Category: Uncategorized

As the data for last year closes up, the year overall performed slightly better than 2014. Looking ahead, the odds of the market booming or tanking are present, but the most probable outcome is for it to continue slowly as it has been. …read more

From:: Real Estate Wire

By Rachel Jefferson

Property owners and managers are no strangers to filing insurance claims. However, without proper investigation, they may be held legally responsible for the incidents that they report. There are certain precautions that should be taken when filing insurance claims, specifically having a formal process for documenting and reporting the incident. Photographs, personal statements, and security footage of the incident can save you a lot of hassle down the road.

on Inman.

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From:: Property Management

By Rachel Jefferson

Improving your carbon footprint will not only help preserve natural resources, it will save you money, too. By updating old windows, preventing air leakage, and making energy-saving swaps, you will use less energy and save on your monthly bills. It also doesn’t hurt to schedule an energy audit with a HVAC company, especially if your HVAC system is older than ten years. The biggest culprit of heat loss and heat gain in your house are windows, so make sure they are made of the proper material for your climate and up to date.

on RealtyTimes.com.

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From:: Property Management

By Marc Courtenay

The following is my open letter to the property managers and readers of my articles. It is intended to make a meaningful, positive difference in your professional and personal lives.

Dear Property Managers and Other Readers,

This is the time of year that motivates me to thank you for being a part of our extended family of readers and responders. Without you, we the writers and publishers would be irrelevant at best. As a long-term author of articles like a recent one on having “powerful advocates,” I want you to know you’re very important to us. That’s why your feedback and suggestions really help. Yes, we read every comment, every opinion, and enthusiastically welcome your ideas. If you have questions or requests for article topics, please let us know. We do our best to put them to good use.

Speaking of gratitude, one of the most effective ways to build strong, healthy bonds with your employees, clients and residents is to let them know you sincerely appreciate them. As a recent article in The Harvard Business Review expressed it “[Even if you don’t know much about leadership], there’s one simple action that can dramatically increase any manager’s success in gaining the support and engagement of subordinates: recognize great work.

“That means calling out excellent accomplishments by your employees right away—and doing so in consistent and regular increments from the start. “We know from our own research that a handwritten note trumps an e-mail. Public recognition in a meeting or peer group makes people feel even more appreciated. And an award presented in a public setting is most effective in conveying a sense of a good job properly acknowledged.”

Researchers have been studying the power of expressing appreciation for many years. The article went on to cite this international phenomena and how it produces lasting, measurable results.
“In two separate but recent studies involving nearly 3,500 employees, from startups to Fortune 100 companies, we found that recognition directly affects morale and engagement.”

A 2014 study surveyed 2,415 employees in 10 countries and 7 languages. The data from it shows a clear connection between loyalty and acknowledgment. “Among the 512 U.S. employees who say their company has strong recognition practices, 87% feel a strong relationship with their direct manager. That number dips to 51% among those who reported a lack of such practices at their companies.”

Let me also remind everyone that we are in the season of giving. Property managers don’t have to spend a fortune to express recognition and gratitude with thoughtful gifts. There are affordable ways to be generous. There’s a wonderful website, Etsy.com, filled with inexpensive gifts made by individuals and craftspeople from around the world. From jewelry to pet treats, party supplies to bath and beauty products, Etsy.com has a vast assortment at prices everyone can afford.

One of my colleagues wrote to me today to remind me that giving discounted gift cards is both greatly appreciated and cost-effective. “There are various sites like Raise.com where you can buy discounted gift cards,” he opined. …read more

From:: Property Management