Winter Maintenance Tips
WINTER MAINTENANCE TIPS:
WHAT YOU CAN DO AND WHEN TO CALL US
Let's face it - Midwest winters can be brutal! Between the bone-chilling temperatures, endless snow, and that lovely thing we call "freezing rain," winter maintenance might not be the most exciting topic... but it's super important! Here are 5 ways to keep your apartment safe and toasty while Old Man Winter does his thing.
1. Keep Your Apartment Cozy and Energy Efficient
Your Mission (Should You Choose to Accept It):
- Show those drafty windows who's boss with some window film
- Rock those thermal curtains like they're going out of style
When to Call in the Pros (that's our maintenance team!):
- If your heating decides to take an unexpected vacation
2. Don't Let Those Pipes Pull a Frozen
Your Part in This Adventure:
- Keep the thermostat at 65°F minimum (yes, even when you're living it up in Mexico)
Time to Call Us When:
- Your faucet's giving you the silent treatment
- You spot any unwanted indoor water features
3. Snow and Ice Management 101
Your Winter Warrior Duties:
- Keep that balcony clear (sorry, your personal ice rink will have to wait)
- Deploy those entry mats like your floors depend on it
- Be our eyes and ears for slippery spots
Time to Call Us When:
- Common areas are looking more like a skating rink
- You spot ice dams having a party on the roof
4. Keep the Good Vibes (and Air) Flowing
Your Cool Weather Tasks:
- Combat that desert-dry air with a humidifier
- Keep those vents clear and living their best life
Time to Call Us When:
- Something smells funky or your heat's acting strange
5. Create Your Ultimate Cozy Corner
Your Comfort Mission:
- Transform your space into a winter wonderland with soft blankets and warm lighting
- Fire up that Netflix fireplace for instant ambiance
- Create the perfect spot for hot cocoa and movie marathons
Time to Call Us When:
- If you need recommendations for the best fuzzy socks (kidding, but wouldn't that be nice?)
There you have it! Follow these tips and you'll be living your best winter life in no time. Remember, we're just a message away if things get dicey. Stay warm, stay safe, and maybe treat yourself to that extra cup of hot chocolate - you deserve it! 🧊❄️☕
Tori Madilia grew up nearly 2,000 miles from Billings, but the path that brought her to Farmstead is less random than it might seem. After making the move to the Treasure State to be closer to her boyfriend, Tori got a career nudge from someone who knew her well. Her best friend back home happened to be a community manager and had a feeling she might enjoy property management. He encouraged her to give it a try. “My best friend back home thought I’d do well at it,” Tori said. “He was right. I knew from the get-go I’d be a good fit here.”
Thomas Janis has been working in maintenance for nearly 8 years, learning as he goes and picking things up from the people around him. Today, he serves as a Senior Maintenance Technician at 10Bedrock Apartments in Box Elder, South Dakota. He is a proud member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe , a revered culture known for a deep sense of responsibility to others. Spend just a few minutes around Thomas and you’ll quickly see what matters to him. “My culture is based on warriors helping the community strive,” he said. “I carry that into my work.”
Dakota Park isn’t new to Fargo. With a few thoughtful, resident-focused updates, it’s getting even better. The community first opened in 1996 and is noteworthy as one of the largest communities in Fargo, one of the first to feature underground parking, and one of the first to have an indoor pool. It’s no surprise that many residents have chosen to call Dakota Park for decades. It truly does have everything you need. It’s been a few months since we welcomed Dakota Park into the Collective portfolio, and it’s quickly become a favorite among our team. In that time, they’ve come up with some great ideas to make it even better.
Ryan Sullivan found his way into property management when opportunity and timing aligned perfectly. Like a lot of people in 2020, Ryan found himself looking for something new. His wife, knowing how good he was at fixing things, encouraged him to look into a role with Presbyterian Homes. What started as a maintenance position quickly turned into a career as he worked his way up to second in command at one of the largest senior living locations in the state of Minnesota. Today, Ryan serves as a Senior Maintenance Technician at ElseWarehouse and The Copham in Minneapolis’ North Loop.
Collective recently expanded its presence in Minneapolis’ North Loop neighborhood when it added The Copham in March. The Copham is a historic warehouse turned apartment community located on Washington Avenue just down the block from Collective’s ElseWarehous e. With its modern-meets-industrial style and a location in the heart of one of Minneapolis’ most vibrant neighborhoods, The Copham is a natural fit for the Collective portfolio.
Giving back is not treated as an afterthought at Collective. Team are encouraged to spend time away from the office for causes that matter to them personally.
Collective is pleased to announce the addition of The Copham, a 120-unit apartment community located on Washington Avenue in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Discover 55+ independent living at Whispering Creek in Fargo. Enjoy underground parking, resident-led activities, and maintenance-free living. Schedule a tour today.
Inclusion is more than a performative buzzword for Kayla Goebel. She lives it. Kayla, creative strategist for Collective/Great States, was recently nominated for YWCA’s Women of the Year for Advocating for Equality. Kayla’s story isn’t about one big moment, but a thousand small ones that quietly (and permanently) changed lives for the better. A Life Rooted in Inclusion If you only looked at Kayla’s resume, you would assume she is busy (and you would be right). You would see Creative Strategist. Shop crew member. Small business owner. Volunteer. Student. Proud mom to Aurora.
More than 50 team members gathered for the fifth annual Collective Connect, reinforcing a shared commitment to our residents Collective team members from across the region came together in Downtown Fargo for this year’s Collective Connect, an annual event focused on engagement, learning, and strengthening connections across the organization. Attendees traveled from Billings, Montana; Watertown, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and the Twin Cities, Minnesota, with others joining remotely. Hands-On and Practical The two-day conference was impactful and memorable, with engaging activities, networking opportunities, and shared laughter. One of the most memorable moments day was an interactive role-switching exercise designed to simulate an accelerated “day in the life” of key roles across the company. Participants rotated through scenarios as maintenance technicians, support office team members, and community managers. “My favorite part was the simulation Jade and Jacinto designed,” remarked Sydney Schultz, an Operations Support Specialist. “Watching individuals assume unfamiliar roles was compelling. It illuminated how routine challenges for one position can feel entirely foreign to another, offering a sharper perspective on the nuances of each role.” The challenges required quick thinking, collaboration, and real-time problem solving. It mirrored many of the real scenarios, like unexpected maintenance requests, that team members experience every day in service of residents. “As someone newer to the company, it gave me a deep appreciation for what my coworkers experience in their jobs,” said Dirk Monson, content specialist with Collective. “You understand quickly how interconnected everything is.” The exercise reinforced a core truth within Collective: no role operates in isolation. Maintenance, management, marketing, development, accounting, and leadership all intersect to create a top-tier resident experience. A Shared Commitment to Residents
