Articles
Swamp Coolers Versus Air Conditioning Part II
Posted on 12. Jun, 2013 by Mary Girsch-Bock.
In my last post, I talked about the advantages and disadvantages of continuing to use swamp coolers in your properties. In fact, business is booming for many HVAC companies touting the advantages of converting evaporative cooling systems to conventional air conditioning systems.
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Woman Sues Landlord Over Bed Bug Infestation Wins $800k
Posted on 11. Jun, 2013 by Bryan Ives.
A Maryland landlord was ordered to pay a former tenant $800,000 after she filed a lawsuit claiming the landlord neglected to address a bed bug infestation in her apartment.
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Swamp Coolers Versus Air Conditioning Part I
Posted on 10. Jun, 2013 by Mary Girsch-Bock.
I never heard of swamp coolers until I moved to Las Vegas, NV. As I was touring my friend’s new home, he explained that instead of air conditioning, his home was cooled by a swamp cooler. If you currently manage properties in the West or Southwest regions of the U.S., chances are you’re familiar with these evaporative cooling systems that are typically referred to as swamp coolers.
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The Challenges Of Home Ownership Make Renting Very Attractive
Posted on 05. Jun, 2013 by Marc Courtenay.
Those of us who bought our homes towards the top of the last housing bubble (2003-2007) are relieved to hear that the average price for houses is climbing steadily in most regions of the U.S. Yet for many the cost of buying a house is still making it difficult or impossible to become homeowners. Even though interest rates are still at all-time lows, it’s still tough to qualify for a mortgage.
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Summer Preparations For Property Managers
Posted on 31. May, 2013 by Jennifer St. James.
Isn’t summer everyone’s favorite time of year? As the song tells us, it’s when the living is easy, and many people are out enjoying the long days, the warm weather and activities that just aren’t possible during the fall and winter months. For property managers, there can be one drawback to that bright summer sunshine.
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Small Plane Crashes Into Virginia Apartment
Posted on 31. May, 2013 by Bryan Ives.
A single engine Cessna crashed into the living room of a third-story apartment outside Washington, Virginia State Police said Friday. Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller says the plane crashed into the apartment in Herndon, VA early Friday after it had electrical problems and its engine shut down.
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Having The Courage Of Your Convictions As A Property Manager
Posted on 29. May, 2013 by Marc Courtenay.
We just finished celebrating Memorial Day. It’s helpful for me to remember that’s the day when Americans honors men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. I want to pay my deepest respect to their memory and to their loved ones. Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official, very significant federal holiday in 1971.
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Spruce Up Your Properties For The Big Moving Season
Posted on 22. May, 2013 by Marc Courtenay.
As we all know it won’t be long until school is out and summer arrives. That is traditionally the beginning of the time that owners and renters are more likely to move to new locations. It’s also the time when the vacancy rate can fluctuate and the turnover rate increases.
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NYC Judge Rules Renting Apartments Using Airbnb Illegal
Posted on 22. May, 2013 by Bryan Ives.
A NYC judge ruled that a New Yorker who rented his apartment on Airbnb.com, a site that lets people around the world find short-term housing accommodations, broke the law.
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The Secrets Of Successful Property Management
Posted on 21. May, 2013 by Marc Courtenay.
Now that’s a title that should make all property managers very curious. Actually it’s the title of a webinar that was offered on Thursday May 9, 2013 and can be listened to at this link. These free webinars and podcasts should be a regular part of a property managers’ month.
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What Do You Bring To The Table?
Posted on 15. May, 2013 by Mary Girsch-Bock.
If you’re just starting your own property management business, it’s important to identify what you bring to the table. Is it your expert customer service? Affordable fees? Years of property management experience? Whether you’re planning on managing multi-family units, rental homes, or commercial properties, the skills and experience you can identify and later offer potential customers plays a large part in building and retaining your customer base.
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An Analysis and Review of AppFolio by Michael Levy, Author of “50 Interviews: Successful Property Managers”
Posted on 14. May, 2013 by Bryan Ives.
Michael Levy, author of “50 Interviews: Successful Property Managers,” recently updated his review of AppFolio. In the review, Mike analyzes the responses to a question that was posted on a property management LinkedIn group (Property Management Professionals). The question someone asked was, “What property management / accounting software is everyone using?”
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When Screening Applicants Remember The Fair Credit Reporting Act
Posted on 10. May, 2013 by Marc Courtenay.
Property Managers know how important it is to prevent problems with residents through careful screening procedures. The old saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is as important in today’s society as ever. That’s why experienced property managers don’t cut corners when screening applicants.
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How To Cultivate New Clients In “The Garden Of Property Management”
Posted on 09. May, 2013 by Marc Courtenay.
Seldom has there been a better time to cultivate and “plant the seeds” for new clients for your property management business. The need for rental, single-family housing has never been greater, and the financial climate is most advantageous, so let’s get started!
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U.S. Homeownership Hits 17-Year Low
Posted on 08. May, 2013 by Bryan Ives.
Homeownership in the U.S. fell to a 17-year low in the first quarter while an increase of Americans opted to rent following the housing collapse. According to the Commerce Department, the seasonally adjusted homeownership rate fell to 65.2 percent, the lowest since the fourth quarter of 1995.
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Landlord Recovery Of Attorney’s Fees In California
Posted on 07. May, 2013 by Jamie Sternberg.
The general rule in California is that each party bears its own attorney’s fees. There are exceptions to this general rule. One exception exists when a contract contains an attorney’s fee clause. If a contract provides that the prevailing party will recover its attorney’s fees and costs, generally that provision is enforceable, assuming that the matter is litigated to judgment.
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Avoiding Craigslist Scams
Posted on 03. May, 2013 by Mary Girsch-Bock.
Despite the warnings that are prevalent around the country, potential renters, property owners and managers continue to be scammed by Craigslist. These scams have evolved as the criminals have become more devious. Today, both renters and property managers are the frequent victims of these scams.
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Property Management Benchmark Survey Partnership With Software Advice
Posted on 30. Apr, 2013 by Bryan Ives.
AppFolio has partnered with Austin-based Software Advice to sponsor a property management benchmark survey. The purpose of the survey is to identify common property management challenges and find out what additional things property management professionals are seeking in products.
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California Bill to Ban Smoking in Condos and Apartments Statewide Defeated
Posted on 29. Apr, 2013 by Bryan Ives.
A California bill seeking to ban smoking in condominiums and apartments statewide failed in an Assembly committee. Democratic Assemblyman Marc Levine of San Rafael proposed the bill.
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Why Property Owners Should Consider Micro-Apartments
Posted on 25. Apr, 2013 by Holly Aker.
For the longest time, property developers have had a “the sky’s the limit” mentality when it comes to building new rental properties to keep up with America’s rapidly increasing population. That mindset is beginning to change now with the emergence of micro-apartments.
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Spring Is Finally Here
Posted on 23. Apr, 2013 by Mary Girsch-Bock.
Spring is finally here. If you’re in a cold climate, it’s likely you haven’t spent much time outside. But once the snow melts and the ground is visible again, you’ll likely spot some areas that have become weathered from the elements. With the last freeze likely over, now is the time to get outside and take a good long look at your properties.
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Rising Rents Are Hot But Facts Show They’re Cooling Down
Posted on 19. Apr, 2013 by Marc Courtenay.
Single family housing rents rose once again in the first quarter of 2013. Yet signs are beginning to reveal themselves that the seemingly endless months of rising rents may be coming to an end. The reasons are numerous but the biggest is a marked increase in the supply of rental units.
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U.S. Housing Starts Rise
Posted on 16. Apr, 2013 by Bryan Ives.
Housing starts in the U.S. jumped in March while multifamily projects reached a seven-year high. According to the Commerce Department, housing starts rose 7 percent to a 1.04 million annual rate, the most since June 2008.
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Embrace Apartment Rating Sites
Posted on 11. Apr, 2013 by Jennifer St. James.
For years now, restaurants and other service providers have used Yelp as their local review site. They’ve learned how to not just take the good reviews with the bad reviews, but also figure out how to manage those bad reviews so that people will still trust them and try them out.
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Technology Trends: What Residents Want (eBook)
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Always Get It In Writing And In The Lease
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Avoiding Craigslist Scams
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How To Cultivate New Clients In “The Garden Of Property Management”
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NARPM Florida State Chapter Property Manager Conference 2012
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Marc Courtenay: Thanks for your comment. Please consider sharing t...
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Ryan @ Green Bay Commercial Real Estate: At least in our market (Green Bay) it seems to be ...
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Tammy Davis: Great Advice!...
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Sandy: I have strong doubts that this was a professional ...
