Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2014!

Castle isn't a member of the National Apartment Association. The issues we deal with are so locally specific that we're better suited as part of the California Apartment Association (CAA), the nation's largest statewide rental housing organization. CAA is the state's premier public affairs, customer service, and educational body for landlords and multifamily professionals. Castle Vice President Joseph W. Lawton, Jr. sits on the Board of Directors for CAA's Contra Costa County Division.

It pays to look outside California, though. That's why we attend the National Apartment Association Convention when it's held on the West Coast every three years. That's just enough time for things to change, and we use the time to check out improved products — software, lighting, heating, asphalt — that could save our clients money.

More so, the convention gets us away from the phone. It lets us sit with people and investigate their ideas. We take classes, challenge ourselves, and make plans.

We take the country's best and bring it to our backyard. That's the Castle Difference.

Wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday season with all the warmth and splendor this time of year has to offer. Happy Holidays!