Erica Rascón

Healthy Communities

After the first few questions, I knew this was not going to be an interview like any other. I recently sat down with Denise Hinkle, Director of Development and Communications at Family Services Agency (FSA). We began with basic questions about the organization when one question seemed to stump us both. “What is one of […]

02 / 16 / 16

PathPoint

California-based nonprofit PathPoint specializes in building vital communities that foster independence, dignity and work for all residents. PathPoint equips individuals with disabilities or disadvantages with the tools needed to achieve self-sufficiency and pride. Employment, community access, residential and behavioral health services are just a few routes through which PathPoint fulfills its mission. One of the […]

02 / 11 / 16

Mental Health

The understanding of our relationship with the built environment continues to evolve. The sustainability movement of the 1970s encouraged construction that conserved earth’s limited resources. In the 1990s, universal design motivated us to create accessible and multi-generational abodes. Now, the psychological ecosystem services movement is exploring the connection between urban environments and mental health. According […]

02 / 09 / 16

Impact Investments

Upon the closing of 2015, the impact investing marketplace reached $60 billion. The increase in activity indicates that the market is gaining traction. The forecast is bright for the burgeoning market, which could ultimately spell a brighter future for our posterity. Before impact investments became a viable alternative, societies relied on philanthropy and governments to […]

02 / 03 / 16

Online Payment Essentials

The newest National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) survey offers dozens of helpful insights. The gathered data reflects 120,000 responses from 44 markets nationwide. Though the survey covers everything from home features to community amenities, we found one action item that can save you time, money, and headache: make online payments essential. Of those surveyed, 78 […]

01 / 29 / 16

Technology

30 Day Challenge

In our last Open Café webinar, we introduced the 30 Day Social Media Marketing challenge. This challenge encourages RentCafe users to post consistently, engage with followers, and attract prospects. Now, you can participate as well! Though you can begin on any day, it may be a good idea to kick start your new social media […]

01 / 28 / 16

Marketing

Renting to Millennials

You know all of those reports on Millennials and their love for tiny, urban spaces in walkable communities? They might be wrong. It turns out that Millennials value space and authenticity more than we previously believed—and the two rarely go hand-in-hand. A recent study suggests that while Millennials do enjoy their apartments in urban environments, […]

01 / 22 / 16

Breaking Records

It’s the perfect combination: a boost in local jobs, diminishing office supply, and rising rents. The three have positioned the Atlanta office market for a record-breaking year. With a conservative lens, JLL lists the Atlanta office space vacancy rating at 17.5 percent and average rents of $22.54 per square foot. Transwestern confidently states a 15.9 […]

01 / 19 / 16

Commercial

Solar for Affordable

The Clean Energy Group recently completed the report, Resilience for Free: How Solar + Storage Could Protect Multifamily Affordable Housing from Power Outages at Little or No Net Cost. The group’s research unveils just how easy and cost-effective it can be to furnish affordable housing with solar energy. The research and new technologies could be […]

01 / 15 / 16

Energy

Energy Suite

Casa Serena

Success came with an unexpected side effect for Lisette Fraser. After ten years in the addiction treatment industry, the small clinic where she worked had blossomed into a conglomeration of outpatient and residential care facilities throughout California. Fraser loved that more people were receiving care, but the immense growth left her feeling detached from herself […]

01 / 14 / 16

Ice Storm 2016

For the past several years, the southeastern United States has been slammed with ice storms in the first quarter. You can’t stop the ice from forming, but there are several steps that you can take to keep your leasing office staff as safe as possible. While weather forecasts are known to issue false alarms, ignoring […]

01 / 06 / 16

5 Resolutions

Forbes offers insights on the behavior of Millennial consumers. One thing that stands out is Millennials’ desire for genuine human interaction on social media. They don’t want your best advertising techniques. They don’t care how much you spend on marketing. They want to know you and why you feel that your product is worthy of […]

01 / 01 / 16

Marketing

Figuring Out Feedback

Dealing with negative feedback and difficult questions can be a test of character. When a comment points out a genuine flaw in your product or service, it can trigger excuses or a defensive response. When the comment is unnecessarily rude, you may want to formulate an equally searing comeback. Dealing with negativity is never fun, but […]

12 / 30 / 15

Marketing

Rising Above Addiction

If the name Catherine Remak seems familiar to you, you aren’t alone. She has been the voice of the KLITE 101.7 morning show for 23 years. The show allows her to relish in her passion for light rock while promoting many of the great organizations that serve Santa Barbara residents. It was through the radio […]

12 / 22 / 15