IREM President’s Message: Welcome 2026!

It is both a privilege and an honor to lead the IREM Boston Chapter #4 with the arrival of 2026 – a year that is likely to hold numerous challenges for the ever-evolving real estate industry.

Before we take a closer look into issues that will be addressed in this column over the next twelve months, I want to extend a whole-hearted “thank you” to 2025 Chapter President Tony Susi for his dedication and contributions to the continued success and growth of IREM Boston.

I’ll also take a few moments to share a bit of information about myself. I have 22 years of property management experience, am a Certified Property Manager (CPM), an Accredited Residential Manager (ARM), a Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS), a Certified Credit Compliance Professional, and a National Affordable Housing Professional – Executive. I am the clerk on the board of directors of the New England Affordable Housing Management Association (NEAHMA) and serve on several of the organization’s committees, including Strategic Planning, Communities of Quality, Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, and Designations. 

Prior to my appointment as president of the IREM Boston Chapter, I served as vice president. I am presently a senior regional property manager at Housing Management Resources, Inc., a post I have held for the past 11 years. 

The issues we will speak to in this page will cover a broad range, from industrial space competition and financing conditions to sustainability mandates and urban versus suburban shifts – all topics that connect directly to property owners’ and managers’ daily challenges. 

As market dynamics, regulatory requirements, and property management technologies continue to shift, the IREM Boston Chapter will remain proactive and adaptable. Goals and initiatives of our 2026 Strategic Plan underscore our commitment to advancing the profession of real estate management through education, credentialing, networking, and advocacy. 

Among our key initiatives in 2026 is increased scholarship opportunities. In 2025, the IREM Foundation awarded nearly $37,000 in scholarships across New England, supporting 51 recipients. Building on this momentum, we aim to expand financial support and increase participation in our scholarship programs. 

We will continue to offer best-in-class learning opportunities to assist members certify, develop, and master core competencies and build new skills. Diversity, equity, and inclusion will also remain as a priority. This year we will expand representation across committees, leadership roles, and program participation, offer DEI-centered educational content, and continue to build partnerships with industry organizations serving underrepresented communities. On a personal level, I take great pride in being elected the first Hispanic chapter president, a true testament to our chapter’s readiness to embrace change. 

Our bragging rights as the largest chapter within IREM remain internationally; as such we continue to set standards for professional development and serve as a model for other chapters worldwide. But we’re not resting on those laurels. In 2026, we aim to further increase membership through targeted outreach, enhanced program accessibility, and career advancement support. 

We are already lining up a number of events in 2026, and started with our annual Economic Forecast Luncheon on January 21^st with industry experts addressing the outlook for the greater Boston real estate market. 

I look forward to the promise of 2026 and what it will bring to our industry.

Yoany Vargas is a senior regional property manager at Housing Management Resources, Inc. and the 2026 president of IREM Boston Metropolitan Chapter No. 4.