Property of the Year Awards

Each year the Austin Apartment Association recognizes outstanding individuals and properties who achieved excellence and are leaders in their field. The Property of the Year winners will be announced at the 2024 APEX Awards, on December 6, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

View 2023 Property of the Year Winners

Properties Are Evaluated On These Categories

• Staff and staff designations
• Physical/visual inspection
• Blind shop of the property
• Online Reputation Assessment (ORA) Score

Judges for the staff and physical inspection categories are all members of the Austin Apartment Association. The blind shops are performed by an independent entity, and the ORA scores are provided by an independent research entity. Any property to be considered for an award must first be nominated during the annual call for nominations.  Nominations for 2023 are open from April 17 - June 9, 2023. 

$140 per submission (Amber, Amethyst, Crystal, Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Onyx, Opal, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, and Topaz).  No charge for the CARE Award or the Rise Above Award

Award Categories

Amber Award (Affordable Housing)

Any affordable housing property. Must have income and rent restrictions on greater than 50% of the total number of units (e.g. HTC, AHDP, Bond, HOME, Housing Trust Fund, and COA Smart Housing)

Amethyst Award (Student Property)

More than 50% of the units are student-occupied.

CARE Award (Creating an Amazing Resident Experience) 

The CARE Award recognizes a community that has excelled at keeping its residents satisfied and engaged.  How have you worked on resident retention?  Maybe you held a DJ'd porch party or hosted an ice cream truck visit or a socially distanced happy hour.  Submit the fun and creative things you have done!

Crystal Award (High-Rise)

Any property that has 10+ residential floors, has interior corridors, elevators, and a parking garage.

Diamond Award (50-299 units)

Any property built between 2000 and 2009 with 50-299 units.

Diamond Award (300+ units)

Any property built between 2000 and 2009 with 300+ units.

Emerald Award (50 – 299 units)

Any garden-style property with four stories or fewer and surface parking built between 2010 and 2021.

Emerald Award (300 + units)

Any garden-style property with four stories or fewer built between 2010 and 2021.

Garnet Award (50 units and under)

Any property with 50 units or less.

Onyx Award (Renovation Award)

Any property with renovations having been done within the last three calendar years. The property must meet both interior and amenity renovations as identified.

Opal Award (Active Adult/55+) 

Any property where 85% of the residents are a minimum age of 55+

Pearl Award (Lease-up)

Affordable and mid/high-rise not included in this category. Any property that is less than 12 months old, either at the time of nomination or within one year of 1st move in at the time of nomination.

Rise Above Award ​

The Rise Above Award is open to owner/management AND supplier members.  This award recognizes a company that has given back to the community.  Have you and your employees banded together to distribute PPE, have you provided mental health support, collected food for food pantry's or contributed to rental assistance programs.  Tell us how you have contributed to the well-being of our community. 

Ruby Award (50-299 units)

Any property built prior to 1989 with 50-299 units.

Ruby Award (300+ units)

Any property built prior to 1989 with 300+ units.

Sapphire Award (50-299 units)

Any property built between 1990 and 1999 with 50-299 units.

Sapphire Award (300+ units)

Any property built between 1990 and 1999 with 300+ units.

Topaz Award (Mid-Rise)

Any property that has 9 or fewer residential floors, has interior corridors, elevators, and a parking garage.