Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Top 5 Roommate Disputes

September 4th, 2009

Living with someone else can be difficult at times as there are always going to be disputes that arise. In fact there are five disputes that tend to arise more often than others. By being aware of these potential conflicts you might be able to head them off at the pass.

Dishes?

There are very few people in the world who like doing dishes, especially someone else?s. It?s one of those chores that just creates some animosity so to avoid disputes work out a schedule and try to stick with it.

Property?

You?ll be sharing things and you have to accept this and not feel like you?re contributing more. But try to be as respectful of each other?s property at all times.

Paying Bills?

There?s no room for flexibility here, bills are due on time and you have to pay your full share. If there is a problem then this needs to be discussed immediately.

Friends?

Friends and romantic acquaintances can become a huge problem if someone is having visitors regularly, especially overnight visitors. This is a hard problem to resolve but if you can sit down and discuss it and work out a schedule then do so, it may help. But always remember that your home is your roommate?s home as well.

Schedules

There are people who live similar lifestyles and schedules but there are always situations that arise where one person is sleeping while another is not. Typically in a respectful situation this isn?t a problem but even taking a shower and going to work early can disturb the sleep of a roommate. These things can?t be helped but should be considered before the living arrangement is established.

The key to all roommate disputes is open communication and discussing the problems before they get out of control.

Top 5 Red Flags To Spot A Rental Scammer

September 2nd, 2009

My name is Dave Dugdale and I run a couple of rental classified websites (RentVine.com and PickRent.com). Over the past 8 to 12 months rental scammers have really been hitting my sites hard with bogus listings. The scammers create bogus listings with an attractive rental price, and then trick future tenants into sending them a deposit even though they don’t own or manage the property.

To combat this problem, I have created many automated systems to detect the scammers on my sites and prohibit them from posting a rental listing. The systems are not full-proof. Occasionally, the scammers get smarter than me and a posting will slip by. But, I will usually catch it fairly soon after posting. I think I have come to develop a sixth sense when it comes to spotting the fraudulent listings.

Red Flag #1 – The Price

The first give away is the price. The old adage is true: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers want instant gratification. If they price the bogus rental well below fair market value they get leads quicker.

Red Flag #2 – The Email Address

If the email address is corporate (ending in a company name) than I know it is not a fraud. It is very hard to hide behind domain records. Scammers always hide behind free services like Gmail, Yahoo, AOL and others.

Red Flag #3 – The Exterior Photo

If there is no exterior photo of the front of the house, then another red flag goes up. Scammers are getting smarter and they know that people can use Google Street View to match the listing photo with the one from Google Street View.

Red Flag #4 – Duplicate Content Elsewhere

At this point if the price is too low and email address is a free one, then I take one sentence from the rental description and put it into Google with quotes around it. The quotes search for an exact match within Google. Many times I will find duplicate listings on the web with the exact same sentence. But I have to look beyond just duplicate content, as many people list their rentals on many sites. I look to see if the address, photos or the price do not match the listing posted on my site. Scammers scrape content and photos from other sites and list them with a lower price.

Red Flag #5 – New York City Cell Phone Number

A vast majority of scammers to my site come from Nigeria and they like to use cell phones with numbers from New York City. I do a reverse lookup of the phone number and see if it is from New York City, then I call it. They hardly ever answer their phones. They never call back and only want to correspond via email.

I have created a?blacklist of rental scammer email addresses for those interested in checking to see if they are dealing with a known scammer. Many of these scammers have dozens if not hundreds of email addresses and create new ones all the time. However, I have seen them come back and use older ones.

Bio: Dave Dugdale has been in the online rental advertising business for 5
years. He was the first to write a blog on the rental ad industry, and the first to podcast
interviews of industry experts in property management. Dave has also been
leading the way in better?detection of rental scams by sharing his database
of blacklist email addresses with other rental websites.

Maximize Your Online Presence

August 31st, 2009

Sure managing properties means a flexible schedule, a constant change of scenery and a lot of face time with tenants, contractors and interested renters, but what about your presence elsewhere?

Online property management has become a key part of the success of many professional managers? businesses. It?s becoming essential to have a web presence these days, as both the rental market and property management services move more towards online accessibility and ease.

Here are a few ways to optimize your web presence and make your responsibilities as well as those of your tenants, a little easier.

Obviously if you don?t have one, start a website.

If you already have a website, make it more interactive. Add a blog or a forum as a way to connect with tenants and prospective renters. Join a social media site like Twitter or Facebook to make yourself more accessible, or offer online services like bill pay or maintenance forms.

Also, if you haven?t already, look into investing in property management software. Not only can it reduce the stacks of paper files on your desk, but it has a host of tools and options to make organizing and updating information quick and easy.

Finally, get involved in the community?the online community! There are dozens of forums, groups and blogs just for property managers. Exchange ideas, ask questions, even give advice?you never know when you might need a resource to help you with your business, or be one for someone else.

With these simple additions to your online presence, you can make your property management business stand out to tenants and prospective renters alike. Just be sure to follow through with what you started?a Twitter account won?t do you any good if you never check it, and neither will online software if you don?t use it.

Marketing as a Resource to First Time Homebuyers

August 17th, 2009

Despite the woes and hair-pulling the current housing market has caused (and continues to cause), there are those who can benefit from the plummeting prices: first time homebuyers. With no house to sell off in order to buy, and federal programs like the $8,000 tax credit, first time buyers have an outstanding opportunity to find an incredible home or investment property for a tiny price.

Still, first time buyers are not exactly racing to the market, and why? Fear. The exposure of aggressive lending as well as the rocky economy has made people jumpy and these potential homeowners are hesitant to dive in. Here is how some savvy real estate companies in Florida are changing their minds, and capitalizing in the process.

Florida real estate service companies (link: http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090601/COLUMNIST/906011008/2264/REALESTATE?Title=A-lifeguard-for-those-first-timers) are offering first time buyer seminars and workshops to help potential homebuyers become more comfortable with the process. In Florida in particular, one of the nation?s areas hardest hit by the housing crisis, cities like Sarasota-Bradenton, Palmetto, and Lakewood Ranch have all had similar programs.

Whether it?s a Sarasota property management company, Palmetto title agency or Lakewood realty group, companies in the industry are using the housing crisis as both an opportunity to educate eligible homebuyers, and undoubtedly market their skills and services in the process. It?s important to remember that marketing doesn?t always have to be about ad placement and cold calling; by providing a free resource or service you?re able to demonstrate your expertise, professionalism, and undoubtedly, draw new clients from seminars who now have the information they need to take the first step into buying a home or investment property.

Measure Windows for Shutters and Storm Windows

August 13th, 2009

If you?re thinking about adding shutters or storm windows to your home?s exterior then you?re going to have to measure the windows properly to make sure you?re getting your shutters and storm windows in the property size.

Unfortunately older windows are frequently no longer square, and in fact, some new construction that was created during the housing boom never even started out square.

Measure the opening of your window horizontally at the top, the bottom and in the middle. Measure the window vertically in much the same way, measuring both sides and the middle.

Take another measurement diagonally from each top corner to the opposite bottom one. The measurements should be the same, but if they?re not your window is not square and is what the industry refers to as racked.

The smallest of the three measurements on both the horizontal and vertical measurements is the one you will use when reporting the measurements to the shutter and storm window manufacturer. Make sure to tell them that you?re supplying actual measurements and they will adjust for any clearances. You?ll also need to inform them if you?ve got a racked window so they can make allowances for that as well.

photo credit: *Susie*

6 Tools for a Beautiful Yard

August 11th, 2009

Yards are gaining in popularity and are being treated as a part of the house so keeping your yard neat and attractive is a high priority. With these six luxury tools for the yard you can keep everything in tip top shape and be the envy of the neighborhood.

Zero Turn Mower

The best lawn mower around, a zero turn mower will whip through the job with little effort and time expenditure and the precision may eliminate your need for a trimmer.

Electric Leaf Shredder

A beautiful lawn has big beautiful trees which means you?ve got leaves, an electric leaf shredder quickly turns those leaves into mulch that you can use to boost the beauty of your planted blooms.

Multitask Cultivator

Look for a multitask cultivator that will work as an aerator, sweeper, edger and numerous other tools. It may be expensive but you?re saving money by not having to buy the other tools and you?re saving space by just having one tool do all these jobs.

Alligator Lopper

An alligator lopper is a great pruning tool that handles branches up to four inches in diameter. This quiet tool is gasoline free and stays sharp, making it perfect for keeping your shrubs and trees neat and groomed.

Hedge Trimmer

Not your hedge trimmer of the past, hedge trimmers now trim, shred, vacuum and collect the clippings for you. The blades are also shielded so you?re not going to have that cut cord mishap that you did before.

Outdoor Sweeper

I loathe the leaf blower as a rake and broom do just as good a job and give you much needed exercise while not using energy unnecessarily. But the outdoor sweeper is a people-powered push machine which give you a dual action sweeping system with rotating bushes that pick up both wet and dry debris, giving you an excellent looking patio, sidewalk, and driveway with very little effort.

photo credit: *Susie*

Stay Green, Even on the Road

August 10th, 2009

As a property manager, your day can be filled with tasks that take you outside of the office. Whether you?re meeting potential tenants to view vacant units, or signing leases in a nearby Starbucks, your daily appointments can inadvertently be taking quite the toll on the environment.

Here three easy steps that can instantly lessen your carbon footprint and make your life a little easier as well.

Avoid disposable products ? whether you?re stopping in for your favorite coffee concoction, or staying hydrated throughout the day, stay away from take-away cups and disposable plastic bottles. Instead, bring your own or request a ?for here? glass or mug if you?ll be staying for awhile.
Go paperless ? or at least lessen your paper use. Keep as much of your files as possible electronic. If you have to print those pesky pages for signatures and initials, use recycled stock and print on both sides of the paper.
Keep your car in top condition ? by taking your car in for regular tune ups, oil changes, and keeping tires full of air you?re ensuring your vehicle is running at its most efficient level. Get every mile you can out of each tank of gas by keeping your car in good working condition.

Seems pretty easy, right? The trend is catching on; from Napa property management companies to Washington, D.C. firms, going green is becoming a nationwide practice for property managers. Don?t be left behind with an office stacked with folders and a sluggish car full of old coffee cups. Simplify, recycle, and start a newer, greener workday.

How to Hire a Contractor

August 6th, 2009

If you?re thinking about hiring a contractor to do some work on your home using the following tips can help you find a reputable contractor who will do a good job at a fair price.?

Get Recommendations

Start asking around, begin with your friends, ask a building inspector, and check with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry for a list of members. Even lumberyards may be a good place as they know which contractors buy the best materials and pay their bills on time.

Ask Questions

Before actually meeting them, give them a call and ask some questions. Do they have experience with the type of project you?re contemplating? Will they provide some reference? Do they use subcontractors? Who do they use and can you contact them? What?s their availability? How many projects do they do at a time?

Collect Bids

Don?t just jump at someone you like or the lowest price but see what comes with that price as there may be hidden extras that are omitted from some bids and will crop up later. Be informed before you agree to anything.

Written Contract

Then when you do come to an agreement, be sure to get everything in writing, this will prevent any surprises in the future and will help you keep things on schedule and budget.?

photo credit: patriotweb

A New Way to Market Clean Spaces

August 4th, 2009

In today’s market, apartment property management can be a challenge; particularly with the glut of rentals and move-in specials, it can be difficult to make yours stand out from the many competing spaces.? An emerging niche marketing strategy is to advertise your rental as being ?low allergen? and all it takes is a few extra steps to make your units as allergen-free as possible.

While this might seem like a no-brainer for all properties, there are countless renters who are more sensitive to allergens and struggle to find places that make it a priority to keep allergens at a minimum in their spaces. Here are five easy things you can do to ensure your property is clean, safe, and marketable specifically to renters with allergies.

Clean air ?good ventilation and non-leaking ductwork are the foundation of clean, fresh air circulating in your rental property. Make sure you have fans in all of the required areas like the kitchen and bathroom, and consider adding one in the laundry room (if there is one). Clean air means less stuffy, stagnant air, less allergens, and a healthier space.
Leaks, high humidity, and other causes of mold ? mold can cause allergy symptoms in everyone regardless of how sensitive they are to allergens in general. Mold loves dark, damp spaces so check for leaks regularly, as well as monitoring areas around appliances like the water heater, bathrooms and kitchen fixtures and the like. The easiest way to avoid the damages and health risks of mold is a watchful eye and regular maintenance.
Provide information ? whether your potential renter is more sensitive to allergens or not, it is always smart to provide information about allergens, mold and other causes of health-related issues to your tenants. Include it as part of your move-in packet, or even make it part of the lease. This will ensure your renter is aware of both your active concern in his or her well-being, as well as your involvement in keeping the space as allergen-free as possible.
Choose your plants wisely ? when landscaping, choose plants that have low pollen or allergenic contaminants like Astilbe, Impatiens, Hosta, Scabiosa, Columbine, Viola, Dogwood Trees, Double-Flowered Cherry Trees, and Magnolias.
Go the extra mile ? whether by leaving a basket of cleaning supplies in the unit as a welcome gift, or keeping an air purifier in the space as part of the amenities, these little additions will show renters you really care about keeping the space as healthy and clean for them as they do.

And don?t forget to include these in your rental listings when you post! Even if your tenant ends up not having allergies, they will appreciate the extra steps you?ve taken to make the space as clean and safe as possible.

Prevent Crime at Your Apartment

July 30th, 2009

Renters are hit by crime more than people realize, but by working together landlords and tenants can help prevent crime at their apartments.

Security Requirements

Check with state and local housing agencies to see what the security requirements are for rentals in your state. Make sure that your residence is complying with all requirements that relate to the safety and security of the residents.

Do a Walk Around

Landlords and tenants should do an annual walk around of the property together. Look for entrances that might not be locked properly, spots that seem poorly lit, bushes that criminals could hide behind and any routine suspicious activity.

Communicate Frequently

If you are a tenant then you should let your landlord know immediately if there seems to be any criminal activity occurring in or around the property. If you are a landlord and a crime has been committed, let the other tenants know so they can be more watchful of their property and possible criminal activity.

Encourage Community

Say hi to your neighbors and get to know them. People are more likely to look out for those they know than complete strangers. Landlords should get involved in this also and know every tenant by name (if possible). Create a feeling of community in your residence and you?ll find that people are happier and more charitable.

photo credit: aresauburn???