Managing more than 7,800 high-quality, affordable apartments in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, BRG Apartments takes pride in helping residents find the next place they’ll call home.

One major reason that residents choose BRG Apartments is because it offers a large portfolio of homes that are well located, well maintained and reasonably priced. Another key factor is that its employees are dedicated to the idea of working with customers as true individuals.

Every resident has their own unique preferences and requirements. Whether that means making sure a home is pet-friendly, getting a kitchen that’s big enough for all of your appliances and gadgets, or having amenities like a swimming pool or a gym, no request is too big or too small for BRG Apartments to assist with.

“Traditionally, BRG prospective residents would go to a leasing office to tour the community and apartment homes,” said Jennifer Illanz, BRG Marketing Manager. “BRG has adopted new technology that now allows prospective residents to view via virtual tours on our website.  This allows the resident to find the perfect home for their needs”.

When making hiring decisions, the company seeks out people with a genuine commitment to service and to making a difference for their residents as individuals. It also looks for employees who derive satisfaction from working together as a team.

Finding the right match for each position is important. In an industry that often has high employee turnover, BRG Apartments boasts a loyal workforce in which more than 40% of employees have been with the company for longer than five years.

That low turnover is in line with the company’s credo of providing careers, not jobs. To prove that point, BRG Apartments frequently pays for educational and training opportunities and provides a very competitive benefit package with performance-based bonus programs.

In return for employees’ dedicated service, BRG Apartments goes above and beyond to take care of them. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company has been fortunate enough to maintain its payroll. It’s also working with employees to accommodate their schedules and other needs, offering as much flexibility as possible at all times.

“As a result of COVID-19, BRG was forced to quickly shift away from our 2020 business priorities and focus quickly on the health & safety of our residents and employees,” Jeff March, CEO of BRG, said of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The company also adopted three guiding principles for how we would operate the business. These priorities included: team member and resident safety; job and financial security for BRG team members; and housing stability for the nearly 8,000 families who live in BRG apartment homes.

“As a business that provides housing to our communities, BRG has operated throughout the pandemic while instituting new protocols and safety measures. BRG has also provided relief to residents experiencing hardships by eliminating late fees and rent increases, providing access to rental assistance programs and suspending all evictions.”

Company management also offers employees an understanding ear, during both the pandemic and more normal times. Since the leadership team has extensive experience working at properties on-site, it can draw on that experience when advising employees and setting expectations.

Many members of the locally owned BRG Apartments team live in the same communities that they serve. In addition to providing excellent service through its work, BRG Apartments supports the community by donating to local organizations.

BRG and its principals provide meaningful financial support to over 25 local organizations both financially and through volunteer efforts that include the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati, The Children’s Home of Cincinnati, United Way, Apartment Association Outreach, Inc., Fisher House and more. BRG is very active in the Apartment Association’s Charitable Outreach Program which provides financial and other support to individuals who face difficult circumstances.  This includes a partnership with the Freestore Foodbank for rent assistance and food drives, low income senior events, a back to school program, educational scholarships and supporting 21 food pantries.

As the largest owner and operator of apartment communities in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky market, BRG Apartments looks forward to welcoming you home.

The post At BRG Apartments, finding the right home for every individual is personal appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.

A staycation is exactly what it sounds like: a vacation where you stay at home. And if you think that doesn’t sound too exciting, read on for some ideas to make your next staycation unforgettable.

1. Check out the local attractions

We’re used to doing all the touristy things when we travel—visiting the zoo, checking out cool downtown areas, going to museums—but we often don’t take the time to get to know our own communities. Act like a tourist in your hometown and see what new places you can discover!

To take this idea to the next level, recruit your friends to join you on a round-the-town tournament—play all the local miniature golf courses or bowling alleys, with a prize for each day’s winner and a grand prize overall. Have fun with it!

2. Get your zen on

Consider unplugging from all technology and going media-free for your staycation—and maybe double down by signing up for yoga classes or spiritual meditation sessions. A pure zen retreat doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, it just takes time and focus…and a willingness to separate yourself from your cell phone for longer than five minutes. (You can do it!)

3. Become a Geocacher!

Imagine yourself on a treasure hunt requiring only your cell phone (or other GPS-enabled device), some gas in your tank, and a mind for adventure. Google “geocaching” and check out the apps and sites to get started. You’ll be directed to “buried treasure” located in your own area, and can set out by yourself or with friends to find where X marks the spot!

4. Restaurant Hop, Pub Crawl, or Breakfast Bounce

It seems like new restaurants open up every week in some cities, and who has time to try them all? You do, on your staycation! Celebrate how much money you’re saving by staying home by taking yourself out to several new restaurants, brewpubs, cafes, diners or dives to get to know all the fresh tastes in your own backyard.

5. Take up a new hobby

Sometimes getting started on a new hobby can seem incredibly daunting, but there’s no better time than a staycation to dedicate yourself to your craft—literally. Use the precious days of your staycation as an incubator to get a jump start on your newest business idea, project, hobby or goal…or maybe take one of those classes you’ve been meaning to start for the past several months. You’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish in a short time.

Vacations are all about relaxing, and your staycation should definitely include lots and lots of naps…but once you get up and are ready to embrace your staycation fully, there are lots of options for you to make it one of the best breaks ever from work. So relax and enjoy your custom-tailored staycation…we’ll leave a light on for you!

The post The art of the staycation appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.

Stumped for ideas? We’ve got five to get you started!

1. Pick a project, any project  

If you find yourself with time on your hands during long winter nights, don’t fall into the easy habit of binge-watching TV shows or streaming endless media. Instead, choose a project you’ve always wanted to try, and dedicate time to it every night. Whether it’s knitting your first scarf, dabbling in a craft, scrapbooking, or building something, start small and spend just a few minutes a day on it. If you discover a project you truly enjoy, time will shoot by in a flash.  

2. Do something different

Stepping out of your comfort zone is a sure antidote to the winter blues. Consider trying a climbing gym, going on bundled-up walks in different parts of the city, or joining a book club at your local library. Alternatively, you could volunteer at a local animal shelter or nursing home, take up a new fitness regimen, or sign up for a class. The key is to do something new and different, to shake up your routine. Let this be the winter you become what you’ve always wanted to be!

3. Connect with friends

Easier said than done if you’re in a new city, but one of the best ways to create long-term positive change is to find or build a community. You could try the local library, gym, or rec center—or check out churches or community centers in your area—to find your new tribe, or use online apps like MeetUp.com. Your people are out there! You just need to find them.

4. Exercise!

Whether indoor, outdoor, at your apartment or at a local gym, exercise is one of the fastest methods to improve your mood and change your state. You don’t even need to exercise for the purpose of losing weight. Just go at it with the idea that you’re getting your heart pumping and body moving, and you’ll be amazed at how much better you’ll feel (as long as you don’t overdo it). Shoot for 30 minutes a day for optimal benefit, but everything counts!

5. Lighten up!

It’s difficult to stay positive when it’s dark outside, so you’ll need to work doubly hard to make sure you have enough light in your life. Getting outside even on cloudy days will help more than you think, but another option to consider is investing in a happy light or energy lamp. These lamps emit light that mimics the natural effect of sunlight, and can be incredibly useful to help you fight fatigue, regain focus, reduce eyestrain and improve your mood. If you are stuck inside for long periods during the winter or if you live in a particularly grey and gloomy part of the country, happy lights may be the perfect solution for you!

Winter may seem like it’ll last forever, but little by little, the days will get longer and the sun will shine more brightly. Until then, show the season who’s boss with these fun tips!

The post Surviving the gloomy days of winter! appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.

1. Batwing Peanut Butter Cups

For these fun and festive treats, assemble chocolate sandwich cookies, frosting, edible candy eyes and miniature peanut butter cups. First, remove any existing frosting from the backs of the sandwich cookies, then break each cookie side into two pieces, to create half-circle “bat wings.” Add a tiny bit of frosting to the cookies and affix the cookies to the unwrapped miniature peanut butter cups, rounded side up. Then just add two edible candy eyes and you’ve got a miniature bat party!

2. Monster Face Fruit Cups

Nothing could be easier than this! First, assemble a bowl full of grapes, several clear plastic juice cups, large marshmallows, and clear plastic wrap—and a black permanent marker. Then fill the bottom of each cup with a layer of grapes. Follow with two large marshmallows, placed on their side—these will be your monster’s “eyes”—and top with a final layer of grapes. Cover each plastic cup with plastic wrap, ideally the self-adhesive kind! Then it’s time to get creative. Draw funny faces on the side of the cup, making the marshmallows into googly-eyes and adding a goofy smile beneath.

3. Eye Popping Pudding Cups

Don’t put those plastic cups and markers away quite yet! Instead whip up several packets of colored pudding—ghostly white, ghoulish green, boo-tiful blue and pumpkin orange. Fill the clear plastic cups with the pudding, then use the markers to make spooky or funny faces on the sides of the plastic cups. For added interest, top the pudding cups in interesting ways—like using candy corn for ears or crushed chocolate cookies for a thick mop of hair. Have fun with it!

4. Wicked Witch’s Hats

At Halloween, you can never have too much chocolate. So gather the following for this indulgent treat: miniature unwrapped chocolate kisses, chocolate sandwich cookies (THIN Oreos® work best!), colored frosting (say, orange or green) and candy sprinkles. Assembly couldn’t easier: pipe a thin layer of frosting onto the cookie, press a chocolate kiss into the frosting, and dust with a layer of candy sprinkles! Hats off to you!

5. Spicy Sweet (c)Hex Mix

Okay, this one is for those of you who are truly looking for a last-minute save for your Halloween party—(c)Hex Mix for the win! Just purchase a bag of pre-made party mix (like Chex Mix®) and then add some Halloween delight: candy corn, unwrapped chocolate miniature candies or M&Ms, popcorn, nuts, whatever says Halloween to you! Bring this mix in a Halloween-themed bowl and some small plastic cups for serving and you’ll have your Halloween treat challenge solved.

This Halloween, don’t let a lack of time or cooking skills keep you from the neighborhood party—or better yet, throw a party yourself to meet the neighbors! Here’s wishing you a spooky good time.

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