CAPTAIN JOHN’S HEALTH TIP: Vitamin D

Vitamin D aka the sunshine vitamin–is both a vitamin and a hormone. It helps support immune function, bone and gut health, a healthy thyroid and more. Unfortunately, over half of the American population suffers from a vitamin D deficiency. Increased time spent indoors (thanks Covid) and the general cloudiness that comes with the winter season causes vitamin D insufficiencies to flare up!  

So what should you do? Eat more salmon? Drink more milk? Getting enough vitamin D from diet alone is a challenge. Especially, when the recommended daily intake is between 2,000 and 3,000 IU. This is assuming you get no significant sun exposure (hello Ohio Winters) and you maintain a healthy weight. Individuals with higher body fat might require 2-3x that amount.  

The solution? Getting outside more, and supplementing when you can’t. Doing so is sure to boost your mood and feel especially restorative during pandemic times. On the clearer days this month, try and get outside for at least 30 minutes with your face and arms exposed. Otherwise, get out and grab a supplement. Yes, even the gummies count! Just make sure you're taking vitamin D3–it's more active in the body than D2. And to improve absorption, take it with some fat since it's a fat soluble nutrient. 

Cheers to better health and better moods!  

Champ Chain Winner: Victor Huerta

Congratulations to our January Champ Chain Winner, the team member who went above and beyond to deliver on our mission statement of providing the best resident life experience possible: Victor Huerta, our rockstar Maintenance Tech at The Cottages!  

"Victor provides exceptional customer service to our residents and goes above and beyond for them. Any time they see him on the property they will wave, or stop him to say hello.  He is never too busy to help someone and is always the first to arrive and the last to leave.  He continues to take on more responsibilities, helping out with whatever is needed."  - Victoria Hicks, Community Manager 

Thank you, Victor, for being a shining example of our mission and providing the best resident life experience! Your commitment to quality work, as well as the relationships you're building with our residents will help drive renewals and referrals and continue building on The Cottages reputation of being the best place to live in College Station!  

Notable Anniversaries- February

Gregory Burchwell, Homestead Village, 13 Years

Dana Donofrio, The View, 8 Years

Rebekah Wolford, Pavilion, 4 Years

Christina Johnson, River Park, 3 Years

Mary Marable, Helix, 2 Years

Jeffrey Rankey, Home Office, 2 Years

Michael Deguevara, College Station, 2 Years

Shelnequa Smith, College Station, 1 Year

Sara Ralston, Lubbock, 1 Year

Homestead U Focuses On Growth In 2021

Acquisitions for Homestead U are starting to ramp up. The HU due-diligence team has been bustling over the last several weeks. The student division of Homestead Companies is looking to expand in Texas, Kentucky, and South Carolina. Shannon Latsko, National Leasing and Operations Manager for Homestead U noted, "This is a very exciting time for our company.
We look forward to growing the portfolio and bringing our expertise to these markets."

Champ Chain Winner: Tabriel Smith

Congratulations to our Champ Chain Winner, the team member who went above and beyond to deliver on our mission statement of providing the best resident life experience possible: Tabriel Smith, our Leasing & Marketing Manager at Helix!

"Parents love her!  People really appreciate her willingness to dig in for answers to their questions and follow up.  She's honest; if she doesn't know, she's going to tell you, but also won't give up until she figures it out.  She was really excited to be a part of our Fall Festival, joined the "It's for me" video and got everyone to participate.  I don't think I've ever seen her with a bad attitude or in a bad mood...she's always smiling, and that positive energy rubs off on the team!"  - Heather Doty, Community Manager

Thank you, Tabriel, for approaching work every day with a positive attitude and leading by example! Your commitment to your team and your property is so appreciated, and EXTRA kudos for keeping leasing on track during the most challenging of times!  

Employee Spotlight: Deandra Boll

Job Title: Accounts Payable Clerk

Property: Home Office

1.) How long have you been with Homestead? 2 years and 3 months

2.) What were you doing before Homestead? Working in the AP field at Installed Building Products

3.) Where are you originally from? Ironton, Ohio (the country lol)

4.) What are your favorite hobbies? Traveling, dancing, watching football, and cardio workouts

5.) What would you most like to tell your 13 year old self? Always work hard, never ever give up, make good decisions and always love yourself FIRST! Keep God first!

6.) If you could have coffee with three people, dead or alive, who would it be? My father, my little brother and Jesus

7.) Who is the most famous person you have ever met? Hmmm I've met Usher, Martin Lawrence, Coach Cutcliff (Duke Football), Trey Burke (NBA player)

8.) What is your dream vacation? I'd love to visit the Motherland (Africa)

9.) What is the one THING, you can’t live without? My children - love them to pieces!!

10.) What was your favorite Halloween costume? I love to dress up as Cat Woman

11.) What is your proudest moment at Homestead? I would have to say I'm honored to be apart of our Accounting Department. Our team is awesome and we always work together. Also that Homestead chose to work with me and believe in me when my family had to endure a tough time last year with my Granny.

IN THE NEWS: Harlow on Main

2020 was a great year for our development team! One of our newest properties Harlow on Main was recently featured on the Columbus Underground read full article below.

Health Tip : Wellbeing Tips

Physical Wellbeing Tips

While the pandemic disrupted the in-person fitness model, it ushered in a new wave of wellness with virtual fitness options. Now, it’s possible to try any workout type from studios all over the world from the comfort and safety of your living room. Virtual fitness options are commonly offered at a lower price point and requires no commute time. Virtual fitness options can be found through your health plan provider, local community center, or vendors such as NEOU, ClassPass, and Beachbody.

Financial Wellbeing Tips

The Good Stuff Challenge invites you to clean out your closets finding items to donate to your local thrift store. Be sure to ask for a receipt so when you itemize your taxes you can include your donation as a charitable contribution receiving a tax benefit for your good deed.

Notable Anniversaries

Tanya Brand, Homestead Village- Grove City, 10 Years

Jason George Hollands, Home Office, 4 Years

Qiletha Caston, Home Office, 3 Years

Benjamin Stumbaugh-Caylor, Village West, 3 Years

Anne Perry, University Village, 2 Years

Douglas Falor, Home Office, 1 Year

Devin Wood, College Station, 1 Year

Rachel Mills, The Valley, 1 Year

Daniella Ramirez, The Valley, 1 Year

Jeffery Glace, The View, 1 Year

Alana Hill, Pavilion, 1 Year