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November 2, 2026
Welcome to People and Properties, the Cohen-Esrey newsletter where we celebrate the successes of our team members and keep you informed about what is happening in the Cohen-Esrey world. If you have something you would like to share or an achievement that you would like to celebrate, please send it to Lee Harris at lharris@cohenesrey.com. If you are on a property, please print and distribute this newsletter to each member of your property team. You can also find People and Properties on KnowledgeNet. Click here to view previous editions.
A Truly Spectacular Community
The Lofts at Creekview was delivered out of construction earlier in 2026 by the Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG), its developer. The 301-unit affordable community in San Antonio, TX, was originally planned as a mixed-income property using Public Facility Corporation financing. After a deep analysis of the market, CEDG determined that it made more sense to switch the financing to the utilization of affordable housing tax credits. The property was developed in partnership with the San Antonio Housing Trust and was launched in 2022. There were a multitude of environmental issues with the site that caused extensive construction delays. The site had formerly been the location where a large amount of debris had been dumped when the Alamodome was built.
Studio units are 508 to 608 square feet and rent from $767 to $1,035 per month. One-bedroom units are 692 to 704 square feet and rent for $807 to $1,126 per month. Two-bedroom units are 956 to 1,007 square feet and rent from $519 to $1,935 per month. Three-bedroom units are 1,237 square feet and rent for $1,310 to $1,530 per month. Residents enjoy a fitness center, playground, fenced dog park, theater/media room, business center, swimming pool, clubhouse, picnic and BBQ area, storage rooms, and bicycle racks. Apartments are appointed with stainless tell appliances, granite countertops, designer kitchens with built-in microwave ovens, ceiling fans, washer/dryer connections, private patios, pantries, linen closet, and large closets. The four-story buildings are equipped with elevators.
San Antonio, combines a rich cultural heritage with a diverse and expanding economy. The metro area has approximately 2.8 million residents in making it the seventh-largest city in the United States. Its population has grown about 8% since 2020, fueled by employment opportunities and an appealing quality of life. Known as “Military City, USA,” San Antonio benefits from a substantial defense presence. Healthcare, bioscience, cybersecurity, manufacturing, financial services, and tourism also anchor its diverse economy. Visitors flock to the historic Alamo, the picturesque River Walk, and the UNESCO-listed San Antonio Missions. Other popular destinations include the Pearl district, SeaWorld San Antonio, and Six Flags Fiesta Texas. With its blend of history, culture, and economic opportunity, San Antonio continues to attract newcomers and visitors alike.
Belinda Facundo (2025) is the Property Manager, and Lorraine Plata (2026), is the Regional Manager. Jalen Havel-Stephens (2024), is the Property Accountant, and David Garrett (2025), is the Property Accounting Assistant-Supervisor.
We welcome the following new team members to Cohen-Esrey and the Nexus 5 Group.
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Ronda Pierce – Lincoln Heights – Hastings, NE – Assistant Property Manager
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Marzavious Taylor – Blue Valley Court – Kansas City, MO – Maintenance Technician
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Kara Koons – Corporate – Regional Manager
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Josh Keever – Jefferson on the Lake – Olathe, KS – Maintenance Supervisor
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Jordan Benz – Village on Main – Waunakee, WI – Property Manager
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Avona Wright – Bluejacket Lodge – Shawnee, KS – Property Manager
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Christopher Brainerd – Brookshire Estates – Jerseyville, IL – Maintenance Technician
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Sergio Rivera – Fairfield West Townhomes – Lincoln, NE – Maintenance Technician
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Veronica Figueroa – Jefferson on the Lake – Olathe, KS – Leasing Agent
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Theodore Yancey – Corporate – Mobile Leasing Agent
Transformational Construction
Construction continues at Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG) future communities.
Progress in the lobby at Overlook 157 in Asheville, NC.
Nice bright hallways at Overlook 157.
Meet the Justin Place Team
Meet the Justin Place team. L to R – Anthoni Alexander (2021) Maintenance Technician; Cynthia Cobbins (2016) Property Manager; and Isiah Magitt (2026) Make Ready Technician.
Justin Place is a 96-unit affordable community in Kansas City, MO, that is owned by a Cohen-Esrey affiliate. Justin Place is #1 on the NPS Leaderboard for properties of 51 to 120 units.
A Healthy Tip
By Sara Antar (2002), Payroll Administrator
Beating the Holiday Stress
The approaching holidays can add extra stress to many of us: Overspending, overdoing and overeating. The holiday season provides a perfect storm of stressors, as we all struggle to balance work, family, budgets and everyday obligations as well as the festivities that make this time of year special. Here are 6 key things to do (or not do) in November to help you get a head start on beating holiday stress.
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Limit Your Holiday Commitments
The holiday season can be filled with parties, celebrations, outings, and school and work functions. But you don't have to attend everything. You can help limit your commitments by:
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Go to the gatherings that mean the most to you and skip the rest. You can simply tell people that you have other plans. Everyone understands this is a busy time of year.
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Trimming your "to-do" list at home or on the calendar. When things start feeling hectic rather than fun, give yourself permission to put up fewer decorations or turn down some invitations.
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Delegating and getting help with seasonal tasks or work around the house. Teaching others to respect your time and having realistic goals is helpful.
2. Don't Get Too Ambitious
Start with realistic expectations, which will ease the pressure of trying to be perfect. One of the biggest holiday regrets can be not taking time to chill out and enjoy ourselves. Some ways to cut back on holiday pressures and ease stress levels:
• Preparing Thanksgiving dinner is a lot of work, and not everything will go exactly according to plan. If you can accept those two realities, your ability to sit down at Thanksgiving dinner with a genuine smile on your face will rise significantly.
• If you're wrapping presents, ask your kids to help. You don't need Pinterest-worthy wrappings, you need the job accomplished; and the kids may be willing to help.
• Make a spending plan for gifts and celebrations because holiday debts can be overwhelming. So, try to be practical yet creative with your gifting to help prevent financial stress from gift-giving.
3. Keep Up with Your Health Routine
Stay moving
Physical activity is one of the best tools for managing stress. Any amount of movement will help. Instead of beating yourself up about missing one workout or more, add some healthy activities into your daily routine, like walking during your lunch break. Exercise benefits both mind and body. Being physically active can be a free, and nearly instant, mood booster. Whether you have 10 minutes or an hour, using that time to move your body will pay off in happiness dividends.
Maintain Healthy Eating
Thanksgiving marks the start of the holiday eating season, when everyone is constantly tempted by sweet treats, rich foods and fancy, high-calorie drinks. But before diving into decadent eating, consider trying to make healthy food choices during the festivities. Try to eat healthily, even though holiday celebrations invite overindulgence. Keep portions reasonable. Add colorful fruits and veggies to your plate and know which foods to avoid.
Sleep well
Good sleep influences your mood, eating habits, memory and more. Try to get at least seven hours of sleep each night.
4. Take Calm-Down Breaks
Taking breaks can help you with coping with anxiety and stress from the hectic holiday season. Whenever you get stressed out, anxious or feel overwhelmed during the day, take quick relaxation breaks of one to five minutes to calm yourself down. Conscious, slow breathing can help you when you're feeling frustrated waiting in line at the supermarket, post office or drug store.
5. Incorporate "Me" Time into Your Day
​During this time of year, it's easy to get caught up in all the "have-to-do's." But setting aside time to indulge in something just for you – a massage, a meditation session, a long walk, reading a book – is more important than checking yet another holiday obligation off the list.
6. Immune Health & Hygiene
Sanitize stations: Set up hand-washing reminders and sanitizing stations around the office to cut down on seasonal cold and flu transmission. Get vaccinated: Encourage or host early flu-shot clinics for staff to reduce late-autumn absenteeism. Prioritize hydration: Fight dry indoor heating and hidden winter dehydration by keeping herbal teas or water at your desk.
Now you have things well in hand. Kick off your shoes, sit back, relax and enjoy the Holidays with your friends, co-workers and family!
Five Things Never to Say to an Angry Resident
When a resident is already upset, the wrong words can turn a manageable problem into a much bigger one. Here are five phrases to avoid – and what to say instead.
1. “That’s our policy.”
Try instead: “Let me explain why we handle it this way and see what options we have.”
Policies are important, but residents want to feel that someone is considering their individual situation.
2. “There’s nothing I can do.”
Try instead: “Here’s what I can do.”
Even when you can't give residents exactly what they want, you can usually help them understand their options or identify the next step.
3. "You’re the only person who has complained.”
Try instead: “Thank you for bringing this to our attention.”
Whether anyone else has complained is irrelevant to the resident experiencing the problem.
4. “Calm down.”
Try instead: “I can see that you're frustrated. Let's work through this together.”
Telling an angry person to calm down rarely produces the desired result. Acknowledging their frustration usually works much better.
5. “It’s not our fault.”
Try instead: “Let's focus on what we can do to resolve this.”
Determining responsibility may eventually be necessary, but assigning blame in the middle of an emotional conversation rarely helps.
Remember the Goal
When dealing with an angry resident, we don't have to win the argument—we need to preserve the relationship.
Listen first. Show empathy. Focus on solutions. Make realistic commitments. Then follow up to make sure the problem was actually resolved.
Residents may forget the problem. They are much less likely to forget how we treated them while solving it.
What Can You Find Wrong?
There are many things that are wrong in the photo below. In fact, there are at least 15 problems that need to be corrected. If you can identify 13 to 15 items, you are a Property Management Pro! If you found 10 to 12 items, you have an Eagle Eye. Anything less and you need to keep looking.
Welcome Kara!
Karen Crouch (2019), Managing Director of Cohen-Esrey Communities (CEC), is pleased to announce that Kara Koons has joined the Affordable Division as a Regional Manager.
With more than 23 years of experience in affordable housing management, Kara brings extensive industry expertise, proven leadership, and a strong commitment to operational excellence and team development.
Throughout her career, she has successfully overseen portfolios of up to 24 properties and 1,100 residential units, developing extensive knowledge of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), HUD Section 8, and Rural Development housing programs. Her leadership experience includes managing teams of up to 25 employees while driving property performance, strengthening operational efficiencies, and supporting organizational objectives.
Kara holds certifications in TCS, COS, VAWA, EIV, and HCCP, demonstrating her commitment to regulatory compliance, professional development, and industry best practices.
Known for her approachable leadership style and collaborative mindset, Kara is passionate about building strong relationships, mentoring team members, and fostering high-performing teams. She brings a wealth of experience, strategic insight, and a dedication to delivering exceptional service to the residents, communities, and partners she serves.
Welcome to Cohen-Esrey, Kara!
Core Value of the Month
Cities of Cohen-Esrey
Grand Island, NE: Nebraska’s Favorite Island
Grand Island, NE, combines pioneer heritage, agricultural strength, and a vibrant sense of community in the heart of the Great Plains. Located in Hall County along the Platte River corridor, it is Nebraska’s third-largest city, with approximately 54,000 residents.
Founded in 1857 by German immigrants, Grand Island developed as a railroad and agricultural center. Its central location helped it become a regional hub for manufacturing, food processing, transportation, healthcare, shopping, and services. Agriculture remains deeply woven into the local economy, from surrounding farms and ranches to equipment manufacturers and livestock businesses.
The city is especially well known as the home of the Nebraska State Fair, which attracts visitors each summer for livestock competitions, exhibits, entertainment, and celebrations of the state’s agricultural traditions. Nearby Fonner Park hosts horse racing and year-round events. The acclaimed Stuhr Museum offers a fascinating journey into pioneer life, complete with an 1890s railroad town and historic buildings.
Each spring, Grand Island becomes a gateway to one of North America’s most remarkable wildlife spectacles: the annual sandhill crane migration along the Platte River. Thousands of visitors come to witness enormous flocks gathering in surrounding fields and wetlands.
Downtown’s historic Railside District offers restaurants, shops, cultural events, and an increasingly lively gathering place. Parks, recreational facilities, and family attractions for all ages further enhance its appeal.
With its combination of Midwestern hospitality, economic opportunity, and strong connections to Nebraska’s past, Grand Island offers the advantages of a regional center while preserving the welcoming character of a close-knit community.
Cohen-Esrey manages the 55-unit Holiday Garden I & II, an affordable housing community in Grand Island, for a third-party client.
HR Corner
By Claire Fagan (2026), HR Business Partner
National Day of Community Service
Tis the season to give back! As we start winding down the year, and gearing up for the holidays, it’s a good opportunity to reflect on what we’re thankful to have, as well as consider what we’re able to give. November 4th is the National Day of Community Service and in alignment of our Community Impact Core Value, we encourage you to explore ways that you can support your neighbors and give back to your communities.
This day was established in 2008 to encourage citizens to give back to their communities through volunteer work and acts of kindness. It's a great opportunity to come together with friends, family, and neighbors to make a difference in the world around us.
The benefits of volunteering extend beyond the initial gift or act of service. Continuous efforts in our neighborhoods can build relationships, strengthen our sense of community, and have positive health benefits for yourself. Service connects you to others, broadens your horizons, and develops your interpersonal skills. Volunteering can also bring you physical benefits from increased activity, as well as the mental health benefits that come with a sense of purpose and fulfillment from your community efforts. The positive ripple effects continue as communities become more connected, more involved, and take pride in caring for one another.
Wondering how you can make a difference?
If the term ‘community service’ sounds a little broad – that’s because it is! There are so many ways you can give back and serve folks in your area. Whether you choose to clean up a local park, donate to a food bank, or simply lend a helping hand to someone in need, every act of service counts and can make a real difference in the lives of those we help.
We challenge you this month to consider what you can do to make a positive impact in your community. Even small contributions can create meaningful change. Together, through either individual or joint efforts, we too can make a difference!
Here are some ideas on how you can help:
Collect and donate for your community food banks, shelters, and other programs:
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Non-perishable food items
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Personal hygiene products
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Baby essentials
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Give blood
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School supplies
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First aid kit supplies
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Gently used clothing
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Winter warmth items
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Gently used books
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Raise funds for favorite charity
Activities and projects you can offer for your community or individuals:
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Rake or mow a neighbor’s lawn
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Clean up your local park
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Volunteer at local animal shelter
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Tutoring and mentoring
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Help register people to vote
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Coach youth sports
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Get CPR Certified
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Plant trees or flowers
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Volunteer at a soup kitchen
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Make care packages
If you’d like to share pictures and details from any volunteer activities or community service projects you participate in, please send to Claire Fagan, cfagan@cohenesrey.com, by the end of the month, so we can showcase in a future People & Properties article the difference we are making in our communities. We look forward to hearing your stories!
The Delinquency Champions!
By Michele Rollo-Burns (2018), Director of Leasing and Revenue
Each month we recognize communities and teams that have excelled at rent collections. The Key Performance Indicator (KPI) is 2% or less Current Resident Rent Balances. For the month of October 2026, we have 23 properties that are Delinquency Champions or made Honorable Mention, three less than September. As we get closer to the Holiday Season, people’s finances can become stretched. We need to redouble our efforts to collect rent during this time of year.
An Empowerment Story
By Lindsay Norman (2025), Leasing Agent – Brighton Creek
My name is Lindsay Norman, I have been a Leasing Agent with Cohen-Esrey for one-year at Brighton Creek (Kansas City, MO). I am a mother of four amazing children, two boys and two girls. Cohen-Esrey provides a great work-home balance.
When I started with the company, I was new to the industry with some property management experience. Before I was a team member with Cohen-Esrey, I was a Customer Service Retail Manager. I have always had a strong passion for the Customer Service field. Cohen-Esrey has provided me with training, resources, and an incredibly supportive team. I am always learning something new and taking on new challenges, which increases my motivation to achieve more.
Cohen-Esrey has helped me push my customer service skills to new heights. What truly defines how the company has Empowered Me to Thrive is the limitless support and the perfect place to use my skills to support residents as well as support other team members with their goals. I am forever grateful for this opportunity and to be a part of an amazing company.
Fun Photos!
Here’s an oldie but goodie. Pam Oakes (1984), RealPage System Administrator with her son on Take Your Kid to Work Day in 1996. Look at the size of that computer monitor on her desk! The Cohen-Esrey corporate offices were at One Main Plaza in Kansas City, MO, at the time.
This is How It’s Done . . .
By Maelin Seamons (2022), Marketing Coordinator
Building Trust Through Exceptional Customer Fulfillment
Regional Manager Charlie Kinnard (2025), believes Chris's willingness to go above and beyond is a major reason for his success. "He truly cares for his residents and is incredibly flexible with his time," Charlie said. "To ensure our residents' needs are met on their own schedules, he regularly goes above and beyond by coming in on Saturdays and Sundays." Charlie believes this dedication is a great example of Cohen-Esrey's Core Value of Customer Fulfillment.
Another important part of Chris's success is his consistency in seeking resident feedback. Charlie explained that Chris regularly follows up with residents to encourage survey participation and even asks whether he provided "10-star service" during everyday interactions. Rather than waiting for survey results, Chris makes an effort to understand how residents feel about their experience throughout the year. "By doing this, he lets residents know that their voices are heard," Charlie said.
When asked how he handles residents who have had a negative experience, Chris emphasized the importance of listening and working together to "come up with a solution that works for both parties." He also encourages other Property Managers to remain professional in every interaction. With an impressive NPS, Chris continues to demonstrate how building trust, maintaining open communication and putting residents first can make a meaningful difference in the community.
