Tim Blackwell is a long-time publishing and printing executive in the Dallas/Fort Worth area who writes about the multifamily housing and transportation industries. He has contributed numerous articles to Property Management Insider, and worked as a newspaper reporter in the D/FW area. Blackwell is president of Ballpark Impressions, and publishes the Cowcatcher Magazine. He is a member of the Fort Worth Chapter/Society of Professional Journalists.
Talk to any student housing operator and they’ll acknowledge a “rush” of a different kind on college campuses each year. Move-in day and the weeks leading up to it are intense as leasing agents try to fill beds, Resident Life is making roommate assignments and parents are calling to ask one more time what their[…]
The bite of cold winter air and freezing temperatures can have a lasting impact on your property’s landscape. Hard and moderate freezes can damage the foliage and roots systems of plants, bushes and grass, and in extreme cases lead to plant loss that requires a capital expense to rejuvenate the landscape before the spring. The[…]
Strengthening the construction industry will be top of mind in Orlando in January when builders, designers and remodelers get the spotlight at the world’s largest residential construction show. It’s no secret that labor shortages have been a big roadblock for residential and construction since the country emerged from the recession in 2008. Multifamily has felt[…]
Around conference circuits, much time and energy is spent on discussing the merits and values of in-apartment technology upgrades. Nearly every agenda yields a session or two on automation through digital infrastructure. November’s National Multihousing Council OpTech Education & Exposition was no exception. As a panel of seasoned property management and technology veterans touted the[…]
A year ago, the consensus among multifamily leaders was that 2017 would be a tale of a storybook market cooling its heels. By last fall, analysts observed that a slowdown was already underway and would continue into the next year. Issues with affordability and funding loomed, as did price flattening due to a shake-up in[…]
Pet-friendly communities continue to be a desirable amenity, as well as a leash to bring in new apartment residents and retain others. Industry experts agree that a grassy park or designated area for dogs to stretch their legs, have a catch with their owner or do their business helps lease units and can command increased[…]
A detached garage with a small shop area went up at the Blackwell residence in 2017. Everything you’ve heard at multifamily sessions or read on Property Management Insider and other industry publications is true about the pitfalls of today’s construction industry. There’s far too much work to go around—at least in Texas—for the amount of[…]
Because businesses big and small are more visible than ever, the power of corporate social responsibility has become larger than life. That feel-good culture of a company and its perception within the community defines an organization beyond its financial success. Good corporate social responsibility (CSR) is giving back to employees, customers and the community. However,[…]
Panelists speaking at the 2017 Marcus & Millichap Multifamily Forum in Dallas acknowledged that multifamily’s techno buzz is alluring but advised keeping a finger on the human touch when considering what amenities to pursue in the future. The expense and implementation of smart technology can lose its luster compared to a hands-on environment that promotes[…]
Apartment acquisition is not just a question of having the investment capital in the tank, but also a matter of enough horsepower to get there. Expanding a property management portfolio requires effective administration of new properties, from onsite personnel to the back office. If there isn’t enough muscle, the profitability goals won’t be met. “I’ve[…]
Earnings matter. This is as true in energy, industrials and consumer staples as it is in real estate...
Congratulations! You have a fantastic product. Newsflash! Your competitor has a fantastic product, t...
Multifamily owners will sometimes find themselves non-compliant because of a misinterpretation of th...
An automated vending machine generating $2,500 in weekly revenue is most likely not selling just can...
When it officially stamps hoarding as a disorder in May, the American Psychiatric Association will c...
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