The PACE Awards

To ensure meaningful and fair competition, the Property Management Association categorizes entries so that communities compete against comparable assets.

Properties are grouped based on the following criteria:

Property Type

• Lease-Up: Communities less than one year old or not yet stabilized at the time of entry.
• Market Rate: Stabilized communities with at least 75% of units rented at prevailing market rates.
• Senior: 55+ communities with at least 75% senior occupancy. Includes affordable, market-rate, and mixed-income communities.
• Affordable: Communities participating in a government-funded, insured, or sponsored housing program resulting in at least 75% of units rented below market rate.

Year Built

• Vintage: Properties constructed prior to 1990. Vintage communities are evaluated separately to ensure fair comparison with similar assets.

Geographic Eligibility

Properties must be located within PMA’s service area:

• Washington, DC
• Maryland
• Virginia

PACE boundaries typically extend:

• North to Columbia, MD
• South to Woodbridge, VA
• East to Annapolis, MD
• West to Leesburg, VA

Communities outside of published boundaries may apply; however:

• Acceptance is contingent upon receiving at least four entries within that submarket.
• PMA reserves the right to determine evaluation feasibility based on entry volume.

Average Rental Rate

Properties are further categorized by average rental rate, as reported during the application process.

Rental rate bands ensure that communities compete against assets operating within comparable pricing tiers.

Scoring & Award Determination

• Only one award is presented in each category.
• If minimum scoring standards are not met, no award will be presented in that category.
• Judges evaluate communities using established scoring criteria focused on:
  • Exterior Curb Appeal
  • Interior First Impression (Reception Area, Leasing Center, Front Desk/Lobby)
  • Management and Property Operations
  • Building Interior and Common Area Appearance
  • Resident Services and Common Area Amenities
  • Available Unit Tour
  • Maintenance Practices

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the 2026 PACE Awards, properties must:

• Be professionally managed
• Be operational and available for a surprise onsite evaluation
• Submit a completed entry form and applicable fee
• Remain in good standing with PMA (for member rate eligibility)

Not Sure Where You Fit?

If you have questions about categorization or eligibility, PMA staff is available to assist prior to entry submission.

  Submit Your 2026 PACE Entry in the Awards Portal

View Past PACE Award Winners

Become a PACE Judge