September Ciaa Newsletter

“Our Profit is Your Success”

September 2007

An Affiliate Of

2007 Central Iowa Apartment Alliance Trade Show

Upcoming Events September 20th CIAA Trade Show Sheraton Hotel West Des Moines

Thursday, September 20th 4-7pm Sheraton Hotel, 1800 50th St., WDM

Fall 2007 NALP Education Course

Don’t miss the 1st Annual Maintenance Olympics Join us for fun, food, prizes and new product and service information form your CIAA Vendor Members

Grand Prize giveaway for CIAA Members Trip for 2 to Las Vegas

October 18th October 25th November 7th November 14th

Inside: • • •

Committee News

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CIAA Board Members

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New Members

CIAA on the Web Letter from the CIAA President Vendor Members 2008 NAA Education Conference & Expo Promotions and Postings NALP Registration

COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS Education Committee Update Jennifer Seil with Mansions of Hemingway has joined the Education Committee NALP (National Apartment Leasing Professional) classes have been scheduled and will begin on October 18th. The registration deadline is October 9th. Information has been emailed out to all members. If you did not receive this information or have any questions pertaining to this education series please contact: Mary Spain

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(515) 327-0606 ~ [email protected]

The CIAA on the Web To be a guest blogger, please submit your article in MS Word or PDF format to [email protected]. Share you ideas and experiences with your industry peers! Website: www.ciaahq.org

Email: [email protected]

Blog http://blog.ciaahq.org

Legislative Committee Update CALL FOR ACTION The new legislative session will be starting soon. To prepare, the committee will begin its search for a lobbyist. Our goal is to be proactive rather than reactive on issues that affect our industry. To briefly outline our planned strategy: We would like to come up with 2 or 3 “action items” to pursue during this session, and other items to watch. Obviously, we’re not going to let the tax issue die. We’re looking for some of the issues that our membership would like to see us go after. For example, one idea would be to get the $40 maximum late fee OUT of the banking code and into the landlord tenant law where it belongs, and work toward a compromise to allow higher late fees (perhaps a maximum of 10% of the rent). In order to accomplish this, we are going to ask our lobbyist to help us find sponsors and have language written into files. We’ll be looking for volunteers to help with our planned voter registration events, so if this is something you would like to do, please let us know. What are your ideas for issues to pursue? Send your thoughts to Rick Koontz at [email protected] or [email protected]. Page 2

Letter from the President Hi Everyone! Things have finally started their seasonal slow-down and although I certainly need more prospects through the door, the breather is a bit nice, too. Thank you to those who have made time for our membership and vendor meetings over what has been a very busy summer. I know it can be hard to squeeze in another meeting into your schedule, but I’m glad you all have made the extra effort. If you haven’t heard yet via fax, email, or mail, consider this your personal invitation to our Trade Show on Thursday, September 20th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Hotel in West Des Moines. We really hope everyone can make it and see what your local suppliers have to offer. Plus, you just might go home with a free trip to Vegas! I know I’m putting my entry in for that one! Even if you don’t win the trip, there will be lots of other prizes, good food, and tons of fun. And, don’t forget to get your Maintenance technicians entered into the Maintenance Olympics competition and see who can walk away with bragging rights for this year! I hope to see all of you there. That’s all for now. I hope you all have a great September. Thank you all so much for your support and acknowledgment that an active Association is important to you as a professional member of our industry. We will keep bringing you the best information, speakers, and events to help you stay ahead of the game. Thanks again and happy leasing! Melissa Johnson, CAM, ARM ® Olde English Village Apartments President, Central Iowa Apartment Alliance

NAA 2007 Operating and Expense Survey

CIAA Board Members

For a second consecutive year, major findings in this survey show a distinct improvement of the economics in the market rent segment of the rental apartment market with NOI rising and a lower economic losses rate. A total of 4,058 properties containing 937,568 units are represented in this report, marking the highest participation rate in the survey’s 19-year history.

Melissa Johnson, Olde English Village

PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT & LEGISLATIVE CHAIR

Rick Koontz, Signature Place TREASURER & EDUCATION CHAIR

Mary Spain, Apartment Finder SECRETARY

Jennifer O’Brien Konior, TAB Properties VENDOR COUNCIL CO-CHAIRS

Tom Newton, Gorman Roofing

This survey is a valuable tool to use while compiling data for your 2008 budgets. You will be able to compare your property to other’s in your region and through out the country.

Rocky Sposato, Tub Wrx PUBLIC RELATIONS CHAIR

Deb Lanpher, R & R Realty MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIR

Lesley Sweet, Knapp Properties TRADE SHOW COMMITTEE CHAIR Michelle Ogden, Timberland Partners

You can find this nation survey at www.naahq.org.

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CIAA Vendor Members A+ Lawn and Landscaping

Performance Leasing

Apartment Finder

Qwest

Carpet Pro by Baker Interiors

Reliable Construction

Cort/Instant Furniture Rental

Safe Rent

The Des Moines Register

Sherwin Williams Carpet

Dewitt Painting

Snider Lawn

Diamond Vogel Paints

State Farm - Glenn Waterhouse

First Advantage SafeRent

Stew Hansen’s Dodge City-Jeep

Furniture Options

Stitzell Electric Supply

Gallon, Inc.

Sudzy’s Carpet Cleaning

Gorman Roofing Services

Tenant Data

Hawkeye Legal Services

Transworld Systems

Jetz Service Co.

Tub Wrx

Nationwide Office Care

Your vendor members make many CIAA events possible. Please support them!

Vendor Members’ websites and contacts are linked through our website! To Become A Vendor Member contact Tom Newton 515-883-0838 [email protected]

Vendor Spotlight Gorman Roofing Services, Inc. We offer a unique philosophy and professional services. Gorman Roofing Services delivers a different concept to our customers in that we want to become a part of your “team” as it relates to all your roofing needs. Although we are quite capable of providing the necessary roofing services from emergency leak repair to re-roofing any scaled projects, we can also assist and help plan your future roofing asset projects. Using our philosophy, we concentrate on all your roofing needs including maintenance, repair and re-roofing. We work hand in hand with you and your staff to continually evaluate your roofing needs and develop a database that you can use as a tool to manage those assets for a period of up to ten years. We guarantee our workmanship, service and your customer satisfaction. We look forward to the chance to explain the value of our services. For more information, please call Tom Newton at 515-883-0838

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Save the Date ~ 2008 NAA Conference Budget season is here for most of us!! And now is the time to budget for your trip to the 2008 NAA Education Conference and Exposition. June 26-28, 2008 Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center Orlando, Florida Get more information regarding costs and registration at www.naahq.org

Welcome New Members! VENDORS The Des Moines Register Diamond Vogel Paints Performance Leasing Reliable Construction Snider Lawn Stitzell Electric Supply

Promotions, Positions and Postings NEW ADDITIONS

HELP WANTED

Correction: Adrian Ramirez has joined the Signature Place maintenance team. Our apologies to Adrian for posting the wrong first name in last month’s newsletter.

Country Club Village is looking for a Part-time Leasing Agent to work evening and weekend hours. Please contact Jennifer McKinney at 223-1180 or email resume to

Steve Anderson is the new Head of Maintenance at Regency Woods.

[email protected]

Need to post a job opening?

Peterson Companies has the following positions to fill:

Would you like to announce a new member of your team to the apartment community?

Maintenance Person

All you need to do is email your information to us and we will be sure to get it posted in the next newsletter!

Leasing Consultant

[email protected]

Contact: Melissa at: 223-1010 or 223-666 Email: [email protected]

Website: www.ciaahq.org

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THE CENTRAL IOWA APARTMENT ALLIANCE WILL BE HOSTING THE NALP (National Apartment Leasing Professional) DESIGNATION SERIES. Please see the following attachments which outline the coursework, curriculum, and registration form for the classes. The classes will be held at the West Des Moines Police Department Conference Center. 250 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa. Class dates are October 18th, October 25th, November 7th, and November 14th; a total of four days. Plan on being there from 9:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. There will be a break for lunch as well as morning and afternoon breaks. Testing must be done via private computer and are timed. This occurs after each segment. Registrations must be received by October 9, 2007. If you register and cancel for any reason there is a fee of $50.00 to re-stock the materials with the NAA. Instructors are to be announced, but at minimum will be CAM certified or approved instructors through NAA. Please complete the attached registration form and return as soon as possible. If there are any questions please contact Mary Spain, Education Chair at 515-327-0606. The cost of the series is: 1 Student 2-3 Students 4 Plus Students

Member $250.00 $225.00 $200.00

Non Member $350.00 $325.00 $300.00

This represents a discount for the number of students from an individual management company. Upon receipt of registration, a complete set of instructions will be forwarded to all students.

REGISTRATION FORM CENTRAL IOWA APARTMENT ALLIANCE NALP (National Apartment Leasing Professional) SERIES NAME: MGT. COMPANY: PROPERTY NAME: PHONE:

FAX:

E-MAIL ADDRESS: OTHER STUDENTS FROM YOUR COMPANY (MUST REGISTER SEPARATELY)

I AM PAYING FOR MYSELF

MY COMPANY IS PAYING

PLEASE SEND ME AN INVOICE FOR THE CLASS (NOTIFY US ASAP) THIS FORM WILL SERVE AS MY INVOICE

I UNDERSTAND THAT IF I CANCEL AFTER OCTOBER 7, 2007 THERE IS A $50.00 FEE TO RE-STOCK MY MATERIALS WITH NAA. FOR A COMPANY BILLING PLEASE HAVE YOUR SUPERVISER SIGN BELOW TO AUTHORIZE BILLING AND THAT THE RE-STOCK FEE IS UNDERSTOOD.

Supervisor’s Name

Supervisor’s Signature

AMOUNT DUE $________________

Send remittance to:

Central Iowa Apartment Alliance 3775 E.P. True Pkwy, Suite 263 West Des Moines, IA 50265

How to Obtain and Maintain the NAAEI National Apartment Leasing Professional Designation To obtain a NALP designation you must: have worked in the apartment industry for six months; successfully complete the seven courses listed below (which total 25 hours) as well as a market survey presentation; and, meet all examination requirements within 12 months of declaring your candidacy for NALP. To maintain a NALP designation you must: pay annual renewal dues of $35.00 ($50 in 2008); and, beginning at your second renewal, report completion of three Continuing Education Credits (CECs) for the preceding year. (Each December, NAAEI mails each designate an invoice, a CEC reporting form and complete information about CEC requirements.) •

Keys to Success in Leasing© - A 3-hour program that covers: career prospects; characteristics of an effective leasing consultant; job responsibilities and goal setting; time management; teamwork; market knowledge; and product knowledge.

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Leasing and the Internet© - A 3-hour program that covers: what is the Internet; the Internet prospective resident; sample lead report from an online publication; maximizing your online advertising; promoting your web address; responding to Internet leads; all about email; NAA National Suppliers Council Web Sites

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Leasing Demonstration & Resolving Objections© - A 6-hour program that covers: the leasing demonstration; three major areas of product knowledge; key elements in preparing for a demonstration; important skills in demonstrating featurebenefit-emotional appeal approach; Fair Housing implications in demonstrating; when does closing begin; resolving objections; leasing signals and more.

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Legal Aspects© - A 4-hour program that covers: an overview of basic Fair Housing laws; filing a Fair Housing complaint; prohibited practices; the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); Fair Housing testers; Equal Credit Opportunity Act; criminal background checks; lead paint safe work practices; resident safety practices; emergency contact situations: fire and police/sheriff and more.

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Rental Policies and Procedures© - A 2-hour program that covers: handling rental policies and procedures; application verification; resident processing checklist; lease preparation and signing; the Law of Contracts; elements of lease agreements; loophole free leases; the move-in process; resident relations; Fair Housing implications and more.

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Telephone Presentations© - A 3-hour program that covers: preparing for the Telephone Presentation; effective telephone skills; active listening; telephone etiquette; objectives of the telephone contact; initial leasing questions; key elements of a successful leasing presentation.

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The Leasing Interview & Qualifying Residents© - A 4-hour program that covers: first impression makes a difference; understanding the prospective resident’s reason for moving; how should a prospective resident be greeted; Fair Housing Implications; conducting the leasing interview. Revised 07/24/07