A Happy Thanksgiving To All!

If you're traveling today, like the millions around the country, you're sure to hit some form of traffic, whether on the roads, the railways or up in the sky. After this massive storm front passes, almost the entire country, from California to Maine, will have been impacted by this storm to some degree. Despite mother nature's best attempt to derail those traveling this week, Thanksgiving is set to be another fantastic holiday! 

Millions around the country will gather with friends and family to show their thanks for the great things we have in life. It's often taken for granted on a daily basis the freedoms and liberties we have. Thanksgiving serves as the perfect time to reflect on caring for one another and to appreciate what we are gifted with. All of us here at Corcoran would like to wish a Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels to all! 

P.S. Will the Lions actually win their thanksgiving day game this year? 

Catching Up With Corcoran!

Two Corcoran Property Managers Earn Their CPM

Two of Corcoran’s Property Managers have just completed a major step in their Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) education. Ed Sullivan, manager at Shrewsbury Commons, and Erin O’Connor of Weymouth Commons were each honored with their Certified Property Manager (CPM) designations. Earning a CPM designation requires managers to devote many additional hours to various courses on real estate ethics, resident relations, financial reporting and management planning. We would like to congratulate both Ed and Erin on their hard work and would like to wish them continued success with Corcoran Management Company!

28^th Annual Caritas Communities Dinner

This past Wednesday, a number of Corcoran’s employees  attended the 28^th annual benefit dinner for Caritas Communities, a non-profit dedicated to providing housing for the working poor. Former Channel 5 Meteorologist David Brown served as the host for the evening gala that featured the stories of hardship and survival from three former US Military servicemen who overcame homelessness with the help of Caritas staff. P. Leo Corcoran, one of the founders of John M. Corcoran & Companies, established Caritas Communities in 1985 at a time when the number of homeless individuals was at a record high. Throughout his life, Leo dedicated endless resources and time to assure that those in need of affordable housing would have a comfortable place to call home. This year Jack Connors Jr., a founding partner of Hill Holliday, received the P. Leo Corcoran Humanitarian Award in memory of the service and commitment that Leo displayed through his work with Caritas and other local charities.  

Giving Thanks on Veteran's Day!

Today is a day to pay our respects and show appreciation for the military servicemen and women who have proudly served this country and sacrificed to help preserve our freedoms. Roughly 1.1 million American citizens are enlisted in the US Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard. Of those 1.1 million, many have fought overseas in battle. The brave souls who are willing to leave behind their friends, family and home lives and head overseas with their military brothers and sisters make the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Veteran’s Day is a special day in which we honor our brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters who have fought for our country. If you know someone who served in battle, give them thanks and let them know that they are true definition of “heroes”.

We send our thanks to all veterans and active duty military personal. Thank you for your commitment and sacrifice for this country! 

Congratulations to Janet Hines, 2013 NAHMA Professional of the Year Winner!

Recently, Janet Hines, Property Manager at Hanover Legion in Hanover, Massachusetts was honored as the recipient of the National Affordable Housing Professional of the Year for the New England region. The Professional of the Year award honors dedication to resident’s needs, commitment to a healthy resident lifestyle, fulfilling financial goals and honoring affordable housing policies and programs.

A dedicated employee of Corcoran since 1997, Janet has demonstrated true professionalism throughout her tenure at Corcoran. Whether working with her elderly residents, assisting a fellow employee with an unfamiliar task, or coordinating with local affordable housing officials, Janet always strives to go the extra mile. Janet began her career managing Kent Village, a busy and challenging family-based community in Scituate, Massachusetts. Throughout her career at Corcoran, Janet has continuously advanced her education and understanding of affordable multifamily practices, budgeting techniques, and how to promote a terrific quality of life for her residents.

Some of Janet’s finest work can be seen in the charitable donations and programs that she has run at her properties throughout her Corcoran career. Through various toy, book, clothing and school supply charity drives, Janet has shown an eager willingness to provide better education materials to her resident’s children. Janet has also put together campaigns to help stock food pantries throughout the South Shore. After the tragic events at the Boston Marathon this past April, Janet worked with her residents as well as Hanover Legion’s board of directors to put together a charity drive that raised over $1000 for the One Fund Boston.

All of us here at Corcoran are proud to know and work with Janet Hines. We feel she was a terrific recipient for the NAHMA Professional of the Year and will continue to display her terrific qualities! 

Experience the 2013 Head of the Charles Regatta!

Each October thousands of athletes from nations all across the globe make their way to the banks of the Charles River to partake in the world famous Head of the Charles Regatta. Since its inception in 1965, the Head of the Charles has been known as one of the world’s finest and most inviting rowing races for both competitors and spectators. The 2013 race takes place this Saturday and will finish up on Sunday. The HOCR course consists of a 3-mile row that will challenge the physical and mental strength of each athlete. Rowers will begin near the DeWolfe Boathouse located right before the BU Bridge spanning the Charles River. After passing five additional bridges within the next three miles the rowers will cross the finish line near the Cambridge Boat Club.

What makes the Head of the Charles such a special event? Every athlete, no matter what finishing position, will forever remember their row from Boston University past Harvard and down toward the Cambridge Boat Club. The thousands of spectators who cheer on their friends, family and alumni participating in the race enjoy the natural fall beauty along the historic banks of the Charles River. If you are around the Boston area and looking for something to do before the Red Sox game, you would be hard pressed to find a better option than taking in the Head of the Charles. There will be fan favorites in both food and drink vendors from all throughout Boston. If you’re looking for more information be sure to visit the official website of the Headof the Charles! 

Another Picture Perfect CMC Company Outing!

On October 8, over 250 of CMC’s professionals gathered for a day beautiful October sun, delicious food, golf activities, arcade fun, batting cages and honoring fellow employees for achievements in management, leasing and maintenance. For yet another year Kimball Farm served as fantastic venue for our company outing.

First thing in the morning the 9-hole pitch-n-putt tournament brought out serious competition. The foursome of Jeff Callahan, Fred Cook, Bob Dixon and Marc Colburn finished in first place by shooting a 26 (2 under par). Leo Fitzpatrick and Cynthia Buckley won prizes for being closest to the pin on the last hole. In the longest drive contest Jared Gardner and Bethany Hollingworth took top honors for men and women. The newest challenge, the Corcoran bag toss, was a huge hit. Don Polsi of Stevens Corner took home the first prize while Scott Condon and Dave Sadowski finished 2^nd and 3^rd respectively.

After enjoying the activities and games at Kimball many of Corcoran’s employees were honored for their years of dedicated service and commitment to professionalism.  To round out the day many lucky employees walked away with gift baskets and door prizes.  Chuck Miles won the coveted 50/50 drawing with the other half of the money pool reserved for St. Mary’s Bridge Home.

Thank you to all employees who attended another great company outing at Kimball Farm. Even bigger thanks go to the Outing Planning committee staff for organizing such a fun event! We hope to see everyone at the Holiday Christmas Party, which believe it or not, is just right around the corner! 

Breaking Ground for The Commons on The Green!

By the time next year’s summer heat wave hits the Boston region, The Commons on the Green, the newest phase of luxury apartment homes at SouthField will be welcoming home its first residents! On Tuesday, John M. Corcoran & Company, in partnership with development partners LNR and Whitman Homes and local officials broke ground on 72 brand-new luxury apartment homes on the site of the former Naval Station off of Route 18 in South Weymouth. Once completed in the summer of 2014 John M. Corcoran will have 298 high-end apartment homes available for rent at the SouthField community.

The Commons on The Green, along with its predecessor sister community The Commons at SouthField Highlands present a luxury apartment home lifestyle to the SouthField community. The Highlands opened their doors to their first move-ins back in the spring of 2012. Almost eighteen months later and the Commons at SouthField has achieved superior success in fulfilling financial goals, serving as an ambassador to the Weymouth community, and most importantly, offering a community atmosphere for residents to call their own.

Corcoran President Rick High, State Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Gregory Bialecki, and South Shore Chamber of Commerce CEO Peter Forman delivered a series of speeches referencing the strong growth seen at SouthField, and the bright future ahead. After the honorary shoveling ceremony to officially “break ground”, all those who attended sampled delicious treats and refreshments catered by Whole Foods Market.

The brand-new Commons on The Green will have unique features and finishes for residents. Apartments will come with wood flooring, dual sinks, granite countertops, valet trash service, and ice makers. A private roof deck is fully furnished and will be perfect for residents looking to enjoy an outdoor book or magazine. There will also be a grilling patio and fire pit area for cooking up your favorite foods with friends!

Visit www.thecommonsatsouthfield.com for more information!

Get Ready for the Upcoming Corcoran Management Employee Outing!

Click the image above for a larger view

It's almost that time of the year again! With fall comes the annual Corcoran Management Employee Outing held at Kimball Farm in Westford. This year's event will be held on Tuesday October 8th and is open to all permanent CMC employees (full and part time). Anyone who has attended in years past knows this is a day full of fun times, good people, and of course some serious competition. Events and activities at this year's outing are no different than years past. Beginning promptly at 9:30AM will be the Pitch & Putt tournament. Anyone interested in joining either as a foursome or individually may do so by RSVP'ing with Ginny Olson no later than September 20th. There will also be a longest drive competition, for those interested they also must RSVP with Ginny by the 20th.

Golfer's please note:

• If you have clubs you should bring them, there is only a small selection of clubs available for use at Kimball. The longest hole is 90 yards so plan accordingly
• Scoring consists of best individual score for each hole by each team
• There is a maximum of 5 strokes per hole

Not participating in the golfing activities? Kimball Farm has endless activities, games, and rides that will entertain you and your fellow employees. Mini golf, bumper boats, an arcade, batting cages, ice cream bar, a BBQ station, as well as contests and prizes will be available all day! The end of the day will feature an awards ceremony for deserving employees. 

Kimball Farm provides a fun and festive atmosphere for all CMC employees and everyone also has a great time. We hope we will see all of you at this year's company outing! 

The Proper Way to Close Your Swimming Pool for the Fall and Winter!

With much sadness, it’s fair to say that summer is officially on the way out and fall is on the way in. The past four months of 80-plus degree temperatures have come and gone faster than a Dustin Pedroia line drive out of Fenway. Beautiful fall foliage and the sounds of football are just around the corner. With the new season, comes the end of one of our resident’s favorite getaways, the fabulous swimming pools found all throughout Corcoran communities across New England and Georgia! Closing down a swimming pool for the winter may seem like an easy task. However it requires a great deal of precision and expertise to properly close the pool and to protect it until it will be used again in the spring.

Here are some of the key elements to help you close your pool for the summer:

• Disconnect your pump and filter and make sure the pump is totally drained out of any water, also make sure you remove any drain plugs from the filter.
• Backwash the filter to clean it out, this is the best way to assure the filter is completely clean and free of any dirt or ground buildup.
• Unscrew and loosen any quick disconnect fittings or unions at your pump and filter system. This is important so that during the cold days of winter no “freeze-cracks” occur.
• Remove any dive boards or ladders from the pool. Along with the pump and any filters, you should place any items in a warm and safe spot. A garage or well-insulated shed would work best.
• Mix any granular winterizing chemicals into a bucket so that they properly are dissolved. You don’t want any chemicals hanging around the pool during the winter that could permanently dissolve into the pool’s coating

These are just some of the basics on how to close a pool properly. For more information and a detailed checklist visit this link!

Celebrating LEED Silver Certification at The Commons at SouthField Highlands!

Energy efficiency and innovation are two of the hottest sectors that companies from all industries are scrambling to master. That’s why here at Corcoran Management we have committed to developing all of our new properties to better suit the environment and our residents pockets! The Commons at SouthField Highlands, our newest apartment community in Weymouth was honored yesterday by the United States Green Building Council as a “LEED Silver Certified” building for achievement in Environmental-friendly design and functionality.

The Silver designation by the USGBC takes into account multiple qualities that measure a building’s energy dependence and impact on the environment. The following categories below are totaled up in credits which produce a score on a scale of 1-100.

• Sustainable Site & Environment: encouraging strategies that minimize the impact on local ecosystems and water resources
• Water Efficiency: promote smarter use of water, inside and out, to reduce potable water consumption
• Energy & Atmosphere: promote better building energy performance through innovative strategies 
• Materials & Resource: encourage using sustainable building materials and reducing waste
• Indoor Environmental Quality: promote better indoor air quality and access to daylight and views

The USGBC acknowledges The Commons at SouthField as achieving a high-rate of success with the aforementioned qualities above. We couldn’t be more proud to have achieved this fabulous honor. Not just at The Commons, but throughout properties in Corcoran’s portfolio we are continuing to invest in energy efficiency and dependency! 

Sustainable Energy Management at Corcoran Management!

Since the recession of 2008 companies from all industries have been assessing their operating costs and developing ways to save money. Companies like ours have invested capital and resources into energy efficient operations both to protect the environment and to control costs.

                

Our Director of Maintenance, Gary Saltmarsh and John Corcoran, our Energy Efficient Manager, have been working with property staff and local contractors to bring the latest in green, energy-efficient technology to properties throughout Corcoran’s portfolio. Gary and John have spent countless hours researching and developing programs to reduce Corcoran’s electric, HVAC, water, and sewer usage as low as possible without sacrificing performance and reliability. At a recent training session, Corcoran Property and Maintenance Managers learned the benefits of using T-8 High-Performance light fixtures that conserve on average 40% less electricity than traditional fixtures. In addition Managers learned about Corcoran’s ongoing plan to switch to new controlled water heaters and boilers. In addition to major changes to heating and electrical systems, Corcoran promotes the use of automatic timers and censors to limit the use of light and strategic use of shade to keep things cool.

               

Corcoran Management Company is proud of the maintenance team, managers, and trusted vendors with whom we have developed and enhanced energy efficient operations at all of our properties. Two of our newest communities, The Commons at SouthFieldHighlands in Weymouth, MA, and Parkside Commons in Chelsea, MA have received LEED Certification for energy efficient design from the United States Green Building Council!

Father Bill's & MainSpring Benefit Dinner for the Homeless

Each and every summer for the past 19 years one July evening in Quincy’s Marina Bay neighborhood showcases numerous celebrities, local philanthropists, and everyday citizens aiming to end homelessness in the greater Boston area. Tuesday July 30^th many will flock to the Ocean Club at Marina Bay to gather for a night of fine dining, raffles, guest appearances, and picturesque Boston skyline views, with all of the proceeds going to Father Bill’s & MainSpring Foundation for the homeless.

Individual tickets start at $100 for this event that will have samplings from 40 of your favorite South Shore eateries as well as delicious beverage choices. On top of individual tickets, sponsorship and advertising opportunities are available as well with all proceeds going to the work of Father Bill’s. Past year’s events have helped continue to fund the amazing work that Father Bill’s and MainSpring do to end homelessness for all throughout the Boston metro area.

Father Bill’s and MainSpring work with various housing agencies throughout Massachusetts to build, develop, and manage homes for individuals, families, and veterans in need of emergency housing. Each year Father Bill’s constructs homes throughout the region to provide full-time and temporary housing for those in need. Their goal is to not just place homeless in homes, but to continue working with them in all aspects of life to see that they live the American Dream.

For anyone interested in attending or donating to a wonderful cause please visit Father Bills’ official website for additional information and reservations.

Some "Do's" and "Don't's" to Stay Safe During the Summer Heat!

Today marks the 5^th straight day the Boston area has seen temperatures soar well into the 90’s. With this extended heat wave comes plenty of great opportunity to enjoy local beaches, swimming pools, boating activities, and parks. With all the fun potential activities that the summer months can bring out, the sun and scorching heat conditions can also pose serious dangers and risks to all ages. While it’s easy to experience summer fun in numerous places throughout Boston, it’s even easier to read up and understand basic tips to stay safe and cool during the hot summer days. Below is a list of DO’s and DON’T’s courtesy of the City of Somerville, Massachusetts.

Do:

-          DO drink lots of water and sport drinks

-          DO wear loose fitting, light weight, light colored clothing

-          DO check on elderly people

-          DO use SPF-15 (or higher) sun block and wear a hat

-          DO rest often in shady areas

-          DO go to an air conditioned place; such as a shopping mall during severe heat

-          DO listen to the news and the public announcements for heat advisories

Don’t:

-          DON’T underestimate the seriousness of heat-related emergencies

-          DON’T leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle

-          DON’T drink alcohol or caffeinated beverages

-          DON’T stay in the hot weather if you feel sick

-          DON’T overexert yourself or work outside without taking breaks

-          DON’T hesitate to call EMS and seek medical attention

Corcoran Management Announces a New 289-Apartment Home Community Next to Forest Hills Orange Line Station!

On June 19^th Corcoran Management’s plans for the construction of a 289-apartment community  in Jamaica Plain were featured in the Boston Globe. A 300,000-square-foot site at 3595 Washington Street is slated to be the future home for another “Corcoran Community”. We here at Corcoran are extremely excited for this announcement as well as the upcoming events in the next couple months. The neighborhood of Jamaica Plain is full of culture and is buzzing with a recent boom of local businesses and attractions within the last couple years, and we only anticipate a continued community development!

A mix of studios, one, two, and three-bedroom apartment homes will be found at Corcoran’s new development along with first floor space for retail, service, restaurant, or residential amenity use. The new apartment homes at Forest Hills will be a commuter’s dream. Whether biking, driving, or riding the T, you will be near endless points of access to all neighborhoods of Boston and surrounding communities. The Forest Hills Orange Line station will be just a minute stroll out your front door step and can take you to Northeastern University, Downtown Crossing, North Station, or to any number of destinations throughout the greater Boston area.

The next coming weeks and months will sure to bring more updates on Corcoran’s Jamaica Plan development. Be sure to check out our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter for up-to-date information! 

CMC Enjoying NAA 2013 in Sunny San Diego!

Last week five Corcoran employees embarked across the country to National Apartment Association’s annual education conference at one of our nation’s most beautiful vacation destinations, San Diego. Just like everyday throughout the calendar year, the weather was a picturesque 80 degrees and sunny without even a bit of humidity in the air. The only word fitting enough to describe San Diego is “perfect”.

                Along with the fabulous attractions and atmosphere San Diego presented us, we were fortunate enough to interact with thousands of industry professionals working to educate us on a variety of subjects within the multifamily property management industry. Through motivational speeches, class workshops, seminars, and other meet-and-greet events we flexed our brain muscles and learned new traits, facts, and upcoming trends about the apartment industry. One of the greatest benefits in attending an NAA conference is interacting and hearing stories from our counterparts within the industry. Hearing the stories of leasing consultants and managers from all different regional demographics throughout the country gives us insight and guidance in how to handle any situation of any different magnitude.

                I think we can speak for thousands who attended the conference that the biggest thrill was hearing the inspirational words of Sir Richard Branson. One of the greatest and most respected business leaders and innovators over the last half-century, Sir Richard shared his intellect on the crowd and educated us on the importance of strong relationships between employers and their employees. Communicating and rewarding your employees as an employer are of the utmost importance when trying to run a successful business. There is no doubt everyone who left the conference will have the words of Sir Richard echoing in their daily operations.

                We want to thank NAA and their sponsors for putting on what was an absolutely fabulous three day event in beautiful San Diego. We are already looking forward to next year when we hit the mile high city of Denver!

Be sure to follow Corcoran Management on Twitter

Groundbreaking at Corcoran: SouthField set for Groundbreaking Ceremony on Phase II of The Commons

Roughly fifteen months ago the first residents of The Commons at SouthField Highlands arrived with fully-packed moving trucks. This monumental day marked the start of a new era at SouthField, the South Shore’s newest live-and-play community.

Fast forward to today…

When we first broke ground on The Commons, we set out with the goal of building a true “community”, a place where residents will feel at home not just within the walls of their own individual home, but throughout the community amenities, grounds, and common areas. Throughout our first year we have received tremendous feedback from our residents who drop by the office just to say hello after a long day at the office. Resident parties and gatherings offer convenient and tasteful opportunities for residents to meet-and-greet with one another and form bonds. Summer of 2013 will continue to bring excitement to the community of SouthField and its residents. With that added excitement, Corcoran Management is proud to announce we are breaking ground on the upcoming Phase II of The Commons at SouthField Highlands!

72 brand-new, thoughtfully-designed eco-friendly luxury apartments will be constructed on the site of the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station. The new apartments will feature wood floors, granite countertops, a roof deck, Wi-Fi café, and outdoor patio area. Recently, the apartments of phase I of The Commons received the honor of being named LEED Silver Certified by the United States Green Building Council. Corcoran is driven to provide the finest in luxury apartment living while also preserving and protecting environmental surroundings with eco-friendly paints, solvents, appliances and construction materials.  

An exact date has not been announced for the ceremony, but it is expected to take place within the next month. Many local newspapers including the Boston Globe, Patriot Ledger, Weymouth Patch, Hingham Patch, and Braintree Patch have all done features on the groundbreaking at The Commons.

We look forward to providing you with the latest news and updates on the upcoming ceremony, as well as the rest of all the excitement happening this summer at SouthField!

Be sure to check out The Commons at SouthField Highlands on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, or our Blog!

Corcoran Management Launches Brand-New State-of-the-Art Website!

In today’s day and age of ever changing and advancing technology, it’s integral for a company to advance its digital footprint to better position itself amongst its competitors. That’s why Corcoran Management is proud to announce the launch of our new state-of-the-art website! In partnership with Irvine, California based Hyperdisk Marketing, Corcoran has developed a new website that brings user interaction and prospect information to the forefront. Our new search feature presents a prospect with numerous options to meet their needs such as location, whether or not they are bringing pets and how many bedrooms they need. Hyperdisk’s specialty work can be described as “e-marketing” rather than “web design” concentrating on visibility throughout organic search engines and social media. All throughout Corcoran’s headquarters and leasing centers you can feel the excitement about our launch. However, the real excitement begins within the next couple months, as we begin to see the benefits and returns on our fabulous new web sites. Be sure to stay updated and learn about the continued growth of one of New England’s most respected property management firms.

Visit Corcoran Management's new website today to see all the hype!

Reflecting On This Past Week

Corcoran Management Company is proud to announce the launch of our very own blog! We're excited to bring news about not just Corcoran and its fabulous properties, but updates and insights on all things happening in the world of multi-family property management. 

To start off what should be a fun and informative blog for our readers, we would first like to pause to recognize those effected by last Monday's tragic events in our home city. One of our former colleagues suffered serious injuries as a result of last Monday's bombings. She remains hospitalized but is in great spirits! We want to wish her and all others injured our prayers and thoughts for a speedy recovery.

We want to continue to spread the word on The One Fund established by Governor Patrick and Mayor Menino to provide support for victims and their families. Please check it out and consider making a donation at www.onefundboston.org