ABODE February 2025 by HAA Publishing

Want to know all the buzz?

HAA has the info in this month’s issue:

Go-Getters take flight

Meet HAA’s Leadership Lyceum Class of 2025

Expo focuses on The Future And more

“BEE” THE FUTURE

February 2025

ON THE COVER 58

“BEE” THE FUTURE –

Want to know all the buzz? HAA has the info. First up the Go-Getters take flight, see Page 58 for how you can fly with them. See Page 36 to meet HAA’s Leadership Lyceum Class of 2025. This year, Expo focuses on The Future, don’t miss the schedule on page 19. Plus stories on EQ and capital expenditures, photos from the Food Drive and much more, inside this month’s ABODE.

Image background and bee © Ploystock and 3dalia | iStock by Getty Images

FEATURES & PHOTOS

26 On the Scene – Photos from the HAA PAC Lunchdeon.

28 On the Scene – Photos from the ACES Holiday Bubbles and Brunch.

32 On the Road – Photos from the Harris County Justices of the Peace and Constables Holiday Lunch.

28 On the Scene – Photos from the Fair Housing Seminar.

36 Leadership Lyceum – Meet HAA’s Leadership Lyceum Class of 2025.

44 On Site with ABODE – Take a closer look at one of HAA’s Honors Awards communities.

46 The Most Critical Leadership Competency is … Emotional Intelligence – Why do high EQ leaders find more success?

50 Spending Smarter, Not Harder – A strategic approach to Capital Expenditures.

54 On the Scene – Photos from the HAA Food Drive.

COLUMNS & MONTHLY UPDATES

7 Letter from the President –Plant yourself in HAA and get involved.

8 Patron of the Month – Meet and support Cotton Commercial USA.

9 Legislative Update – The latest news from the HAA Government Affairs Department.

11 It’s The Law – An eviction case update.

14 Resident Relations – Learn from a recent case mediated by the HAA Resident Relations Committee.

20 Calendar – HAA’s schedule of events for the coming months.

58 Go-Getters – “Bee” the future.

62 The Ambassador ONE Society –Join this HAA supplier committee and get networking.

66 Portfolio Changes – Property updates from our members.

67 In the News – The latest happenings in. the multifamily industry.

68 Welcome Mat – Find out about the newest HAA members.

70 Index of Advertisers – See the supplier partners who support this publication.

71 MarketLine – The latest area market numbers.

72 Back Page – See info about HAA’s Job Board.

OFFICERS AND ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP

RYAN TERRELL President-Elect

SHELLEY WATSON President

MONICA GRACIA Secretary/Treasurer

HOWARD BOOKSTAFF General Counsel

MELISSA FRIEND

Vice President at Large –West

PRODUCT SERVICE COUNCIL OFFICERS

DEBORAH DEROUEN, CAS President ClutchCity Consulting

CASEY WATTS MORGAN CEO

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Board of Directors

Mack Armstrong

Julie Batche

Kristen Becker

John Boriack

Michelle Bridges

Kyle Brown

Tina Cavaco

Terri Clifton

Michelle Croasmun

Deborah DeRouen

Derek DeVries

Scott Douglas

Gina Erwin

Tamara Foster

Melissa Friend

Diane Gilbert

Monica Gracia

Stephanie Graves

Elizabeth Castro Gray

Billy Griffin

Manu Gupta

Karen Hefner

Clay Hicks

Deborah Holcombe

Crystal Jackson

Nathan Kelley

Debra Knight

Valerie Lacy

David Lindley

Betsy Marshall

Kristin McLaughlin

Joe Melton

Candis Mohr

Katy Myrick

David Nargang

Jenifer Paneral

Mark Park

Velissa Parmer

Michelle Pawelek

Kelly Robinson

Christy Rodriguez

Joey Rodriguez

Nikki Sekunda

Ingrid Shultz

Corri Smith

Blaise Spitaleri

Penny Sprang

Kelley Suess

Debbie Sulzer

Ryan Terrell

Lindsay Torres-Smith

Starla Turnbo

Richard Wall

Shelley Watson

Richard Whatcott

Tracie Yoder

DIRECTORS EMERITUS

Josh Allen

Ken Bohan

Gary Blumberg

Roger Camp

Kathy Clem

Jack Dinerstein

Jenard Gross

Darlene Guidry

Alison Hall

David Hargrove

Larry Hill

Stacy Hunt

Hap Hunnicutt

David Jones

Mel Kieke

Mike Koch

Dick LaMarche

Cesar Lima

Bruce McClenny

Tim Myers

P David Onanian

Jackie Rhone

John Ridgway

Kim Small

Eileen Subinsky

Steve Sweet

Kirk Tate

Suan Tinsley

H J Tollett, Jr.

Pat Tollett

Vic Vacek, Jr.

Beth Van Winkle

Tony Whitaker

Jerry Winograd

ADVISORY

DIRECTORS

Jeff Blevins

Karen Briggs Gwin

Emily Frost

Israel Garza

Pam Higdon

Jacob Kunath

Stacy Lastovica

Laura Lestus

Beth Levine

Cari Luetge

Kathy Motis

Carlos Neto

Arely Pena

Ryan Raser

Ruth Reyes

Jake Slosburg

GENERAL COUNSEL

EMERITUS

Joe Bax

VALERIE LACY

Vice President at Large –South

BLAISE SPITALERI, CAS Vice President Gemstar Construction Development

CORRI SMITH

Vice President at Large –North

NIKKI SEKUNDA, CAS Secretary The Liberty Group

RICHARD WALL

Vice President at Large –East

DEBRA KNIGHT, CAS Treasurer Comm-Fit

GINA ERWIN

Immediate Past President

HONORARY

LIFE MEMBERS

Claude Arnold

Kenn Brown

Tina Cavaco

Terri Clifton

Kevin Fenn

Diane Gilbert

Anita Harrison

Dwayne Henson

Mike Koch

Merry Mount

Monette Reynolds

Sherry Stevenson

Kirk Tate

Suan Tinsley

Sonny Unverzagt

Del Walmsley

Nancé Wells

H.P. Paul Young

Jeanne Marie

Zublin Dicks

PATRON MEMBERS

1968

Century A/C Supply

1978

Houston Planned Energy Systems

1982

Cotton Commercial

USA Inc.

1984

AAA Plumbers

1985

Gemstar Construction Development

1986

Craven Carpet

1987

Dixie Interiors

1993

Hire Priority Staffing & Executive Search

1994

Camp Facility Services

1997

Apartments.com

1999

FSI Construction Inc.

2006

Lowe’s Pro Supply

JOSEPH RODRIGUEZ, CAS Immediate Past President Greenlogic

PRODUCT SERVICE COUNCIL MEMBERS

Grant Almquist, CAS Texas Apartment Pool Services

Susan Alvarado, CAS Redi Carpet Sales of Houston Ltd.

Chris Bell, CAS, Century A/C Supply

Marivel Bownds, CAS, Valet Living

Tammy Broadway, CAS American Fire Systems

Carina Bryars, Valet Living

Shaun Callaway, CAS, Earthworks

Brandon Coleman, CAS, Chadwell Supply

Neal Conant, CAS, Gemstar Construction Development

Sean Cunningham, CAS, Flooring Warehouse

Deborah Derouen, CAS ClutchCity Consulting

Xochitl Flores, Church Foundation & Pool Services

Giovanna Gone, CAS, Century A/C Supply

Dan James, CAS, Redevelopment Services

Debra Knight, CAS, Comm-Fit

Stephanie Krop, CAS Emeritus, Poolsure

Liz Levins, CAS Emeritus, Gemstar Construction Development

Jim Martensen, CAS Epic Multifamily Construction

Tracey Moore, CAS, Flooring Warehouse

Karen Nelsen, CAS ALN Apartment Data

Arely Pena, CAS

The Liberty Group

Nikki Sekunda, CAS, The Liberty Group

Joseph Rodriguez, CAS, Greenlogic

Blaise Spitaleri, CAS, Gemstar Construction Development

Ryan Weis, Crestmark Construction Services

ABODE

FEBRUARY 2025 I VOLUME 48, ISSUE 2

Chief Executive Officer and Publisher

CASEY WATTS MORGAN, MPP cmorgan@haaonline.org

EDITORIAL AND DESIGN STAFF

Director of Publications and Design DEBORAH NIX dnix@haaonline.org

Communications Manager MADISON O’BAR mobar@haaonline.org

ADVERTISING

Vice President of Membership Development

RANDA DICK, CAE randa@haaonline.org

CONTRIBUTING STAFF

Chief Operating Officer AMANDA SHERBONDY, CAE asherbondy@haaonline.org

Chief Financial Officer TREY WIMBERLY, CPA twimberly@haaonline.org

Vice President of Education LAUREN RAGIN, CMP lragin@haaonline.org

Vice President of Facility Management/RCR TINA DEFIORE tdefiore@haaonline.org

Events and Meetings Director KASAUNDRA WRIGHT kwright@haaonline.org

Director of Resident Relations MATILDE LUNA mluna@haaonline.org

Director of IT WILL ALFARO walfaro@haaonline.org

Government Affairs Manager ALEX CHADWELL achadwell@haaonline.org

Membership and Marketing Manager MARYANN MARTIN mmartin@haaonline.org

PRINTER TGI PRINTED www.tgiprinted.com

HOUSTON APARTMENT ASSOCIATION COMMITTEES

COMMITTEE CHAIR STAFF ADVISOR

Executive Shelley Watson

Nominating Gina Erwin

Fair Housing Howard Bookstaff

Ethics Michelle Pawelek

Finance Gary Blumberg

Past Presidents Council John Boriack

Legislative Ryan Terrell

Political Action

Stacy Hunt

Golf Starla Turnbo

Century Club Debra Knight

Education Advisory Lindsay Torres-Smith

Independent Rental

Owners Connection

Michelle Bridges

Alan Yu

NEXT Young Professionals Emily Frost

Casey Morgan

Alex Chadwell

Lauren Ragin

Lauren Ragin Arely Pena

Leadership Development Kyle Brown

Community Outreach Melissa Friend

Product Service Council Deborah DeRouen

Expo Exhibitor Blaise Spitaleri

Membership Brandon Coleman

Amanda Sherbondy

Randa Dick

Randa Dick Karen Heffner

Ambassador ONE Society Tito Estrada

Randa Dick Karen Nelsen

Resident Relations A Jessica Wheeler

Resident Relations B Karah Carrillo

Resident Relations Appeals Darlene Guidry

HAF Chili Fundraiser Neal Conant

Honors Property Awards

Ryan Weis

Beth Levine

Ruha Vohra

Matti Luna

Kasaundra Wright

HOUSTON APARTMENT ASSOCIATION MISSION AND VISION: HAA is the leading advocate, resource and community partner for quality rental housing providers in the Houston and surrounding area. HAA develops leadership in the multifamily industry by engaging broadly diverse membership, embracing effective technology and advocating for a geographically inclusive association. 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, FEBRUARY 2025, VOLUME 48, ISSUE 2

ABODE (USPS 024-962) is published monthly by the Houston Multi Housing Corporation. Publishing, editorial and advertising offices are located at 4810 Westway Park Blvd., Houston, Texas 77041. Telephone 713-595-0300. 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 © 2025 by HAA.

Periodicals Postage Paid at Houston, Texas.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ABODE, 4810 Westway Park Blvd., Houston, Texas 77041.

SPONSOR MEMBERS

These companies have generously supported the Houston Apartment Association with their sponsor membership

Please give them careful consideration, whenever possible, in your business.

1st United Construction LLC

3BeeGuys Bee Removal

A&A Fence & Iron

A+ Aquatic Services

AAA Staffing Ltd

ABC Supply

Achilles Security Services LLC

ACM Contractors of Texas

ACT Security Group

Action Towing Inc

Action Window Coverings Inc

Adams Roofing

Adobe Floors Inc

Adventure Playground Systems Inc

Advocate Construction Inc

Aerwave

Affinity Waste Solutions

Air Express Construction and Plumbing

Air Pro Systems

Alcaraz Lawn Care

Alexander-Rose Associates Inc

All American Mailboxes of Houston Inc

All Power Solutions

ALN Apartment Data

Ambassador Services LLC

American Builders Group LLC

American Fire Protection Group

American Fire Systems Inc

American Platinum Builders

Andrews Myers PC

Apartments Services Group

Apex Multifamily

AppFolio

Arborworks TX

ARR Commercial Services & Sheet Metal

Artisent Floors

ASAP Personnel Inc

Asurety Dryer Vent & Fireplace Inspections

ATSG American Towing Service Group LLC

Audio Images International Inc

AWT Golf Carts

B&G Construction

Bar-B-Clean Southwest Houston

Beacon Restoration Services

Belfor Property Restoration

Bettencourt Tax Advisors LLC

BGE Inc/aka Brown & Gay Engineers Inc

Binswanger Glass

BioClean

BioTechs Crime & Trauma Scene Cleaning

Blakan Grey Media

Blue HERON Technologies LLC

Blue Marlin Maintenance Air Conditioning and Renovation

Blue Stream Fiber

BluSky Restoration Contractors

BoldREMO LLC

Brady Chapman Holland & Assoc

Briggs Equipment

Brown & Brown Insurance Services Inc

BSI

Building Bright Houston

Cameras Onsite LLC

Cano Electric Inc

Cantrell McCulloch

Capital Disaster Solutions

Catalyst Construction

Centex Construction

CEP Construction Services LLC

Chadwell Supply

Chesapeake Finishing

Chicago Title – Commercial Services

Citi Fence & Concrete

ClaimsMate Adjusters

Classic Same Day Blinds

Code Red Security Systems PLLC

Comiskey Capital Insurance

Agency Inc

Commercial Fire Protection

Compactor Rentals of America Contractors Inc

Core Distributing

Corey Construction Commercial & Multi-Family Roofing

CORT Furniture Rental

CRE Business Solutions LLC

Crossroads Insurance Recovery

Advocates

Crowned Eagle Construction

CSC Serviceworks

Cypress Landscaping & Irrigation Inc

D & S Fire & Safety LLC

D&G Quality Roofing Inc

DeNyse Companies

Designs by Holmes

DNM Contracting Inc

DoodyCalls

Double Oak Erosion

Dry Force Corp

Dryer Vent Wizard

ECC Exteriors

Eco-Blade

EDT Construction Services

Elite Roofing LLC

Embark Services

Emersyn Electrical Services LLC

Encore Services TX

EnviroSmart Multifamily Pest Solutions

Epic Multifamily Construction

EPremium Insurance Agency

EV Charge Solutions LLC/ EV Power Kings DBA

Exo Edge

Extollo Construction

Faith J Construction

Fantastic Floors

Featherston Sign Partners, LLC

Fiat Construction LLC

Fidus Construction Services

Finish Factory Inc

Fire Ant Professionals

Fire Reconstruction Inc

Flavor Finish Resurfacing

FlipLok

Floor Merchant

Frontier Waste Solutions fun abounds

FW Walton

Gambit Construction

GM Cleaning Service Pro LLC

Go Pro Contractors

Go-Staff Inc

Gold Star Restoration

Golden Armor Security and Investigations LLC

Golden’s Pro-Wash & Windows

GQ Landscaping

Graviti Fast EV Charging

Great American Business Products

Greater Houston Pool Management

Green City Security LLC

Green Garbology

Green Leaf Pro

Greenlogic

Grindstone General Contracting

H&R Operator Services Inc

Hakimo

Hallmark Hardwoods

Hamilton-Steele Outdoor Accents

Hive Technology

HMS Landscaping LLC

Hoover Slovacek LLP

Houston Home and Patio

Hut Services LLC

Ideal Parking Management

Imperial Construction

Imperial Wallboard Supply/ The Villa Drywall Inc

Infinity Power Partners

Interior Logic GroupProperty Services

Ironwood Connection

J Turner Research

J&B Carpet Services

J.P. Morin Company LLC

JAK Environmental LLC

JJ's Waste & Recycling of Texas LLC

Johnstone Supply

Junk Shot and Doorstep Details of Houston

Kings III Emergency Communications

Laser Answering Service LLC

Leah McVeigh Design and Consulting

Ledge Lounger

Lee & Barrier Builders LLC

Lifeline Roofing Systems

Lift-Texas Construction

Lithotech Printed Products/ Forms Center

LP Building Solutions

Maid U Shine LLC

Maldonado Nursery & Landscaping Inc

Matrix Construction Services

McMahan’s Flooring Inc

MCW Signs Inc dba Signarama

Magnolia

Minol USA

MJTR Contractors dba

J National Contractors

Monge Contracting Group

Montana Pavement Group LLC

MPS Direct

Mueller Water Conditioning Inc

Multifamily Access Control

NEI General Contracting

Nelson Painting and Construction LLC

New Generation Home Pro Inc

Norman Roofing and Construction

Northwest Construction Group

On Site Towing LLC

OnCall Patrol LLC dba

ParkingPass.Com

OneApp Guarantee

Optima General Contractor LLC

Pace Mechanical Services LLC

Parking Management Company/ PMC Towing

Pasadena Insurance Agency Inc

Paul Davis Restoration of Greater Houston

PCS Creative Surface LLC

Pepco Sales & Marketing

Perfect Parking

Platinum Pool and Spa LLC

PooPrints

Precision Appliance Leasing

Precision Safe Sidewalks LLC

Premium Improvements

Pro-Tex Contracting Group LLC

Property Guardians

Pura Flo Corporation

Quatro Tax LLC

Qwikkit

R4 Solutions

RAM Construction

Ram Jack Foundation Solutions

Ready 2 Respond

Real Floors Inc

Redevelopment Services

Redwood Private Security LLC

Reliable Roofing of Texas Inc

Reliant

RENCON LLC

Renova Appliance Center LTD

Rent.

Resident IQ

Revela Inc

REVS (Refuel Electric Vehicle Solutions)

Riverway Title

Roadrunner Restoration Company LLC

Roe General Contractors

Roof Top Innovations

Roto-Rooter Services Co

Rotolo Consultants Inc (RCI)

SafeRent Solutions

Saint Clair & Sons Inc

Sayan Renovations & Construction

Score Construction & Remodeling

SEAL Security Solutions LLC

Secure Insurance

ServiceMaster Recovery Management

Servpro Friendswood Pearland

Servpro Team Shaw

Sherwin Williams

Sign-Ups & Banners

Signal of Houston

Snappt

Spartan Fire Protection

Stealth Renovations

Steward Trash Valet Service

Strata Roofing and Construction LLC

Strickland Law Firm PLLC

Stripe Lines Inc dba Grass Lines Inc

STX Roofing

Sunny Pressure Washing LLC

Surface Experts

Swain & Baldwin Insurance & Risk Management

Tex-Star A&I

Texas Apartment Pool Services

Texas Concrete Professional Company

Texas Southwest Floors Inc

Texas Window Cleaning Co Inc

Texstar Construction LLC

The Apartments Concierge

The Dick Law Firm

The Legends Group LLC

The Liberty Group

The Phoenix Staffing

The Window Source of Houston

Tidal Electrical Services Inc

Tillman Roofing Inc

Trash Butler

Two Brothers Foundation Repair

TX Hydrojet

United Protective Services

Urban Design Constructors

Urban Value Corner Store

Valet Living

Webb Pest Control

Westpark Communications

Whitman's Contracting and Roofing

Woodforest Acceptance Solutions

WorldVue

XTRM Restoration

XXL Construction Inc

Yellowstone Landscape

IT’S FEBRUARY AND TIME TO GET MOVING AND INVOLVED WITH HAA! Did you know that you are an individual member of the Houston Apartment Association? If your supplier company, or the property or the management company you work for is a member of HAA, you are too, no matter your position. And with that, you have access to a wealth of knowledge, tools and resources through the association’s networking, education and volunteer opportunities. If you aren’t actively involved with the association, I encourage you to come join us to “bloom where you are planted!”

In this issue, starting on Page 36, meet some of our most active members, our Leadership Lyceum candidates for 2025. These individuals all started out as active members and were chosen by the association for the opportunity to grow their leadership skills. HAA created this development program to identify high-caliber, effective, well-informed industry professionals and educate them on the mission and strategic objectives of the association and its affiliated associations. This could be you! Get involved in HAA and find the lane that fits your career growth and interests, and you might be our next Lyceum candidate. P.S. – I am an HAA Lyceum graduate!

Here are some great ways to get involved:

• HAA members on both sides of the industry benefit from joining the HAA Political Action Committee. Remember, just because you don’t take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you. See Page 26 for a photo recap of our latest HAA PAC meeting.

• On-site professionals have access to incredible education through the association, and I encourage you to register for at least one education program this year, whether it be a legal seminar, Leasing 101 or any other. The Avenues sessions are a great place to start and a great investment in yourself and your team, see Page 22 for details on this broad-ranging education program.

• If you’re a supplier partner, check out the Ambassador ONE Society on Page 62, a group within HAA made up of supplier partners that offers comradery, networking and community involvement. If you’re a supplier looking for a mentor, the Product Service Council can help you find your way through the association. See Page 65 to see a list of our 2025 PSC officers and members. I encourage you to reach out to someone if you are looking for a mentor.

• Property managers and multifamily executives can take advantage of Apartment Community Executives & Supervisors, more popularly known as ACES, a group that brings executives together to Lunch and Learn the latest trends and findings in the apartment industry. See Page 28 for photos from their holiday gathering.

• NAA Credential programs allow you to become an expert in your position and can propel you to the next level in your career. You can develop a new skill or sharpen an old one or learn the laws of the industry by taking advantage of HAA’s education programs. See more on the CALP program on Page 25.

HAA’s offerings are designed to help you be the best owner, property manager, leasing professional, maintenance technician, or supplier you can be. Give back to your industry and move your career forward by engaging with HAA. Visit the website at www.haaonline.org to learn more and reach out to the staff. They are here to help.

Let’s get blooming for 2025!

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

Cotton Commercial USA Inc. HAA Member since 1982

Hire Priority Staffing & Executive Search HAA Member since 1993

Lowe’s Pro Supply HAA Member since 2006

Craven Carpet HAA Member since 1986

Camp Facilty Services HAA Member since 1994

HAA Member since 1997

Gemstar Construction Development Inc. HAA Member since 1985

AAA Plumbers HAA Member since 1984

FSI Construction Inc. HAA Member since 1999

Dixie Interiors HAA Member since 1987

Century A/C Supply HAA Member since 1968

February Patron of the Month

Legislative Update

By RYAN TERRELL, HAA Legislative Chair, with BRADLEY PEPPER, Vice President of Government Affairs

GAVELED IN

The Texas Legislature Session is underway.

ON JANUARY 14, the 89th Texas Legislature gaveled in to begin the work on the business of the state. Our State Senators and Representatives will continue those efforts in Austin for the next 140 days until the end of the session on June 2.

As expected, and tracking with what we saw during the Republican Primary Elections last Spring, there was drama on opening day in the Texas House. After taking their oaths of office, Texas House members are then charged with voting on their leader, the Speaker of the House. Last year’s primary elections, especially for Texas House Republicans, took on an inflammatory tone where sides were taken based on a variety of issues. Those sides have remained divided and there had been uncertainty on who would be leading the chamber up until opening day.

Ultimately, after two votes, Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) was elected over Rep. David Cook (R- Mansfield) with a vote of 85-55 with nine members voting “present, not voting.”

Speaker Burrows won with a coalition of Republicans and Democrats that has already drawn criticism from hard right Republicans for choosing to work with Democrats to get elected. For his part, Speaker Burrows stated, “Every member will have a voice.,” he said. “Every district will have a seat at the table.”

With leadership in the House now solidified, Speaker Burrows and his team will focus on establishing committees and assigning members to those committees. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick will do the same in the Texas Senate. While Texas Senate Committees generally remain static, Lt. Gov. Patrick has three new Senators to place on committees.

Committee assignments are key as those assignments are the first opportunity to hear and vet legislation. A bill cannot reach the floor of either body without first being heard and voted out of committee.

After committee assignments are made in both chambers, legislators will still have to wait until March 14 to begin working on any legisla-

tion not having already been deemed “emergency” by the Governor.

During the first 60 days of the 140-day session, the only items that can be voted on or heard are “emergency items” which are exclusively determined by the governor.

Budget Surplus

As legislators get to work, there is only one item that the Texas legislature is constitutionally required to pass: The Budget. The budget is written to cover the biennium following that legislative session, in this case 2026-27. This session, the legislature will have a budget surplus of nearly $24 billion to play with. While this is significant, last session they had $33 billion. According to Comptroller Glenn Hegar, lawmakers will have $194.6 billion in funds available for general-purpose spending this session, a roughly 1% decrease from the money available during the 2024-2025 biennium.

In 2023, state lawmakers allocated $18 billion to property tax relief, and we are likely to see them take additional steps to broaden property tax relief to apply to not only homeowners, but commercial property as well.

We can also expect them to take up the subject of skyrocketing insurances costs, which are now among the most expensive in the country.

Hegar said that insurance tax collections, which make up a small share of the state’s revenue, skyrocketed in the past two years, jumping by nearly 16% in 2022 and more than 30% in 2023, compared to roughly 5% growth in prior years. This financial windfall creates opportunities for lawmakers to tackle several big-ticket items that have historically been put off. But sometimes politics gets in the way of good policy, so we will see what happens come June 2.

As we get further into the session and have a more comprehensive view of what has been filed and what is being pursued, the HAA Government Affairs team will be active in working with our delegation and TAA in Austin.

FTC’s Final ‘Junk Fees’ Rule Excludes Rental Housing

As we reported back in September of 2023 following a promise he made during this State of the Union address, President Biden announced several steps that his administration was taking to help limit “junk fees” in rental housing. His administration considered these fees as additional charges tacked on to things like plane and concert tickets, hotel rooms, hospital and cellphone bills and banking transactions.

The rental housing “junk fees” referenced included application fees, “convenience fees” to pay rent online, fees for things like mail sorting and trash collection and pet fees.

The White House said that repeated rental application fees and surprise “convenience fees,” causes millions of families to incur burdensome costs in the rental application process and throughout the duration of their lease.

In a win for the industry, late last year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued its final “junk fees” rule, Trade Regulation Rule on Unfair and Deceptive Fees and excluded the rental housing industry from additional regulation.

The FTC’s final rule focuses on total price and fee disclosure requirements for live-event ticketing and short-term lodging industries. Per the FTC, “The rule will put an end to junk fees around live event tickets, hotels, and vacation rentals, saving Americans billions of dollars and millions of hours in wasted time.”

NAA took a leadership role in keeping rental housing out of these new requirements and will remain vigilant for future efforts to regulate industry operations by the FTC.

The HAA Political Action Committee participates in local and state political campaigns, helping candidates who support the apartment industry and its supplier businesses. You can participate in the HAAPAC on several levels. For more on HAAPAC, visit www.haaonline.org/haapac.

EVICTION CASE UPDATE

Lets take a look at case law regarding the eviction process.

THE EVICTION PROCESS is a creature of statute (Chapter 24 of the Texas Property Code) and rules (Rule 510 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure). It would be a fairly straightforward eviction process if that was all we had to look at. However, judges are not only guided by statutes and rules, but also by the interpretation of those statutes and rules by various courts.

Consequently, it is beneficial to look at case law regarding the eviction process to determine how eviction requirements have been interpreted and enforced by the court.

Below are three recent cases, two that discuss requirements regarding a notice to vacate and one that discusses the effect of an eviction judgment on a resident’s claims for damages against an owner.

Lua v. Capital Plus Financial, LLCCourt of Appeals – Dallas (May 26, 2022):

Who can sign a notice to vacate and eviction petition?

a. Background: The Luas were residents of a house that was owned by Capital Plus after a foreclosure. Capital Plus prevailed at the justice court and on appeal at the county court. This case was the Luas’ appeal to the court of appeals.

Two of the issues raised on appeal were: (i) whether the notice to vacate was defective because it was only signed by Capital Plus’s attorney; and (ii) whether the eviction petition was defective because it was sworn to only by Capital Plus’s attorney.

b. Points of Interest in the Opinion:

Section 24.005(b) of the Texas Property Code requires the plaintiff (the owner) to give the resident written notice to vacate three days before the plaintiff files a forcible detainer suit unless the parties contracted for a different notice period.

Section 24.002(b) states that the demand for possession must be made in writing by a person entitled to possession of the property. However, the court stated that the Property Code does not forbid a corporation or other business entity from using an agent to deliver demand for possession. In fact, this sort of agency arrangement is approved and contemplated by Rule 500.4(b)(2) of the Rules of Civil Procedure, which provides that a corporation or other entity may be represented by a property manager or other authorized agent in an eviction. Accordingly, the court concluded that Capital Plus acted properly through its law firm in sending the notice to vacate.

The Luas also argued the Capital Plus’ petition for eviction did not meet the threshold requirement of the Rules of Civil Procedure which provide that a forcible detainer petition must be sworn to by the plaintiff. The Luas contended that the attorney for Capital Plus is not a party of interest and that his verification was insufficient to satisfy the applicable rule.

The court stated that under Rule 510.3, a petition for eviction must, among other things, be sworn to by the plaintiff. However, the court stated that an attorney’s verification of an eviction pleading on behalf of a corporate client satisfies the rule’s requirement.

c. What can we learn? In order to understand the issue presented in this case, it is important to understand the difference between the various players with respect to the ownership, management and other representatives typically retained to assist in an eviction case.

The owner is the entity that actually owns the property (the entity on the deed to the property). For liability and lender purposes, this is often a single-asset entity (the prop-

erty is the only asset the entity owns).

Often, an apartment property is managed by a management company through a management contract with the owner. This would be the owner’s managing agent. Additionally, any employees of the management company, such as the manager, assistant manager or other onsite personnel, would also be considered an owner’s agent if any of those persons were to give a notice to vacate or swear to the truthfulness of an eviction petition. Many owners also retain an independent contractor to assist in the eviction process. Examples of independent contractors would be an attorney representing the owner or any independent company that is there to present the owner’s case.

According to this case, as long as it is clear that the notice is written on behalf of the owner and the petition is properly sworn, the notice and petition can be signed and sworn by an authorized agent of the owner. It should be noted, however, that anyone who swears that the facts stated in the petition are true and correct should have actual knowledge that this is indeed the case.

Perry v. Wichita Falls Housing Authority- Court of AppealsFort Worth (May 12, 2022):

Can a notice to vacate give the resident an opportunity to respond to the proposed eviction?

a. Background: Perry was a resident of an apartment community owned by Wichita Falls Housing Authority. The Housing Authority pursued an eviction action against Perry in the justice court and was awarded possession of the property. Perry appealed the justice court’s decision. The Housing Authority won and Perry appealed to the court of appeals.

Perry’s lease required that the Housing Authority give written notice of lease termination that included specific grounds for termination and informed Perry of her rights which included replying to the notice, examining management records and requesting a hearing. The lease also provided that a notice to vacate may be combined and run concurrently with a notice of lease termination.

After Perry failed to attend required re-examination appointments, the Housing Authority gave her a notice to vacate, informing Perry of her rights under the lease and the right to request a hearing under the Housing Auhtoirty’s grievance procedure. When she didn’t move out, the Housing Authority filed an eviction action.

In this appeal, the court considered the issue of whether the Housing Authority gave the statutorily required notice to vacate.

b. Points of Interest in the Opinion: The court stated that, because an eviction action is a statutory cause of action under the Property Code, an owner must strictly comply with its requirements.

Section 24.002 requires an owner to make a written demand for possession and to comply with Section 24.005’s notice to vacate requirements.

The court recognized that Section 24.005(a) requires an owner to give a defaulting resident at least three days written notice to vacate before filing an eviction. The court also cited Section 24.005(e) which provides that if the lease or applicable law requires an owner to give a resident an opportunity to respond to a notice of proposed eviction, a notice to vacate may not be given until the period provided for the resident to respond to the eviction notice has expired. Although the lease provided that a notice to vacate could be combined and run concurrently with a notice of lease termination, the court ruled that, pur-

suant to Section 24.005(e), the notice to vacate could not be combined with the notice of termination. The court reasoned that because compliance with both the state law and federal law was possible, the federal requirement allowing the notices to be combined did not preempt the state law requirement that the notices must be separate.

The court ruled that the Housing Authority failed to give Perry the statutorily required notice to vacate under Texas law and reversed the trial court’s judgment in favor of the Housing Authority.

c. What can we learn? The court reiterated that an eviction action is a statutory cause of action under Texas law and that an owner must strictly comply with its requirements. The court’s ruling is consistent with other interpretations of Section 24.005(e); that is, that an owner cannot combine a notice to vacate with resident’s opportunity to respond to a notice of proposed eviction.

This section of the Property Code becomes important if you are inclined to include an opportunity for the resident to respond in your notice to vacate. If you give the resident an opportunity to respond, you will need to wait until that response period has expired before giving the notice to vacate.

Westwood Motorcars, LLC v. Virtuolotry, LLC and Richard BoydSupreme Court of Texas (May 17, 2024):

Can a resident sue the owner for damages after you obtain an eviction judgment?

a. Background: Westwood Motorcars leased commercial property from Virtuolotry. After the parties had a dispute regarding the extension of the lease, Westwood sued Virtuolotry in district court seeking a

declaratory judgment that it did not breach the lease. After the district court suit was filed, Virtuolotry filed an eviction action against Westwood for unpaid rent, lease violations and holding over.

The justice court ruled in favor of the owner (Virtuolory). The tenant (Westwood) appealed the judgment to the county court. During the appeal to the county court, Westwood notified Virtuolotry that Westwood would vacate the premises and withdraw its appeal from the county court. The parties agreed to a judgment in the county court that Virtuolotry be granted possession of the premises.

In the first case, the district court found that the owner breached the lease and found in favor of the tenant that the tenant was constructively evicted, causing damages including relocation expenses.

The court of appeals reversed the district court judgment and rendered a takenothing judgment stating that, by agreeing to the agreed judgment in the eviction case, the tenant voluntarily abandoned the premises and thus extinguished any claim for damages.

The owner has now appealed that judgment to the Supreme Court.

b. Points of interest in the opinion: The Supreme Court examined other court opinions that eviction suits are designed to provide “a summary, speedy, and inexpensive remedy for the determination of who is entitled to possession of the premises.” However, as a consequence, eviction suits are limited in scope and effect, with the sole focus being the right to immediate possession of the property. The court explained that an eviction suit in a justice court is not exclusive, but cumulative, of any other remedy that a party may have and matters beyond the justice court’s limited jurisdiction may be brought in another court of competent jurisdiction.

The court opined that it has consistently described a judgment in an eviction suit as a final determination only of the right to immediate possession. Such a judgment is not by contrast, a final determination of the parties’ ultimate rights, the wrongfulness of the eviction, or any other question.

The court reversed the appellate court’s ruling and stated that the adjudication of immediate possession in favor of the owner did not bar a suit for damages arising out of the same landlord-tenant relationship.

c. What can we learn? Although the tenant voluntarily vacating the premises was some evidence that the tenant waived certain claims, the court did not believe that this evidence was conclusive. Consequently, even if the resident voluntarily vacates the premises and agrees to a judgment for possession, the resident can still pursue damages. If a settlement is reached in an eviction, even if the settlement includes an agreed judgment in favor of the owner, it would be beneficial to have an agreement containing a release by the resident of all claims against the owner. This would avoid the issue of having to defend against claims after the eviction is concluded.

Statutes and rules are always subject to interpretation by the courts. By understanding these interpretations, we are better able to navigate issues that arise before, during and after the eviction process. Hopefully the analysis of these three cases helps address some of these issues.

SOAKING WET

A resident asks for her security deposit back after a carpet cleaning gone wrong.

A RESIDENT FILED a complaint with HAA to receive her security deposit. The resident stated she hired a professional carpet cleaning company to clean and shampoo the entire carpet in her apartment. She informed the leasing agent that the air conditioning was not working the day the carpet was cleaned. The agent told her to leave the windows open with the ceiling fans on and he would take care of the rest. The resident also stated she left the apartment clean just as it was given to her. Enclosed was a copy of the statement of security deposit account. Pictures were also provided.

Management’s Response

Management responded to HAA stating that during the move-out inspection, they found the carpet was saturated from the cleaning attempts by the resident and, as a result, the carpet was mildewed because the air conditioning had been turned off and the windows left open.

In addition, the carpet had a strong mildew odor, the guest bedroom had golf ball-sized bleach stains and the master bedroom had a large stained area in the living room. It was determined the carpet and pad could not be salvaged and had to be replaced. The damage was not noted on the apartment inventory and condition form.

It was noted that the carpet and padding were both new at the time the resident moved into the apartment and the carpet had a life expectancy of five years. The resident lived in the apartment for two years, leaving three years of life remaining for the carpet. The pad had a life expectancy of eight years, leaving six years remaining.

Management also noted that after the carpet and padding were removed, they determined a sealant needed to be applied to the concrete floor as a result of the carpet and padding being soaked. It was a cost that should have been charged back to the resident, however, she was not charged for the expense of the sealant. / Continued Page 67

2025 HAA Volleyball Tournament

Dust of your skills, grab your coworkers and get ready to bump, set and spike your way to the top! Festivities include lunch and snacks, networking opportunities and checking out the HAA athletes. Teams are registered on a first-come, first-served basis. All players must be members of HAA.

Form your teams now (maximum two teams per company). Teams are not confirmed until payment has been received.

Friday, March 21

Gates open at 9:30 a.m.

Registration and Practice: 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Tournament begins at 10:30 a.m.

*Each team must have all players present by 10:15 a.m. to play.

District 249

23238 State Highway 249 in Tomball, 77375

Tournament fee is $375 per team of 8 (6 players, 2 alternates).

Spectator fee is $60 per person.

Save up to 15% by registering before February 16!

Registration begins February 3.

Questions? Contact the Meetings and Events Department at 713-595-0323, or email at events@haaonline.org.

estate economist who served as Chief Economist of the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University for 18 years and has given over 1,800 presentations on the economic outlooks for commercial real estate, including multi-family residential, and economic trends in job growth, interest rates and inflation. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11

Start your day networking with the Business Exchange

Then join us for lunch and the latest industry and market news during the State of the Industry Luncheon with Guest Speaker Dr. Mark G. Dotzour, www.markdotzour.com

Location and Schedule:

Hyatt Regency Houston West 13210 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77079

8 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. | Registration

9 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Business Exchange 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | State of the Industry Luncheon

+ State of the Industry Luncheon:

or Supplier Member

of the Industry Luncheon Only: $125

Management Professional

Exchange + State of the Industry Luncheon: $95 State of the Industry Luncheon Sponsors: Blue Stream Fiber and BluSky Restoration Contractors

Business Exchange Sponsors: Blue Stream Fiber and Chadwell Supply

BE A PART OF THE NEXT GENERATION OF HAA LEADERSHIP. This niche group within HAA is dedicated to the networking and professional development needs of HAA’s young professionals and it is open to all members. Network with your peers and grow your career together among the next generation of HAA leadership! To learn how to become involved with NEXT, see online at www.haaonline.org/next.

NEXT Mission Statement:

A network of young professionals committed to the growth of future leaders with the Houston Apartment Association through education, peer-to-peer networking, and legislative and community involvement.

HAA NEXT programs include networking socials hosted at various venues across Houston and professional development breakfasts held at the HAF Education Center. The Professional Development programs feature special guest speakers on timely topics relevant to enhancing and furthering your multifamily industry career.

Register online at www.haaonline.org/next or email us at events@haaonline.org for more information. We look forward to meeting you!

april 10 • nrg center • hall b

Show Schedule:

Education Conference

Paid attendees only. Registration opens February 3.

8:30 a.m. to 9:20 a.m. – Registration and Breakfast

9:20 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. – Education Breakout Sessions TWO Tracks! Main Track & Spanish Track:

Main Track Breakout Session Speakers

Rich George Marci French

Howard Bookstaff

Main Track Keynote Speaker

Joshua Evans

Spanish Track Session Speakers

Michael Olvera

Eujenio Rojo

Noon - 1 p.m. – Keynote Luncheons

Don't Miss the NEW Mini Marketing Sessions:

Stop by the Mini Session Corner between breakout sessions to catch a few quick marketing tips led by Barbara Savona!

Expo

To attend the Expo only, there is no charge for management personnel. (Non-exhibiting suppliers are not able to attend.)

Noon to 1 p.m. – VIP Expo Hours (invitation only)

1 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Expo Grand Opening

Over 250 Exhibitors! • Three $1,000 Cash Giveaways! Register in advance at www.haaexpo.org #HAATheFuture #haaexpo2025

FEBRUARY

4

CALP: Certified Apartment Leasing

Professional Course – Day One

Tuesday, February 4

8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visit www.haaonline.org/education for more information or contact education@haaonline.org.

Sponsored by Best Plumbing and XXL Construction

5

Avenues: Maintenance Blvd 1

Wednesday, February 5

8:30 a.m. to Noon

See Page 25 for details.

6

Excel 101: Beginner

Thursday, February 6

8:30 a.m. to Noon

Learn to conquer your fear of the spreadsheet! This great-for-beginners course offers a detailed look into this multi-faceted, often daunting program. Shortcuts, tips and tricks for all levels. This class counts for 3 CECs.

11

2025 Winter Business Exchange & State of the Industry

Tuesday, February 11

8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Hyatt Regency West

See Page 17 for details.

12

CALP: Certified Apartment Leasing Professional Course – Day Two

Tuesday, February 12

8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visit www.haaonline.org/education for more information or contact education@haaonline.org.

Sponsored by Best Plumbing and XXL Construction

Resident Relations Committee B Meeting

Wednesday, February 12

2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Closed committee meeting via Zoom

HAA Offices Closed

Monday, February 17

The HAA offices will be closed in observance of President’s Day.

18

CALP: Certified Apartment Leasing Professional Course – Day 3

Tuesday, February 18

8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visit www.haaonline.org/education for more information or contact education@haaonline.org.

Sponsored by Best Plumbing and XXL Construction

PAC Luncheon

Tuesday, February 18

11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Contact govaffairs@haaonline.org for details.

19

It’s the Law Breakfast

Wednesday, February 19

8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Visit www.haaonline.org/events for details and to register.

20

NEXT Young Professionals Breakfast

Thursday, February 20

8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Visit www.haaonline.org/next for details.

25

2025 State of the Submarket –Montgomery County Tuesday, February 25

7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Woodlands Country Club

Join HAA and local area experts as they discuss the current and future state of Montgomery County. Topics will include recent economic trends, job growth, forecasts, rental rates, occupancy trends and new construction developments.

See Page 27 for details.

CALP: Certified Apartment Leasing Professional Course – Day 4

Tuesday, February 25

8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit www.haaonline.org/education for more information or contact education@haaonline.org. See Page 25 for details. Sponsored by Best Plumbing and XXL Construction

Avenues: Marketing Place 1

Wednesday, February 26

8:30 a.m. to Noon

See Page 22 for details. Sponsored by ALN Apartment Data 27

ACES Luncheon

Thursday, February 27

11 a.m to 1:30 p.m.

ACES (Apartment Community Executives and Supervisors) is an exclusive special interest group at HAA for management executives. Visit www.haaonline.org/events for more information or contact education@haaonline.org.

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 or the Camden and Michael Stevens Interests Room. 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. See www.haaonline.org/events for an interactive calendar.

Please note that dates and times are subject to change. Check the calendars at www.haaonline.org/events for the most up-to-date information.

MARCH

4-6

CAM: Certified Apartment Manager Course – Week 1

Tuesday, March 4 through Thursday, March 6

8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visit www.haaonline.org/education for more information or contact education@haaonline.org.

5

New Supplier Orientation

Wednesday, March 5

10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Via Zoom

All new supplier members or representatives can attend this online orientation. Learn how to get involved and take advantage of member benefits. Email members@haaonline.org for details.

Ambassador ONE Society Meeting

Wednesday, March 5

3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

6

Go-Getter Meet and Greet

Thursday, March 6

4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

See Page 58 for details.

11

State of the Submarket

Brazoria County

Tuesday, March 11

7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Hilton Garden Inn Pearland

See Page 27 for details.

Visit www.haaonline.org/events for more information or contact education@haaonline.org.

12-13

CPO in English

Wednesday, March 12 to Thursday, March 13

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visit www.haaonline.org/education for more information or contact education@haaonline.org.

12

Resident Relations Committee A Meeting

Wednesday, March 12

2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Closed committee meeting via Zoom

18-19

CAM: Certified Apartment Manager Course – Week 2

Tuesday, March 18 through Wednesday, March 19

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visit www.haaonline.org/education for more information or contact education@haaonline.org.

21

Volleyball Tournament

Friday, March 21

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

District 249

See Page 16 for details.

25

Avenues: Main Street – 1

Tuesday, March 25

8:30 a.m. to Noon

See Page 22 for details. Sponsored by Massey Services

27

IROC: Independent Rental Owner Breakfast

Thursday, March 27

8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Visit www.haaonline.org/events for more information or contact education@haaonline.org.

Thursday, April 10 at NRG #haaexpo

#haaexpo2025 Moving to a new time …

Rental Credit Reporting (RCR) was established in 1977 to solve screening problems the Houston Apartment Association founders felt plagued the local apartment industry. RCR has unsurpassed data on resident rental histories in the Houston region. The Houston Apartment Association and SafeRent are partnered to expand RCR and include numerous searches in one bundled report.

To learn more and subscribe, call RCR at 713-595-0300, email rcr@haaonline.org or visit www.haaonline.org.

Discover the Ultimate Roadmap to Success with new speakers for 2025

What is Avenues?

A series of seminars presenting nationally-acclaimed speakers who are experts in their fields, with sessions for every level of multifamily professional.

How can I attend?

We offer two subscription options:

• Annual Property Subscription

• based on the number of units.

• Annual Individual Subscription You can also register for each individual session.

What does this get me?

Once you sign up, you receive access to 13 education sessions throughout the year. All you need to do is respond to the reminder email to confirm attendance.

Pricing:

Property Subscription:

• Fewer than 200 units: $210/annually

• 201-350 units: $410/annually

• More than 351 units: $510/annually

Individual Subscription:

• Corporate or Suppier Individual: $210/annually

• Individual sessions: $60/person Three (3) CEC credits awarded per session.

View the series schedule and register online at www.haaonline.org. Contact the HAA Education Department at education@haaonline.org.

Avenues:

Main Street – 1

March 25

10 Characteristics of

Resourceful People:

Building a MacGyver Culture with Toni Blake

Avenues: Main Street – 2

April 30

Dealing with Difficult, Demanding and Dismissive People with Rick Ellis

Avenues: Main Street – 3

July 9

Selling Made Simple: How to Help Your Customers “Fall in Love” with Your Community with Rommel Anacan, The Relationship Difference

Avenues: Main Street – 4

August 28

Mastering Your Memory with Tyler Enslin

View the series schedule and register online at www.haaonline.org. Contact the HAA Education Department at education@haaonline.org.

Avenues:

Maintenance Blvd – 1

February 5

Mastering

Maintenance: Building a Regimen for Maintenance Excellence with Mark Cukro, Plus One Inc.

Avenues:

Maintenance Blvd – 2

September 24

Defining the Relationship: How

Management & Maintenance Can Make It Work with Katie Rigsby

Avenues:

Maintenance Blvd – 3

November 12

How to Design and Implement a Maintenance Training Program with Mark Sharp, Multifamily Mixtape

Avenues:

Marketing Pl – 1

February 26

Outreach Ideas for Smart Marketers with Megan Orser, Smart Apartment Solutions

Avenues: Marketing Pl – 2

June 10

The Human Helper: AI’s New Frontier in Sales & Marketing with Chris Cheetham-West, LR Training Solutions

Avenues: Marketing Pl – 3

August 12

Screens Front and Center or Roll Out the Red Carpet with Charlotte Pisciotta, Full House Marketing

Avenues:

Leadership Ln – 1

May 22

Growing Your Career from the Inside-Out with Stephanie Graves, Q10 Property Advisors

Avenues: Leadership Ln – 2

July 22

Maximizing Profitability Beyond Rent Increases with Maria Pietroforte

Avenues: Leadership Ln – 3

October 15

3D Leadership: Dream. Dare. Deliver. with Genevieve Piturro

Dates for the course: February 4, 12, 18, 25

Registration: 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Program: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cost: $450/person

Visit www.haaonline.org/events for more information and to register. For questions, email education@haaonline.org.

On the Scene with the HAA PAC

HAA PAC Luncheon

Tuesday, December 10 at the HAF Dinerstein Reed Prokop Education Center

State of the Submarkets 2025

Don’t miss this year’s look at market conditions for the multifamily industry in three area submarkets. Topics will include recent economic trends, job growth, rental rates, occupancy trends, new construction developments and much more.

Montgomery County

February 25

7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Woodlands Country Club Registration begins January 13

Brazoria County

March 11

7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Hilton Garden Inn-Pearland Registration begins January 27

Fort Bend County

April 29

7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Hilton Garden Inn-Sugar Land Registration begins March 17

ACES

Holiday Bubbles and Brunch

Sponsored by Crestmark Construction Services and Valet Living

Friday, December 13 at Morton’s the Steakhouse

The Apartment Community Executives & Supervisors Bubbles and Brunch Luncheon was a festive event that delighted attendees with a perfect blend of seasonal charm and culinary delights. Held at Morton’s Steakhouse. Attendees were able to shop among a select group of local vendors for the perfect holiday gift.

On the Scene with ACES

ACES

Holiday Bubbles and Brunch

Harris County Justice of the Peace and Constable Holiday Appreciation Luncheon

Friday, December 6 at Perry’s Steakhouse

This annual luncheon is held to give thanks to the many elected officials within Harris County that continue to support our industry needs. Local Justices of the Peace and Constables play a critical role in our industry. This luncheon provides the association and its members with an opportunity to recognize them for their hard work and dedication to their constituents. Thanks to Brian Cweren, The Cweren Law Firm, and Daniel Edmunds, Hoover Slovacek, for speaking to our attendees on important legal topics.

On the Scene

Fair Housing Seminar

Sponsored by ALN Apartment Data and Massey Services Tuesday, December 17 at the HAF Dinerstein Reed Prokop Education Center

Attendees heard from HAA General Counsel Howard Bookstaff and Investigations Supervisor David Pernell with the Texas Workforce Commission discussing the TWC and fair housing reports and investigations.

Meet HAA’s Leadership Lyceum

Class of 2025

HAA created this leadership development program to identify high-caliber, effective, well-informed industry professionals and educate them on the mission and strategic objectives of the association and its affiliated associations. Do you have what it takes to be a leader?

See Page 41 for a list of past graduates and see Page 42 to learn how you can apply for 2026.

Marsha Baker, CPM, CAPS

Regional Property Manager, Willow Bridge

How long have you been working in the multifamily industry? I started in June of 1994 (30 years, yikes!)

How long have you been active in HAA? Off and on over the last 30 years. I was very active from 1997 to 2007 on the Education Committee and Go-Getters (75 members recruited!), and moderately involved since 2007. However, I am ready to dive back in headfirst! I have joined the Education Advisory Committee.

Describe one personal accomplishment or service as a volunteer that makes you proud. Being on the Houston Livestock Show for 30 years, and I am now a Vice Chairman on the Special Children’s Committee. I would like to take the lessons learned to the various HAA committees and, hopefully, the HAA Board. I am also very proud of doing the MS150 with HAA two years in a row and raising money for Multiple Sclerosis. Otherwise, I am very proud of my 75 members recruited for Go-Getters, as well as my NAAEI certification. I love training!

What do you hope to gain from the Lyceum program? I hope to gain more knowledge of all facets of the association and serve in a variety of previous and new capacities. My ultimate goal is to serve on the HAA Board in 2026.

What do you think makes a person a great leader? I think a great leader leads by example; they motivate their associates and make them love their career. I think a great leader listens more than they speak, taking inspiration from a variety of individuals and sources to better grow and enhance their business and their associates.

Cherie Cruz, CAPS

Regional Property Manager, Greystar

How long have you been working in the multifamily industry? I began my career in the multifamily industry in 1993. In the last 32 years, I have been fortunate to experience many facets of property management and corporate housing. Along the way I have been blessed with lifelong friendships and relationships.

How long have you been active in HAA? Although I have attended HAA events since 1993, I became actively involved in HAA in 2013 with the goal of gaining a higher level of understanding and knowledge about our industry.

Which committees have you served at HAA? So far, I have been delighted to serve on the Outreach Committee (2022-2024), the Resident Relations Committee (2022-2023), and the Chili Fest Committee (2024).

Describe one personal accomplishment or service as a volunteer that makes you proud. After years in the industry and raising my family, I was immensely proud of completing my CAM in 2015 and my CAPS in 2016.

What do you hope to gain from the Lyceum program? Industry and association insight and knowledge that will give me more tools to make me a better leader as I progress in my career.

What do you think makes a person a great leader? Someone who is willing to work side by side with their team while providing guidance, motivation and support. A leader should be enthusiastic about the development of their team to help them succeed as individuals.

Manu Gupta CEO, Indus

Communities

How long have you been working in the multifamily industry? 12 years

How long have you been active in HAA? 5 years

Which committees have you served at HAA? HAA Board, HAA Adopted Charities Taskforce

Describe one personal accomplishment or service as a volunteer that makes you proud. I discovered a deep passion for giving back to the community and collaborating through the Adopted Charities Taskforce. Through our company’s Indus Cares Foundation, we focus on improving access to health care, wellness, and educational opportunities in our communities and surrounding areas. This work is grounded in a belief that we have a responsibility to give back to Houston – a city that has provided the foundation for our business’s success.

What do you hope to gain from the Lyceum program? I hope to deepen my understanding of how HAA operates and expand my knowledge beyond what I’ve gained as a board member. I recognize there’s still much more to uncover – particularly about the HAA PAC and advocacy efforts, our liaison work with the City of Houston, and the collaborative roles of various committees in shaping HAA’s decisions.

What do you think makes a person a great leader? Someone who acts as a facilitator, creating an environment where others can grow, achieve and reach their full potential. A great leader is decisive in their actions, demonstrating clarity and conviction, but they are also open to listening to others. They surround themselves with individuals who are smarter or more skilled in various areas, leveraging the strengths of their team to drive excellence.

Mallory Hess

Sales Consultant, Century A/C Supply

How long have you been working in the multifamily industry? Three and a half years

How long have you been active in HAA? Three and a half years

Which committees have you served at HAA? I currently serve on the Community Outreach Committee, NEXT Committee, Ambassadors, and HAA Political Action Committee.

Describe one personal accomplishment or service as a volunteer that makes you proud. I’m am very proud of one of my most recent accomplishments which was winning TAA’s Be the Next Room To Grow Ambassador award. This was given to one supplier in the State of Texas and, with the amazing help from my coworkers and friends, I was able to win! It has been so fun to get to work with people at TAAEF and at the state level.

What do you hope to gain from the Lyceum program? I hope to gain new friendships and relationships with my fellow Lyceum candidates while also learning more about the HAA and everyone’s role in the industry.

What do you think makes a person a great leader? A great leader is someone who builds others up around them and continually motivates their peers. I think great leaders are able to take constructive criticism and use that to better themselves and everyone around them.

Jim Martensen

Account Executive, Epic Multifamily Construction

How long have you been working in the multifamily industry? Six years

How long have you been active in HAA? Six years

Which committees have you served at HAA? Expo, Chili Fest, Ambassadors, Community Outreach, Product Service Council, HAA PAC

Describe one personal accomplishment or service as a volunteer that makes you proud. I am proud of my volunteer work at Camp Hope, where I had the opportunity to give back to veterans. It was incredibly rewarding to assist in making their lives more comfortable, even in a small way. This experience has instilled in me a deep sense of gratitude and a commitment to service.

What do you hope to gain from the Lyceum program? I hope to gain a much deeper understanding of the role HAA plays in supporting and working with the TAA and NAA.

What do you think makes a person a great leader? I feel that one of the biggest traits that a great leader has is the ability to empower and inspire individuals to work towards a common goal. In order to be able to achieve this, one must be able to convey a clear vision of the goal and have the trust, resilience and accountability of their team members. When these elements are present, it creates a powerful synergy that empowers individuals to perform at their best and achieve extraordinary results. It’s not just about telling.

Patti Melendy, CAM

Community Manager, Asset Living

How long have you been working in the multifamily industry? I have worked for the Asset Family (Asset Plus, Asset Living) since 1990.

How long have you been active in HAA?

Minimally active since 1990 and earned my CAM in 2009.

Which committees have you served at HAA? I am grateful to serve in the Community Outreach program and the annual HAA Food Drive. In addition, this year I was excited to be a judge for the HAA Honors Property of the Year Awards.

Describe one personal accomplishment or service as a volunteer that makes you proud. Winning Westchase District Community Impact Award and the wonderful relationships I made with the district. The hard work and dedication to improve 2828 at Royal Oaks, the excitement of the ownership and staff watching the community transform, and the overall impact made for the residents, property and the Westchase community as a whole.

What do you hope to gain from the Lyceum program? I feel that Lyceum will give me the insight to HAA and everything it has to offer to our industry professionals.

What do you think makes a person a great leader? A great leader should possess qualities that inspire others, foster a positive and collaborative environment and guide people to achieve their goals. A leader should possess clear communication skills, be decisive and able to make tough decisions quickly and confidently, adaptable to embrace change and handling unexpected challenges, and lead by example to motivate others.

Shamika Piggee, CAM, TCS

Director, Compliance, New Hope Housing

How long have you been working in the multifamily industry? 15 years with New Hope

How long have you been active in HAA? 10 years

Which committees have you served at HAA? I have had the privilege of serving on the HAA Education Advisory Committee.

Describe one personal accomplishment or service as a volunteer that makes you proud. Volunteering with my church has been an incredibly rewarding experience, allowing me to give back to my community while deepening my faith and connection with others. These experiences have strengthened my own sense of purpose and fulfillment, reminding me of the importance of empathy, compassion and selflessness.

What do you hope to gain from the Lyceum program? More insight into the apartment industry, particularly in understanding emerging trends, challenges and opportunities to make a meaningful impact. I value the opportunity to connect with other leaders in the field, share ideas, and build relationships.

What do you think makes a person a great leader? I believe a leader is first and foremost a servant to their team, prioritizing the needs and growth of their team members while fostering a supportive and empowering environment. A great leader is also emotionally intelligent, demonstrating self-awareness, empathy, and the ability to navigate interpersonal dynamics effectively. By understanding and valuing the unique strengths and challenges of each individual, a leader can inspire trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to achieving common goals.

Necole Steward

General Manager, Quarterra

How long have you been working in the multifamily industry? 23 years

How long have you been active in HAA? I have been actively involved with HAA since 2006, and it has been an enriching experience both professionally and personally.

Which committees have you served on at HAA? I’ve had the honor of serving on the Chili Fest and Outreach Committees. These roles have allowed me to collaborate with peers, contribute to impactful initiatives and strengthen connections within the association.

Describe one personal accomplishment or service as a volunteer that makes you proud. One of my proudest accomplishments is being awarded Property Manager of the Year in 2023, a recognition of my dedication to excellence in the industry. As a volunteer, serving on the Pretty Girls with Cancer panel holds a special place in my heart as it allowed me to contribute to a cause that uplifts and inspires strength in others.

What do you hope to gain from the Lyceum program? The Lyceum program presents a unique opportunity to deepen my industry knowledge, expand my leadership skills and forge connections with other professionals who share a passion for excellence. I look forward to gaining insights that will help me contribute even more meaningfully to the multifamily industry.

What do you think makes a person a great leader? A great leader is someone who inspires through action, listens with intent, and encourages growth in those around them. Leadership means leading by example, maintaining accountability and building bridges that create opportunities for all.

Victoria Tiemann Account Manager, Redi Carpet

How long have you been working in the multifamily industry? 10 years

How long have you been active in HAA? I’ve been fortunate to be involved in HAA over the past decade. Being involved has helped me gain significant experience over the years.

Which committees have you served on at HAA? Expo Committee and NEXT Committee. Being a part of these committees has had a positive impact on my networking and relationship-building skills!

Describe one personal accomplishment or service as a volunteer that makes you proud. Volunteering at Bridgehaven, an advocacy center for children, is such meaningful work. Whether it's supporting the staff, helping at fundraising events, or directly interacting with the children – it’s incredibly rewarding.

What do you hope to gain from the Lyceum program? I am excited about the opportunity to participate in the Lyceum program, as I hope to gain valuable knowledge and skills that will serve me both academically and personally. I am particularly interested in developing my critical thinking and leadership abilities, as I believe these skills are essential for my future career aspirations.

What do you think makes a person a great leader? A great leader embodies a combination of qualities and skills that inspire and motivate others. Having a great leader can be incredibly inspiring. I am extremely lucky to have the leader I have, and I want to reflect those qualities in my own life.

Auri Verser, CAS

Sales Representative, Sherwin Williams

How long have you been working in the multifamily industry? Eight years. I first entered the industry in Tulsa, and became actively involved once I became a property maintenance field rep. I served on numerous committees as well as the Tulsa Apartment Association Board of Directors. Once I relocated to Houston, I jumped straight into volunteering with HAA.

How long have you been active in HAA? Since the end of 2022, upon my relocation.

Which committees have you served at HAA? The Ambassador ONE Society as well as the Chili Fest Committee.

Describe one personal accomplishment or service as a volunteer that makes you proud. Volunteering for Entryway, one of HAA’s adopted charities. In August, I was featured as a volunteer spotlight in their newsletter. We developed property maintenance training, handson and classroom, which aids Entryway participants in preparation for the interview process for multifamily positions. I have been proud, alongside several teammates, to grow and expand the program.

What do you hope to gain from the Lyceum program? A broad depth of knowledge that will help me be a better business partner to my clients, a better advocate for our industry and to connect with association members that will become close friends.

What do you think makes a person a great leader? Someone who lifts individuals up through education, advocacy and inspiration as well as personal and professional development. A great leader motivates those around them to be a better version of themselves.

Alan Yu

Managing Director, Lumen Capital

How long have you been working in the multifamily industry? I embarked on my career in 2016 and have since successfully established two asset and property management companies.

How long have you been active in HAA? I have been an active member for nearly a decade.

Which committees have you served at HAA? Regrettably, I have not yet had the opportunity to serve on any committees. However, I am thrilled to take on the role of IRO Committee Chairperson for the 2025-2026 term!

Describe one personal accomplishment or service as a volunteer that makes you proud. In my prior career, I was responsible for organizing our annual volunteer day at the Houston Food Bank. We have carried this tradition forward into our company. Each of our apartment communities runs an annual Back to School event where our entire team puts together backpacks with school supplies for any schoolage child to pick up. The light that shines in both the kids’ and parents’ eyes is incredible.

What do you hope to gain from the Lyceum program? I am eager to embrace this unique opportunity to learn how to effectively promote and advance our industry, as well as support the diverse stakeholders served by HAA, with a particular focus on legislative advocacy.

What do you think makes a person a great leader? A great leader is someone who leads by example. Do not ask your team to do something you are not willing to do yourself. I have been caught on occasion to be walking with our maintenance teams picking up trash on property.

Congratulations to the Lyceum Class of 2025. Want to be considered for this prestigious group? See age 42 for details on how you can apply to be a member of a future Lyceum class.

Leadership Lyceum Graduates

Many of HAA’s Officers, Board of Directors and Committee Chairs made their entry into leadership roles by graduating from the HAA Leadership Lyceum program. Here are our graduates. Do you have what it takes to join this list?

Current and Past HAA Presidents, PSC Presidents, Officers and the 2025 Board are in bold.

2008

Courtney Blair

Jeff Blevins

Kevin Fenn

Paula Forshee

Trey Stone

Sal Thomas

2009

Kyle Brown

Bryan Head

Barby Lake

Dean O’Kelley

Beth Rohani

Debbie Sulzer

2010

Clark Gregg

Alan Jones

Robert McDaniel

Ryan McGrath

Mindy Price

2011

Kimberly Flores

Diane Gilbert

Julie Hartman

Michael Hendricks

Robert Lopes

Pam McGlashen

David Nargang

Jordan Sneed 2012

Anita Alberger

Stephanie Graves

Ira Gross

Nina Kirtley

Jacob Kunath

Velissa Parmer

Michelle Pawelek

Natalie Spratt

Quintina Willis

Mark Billig

Grant Crowell

Izzy Garza

Manda Gifford

Georgeanne Longoria

Kristin McLaughlin

Christy Rodriguez

Susan Wells 2014

Blanca Anderson

Marivel Bownds

Brandon Coleman

James Gregory

Debra Knight

Martha Matula

Karen Nelsen

Carlos Neto

Mark Park

2015

Carina Bryars

John Dang

Dan James

Liz Levins

Courtney Lindley-Vitak

Betsy Marshall

Vee Mier

Candis Mohr

Kelley Suess

Shelley Zepeda

2016

Tracie Yoder 2013

Susan Dear

Deborah DeRouen

Derek DeVries

Kurt Gilpin

Theresa Juroska

Laura Lestus

Vi Lewis

David Lindley

Jennifer Ramos

Kristin Settles

Richard Wall

Brent Williams

Debbie Andreozzi

Brenda Crawford

Frank Farrera

Brian Febbo

Tammie Garcia

Amber Hyde

Crystal Jackson

Tom Loughridge

Shelley Watson

Christina Zimmerman

2018

Grant Almquist

Dixie Caldwell

Scott Douglas

Margie Fielder

Melissa Friend

Monica Gracia

Debbie Kelm

Doug Oehl

Penny Sprang

Lindsay Torres-Smith

2019

Jackie Aguirre

Terri Clifton

Patrick Magnuson

Patricia Ortega

Chris Palacios

Arely Pena

Joey Rodriguez

Blaise Spitaleri

Mat Tilley

2020

Norma Alvear

Shaun Callaway

Sean Cunningham

Gina Erwin

Stephanie Krop

Joe Melton

Monica Morales

Marilyn Rivero

Susan Alvarado

Neal Conant

Justin Duke

Amanda Kelly

Valerie Lacy

Liz Macias

Tracey Moore

Kathy Motis

Nikki Sekunda

Mollie Witt

2023

Tammy Broadway

Karla DeJesus

Tito Estrada

Sara Hinson

Ruth Reyes

Paola Rodriguez

Rebecca Slater

Corri Smith

Ryan Terrell

Crystal Varela

Amanda Walker

2024

Ruha Vohra 2022

Chris Bell

Alisha Cain

Randa Dick

Dana Dovell

Xochitl Flores

Emily Frost

Giovanna Gone

Karen Hefner

Isaiah Johnson

Jenny Juarez

Lori Latham

Beth Levine

Grace Rocha

Ryan Raser

See age 42 for details on how you can become a member of a future Lyceum class.

Do you have what it takes to be a leader?

Do you have what it takes to be a leader?

HAA created this leadership development program to identify high-caliber, effective, wellinformed industry professionals and educate them on the mission and strategic objectives of the association and its affiliated associations.

Who is eligible?

Individuals working for HAA members are eligible to apply. If you have three or more years of multifamily property management experience and have served as an HAA volunteer you may apply. If you are a supplier partner, you will need at least two years experience working for a supplier company and have served as an HAA volunteer.

What does the program include?

The program includes five sessions with specific topics, generally presented in a half-day format. You have two years to complete the program so if you miss a session, you can catch it when it is offered the following year.

How many people will be selected?

Up to 12 individuals will be selected for each class.

How do I apply?

The 2025 class of candidates has been selected. If you would like to apply for the 2026 class, please contact Amanda at asherbondy@haaonline.org. Your application must be accompanied by TWO letters of

recommendation. One letter of recommendation should be from a supervisor and the second letter from a colleague active in the industry. The Leadership Development Committee, comprised of HAA Executive Committee leaders, past Lyceum graduates and Past Presidents of HAA will review applications and select participants. Applicants will be notified after the committee meets, typically in early December.

Once I complete the program how will I be recognized as a graduate?

Candidates who complete the program will receive recognition and their HAA Lyceum pin and certificate at the HAA annual meeting in November.

All graduates will also receive recognition in HAA’s monthly ABODE magazine and the HAA website.

Program Topics:

1. Inside HAA

2. Building Effective Local Legislative Advocacy Initiatives

3. Government Affairs and the Industry

4. How HAA works with TAA and NAA

5. Leadership Skills for Apartment Professionals

Questions?

Contact Amanda Sherbondy at asherbondy@haaonline.org.

“Such a great experience to see firsthand, and understand how our local association works with our local and state government.”

– Nikki Sekunda, CAS, Class of 2022, The Liberty Group

“The program gave me an inside look at how things run and why and will help me be a better leader in the organization. “

– Valerie Lacy, CAM, CAPS, Class of 2022, Cushman & Wakefield

Resident Relations,

continued from Page 14

Due to the strong mildew odor during move-out inspection, management found it necessary for an outside contractor to clean the air ducts and deodorize the apartment. To show the management’s appreciation to the resident for her residency, a $75 credit was applied to her account to offset part of the damage charge and management felt the resident was charged accordingly. Enclosed were copies of the statement of security deposit account, move-in condition form and lease. Pictures were also provided.

The Committee’s Decision

The committee decided in favor of the resident with adjustments to be made. It was decided the resident had acted with diligence to clean the apartment. The resident also stated the office was aware that the air conditioning did not work and she had to shampoo the carpet. She was instructed by the leasing agent to leave the windows open so the carpet could dry.

Because of those instructions, the committee decided management should remove the carpet and pad charge of $982.17 and a

deodorizing charge of $142.90 due to lack of proof this was required. After the adjustments were made, the $20.82 account credit and other charges justified, management was to refund the resident $393.71.

The HAA Resident Relations Committees provide an impartial review of resident complaints using the documentation provided by both the resident and management. When the committee finds in favor of the resident, we 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. When the committee finds in favor of the resident, management may file an appeal. When the committee finds in favor of the property owner, the decision is final.

If you are a manager with a resident relations issue, call HAA at 713-595-0300 for direct assistance.

Renters can be referred to HAA by calling 713-595-0300 to speak to a trained consultant, fluent in English and Spanish, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Residents can also be directed online to www.haaonline.org/renters.

Note: Properties are listed with owner/management at time of the award.

Each month, On Site with ABODE takes a closer look at winning HAA Honors Awards properties. This month, we visit one of our 2024 winners. See future ABODEs for more honorees.

36SIXTY

PFC-Affordable

Property of the Year

Property: 36Sixty

Owner/Management: The Morgan Group

Location: 3660 Richmond Ave, Units: 295

Web: www.36sixty.com

Photos provided by 36Sixty

36Sixty is equipped with a variety of resident amenities spaces. The E-lounge and state-of-the-art Fitness Room are open 24/7, 365 days out the year, with a plethora of fitness equipment and both indoor and outdoor workout areas. The lounge also offers a gourmet coffee machine. The property has two pools, both are open yearround and ready for a dip. In the game room, you’ll find the pool and ping-pong table. Smart TV and huge sectional in the Sports Lounge and Conference Room are nearby. Of course, they haven’t forget about our furry friends – there are two Bark Parks on the property, with additional service stations, including doggy bags that are serviced twice a week for maximum furry convenience. Lastly, in pure luxury fashion, the property is equipped with Valet Trash, 24/7 Parcel Package Lockers, Spruce Cleaning Services and Liability Insurance upon move-in.

In addition, 36Sixty has partnered with the City of Houston and the States Public Facilities Corporation to create the “Workforce Housing” program. This initiative enables middle-income earners in critical positions like teaching, nursing, first responders, service industry workers and retail personnel more accessible housing. Pricing 50% of our apartment homes in the PFC program allows a much more affordable rental rate for the community.

The Most Critical Leadership Competency is … Emotional Intelligence

Why do high EQ leaders find more success?

By RICH GEORGE, Your Sucess Coach

In today’s complex and fast-paced business environment, technical skills and IQ alone are no longer sufficient for effective leadership.

More than ever, emotional intelligence (EQ) is recognized as a core competency for successful leaders. Leaders with high EQ not only excel at managing their own emotions but also at understanding and influencing the emotions of others. This ability to connect on a human level is often what sets great leaders apart from the rest.

Understanding Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

Emotional intelligence in leadership involves five key components: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. Leaders who possess these qualities can navigate the emotional landscape of their teams, fostering a positive work environment, resolving conflicts, and driving organizational success.

Self-Awareness: High EQ leaders are keenly aware of their emotions and how they impact their decisions and actions. This awareness allows them to make more thoughtful, less impulsive decisions.

Self-Regulation: These leaders can manage their emotions, staying calm under pressure and maintaining control in challenging situations. This stability is reassuring to their teams.

Motivation: Leaders with high EQ are driven by intrinsic motivation, such as a passion for their work and a desire to achieve longterm goals, rather than just external rewards.

Empathy: Empathy enables leaders to understand the emotions of their team members, which fosters trust and strengthens relationships.

Social Skills: Strong interpersonal skills allow high EQ leaders to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and build cohesive teams.

Why High EQ Leaders Succeed

1. Building Stronger Relationships

High EQ leaders excel at building and maintaining strong relationships within their teams. They understand that leadership is not just about giving orders but about connecting with people on an emotional level. For example, Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, is known for his empathetic leadership style. Under his guidance, Microsoft

Leaders with high emotional intelligence create an environment where employees feel valued, understood, and motivated. This, in turn, boosts team performance.

shifted from a culture of competition to one of collaboration, leading to a resurgence in the company’s innovation and market success. Nadella’s focus on empathy and emotional intelligence has been credited with transforming Microsoft into one of the most valuable companies in the world.

2. Enhancing Team Performance

Leaders with high emotional intelligence create an environment where employees feel valued, understood, and motivated. This, in turn, boosts team performance. Consider the case of Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo. Nooyi’s high EQ allowed her to connect deeply with her employees, fostering a culture of loyalty and commitment. She was known for writing personal letters to the parents of her senior executives, acknowledging their contributions to their children’s success. This level of personal engagement helped build a strong, motivated team that drove PepsiCo’s growth during her tenure.

Navigating and Resolving Conflicts

Conflict is inevitable in any organization, but how it is managed can significantly impact the team’s dynamics and productivity. Leaders with high EQ are adept at navi-

gating and resolving conflicts, ensuring that issues are addressed in a way that maintains harmony and keeps the team focused on their goals. Nelson Mandela, a leader with exceptional emotional intelligence, demonstrated this ability during South Africa’s transition from apartheid. By understanding and addressing the fears and emotions of all parties involved, Mandela was able to lead a divided nation toward reconciliation and unity.

Driving Organizational Change

Change is often met with resistance, and it takes a leader with high emotional intelligence to guide an organization through transformation successfully. High EQ leaders can sense the emotional undercurrents within the organization and address concerns in a way that minimizes resistance. An example of this is Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors. When Barra took the helm, GM was facing significant challenges, including a major recall crisis. Her transparent and empathetic approach to leadership, coupled with her ability to communicate effectively with all stakeholders, helped GM navigate the crisis and emerge stronger.

5. Fostering Innovation

Innovation thrives in environments where employees feel safe to express their ideas without fear of judgment. Leaders with high EQ create these environments by encouraging open communication and valuing diverse perspectives. Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, is a prime example of a leader who fosters innovation through emotional intelligence. Branson’s approachable and inclusive leadership style has created a culture of creativity and risk-taking across his numerous ventures, leading to Virgin’s success in a variety of industries.

The Long-Term Impact of High EQ Leadership

The impact of high EQ leadership extends beyond immediate business success. Leaders with high emotional intelligence build lasting legacies by cultivating a positive organizational culture, developing future leaders, and leaving their companies well-positioned for long-term growth. These leaders understand that their role is not just to manage tasks but to inspire and elevate the people around them.

Conclusion

In a world where leadership is increasingly about influence rather than authority, emotional intelligence has become a crucial determinant of success. Leaders with high EQ are better equipped to connect with their teams, navigate challenges, and drive sustainable success. Whether it’s fostering innovation, resolving conflicts, or guiding their organizations through change, these leaders demonstrate that emotional intelligence is not just a “nice-to-have” but an essential ingredient for effective leadership.

As the examples of Satya Nadella, Indra Nooyi, Nelson Mandela, Mary Barra, and Richard Branson show, the power of emotional intelligence in leadership cannot be underestimated. By developing and exercising their EQ, leaders can not only achieve their goals but also create a lasting positive impact on their organizations and the people they lead.

Rich George is the owner and managing director of 9 Minutes to Success, a business coaching, consulting, and training firm based in Michigan. A successful businessperson with over 30 years of business experience, Rich brings a no-nonsense approach to strategic planning and a passion for employee development and culture building. Rich’s background includes the management of over four billion dollars of real-estate assets, and over 750 million dollars of capital reinvestment strategies. Rich has been involved with successful acquisitions, dispositions, merger facilitation, and repositions. Key to his portfolio is the management of highly distressed properties, including those in court receivership. Known for his team building, culture changing, and change management skills, Rich leads the market in promotion and preservation.

Don’t miss Rich George at the HAA Education Conference & Expo!

See Page 19 for details.

Spending Smarter, Not Harder

A strategic approach to Capital Expenditures.

By MASON MCENTIRE, Brady, Chapman, Holland & Associates

There’s plenty of truth to the adage that a person must spend money to make money. In the world of multifamily communities, however, that’s just part of the story.

To paint a more accurate picture, companies in our industry must spend money to create communities people want to call home for the long term – while also protecting those communities against risks. When you successfully accomplish that, you do make money.

The secret to finding that success comes in knowing where to focus one’s attention and spending. Let’s look at areas where targeted investments can drive value and ensure success for a multi-family community, and touch on how to get started.

Six Key Areas to Focus Your Capital Expenditure Investments

1. Security System Installations & Upgrades

Maintaining control over who travels in and out of a residential community, and having a general understanding of what’s happening within that community’s walls, helps create an environment where residents and their guests feel safe. In addition, it protects your investment against criminal activity.

• CCTV Cameras: Install surveillance technology in common areas and points of entry to deter theft, vandalism and unauthorized access – or to aid evidence collection, should an accident or criminal act occur.

• Access Control Systems: Implement keycard or biometric access systems to limit entry and track movement within the community.

2. Safety System Enhancements

Having the right safety systems in place, and in working order, helps prevent accidents, limit liability and ensure regulatory compliance. It also provides peace of mind.

• Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Install detectors in all apartment units and common areas to alert residents of fires or unsafe conditions. If detectors are already in place, regularly test – and, if necessary, upgrade – them to ensure safety.

• Fire Extinguishers: Place extinguishers in strategic locations throughout the property to ensure they are accessible in the event of a blaze. Consider supplying at least one extinguisher per residential unit or asking residents to sign agreements stating they will supply and maintain their own.

• Sprinkler Systems: Install sprinkler systems in residential units and communal areas to suppress flames and minimize the risk of property damage.

3: Structural Maintenance, Repairs & Renovations

Regular upkeep of the physical structures and systems that make up your community helps prevent safety hazards, reduce costly emergency repairs and preserve the property’s value.

In addition, it creates an appealing environment for residents.

• Roof Repairs: Inspect your property’s roofing, looking for issues that could result in water leaks and structural damage. Address issues immediately to avoid more extensive – and expensive – fixes later.

• Exterior Maintenance: Inspect and repair exterior walls, windows and doors to maintain the building's integrity, weatherproofing capabilities and visual appeal.

• Elevator Maintenance: Service and maintain elevators on a regular basis to ensure resident safety and regulatory compliance.

• Accessibility Considerations: Evaluate sidewalks, parking lots, common area entryways and the like to ensure they are navigable for those with disabilities and compliant with accessibility requirements. Take immediate action to remedy broken or uneven sidewalks, noncompliant ramps and similar issues.

4: Emergency Preparedness Considerations

Due to their (hopefully) infrequent use, it can be easy to overlook the systems you rely on to ensure safe evacuation during emergencies. System upgrades can prove critical, however, in minimizing liability while enhancing a property’s overall safety and compliance.

• Emergency Lighting Installations & Upgrades: Install backup lighting systems to ensure visibility during power outages or emergencies.

• Emergency Exits: Ensure egress lighting is installed and visible. Install signage in common areas that direct individuals to the nearest exit.

• Accessibility Considerations: Evaluate handicapped-accessible entryways to ensure systems are in working order.

Is it true that those who own or manage multifamily communities must spend money to make money? Sure. But you have to be smart about it. The good news is, having the right team by your side can present a strategic path forward. And that can generate big benefits for your company and residents alike.

5: Community Amenity Upgrades

Enhanced amenities help multi-family communities of all types and sizes attract and retain residents while increasing property values and fostering a sense of community. This not only aids a community in maintaining a quality reputation, but helps it remain competitive within the market.

• Fitness Center Considerations: Install or upgrade fitness facilities to attract residents and enhance their experience. Repair broken equipment quickly to avoid potential safety concerns.

• Recreational Areas: Create outdoor spaces such as playgrounds, swimming pools, dog parks, picnic areas and barbecue pits to promote community engagement. Certain additions can introduce safety concerns, however. Take care to ensure all amenities are built to code and in compliance, and that they feature proper safety signage.

• Business Services: Provide computers and printers for resident use, along with comfortable workspaces and Wi-Fi. Install proper anti-virus and security systems to protect the property from liability.

Approaching capital expenditures in a strategic way doesn’t just help to create more comfortable, better-appointed communities. It helps position those communities for long-term success through custom-tailored coverage. Property insurance, general liability insurance, crime insurance and cyber liability insurance all play crucial roles in protecting against unexpected losses. By making a concerted effort to address potential trouble from the start, property owners and managers can often secure lower rates and better terms – while enjoying added peace of mind.

Let a Professional Firm Guide You Forward

With so many structures and systems to maintain, and resident issues to oversee each day, managing a successful multifamily community isn’t easy. A professional risk management firm can serve as an invaluable resource as it relates to guiding your capital expenditure decisions.

These firms have specialized experience evaluating the unique risks at play within a community. Not only can they help you determine precise areas of your property that could benefit from some TLC, but they can provide actionable next steps needed to improve safety, boost resident satisfaction and better your community’s reputation in general.

Is it true that those who own or manage multi-family communities must spend money to make money? Sure. But you have to be smart about it. The good news is, having the right team by your side can present a strategic path forward. And that can generate big benefits for your company and residents alike.

Mason McEntire is a risk advisor with Brady, Chapman, Holland & Associates, an independent insurance agency specializing in risk management, business insurance and employee benefits.

Did you know ABODE is online? Visit us at https://issuu.com/haa_abode

The Houston Apartment Association’s committees and clubs are some of the most productive tools we have to ensure that we remain the nation’s largest and most effective apartment association.

Committee and club members face the challenge of getting involved to carry out the duties and purpose of each club and committee.

Some general responsibilities of committee and club members include a commitment to attend all meetings and help develop marketing strategies (i.e. telemarketing, developing handouts, fliers, articles).

To serve on any of these committees and clubs, please contact the HAA office at 713-595-0300, online at www.haaonline.org or email the departments listed here.

Education education@haaonline.org

Education Advisory Council Career and Community Development Committee

Government Affairs govaffairs@haaonline.org HAAPAC*

Fair Housing Committee Strategic Growth Committee

Membership members@haaonline.org

Ambassador ONE Society

Go-Getter Membership Recruitment Club Expo Exhibitor Committee*

Community Outreach asherbondy@haaonline.org

Community Outreach Committee

Product Service Council*

Resident Relations resrel@haaonline.org

Resident Relations Committee

*Note: These committees have specific requirements for membership. Contact HAA for details.

On the Scene with HAA COMMUNITY

HAA Food Drive

This year’s Annual Food Drive was another great success! We had another recordbreaking year for collections. Many thanks to the properties, companies and volunteers who make this all possible.

Community with the highest collected:

1st Place: Reserve at Eagle Landing

2nd Place: Telfair Lofts

3rd Place: Lakes at Cinco Ranch

Community best decoration display:

1st Place: Grinch, Woodlands Lodge

2nd Place: Mario, Augusta

3rd Place: Diner, 7Seventy

Volunteers:

Ronald Franco, Ameritex Movers

Dennise Ramberansingh, BH Management

Paula Restrepo, BH Management

Mia Liza Schnur, BH Management

Jose Sanchez, BH Management

Christian Jonta, BH Management

Edwin Meza, BH Management

Robert Webre, Real Floors

Chance Eggleston, Real Floors

1Keith Walsh, Real Floors

1Evelin Cuadra, Real Floors

1Hank Presslar, Real Floors

1Jennifer Jones, MRI Software

Kizzy Parks, MRI Software

Liz Berglund, MRI Software

Samantha Royas, Veritas Equity Mgmt

Matilda Rodriguez, Veritas Equity Mgmt

Ruha Vohra, Veritas Equity Mgmt

Tracey Moore, Flooring Warehosue

Arely Pena, The Liberty Group

Melanie Morales, Encore Services

Maria Robertson, ServPro

Victoria Sepulveda, GreenLogic

Anisa Rodriguez, GreenLogic

Krysta Chacon, BGSF

Bo Hang, Redi Carpet

Kristin McLaughlin, Dixie Interiors

Lydia Sidaros, Dixie Interiors

Mallory Hess, Century A/C Supply

Jacob Kunath, Century A/C Supply

Medley Guzman, Century A/C Supply

Chris Bell, Century A/C Supply

Giovanna Gone, Century A/C Supply

Karen Hefner, Asset Living

Patti Melendy, Asset Living

Debra Knight, Comm-Fit

Adoteh Akue, Redevelopment Services

Tammy Broadway, American Fire Systems

Marie Compton, Texas InterFaith

Michelle Green, Texas InterFaith

Diana Mercado TriArc Living

Kaitlyn Flick, Texscape Services

Do you really know your applicant?

Comprehensive applicant screening tools available today can uncover financial and criminal background information. Proper screening can also reveal identity fraud issues, including stolen and fabricated identities, which may result in costly problems. Comprehensive screening using Rental Credit Reporting can also tell you who hasn’t paid rent, who has broken leases and who has received their deposit refund.

RCR provides Houston’s apartment industry with the most effective rental credit reporting tool available. RCR was established in 1977 to solve screening problems HAA founders felt plagued the local apartment industry. RCR has unsurpassed data on resident rental histories in the Houston region and gives your leasing staff immediate access to information about which prospects have fulfilled their leases and who have been residents in good standing.

“BEE” THE FUTURE

The Go-Getters “Made It Happen’ in 2024. Now help them start a buzz by recruiting and networking in 2025!

2025 Chairs:

Join our Quarterly Meetings!

Every new member you recruit this year earns you a chance to draw for gift cards and other prizes. There will be a $250 cash prize awarded to the top recruiter for each quarter and a $1,000 cash prize awarded to top recruiter for the year! In addition to top recruiter prizes, each recruitment earns a chance to select a sealed envelope containing a surprise reward, with values ranging from $25 to $100!

Meetings will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Cottonwood, 3422 N Shepherd Drive Meeting Dates (on Thursdays): March 6 • July 10 • September 11 • December 11

Visit www.haaonline.org/gogetters for more information.

2025 Membership Committee Members:

Norma

BEE THE FUTURE

THE GO-GETTERS ARE THE BACKBONE of the Houston Apartment Association. By recruiting new members, the Go-Getter Club helps both new management and supplier companies and the association grow for the future. www.haaonline.org or contact Randa and Maryann in the Membership Department at members@haaonline.org.

Brandon Coleman Chadwell Supply

Karen Hefner Asset Living

Go-Getters Meet & Greet

Thursday, December 12 at Cottonwood

Sponsored by EDT Construction and Massey Services HAA recruiters “Made it Happen” for the holidays and introduced new member recruits during the final Quarterly Meeting of 2024 and won gift cards for their efforts. The final grand prize of $1,000 cash was won by Tina Cavaco. Ambassador of the Year Dennis Juarez and Rookie of the Year Steve Griffith were also recognized. Congrats to all and let’s get buzzing for 2025!

NEW YEAR, NEW LEADS!

The Ambassadors hold their first meeting of 2025, reaching out to more HAA members.

Mark your calendars and join us!

Ambassador ONE Society meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month on: February 5, March 5 April 2 Crawfish Boil, June 4, July 2, August 6, September 3, October 1, November 5, December 3

The meeting spot is Kirby Ice House, 1015 Gessner Road, Houston, Texas 77055. at 3:30 p.m

THE AMBASSADOR ONE SOCIETY is an organized network exchange that

supplier partners build their business contacts within HAA. It’s the perfect way for new suppliers to get started with the association. Group members share leads, make introductions and support HAA and its members. For details on how to join and for

visit www.haaonline.org/ambassadors or contact Randa in the Membership Department at 713-595-0319, or email members@haaonline.org.

Photo top left:

2024-2025 Ambassdor

Chairs Tito Estrada and Karen Nelsen

Team photos at left, from top:

Purple Rain

Brown SugHAA

Orange Crush

2025 Product Service Council Your SUPPLIER

MENTORS

SUPPLIER PARTNERS SERVING TO FACILITATE GROWTH AND STRENGTHEN THE INDUSTRY.

The Product Service Council is a group of active supplier members whose objectives are to promote the active involvement and participation of supplier members.

Suppliers - Do you need some guidance?

Scan the QR code below and request a mentor from our informative and helpful Product Service Council. More information about the council members can be found at www.haaonline.org/psc.

President Deborah DeRouen, CAS ClutchCity Consulting 903-277-5451 deborah@clutch cityconsulting.com

Chris Bell, CAS Century A/C Supply 832-264-7959 cbell@centuryac.com

Sean Cunningham, CAS Flooring Warehouse 512-739-4748 sean@myflooring warehouse.com

Vice President Blaise Spitaleri, CAS Gemstar Construction Development 713-355-9230 blaise@gemstar construction.com

Marivel Bownds, CAS Valet Living 713-806-9830 marivel.bownds@valet living.com

Xochitl Flores Church Pool Services and Church Foundation Services 832-276-0312 xflores@church co-tx.com

Secretary Nikki Sekunda, CAS The Liberty Group 832-243-8888 nikkis@theliberty group.com

Tammy Broadway, CAS American Fire Systems 713-502-9901 tbroadway@american firesys.com

Giovanna Gone, CAM, CAS Century A/C Supply 832-229-3927 ggone@century ac.com

Treasurer Debra Knight, CAS Comm-Fit 281-250-9517 dknight@comm-fit.com

Carina Bryars Valet Living 832-202-6624 carina.bryars@valet living.com

Dan James, CAS Redevelopment Services 713-501-7555 djames@redevelopmentinc.com

Tracey Moore, CAS Flooring Warehouse 281-546-2283 tracey@myflooring warehouse.com

Scan to sign up for a mentor.

Immediate Past President Joseph Rodriguez, CAS Greenlogic 281-678-9259 jrodriguez@ greenlogicelectric.com

Shaun Callaway, CAS Earthworks 844-425-8168 shaun@earth.works

Stephanie Krop, CAS Emeritus Poolsure 281-914-0274 skrop@poolsure.com

Karen Nelsen, CAM, CAS ALN Apartment Data 832-647-8637 knelsen@alndata.com

Grant Almquist, CPO, CAS Texas Apartment Pool Services 713-542-4560 grant@tapstx.com

Brandon Coleman, CAPS, CAS, CAM, CALP, NAAEI Faculty Chadwell Supply 832-407-4809 brandon.coleman @chadwellsupply.com

Liz Levins, CAS Emeritus Gemstar Construction Development 832-453-1718 liz@gemstar construction.com

Arely Pena, CAS The Liberty Group 713-357-8378 arelyp@theliberty group.com

Susan Alvarado, CAS Redi Carpet Sales of Houston Ltd. 832-640-7472 susan.alvarado@ redicarpet.com

Neal Conant, CAS Gemstar Construction Development 281-636-2214 nealc@gemstar construction.com

Jim Martensen, CAS Epic Multifamily Construction 832-484-2501 jim@epicmfc.com

Ryan Weis Crestmark Construction Services 713-408-4306 rweis@crestmark services.com

Portfolio Changes

The following owner/management companies have added the listed properties to their portfolios:

• Ascension Commercial Real Estate LLC: Saxon Pond Flats, 360 units at 2953 FM 2920 in Sprin.

• Asset Living: The Metropolitan, 157 units at 8730 W Sam Houston Pkwy N.

• Bellaire Multifamily Management: Ridge Point, 168 units at 2700 Westridge St.; Pine Lake Village, 96 units at 1325 Greens Pkwy; and Green Tree Place, 196 units at 700 Dunson Glen Dr.

• Better World Properties LLC: Meridian City South, 276 units at 3918 Almeda Genoa.

• BH Management Services LLC: Kingsland Heights, 97 units at 4104 Scarlet Oak Ln in Brookshire.

• Capstone Real Estate Services Inc: Village of Lake Jackson, 170 units at 504 Hwy 332 in Lake Jackson, and Aria at Rollingbrook, 240 units at 1700 Rollingbrook Dr in Baytown.

• Creative Property Management: Oak Acres Apts, 41 units at 2811 Broad St.

• DGE Investments: Heritage Lofts Apartments, 122 units at 2666 Marilee Ln.

• Dominium Management Services: Mariposa Pecan Park, 180 units at 3535 Canada Rd in La Porte.

• DTI Investments Inc: Baywood Apts, 124 units at 5025 FM 2351 Rd in Friendswood.

• Elevate Real Estate Management: The Sophia, 240 units at 11500 Greens Plaza Dr.

• Enclave Property Management: The ICON @ Peakwood, 83 units at 810 Peakwood Dr.

• Gemstone Management LLC: Windsor Park Apts, 129 units at 7900 Creekbend Dr.

• Hirsch Road: Hirsch Road Apartments, 16 units at 110 Hirsch Rd in Humble.

• Q10 Property Advisors: Bayou Park Apts, 693 units at 4400 Memorial Dr.

• RPM Living: Kingsley Shadow Creek Ranch, 276 units at 12900 Shadow Creek Pkwy in Pearland.

• SBP: Old Spanish Trails Apartments, 7 units at 3500 Old Spanish Trails, and Tabor Street Homes, 7 units at 1404 Tabor St.

• TAM Residential: Cityscape Apartments, 240 units at 13351 Cityscape Ave.

• Venterra Realty: Townhomes at Lake Park, 247 units at 1555 Cullen Blvd in Pearland.

• Walker Holder Residential Inc: Forest Pointe Apts, 270 units at 13030 Northborough Dr.

Have something to report from your company or for yourself? Email us your news at comm@haaonline.org. Do you need to find a product or service for your property on the go? The Buyer’s Guide is online! Simply search for a member by name or category to find the most up-to-date HAA supplier member listings. You can contact the companies directly or use our “Request for Information” tool. It's quick and easy!

Brady, Chapman, Holland & Associates, one of the largest privately held insurance brokerages in the Southwestern United States, is pleased to announce Timothy J. Brady as its newly appointed CEO.

Past CEO Jeffrey L. Brady remains on as chairman and will continue serving clients in an advisory capacity.

The Dinerstein Companies are pleased to announce Inspire Homes Missouri City was awarded Build-To-Rent Deal of the Year at the 3rd Annual IMN Single Family Rental Industry Awards held on December 2, 2024 in Scottsdale, AZ. Viewed as the largest industry awards for the SFR and BTR space, the IMN SFR awards panel consisted of twenty esteemed judges within the industry. The Inspire Homes Missouri City community features 186 thoughtfully designed, detached single-family build-to-rent homes, offering a selection of two- and three-bedroom floor plans in both one- and two-story layouts, ranging from 1,172 to 1,442 square feet. Each home includes a spacious fenced-in backyard, a private driveway, and an attached two-car garage. Complementing these homes are community amenities typically found in luxury apartment complexes, including a resort-style pool deck with a spa and grilling area, a 24/7 fitness center, a children’s playground, a dog park and more.

T. Brady

J. Brady

OWNERS

Bellaire Multifamily Management

Elizabeth Longoria

5728 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy #340 Dallas, TX 75240 (214) 251-8463

Green Tree Place Pine Lake Village Ridge Point

Cornerstone Property Management

Oscar Perez 7906 Burning Hills Dr Houston, TX 77071-1313 (281) 356-0621

Enclave Property Management

Eda Toprak 4950 Terminal St #300 Bellaire, TX 77401 (832) 640-8836 The ICON @ Peakwood

REnergize

Nick Gruy 20475 State Hwy 249 #100 Houston, TX 77070 (713) 547-5100

Referred by Tina Cavaco, CAPS

SBP

Renette Cook 2645 Toulouse St New Orleans, LA 70119 (504) 814-6630

Tabor Street Homes Old Spanish Trails Apartments

Trigild Inc

Jennifer Altemus 4131 N Central Expwy #775 Dallas, TX 75204 (346) 466-6500 3000 @ Med Center

Walker Holder Residential Inc

Veanessa Honeycutt 16051 Addison Rd #201 Addison, TX 75001 (972) 239-2277

Forest Pointe Apts

SUPPLIERS

Acosta Maintenance & Solutions LLC

Ismene Acosta

9202 Abbey Chase Ln Houston, TX 77095 (832) 904-1861

General Contractors, Remodeling & Repair-Building Contractors Referred by Christie Oliver

Bath Fitter

David Freeman 4400 Blalock #100 Houston, TX 77041 (713) 691-4110

Bath - Equipment & Supplies, Bathtubs & Sinks - Repairing & Refinish

Cardinal Laundry Leasing

Robert Hinojosa PO Box 1234

Converse, TX 78109 (210) 272-9222

Laundry Equipment & Supplies, CoinOperated Machines, Credit CardEquipment & Supply, AppliancesLeasing

ClaimsMate Adjusters

Richard Chastain 119 Lost Rd Luling, TX 78648 (832) 878-8654

Adjusters, Public Adjusters, Insurance Consultants, Claims Processing Specialists

Door Step Solutions LLC

Joshua Wilson 3016 Ballest Green Dr Texas City, TX 77568 (832) 692-4086

Trash Service - Valet, Dumpster Service

ECC Exteriors

Miranda Smith 2309 Springlake Rd #620 Farmers Branch, TX 75234 (720) 271-9787

Stucco & Exterior Coating Contractors, Painting Contractors, Roofing Contractors, Waterproofing Contractors

Eco-Blade

Patrick Kurunwune

4110 Almeda Rd Unit #8037 Houston, TX 77288 (832) 849-9245

Lawn Maintenance, Landscape Contractors

Referred by Connie Montano, CAM

Fashion Glass & Mirror

DeMarus Davis 20520 Clay Center Dr Katy, TX 77449 (713) 640-5429

Shower Doors, Mirrors

SUPPLIERS

Fire Ant Professionals

April Kelsoe PO Box 3027

Lake Jackson, TX 77566 (979) 321-8181

Pest Control Services

Fresh Scent Houston LLC

Elliott Lake PO Box 40284 Houston, TX 77240 (916) 717-4790

Scent Marketing, Janitorial Equipment & Supplies

Referred by Donna Farthing

Golden Armor Security and Investigations LLC

Kaiwan Muhammed 5718 Westheimer Rd #1000 Houston, TX 77057 (832) 983-7292

Security Guard/Patrol Service, Courtesy Patrol

Marvin’s Plumbing LLC

Hugo Gonzalez PO Box 4048

Praire View, TX 77446 (832) 533-4798

Plumbing Contractors, Plumbing Drain/Sewer Cleaning

Referred by Tina Cavaco, CAPS

MJTR Contractors dba J National Contractors

Jay Katav 2445 Midway Rd #200A Carrollton, TX 75006 (972) 776-0010

General Contractors, Plumbing Equip & Supplies Referred by Tina Cavaco, CAPS

Moonwalker Roofing

Leah Rodriguez 2340 Texas Heritage Pkwy #700-11 Katy, TX 77494 (713) 903-1017

Roofing Contractors, Painting Contractors Referred by Nikki Sekunda, CAS

MRG Roofing

Richard Guerrero 7315 Vinewood Ln Houston, TX 77072-4525 (832) 955-2157

Roofing Contractors

Referred by Tina Cavaco, CAPS

Painting Services by David Maria Velazquez 2221 Camille St Pasadena, TX 77506-3024 (713) 820-1882

Painting Contractors, Siding Contractors

Referred by Tina Cavaco, CAPS

SUPPLIERS

RaamsEnterprises LLC

Amy Raams 1213 Antelope Passing Dr Montogmery, TX 77316 (936) 444-5541

Kitchen Cabinets, Remodeling & Repair-Building Contractors

Rainbow Renovation LLC

Cristian Galeano PO Box 821 Bellaire, TX 77402 (713) 545-1192

Resurfacing, Paint, Cleaners, Carpet Cleaning

Texstar Construction LLC

Adam Nelson 21755 N Freeway Service Rd Bldg 1 #102 Spring, TX 77388 (832) 510-4178

General Contractors, Roofing Contractors

Referred by Tina Cavaco, CAPS

TPI Construction & Painting Inc

Eryn Guyton 5218 Spruce St Bellaire, TX 77401 (713) 688-7986

Remodeling & Repair-Building Contractors, Painting Contractors Referred by Tina Cavaco, CAPS

Woodforest Acceptance Solutions

Jorge Portillo

1450 Lake Robbins Dr #250 The Woodlands, TX 77380 (281) 404-8242

Credit Card Merchant Services, Credit Card Processing, Payment ServicesElectronic Rent

Zoom Drain

Allison McCarthy 1304 Langham Creek Dr #466 Houston, TX 77084 281231983

Plumbing Drain/Sewer Cleaning Referred by Courtney Hill

A/C Supplies

Century A/C Supply 49 281-530-2859 www.centuryac.com

Carpet Installation

Texas Southwest Floors 43 800-719-4321 www.texasswfloors.com

Collection Agencies

Alexander-Rose Associates Inc. 67 713-644-4441 www.alexanderrose-inc.com

Electric Contractors

Affordable Quality Electric 2 713-695-5992 www.acuityelectric.com

Brandt Electrical A/C & Heating Services 10 281-693-3383 www.brandtelectrical.com

Foundation Repair

Church Foundation Repair 31 713-468-8400 www.churchfoundationrepair.com

General Contractors

Camp Facility Services Back Cover 713-413-2267 www.campfs.com

Cotton Commercial USA Inc. 14 877-511-2962 www.cottongds.com

Gemstar Construction & Development 1 281-821-1195 www.gemstarconstruction.com

Guardian Construction 53 832-672-4196 www.guardianconst.com

MultiFamily Services 66 713-266-9100

RENCON Inside Back Cover 713-666-3636 www.rencon.com

Glass – Plate, Window, Etc.

Ameristar Screen and Glass 56 713-683-6767 www.ameristarglass.com

Internet Service Provider

Blue Stream Fiber Inside Front Cover 844-416-1000 www.bluestreamfiber.com

Landscape Contractors

Texscape Services 13 281-846-3779 www.texscapeservices.com

Personnel Agency

ASAP Personnel 67 972-432-6667 www.asapdo.com

Plumbing Contractors

AAA Plumbers 5 713-462-4753 www.aaaplumbers.com

Screens

Ameristar Screen and Glass 67 713-683-6767 www.ameristarglass.com

Swimming Pool Service

Poolsure 12 800-858-POOL www.poolsure.com

HAA Products & Services

Rental Credit Reporting 57 713-595-0300 www.haaonline.org/rcr

HAA reserves the right to reject any advertising if its content is inappropriate or inconsistent with HAA’s standards for publication or HAA’s business interests, in HAA’s sole opinion.

With HAA’s job board, you’ll discover a professional community that’s committed to helping you find the right candidate or your next job opportunity in the greater Houston and surrounding areas.

713-595-0300 www.haaonline.org

Want to see current and previous issues of ABODE online? Go to http://issuu.com/haa_abode. Or view this issue on your computer, tablet or smartphone at http://issuu.com/haa_abode/docs/abode_feb2025.

CINDI

ABODE February 2025

“BEE” THE FUTURE

CONTENTS

February 2025

ON THE COVER 58

“BEE” THE FUTURE –

FEATURES & PHOTOS

COLUMNS & MONTHLY UPDATES

OFFICERS AND ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP

ABODE

SPONSOR MEMBERS

Legislative Update

GAVELED IN

Budget Surplus

FTC’s Final ‘Junk Fees’ Rule Excludes Rental Housing

EVICTION CASE UPDATE

SOAKING WET

2025 HAA Volleyball Tournament

Friday, March 21

District 249

Show Schedule:

Expo

FEBRUARY

4

5

6

11

12

18

19

20

25

MARCH

4-6

5

6

11

12-13

12

18-19

21

25

27

Discover the Ultimate Roadmap to Success with new speakers for 2025

What is Avenues?

How can I attend?

What does this get me?

Pricing:

On the Scene with the HAA PAC

HAA PAC Luncheon

State of the Submarkets 2025

ACES

On the Scene with ACES

ACES

On the Scene

Fair Housing Seminar

Meet HAA’s Leadership Lyceum

Class of 2025

Cherie Cruz, CAPS

Mallory Hess

Jim Martensen

Shamika Piggee, CAM, TCS

Necole Steward

Auri Verser, CAS

Alan Yu

Leadership Lyceum Graduates

The Committee’s Decision

36SIXTY

Property of the Year

The Most Critical Leadership Competency is … Emotional Intelligence

Understanding Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

Why High EQ Leaders Succeed

Navigating and Resolving Conflicts

Driving Organizational Change

5. Fostering Innovation

The Long-Term Impact of High EQ Leadership

Conclusion

Spending Smarter, Not Harder

A strategic approach to Capital Expenditures.

Six Key Areas to Focus Your Capital Expenditure Investments