January 09 Ciaa Newsletter

“Our Profit is Your Success”

January 2008

An Affiliate Of

Upcoming Events Vendor Council Thursday, January 8 Chicken Coop, Noon General Membership Meeting

Holiday Social/Maintenance Olympics One hundred members attended the Holiday Social on December 10 and had a great time watching the Maintenance Olympics. 18 members participated and here are the winners: Smoke Detector Assembly - Shane Wilson, Sunrise Partners Lockset Installation - Russ Wilson, Signature Place Blind/Sharp Tool Identification - Renee Jacobs, Mansions at Jordan Creek Light Fixture Repair - Jay Harder, Mansions at Hemingway A BIG THANKS to the Vendor sponsors who made this possible: GOLD - A.Q. Allstate Pest Control, Apartment Finder, Central Iowa Duct Cleaning, Gorman Roofing, ICS Advanced Technologies, Reliable Construction, Sherwin Williams Floor Covering, Waste Management SILVER - Carpet Pro by Baker Interiors, Select Van & Storage BRONZE - Carpet Source, Coinmach, Furniture Options, Simply Clean, Sudzy’s Carpet Care

Inside Your Newsletter: Committee Updates

New Members

Vendor Listings

2009 CIAA Board Members

Announcements, Promotions, Postings

January meeting registration

Letter from the President January IREM Meetings

Vendor Spotlight - Central Iowa Duct Cleaning

IREM Winter Social NAA Connect

Wednesday, January 21 Latin King, 12:00 Topic: New smoke detector requirements with Bill Armstrong of Timberland Partners and Gary Gallagher of Central Iowa Duct Cleaning Registration attached Managers and Maintenance Supervisors are strongly encouraged to attend!

February Fair Housing Date TBD Watch your email for the official announcement

Committee Announcements Committee Assignments Update Ellen Wade of the Des Moines Register is the new Public Relations Chair. Lori Young of Wakonda Village is taking over the Membership Committee Chair. Thank you for your service and commitment to the CIAA! Please consider joining the Membership Committee - Lori can use some help! Contact any board member or email us at [email protected] for more information. Be a joiner, it’s fun!

Education Committee Fair Housing will be presented in February, date and venue TBD. Watch for the announcement and be sure to send your entire staff to this accredited course. There will be limited registrations at a reduced price so sign up early! This is an NAA designed course.

Legislative Committee The Iowa Legislature will convene for its 2009 Session on Monday, January 12th. With a predicted $600 million budgetary shortfall, much of the Session is expected to be directed towards finding ways to balance the State’s budget. Although this means the real estate tax issue will probably not see light, we will continue to advocate on our members’ behalf regarding this essential change in the tax structure. Another issue we will continue to monitor is the requirement of property owners to pay for all bed bug treatments. While no bill has yet to be introduced in the Iowa Legislature, other states (Ohio, New Jersey and others) have been dealing with these types of bills for the past couple of years. The Legislative Committee is always open for suggestions regarding issues to bring to legislators’ attention or bills to support or oppose. If you hear of an issue and would like more information, please feel free to email us at [email protected].

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 And What a Year it Was Two years ago, a few industry members in Des Moines had a dream: create a viable apartment association with NAA affiliation. That dream became reality in February 2007 when a handful of properties and vendors became the first members of the Central Iowa Apartment Alliance. The road was tough; many obstacles were intentionally thrown in our path and countless hours were spent building this fledgling organization. By the end of 2007, the CIAA had grown to include 20 management companies and independent rental owners, 74 properties and 27 vendor members, representing 9,584 units in the Des Moines area. We rolled into 2008 with an aggressive education plan to include national speakers, fair housing training, and topics of important and immediate relevance for all levels of apartment professionals. All of this was offered to our members for free or priced just enough to cover expenses. Many members took advantage of these opportunities, and we hope that this year many more will take advantage of this very important benefit. This is an important part of being affiliated with a non-profit association. Your dues are used for you! In total, the CIAA Education Committee has awarded 33 CAM, 5 NALP, and 2 CAS designations. In just two years. Amazing! We end this year with an extraordinary membership roll - 37 management companies and independent rental owners, 123 properties, and 45 vendor members, representing 16,987 units throughout Iowa. I hope to see many more of you take advantage of the incredible education and networking opportunities we will be bringing to you in 2009. Happy New Year, and HAPPY LEASING! Rick Koontz, CIAA President Signature Place Apartments

January IREM Functions - CIAA Members Invited IREM Annual Market Forecast Luncheon

Join us for an informational meeting about updated vacancy trends and what’s being sold and purchased. Great information for all property classes. Thursday, January 29th from 11:30 to 1:00 at the Wakonda Club. RSVP to Melissa Johnson at [email protected] CIAA Members are invited to IREM’s Winter Social on January 22. See flyer attached to this newsletter. Page 3

Our Newest CIAA Members New Property Members Polo Club

New Vendor Members Central Iowa Duct Cleaning CertaPro Painters

Announcements, Positions, and Postings Sheri Larson is the new Community Manager for Timberland Pointe Apartments in Des Moines.

PART TIME LEASING CONSULTANT BH Management is looking for a part time Leasing Consultant for Wakonda Village. 32-35 hours per week; weekends are required for this position. Email resume to [email protected]. Visit BH Management’s website at www.bhmanagement.com. FULL TIME LEASING SPECIALIST

Work (wʉrk):

Goldmark is looking for a self-motivated, customer service driven individual for a full time Leasing Specialist position at Royal Oaks in Des Moines.

Employment, as in some form of industry, esp. as a means of earning one’s livelihood

Normal work hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday-Friday with some evening and/or weekends. Must have valid driver’s license and own vehicle. Competitive compensation based on qualifications and experience. Benefits include health, dental, vision, life, disability, 401k, vacation, professional development and promotion opportunities. If interested in applying, please stop by our office at 2400 Hickman Rd., Des Moines to complete a job application. Call (515) 279-8804 or visit us at www.goldmark.com for career opportunities.

Meeting dates have changed for 2009! Membership Meetings - 3rd Wednesday of each month Vendor Council - 2nd Thursday of each month Page 4

Email: [email protected]

Vendor Spotlight Central Iowa Duct Cleaning There's a "Hidden Fire Hazard" in everyone's home. It's the dryer vent! The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reports approximately 17,000 fires every year because of dryer fires causing many deaths, and injuries, resulting in $95,000,000 in property damages. It can all be prevented with a little dryer maintenance and cleaning of the dryer vent system. In the most efficient dryer the lint trap removes only about 75% of lint. When lint builds up in the vent it backs up into your dryer, the motor works harder and overheats causing a dangerous situation that can ignite lint causing a potentially deadly fire. Dryer vents should be cleaned every 6 to 12 months, with commercial units more often. Remove lint from the lint traps after every use, and have a professional clean the dryer and vent system to remove any lint that has built up.

Call Central Iowa Duct Cleaning today at (515) 225-3878 or visit us on the web at:

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

Furniture Options

Abendroth & Russell, P.C.

Gorman Roofing Services

A.Q. Allstate Pest Control

Hard Tops of Des Moines

Stew Hansen’s Dodge City-Jeep

American Family Insurance

ICS Advanced Technologies

Stitzell Electric Supply Co.

Jetz Service Co.

Sudzy’s Carpet Cleaning

Apartment Finder

Johnstone Supply

Tenant Data

Big Green Umbrella Media

Lawns Plus

Waste Connections

Bragg Handywork

Marsden Building Maintenance

Waste Management

Carpet Pro - Baker Interiors

Nationwide Office Care

Wayout Consulting Services

Carpet Source

Phillips Floors

Central Iowa Duct Cleaning

Qwest

CertaPro Painters

RealPage, Inc.

Coinmach Corporation

Red Capital Group

Cort Furniture Rental

Reliable Construction

The Des Moines Register

Shelton Painting

DeWitt Painting Diamond Vogel Paints

Sherwin Williams Floor Coverings

First Advantage SafeRent

Simply Clean

Jared Frank Agency

State Farm Insurance Glen Waterhouse III

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

To Become A Vendor Member Contact: Tom Newton at 515-883-0838

[email protected]

Page 5

Membership Meeting Registration January 21, 2009 12 Noon Latin King Please note that our 2009 General Membership meetings will be held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month unless otherwise indicated. Be sure to mark your calendars to attend!

NEW SMOKE DETECTOR REGULATIONS Presented by Bill Armstrong, Timberland Partners and Gary Gallagher, Central Iowa Duct Cleaning Learn about Iowa’s new dual sensor smoke detector requirements - what you need to know and what you are required to do under the new law that goes into effect on April 1, 2009. Maintenance Supervisors and Property Managers are strongly urged to attend. Registration Form: Name:

Name:

Name:

Name:

Company / Property Name:

Space is limited - register early to assure your spot! Must RSVP no later than 12pm Noon, Friday, January 16, 2009 Please fax registration form to Mary Spain at 515-327-9104 Lunch selection includes sides, bread and drink, tax and gratuity. Please indicate number of meals needed on each line. Chicken Spiedini / $15.00________ Grilled Chicken Salad / $16.00________

Baked Meatball Cavetelli / $16.00________ Open Face Steak Sandwich / $20.00________

PLEASE BRING A CHECK PAYABLE TO CIAA OR EXCACT CHANGE

IREM® Chapter 63 cordially invites you to attend...

2009 Friends of IREM Appreciation & Winter Social

®

Thursday, January 22nd 6:30 p.m.

Join us as we celebrate Friends of IREM and meet with ®

industry professionals and peers during our winter social. Blue Moon Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant West Glen Town Center 5485 Mills Civic Parkway West Des Moines

Please RSVP to Melissa Johnson at [email protected]

Connect With NAA NAA Launches Group Networking Pages on LinkedIn and Facebook By Ron Shelton, CAPS 2009 National Apartment Association Chairman of the Board Amalgamated Management Corp.

T

he National Apartment Association (NAA) has launched group pages on the LinkedIn and Facebook professional and social networking sites, providing NAA members a forum for online networking and discussions. NAA’s goals for the social networking groups are to substantially increase the value of its professional network to current members, attract new members, grow a social community around the NAA brand and continue to be the industry leader in promoting professionalism, continuing education and best practices in the multifamily housing industry. According to a recently conducted membership study, networking is one of the primary reasons companies join NAA. The social networking groups on LinkedIn and Facebook will give members a common online space to connect and collaborate with one another. All NAA members, suppliers, affiliate association staff and other multifamily housing industry professionals are invited to join the NAA Network. Visit www.naahq.org/LinkedIn and www.naahq.org/Facebook to sign up and begin networking.

Calling Prospective NAA Bloggers NAA is seeking apartment industry professionals to contribute new ideas, solutions and innovations for current issues and challenges confronting the apartment industry. If you have an interesting idea that could be developed into a Web log (“blog”) on NAA’s Web site, you are invited to submit a proposal. Visit the Blog Proposal Submission Form page at www.naahq.org/blog/pages/blogforms.aspx (NAA member login required) to submit a proposal or refer a potential blogger. Proposals will only be accepted via the above online submission form and must include the author’s preferred blog topic, the target

audience and writing samples. NAA bloggers should commit to writing at least one original blog posting each month. More frequent posting is encouraged, should the NAA Blogger choose to do so. Bloggers should consider their blogging term to last approximately six months. To keep the blog and the voice of the association fresh, new bloggers will be added on a regular basis and new writers may replace those who have blogged for NAA for a six-month period. NAA bloggers may also provide a brief bio and thumbnail-sized photo for use on the NAA Blog site.

NAA Launches Green Communities Web Site Green is the buzzword in the real estate industry today and the NAA is at the forefront of this issue. NAA just launched its Green Communities Web site, designed as a one-stop information resource for multifamily housing professionals who are interested in learning how the green movement is affecting our industry and how they can get involved in this exciting new market opportunity. Visit www.naahq.org/green to learn more.

Register for NAAʼs Green Conference & Expo Register 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 with more than 28 years’ of sustainable design experience in historic, commercial, institutional and residential architecture. Brew will introduce the latest trends in the green building revolution, as well as the business decisions companies must consider to remain viable during the sustainability movement. 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].