In 1972, Jim Berger was 25 years old with a few years of real estate experience and a growing instinct for how apartment communities should be run. His brother Steve, 22, brought financial discipline from his background in accounting. Together, they saw a gap and decided to fill it. What started as a shared idea became a company built on doing things the right way, from day one.

Their first acquisition was Robert Court Apartments in Havertown, PA, a 42-unit community that set the tone for everything that followed. Over the next four years, Jim and Steve steadily expanded their portfolio throughout Philadelphia, acquiring properties ranging from 24 to 295 apartments. Each one was a bet on the belief that well-managed housing changes lives.

The early years weren't without challenge. Operating in underserved neighborhoods required creativity, persistence, and a willingness to take the long view. But those experiences sharpened the company's values and laid the groundwork for the principles that still guide Berger Communities today.

By the 1980s, the hard work was paying off. Growth opened the door to suburban markets and new acquisition opportunities. As the company expanded, Jim and Steve made a deliberate choice: build a strong team, give people real ownership over their work, and never lose sight of what makes a community worth living in. It was a formula that worked, and they stuck with it.

When Jim passed in 2001, the company didn't skip a beat -  because the culture he helped build was bigger than any one person. Steve carried the torch forward the same way they'd always operated: staying close to the work, empowering the team, and making sure every community lived up to the standard they'd set from the start.

2008–2013 Company Expansion

Growth during this period was intentional. It made natural sense to connect the dots between southeastern Pennsylvania and State College, so we did, moving into the Lancaster and Harrisburg markets and bringing the same professional management standard to communities that hadn't seen it before. By 2013, we were seeing significant growth and started looking beyond Pennsylvania's borders for the first time. Delaware became our first out-of-state market, a milestone that signaled a new chapter for the company. 

Building The Berger Way

As the portfolio grew, we knew that culture couldn't be an afterthought. In 2012, we formalized what had always been true about how we operated and launched The Berger Way, a set of fundamentals designed to create a workplace where people genuinely love coming to work each day. It wasn't a poster on a wall. It was a commitment to who we are. 

Expanding into Maryland

Three years after Delaware, an opportunity emerged in Maryland, and we took it. Each new state wasn't just a market expansion; it was a chance to prove that the Berger standard could travel. 

The White Shoe Initiative

In 2017, we introduced the White Shoe Initiative because the journey our team members are on together deserves to be recognized. Our white shoes highlight moments worthy of celebration, symbolize accomplishment and pride, and serve as a reflection of a committed team doing great work every day. 

renting shouldn't be hard®

We've always believed that renting should be simple, flexible, and stress-free. In 2019, we made it official. "renting shouldn't be hard®" became more than a tagline. It became a philosophy that shapes how we do business and how we treat every resident and prospect who walks through our doors. 

#1 in Customer Service

In 2021, Berger Communities was ranked #1 for customer service in our industry, a recognition that meant more than any award could capture. It was proof that the way we operate, the care we put into every community, and the team we've built over five decades was resonating. We've since maintained our place in the top 5 nationally, and that's not something we take lightly.

50 Years & A New Identity

2022 was a year worth celebrating. We turned 50, marking half a century of homes, relationships, and communities across the Mid-Atlantic. And to close out that milestone year, we made it official: a rebrand that reflected who we'd become. Berger Rental Communities became Berger Communities, with a new logo and a renewed sense of purpose. Same commitment, sharpened identity. 

Expansion into Ohio

In 2023, we expanded into Ohio, a milestone that reflected both the confidence we'd built and our belief that the right kind of growth is always worth pursuing. New market, same Berger standard.

Culture Refresh

In 2026, we reached 12,000 apartments under management. It's a number that humbles us, because behind it are thousands of residents, families, and communities who've trusted us with something that matters: their home.

12,000 Apartments

In 2026, we reached 12,000 apartments under management. It's a number that humbles us, because behind it are thousands of residents, families, and communities who've trusted us with something that matters: their home.