Table of Contents May 2009

FEATURES

Cover Story

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  A Certain Chemistry

  The property management firm is focused on operational efficiencies and leveraging systems across a growing fee-management portfolio.

   

FROM THE EDITOR

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  Spring Fever

  This is the season for fresh starts and new beginnings, and at the magazine, we are doing just that.

   

NEWS + NUMBERS

Stat of the Month

• Small Slice

  The country's largest 50 owners and managers still account for only a small slice of the national rental stock.

   

Direct Reports

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  Woman in Charge

  Five questions with Carol Galante, HUD's newly appointed deputy assistant secretary of multifamily.

   

• Legal Woes

  Companies join a growing roster of multifamily firms trying to navigate the complicated, often contradicting, federal accessibility laws.

   

• Under the Microscope

  Multifamily companies find renters digging in on renewals as they struggle to entice residents to stay put.

   

• Multifamily News Bites: May 2009

  New partnership for MITS, bedbug problems emerge in Manhattan, distressed asset Web sites, and more industry news.

   

• Cautious Optimism

  Challenges to lending and real estate fundamentals remain despite national accounting board's relaxation of so-called fair value rules.

   

Regional

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  Brain Trust

  An educated workforce and reliance on recession-resistant industries has Boston poised for solid apartment industry performance.

   

PEOPLE + PLACES

One to Watch

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  Larry Curtis

  Larry Curtis, WinnDevelopment’s managing partner, advocates for affordable housing as the 2009 president of the National Housing and Rehabilitation Association.

   

Apartment Life

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  Safety Nets

  Multifamily firms offer programs that reassure new and existing residents alike, encouraging them to sign up and stay put.

   

SALES + SOLUTIONS

New Developments

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  Good Fortune

  A West Harlem, N.Y., community will unite green and affordability.

   

Tech Specs

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  Easy Pay

  Multifamily embraces virtual systems to secure rents in tough times even as usage of credit cards for payment remains sporadic among residents.

   

PRODUCT STUDIO

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  Green Acres

  Developers improve open space with unique products.

   

LANDMARKS

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  Landmarks

  Leland Bryant's Harper House is still glamorous after 80 years.

   

MFE TOP 50

Top 50 Builders

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  Looking for the Bottom

  For the country's largest builders of multifamily units, 2008 was a bad year, and 2009 will likely be worse.

   

Top 50 Owners

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  Slimming Down

  Large institutional players rid themselves of excess fat.

   

Top 50 Managers

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  Return to Prominence

  Large third-party managers get a boost in business as owners focus on strengthening operating fundamentals.

   

Top Remodelers

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  Numbers Game

  Apartment renovators slow their pace in 2008.