The cost of essential consumer goods continues to rise, gas prices are up, and food prices continue to climb. Inflation is real. As our companies, industry, and residents slowly begin to emerge from the personal and economic impacts of the COVID pandemic, supply and demand rental-housing market... Continue Reading
Like many of you, my first rental property portfolio was risky. As the sole proprietor, I carefully managed my acquisitions and deposition, paid cash for deals, and occasionally did partnership deals. Since there were no mortgages on the properties and my expenses were extremely low, I could... Continue Reading
Pop quiz: what Texas governmental entities (cities, counties, special districts, etc.) are the most common? Surprisingly, special district governments are the most numerous. There are more than 3,250 special districts (including more than 1,100 independent school districts) in Texas but only... Continue Reading
Until recently, aside from registering your vehicles and paying property taxes to the tax assessor’s office, few urban Texans knew what county government was or did. The COVID-19 pandemic and claims of election irregularities brought a renewed emphasis on the power, function, and... Continue Reading
This year, we take an in-depth look at advocacy basics. Last month, we finished our series on the basics of people, policy, and politics by exploring the AATC Political Action Committee (AATC PAC). AATC PAC provides an opportunity for individuals vested in the multi-housing industry to... Continue Reading
Have you ever read the entire TAA Lease contract? Frankly, most AATC members have not. Let us be honest; it is a legal document, a contract; it is boring and tedious; that is its best quality! The TAA Lease and lease forms are the operational foundation for our industry in Texas; therefore, it... Continue Reading
Remember the "good old days" pre-COVID-19 when the Tarrant County economy was booming? Rents, occupancies, the number of units, and values are at all-time highs. Monthly rent delinquencies were in single digits. Those were good times!! While the full effects of COVID-19 vaccines are not known, my... Continue Reading
This year, we take an in-depth look at advocacy basics. Last month, we explored the process. The process involves procedures, rules, customs, and precedents. The process also includes the interactions between society and political institutions. This month, we look at AATC Political Action... Continue Reading
In 2021, we examined Advocacy by the Numbers. This year, we take an in-depth look at advocacy basics. Last month, we explored the three P’s: people, politics, and policies. If the right people make the right policies, then the politics will align. If politics comes before people or... Continue Reading
Texans like to make fun of our crazy weather. You have heard the jokes and one-liners: 1) if you do not like the weather in Texas, wait a minute, it will change; 2) we have four distinct seasons in Texas, they all happen in one week and in no particular order; or 3) nice winter we’re having... Continue Reading
Gone The past two years have been a challenge for all of us. My hope is that in 2022 we get back to business as usual. But I did manage to learn a few things during the pandemic, SnowVid, and the Great Resignation. First, our industry is blessed with incredible professionals both onsite and... Continue Reading
Legendary football coach Vince Lombardi began the first practice of training camp each year by holding up a football and saying to his multiple championship-winning teams: “Gentlemen, this is a football.” Coach Lombardi took nothing for granted. He did not assume that past... Continue Reading
