BALTIMORE, MD – LIVEbe, a premier apartment developer and operator dedicated to delivering distinct apartment homes within connected communities, has announced the addition of refrigerated lockers to its 2Hopkins apartment community in Downtown Baltimore.

The luxury high-rise, featuring 183 apartment homes, is the first apartment community in the U.S. to implement the Smiota PoD refrigerated lockers. Produced by Smiota, Inc., the lockers serve as a premier service amenity, allowing residents to utilize food delivery services and have round-the-clock access to their shipments via smartphone.

“There has been an uptick in demand for food-delivery services, and we’ve closely observed the trends of companies such as Blue Apron, HelloFresh and Instacart,” said Elaine De Lude, vice president of LIVEbe. “2Hopkins is using an innovative solution to conquer a real challenge, and we believe this is a state-of-the-art amenity that will provide a right benefit to our residents.”

Eight refrigerated and 62 dry package lockers from Smiota, all controlled by Smiota’s Locker Operating System and an intuitive unified interface, were installed at 2Hopkins in early August. The refrigerated lockers are designed to accept fresh produce without insulated packaging, offer chill to frozen temperatures and customizable colors that can match the interior design of any community.

With 2Hopkins situated in the heart of downtown, residents do not have seamless access to nearby grocery stores and many choose a vehicle-free lifestyle. The refrigerated lockers eliminate many of these challenges. Another common obstacle with food-delivery services is wavering product and courier availability, which makes it hard to produce accurate delivery time windows. With refrigerated lockers, residents don’t have to be home for delivery drivers to secure and safely store food that needs to be refrigerated.

“There is a much larger time window for delivery since the resident can order online and the couriers can deliver fresh produce, milk and eggs directly into refrigerated Smiota PoD,” said Waheed Rasheed, cofounder and chief marketing officer for Smiota. “Residents get the convenience of not waiting at home for the delivery and couriers save time by aggregating all orders and delivering once. The lockers also provide an ecofriendly method of storage, as Styrofoam and dry-ice packaging aren’t needed to keep the goods fresh, thus reducing waste.”

With ecommerce projected to surge 125 percent in the next 5 years and surpass $4 trillion in annual revenue by 2020, on-demand food delivery will play a huge role in the ever-growing trend. By 2020, more than 50 billion packages will be delivered annually, and apartment communities will account for a hefty part of that total.

The National Multifamily Housing Council recently revealed that package management solutions are the No. 1 sought-after amenity beyond location.

“We’re super excited because this really fits the level of service we’re aiming to provide our residents,” said Jennifer Rucker, vice president of operations for LIVEbe. “It also breaks the mold of multifamily developments where many insist things can only be done a certain way.”

2Hopkins already is among the most amenity-rich communities in the area. The community features stunning views of the city from the floor-to-ceiling windows, 21st-floor resident lounge and fitness center, yoga studio, state-of-the-art bike storage and repair area, pet spa with large and small dog areas, a community host/concierge, garage parking and resident-curated events. The penthouse level features remote controlled blinds and special corridor designer finishes.

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NEW YORK, NY – Mortgage rates tie the lowest level of 2017 this week, with the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rate now 4.02 percent, last seen June 14th and lowest since November 2016, according to Bankrate.com’s weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.31 discount and origination points.

The larger jumbo 30-year fixed decreased to 4.03 percent, and the average 15-year fixed mortgage rate slipped to 3.23 percent. Adjustable mortgage rates were higher this week, with the 3-year ARM inching up to 3.62 percent, the 5-year ARM climbing to 3.50 percent and the 7-year ARM stepping up to 3.68 percent.

Bond yields and mortgage rates went lower over the past week as markets were buffeted by political drama in Washington and a terrorist attack in Barcelona. Until recently, markets had been oblivious to political and geopolitical issues, instead moving higher on the basis of strong corporate earnings, an improving economy and still low interest rates. But beginning with North Korea tensions and now with more recent events, markets are no longer immune – or are just no longer ignoring – the drama in Washington and other events around the globe. High stock market valuations are increasingly prompting investors to go into safe haven government bonds at the first sign of distress. Mortgage rates are closely related to yields on long-term government bonds.

At the current average 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 4.05 percent, the monthly payment for a $200,000 loan is $957.14.

SURVEY RESULTS

30-year fixed: 4.02% — down from 4.05% last week (avg. points: 0.31)

15-year fixed: 3.23% — down from 3.27% last week (avg. points: 0.25)

5/1 ARM: 3.50% — up from 3.49% last week (avg. points: 0.35)

Bankrate’s national weekly mortgage survey is conducted every Wednesday from data provided by the top 10 banks and thrifts in 10 top markets. For a full analysis of this week’s go in mortgage rates, go to www.bankrate.com

The survey is complemented by Bankrate’s weekly Rate Trend Index, in which a panel of mortgage experts predicts which way the rates are headed over the next seven days. More than half of the panelists, 54 percent, expect mortgage rates to remain more or less unchanged, while 31 percent forecast an increase in rates. Just 15 percent predict a decline in mortgage rates over the next week.  

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ARLINGTON, VA – Waterton, a U.S. real estate investor and operator, announced the acquisition of a 404-unit rental community in Arlington, Va., approximately 3 miles southwest of the Pentagon.

Built in 1992 and formerly known as Windsor at Shirlington Village, the property at 3000 S. Randolph St. is being rebranded as The Citizen at Shirlington Village following Waterton’s acquisition. Offering a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom floor plans – 132 units in an eight-tale tower and 272 in a low-rise component – the community is located within The Village at Shirlington, a small transit-oriented neighborhood with a host of shopping, dining and entertainment options.

“The Citizen offers the walkable, urban-inspired lifestyle many renters seek in an accessible location close to the Pentagon and jobs throughout the D.C. metro,” said Matthew Masinter, senior vice president of acquisitions at Waterton. “Because the property was developed 25 years ago, it also presented us with an opportunity to add value through strategic improvements that will enhance the marketability of the community.”

On-site amenities at The Citizen include an outdoor pool, grilling stations and five courtyard areas, as well as a resident clubhouse, reservable community room, 7,000-square-foot fitness center and racquetball court.

As part of a capital improvement program, Waterton plans to upgrade the unit interiors, including installing a smart-home system in a part of the community’s units. In addition, Waterton plans to renovate the fitness center and community room and enhance the outdoor amenity space. Waterton will also introduce an electronic package concierge system that will say residents when deliveries arrive and facilitate 24-hour pickup in a secure, video‐monitored location.

“When Waterton renovates a property, we strongly consider convenience and strive to go above and beyond cosmetic improvements,” said Masinter. “Today’s renters want homes that are seamlessly integrated with their lives. Technology is one way to achieve that, starting with the moment they open their front door.”

In addition to offering proximity to Interstate 395 and other nearby expressways, The Citizen is adjacent to Shirlington Station, a transfer point for Metrobus and ART bus service. Routes include weekday express service to the Pentagon Metro station, which connects to the Yellow and Blue rail lines.

Also nearby is a dog park and children’s playground, as well as Four Mile Run, a 9.4-mile stream bordered by parklands and a pair of recreational trails: the Washington & Ancient Dominion Railroad Trail and the Four Mile Run Trail.

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