Blog entries

ACH Completes Student Housing Leasing Season with 48% Resident Retention Rate

Audrey Nardecchia — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:39:39 +0100

Houston, Texas – September 7, 2010 – Asset Campus Housing (ACH) completes the leasing season for the academic 2010-2011 school year with a total portfolio wide resident retention rate of 48% due to the execution of an aggressive renewal campaign that was implemented through their multi-layered management system and highly motivated staff.

Thirteen ACH properties achieved a 40% or higher resident retention rate, while three other properties achieved 50% or higher resident retention. These percentages speak volumes of ACH’s ability to provide ultimate customer satisfaction in the student housing industry.

ACH executes their renewal campaign the first day residents arrive by physically assisting them with move-in and providing them with adequate resources to their surrounding community and university, i.e. the university’s football schedule, the best dining locations, and student coupon books to local retail stores. Throughout the year ACH proceeds to invite residents to monthly events where they can network and generate lasting friendships at planned activities that are not provided at competing facilities.

Recognizing what is important to today’s student housing resident, ACH focuses on training their entire staff to be prepared for every potential resident issue. The ACH staff makes it a priority to create a welcoming atmosphere by having onsite management recognize each resident by name and being available for assistance at all hours. Maintenance issues tend to be of high importance when dealing with student housing, therefore ACH hires the most efficient and professional maintenance teams available to ensure that all requests are met in a timely fashion with no future mishap.

ACH is consistently working with clients to be sure all facilities are kept up to date with the latest amenities and necessities, making it feasible for the company to hold on to nearly half of all their residing residents. The success of ACH’s resident retention has contributed to their successful yearend occupancy rate of 97%.

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, ACH is an affiliate of Houston-based Asset Plus Companies, a third party property management firm specializing in real estate services for investors, developers, and owners. Asset Campus Housing manages a student housing portfolio of 50+ properties, exceeding 30,000 beds located throughout the United States.

Asset Campus Housing Assists with New Student Housing Development in Nacogdoches, Texas

Audrey Nardecchia — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 02:18:47 +0100

Houston, Texas – 9/2/10- Construction will start soon on a new luxury student housing development in Nacogdoches, but unlike most new development projects, this one is preserving and incorporating a piece of history into its plans.

Legendswill bring to life the vision of Domus Development’s Eric Jakimier. “The history of site is extremely unique and I really wanted to preserve that,” said Jakimier of the land where the development is to be built, which is about 2 blocks from the front gates ofStephen F. Austin University.

“The last time this land changed hands was 1886,” according to Jakimier. This land has been held in a family trust for many years. Owned by Samuel B. Hayter and his wife Penelope, the family built a home on the property in 1913 and lived there for nearly 60 years.

“I fell in love with the building the first time I saw it,” said Jakimier, who is a licensed architect and plans to renovate and make the prairie-style home the clubhouse and office for this new student housing project. The home was designed by Diedrich Rulfs, who was known as the master architect of Nacogdoches from the 1880s to 1920s. Jakimier discovered the property while doing genealogy work on his own family, who moved in the area at roughly the same time at Sam’s great-grandfather in the mid-1800s.

The development will encompass 10 acres and also includes another 20 acres, a portion of which is likely to be donated to the city for a park. Legends will house 549 students in a mixture of 1, 2 and 4 bedroom apartments ranging from 550 to 1350 square feet. The property will include a long list of luxury amenitiesand is anticipated to be leased at capacity when it opens in August of 2012. Legends will be operated by Asset Campus Housing. “We are excited that Eric has chosen ACH to be the managing agent for Legends, this project will be one of the most unique student housing developments, not just in Texas but the entire country” said Wanda Norrick, VP of operations for ACH. “Its not every day a project like this comes along.”

This is not the first time Jakimier has blended new development with history. While working for another development company, Jakimier spearheaded the adaptive reuse of a historic building in Chicago. He was successful in getting the building listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings, which generated substantial project funds from syndication of the tax credits.

“I believe preserving history is important and the rich history of this house is something really unique. We could never duplicate if we simply tore it down and replaced it with a new building,” said Jakimier. “I know that students will appreciate the historical value we are bringing to this site and will be as excited about Legends as I am.”

Domus Development
Eric Jakimier has spent the past seven years specifically concentrating on student housing, both university-owned and privately-owned, for the largest student living developers in the country. He has been responsible for everything from site selection and acquisition, through site due-diligence, design consultant management, lender contract negotiation and negotiations with governmental agencies, to construction management and project turnover, including project accounting and reporting to investors and other interested parties.

Asset Campus Housing
Asset Campus Housing, Inc. (“ACH”) is a sister company of Houston based Asset Plus Companies, a third party property management firm specializing in real estate services for investors, developers, and owners. Asset Campus Housing manages a student housing portfolio of 50+ properties, exceeding 30,000 beds located throughout the United States.

Asset Campus Housing Leads Student Housing Management in College Station, TX

Audrey Nardecchia — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 02:36:37 +0100

Houston, Texas – August 31, 2010– In one of the nation’s most challenging and competitive student housing markets, College Station, Texas, Asset Campus Housing (ACH) continues to see growth with the recent addition of two new management assignments while successfully leasing their other College Station properties.

ACH’s presence in the market place is over 4,000 beds, making ACH the largest off campus student housing provider in College Station, Texas. In a market where 2,900+ beds have been added to the housing supply over the past two years, ACH outperforms competitors by achieving occupancy levels above 97% on the facilities it operates.

The success in College Station, Texas is the result of ACH’s operating philosophy of a low supervisory ratio combined with a creative, resourceful internal marketing department. Two of ACH’s most recent management assignments in this market greatly benefited from their boutique-style property management approach by allowing the operating team to primarily focus on the operations and the marketing team to be strictly geared to marketing and the re-positioning of the assets within the market place.

Upon takeovers, with less than 60 days remaining in the leasing season, the ACH team dramatically increased the 2010 fall preleasing percentage from 41% to 97% in the new 400+ bed assignment and 52% to 94% in the 800+ bed assignment.

With over 8 years of student housing management experience in College Station, ACH is especially familiar with the market place and has established a well known reputation for exceeding resident expectations as seen with this year’s leasing success.

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, ACH is an affiliate of Houston-based Asset Plus Companies, a third party property management firm specializing in real estate services for investors, developers, and owners. ACH manages a student housing portfolio of 50+ properties, exceeding 30,000 beds located throughout the United States.

ACH and the First Day of Class

Audrey Nardecchia — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 23:42:17 +0100

Sitting and waiting on interstates and highways the past couple of mornings may have seemed to be a little bit more frustrating than usual due to the majority of schools across the nation beginning class this week.

The introduction to a new semester effects people of all ages and occupations. Whether you are the student yourself going back to college for the final year, the parent dropping off your child at their first day of kindergarten, or simply the coworker who is late to work due to all the school zones in place- you have most likely experienced the rush of adrenaline that accompanies the beginning of a new semester.

Here at ACH, we get to participate in this exciting time of year through a magnitude of experiences. The most obvious would be our role as an active management company in the student housing market. Managers and Resident Advisors are currently helping residents at different universities across the nation move in and get accommodated with their new apartments, while hosting multiple resident activities like meet-n-greet barbeques and luaus. After months of lease audits and roommate matching, the ACH teams finally get to meet their new residents.

Yesterday morning, employees in the Houston corporate office shared with their coworkers the exciting details of their own special "first day of school ritual" that they carry out each year with their children as they expressed concern over the fact that they are all one year closer to having an empty nest. Tales of traditional photos being taken, picking out the perfect outfit, and getting a special breakfast before class were some of the most common stories told. While some employees are too young to share these experiences of having children in school, others are experiencing this rite of passage with their first grandchild, creating a diverse culture that makes Asset Plus and ACH such a unique and binding family itself.

Asset Capus Housing is also a big advocate in educating their employees by holding an annual manager’s retreat. This year the manager’s retreat will be held in the beginning of October. All managers are invited to participate in three days of property management trivia and educational modules.

What's BEEhind your walls?

Audrey Nardecchia — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 21:52:53 +0100

Today, most people are typically concerned with certain bacteria issues such as mold, but have you ever once entertained the thought of live bees being busy at work, making a nest of honey and pollen behind your bedroom walls?

Unfortunately, Houston apartment residents have seen firsthand the result of having a certain Queen Bee take residence in their apartment walls. When the property management company was informed about the inquiry to remove a small bee hive on the resident’s front porch, management followed procedure and immediately contacted pest control. Upon arrival, pest control noticed that the hive was not merely on the porch ceiling, but had continued to grow 12 inches deep above the ceiling walls.

Homeowners and apartment residents may encounter these new house guests for numerous reasons. Bees have a strong presence during the hot summer months, but more often, bees sneak into walls and ceilings through a hole in the wall that was never addressed or properly sealed. The odor of the wax comb attracts the bees back to that location. This leads to a colony of bees and an unbeelieveable mess.

An easy way to prevent this problem is to check your apartment for any holes that may be 5/16 inch or larger and seal them up as soon as possible. If a beehive is already existent on your front porch, do not plug any visible holes because they will look for other ways out through openings around ductwork, ceiling and/or wall fixtures in your home.

Filling in these holes may be a more difficult task if you find that the beehive goes further back, so it’s best to consult a professional and take on the charges of a pest control service. The Southeastern Beekeepers Association suggests that a single treatment kills only the adult bees surrounding the nest, and after a few days the pupa (baby bee cocoons), protected by the wax of their cells, will emerge as adults. Therefore, we recommend that property management, residents, and/or homeowners request follow up treatments at least 2-3 times over a two week period, to avoid a re-emerging bee problem.

Content contributed by Joanne Herrmann, Asset Plus Regional Supervisor

Asset Campus Housing Exceeds Leasing Market Average in College Park, MD by 14 Percent

Audrey Nardecchia — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 00:36:59 +0100

Houston, Texas – August 17, 2010 – Asset Campus Housing (ACH), one of the nation’s premiere student housing management companies, began overseeing all leasing, marketing, and operational aspects of University View I and University View II, a two phase high-rise, mixed-use 1,573 bed student housing facility located in College Park, MD this past January.

University View I and II are both 100% leased for the academic 2010-2011 school year and 14% ahead of the market occupancy average. The success is a true testament to ACH’s multi-layered management operations and experienced direction to build and maintain vital relations with the University of Maryland. Those of which include, ACH’s commitment to reserve hundreds of beds for the University’s annual "Freshman Connections" program.

Identifying the size and expansion of University View with the addition of 517 beds in Phase II, ACH transferred an experienced Regional Supervisor to oversee the capital renovations of University View I and the operational start-up of University View II. ACH recognized that it was essential to have high caliber leadership, with multisite experience present on the property daily. This leadership strategy included having ACH’s Director of Resident Life and Training present to implement the company’s innovative and robust marketing strategies that led to the necessary traffic and successful lease up of University View.

ACH capitalized on the opportunity to further display the depth of its organization by contributing to the design and development of University View II, as well as redesigning the image and renovating the amenities in University View I. ACH’s unparalleled experience and expertise in achieving successful student housing developments was instrumental in determining the overall layout of University View. As a result, ACH increased value by adding an indoor spin room, a game room, including two pool tables and a foosball table, multiple study areas with technological upgrades, and the addition of stand-up tanning beds.

With an upcoming retail center to be developed and other innovative amenities added to the development, University View stays at the forefront of the industry. ACH continues to initiate transformative measures that will add tremendous value, convenience, and a much higher level of resident experience in years to come.

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Asset Campus Housing, Inc. ("ACH") is an affiliate of Houston-based Asset Plus Companies, a third party property management firm specializing in real estate services for investors, developers, and owners. Asset Campus Housing manages a student housing portfolio of 50+ properties, exceeding 30,000 beds located throughout the United States.

Asset Campus Housing Announces New Asset

Audrey Nardecchia — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 19:45:27 +0100

Asset Plus believes its people are the company's greatest asset and has assembled a team that is quite unparrallelled in the industry. Asset Plus is pleased to welcome Peter Carton as Vice President of Corporate Business Development to the Asset Campus Housing team.

As Vice President – Corporate Business Development, Peter is responsible for establishing relationships, seeking new management opportunities and forming future business partnerships for Asset Campus Housing. Prior to joining ACH, Peter was a Partner in Alliance Residential Company’s North Texas Division, responsible for all development and acquisition activities. Peter’s expertise includes sourcing and negotiating the purchase of multifamily sites, managing the development and construction process, and acquiring existing communities for rehabilitation.

With experience in all facets of the multifamily industry, Peter has been involved in the development, acquisition, and management of 3,100 units at a market value of $260 million. Prior to joining Alliance, Peter was Director of Development & Acquisitions at Lincoln Property Company. His experience also includes developing and acquiring multifamily properties with Lane Company. Peter holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Seton Hall University School of Law, a Masters of Science degree from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and earned his undergraduate degree at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Moving Out and Leaving the Heat Behind

Audrey Nardecchia — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 19:46:54 +0100

With one of the final weekends of summer approaching, most students are packing their belongings and getting ready for a big move back to school. With that in mind, you must also be aware of the extreme heat that is present throughout our entire nation.

Heat advisories have been issued from up north in Chicago to deep down in the heart of Texas, ranging from a high of 108 degrees in St. Louis, Missouri to 110 degrees in Temple, Texas. For those of you who hear the term "heat advisory" but don’t really know which temperatures that includes, it is issued whenever heat indexes, which are measured by combining temperature and humidity, top 105 degrees in the afternoon and stay around 78 degrees in the evening. A heat advisory is only one degree lower than an excessive heat warning, which is issued when the heat index tops 110 degrees. According to the National Weather Service, the hottest time of the year typically ranges from the third week in July through the middle of August.

With moving in mind, the best defense to beat the heat is simply hydration. Often times people wait until they are thirsty to hydrate, but if you are planning on being outside it is wise to drink multiple glasses/bottles of water hours before you battle the heat. Also, drinking cold water can actually cause stomach cramps- so don’t worry about chilling your water bottle the night before the big move.

Although, you may want to look good for the neighbors down the hall whenever you are moving in, we strongly advise wearing lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitted clothing, with tennis shoes; otherwise you will be miserably uncomfortable. Some signs to be aware of when moving in this heat are: heavy sweating, paleness, weakness, dizziness, headaches, nausea, and/or fainting.

As always, feel free to contact your Asset Campus Housing team if in need of any extra assistance with your move into the community!

Asset Campus Housing Defines Decorating

Audrey Nardecchia — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 02:26:02 +0100

Some say appearance isn’t everything and “it’s what’s on the inside that counts”- well in the apartment industry it is safe to say that BOTH the inside and the outside of your apartment are equally important. When you bring friends, family, friends of family, neighbors, and whoever else home to visit your apartment, you want them to be WOW-ed and in awe of your picturesque place. Being in the apartment and student housing industry, our team has seen and experienced some of the most unique ways to decorate a home- hopefully these tips will help someone out there find their inner decorating diva.

The Asset Campus Housing advice begins with rule number 1: Do not be afraid. Moving into bare walls and a living room that will essentially express your true personality and character can be rather intimidating, but do not fret- you can always re-paint, rearrange, or replace just about anything.

Rule Number 2: Once you have tackled your “décor-phobia”, we recommend you start out with your bedroom. The master bedroom is 100% up to you- if you have no idea where to start; think of what you are passionate about. What colors make you most happy? What kind of atmosphere will you find peaceful coming home to at the end of the day? It is always safe to go with matching pieces of furniture if you are not quite sure about what it is that you are wanting. Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, and RoomsToGo are all suppliers of coordinating multi-piece furniture sets.

Rule Number 3: From your bedroom, decorate outward to the living room. Have some fun and go shop at your local vintage or antique shops for unique pieces of furniture that have a history and room for modifications. Some of our team helped move a resident into an apartment that felt as if you were entering an eclectic art studio when you walked inside. The resident had a retro purple dresser with crystal knobs, a rustic yellow nightstand with a blue lamp, a petite olive green desk, and several different vintage art pieces that hung along her walls. Each of this resident’s furniture pieces came from a different friend or family member who wanted to rid their old “has been” décor and gave it to her for little to no cost.

Rule Number 4: With the interior falling into place, whether a random assortment of pieces or an all-matching solitaire collection, move on outside and define the entrance to your new place with a charming welcoming mat. This is the primary introduction to you and your new home; be sure to purchase one that is pleasant to people of all ages and one that will be presentable through multiple seasons (or budget to spend more each time the leaves change).

If you need further assistance in decorating your new home, feel free to swing by your leasing office or clubhouse and grab one of the Asset Campus Housing team members. Who knows- he/she could be the next Nate Berkus.

Asset Campus Housing's New Assignment in Ohio

Audrey Nardecchia — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 22:29:23 +0100

College Suites is a 756 bed student housing property located in Oxford, Ohio serving students that attend the University of Miami at Ohio. College Suites offers individual leases for fully furnished three and four bedroom units that come with a full size bed, individual storage units, and free high speed internet. Along with the professional management that is offered at College Suites, other property amenities include an elaborate clubhouse with two pool tables, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a business center that will match every residents need. College Suites is currently preleasing for Fall 2010.

For more information please visit,www.collegesuitesatoxford.com

Asset Campus Adds Two New Assets

Audrey Nardecchia — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 23:22:45 +0100

Asset Campus believes its people are the company's greatest asset and has assembled a team that is quite simply unparalleled in the industry. We are proud to welcome these new members to the team.

Stuart Davis

Vice President of Operations – Student Housing

Joining Asset Campus Housing with over 23 years experience in the student housing industry, Stuart began his career working on-campus as a Residence Hall Director at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville. Subsequently Stuart returned to the University of Georgia as a Residence Life Coordinator before becoming the Assistant Director of Housing at Trinity University in San Antonio, TX. Stuart then joined Century Campus Housing Management, L.P. (now Campus Living Villages) and held various positions, including Property Manager of what was then Century’s largest on-campus development (2,000 beds) in partnership with the University of Texas at San Antonio. During his tenure as Regional Manager for Century, Stuart assisted with the launch of the second phase of the Greek Housing project (Adelphi Commons II) developed at Arizona State University, as well as successfully opened the first student housing project at Arizona State University – West Campus in Glendale, AZ.

Prior to joining Asset Campus Housing, Stuart was Vice President of Operations for Campus Advantage, Inc., where he managed a portfolio of 18 student housing properties totaling 8,071 beds for the company’s largest institutional client, CalSTRS (California State Teachers Retirement System) in addition to another 3,000 beds for various owners. Stuart holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from the University of Georgia.

Lori Nantkes

Regional Supervisor – Student Housing

Joining Asset Campus Housing with 16 years experience in the housing industry, Lori Nantkes began her career in the Multi-family industry as a leasing agent right out of college in Indianapolis, IN. After 10 years in MF management, she accepted a role as a Regional Director for Campus Living Villages (CLV) in July, 2004, where she supervised a minimum of five sites (2,500 beds+). During her tenure as the Regional over the Midwest portfolio, though three of her sites were traditionally hard-lease properties, she and her Managers attained an average occupancy of 99.5% accumulatively for the region in 08. Lori was selected the first to participate in the work-exchange program with CLV-Australia, where she spent 45 days observing and working with the student housing facilities across Australia.

Prior to joining Asset Campus Housing, Lori had served 6 months as a Regional Manager for Campus Advantage, where she supervised 7 sites (over 3000 beds). Over the years, Lori has worked thru sales, acquisitions, new construction phases, multi-million dollar rehab projects, military housing, homeowner associations, and helped coordinate finances for properties once near bankruptcy, and under 50% occupancy, leading them right out of the red to occupancies in the mid 90’s. Lori earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Music & Business Administration from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. She also has earned: Certified Apartment Manager Certification, (CAM ), Accredited Residential Management Certification, (ARM ), and has commenced course work to earn the Certified Property Manager Applicant for Candidacy, (CPM ).

Asset Campus Housing's Newest Assignment

Audrey Nardecchia — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 21:40:59 +0100

Asset Campus Housing is pleased to announce our newest management assignment. College Edge [http://www.livecollegeedge.com] is a 400 bed student housing facility located in Bryan, Texas. Serving students that attend both Blinn College and Texas A&M University, College Edge offers distinct one-, two-, and four bedroom apartments. Each apartment offers students high-speed internet, cable TV with HBO, and spacious walk-in closets. Property amenities include a state-of-the art clubhouse that allows residents wireless internet access, an onsite basketball court, resort style pool, and sand volleyball court.

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Asset Plus Companies is a third party property management firm specializing in real estate services for investors, developers, and owners of multifamily, student housing, office, and retail properties. Asset Plus Companies takes pride in our ability to meet clients’ management and leasing needs by providing quality service, customized solutions and expertise in commercial real estate. We approach every client, large or small, with the individual attention they deserve to optimize the value of their investment.

Houston Ranks No. 1 in Job Growth Over Past 5 Years

Audrey Nardecchia — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 21:31:13 +0100

While over eighty-four major markets throughout the United States suffered declines in private-sector employment the past five years, only sixteen markets showed a positive increase. Four of the sixteen successful markets were located in the great state of Texas, and more specifically the number one city with growth over the past five years is where our very own Asset Plus headquarters calls home, Houston, TX. Dallas came in second, followed by Austin and San Antonio as the other three major Texas markets showing growth in private-sector employment.

Unlike Texas, Los Angeles, California was posted on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as having the largest decline in private sector employment by losing over 376,400 positions. Detroit, Chicago, and Miami Ft. Lauderdale were three other major markets that suffered from 165,000 to 328,000 employments lost over the past five years.

Asset Plus has been fortunate enough to draw a parallel to the city of Houston and these statistics by increasing hundreds of job opportunities to both the Asset Campus Housing team and the Asset Plus team. We look forward to helping keep Houston number one on private-sector employment growth for many years to come.

Asset Plus Ties the Knot with Houston Bridezillas

Audrey Nardecchia — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:04:42 +0100

The wedding industry brings in over 40 billion dollars each year and in Texas alone, there were 182,489 weddings with an average cost of $18,424 each in 2009. If subscribing to the Weddings in Houston (http://www.weddingsinhouston.com/) magazine isn’t enough information for you, luckily there are two Houston Bridal Extravaganzas that are thrown each year to exhibit vendors, win prizes, and figure out all the missing details to your big day.

This past July at one of the semi-annual Houston Bridal Extravaganzas, Asset Plus got to partake in exhibiting multiple Houston properties they manage in order to provide possible future housing for all the bride-to-bes (sp?). Stephanie Graves, Training and Marketing Director for Asset Plus, along with many regional supervisors, property managers, and leasing agents, participated in the event by passing out apartment information, locations, and specialized bubble bath goodies for participants.

Unfortunately, Chelsea Clinton was not one of the future brides that came across the Asset Plus booth looking for housing in Houston, but we were able to compile a list of over 750 people that are currently looking for housing or moving in the near future.　 The Asset Plus team compiled all contact information for the brides and several of the properties have already reported signing leases based off the information provided from the event. Asset Plus will definitely be participating in the January Extravaganza, so bring your wedding dress desires and your checkbook, so you can put down your deposit on your new home.

Asset Plus Companies and Institutional Investor Group Joint Venture Acquires Harbor View ...

Cheryl Perry — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 22:39:44 +0100

A joint venture between Houston-based Asset Plus Companies and institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Asset Management has acquired the 250-unit Harbor View Apartments located in Kingwood, a master-planned community approximately 20 miles northeast of the Houston CBD.

The recently completed Class A property was purchased out of foreclosure from Capital One, N.A.

The four-story apartment community features air-conditioned corridors, elevators and a direct access parking garage. A variety of floor plans are available, including 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom units. Asset Plus Companies will begin preparing the property to resume leasing activity and will officially open a leasing office mid-June.

Kingwood, established in 1970, has over 70,000 residents and is filled with amenities and conveniences, including 75 miles of greenbelt trails, 500 acres of parks and nature reserves, two community sports parks, a large variety of restaurants and shopping and much more. Major road improvements along U.S. Highway 59 have made Kingwood one of the most accessible communities in the greater Houston area.

About Asset Plus Companies

Founded in 1986, Asset Plus Companies is a third-party property management firm specializing in real estate services for investors, developers, and owners. The company manages a portfolio of more than 180 multi-family properties and recently ranked #38 on the NMHC list of the nation’s 50 largest apartment management companies.

About J.P. Morgan Asset Management – Global Real Assets

J.P. Morgan Asset Management – Global Real Assets has approximately $43.2 billion in real estate and infrastructure assets, as of March 31, 2009. With a 40-year history of successful investing and a staff of 361 professionals, J.P. Morgan Asset Management – Global Real Assets identifies, analyzes, negotiates, acquires, develops, redevelops, renovates, operates, maintains, finances and sells assets, on behalf of its clients. J.P. Morgan Asset Management's broad investment capabilities and framework for analyzing opportunities in today's complex real estate and infrastructure markets provide critical insights for its institutional clients in both the public and private markets.

Asset Plus Companies Ranks #38 in Multifamily Executives Top 50 Managers List

Cheryl Perry — Sat, 22 May 2010 03:45:59 +0100

Multifamily Executive released this year's MFE Top 50 Managers list last week and Asset Plus Companies ranked #38.

Asset Plus Companies Named to The Broadband Properties MDU Hall of Fame

Cheryl Perry — Tue, 18 May 2010 05:08:15 +0100

Asset Plus Companies Named to MDU Hall of Fame

It takes more than a village to bring state-of-the-art broadband to multiple-
dwelling-unit structures. It takes visionary action, top technology and extra dedication to customer service. Our latest honorees also had to excel in a vicious economic downturn.

By Steven S. Ross - Broadband Properties

Courage. The courage to spend money, carefully, to bring MDU owners and tenants world-class broadband services, was in great evidence last year. Building owners
and managers, MDU-targeting equipment vendors and broadband providers offered plenty of it, too. There was no bailout for them – no stimulus money, no special tax breaks and certainly no visionary bankers. Almost all the money they spent on broadband came out of corporate cash flow. Broadband, more than ever, had to compete with other worthy uses for funds in a down economy.

These visionaries did just that. To compile this list, we scanned our own news feeds and stories. We consulted experts and some whom we had honored previously. This is mainly a list of implementers – visionary staff members in organizations that build, own or manage MDUs. Key personnel at vendor organizations that developed and deployed some of the new technologies and ISP services that make MDU deployments easier also made the list.

Our main criterion was impact on cutting-edge MDU broadband deployments in 2009-2010.
We actually present two lists:

The Top 25. As we have done previously, we looked at track records over the past few years.

Rising Stars. Some visionaries are just getting started, or are in organizations that have been particularly hamstrung in recent times. We expect even more from them as time goes on.

This is not a list of companies. It is a list of key people in the MDU industry and its suppliers – an industry made up of large organizations that, with few exceptions, tend to hide their most talented personnel. These players did not act alone, of course. They led, or provided input to, forward-looking management and technology teams. But we judged that the resultswould have been far different and far less exciting without their participation.

Asset Plus Companies Begins Construction on Student Housing Development in Lubbock, Texas

Cheryl Perry — Tue, 18 May 2010 03:31:05 +0100

Asset Plus Companies has announced the ground breaking for 25Twenty, a student housing development in Lubbock, Texas. Managed by Asset Campus Housing, 25Twenty is located on a 3.6-acre site adjacent to Jones AT&T Stadium, home of Texas Tech Red Raider football. The upscale 562-bed student housing community will feature the major components of a successful pedestrian-orientated development. “This project will be much like The Lofts at Wolf Pen Creek development, which we completed last fall in College Station, Texas,” according to Company President Michael S. McGrath. “The Lofts at Wolf Pen Creek was 97% leased when it opened last year and is leading the market this year in pre-leasing as well,” added McGrath.

25Twenty will be a four-story stucco and brick structure which will offer a mix of 249 units arranged around two beautifully landscaped courtyards. The main courtyard will feature a sunning ledge, a grand resort-style pool with water feature, outdoor BBQ kitchen and hammock area. Not to be outdone by the larger courtyard, the second courtyard will hold its own and highlight a pro-style sand volleyball court, competition horseshoe pit and an area to kickback and relax around an outdoor fire pit.

A 9,600 square-foot clubhouse will offer a game room packed with amenities and featuring a golf simulator. Other amenities will include a theatre with stadium seating, a fully equipped Internet Café, business center along with private breakout study rooms, tanning room and a premier exercise facility.

One-bedroom/one-bath, two-bedroom/two-bath, and four-bedroom/four-bath units will range from 571 square feet to 1,704 square feet. Floor plans feature an open concept design, reinforced by 10-foot ceilings on the ground floor. All units will be fully furnished and will include washer and dryers, high-speed internet and flat panel HD TVs with DVR service. Modern kitchens will include stainless appliances, pendant lights, granite countertops and islands with seating.

25Twenty is only part of an overall redevelopment of the northwest corner of Marsha Sharp Freeway and University Avenue (formerly the Town & Country shopping center). Tao Development Group, LLC, a Texas Tech Alumni owned company, is building a new eleven story mixed-use parking garage containing both retail and restaurant space. Residents of 25Twenty will park in the garage and utilize a sky bridge connecting both developments.

Asset Plus Companies Begins Construction of New Fort Bend County Youth Ranch Teenage Homeless ...

Ken Hooper — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 19:57:29 +0100

Asset Plus Companies’ employees work with housing and young people day in and out. But this month, they are using their talents in a different way, to benefit abused, troubled and homeless children in the Fort Bend County area. Asset Plus and the Fred and Mabel Parks Youth Ranch (FMPYR) have started construction of the Youth Ranch Teenage Homeless Shelter, which is scheduled to open in September 2010.

“There is currently no homeless shelter in all of Fort Bend County,” according to Asset Plus CEO and member of the FMPYR Board of Directors, Michael S. McGrath. FMBYR, which is a not-for-profit 501(C) (3) organization composed of representatives from various Fort Bend churches, recognized and is responding to this need for crisis intervention and short-term shelter for children aged 12 to 17 who have faced abuse, neglect and are in need of a temporary home until they can be reunited with their families, placed in foster care or placed for adoption if necessary.

The Youth Ranch will continue to seek a variety of grant types and private funding to build the shelter while work continues to develop and construct the crisis portion to serve all families and youth in the Fort Bend County area. Asset Plus is donating the construction management of the facility, which will cost about 1.3 million. The Fred and Mable Parks Foundation and the George Foundation have made generous donations to the project.

Arrow Ministries has been selected by the board to operate the facility when complete. “We will have offices for Arrow, CPS and other services on site to help reunite these kids with their families or find alternatives for them. This will hopefully get kids off the street or keep them out of jail,” said McGrath.

Construction officially began on Friday, March 5th with a group of Asset Plus employees demolishing an existing structure on the site and preparing it for new concrete and standing walls. “I’m very pleased that Asset Plus is involved in this effort, which is such a positive addition to our community, “added McGrath.

Student Housing Business March/April 2010 Talking Points

Ken Hooper — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 01:03:06 +0100

Student Housing Business magazine posed this question to industry
experts in their March/April 2010 issue:

ON DECEMBER 31, 2010, WHAT WILL THE INDUSTRY LOOK BACK ON AS THE
DOMINANT STORY LINE AND TREND OF THE YEAR FOR THE STUDENT HOUSING
INDUSTRY AND WHY?

"I think that the trend of the year will be the continued,
consolidation of the industry with medium-to-large-sized operators
getting larger while witnessing a "disappearance" of the smaller
operators. With owners focusing more than ever on the expense line items
in their budgets, the economies of scale offered by sizable companies
simply provides too much allure for owners to pass up."

- Ryan McGrath, Senior Vice President Corporate, Asset Plus
Companies