IREM President’s Message: Looking back on 2023 and forward to 2024

The year is fast coming to a close and with it a chance to highlight some of the events we hosted and the issues we focused on during 2023.

Our annual Economic Forecast Luncheon brought to light some of the challenges those in the multifamily housing industry face, including tightening of financing, rising interest rates, high construction costs, and often prolonged construction time. While these overriding issues cannot be conquered in the space of 12 months, the Boston Metropolitan Chapter No. 4 has, does, and will continue to make advocacy the top priority for our members, their businesses, and their clients.

A record 80+ people attended our spring Boot Camp for Property Managers where topics such as discrimination and fair housing were addressed. It is no accident that the Boot Camp is scheduled in April. The Fair Housing Act was passed on April 11, 1968, prohibiting discrimination concerning the sale, rental and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin or gender. Our annual Boot Camp devotes a significant portion of its agenda to the topic of discrimination, in a continuing effort to ensure that we always place the “fair” in front of “housing.”

In May we commemorated our Chapter’s 85^th year founding. The growth of the chapter has paralleled the expansion of the real estate industry and the property management profession in its region of influences and is now the largest chapter of the organization.

We recognize that reaching a professional developmental goal often comes with financial challenges. IREM Foundation scholarships support industry professionals looking to enhance their education and are funded by generous IREM members dedicated to supporting the dreams and aspirations of fellow real estate managers. 

Numerous New England past president’s scholarships were awarded this year. These annual awards encourage education and industry knowledge by assisting recipients with the cost of tuition associated with earning an IREM credential. 

September found members of the Boston Chapter participating in the IREM New England Conference, a full day of interactive sessions on topics relevant to all real estate professionals – held in beautiful Mystic, Connecticut.

That month, we also held the 25^th annual Charity Golf Tournament at Granite Links in Quincy. The sold-out tournament was followed by a cocktail reception featuring raffles, prizes, a silent auction, and music, with a portion of the proceeds raised during the annual event benefiting the IREM Foundation. 

Our annual grand holiday event, held on December 6^th this year, was just that – grand – with The Liberty in Boston being the perfect setting to ring in the holiday season and set our sights on the year ahead. And what a night it was! In addition to conducting some business, we recognized members for outstanding service, networked, enjoyed a lavish meal and officially installed our slate of officers and board of directors. 

On a personal level, it has been my honor and privilege to serve as president of the Boston Metropolitan Chapter No. 4 this year and while I will no longer claim that title, I will happily remain a member of the board of directors.

I look forward to all that 2024 brings to our industry! 

William Woodward is the 2023 IREM Boston president and is a regional property manager with Greystar, Boston, Mass.