Our team had a fantastic time at the Chicagoland Apartment Association golf outing, connecting with industry partners, building new relationships, and enjoying a day dedicated to collaboration both on and off the course. 

We always appreciate opportunities to engage with our multifamily network and strengthen the partnerships that make our industry thrive.

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The team headed to Pilot Project Brewing for our quarterly Town Hall.

The numbers: 20+ new team members joined us (the mustard-over-ketchup contingent is winning, for the record), 11,000+ maintenance orders completed in Q2, and 2,000+ residents welcomed into the Peak community.

Internally, we celebrated multiple promotions, the property management is crushing this leasing cycle, and 4 Cubs tickets were given away as a small thank-you for a lot of hard work. 

Q3 is already moving fast and we're keeping the momentum going.

The post Another meaningful quarter in the books appeared first on Peak Properties, LLC. Blog.

When the World Cup came to the U.S., it wasn't a question of if Mike and Kekic would go-it was a question of when.

Kekic, one of Peak's very first contractors, is originally from Bosnia. When he and Mike learned Bosnia would be playing in Seattle, they booked an early-morning flight and headed to the Pacific Northwest.

There, they watched Bosnia defeat Qatar 3-1-a memorable victory made even more meaningful by the journey they've shared together. For nearly three decades, Mike and Kekic have worked side by side on hundreds of unit renovations and capital improvement projects, helping Peak Properties grow into what it is today.

Their story began by chance. When they first met, both were juggling multiple jobs, working hard to build their futures. That chance meeting turned into a decades-long partnership built on trust, dedication, and friendship.

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We're proud to recognize Brian Chlada as a finalist for Volunteer of the Year at the upcoming REjournals Awards.

Brian's impact goes far beyond his day-to-day role. As an active member of Peak's People Engagement Committee, he has led and supported meaningful initiatives that bring our team together while giving back to the communities we serve.

From organizing volunteer days with the Greater Chicago Food Depository–helping generate over 53,000 pounds of food for more than 2,000 households–to leading a company-wide food drive with Nourishing Hope, coordinating a Chicago River clean-up, and supporting our annual blood drive with American Red Cross, Brian consistently shows what it means to lead with purpose.

His dedication to service, both inside and outside of Peak, reflects the values we strive to live every day.

Thank you for everything you do for Peak and the Chicago community, Brian!

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Sam English has been named a finalist for Property Manager of the Year at the upcoming REjournals Awards, recognized for his ability to drive performance while building strong relationships with both residents and ownership groups.

From completing the lease-up at 3140 N Clybourn to navigating a mid-year ownership transition and delivering consistent portfolio results, Sam's impact is both measurable and meaningful.

With a 97% average occupancy and strong 71% renewal rate, his work reflects a clear commitment to operational excellence and a resident-first approach.

Congratulations to Sam on all he accomplished last year, this year, and beyond!

The post Sam English Nominated for Property Manager of the Year appeared first on Peak Properties, LLC. Blog.

Some people manage projects. Others raise the standard.

Andre Shakom has been nominated for Project Manager of the Year at the REjournals Awards, driven by his hands-on approach, technical expertise, and commitment to doing things the right way.

"Andre is exactly the kind of team member you want on your side: someone who shows up, puts in the work, and cares about getting it right. His hands-on, in-person approach is a big part of why his projects succeed," said Mike Zucker.

From inspections to capital projects, Andre's impact is felt across every corner of our portfolio—and his belief in boots-on-the-ground work continues to set him apart.

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A huge congratulations to Assistant Property Manager Tyler Lach on being awarded the prestigious Donald M. Furbush, CPM®, IREM Foundation Scholarship from the IREM Chicago Chapter. 

This scholarship supports professionals pursuing advanced certification and continued leadership development in real estate and property management — and it's a testament to Tyler's commitment to growth.

He shows every day that property management is more than a job for him. From prioritizing strong relationships with his residents to always stepping up to help his team, Tyler leads with consistency and care.

We're incredibly proud and excited to see him take this next step in his career.

Congratulations, Tyler, you earned it!

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Today we're celebrating a major milestone — 15 (now, nearly 16) years of Maggie Zach at Peak Properties!
 
Since joining Peak in 2010, Maggie has been a driving force behind the company culture we're so proud of today. As our VP of People, she leads a talented team of HR professionals with empathy, intention, and a deep commitment to people-first leadership. Maggie has helped shape not just our policies and training programs, but the values that guide how we show up for one another every day.
 
Under her leadership, Peak has grown significantly while still holding onto the tight-knit, family-oriented culture that makes this place special. Maggie champions inclusion, celebrates diversity, and continually pushes us to evolve in ways that support real people, not just processes.
 
Her belief is simple: stay flexible, keep improving, and never lose sight of who you are.
 
Thank you, Maggie, for 15 years of heart, leadership, and impact. Peak wouldn't be Peak without you.

The post Celebrating 15 Years at Peak: Maggie Zach appeared first on Peak Properties, LLC. Blog.

Vivian Perez, Assistant Property Manager on the Supera portfolio, recently earned Outstanding Peak Performer at the Supera Annual NPS Awards.

It's always great to see our team recognized for their hard work and dedication. Congratulations, Vivian – keep up the great work!

The post Vivian Perez Earns Outstanding Peak Performer Award appeared first on Peak Properties, LLC. Blog.

As part of The Work, Explained, we’re sharing a closer look at what this role actually entails through a Q&A with Vivian Perez, Assistant Property Manager for the Supera Portfolio. Vivian’s perspective highlights the behind-the-scenes work, judgment calls, and consistency required to keep properties running smoothly for residents, teams, and ownership alike.

Q1: What’s something that happened this week that perfectly sums up your job?

A: This week I handled a resident concern, coordinated vendor access, and followed up with the property manager all before noon. None of it was dramatic, but if any one piece had been missed, it could have become a bigger issue. A lot of my job is about momentum and follow-through.

Q2: What’s a small win in your day that most people would overlook?

A: A small win is closing the loop on something before it escalates, like getting a quick vendor response, resolving a question efficiently, or preventing confusion before it starts. Those moments aren’t always visible, but they make a big difference.

Q3: What’s a misconception people have about Assistant Property Managers?

A: People assume the role is mostly reactive, but a lot of the value comes from planning ahead. Anticipating needs, spotting patterns, and staying organized helps prevent issues rather than just responding to them.

Q4: What’s something residents might not realize about how issues actually get resolved?

A: Residents usually see the final outcome, not how many steps it took to get there. There’s a lot happening behind the scenes to make sure things are handled the right way, not just the fastest way.

Q5: If you had to explain your role to a property owner in one sentence, what would you say?

A: I help ensure day-to-day operations stay organized and consistent so residents are supported and ownership can trust that the property is being managed thoughtfully.

Q6: What’s a decision you’ve made recently that protected the property or saved time or cost?

A: Knowing when something needs (and doesn’t need) to be escalated is important. Resolving issues at the right level and at the right time helps avoid delays, repeat work, and unnecessary costs.

Q7: What part of the job did you underestimate when you started?

A: How much prioritization matters. You’re constantly balancing urgency, impact, and timing, and learning how to make those calls confidently has been a big part of growing into the role.

Q8: What’s one thing you’ve learned to always double-check?

A: Details — especially timelines, access instructions, and coordination. Taking a moment to double-check upfront saves time and prevents confusion later.

Q9: What skill have you developed the most since stepping into this role?

A: Professional communication. Learning how to tailor messages depending on who I’m speaking with and setting clear expectations has made everything run more smoothly.

Q10: What makes working on the Supera Portfolio different from other experiences you’ve had?

A: There’s a strong emphasis on standards and consistency across the portfolio. At that scale, small details really matter, which pushes you to be more disciplined and intentional in how you work.

Q11: What kind of person would not enjoy this role?

A: Someone who prefers rigid routines or doesn’t like juggling priorities. The role is fast-moving and requires flexibility, problem-solving, and constant communication.

Q12: When you do your job well, who benefits most?

A: Everyone. Residents feel supported, property managers can focus on higher-level priorities, and ownership benefits from smoother, more consistent operations.
 

The role may stay behind the scenes, but the impact is felt across every part of a well-run property.

About This Series

The Work, Explained explores the work that supports residents, property owners, and management teams alike, with a focus on real roles, real decisions, and how property management actually works.

Learn more about Peak Properties on our website: www.peakproperties.biz.

Disclaimer: For informational purposes only. Not intended as legal, tax, or financial advice.

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