February 09 Ciaa Newsletter

February 2008

“Our Profit is Your Success” An Affiliate Of

In with the new... History was made on many levels in November when the nation’s first African-American President was elected. The question on everyone’s mind is where does the country go from here? How will this Democratic “hat trick” change the business climate? Declining home prices and steady increases in housing stock can prove to be problematic for the rental industry. From CNNMoney.com, January 27, 2009:

An index of home prices in 20 major metropolitan areas fell at a record annual pace in November, to levels not seen since 2004, according to a report released Tuesday. The S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index, a sampling of 20 cities from across the nation, fell a record 18.2% over the 12 months ended Nov. 30. That brought the index to its lowest point since February 2004. From its peak in mid-2006, the index has plunged a whopping 25.1%. Eleven of the 20 cities showed record declines, and the 12-month price drop for 14 of the cities was a double-digit percentage. "The freefall in residential real estate continued through November 2008," said David M. Blitzer, chairman of the Index Committee at Standard & Poor's, in a prepared statement. He said the 20-city index has fallen for every month since August 2006, a total of 28 consecutive months. None of us know where this will all end. One thing is certain - it’s our job as property management professionals to educate ourselves on the housing market and educate our residents. I have helped many residents who were taken in by flashy but deceptive ads to realize the actual monthly cost of buying one of those townhomes with that great monthly payment. Add the cost of maintenance, real estate taxes, repairs, and association fees on top of amenities that are included in rent - fitness centers, business centers, swimming pools - we can help ourselves and our bottom lines by simply pointing these things out. Not to mention, but of course I will, home values continue to decline and that means unless they’re planning on staying in one place for several years, they will never have a chance to actually “own” anything. Many homeowners who were caught up in the subprime mortgage crisis have learned that expensive lesson.

Upcoming Events Vendor Council Thursday, February 12 Chicken Coop, Noon General Membership Meeting Wednesday, February 18 Vern’s Restaurant, Clive12:00 Topic: Renter Credit Quality & Traffic Trends Presented by Jim Baker and Scott McBroom of First Advantage SafeRent Registration attached Fair Housing & Beyond Wednesday, February 25 West Des Moines PD 10:30 am - 4:00 p.m. Registration attached

March Leasing 101 Tuesday, March 24 “It’s a Jungle out there, so we’re going Back to Basics” Venue and time TBA

The point here is that we have a golden opportunity to once again to bring apartment living on par with homeownership. Apartment living will become a more viable option as the cost of owning a single-family home will far exceed the financial capabilities of many Americans. -Rick

Inside Your Newsletter: Committee Updates

New Members

February meeting registration

2009 CIAA Board Members

Announcements, Promotions, Postings

Fair Housing and Beyond

Letter from the President

Vendor Spotlight - Waste Management

Fair Housing Registration

January Meeting Highlights

Vendor Listings

NAA Connect

Committee Announcements Education Committee “Fair Housing and Beyond” will be presented February 25 at the West Des Moines Police Department conference room from 10:30 - 4:00. Don’t wait until the last minute to register - we’ve had a tremendous response! “Leasing 101” will be presented Tuesday March 24th. This seminar is free to all CIAA members! We’re changing it up this year and it’s going to be an exciting and informative session that is perfect for all your new leasing people as well as anyone who is getting complacent or who may just want a refresher. The basics have always been the basics, and the “old-timers” are here to help!

Vendor Council The date is set for our Annual Golf Outing! Details will follow, but for now, mark your calendars for Friday, June 12, 1:00 start! Event committees have been established and we want to thank the following people for volunteering their time and resources: Golf Outing: Steve Arnburg, Melissa Johnson, Tom Newton, Mary Spain, and April St. Aubin Trade Show: Connie Blodgett, Jennifer Gavin, Andrea Larson, Michelle Ogden, April St. Aubin Vendor Social/Maintenance Olympics: Jennifer Gavin, Rick Koontz, Dave Leete, Mary Spain Brochure Development: Jennifer Gavin, Mary Spain

Legislative Committee The Legislative Committee will attend a Subcommittee hearing on a Consumer Fraud bill (SSB 1037) on Monday February 2nd. We will be submitting arguments that the multi-family industry be exempted from the proposed consumer fraud private cause of action section because of conflicting statutes we must follow in the Landlord-Tenant law, as well as existing registration requirements for multi-family units. HSB 52, which addresses electrical licensing, only affects residential units which by law and for purposes of real estate taxes are defined as four (4) units or less. Any multi-family buildings over four units will not be affected by this legislation. Some members were alerted erroneously through a source outside of the CIAA and we want to assure our members that we are staying on top of the issues for you!

2009 Board Members and Committees President Rick Koontz, Signature Place

Past President Melissa Johnson, Olde English Village

Vice President Jennifer O’Brien Konior, TAB Properties

Vendor Council Co-Chairs Tom Newton, Gorman Roofing Mary Spain, Apartment Finder

Membership Committee Chair

Education Committee Chair

Public Relations Committee Chair

Mary Spain, Apartment Finder

Ellen Wade, The Des Moines Register

Treasurer Lori Young, BH Management Secretary Heather Benton, Rosemont Place Page 2

Legislative Committee Chair Jennifer O’Brien Konior, TAB Properties

Lori Young, BH Management

Website: www.ciaahq.org

Letter from the President Leadership and Team Building Each of us performs an important function in fulfilling our daily tasks and obligations. But so few really understand how each team member contributes and how important every singe person is regardless of their position or title. I really enjoyed receiving this from an old coworker in Michigan, so rather than try to interject my own philosophies, I’ll share someone else’s this month. This was written by Angeles Arrien: LESSONS FROM GEESE As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for others behind him. There is 71% more flying range in V-formation than flying alone. Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of common purpose can get there quicker. Whenever a goose flies out of formation, it quickly feels the drag and tries to get back into position. Lesson: It’s harder to do something alone than together. When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into formation and another goose flies at the head. Lesson: Shared leadership and interdependence gives us each a chance to lead as well as opportunities to rest.

In Loving Memory

The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. Lesson: We need to make sure our honking is encouraging and not discouraging. When a goose gets sick or wounded and falls, two geese fall out and stay with it until it revives or dies. Then they catch up or join another flock. Lesson: Stand by your colleagues in difficult times as well as in good.

Rick Koontz, CIAA President Signature Place Apartments

“Dylan” 1994 - 2009 Rest well, dear friend.

January General Membership Meeting We had a full house at Latin King for our January General Membership meeting. Bill Armstrong of Timberland Partners and Gary Gallagher of Central Iowa Duct Cleaning educated members on the new law requiring that dual-sensor smoke detectors be installed in all new construction and retrofitting current smoke detectors effective April 1, 2009. Gary has researched options for purchasing these detectors and discovered there are limited vendor resources as well as limited items. Currently only battery-operated dual sensor detectors are available at a cost of around $18.00. Because of this, enforcement of this new law will more than likely be postponed again (it was originally set to go into effect October 1, 2008). Bill met with authorities from most of the local communities and enlightened us on the ins-and-outs of the legislation and what the local authorities expect from rental properties. Bill also explained that the new law exempts properties that have more advanced fire detection and suppression systems, such as sprinkler systems. Members in attendance were provided with copies of the code. If you need the information, click here for the Iowa Department of Public Safety webpage. You will find links to the actual legislation as well. Be sure to stay on top of this very important issue!

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Our Newest CIAA Members New Property Members Drake Park Bennett Grand Woods Alpha-Barnes Real Estate

New Vendor Members

Boone Sundance

Des Moines 360, Inc.

Marshalltown Sundance

Sears Commercial

Newton Sundance

Sherwin Williams Paint

Announcements, Positions, and Postings Josh Carney is the new leasing agent at Timberland Pointe Apartments in Des Moines. Daymark welcomes back Heather Benton as manager of Woodbridge Apartments.

Hubbell Apartment Living would like to welcome Victoria Lange as Leasing Consultant for Hamlet and Bristol Apartments and Jaibre Spargur as Assistant Property Manager at Somerset Apartments.

MANAGEMENT / LEASING Hubbell Apartment Living is currently seeking motivated, high energy personnel to join their management and leasing staffs. Visit their website, www.hubbellrealty.com to view current openings and to apply online. MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN Olde English Village is looking for a maintenance technician. Contact Melissa Johnson at 515-2231010 or [email protected] to apply or for additional information. ASSSISTANT PROPERTY MANAGER LEASING CONSULTANT BH Management is seeking an Assistant Property Manager and Leasing Consultant for Washington Heights. Assistant Manager candidates should have 1 year previous experience. Customer service sales experience is preferred for the Leasing Consultant position. Please email resumes to [email protected]. All information can be found at www.bhmanagement.com Page 4

“The one word that makes a good manager decisiveness” - Lee Iacocca Email: [email protected]

Vendor Spotlight Waste Management Waste Management can assist you in your efforts of reducing your waste flow and overall costs by providing an in depth waste audit. By suggesting alternative services, container sizes and frequencies this can be a benefit to your entire community. Improving aesthetics and making your communities’ collection process more efficient is what Waste Management can do for you. This waste audit solution was most recently presented to TAB Properties and I am thrilled to say we are now business partners! They saw the benefits that we were able to provide and so can you! Contact Juli Applegate for more information! 515-202-3538 Think Green. Think Waste Management!

Need a Vendor? Call a Member First! A+ Lawn & Landscape

Diamond Vogel Paints

Abendroth & Russell, P.C.

First Advantage SafeRent

Sherwin Williams Floor Coverings

A.Q. Allstate Pest Control

Furniture Options

Sherwin Williams Paint

American Family Insurance

Gorman Roofing Services

Sears Commercial

Jared Frank Agency

Hard Tops of Des Moines

Simply Clean

Apartment Finder

ICS Advanced Technologies

State Farm Insurance

Big Green Umbrella Media

Jetz Service Co.

Bragg Handywork

Johnstone Supply

Stew Hansen’s Dodge City-Jeep

Carpet Pro - Baker Interiors

Lawns Plus

Stitzell Electric Supply Co.

Carpet Source

Marsden Building Maintenance

Sudzy’s Carpet Cleaning

Central Iowa Duct Cleaning

Nationwide Office Care

Tenant Data

CertaPro Painters

Phillips Floors

Waste Connections

Coinmach Corporation

RealPage, Inc.

Waste Management

Cort Furniture Rental

Red Capital Group

Wayout Consulting Services

Des Moines 360, Inc.

Reliable Construction

The Des Moines Register

Select Van & Storage

DeWitt Painting

Shelton Painting

To Become A Vendor Member Contact: Rick Koontz at 515-226-2100 Tom Newton at 515-883-0838

Glen Waterhouse III

All Vendor Member contact information can be found on the CIAA website: Vendor Website Page

[email protected]

[email protected]

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Membership Meeting Registration February 18, 2009 12 Noon Vern’s Restaurant, Clive “Our Profit is Your Success!”

15970 Hickman Road, West of I-80/35

Renter Credit Quality & Traffic Trends As the economy continues to decline, savvy apartment operators and investors are studying rental applicant patterns to prepare for a thin year ahead. By anticipating seasonal and extraordinary slowdowns in rental traffic, operators can gain a competitive edge in attracting a greater share of limited applicant traffic. By reviewing comparative performance by property class and market, investors can understand credit risk to NOI projections and investment cycle timing. In this quarterly presentation from First Advantage SafeRent, you’ll get a national review of renter credit quality and traffic trends and their implications for operations and investments. Jim Baker and Scott McBroom help you to uncover the trends from First Advantage SafeRent’s unique database of more than 6 million rental units. In this presentation they will: • Help you benchmark applicant volume and renter credit quality. We’ll examine the performance of various asset classes and identify which are most impacted in a slow absorption, negative job growth environment. • Review the current economy and foreclosure practices. Find out how this has impacted incomes and renter credit quality and what you can do to adjust for these market changes. • Arm you with tools to manage your risk and performance. We’ll review management reports available through First Advantage SafeRent that can be used to benchmark and adjust property-level performance. • Take a look ahead. Based on knowledge and analysis of recent trends, we will provide some observations on the outlook for the year ahead. Registration Form: Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Company / Property Name:

Must RSVP no later than Noon on Monday, February 16, 2009 Please fax registration form to Mary Spain at 515-327-9104 Lunch selection includes fries, drink, tax and gratuity. Please indicate number of meals needed on each line. Cobb Salad / $13.00________ Hot Beef / $14.00________

Pork Tenderloin / $11.00________ Chicken Caesar Wrap / $13.00________

PLEASE BRING A CHECK PAYABLE TO CIAA OR EXACT CHANGE

Gro

Fair Housing

un Se d-br mi ea na kin r! g

Training for: Management company executives Property and site managers • Leasing professionals Maintenance technicians • Vendors at your property

and Beyond Sets new standard in fair housing training

Uses DVD-delivered scenarios to demonstrate how real-life

situations require critical thinking and prudent decision making

Vividly shows the serious consequences of incorrect responses and provides coaching on how to avoid



Delivers relevant

costly mistakes

knowledge of fair housing essentials – practical

explanations of how federal, state, and local protected classes and barred discriminatory acts impact property operations

Experience it today as a 4.5 hour seminar To learn more

– go to www.irem.org or www.naahq.org

Developed jointly by the industry leaders in multifamily management

CENTRAL IOWA APARTMENT ALLIANCE

presents

“Fair Housing and Beyond” February 25, 2009 10:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. West Des Moines Police Department, 250 Mills Civic Pkwy (E. of 50th St.)

The National Apartment Association Education Institute (NAAEI) and The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) join forces to enhance fair housing education among rental housing providers. NAAEI and IREM have partnered to develop this coursework and education initiative. NAAEI represents the education and career development division of NAA, while IREM serves as a professional association for managers of income-producing properties worldwide. The “Fair Housing and Beyond” seminar was created by subject matter experts from both of the above organizations. A legal firm specializing in Fair Housing reviewed all course content to insure compliance with Fair Housing Law. • Sets new standard in fair housing training • Uses DVD-delivered scenarios to demonstrate how real-life situations require critical thinking and prudent decision making • Vividly shows the serious consequences of incorrect responses and provides coaching on how to avoid costly mistakes • Delivers relevant knowledge of fair housing essentials – practical explanations of how federal, state, and local protected classes and barred discriminatory acts impact property operations Training for: • Management company executives • Property and site managers • Leasing professionals • Maintenance technicians • Vendors at your property Please fax your reservations to Mary Spain at (515) 327-9104 by February 16, 2009 All reservations will be billed if no-show. Payment in advance of class is appreciated! Mail payment to: CIAA, 3775 E.P. True Pkwy, Suite 263, West Des Moines, IA 50265 Registration Form: Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Company Name: City:

Address: Phone:

Fax:

Zip Email:

Connect With NAA Time Running Out to Register for NAA’s Green Conference & Exposition By Ron Shelton, CAPS 2009 National Apartment Association Chairman of the Board Amalgamated Management Corp.

R

egister now for the 2009 NAA Green Conference & Exposition, April 28-29, at the LEED-Certified Phoenix Convention Center. The closing general session speaker is James S. Brew, Principal Architect at the Rocky Mountain Institute. Brew has more than 28 years of sustainable design experience in historic, commercial, institutional and residential architecture. He will introduce the latest trends in the green building revolution, as well as the specific business decisions companies must consider to remain viable during the sustainability movement. Supplier partners interested in showcasing their green products and services at the conference must act quickly. For information about registration, exhibit space and sponsorship, visit www.naahq.org/events/green or contact John Murray at 703/518-6141 Ext. 131 or [email protected] or Justin Barker at Ext. 129 or [email protected].

Steve Forbes to Speak at NAA June Conference NAA is excited to announce that Steve Forbes, Chairman & CEO of Forbes Inc. and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes magazine, has been confirmed to speak June 27 during the Closing General Session at the 2009 NAA Education Conference & Exposition in Las Vegas. Don’t miss the 2009 NAA Education Conference & Exposition, the largest show in the multifamily housing industry with more than 6,000 industry professionals and an exhibit hall that includes more than 700 booths and more than 375 exhibiting companies. For information, visit www.naahq.org/events/ece. Interested in exhibition or sponsorship opportunities? Contact John Murray at 703/518-6141 Ext. 131 or [email protected].

New Credential for Green Property Management The National Apartment Association Educational Institute (NAAEI) and the National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA) have jointly launched a new Credential for Green Property Management (CGPM) designed for onsite managers, maintenance staff and supervisors of front-line staff. For information, visit www.naahq.org/education/designationprograms/other.

2009 NAA Capitol Conference Speakers Set The 2009 NAA Capitol Conference will be held March 8-11 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. Kicking off the conference will be keynote speaker Dana Perino, White House Press Secretary to President George W. Bush. On March 9, she will discuss the current political and economic climates and how they influence housing and public perception. FleishmanHillard International Communications’ Ben Coffey Clark also will speak March 9 on social media’s function in associations and company communications, and the Government Affairs Roundtable lunch on March 10 will feature political commentator and former Reagan administration Senior Policy Advisor Tony Blankley and The New Republic’s Editor-at-Large Peter Beirnart. To register, visit www.naahq.org/events/capconf.

2009 Membership Competition Kicks Off NAA began its affiliate/regional membership competition in January. The competition recognizes affiliates that experience the greatest percentage growth during the competition period. Affiliates compete in four membership size categories, which are based on total number of member units. The theme for the competition is “Get Green, Come Grow with Us.” NAA will offer cash incentives to the winning affiliates in each of the four categories, as well as other incentives to encourage affiliate participation. The reporting dates are Jan. 31, April 30, July 31 and Dec. 31. NAA will send notification to affiliates a week prior to the deadline along with a link to the NAA Web site to post their numbers.