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VAMA is pleased to announce the 2017 Executive Committee: R. L. Dunn, President Kiersten Downing, Vice President Alethea Parker, Treasurer Jon Barrett, Secretary Thank you to all 187 volunteers across the state for your commitment to serve VAMA in the coming year.

We’ve summarized the top predictions from MPF Research for 2017, based on a recent multifamily webcast featuring RealPage Chief Economist Greg Willett and MPF Research Vice President Jay Parsons, with special guest Philip Martin of Chicago-based property management and investment group Waterton.

Harrisonburg businesses file suit to stop the city from jailing property owners for using Landscaping mulch. December 22, 2016 (Harrisonburg, VA) – Harrisonburg businesses and VAMA filed a declaratory judgment action against the City concerning the legality of its ordinance regulating landscape cover materials, part of which allows the City to arrest property owners who exercise their rights to landscape their properties free from unreasonable government intrusion. Penalties under the ordinance are up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine. Due to the unwillingness of Harrisonburg's City Council to discuss any alternatives, VAMA and local business owners were forced to do as several Council Members suggested and file a suit against the City.

Formerly called Alta Stony Point, the $40 million project was approved in 2013 for 282 apartments in four three- or four-story buildings and a handful of smaller carriage units. The building under construction now will be the largest of the bunch and is slated to come online around July, said Carter Siegel, a regional director with Wood Partners.

Montgomery County officials are seeking a private developer buy the old Blacksburg High School property off Patrick Henry Drive. Going as far back as late 2010, Blacksburg has been one of the parties pursuing the old school site. Town officials have expressed wishes to either turn it into parks and recreational space or land bank it until another school can be developed there.

The shift to higher end, new dwellings with modern amenities began three years ago with the opening of The Summer House Apartments, on the corner of Laskin Road and Pacific Avenue. Gold Key|PHR, a Virginia Beach-based hotel and restaurant development company, reinvented the corner with a multiuse project.

Silver Cos. plans to add to the growing number of apartment complexes near Fall Hill Avenue in Fredericksburg. The complex will have six, 4-story, multi-family apartment buildings with a total of 577 units. They’re expected to be ready to rent by 2019. The apartments in Celebrate Virginia South will be the first locally to also feature an age-restricted section called Silver Collection Sterling Edition. About 200 of the units will be for those ages 55 and older.

The NRVAC celebrated a wonderful year culminating in the presentation of the Community and Industry Excellence Awards for local industry professionals at the annual Holiday Banquet. Nearly 100 attendees gathered at the Inn at Virginia Tech to enjoy this awards program and holiday celebration. Congratulations to all of the award winners!

Congratulations to all of our candidates that completed the requirements to obtain an NAAEI Credential this year! CAM, CAPS, CAMT and NALP are education programs designed by NAA and conducted throughout Virginia each year. Earning your designation in any one of these areas announces to the world you commitment to excellence.

BRAC decided this year to upgrade their awards program to an evening event with dinner and cocktails. With this change, attendance was higher than last year and everyone said the program was fabulous! What's not to like about a red carpet. Congratulations to BRAC on a successful event and to all of the 2016 Award Winners! Click on the full article to see a complete list of winners.

Upcoming Events HRAC 1/20/17 Morning Coffee Meeting RLRAC 1/24/17 Trade Show & Education Expo CVAA 1/24/17 Fair Housing Certification HRAC 1/25/17 R-22 CFC Certification Course VRHC 1/26/17 Morning Motivator CVAA 1/27/17 RAMMY Awards Ceremony VAMA 1/31/17 Lobby Day CVAA 2/2/17 Supplier-Only Coffee RLRAC 2/3/17 Fair Housing with Renee Pulliam CVAA 2/7/17: R-22 CFC Certification BRAC 2/8/17: R-22 CFC/608 Universal Certification ***Remember to sign in before registering to receive the VAMA Member Discount***

Homeownership rates are down, so who are all the long-term renters? (They're not just millennials.) For many Americans, owning a home is a rite of passage. But not everyone puts homeownership on their priority list.

Mental illness afflicts 43.8 million Americans each year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. While most are able to quietly manage their mental illness on a day-to-day basis, debilitating symptoms can occasionally prevent well-meaning individuals from performing necessary functions, like going to work or keeping up with rent payments. In rare cases, a person experiencing severe mental illness can present a risk to themselves, other tenants, your staff, or your property.

The value of dollars off move in specials and discounted rent concessions is strongly discouraged by many marketing experts. -The value is short lived. -Impacts renewal rates. -Frustrates existing residents.