them through their whole journey, she said. I like being able to have someone have that feeling of She s going to take care of me. Honestly, that s the most rewarding their faces when they come to pick up the keys and they say, Oh thank you, you ve helped me so much. She and her coworkers regularly attend APPLE seminars and other HAA courses, and Rivero says she appreciates the reminders that the classes provide, and she credits her manager with encouraging her to take advantage of as many courses as she can. It kind of just keeps you in gear and keeps you in motion so that little things that you might have forgotten just come back to you so you can keep going, she said. They honestly help a lot. I enjoy them. As far as why I m so driven to take classes and things like that, it s really because of my manager. She pushes us to all of that. In turn, Rivero encourages others to give the seminars a try, because she can already see the positive difference continuing education makes. It definitely shows, because doing the NALP class, whenever I went to do my shops, I actually called my shops back and asked them, Have you ever been to any of the HAA courses? ABODE AUGUST

60 Thanks to Apartments.com for sponsoring the campaign finale. It snot business as usual More fun during the 2009 Membership Campaign Drive Photos by MARK HIEBERT, Hiebert Photography Thanks to For Rent Media Solutions for sponsoring the campaign finale. Thanks to Laura Collins, Classic Touch Painting, for sponsoring Meeting #6. Thank you to John Hartley, Maid of Honor, for sponsoring Meeting #6. Clark Gregg, The Morgan Group; Debbie Webre, Greystar; and Tony Whitaker, FSI Construction New member Kevin Banks, Southern Global Safety Services, with Quintina Smith, Milestone Management Laura Lestus, Liberty Personnel/ Executive Search, and Kelly Treichel, Francis Property Management Mack Armstrong, Greystar, and Jared Kinchen, Builders Granite & Tile John Ridgway. Celtic Realty Advisors, and Alan Jones, ICI Paints Cesar Lima, AAA Plumbers, and Hether Flores, Emergency Services Restoration Jennifer Rhodes and Paige Tooker, Francis Property Management New members David and Patirica Garcia, Beyond General Construction, with Fernando Gomez, Century A/C Supply 58 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

61 Carol Marple, and Debbie Andreozzi, For Rent Media Solutions, with Mindy Price, BG Personnel (center) New members Paul McGregor and Shae Casey, Sugarland Professional Landscaping, with Debbie Sulzer, Francis Property Management It s not too late to recruit for HAA! Recruit, renew and reap the rewards! All you have to do is recruit a new member and you will be eligible to win cash prizes! When the going gets tough,the tough get creative and go networking. Join us for our Membership Recruitment Encore Luncheon on Tuesday, September 22 at 11:30 a.m at the HAA Offices. Sponsored by Emergency Services Restoration of Texas and Moen Inc. David Jones, Southhampton, and Becky Sanders, Apartments.com Nichole Williams, Apartment Guide, and Jerry Winograd, Judwin Properties HP Young, Aquasolve Chemical, and Michelle Bridges-Pahl, Century A/C Supply For details and to RSVP, contact Lisa Butler at butler@haaonline.org or Milestone Management Suan Tinsley, The Finger Companies; Beth Van Winkle, Milestone; and Jackie Rhone, Greystar Theresa Lamar, Liberty Personnel/Executive Search; Christy Rodriguez, Apartments.com; and Kurt Gilpin, WestCorp Management Jimmie Hotz, HD Supply, and Crystal Sanchez, Apartment Data Services Congratulations to our cash incentive winners. Dean O Kelley, Liberty Personnel/ Executive Search, and Trey Stone, Guardian Equity Management Lisa Grimes, D&C Contracting, and Jenifer Paneral, Concierge Asset Management Congratulations to Team Greystar, our #1 recruiters! ABODE AUGUST

62 AMBASSADORS Tell Us More The Ambassadors want to know how we can make HAA work for you. New Ambassadors at the June meeting: Back row: Paul Treske, Simple Movers; Denise McLarty, Kings III; Josh Max, Anchor Services; Anne O Connell, AAA Staffing; Beverly Huet, Respro; and Dustin Dean, Crestmark Construction. Front row: Kevin Banks, Southern Global Safety Services; Bill Hubbell, Anchor Roofing; Co-chair Laura Collins, Classic Touch Painting; Tony Cupito, Environmental Specialized Solutions; Shirlee Villanueva, AAA Staffing; Co-chair Peggy Charles, Taylor Contracting & Roofing; and Clint Cooper, Marathon Fitness. AMBASSADORS OF THE MONTH AMBASSADOR VIPS This list reflects the number of monthly exchanges completed by each Ambassador. Ambassadors listed in bold reached new achievement levels at press time. April Wilkin Building EMTs Jessica Tollett Century A/C Supply Kristi Riddle Hire Priority Staffing Joe Slaughter Rasa Floors The Ambassadors are the eyes and ears of HAA, surveying members on their wants and needs. If you would like to be a part of the Ambassador Club, contact Lisa Butler at or lbutler@haaonline.org. HALL OF FAME 700 Patrick Sheahan 500 Julio Garcia 400 Peggy Charles Rashann Fontenot 300 Barbara Brett Patrick Brothers David Hardwick Jimmie Hotz Alan Jones Nancé Wells 250 Laura Collins Michael Flores Billy Griffin Michelle Pahl 200 NORA KRAKOWER LIFETIME AWARD Lisa Grimes Kathy Smith Donald Sweitzer Andrea Winans 150 Mary Estrada Kevin Fenn Amy Mauer Tony Montemarano Jimmy Renteria Randy Rowles 100 CHRISTINE MOHEB MEMORIAL AWARD Debbie Andreozzi M.J. Featherston Fernando Gomez John Hill Billie Johnson Nora Krakower Brenda Nite Sandra Parker Pablo Paz Karin Churchfield- Tyson James Wagner 75 Karl Heinrich Norma Ledbetter Joe Slaughter Roland Silas Todd Smith 25 Stephen Abila Jessica Baker Jeff Blevins Janet Dorsett Darlene Dow Andrea Dunlop Kimberly Flores Israel Garza James Gregory Erica Hallmark Dallas Hardwick Trisha Hunter Dan James Glenda Jeffcoat Dean O Kelley Chuck Littlepage Mark Park Beth Rohani Mike Romano Shawn Royer Preston Sams Carlos Sanchez Glenda Vargas 10 Greg Baughman Ronnie Beavers Kenyon Carroll Josh Carter Grant Crowell Aimee Ferrini Travis Fowler Lisa Godwin Andre Gonzales Laura Hancock Jason Henley Philip Jones Jacob Kunath Laura Lestus Chuck Littlepage Erin McCary Deana Miller Nicole Oldfield Krista Oliver Michelle Opalewski Wendy Pearson Robert Pfunder Jason Polishak Mindy Price Michael Reiland Nancy Romano Crystal Sanchez Jodi Southwick Jessica Tollett Wayne Trusty Beth Varney Marivel Villanueva Kevin Wendt Heather Wiesner Angie Wilganowski Brandy Williams Ron Winans 60 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

63 Producers from the O Kelley-Park-Winans Team: Back row: Patrick Sheahan, Sherwin Williams; Amber Harris, Resident Data; Rick Rodriguez, Venturi Technologies; and Brandon Bridwell, Camp Construction Services. Front row: Co-chair Laura Collins, Classic Touch Painting; Co-captain Andrea Winans, Bishop s Office Needs; Nicole Oldfield, Hardman Signs; Co-chair Peggy Charles, Taylor Contracting & Roofing; and Joe Slaughter, Rasa Floors. Producers from the Featherston-Grimes-Gomez Team: Back Row: Jessica Tollett, Century A/C Supply; Co-captain Lisa Grimes, D&C Contracting; Co-captain M.J. Featherston, Access Electric; April Wilkin, Building EMTs; and Izzy Garza, ICI Paints. Front row: Laura Lestus, Liberty Personnel/Executive Search; Co-chair Laura Collins, Classic Touch Painting; Co-chair Peggy Charles, Taylor Contracting & Roofing; and Josh Carter, Kwal Paint. Producers from the Estrada-Hill-Parker Team: From left: Janet Dorsett, Phonoscope Cable; Co-captain Mary Estrada, Certified Recovery Systems; Co-chair Laura Collins, Classic Touch Painting; Co-captain Sandra Parker, Apartment Finder; Kimberly Flores, For Rent Media Solutions; Kristi Riddle, Hire Priority Staffing; Co-captain John Hill, HARCO Insurance; and Co-chair Peggy Charles, Taylor Contracting & Roofing. ABODE AUGUST

64 PROPERTY UPDATE NEW CONSTRUCTION Alliance Communities opened Broadstone Grand Parkway, 342 units at 1111 Falcon Park Drive in Katy, in June. Integrated Property Management has opened Hometowne at Missouri City, 108 units at S. Sam Houston Pkwy. in Missouri City. Asset Plus has opened The Lofts at CityCentre, 250 units at Queensbury. Riverstone Residential has opened Palazzo at Cypresswood, 363 units at Napoli Drive. Creative Property Management has opened the Royal Palms Apartments, 126 units at 5601 Royal Palms. PROPERTY CHANGES Investment Realty now operates Providence at Champions, 288 units at 5100 FM 1960 W. Tarantino now operates Casa Bella, 28 units at 8363 Park Place and Worthington at the Beltway, 382 units at 1350 Greens Pkwy. Riverview Properties now operates The Lakes, 162 units at 9800 Hollock. Orion Real Estate Services now operates Villages of Townelake Apartments, 126 units at 4055 Village Drive in Pearland. Martin Fein now operates The Belmont, 294 units at 3000 Bissonnet. Creative Property Management now operates Cornerstone at Bel Arbor Apartments, 50 units at 6060 Bel Arbor St., and Ticonderoga Street Apartments, 10 units at 6060 Bel Arbor St. Asset Plus now operates the following properties: Chaparral Villas I, 188 units at 5710 Glenmont; Bristol Apartments, 856 units at 1221 Redford; and Bridgestone Apartments, 76 units at 4949 FM 2351 in Friendswood. Greystar now operates Westheimer Terrace, 306 units at 9407 Westheimer. JD Services now operates Running Oaks, 12 units at Brazeal St. in Waller, and Circle K Apartments, 32 units at Donoho in Hempstead. Hettig Management now operates Gardens at Friendswood Lakes, 114 units at 1423 West Parkwood Ave. in Friendswood. Pinnacle now operates the Sea Point Apartments, 231 units at 1700 Baywood Drive in Bay City (formerly known as Baywood Squares). Cooper Street LP now operates Mesa Ridge, 259 units at 8000 Creekbend. Mosaic Residential now operates The Cottages of Cypresswood Apartments, 136 units at 7203 Oakwood Glen Blvd. in Spring (formerly known as Kressington Place Lake). Lincoln Property Company now operates Verandah at Meyerland, 301 units at 4620 N. Braeswood Blvd. Devonshire Real Estate & Asset Management now operates Northlake Manor, 126 units at 6910 Old North Belt Drive in Humble. Kaplan Management now operates Westhollow Park Carolwood Village Apartments, 404 units at 2503 Panagard. COMPANY CHANGES Capstone Consulting Group has a new main phone number: Jeff Ray Inc. is now known as Jeff Ray/DanMarc Group Inc. Golden Greek Carpets has changed its name to Criterion Brock. Bridlewood Realty is now known as Jaymor. BH Management Services has a new address: 8703 Parkway Forest Drive #208, Houston, Camp Construction Services has moved to a new facility at So. Post Oak Rd. in Houston (77053). 62 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

65 IN THE NEWS PEOPLE ON THE MOVE Lorie Stafford is now a regional sales manager with Call Source. Stafford Tinsley Flores Head Kimberly Flores is now general sales manager with For Rent Media Solutions. Suan Tinsley is now vice president of operations with The Finger Companies. Bryan Head is now a district manager with Harbor Group. NEW ARRIVALS Congratulations to Direct Energy s Mark Ramos and his wife, Regina, and their daughter, Madelyne Rose, on their new baby, Max Alexander Baby Garza Ramos. Congrats also to Redi Carpet s James Gregory, his wife, Lacy, and their family, who welcomed daughter Emersyn Blue Gregory on July 9. Baby Gregory The Gregory family. CONGRATULATIONS Dan Markson, senior vice president of development for The NRP Group, received a community service award from the Barbara Jordan Endeavors Corp. in June. The award was presented to Markson in a ceremony held at The Commons of Grace Senior Apartments on Tidwell in northeast Houston. Additionally, The NRP Group has been recognized as NAHB s 2009 Multifamily Development Firm of the Year and has been ranked first in the Top 50 Affordable Housing Developers for 2007, 2008 and 2009 by Affordable Housing Developers. New job? New baby? Share your good news with ABODE send it to comm@haaonline.org! ABODE AUGUST

66 PHOTO ALBUM Photos from the JUNE SOAPS LUNCHEON HONORING CORPORATE & ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF The Rockwell Management table The Greystar group Michelle Rhone, Darlene Hunter and Alexis Torres, Kaplan Management Nicole Rankin and Debbie DeRoche, Milestone Management Attendees from Investor Property Services and Greystone Asset Management Attendees from Hettig The Riverstone Residential group Stephanie Clark, Jennifer Gaytan and Nancy Lee, Henry S. Miller Attendees from Tarantino Attendees from Sumar Realty Corri Smith and Loretta Wiley, SMI Realty Tracie McCaulley, Riverstone, and Darlene Guidry, Hettig Management Thanks to sponsors The Laurent Company. Thanks to sponsors HD Supply. 64 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

67 Photos by MARK HIEBERT, Hiebert Photography The Francis Property Management group The Hettig Management group Jessica DeLaGarza, Greystar, modeled in the fashion show. Rida Williams, Francis Property Management, also walked the runway. Model Lacie Gray, Milestone Model Brandon Attaway, Greystar Our SOAPS models with speaker Tiffany Yelverton The Milestone Management group The Summit Housing Partners group Gloria Haney, Sonia Lopez and Ana Umana, Southhampton Management SOAPS Chair Michelle Gates, Greystar, presents a door prize to Ronda Gonzalez, SMI Realty. Rosa Torres, Oak Leaf Management, wins a door prize. ABODE AUGUST

68 WELCOME MAT Introducing JUNE new members OWNER MEMBERS Amber Commercial Investments Glenda Mayorga 877 Ridgewood Drive Port Neches, TX Amber Creek Apartments Apartment Advisors USA Tom Pugnetti 2811 Eagles Nest Drive Palm Harbor, FL Ashton Oaks Apartments Candleridge Park Inc. Marianne Perez 1601 Wooded Pine Houston, TX Candleridge Park Apartments Central Apartments LLC Jose Betancourt 4411 Fulton St. Houston, TX Central Apartments Falls Apartment Group Glen Ruffner c/o Falls of Point West Apts Park Front Houston, TX Falls of Birchbrook Apartments Falls of Point West Apartments Falls of West Oaks Apartments Miami Garden Apartments Pelican s Landing Apartments Village Key Apartments Welcome to HAA! See Pages 20 & 21 for calendars listing our upcoming networking and educational opportunities (also online at Fine Arts Apartments LLC Jeremy Haar 1023 Lyndon St. #7 Houston, TX Binz Apartments 4921 Crawford Apartments The Fine Arts Apartments LLC Properties Jackson Park Apartments Wentworth Park Apartments OliverMcMillan Tali Abramson 733 8th Ave. San Diego, CA Westcreek Apartments Renaissance Development Group Inc. David Fulton Durrette Drive Houston, TX Diep Residential LLC Christopher s Walk Trail Houston, TX Williamstown Apartments SUPPLIER MEMBERS American Concrete Flooring Solutions Mike Morrison P.O. Box 1426 Tomball, TX Concrete Products Concrete Repair Paint Referred by Roger Camp APT-TEAM.COM Shane Cross 1500 Bay Area Blvd. #N 169 Houston, TX Parking Area Maintenance & Marking Pressure Washing Asset Management and Billing Services Donna Ismajili P.O. Box Indianapolis, IN Utility Consultants Utility Management Bulls Eye Storage Peter Morris 2370 Rice Blvd. #108 Houston, TX Movers Storage Moving Supplies Referred by Theresa Lamar Chanco Systems Inc. CSI Terry Black 2200 Louetta Road #300 Spring, TX Fire Alarm Systems Security Control Equipment/Systems Referred by Kelly Treichel CTMI LLC Mark Boozer 9001 Airport Fwy. #700 North Richland Hills, TX Tax Consultants Referred by Patrick Sheahan EPI Services Inc. Arthur L. Gerhart Acorn Valley Spring, TX Computers Services/Repairs Office Equipment & Supplies Referred by Anita Harrison FirmDesign GiGi Morgan 6649a East Church St. Douglasville, GA Advertising Specialties Referred by Marsha Hollis Grasschoppers Lisa Dilley 1407 Llano, Bldg. H Pasadena, TX Lawn Maintenance Landscape Contractors Greystar Development & Construction LP Lisa Morgan 750 Bering Drive #400 Houston, TX General Contractors Construction Management Referred by Mack Armstrong HNA Carpet Care Adrian Herrera P.O. Box Houston, TX Carpet & Rug Cleaners Referred by Darlene McCall IES Residential Paul K. Duke 9904-A Deer Trail Drive Houston, TX Fire Alarm Systems Security Control Equipment/Systems Legato Construction Services Nick Sabula Westheimer Pkwy. PMB 447 Katy, TX General Contractors Remodeling & Repair- Building Contractors Liquid Waste Solutions Andy Bates 650 W. Bough # Houston, TX Lint Trap Cleaning Plumbing-Drain/Sewer Cleaning Referred by Mary Segovia Momentum Fitness Solutions Shellie Lindsey 2723 San Marco Lane League City, TX Exercise Equipment- Wholesale/Retail Exercise Equipment- Service/Repair New Life Homes LLC Bob Baldwin Stuebner Airline Road Tomball, TX General Contractors Handyman Services Referred by Francis Property Management Protec Security Ken Cugin 3322 Shaver #201 Pasadena, TX Courtesy Patrol Security Guard/Patrol Service Referred by June Kennemore Reprint! Inc. Craig Pritchard 2035 Southwest Fwy. Houston, TX Printers Typesetting Referred by Carina Bryars Storm Maintenance & Monitoring Glenn Woodson P.O. Box 875 Magnolia, TX Storm Water Services Referred by Anita Harrison Storm Water Services Shane Kaiser 350 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. E #285 Houston, TX Storm Water Services Environmental & Ecological Services TX Floor Trends Steve Jackson 9144 Spring Branch Drive Houston, TX Carpet Dealers-New & Used Floor Materials Referred by Fernando Gomez Wallco Retaining Walls Inc. Kevin Smotherman 4900 SE Loop 820 #100 Forest Hill, TX Retaining Walls It s never too late to recruit! There s still plenty of time to join HAA before the 2010 Directory & Buyer s Guide deadline in September. Seal the deal at our last-chance luncheon on September 22. See Page 59 or contact Lisa at lbutler@haaonline.org for details. 66 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

69 HARGROVE, Continued from Page 41 Tell us about your year as TAA president. It was great. I really enjoyed it. Probably the most rewarding part to me was going around the state and visiting local associations and seeing how they do things and listening to their challenges and meeting their membership. And of course, we had a legislative year, so that was a challenge, which we were a little concerned about early on, but it came out great. I think overall we had a good session. What do you think was your greatest accomplishment as TAA president? You know, we set up this military careers task force, which really was because my son is in the army. I thought about it and about the number of people who don t really realize how to get into the business they just kind of fall into the business and how we re always looking for new, qualified and willing employees. So the thought occurred to me that there s a lot of people getting out of the military that have good basic training and good work ethic. They re use to working toward goals and taking orders, if you will, from people, and they come out of the military not really knowing what they want to do. They could be in three years, four years, even 20 years. You ve got a lot of people with varied experience and it just felt like, to me, that that would be a good pool of potential employees for the multifamily industry. And it turned out it was. We had two meetings, now three meetings, with Fort Hood, went to one job fair, and actually, we ve gone to another job fair since my term ended, both of which were successful. We had great, positive response from the military counselors who help people getting out. And I have to say that was probably my most significant achievement. Chef Hargrove at the 2000 Big Chili ABODE AUGUST

70 Grab your party hat and celebrate 50 years of HAA by being a part of the 50th Anniversary edition of the Directory & Buyer s Guide! Why should you advertise in the 2010 HAA Directory & Buyer s Guide? Buyers are already looking for your service. It s the yellow pages of the multifamily industry and bigger than ever. Your ad explains why the buyer should choose you. More than 4,000 copies get your ad into buyers hands. It works for your company all year long, no vacations! It s cost effective You can t afford NOT to advertise. Credit cards accepted! Deadline for ad order and camera-ready art is September 30. For more information, call Amanda at , asherbondy@haaonline.org or go online to It s the most used property management tool in Houston! Get noticed in HAA s 50th!

71 I have known David since my first meeting at the annual HAA Gala about five years ago. I really didn t know very many people there, but David and his lovely wife, Lee, came over and introduced themselves. He immediately started to introduce me and my wife to others. I will always remember David for extending a hand when my wife and I felt so out of place. He is a very generous and kind person who has distinguished himself as a professional in the apartment industry and as a person. Josh Allen, president, J. Allen Management What still needs to be done on the task force? We need to keep pushing it. It s not something that s going to run by itself, so we need to continue to be involved with counseling centers. That needs to be done on a yearly basis. Another thing that I think could be done is, I believe, find a way to funnel people who may have an interest in the multifamily industry into the CAPS courses, the CAM courses and things like that so they can get an introduction to the industry without taking the dive and getting a job, and there may be a way, actually, for the GI Bill to pay for some of that. And I think that s the next step, to see how we can intergrate the education programs we already offer into the people leaving the military. Do you have any recommendations for getting involved in HAA for some of our younger members? I think anybody that s going to be in this industry should be part of a group. And, really, the key to getting the younger people involved is for the leaders of various companies to encourage that. A lot of times people are a little bit shy, and the younger generations are used to doing everything online blogging and working on the Internet and are a little bit hesitant to get involved with a real group where there are live people there, so I think they need a little bit of push from their The 1996 Membership Campaign ABODE AUGUST

72 HAA RESOURCES Information for OWNER/MANAGEMENT COMPANY MEMBERS Standard Lease Contracts, Forms & Books* HAA members can access the most comprehensive lease available in the industry, along with more than 30 different forms. Also available to members is the TAA Redbook containing state and federal statutes and governmental rules that affect all rental housing in Texas. For more information, contact Form Sales at , or order online at Legislative Information Continual updates that keep our members apprised of pending legislation. Staff members are available to answer questions about the state and federal laws and city ordinances. Contact the Government Affairs Department at or or Resident Relations Department and Helplines Free assistance to all member apartment personnel who have questions or need advice when dealing with residents. Community service for residents to help resolve misunderstandings concerning the lease, application and security deposits. For assistance, contact Resident Relations at or Surveys/Statistical Data* An annual salary survey is downloadable from the HAA Web site and available only to members. A leasing and occupancy survey is published twice a year in ABODE magazine for spring and fall. Education Programs* From entry-level leasing and sales technique, to executive-level training in human resources and marketing, there is truly something for every multi-family professional through the Education Department. Ranging from three hours to six months in duration, training programs are available throughout the year and cover every discipline. Additionally, the six designation programs from the National Apartment Association are also offered for those professionals looking to set themselves apart in a competitive industry. Education grants are also available for certain programs. For more information, contact the Education and Meetings Department at or , educ@haaonline.org, or register for programs online at Committees & Clubs Members volunteer to work side by side with industry peers in more than 20 activities that help the association accomplish its goals and objectives. Pictures of volunteers are featured in ABODE magazine every month. For more information, contact Member Services at or members@haaonline.org. ABODE Magazine HAA s premier monthly publication 80 pages of interesting, informative articles from industry insiders covering rental housing trends and tips to help reduce the expense of day-to-day operations. A regular bi-annual report on rental rates and occupancy statistics is published in the spring and fall. For more information, contact the Communications Department at or or comm@haaonline.org. Directory & Buyer s Guide An annual listing of all member owner/management companies, properties and companies that supply products and services to the rental housing industry is available to HAA members only. One copy is mailed to each member, including each property, in January. For more information, contact the Special Services Department at or specserv@haaonline.org. HAA Online Online form sales, event calendar and registration and job listings provide members with a direct connection to HAA services. All member company Web site addresses have hyperlinks where permission has been granted. This offer is free to all members. For more information, contact the Communications Department at or webmaster@haaonline.org. Resident Credit Reporting Service (RCR)* Powered by First Advantage SafeRent This is an optional service for an additional charge. RCR has partnered with First Advantage SafeRent, the nation s leading and most innovative provider of screening services, to expand its suite of resident screening services currently available as an exclusive HAA membership benefit. RCR partnered with First Advantage SafeRent to provide leasing staff more screening resources to make consistent, accurate, and Fair Housing compliant leasing decisions. Local rental history (including evictions, skips and move-in and move-out data), nationwide rental history and landlord-tenant records, broader criminal data and retail credit reports are available in a quick and easy-to-use Web-based application with instantly delivered results. For more information, contact Resident Credit Reporting at or or rcr@haaonline.org. *These benefits are in addition to your membership fee. The Houston Apartment Association is the largest local apartment association in the U.S., representing more than 1,600 companies. We represent 2,400 apartment communities with more than half a million units 90 percent of the Greater Houston market. Exposure is the key to your business success in HAA. Your membership is only the first step. After joining, take the next step and become involved. In time, you will see results. 70 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

73 management level, and then once they do that, I think they ll enjoy it. I think they ll make friends that will last a lifetime, and I think it will benefit their careers. What do you think of younger generation s use of social media? Do you think it s helped the industry? Well, definitely. The old guys like me I m not sure I understand, still, blogging and all this other stuff that goes on online, but a lot of marketing is created and performed online, and it s critical. That s what the younger people are bringing in. It s a whole new way of doing things, versus the way we use to do it. And I m not saying everything we use to do things is obsolete, because I think in any business, the person-to-person contact and interaction is critical to developing and maintaining a business of any kind, or sales, for that matter. So how do you feel about becoming the latest Hall of Fame recipient? I m excited. There was this surprise gettogether over at Fuad s, one of my favorite little haunts, and I was surprised to see everybody there, and I thought Oh God, who s died? Am I getting ready to die or something? I m getting old to get into the Hall of Fame. But it s a great honor. There s been a lot of people in the industry that I ve had a great deal of respect for who have been in the Hall of Fame, and I m just excited about it. Anybody you would like to thank or recognize? Well, going back, Stacy (Hunt) got me involved in HAA, along the same lines as I mentioned a minute ago I had just gotten in the industry and he was more involved in the association and he, in essence, dragged me into it, and I ve been involved ever since. So Stacy certainly deserves a word of thanks. Walter Eeds, my partner, who s been there all along and supported me in terms of the time that it s taken and everything else that goes into being a part of the association, so Walter certainly would be there. Kirk Tate. Tate s mentored me, got me involved in TAA. And there s just a whole long list of people. Product/service people like Mike Koch. How can you do anything without a guy like Mike around? Or Roger Camp? They re unbelievable. Or Cesar Lima? The list goes on. How s the family? Everything going well? Family s doing well. I think everyone at HAA knows Lee was diagnosed with cancer this year, and she s doing real well. She s through radiation treatment which, you know, had some ABODE AUGUST

74 HAA RESOURCES Information for SUPPLIER COMPANY MEMBERS General Membership Meetings* Supplier members can take part in face-to-face contact in a social setting with apartment industry personnel. Bi-monthly meetings vary from chili cook-offs and volleyball tournaments to dinner awards presentations and gala events. Average attendance is more than 250 people. For more information, contact the Education and Meetings Department at or or educ@haaonline.org. Committees & Clubs Supplier members can volunteer to work side by side with industry peers in more than 20 activities that help the association accomplish its goals and objectives. Pictures of volunteers are featured in ABODE magazine every month and could help you and your sales staff get recognized regularly by on-site personnel. For more information, contact Member Services at or members@haaonline.org. ABODE Magazine This award-winning monthly publication contains local, state and national news to keep our members on top of their profession. ABODE has a circulation of 4,000 copies every month. Advertising in ABODE will give you the consistent exposure to the Houston multifamily housing market and reinforce the efforts of your sales people. Writing an article can show expertise in your field. For more information on advertising, contact Supplier Services at or suppsrv@haaonline.org. To find out more about writing for ABODE, contact the Communications Department at , or comm@haaonline.org. Directory & Buyer s Guide The yellow pages of HAA, one copy is mailed to all members, including each property, in January. This is the primary reference source used by apartment personnel to contact HAA supplier members. Supplier members have one alphabetical and two categorical listings, with more available for a small fee. The book lists each property by address and by name and the owners or management companies. Deadline to advertise or be listed in the 2010 Directory is October 1, For more information, contact Supplier Services at or suppsrvc@haaonline.org. Education Conference & Expo* Market your company at this annual event with more than 295 exhibitor booths and 4,000 potential clients. The show is free to all apartment community personnel and will be held at the Reliant Center. The next show is scheduled for May For more information on the 2009 Expo, contact Supplier Services at or suppsrvc@haaonline.org. Sponsorships* Have your company name promoted by sponsoring an event. More than 120 events are up for auction twice a year allowing you the opportunity to target specific property management personnel. Auctions are held in January and June. For more information, contact Supplier Services at or suppsrv@haaonline.org. Mailing Labels* Continually updated, preprinted adhesive labels can increase the efficiency of mass mailings. Available in three membership categories (owners, properties and suppliers) for a nominal fee. For more information, contact Form Sales at or forms@haaonline.org. HAA Online Online form sales, event calendar and registration and job listings provide members with a direct connection to HAA services. All member company Web site addresses have hyperlinks where permission has been granted. This offer is free to all members. For more information, contact the Communications Department at or webmaster@haaonline.org. CAS Certified Apartment Supplier* A certification program designed to educate suppliers on the multifamily industry and the day-to-day operations of an apartment property. For more information, contact the Education and Meetings Department at or or educ@haaonline.org. *These benefits are in addition to your membership fee. Get the HAA member logo Highlight your company s membership with HAA. Use the logo on your business cards, letterhead, publications, company Web site and any other communications tools and marketing collateral. Show your alliance with your local advocate for quality rental housing. For more information call HAA at Download the logo at 72 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

75 side effects that were not fun. But she s over that, so that s good news. Chemo she s still doing that, but it s working positively, so we re really grateful for that. And just grateful to be in a place like Houston where she can get that kind of treatment. MD Anderson is an amazing place. The staff, the doctors and everybody are just great. It s a big, big operation, and you just don t realize how many people are impacted by cancer until you get over there and see how busy that hospital is not just from around here, but people from all over the world. My youngest son, Clay, is doing great. He s a pilot in the army, just relocated to Fort Riley, Kansas. He s doing good. My oldest son, Jeff, does technical sound work, has been touring for two months with the band Staind. I talked to him yesterday, and he was in upstate New York, where it s a lot cooler than it is here. My daughter, Katherine, is doing fine. She s working as a nanny for an attorney downtown. She s been doing that for almost five years. She s doing great. Still cooking? Still cooking, still going out to eat. I haven t cooked quite as much it s been too hot lately. My summer cooking tails off a little bit. I enjoy getting together with friends, and we cook every now and then. My good friend Bill Stallings likes to cook, and we have get togethers and have casual cook-offs, if you will, so, I m still doing that. In fact, I owe Mike Koch a big dinner from the TAA. I m not sure how you do a dinner quite that big. I told Mike I m probably just gonna do hot dogs. Hot dogs for 1,000 of his closest friends. Each TAA president is unique, and David was no exception. From the very start, his focus was on keeping TAA on its path of success and on attracting new talent to our industry through an initiative to reach out to former military personnel. He focused on the good of the industry as a whole, despite the curve balls he was thrown during his presidency from Hurricane Ike to an economic downturn to scores of adverse legislation. He accentuated the positive all along the way, and TAA and our local associations are stronger for it. George Allen, executive vice president, Texas Apartment Association So you and your cooking skills were auctioned off at TAA, and Mike Koch puchased you. I was. Actually, I didn t know the auction was going to occur. It was a last-minute thought to raise money for the PAC, and it turned our great. Mike stepped up - I don t know if Roger knew he was stepping up or not. I had a great time and Mike wrote a big check and here we are and now he s waiting for his dinner. What are your plans for the future? I m not going anywhere. I m not retiring, so I m going to continue to work and build our company the best we can. I ll continue to teach. I enjoy doing that. I do that for IREM as well I m on their National Faculty. So I m going to do that indefinitely, until I can t do it anymore, then maybe I ll do it anyway. You know, I think the summary for me is it s been a great, great career. I ve enjoyed being in it. I never would have thought I would have been in it when I started out, like most people that get into this business. I ve met people who will be lifelong friends that have helped me in innumerable ways. You realize that when something like Lee s cancer comes up. People come out, and you know who your friends are. In addition to that, it s a good career path for anybody who can get along with people. I ve tried to encourage a lot of young people to get into the business throughout my career, and have tried to encourage some older people to get into it who really didn t know what they wanted to do. And some of those have been very successful, so I m proud of that proud that I was able to get people involved in the industry. And then once they get involved they need to get into a group like HAA to maintain their skills and their connections and to maintain everything about what s going on in the industry and keep up to date. The laws change all the time, every two years at least, so you ve got to be in a group like this to be on the cutting edge. It s been great. Come join HAA in honoring David Hargrove at the 2009 Hall of Fame Luncheon at the Hotel ZaZa on Thursday, August 27. See Page 6. with RCR s eye. Since 1977, RCR has provided the most complete and accurate resident history data. Rental History Criminal History Nationwide Eviction History AppAlert (OFAC) Immediate and Instant Online Web Access 24/7 Monthly Activity Reports Additional Screening Products Subscribe today to boost your bottom line and greatly increase your collection of bad debt. For more information, contact Luisa Arevalo, Manager of Resident Credit Reporting, at or rcr@haaonline.org. ABODE AUGUST

76 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS AAA Plumbers Access Electric Advanced Foundation Repair AdvaloremTax.net Affordable Quality Electric Alexander-Rose Associates Inc Ameristar Screen and Glass , Ameritex Apartment Movers , Apartment Finder Apartment Guide Inside Front Cover, BG Personnel Services CKI Wholesale Lock Supply Camp Construction Services Century A/C Supply Certified Recovery Systems Inc Comcast Comm-Fit Dixie Carpet Installations First Advantage SafeRent Inside Back Cover For Rent Media Solutions FSI Construction Gateman Inc The Greensheet Hamilton-Steele Outdoor Accents Hiebert Photography Hou-Tex Paving Company Kaplan Management Meyer Smith Inc. (Houston Gate) Namco Manufacturing , Perfect Surface Rasa Floors Back Cover RENCON Resident Credit Reporting Scott Equipment SuperPeople Inc TXU Energy Waste Management Webb Pest Control Please note the following corrections for the July 2009 ABODE Ad Index: Integrity Interiors & Exteriors Apartment Guide First Advantage SafeRent Do you need HAA or TAA forms and leases? Contact our Form Sales department directly at , or send an to 74 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

77 MARKET LINE By BRUCE McCLENNY, President, Apartment Data Services HOUSTON The first table below displays 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 41 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. SNAPSHOT Occupancy: 85.4% Price: $719/mo. Rental Rate: 82.9 /sq.ft./mo. Size: 867 sq.ft. Past 12 Months: 1.5% rental rate growth 6,013 units absorbed Operating Supply: 2,832 communities 563,790 units Recently Opened (12 months): 72 communities 19,491 units Under Construction: 25 communities 6,429 units Rental Rate ( /sq.ft./mo.) History of Effective Rental Rate & Occupancy for All Units Occupancy (%) Proposed Construction: 49 communities 15,346 units 76.0 Jul 07 Aug 07 Sep 07 Oct 07 Nov 07 Dec 07 Jan 08 Feb 08 Mar 08 Apr 08 May 08 Jun 08 Jul 08 Aug 08 Sep 08 Oct 08 Nov 08 Dec 08 Jan 09 Feb 09 Mar 09 Apr 09 May 09 Jun 09 _ 85.0 HOTTEST SUBMARKETS Over the Past Three Months Annualized % of Market Rental Rate Rank Submarket Absorbed Growth % 1 Conroe/Montgomery 1.4% 5.3% 2 West Memorial/Briar Forest 1.0% 8.2% 3 Katy/Far West 2.7% -1.3% 4 Gulfton/Bissonnet 1.0% 4.1% 5 Lake Houston/Kingwood 1.1% 2.4% CONCESSIONS Total Units % of Average Citywide Class w/concessions Total Units Special Effect All 337,784 60% -8.6% -5.7% A 66,175 71% -11.5% -8.5% B 133,888 59% -7.8% -5.1% C 130,187 61% -6.5% -4.3% D 7,534 23% -9.6% -4.3% One Month Free = -8.33% TEXAS DALLAS/FT. WORTH Occupancy: 87.5% Price: $740/mo. Rental Rate: 85.8 /sq.ft./mo. Size: 862 sq.ft. Past 12 Months: -1.1% rental rate growth -245 units absorbed Operating Supply: 2,544 communities 568,691 units SAN ANTONIO Occupancy: 87.4% Price: $685/mo. Rental Rate: 82.2 /sq.ft./mo. Size: 833 sq.ft. Past 12 Months: 0.0% rental rate growth 789 units absorbed Operating Supply: 701 communities 141,019 units AUSTIN Occupancy: 87.4% Price: $818/mo. Rental Rate: 94.8 /sq.ft./mo. Size: 863 sq.ft. Past 12 Months: -3.7% rental rate growth 3,169 units absorbed Operating Supply: 717 communities 156,426 units Apartment Data Services Inc. has been providing apartment data and marketing products since ADS Online covers Texas four largest metro areas and provides real-time access for property specific information, market surveys and historic submarket data for more than 1.3 million apartment units. For more information, contact McClenny at Apartment Data Services Inc. ABODE AUGUST

78 BACK PAGE News from around the COMMUNITY It s fund-raising season and HAA needs your donations and support for these worthy causes: HAA Commits for Life Taking Strokes Against Breast Cancer 8th Annual Many thanks to the volunteers who were able to give blood on June 3 during the Houston Apartment Association/Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center Blood Drive. Members and staff donated 18 whole blood, four double red cell and one red cell plasma units. All together, the HAA blood drive helped save 59 lives in the Gulf Coast community. Kidney Walk Spend a Sunday morning in the park to help fight chronic kidney disease The HAA Community Relations Committee needs your help to make the 2009 Kidney Walk another great success. We are seeking teams of walkers for the September 20 event. The Kidney Walk is a non-competitive pledge event focusing on education and prevention of kidney and urinary tract disease and raising awareness of the need for organ donation. The Walk features three designated routes of one, three and five miles. Get in the pink on the green! Join us as we raise big bucks for breast cancer research. We need players, caddies and sponsors for this fun-filled day of beginners golf. Thursday, October 29 Longwood Golf Club, Longwood Trace Registration 7:30 a.m. Tee Time 9:30 a.m. Lunch and Auction 1 p.m. To participate, register as a Team Captain to Walk online at then recruit four or five more people to join your team and walk with you. You can raise money for the National Kidney Foundation by asking friends, family, neighbors and coworkers to support you as you walk to increase awareness of chronic kidney disease. See or for more information. Volunteers will also be needed to help with event parking, logistics, registration, hospitality, refreshments and more. Contact Susan at shinkley@haaonline.org or for more information. For more information on being a walker, volunteer or sponsor, contact: Sonia James Arrie Colca or sjames@nkfset.rg arrie@swbell.net You can also contact the local office of the National Kidney Foundation of Southeast Texas at or register to walk online at 76 AUGUST 2009 ABODE

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