Q3 2023 HOMESTEAD HAPPENINGS!
A New Era of Leasing
Are you ready for it?
This fall, as we kick off our Homestead U Leasing & Renewal Campaign, we're stepping into our very own Leasing Era! Taylor Swift's Eras Tour has recently captivated the attention of millions. It's all about the magic of eras, glam, personal reflection, nostalgia, and so much more! It's time to embrace our era and capture the hearts of prospects and our residents!
We are diving deep into emotional touch points. Think about it: your college years hold some of your favorite memories. It's practically an era in itself! That is what we are aiming for with our residents. By showcasing our properties' era at the forefront, we are encouraging prospects and residents to feel as though we are where their favorite memories will be held. That's why they should choose to live with us!
The HU properties are taking it to the next level with well-thought-out events and social media posts, exciting giveaways, and promotional materials. We have loved seeing this new era for HU unfold and look forward to seeing what else is planned for the future!
#MyHomesteadEra
Another Successful HU Move-in!
Our HU teams had another fantastic year! Move-ins are complete, and the teams are now focusing on leasing for the 2024 season. In terms of preleased average, we’re excited to report that the portfolio is currently ahead of last year by 5.5% and nearly 10% ahead of 2 years prior, making it one of our most successful leasing seasons yet. Congratulations to everyone involved! Way to go!
Donna Stage, Regional Manager for Homestead U, was thrilled overall. “Turn is an adrenaline rush, and we are glad everyone survived. I wouldn’t trade student housing for anything.”
A Night At The Movies
Our team members from Homestead America had the opportunity to attend the Columbus Apartment Association 2023 Expo: A Night at the Movies! Located at the Makoy Center in Hilliard, Ohio, everyone enjoyed exploring all of the vendor setups and connecting with our community. Thank you to the CAA for putting together a fantastic event. We are all looking forward to next year!
Entrata Summit
Another successful year at the Entrata Summit!
Shaun Kastner, Director of Systems and Training, and Qiletha Caston, VP of Systems and Compliance, spent a week in Salt Lake City, Utah, learning about new perspectives on all things multifamily. Their schedule was filled with insightful sessions and keynote speakers, and now they're returning feeling motivated!
Thank you, Entrata, for hosting yet another amazing learning opportunity!
The Blueprint: Insights on Construction
Homestead Construction has many projects underway and has continued to make significant progress over the last quarter! Below, you can find the latest updates for each project from John Brinich, President of Homestead Construction.
Lusso – Italian Village, Columbus, OH
The construction team is actively working on the framing of building H, simultaneous to the roof being installed on building G and the warehouse structure. Additionally, mechanical rough-ins are in progress for both Building G and F.
Check out our website! - Living Lusso
Stella – Italian Village, Columbus, OH
The first units in building C are currently preparing to open! Building B is nearing completion at 90% and will be ready to open in December. As for Building A, the first units are scheduled to open in January 2023, while the clubhouse is expected to be ready in November.
Check out our website! - Living Stella
Signature – Lexington, Kentucky
Construction is well underway in Lexington, Kentucky! Mechanical rough-ins have been installed in four of the buildings, and the clubhouse is expected to open in December.
Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates - @livethesignaturelife
Hayden Park – Huber Heights, Ohio
We now have 3 buildings open for residents and are expecting to wrap up the rest of construction by the end of the year. The pool and outdoor patio areas are now fully completed!
Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates - @livehaydenpark
Camden Park – Fort Wayne, Indiana
The pool and outdoor patio are being worked on, and the next step is to pour concrete. Landscaping is still underway and we're adding final touches throughout the property. Building 3 is currently being paved and the dog park is about halfway finished. We already have 3 buildings available for residents, and we're anticipating completing the rest of the construction by the end of the year!
Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates - @livecamdenpark
Homestead Village – Fort Wayne, Indiana
There are currently 2 buildings open and the third is expected to open for residents at the beginning of October. The construction team is currently commencing exterior finishes. Overall, the project has been progressing well!
Quarter 3 Champ Chain:
Grace Benningfield
Please join us in congratulating Grace Benningfield, Community Manager at The Heights, for winning the Quarter 3 Champ Chain Award! Her passion, drive, and commitment to the company are admirable, and we are lucky to have her as a member of our team. Here are a few things that her fellow co-workers had to say about her:
"Grace has always been a great coworker and friend. If any help is needed anywhere, she is there to help. Nothing could have proved that more than when she had to step up and take over as community manager. So proud of her! If you know her, you know she deserves this!"
Grace, congratulations on this well-deserved recognition. We look forward to seeing all that you will continue to accomplish in the future!
Quarter 3 Medal of Excellence:
Madison Harrington
Please join us as we congratulate our Quarter 3 Medal of Excellence winner, Madison Harrington, Homestead's very own Leasing Consultant at Hayden Park Apartments in Huber Heights, Ohio! Madison has been a rockstar since day one, and we are thankful to have her as one of our team members. Here are a few things that her fellow co-workers had to say about her:
"Madison has been monumental in helping get Hayden Park leased up. Although she has only been here for under a year, she has made a huge impact and even traveled to help out to the new student community at the University of Kentucky, Signature."
Madison, congratulations on this well-deserved recognition. We appreciate all of your hard work and dedication. Thank you for being a dependable worker that we can count on, we appreciate you!
Employee Spotlight: Sarah Schaffner
Sarah Schaffner
Job Title: Community Manager
Community: Georgetown Apartments
How long have you been with Homestead? Three years!
What were you doing before Homestead? I worked in retail for a long, long time, selling fine jewelry and watches.
Where are you originally from? Canton, Ohio.
What are your favorite hobbies? I love to bake, do anything outdoors, and gardening.
What would you most likely tell your 13-year-old self? Your life will never be what you expect, so, enjoy every minute. That plan you might have will always change! Don't be afraid to do something you've never done.
If you could have coffee with three people, dead or alive, who would it be? My parents and my younger sister. And my 2nd grade teacher as a bonus!
Who is the most famous person you have ever met? Do I have to pick just one? Rod Stewart!
What is your dream vacation? Going to France and seeing the whole country.
What is one thing you can't live without? Lipstick!
What is your proudest moment at Homestead? Receiving the “Community of The Year” award last year. We have a great team that works incredibly hard. I was and am so proud of what we've accomplished.
What is on your retirement bucket list? Travel, travel and more traveling!! Can't wait to just go everywhere.
Quarter 3 Promotions
Grace Benningfield – Promoted from Business Assistant to Community Manager at The Heights
Audrey Higgins – Promoted from Leasing Consultant to Leasing & Marketing Manager at Helix Starkville
Kaitlyn Griffin – Promoted from Leasing & Marketing Manager to Community Manager at SkyGarden
Kyle Funkhouser – Promoted from Community Assistant to Full-time Leasing Consultant at The Valley
Nikki Leonard – Promoted from Business Administrator to Community Manager at Helix
Congratulations on your well-deserved promotions! We are wishing you continued success and appreciate all of your hard work and dedication!
July
Donna Stage, Home Office, 13 Years
Eric Kinney, University Village, 13 Years
Jerry Taylor, University Village, 13 Years
Tammy Lusk, University Village, 12 Years
Vanessa Marcum, River Park, 11 Years
Angie Slay, River Annex, 11 Years
Ashley Gall, River Park, 11 Years
Cecil Stage Jr, University Village, 11 Years
Chad Hudnall, River Park, 11 Years
Debbie Sanborn, River Park, 11 Years
Ryan McGahan, Home Office, 10 Years
Priscilla Robles, College Station, 5 Years
Rey Orellana, University Village, 3 Years
John Brinich, Home Office, 2 Years
Nigel Long, The View, 2 Years
Mike Sheets, River Annex, 1 Year
Robert Rumfield, Georgetown, 1 Year
Bob Rioch, River Annex, 1 Year
Sarah Szymeczek, The Heights, 1 Year
Shawn Radi, Village West, 1 Year
August
Jordyn Swoope, The Valley, 3 Years
Chris Beardman, Home Office, 2 Years
Jeremy Gray, Worthington Commons, 2 Years
Andy Bowers, Homestead Village – Blacklick, 2 Years
Yash Khanna, The Valley, 1 Year
Heather Osborne, Homestead Village – Miamisburg, 1 Year
Trishauna Champagnie, University Village, 1 Year
Jay Heck, Village West, 1 Year
Aramis Vasquez, Worthington Commons, 1 Year
Sandy Millwater, Homestead Village – Miamisburg 1 Year
Scott Van Winkle, Homestead Village – Beavercreek, 1 Year
September
Leisha Maynard, 7 Years, Clintonville Commons
Terry Kellenberger, 6 Years, University Village
Wilbur Taylor, 4 Years, University Village
Sarah Schaffner, 3 Years, Georgetown Apartments
Chris Hagaman, 2 Years, River Annex
Cassie Skinner, 1 Year, Buckstone Flats
Sara Ralston, 1 Year, 2818 & Parkway College Station
Alex Watters, 1 Year, University Village
We’re Hiring!
Dear Homesteader,
As a valued team member, we believe you have a network of talented professionals who could make great additions to our organization. That's why we're excited to announce our employee referral program, which rewards you for referring top talent to our company.
For every candidate you refer who is hired and successfully completes their 90-day probationary period, you will receive a referral bonus of $250. Not only will you be rewarded for helping us find great people, but you'll also be helping to grow our company and expand our network of talented professionals.
To refer a candidate, direct them to our job postings on our website and ensure they include your name in their application. If the candidate is hired and completes their probationary period, we'll make sure to send your reward to you promptly.
Please remember that we're looking for talented professionals who fit our company culture and values well. We're interested in individuals who are passionate about what they do, take the initiative, and are committed to continuous learning and growth.
Thank you for your commitment to our company and for helping us build a talented and engaged team. We look forward to hearing from you and receiving your referrals.