HOMESTEAD U EXPANDS!

Homestead U acquired two student assets, Parkway and 2818 Student Apartments, at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. This acquisition brings an additional 1,100 plus beds to the student portfolio and brings the total to 3 assets in the College Station market.

Both communities are going through significant upgrades in the units and amenity spaces. To raise awareness in the market, 2818 and Parkway went through a branding facelift. Eve Detter, Lead Graphic Designer for Homestead Companies, oversaw the project and brought on a new yet similar identity. "With the addition of Parkway and 2818, it was an exciting opportunity to leverage our existing Cottage brand to increase brand equity in College Station. By co-branding all three properties, we're able to build upon our solid and well-recognized presence to expand our reach in the student housing market."

The Homestead team also welcomes Jeremy Beck. Jeremy comes with years of experience in the student housing space and has a proven record of increasing NOI in distressed markets.

Construction Roundup

Homestead Construction provided these cool views from the 4th Street project in Italian Village. This site will feature a 66 unit complex with first-floor parking and retail, and the team expects the project to be completed in late Spring 2022.

John Janning, Project Engineer for Homestead Construction, is overseeing the Skydeck addition to Harlow on Main in Downtown Columbus. Late May/early June is when the project will be complete, and a Skydeck Launch Party will come following two weeks from the soft opening.

Harlow Skydeck is well underway with the arrival of all its materials in the next two weeks. The project is 1/4 complete, and all prep work and staging have been completed. Homestead Construction will begin setting all concrete columns for the wooden pergolas and is expected to continue to go vertical next week to install the metal railings, columns, and stairway. "One of the greatest challenges of this project is also its greatest strength; with the collaboration of both the Homestead Development Team and Construction team, designing the Harlow Skydeck from mere renderings and concept to developing a solidified plan on paper has been a great learning experience and challenge. Learning the sequence of construction and how items are put together has been a true eye-opener. This project has allowed our construction team to grow in skill and confidence, allowing the successful planning and coordination between Homestead Companies on all levels.", said John Janning. 

Champ Chain Winner: Theo Carter

"Theo prides himself on efficiency and making our residents, staff members, and vendors happy. Theo lives onsite and has earned the nickname "Uncle Theo" from the residents and employees, as he feels like a part of everyone's family. I see Theo doing things like jumping residents' car batteries, carrying groceries, giving daily treats to our resident pups...there is nothing asked of him that Theo isn't willing to help with. Theo is our chef at resident events and stays to help clean up at the end of every social event. Last month we did a "Cheers and Beers" event for St. Patrick's Day, and Theo cooked all the food for our event. Many of our reviews praise him and his staff for their work; Theo is my right hand, a great friend and teammate, and he is the HU Champ! " - Nominated by Rebekah Wolford and Mitch Waranch at The Pavilion. 

Thank you, Theo, for your dedication to our mission statement and for bringing so much joy to our residents and our team! We appreciate you!! 

Honorable mentions to the other April nominees below:

April Champ Chain Nominees

Alicia Pae, River Gate

Felipe Juarez, The Cottages

Frank Ransom, Helix

Jeremy Orta, The Cottages

Jordyn Kitko, The Valley

Keara Lynn, The Cottages

Naiya Patel, The View

Neka Smith, The Cottages

Riley Kelly, The View

Tinesha Smith, The Cottages 

Tyler Devol, River Gate

Who will our May Champ be? What are YOU going to do today to provide the best resident life experience possible?

Employee Spotlight: Robert Banks

Job Title: Talent Acquisition Specialist

Community: Home Office  

How long have you been with Homestead? 11 months and 18 days

What were you doing before Homestead? Working for Washington Prime Group as a Junior Recruiter and much more!

Where are you originally from? Columbus, OH

What are your hobbies? Working out, cooking, exploring cities (pre-pandemic), gaming

What would you most likely tell your 13 year old self?  

Get out and make things happen!

If you could have coffee with three people, dead or alive, who would it be?  

Dwayne Johnson (The Rock), Paul Walker, and Barack Obama

Who is the most famous person you have ever met? 

Shaq

What's your dream vacation? 

New Zealand

What is one THING you can't live without? Family

What is your proudest moment at Homestead? Recruiting top candidates! I'm making a positive impact in the person's life. I love to see them achieving their goals and the company's goals.

CAPTAIN JOHN’S HEALTH TIP: Get Moving

On average, we spend more than half of our waking hours sitting down: working at a computer, watching television, traveling in a car, or doing other sedentary things such as reading or chatting with friends. But long stretches of uninterrupted sitting have a range of undesirable effects that may harm your heart, says Captain John.

Here are few tips to keep you moving.

1. Set a timer out of arm's reach. Using your smartphone or a regular kitchen timer, set an alarm to go off every 60 minutes during the day when you tend to sit for long periods of time. Put the device across the room to force yourself to get up to turn it off.

2. Pace or tidy up during phone calls. Whenever you're on the phone, stand up. Try to walk back and forth or in circles while you talk. Or use a hands-free headset and straighten up your office or do some light housework while you chat.

3. Move a little while you watch TV. According to a recent Nielsen report, the average American watches five hours of television a day, and that amount increases as people age. Use the two- or three-minute commercial breaks while you are watching TV to stand up. March in place, swing your arms or do some squats or leg lifts.

4. Catch up with friends while walking. Social visits often tend to be sedentary, so instead of meeting a friend for coffee or lunch, take a walk instead. Or take a stroll before or after a dinner date.

5. Take the long way. Whenever you drive somewhere, park in a spot farther from the door to get in some extra steps.

EMPLOYEE REFERRAL : A Message from Rob Banks, Talent Specialist

Hey Team!

 As you all already know, we are constantly growing. For that reason, we are in constant need of talented people like you! When you refer qualified candidates, you will receive $250 when the employee surpasses 90 days of employment. To receive the bonus, you must still be an active employee and in good standing with Homestead Companies when your referral hits its 90-day mark. Homestead reserves the right to change or eliminate this policy any time with or without notice.

Eligibility Criteria: You are eligible for a referral award only when you refer external candidates. Turn, Seasonal, and Temporary positions do not qualify for a referral bonus. Employees with a direct or indirect reporting relationship to the position cannot submit for the referral bonus. HR and employees involved in the hiring process/hiring decision for that position cannot submit for a referral bonus. Only one referral award can be given per candidate. If more than one employee refers a candidate, the first referral received will be rewarded if the candidate is hired.

To refer a potential employee, please prompt your contact to fill out an online application for the role you desire on our public careers page.

When you confirm they have applied, please submit the Employee Referral Form.

Notable Anniversaries- May

Donna Stage, River Park, 34 years

Rae McKenney, Olde Towne, 14 years

Tim Kalb, Home Office, 5 years

Dearold Sealey, River Park, 4 years

Janice Kirby, University Village, 3 years

Victoria Hicks, College Station, 3 years

Loskosa Clark, Helix, 3 years

Eve Detter, Home Office, 2 years

Samantha Hume, Home Office, 2 years

Tucker Gillespie, University Village, 2 years

Amanda Matchett, University Village, 2 years

Rylan Romesberg, The View, 2 years

Quishbel Pichardo, The View, 1 year

Marcelina Vazquez, Appian Way, 1 year

Robert Banks, Home Office, 1 year

Jeremiah Orta, College Station, 1 year

Matthew Canterbury, Home Office, 1 year

Anna Moses, University Village, 1 years

Kate Paskvan, Home Office, 1 year

Zachary Wyatt, University Village, 1 years