Coco Movie Night – Summer at the Station

We hope you can join us for Movie Night!

Raleigh Union Station is excited to host this outdoor event on Friday, July 14, at Civic Plaza, located at 510 W. Martin Street.

From 6-8 PM, there will be food trucks, ice cream, market vendors, and a bar with both mocktails & cocktails to enjoy!

The movie will begin at 8 PM. The event is free, but make sure to register online to reserve your spot.

York is proud to provide venue management, property management, and leasing services at Raleigh Union Station.

Meet Our People

This month, we’d like to recognize Captain Coy Dixon.

Captain Dixon was born and raised in Tifton, Georgia. He recalls having a job as early as 9 years old picking tobacco. At 16, he joined the army in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. There he received his GED and spent the next 9 years moving up the ranks while serving our country. Dixon says he enjoyed jumping out of airplanes back then.

Captain Dixon found his way to York through a mutual connection in security. In 2003, at the request of the division leaders, Captain Dixon joined our Security team with an aim to help structure the overall division. He worked as an on-call security officer for 8 months, then a lieutenant for 6 months. He continued climbing the ladder into other leadership roles, but being captain is what feels like home for him.

Captain Dixon says the most important things in his life today are his family, work, hunting, and fishing. He and his wife of 54 years, Mary, call Holly Springs home. They have lived there since 1994 and have seen many new developments since they planted their roots. They have a daughter and son, 7 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. If he’s not spending time with his family or patrolling the premises of a property, you can catch Captain Dixon hunting at Jordan Lake or near the Harnett/Chatham County line. With no desire to injure animals, Captain Dixon says he enjoys watching and being in the midst of nature the most.

In reflecting on his favorite thing about York, Captain Dixon praised the people that make York Properties. He says “if you love your job, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” Captain Dixon carries an attitude of positivity everywhere he goes and shares it with everyone he meets. He believes if you keep a positive attitude, it will encourage others to do the same.

It is a privilege to have such a kind-hearted and dedicated employee such as Captain Dixon. This past May made 20 years since he has been with the company and we couldn’t be more appreciative of his years of hard work and commitment. As his 79th birthday approaches in August, Captain Dixon says he looks forward to working with us for years to come.

International Community Association Managers Day

On this International Community Association Managers Day we want to take a moment to recognize our Association Management team and the outstanding job they do day in and day out.

They handle a wide range of responsibilities, from financial management and maintenance coordination to resident communication and rule enforcement. Their efforts ensure that our residents have a safe, well-maintained, and vibrant place to call home.

So, on this special day, let’s raise a toast to our incredible Association Management team for their unwavering commitment and the countless ways they make our communities thrive.

Anna Claire Price · Director of Association Management
Virginia Davis · Sr. Association Manager
Julie Price · Assistant Association Manager
Mary Thaxton · Association Manager
Payne Eller · Association Manager
Beth Boyer · Assistant Association Manager
Carol Slaven · Association Manager
Alison Lipschitz · Association Manager
Mary Kraft · Association Manager

Cheers to our outstanding team!

Meet Our People

Office Manager and Receptionist Cindy Franks is the glue of the office. July will make a year since Cindy joined our team, but she agrees with us that it feels like much longer!

Cindy is a North Carolina native from Fuquay-Varina. When asked about her work life, Cindy says that her favorite part is the people. She appreciates how everyone is willing to help each other out. “The minute I started, I didn’t feel like I was new. I’ve never been treated like that at any job anywhere before.” Cindy heard about the position from a fellow colleague. With 12 years of HOA and accounting experience in real estate, Cindy knew it would be a great fit.

Outside of the office, Cindy loves to spend time with her husband of 28 years. They have settled in the Garner area, but venture out to try new restaurants on occasion. Cindy also enjoys scrapbooking, painting, yard work, and spending time with her children and grandchildren whenever she can. Cindy and her husband have a Shih Tzu named Bella – short for Isabella Swan, the main character from the hit movie Twilight.

We are very grateful for Cindy and all the work she does. We look forward to her journey with us!

May Is Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Awareness Month begins today!

According to the CDC, “Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.”

Here at York, we believe our York-life balance helps to foster a work community of happy and mentally healthy employees. But we understand and recognize that sometimes things get stressful, so we hope our team will enjoy, learn, and reset from the experiences we have planned this month!

Meet Our People

Kathy Decker is a North Carolinian through and through.  She grew up in Chapel Hill and Durham, then attended college in Boone at Appalachian State University, earning a degree in Elementary Education.  After graduation, she taught 5th grade in Charlotte for a time before moving back to the Triangle area.

In 1990, just after her move to Raleigh, Kathy made a career change and began working for Summit Properties in the apartment management industry. Six years later she came to work for York, joining the team as an on-site manager for City Market in Downtown Raleigh.

During her 25+ year tenure here at York, Kathy has worked in our Association Management and Property Management divisions.  In her various roles she has handled event planning, leasing, tenant renewal negotiations, vetting vendors, creating budgets, property renovations, and more!

On the weekends, Kathy works for a local wedding and event planning company as a wedding coordinator assistant. When she’s not assisting with a wedding, Kathy enjoys trying new restaurants in town, cake and cupcake decorating, traveling, or enjoying a binge-worthy Netflix thriller paired with a good glass of wine.

Kathy has volunteered with Triangle Dress for Success, which helps clients find an interview outfit or a week’s worth of clothes for work after they find employment. Kathy says that she sees firsthand how with the right clothing, a woman’s self-esteem increases and makes her more confident during the interview process. “It is rewarding to help someone find an interview outfit and then see them in a month or two to help them find work clothes for the job that they were interviewing for.” Kathy is also a member of the Junior League of Raleigh and Edenton Street United Method Church, where she has enjoyed various volunteer experiences over the years.

Kathy’s parents, brother, and sister-in-law are in the Wake Forest—Rolesville area. About two years ago, Kathy was a foster volunteer with Purr Partners Rescue and became what they call a “foster fail.” Purr Partners’ rescues are named after a letter of the alphabet. She was given the B Team – Barry, Belva, and Bixby, all four-month-old sibling cats. She says that by the time they got healthy, they had bonded, and she couldn’t give them up. Kathy formally adopted all three of them. Now that they are two years old, Kathy says that they have calmed down somewhat, but they still keep her busy and entertained with all of their shenanigans.

Property Management can be stressful at times, but Kathy says she is glad to work with a supportive team and positive company work culture at York. Her motto? “Don’t look for happiness… Create it.”

Special thank you to Kathy Decker for her years of dedication and commitment to York and the community!

2023 IREM Chapter Leadership Retreat

Earlier this week, Patty Friedman traveled to Chicago, IL, to attend the 2023 IREM Chapter Leadership Retreat. In addition to being one of our property managers, Patty serves as Treasurer of the IREM Greater Raleigh-Durham Chapter and Friends of IREM Board Liaison.

The 3-day retreat was held at the Loews Hotel Chicago, where Chapter Presidents, President-Elects, Chapter Board of Directors, Chapter Committee Chairs, IREM Association Executives, IREM’s Leadership Team, Board of Directors, and RVPs were all in attendance.

The purpose of the retreat was to give real estate managers an opportunity to grow their leadership skills to enhance their chapter roles and professional careers. Among those events scheduled were an IREM Association Executive Workshop, Chapter Management Bootcamp, and IREM HQ Offices Tour.

Both the Greater Raleigh-Durham and Western North Carolina chapters achieved top rankings as Premier and Evergreen contributors to the IREM Foundation for the organization’s 2023 Chapter Giving Campaign.

Spring Commercial Building Maintenance Tips

With outdoor temperatures rising, it is even more important than usual for building owners to make sure they are taking the right steps to maintain their property. Taking care of a building in warm weather is important to ensure the comfort and safety of occupants, as well as to maintain the building’s integrity. We have compiled some tips on how to take care of a building during warm weather.

Exterior maintenance:

  • Inspect and clean the building’s exterior, including walls, roof, and windows, for any signs of damage, wear, or leaks that may have been caused by extreme heat or sun exposure.
  • Check and clean gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage and prevent water damage, especially during periods of heavy rainfall or thunderstorms.
  • Inspect and repair any cracks or gaps in the building’s foundation, walls, and sidewalks that may have expanded due to heat or dryness.
  • Trim trees, shrubs, and bushes away from the building to prevent overgrowth and potential damage to the structure, and to allow for proper air circulation and shading.
  • Check and clean HVAC outdoor units, including coils and fins, to remove any debris or obstructions that may have accumulated during warm weather, and schedule professional maintenance or repairs as needed.
  • Check and repair any damaged or worn roofing materials, such as shingles or tiles, that may have been affected by prolonged sun exposure.

Interior maintenance:

  • Inspect and clean HVAC systems, including air filters, coils, and vents, and ensure proper functioning to maintain optimal indoor air quality and energy efficiency during warm weather.
  • Test and adjust thermostats to ensure proper temperature control and energy savings, and consider implementing energy-saving measures, such as programmable thermostats or shading devices.
  • Check and clean all interior lighting fixtures, replace bulbs as needed, and ensure proper functionality.
  • Inspect and test emergency exit signs and lighting to ensure compliance with safety regulations and to maintain visibility during emergencies.
  • Check and repair any plumbing leaks or dripping faucets that may have been exacerbated by increased water usage during hot weather.
  • Ensure proper insulation and weather stripping on doors and windows to prevent air leaks and reduce cooling costs.
  • Review and update emergency preparedness plans, including heat-related safety measures, such as providing adequate ventilation, shading, and hydration for occupants.

Luckily, here at York, we have both a landscaping and maintenance division that can handle all these needs and more for you.

Give our landscaping team a call today (919-835-2113) or contact our maintenance division (919-863-8068) for more information.

Patty Friedman, CPM, to attend IREM Advocacy Meeting

Patty Attends IREM Advocacy Meeting

Patty Friedman, one of our property managers, recently traveled to DC to attend an IREM advocacy meeting in hopes of helping create positive change in the property management industry.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss pressing real estate issues effecting the business with our congresspeople and legislators. Among those topics discussed were the Choice in Affordable Housing Act and the Respect State Housing Laws Act. The Choice in Affordable Housing Act establishes programs and grants to incentivize landlord participation in the Housing Choice Voucher program. The Respect State Housing Laws Act seeks to amend the CARES Act to remove a requirement on lessors to provide notice to vacate. Both acts have many implications for stakeholders and tenants.

Patty was grateful to have the opportunity to meet in person to discuss these topics. As Treasurer of the IREM Greater Raleigh-Durham Chapter and Friends of IREM Board Liaison, Patty’s hope for the meeting was to inform our representatives about these bills and help them hear from both sides to make an informed decision when it comes time to vote.

The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) is an international institute for property and asset managers that provides complete knowledge to take on real estate management’s most dynamic challenges. Their mission is to advance the profession of real estate management. They offer education and courses, certifications, and networking opportunities for IREM members.

For more information about IREM, visit their website.