by Andrea F | Jun 18, 2025 | Blog, Featured Posts, Low Income Tax Credit Housing, Press Releases, Project Based Section 8 Housing
Arbors Management Expands to Ohio- We are thrilled to share the news of our recent management of two new Senior/Affordable Housing properties: Carroll Court and Franklin Terrace, situated in Carrollton and Strasburg, Ohio. This represents Arbors’ first management venture in the state of Ohio, and we are immensely proud of our continuous growth and accomplishments.
Situated in Carrollton, OH, Carroll Court features 60 single-story, garden-style units featuring one and two bedroom units. This property sits in a beautiful setting with a wonderful community building, and plenty of outdoor space, along with storage units for each apartment.
Just a short drive away, in Strasburg, Ohio, lies Franklin Terrace Senior Apartments. This community features garden-style units, offering a total of 79 one and two bedroom apartments. Each equipped with private patios perfect for relaxation, along with a spacious community room for gatherings.
With new ownership and management in place, these properties will undergo nearly $1.5 million dollars in upgrades over the coming twelve months including new roofs, new parking lots, new kitchens, accessibility upgrades, mechanical upgrades, community room upgrades, and more!
Since 1982, Arbors Management, Inc. has developed a portfolio of over 4,000 residential units, encompassing both Market-Rate and Affordable Housing, throughout Western PA and West Virginia, and now Ohio. We are eager to continue growing in all regions. Everyone at Arbors Management is excited about this expansion and looks forward to what the future holds!
If you’d like to explore how Arbors Management can help you manage your property, please visit our website to learn more about our services at our website.
by Nicole Scimio | Jan 27, 2025 | Blog, Featured Posts, Low Income Tax Credit Housing, Owner Resources, Project Based Section 8 Housing, Property Management Education
What Does Tenant Screening Look Like in Affordable Housing?
What is Tenant Screening?
If you know anything about the rental process, you’ve likely heard of landlords screening potential residents after receiving applications. But what exactly is tenant screening?
Tenant screening is the standard practice used to evaluate prospective residents when processing housing applications.
While there is not one perfect screening method that yields perfect results, management often enlist the help of a third-party company. This helps ensure that all boxes are checked and that nothing is overlooked.
At Arbors, our property management staff submits all of the necessary documents to our external screening company. We are able to determine eligibility based on:
- The information provided
- The application received
- Information gathered from the applicant’s prior landlords to verify their rental history
What is a Property Manager Looking for When Screening Applicants?
As a property manager, you likely receive many applications for potential residents at your property. Therefore, it’s important to look at a few different key aspects of someone’s history when considering their application.
When screening applicants, we use screening criteria as well as a Resident Selection Plan. Anyone who meets these criteria is approved for tenancy.
Common factors that managers and screening companies look at in applicants include but are not limited to:
- Current income
- Credit score and history
- Criminal background check
- Eviction history
- Employment history
- Reason for leaving their previous residence
Each of these factors serve as helpful indicators for the management team to determine if the applicant would be a qualified candidate.
Why is Tenant Screening Important?
Tenant screening is important because it provides management with a general overview of the applicant’s history as a resident.
With the information provided, property managers can make educated decisions that help protect the safety of their current tenants, as well as help preserve the integrity of the property(ies). Additionally, you can help ensure that not only is the applicant a good fit for the property, but that the property is a good fit for the applicant.
Here at Arbors, we have a higher retention rate than the average in our industry. We feel that this is in part due to good screening, as well as great care of our residents during their tenancy. Screening properly makes a difference!
What Are the Risks of Not Properly Screening Applicants?
If you don’t screen your applicants appropriately, you risk the chance of having residents that could have a negative impact on your property or other tenants.
One of the main ways that managers make mistakes during screening is not thoroughly examining an applicant’s background and missing vital information.
For example: one common mistake that many property managers make is failing to ask for previous landlord verifications.
By failing to gather those references, whether good or bad, you will not have a clear picture of who you are about to rent to. A previous landlord may be able to warn you of poor payment history, poor housekeeping, and even poor conduct of the applicant in question.
On the other hand, positive references from a previous landlord can provide peace of mind that the applicant may be a good fit for your property. Perhaps they’ll even have a great impact on the property and neighboring community!
At the End…
Tenant screening is a common (and important) practice among property managers! It gives managers a glimpse into a resident’s history and what they could be like as a resident at their property.
Screening applicants helps managers make educated decisions on who is a good fit overall for their property. By looking at multiple aspects of the applicant’s background, you can get a fuller picture of who each applicant is.
Managers are looking for applicants who will bring value to their property and community, and tenant screening helps guide the selection process. Just make sure you are thorough in your research and don’t miss any key details!
If you need help screening applicants or managing your property, please feel free to contact us here at Arbors Management at 1-800-963-1280 or monroeville@arbors.com – we’d be happy to help!
by Nicole Scimio | Jun 20, 2024 | Blog, Investment Rental Property, Low Income Tax Credit Housing, Owner Resources, Project Based Section 8 Housing, Property Management Education, Tenant Education
The Differences Between Market-Rate and Affordable Housing
If you’ve been involved in the housing industry for any period of time, you’ve probably heard the terms “market-rate housing” and “affordable housing.” But what exactly is the difference between the two? Don’t worry, we’ll break it down for you.
Market-Rate Housing
Market-Rate Housing is also known as conventional housing. This just means that the property does not have any type of subsidy, and the resident pays the full amount of the rent that is determined by the market.
Attributes of Market-Rate Housing:
- The lease terms are customizable
- No restrictions on additional services and fees you are able to provide to the tenant
- You can non-renew a lease for any reason
- The rent is not guaranteed (residents may or may not pay, might be late on rent)
- Late payments/refusal to pay could lead to eviction
- You can create your own screening criteria
- There’s no limit on the rental amount that you can charge
- Rent is dictated by what someone is willing to pay for the unit
If you want to check out our available market-rate properties, click here.
Affordable Housing
Affordable Housing is also known as subsidized housing, meaning that the property is receiving a subsidy from a governmental agency whereby the resident is only responsible for a portion of the rent. This portion of the rent that they owe is typically based on their income.
Attributes of Affordable Housing:
- Lease terms are subject to the agency issuing the subsidy
- The rental subsidy payments may be subject to property inspections from the agency
- You are limited in reasons for non-renewing a lease
- The rent is guaranteed by the agency issuing the subsidy
- Your screening criteria is also dependent on the agency that’s issuing the subsidy
- The rental amount is dictated by the agency that’s issuing the subsidy
- There are income restrictions for residents to qualify
If you want to learn more about the different types of Section 8, check out this blog post.
If you want to check out our available affordable housing properties, click here.
All in All
Whether the property is market-rate or affordable housing, our primary goal is still the same: to provide safe and habitable housing for all of our residents, as well as professional management services to meet our clients’ goals for any property that we manage.
We have 40+ years of expertise in all aspects of housing in and around the Pittsburgh area, Western Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, so if you have any questions, feel free to contact us!
by Nicole Scimio | Jun 21, 2023 | Blog, Project Based Section 8 Housing, Uncategorized
Stoneboro, PA – Arbors Management continues to expand their reach by adding Lakeview Manor in Stoneboro, PA to their portfolio. Effective June 1st, Arbors will become the new management agent of the 50-unit senior building near their new office in Grove City and other Arbors-managed properties, such as Evergreen Arbors in Franklin and Towne Towers in Oil City.
Lakeview Manor is an affordable independent senior living facility that offers a wonderful community of residents and has been a staple of the community for 36 years since its construction in 1987. Located near Lake Wilhelm, Goddard State Park, the Stoneboro Fairgrounds, Grove City Outlet Mall, and Conneaut Lake, residents have plenty to do just minutes from the property.
Since 1982, Arbors Management, Inc. has built a portfolio of over 4,000 residential units with a large majority in the affordable housing segment across Western PA and West Virginia, and it continues to grow each year. The team at Arbors Management is thrilled to begin building a lasting relationship with the residents of Lakeview Manor.
If you’d like to learn more about how Arbors can help you manage your property, please contact us.
Read the original article online on the Pittsburgh Business Times here.
by Nicole Scimio | Aug 29, 2022 | Blog, Project Based Section 8 Housing
By: Nicole Fandel, Marketing Specialist, and Glenda McCrary, Property Manager at Weston Arbors
Welcome to Weston Arbors!
Weston Arbors is a high-rise apartment building consisting of 8 floors and a total of 119 one-bedroom apartments, each equipped with a refrigerator, range, individually controlled heat and air conditioning, wall to wall carpeting, and a private balcony. We have onsite management, maintenance, and a resource coordinator, onsite laundry facilities, and a large community room and lounge for residents to enjoy – not to mention a gorgeous view of the West Virginia mountains!
In case you didn’t know, Weston Arbors was built in 1980 but has undergone recent renovations! Some of these updates include new carpeting in the hallways, new carpeting and seating in the community room, removal of multiple trees on the property to allow for more natural light, and more.
What’s Around Weston Arbors?
While we have the privilege of privacy, we are located within walking distance of Dollar General and Lewis County Park. We are also within a few minutes of local shops and restaurants like Giovanni’s, the Lewis County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Shop ‘n Save Express, and more.
(picture source)
About Weston, West Virginia
A fun fact about Weston is that it is the county seat of Lewis county, where General Stonewall Jackson grew up during the Civil War. Weston, WV is also home to one of the largest hand-cut stone buildings in the world. It was built in 1864 and originally was a mental hospital, but now serves as a National Historic Landmark and offers ghost tours. Weston is also known historically for its large contributions to the glassmaking industry (source, picture source).
A Look Inside Our Homes
About the Manager: Glenda McCrary
Property manager Glenda McCrary has one daughter and has been married since 11/11/2011 – she also is from a family of 10 children! Originally working as a nurse, Glenda thought it was time for a change and decided to jump into the world of property management. She has been a part of the Weston Arbors community since October of 2014 and hasn’t looked back since!
Interested in Weston Arbors?
If you’re interested in filling out an application or learning more about Weston Arbors and all we have to offer, please take a look at our property page or contact property manager Glenda McCrary at 304-269-7344 or westonarbors@arbors.com.
by Nicole Scimio | May 10, 2022 | Blog, Project Based Section 8 Housing
By: Brady Merkle, Regional Operations Manager, and Michelle Cherup, Property Manager at Carmichaels Arbors
Welcome to Carmichaels Arbors!
Carmichaels Arbors is a beautiful community consisting of 76 garden-style apartments. We have 16 buildings spread over four acres with sidewalks leading to the front door of every apartment. Every resident has their own patio and garden area where they plant beautiful flowers and vegetable gardens. Property grounds are meticulously maintained by onsite staff all year round. The community is tucked away in a quiet area of Carmichaels, Pennsylvania, just a few blocks from the quaint town circle and necessary stores, banks, and restaurants.
Locale
Carmichaels, PA is a small borough located about 60 miles south of Pittsburgh, PA and approximately 30 miles southeast of Washington, PA. Notable places to visit near Carmichaels include the Skyview Drive-In Theatre and Thistlethwaite Vineyards. Cedarwood Apartments, another property managed by Arbors Management, is only one mile away from Carmichaels Arbors.
Residents
What makes Carmichaels Arbors most special are the residents. They are a friendly group that care for and watch out for one another. When the weather is nice, you’ll see big smiles and hear joyful laughter coming from our beautiful courtyard in the middle of the complex. Residents also gather in our charming community room to play cards and bingo, and to have the most fun and festive holiday parties. Those of us who get to work and live at Carmichaels Arbors are very fortunate to be a part of such a special community!
Did You Know?
Carmichaels Arbors is a Project Based Section 8 Housing community and became so after its construction in 1978. Our affordable apartments are designated for the elderly and persons with disabilities.
The community room is a great place for residents to socialize with their friends and neighbors. The community room is used for hosting all sorts of events including cards/bingo, birthday and holiday parties, and a monthly Library Program. It even has a computer station open to the residents!
The property is almost entirely smoke-free, but we do still have a central designated smoking section for residents to utilize.
A Look Inside Our Homes
Our 1-bedroom garden-style apartments have private entrances and plenty of space to make a cozy, welcoming home!
About the Manager: Michelle Cherup
My professional career started as an Administrative Assistant at Howard Hanna Real Estate. After working there for several years, I decided it was not for me. After I had my son, I decided I wanted a job closer to home, so I got a job working for a small property management company called Dentino Agency in California, PA, which managed housing for college students. The owner encouraged me to get my Real Estate license. While working there, I found that I really liked the property management side of real estate.
After working a couple of other positions, one wonderful day, I saw the Property Manager job posting for Carmichaels Arbors and Arbors Management. I immediately applied, as the property was only 15 minutes from my home. I had my interview with Paul Lingenfelter; we hit it off from the moment I met him and the rest is history. To me, working at Carmichaels Arbors is a dream job; I love the property, my co-workers, and especially the residents.
My husband and I love to travel to new places. He won’t fly but that’s okay because he will drive anywhere. Places we have traveled to in the past are San Antonio, TX, Memphis, TN, Boston, MA, Cape Cod, MA, Orlando, FL, Key West FL, Pensacola Beach, FL, Nashville, TN and we have been to Ocean City, MD, Myrtle Beach, SC and the Outer Banks, NC.
We are excited this year to be traveling to Key West, FL again; we are stopping at Savannah, GA on the way down for a few days and Daytona Beach, FL on our way back. Every month we try to go somewhere for a weekend trip. Some of my favorite weekend spots are Deep Creek, MD and Annapolis, MD where the seafood is delicious. My favorite place we have ever been is Key West, FL, and we are so excited to be going back this July. I have a feeling it will be hard to leave, so if I don’t return, you will find me selling straw hats on a corner in Key West!
My husband Jim and I are high school sweethearts, the old football player/cheerleader story. We have been happily married for 35 years this coming October. We have one son, Austin; he is 25 and we are very proud of him. We also have a silly grand-dog named Willie Nelson who we adore. I am truly blessed with the life I have!
Interested in Carmichaels Arbors?
If you’re interested in filling out an application or learning more about Carmichaels Arbors and all we have to offer, please take a look at our property page or contact property manager Michelle Cherup at 724-965-7111 or carmichaelsarbors@arbors.com.
Property manager Glenda McCrary has one daughter and has been married since 11/11/2011 – she also is from a family of 10 children! Originally working as a nurse, Glenda thought it was time for a change and decided to jump into the world of property management. She has been a part of the Weston Arbors community since October of 2014 and hasn’t looked back since!
