The Brief

In this episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan revisit the July/August 2024 issue of the Multi Housing Advocate, “Above and Beyond,” and examine what turns everyday resident service into a memorable experience.
The conversation explores how thoughtful communication, smoother move-ins, personal connection, and community involvement can build trust and loyalty. It also considers why going above and beyond must be balanced with fair and consistent treatment. Although published in 2024, the central lesson remains relevant today: exceptional service rarely requires a grand gesture. It begins with listening, following through, and making people feel valued.📖 Read Above and Beyond: mmha.com/Advocate🎟 Explore Changing the Game – Fall Conference & Expo: mmha.com/ctg 🎙 Coming October 2 – Interview with Jennifer Spadine: mmha.com/TheBrief
🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In this special one-year anniversary episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan count down the four most downloaded full episodes of the show's first year, from AI's New Frontier and Challenging the Moratorium to What Happened? and Diving into Debt. Then, Troy Weathers from Citizens State Bank, our founding sponsor, joins Aubrey Albrecht to talk about why the bank signed on from day one, what has stood out to him over the past year, and where he sees the industry headed next.
🎙 Listen to any episode mentioned today: mmha.com/Resources/The-Brief📖 Read The Advocate: mmha.com/Resources/The-Brief👥 Learn about MHA Membership: mmha.com/Membership/Membership-Information
 
🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In this episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan go back to the January/February 2025 issue of the Multi Housing Advocate, “The Renter of the Future.” Drawing from articles by Matt Teasdale of METIS Development Group, Skylar Olsen of Zillow, Bethe Wright of Apartment Life, and Steven Ladin and Brian Anderson of CoStar Group with MHA’s Cecil Smith, they explore how renter expectations are shifting around flexibility, affordability, technology, pets, community, brand, and the meaning of home. The conversation looks at why the renter of the future is not one generation or one profile, but a broader set of signals housing providers should be paying attention to now.📘 Read the January/February 2025 Advocate issue: The Advocate🎓 Learn more about MHA Certification Programs: mmha.com/Certifications💬 Ask mihra: mmha.com/mihra
🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In this episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan explore Leaving a Legacy, the latest issue of The Advocate. Drawing from articles by Jon Keimig of the University of St. Thomas Family Business Center, Matt Hozza of Kleinman, Peter Bailey of The Prouty Project, Angie French of MCMC, and Greg Cerbana of Weidner Apartment Homes, they examine succession planning, leadership development, knowledge transfer, governance, and what it takes to build an organization that can thrive beyond any one leader.📖 Read the latest issue of The Advocate: mmha.com/Advocate🤖 Ask mihra: mmha.com/mihra 🎙 Listen to The Brief: mmha.com/TheBrief
🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In this episode of The Brief, Aubrey Albrecht talks with Erin Fransen, Chief Operating Officer and Principal at Timberland Partners and current Board Chair of MHA. Their conversation covers Erin’s path into multifamily, what it’s like to lead in a family-founded business, how EOS shapes Timberland’s operations, and what she sees ahead for the future of housing.
After the break, Denise and Logan ask mihra how members can get better results when using AI to refine emails, notices, and other correspondence. They also highlight MHA’s upcoming LINK-Up member event at Park Tavern in St. Louis Park.🤝 Register for LINK-Up at Park Tavern: mmha.com/Events/LINK-Up 🧭 Meet MHA’s Board of Directors: mmha.com/Board🤖 Ask mihra: mmha.com/mihra
🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In this episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan dig into the September/October 2024 issue of The Advocate; The Other Value Add. They explore why professional education may be one of the smartest investments a housing provider can make. From Learning & Development as a business strategy to fair housing, onboarding, maintenance training, and lifelong learning, the conversation connects staff development to retention, performance, resident experience, and a stronger culture of professionalism. Plus, mihra builds a first-year learning path for a new leasing consultant using MHA professional education.
📖 Read the The Other Value Add: mmha.com/resources/advocate🎓 Check out MHA’s Onboarding Package: mmha.com/Online🎟️ Save the date for the Changing the Game Fall Conference & Expo: November 12th, 2026 🏆 Learn more about MADACS: mmha.com/Events/MADACS
🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In this episode of The Brief, Aubrey Albrecht, the show’s managing producer, talks with Lisa Marvin, CEO and Partner at Essence Property Management, Mayor of St. Stephen, Minnesota, past Board Chair of MHA, and a respected industry leader who teaches across the state and across the country. The conversation offers a candid look at the realities of work in multi-housing right now, with insight on leadership, pressure, perspective, and the human side of housing. Lisa brings the kind of clarity and credibility that come from years of experience, making this an episode that will resonate with anyone trying to stay grounded while doing demanding work that matters.🧭 Visit MHA’s Fee Management Services Directory: mmha.com/Directories/Fee💡 Explore Mel Robbins Let Them Theory: melrobbins.com/book/the-let-them-theory/🤖 Meet mihra: mmha.com/mihra
🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In this episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan examine research from the Minnesota Housing Stability Coalition on distress in affordable housing. Drawing from quantitative analysis, qualitative interviews, and resident perspectives, they explore what happens when affordable properties face rising costs, staffing strain, safety concerns, and growing service needs. The conversation looks at why this is not just a property-level issue, but a system-wide challenge with real consequences for residents, operators, and the long-term sustainability of affordable housing. Plus, in Ask mihra, they break down what housing providers should know if they are new to accepting Housing Choice Vouchers, and they spotlight MHA’s condensed one-day Boiler Exam Preparation Class created with St. Paul College for busy maintenance professionals.🏠 Learn more about the Minnesota Housing Stability Coalition: mnhousingstability.org📘 Read about Housing Choice Vouchers: hud.gov/hcv/landlords🛠️ Register for MHA’s Boiler Exam Prep Course on June 17th: mmha.com/Education
🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In this episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan dig into the latest issue of The Advocate, Minnesota Solutions. They explore how Minnesota’s biggest challenges, housing supply, workforce shortages, education outcomes, demographic shifts, and long-term economic competitiveness, are no longer separate conversations. The episode highlights the key takeaways listeners should know, including why housing production is slowing, what the state’s demographic trends mean for future growth, and why Minnesota’s broader economic outlook depends on more honest assessment and more practical, connected solutions. The conversation is a big-picture look at where Minnesota stands now—and what it will take to move forward.📘 Register for MHA’s Fair Housing class: mmha.com/Education 📊 Explore the MN Chamber Foundation’s 2026 Business Benchmarks Report: mnchamber.com/2026-business-benchmarks-report🤖 Meet mihra: mmha.com/mihra
🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net

In this episode of The Brief, Denise and Logan revisit the November/December 2024 issue of Multi Housing Advocate, The State of Taxes, and explore what’s changed in 2026. With federal tax cuts extended but Minnesota ranking near the bottom nationally in tax competitiveness according to the 2026 Minnesota Chamber Business Benchmarks Report, the conversation connects state income and corporate tax rates, migration trends, and rising property assessments to housing supply and development feasibility. Plus, a practical Ask mihra walkthrough of the property tax appeal process and a look at the launch of MHA Online — MHA’s new Minnesota-focused learning platform.
📖 Read the The State of Taxes: mmha.com/resources/advocate🎓 Explore MHA Online: mmha.com/Online📊 View the ‘26 MN Chamber Business Benchmarks Report: mnchamber.com/business-benchmarks  🤖 Ask mihra – MHA’s AI Assistant: mmha.com/mihra
🏦 Thank you to our Founding Sponsor – Citizens State Bank: csbnet.net