Browse our articles

Solar Roadways

If you ever played with electric slot cars as a kid, this idea may resonate. An inventive couple has reimagined the world’s roads as the source of solar/electric power for vehicles. Think the idea is out there? Read on to find out what they’ve envisioned. With global warming in mind, Scott Brusaw (right, driving a […]

08 / 21 / 14

Energy

Energy Suite

Reach Out and Read

Reach Out and Read is an evidence-based nonprofit organization of medical providers who promote early literacy and reading aloud. The organization operates in all 50 states, serving 4 million kids each year. Medical providers distribute 6.5 million books to children and supply parents with literacy advice to help families obtain the longer term benefits of […]

08 / 20 / 14

The Best Bike Policy

As an outdoor enthusiast, I love the warm weather months. It’s great to hop on my mountain bike and head to the local trails or just watch the kids cruise around the neighborhood while I grill. But I hate the heart-stopping moments when kids on bikes get too close to moving cars or when I […]

08 / 19 / 14

Alan Missen

FirstService Residential is the largest third-party manager of homeowner’s associations in the United States, with more than 6,000 properties – and another 600 or so in Canada. So it makes sense that the Dania Beach, Florida-based company would be think big about how to deliver technology solutions specifically for the HOA lifestyle. Whether you’re a […]

08 / 18 / 14

Team Yardi

Generation Rent

The apartment industry has played a major part in the revitalization of the real estate sector while also significantly contributing to the American economy. Rental market activity has grown at a moderate yet constant pace in most metros around the country, with up to seven million new renter households forming the last decade—almost half of […]

08 / 14 / 14

Special Olympics SB

Competition can be empowering. It doesn’t matter whether the competition takes place on a field, court or office. Knowing that you will go head-to-head with a worthy competitor encourages you to set goals, hone your skills, and believe that you are capable of emerging from the competition as a victor. You alone can forge the […]

08 / 13 / 14

Managing Turnover

For most property management companies, how well resident turnover is managed is a huge part of the profit picture. There’s no more critical component in managing turnover than simply and effectively anticipating those turns. Apartment buildings anticipate a 50 to 60 percent renewal rate, says Trudy von Keudell, property manager at Coast at Lakeshore East […]

08 / 12 / 14

The Problem Solver

Editor’s note: Last fall, we introduced you to Kyle Kazan, CEO of Beach Front Property Management and a former law enforcement officer. Kazan’s stories of dealing with problem tenants and difficult situations at his properties stood out – he is upfront and honest about real-world situations that other executives might not want to talk about. […]

08 / 11 / 14

Team Yardi

The Smartshoe

The world of wearable technology is still in its early stages. After wristbands, glasses, and watches, an Indian start-up firm, Ducere Technologies, has introduced the smartshoe. These Bluetooth enabled shoes called Lechal (‘take me there’ in Hindu) will sell for $100-$150 a pair, and are scheduled to hit the market next month. The product has […]

08 / 08 / 14

Technology

Master-Planned Communities

With a burgeoning demand for sustainable living and mixed-use, walkable environments, the country’s master-planned communities are thriving. The top 20 master-planned communities sold 15,338 homes in 2013, which is an 11% increase over 2012, according to a report compiled by John Burns Real Estate Consulting. Texas dominated the ranking, with nine communities landing the list. […]

08 / 07 / 14

Changing Lifestyles

People have become increasingly preoccupied with well-being and seek healthier alternatives to everyday activities. Collaborative consumption, sustainable transportation choices, social connectivity and affordability have become guiding principles for a large part of the American population. The benefits of adopting such principles are indeed great and may include lowering carbon footprint by sharing transportation – whether […]

08 / 05 / 14

Insights on Instagram

Buckingham Companies began this year with a slew of accolades, among them a Prodigy Award for Best Overall Marketing Program, another for Best Color Advertisement, and the Bronze Adrian Award for Complete Campaign and Posting. At the foundation of those achievements stands an innovative marketing department that enhances traditional marketing approaches with a tool that […]

08 / 04 / 14

Marketing

Edith Pojum

Technical analyst turned Q&A specialist, Edith Pojum is a dedicated member of Yardi’s CSD team in Cluj and a freelance illustrator whose playful e-cards are slowly paving her way towards taking over the world, one heart flutter at a time. Even though that’s not the way she’d go about world domination: “I’d start by helping […]

08 / 01 / 14

Team Yardi

The Main Place

The needs of our neighbors aren’t always evident. When Sharon Johnston served as the president of Irving Women’s Network (IWN) from 2004-2006, the organization was shocked to discover that there were over 1,000 homeless teenagers in their town. Johnston immediately called the school district’s homeless liaison to figure out how such a need could be […]

07 / 31 / 14