Letter from the President

By STEPHANIE GRAVES, CAPS, CAM, IROP, 2023 HAA President

ARE YOU PREPARED TO WEATHER THE HEAT?

The temperature in Houston is rising, which can only mean one thing, summer is coming.

Summer in the apartment industry doesn’t mean long days of relaxing by the pool or two months without homework, it means you better be ready to gear up for a busy season ahead. Packed leasing offices with eager renters, clogged pool drains, over worked air conditioning units and employees juggling life work balance while their school kiddos are out on break, are just around the corner!

With so many moving pieces, preparing for these busy months ahead are crucial. Leasing managers, prepare yourself mentally for what you are about to encounter. Renewals are coming up, apartment tour requests are growing and our teams need a strong leader through this busy season. Let your maintenance teams know just how much you appreciate them braving the Texas heat and that they are taking care of themselves too and not just the units. Make sure you get your inspections done so you have time to repair any systems that might not be functioning perfectly. Keep those spring maintenance projects on track to wrap up before the warmer weather brings in new residents and get your vacant units “rent ready.” Bring your teams water throughout the day to keep them hydrated, bring goodies in the office for your potential new residents, hold a team meeting preparing everyone for what’s about to come and make sure to give recognition to your hard-working consultants.

Summer isn’t just a scary word for the management side, but for the supplier side too. Pools opening, air conditioners running and kids at home for two months mean that appliances are getting used more often. Suppliers, we need you through these trying times! You still have a little time to put your tools in place and call the resources you need. Keep your staff motivated and not just focused on their upcoming summer vacations! Stay prepared mentally and physically for the heat wave.

A Different Kind of Heat: Join me for Casino Night!

And if you are looking for a break during all the crazy, don’t forget that the NEXT Committee is hosting a Casino Night on July 18 to raise money for the HAA PAC. If you’re feeling lucky and want to contribute, what better way to support the PAC and the NEXTERS? We would love to have you ‘roll the dice’ and participate. I will even be dealing at the VIP table, which will be fire! You can find more information on HAA’s NEXT Casino Night on Page 19. Maybe you can even get some hot tips from the players sitting around the table about what they are doing to prepare for these next few months.

Be ready. Summer is coming, and I hear it’s a five alarm!