PRANDI Property Management, Inc., CRMC

Holiday Party Tips!

2011-11-23T16:01:00.000-08:00

Susan RoAne is known as the Nation's Savvy Networking Expert and Mingling Maven...as well a treasured client of PRANDI Property Management! Here, Susan provides us with her Holiday Party Do's and Don't s.

Brush up on your holiday party etiquette and enjoy the season with joy and class!

How to Work a Room:

HOLIDAY DOs and DON'Ts

DO...

RSVP and say YES when the invitation arrives.

Organize a potluck if the company has cancelled their annual party. People love the camaraderie.

Focus Your Conversation on the Event: The season is the reason. If it's a company sponsored party, you already have a subject for conversation. So, bring your O.A.R.and start the small talk with the items you have in common.

Observe -- The venue, food or entertainment

"What wonderful ambiance! Didn't Pat and Joe do a great job planning this party and the food is fabulous."

Ask -- Other guests seasonally topical questions

"Do you have any special plans?" "Do you plan to travel for the holidays?"

Reveal -- Your ideas, thoughts, plans

"I plan to be on the slopes for the holidays."OR "For obvious reasons we've decided to stick closer to home rather than fight the crowds." Add something lighthearted: "I'm still trying to find a low calorie eggnog recipe."

Act Like A Host: be interested; pay attention; listen and introduce people to each other.

Treat Spouses/Guests (yours and theirs) With Respect: introduce them with enthusiasm and include them with eye contact, comments and questions.

Remember That Holiday/Christmas Parties Are Still Business Networking Events: dress and act appropriately.

DON'T...

Don't Drink Excessively: free drinks have a cost.

Don't Assume Everyone Celebrates Christmas: and if you don't, be gracious about the error.

Don't Touch Inappropriately: keep hands (and lips) to yourself; "handle" with care and caution.

Don't indulge in foods with garlic or onions; bring breath mints.

Don't forget to detach from the techie toys: smart phones, Bluetooth's and iPads) and refrain from text messaging, emailing and IM-ing when talking with others.

Don't kvetch, whine, ridicule, compete, correct, interrogate or brag.

The Mingling Maven®.

Prospective Tenant Tip | Be Prepared!

2011-03-10T14:29:00.000-08:00

This 2011 rental market is proving to be a competitive one in the more moderately priced ranges. A tip I can offer prospective renters is to get your ducks in a row and have your application packet ready to go. When you find the property you would like to rent, you won’t have to scramble to get your information together and risk losing out to a more prepared applicant. Much better to view a property and hand the agent or owner your application on the spot. Not only will that put you in the #1 position to secure the property, but it will create a very good impression on the owner/agent. You can find an application in addition to instructions on putting together an application packet on the PRANDI website at www.prandiprop.com.

Official Office Titles

2011-03-09T09:02:00.000-08:00

PRANDI Property Management, Inc., CRMC
www.prandiprop.com

We have been very busy in our office in the last couple of months. We opened our second office on Bridgeway in Sausalito to better serve our Southern Marin clients this past year. We redesigned our website, including major changes in our management software, company colors as well as logo layout. We re-organized our office staff, making our teams more efficient and organized to improve our customer service and response times to your calls and emails. We solidified PRANDI staff titles, to help clarify company roles and to give you a better definition of what we really do.

This last change, our personal employee titles, were closely examined and decided upon. A title defines a persons position within the company and we wanted that title to be clear and concise.

Please, meet the PRANDI Property Management Team:

Melissa Prandi, RMP, MPM | President & CEO

Reidun Waage | Client Accounting Manager

Lisa Doughty | Office Coordinator

Barbara Burdick | Executive Relocation & Leasing Agent

Team 1:
Matt Borries | Property Manager & Leasing Agent
Nikki Maida | Assistant Property Manager

Team 2:
Christine Goodin, RMP | Senior Property Manager & Leasing Agent
Cristy Roberts | Assistant Property Manager

Team 3:
Dana Sansing-Esquibel | Senior Property Manager & Leasing Agent
Roxie Mikolon, CSS | Assistant Property Manager

Marketing Team:
Erin Leidy | Director of Business Development & Marketing
Kaylee Carroll | Brand Marketing Specialist

Project Re:Brand | Part 2

2011-03-01T14:16:00.000-08:00

The logo is very important for any company. Here at PRANDI, we always double check to make sure our image, and in essence our “brand,” is as consistent as possible. We want our look to be noticed and recognizable. We want people to know our name and see us as the respected leaders we strive to be, in Marin’s leasing and property management field. We want people to see our logo and say “Let’s call PRANDI!”

To ensure our brand has maximum impact, we are sure to cover all of our bases, and are always as consistent as possible. Our logo and our image is our company’s visual identity! The fonts, color, use of illustration/ pictures, as well as our taglines are all a major part of this. Our brand is spread across our marketing, in such things as on our website, newspapers, and other advertisements. But there is so much more involved in a “brand.”

Employees, for instance, are the most important ambassadors Melissa Prandi, MPM has for her company. We are reflections of the brand she has created. We are the faces of PRANDI.

Part of our branding is how our employees interact and work with our customers. Great customer service keeps a person coming back for more – which means that if we do a great job, not only will they want to work with us again, but they might even recommend PRANDI to others. We love to partner with people, whether they are our valuable owners, contractors/ vendors, or outside agents. We love to know how our service worked out as a whole, and hear how we can improve. We love to know how we are doing as a company.

All feedback is valuable. If we’ve given you great service, this is always a treat to hear; but if we need to improve some part of our company to better serve others in the future, we cannot progress unless we have this information to work from! We need this feedback to better the identity we are presenting to the community.

Which leads me to: we recently ran a “February is for Feedback!” program with our current tenants, asking them to tell us how we are doing in their eyes. We also asked our owners to fill out an e-survey to rate PRANDI on various topics and give us additional feedback that way as well. Now, we’re reaching out to you, our readers. If you have anything to say about our company, that you think we should hear, please be sure to let us know. You can even email me directly: prandi@prandiprop.com. I would love to know how we are holding up as a complete PRANDI package. If you ask me to keep something completely anonymous, I will certainly respect that request. Thank you!

Sonoma County Residents Seeking Marin County Advice!!

2011-02-28T16:46:00.000-08:00

Here is one Marin resident reaching out to another! My friend & colleague Kaylee (yes, from PRANDI too) and I have recently founded our own "hiking class" for an after-work, work-out! But we are finding we're running out of great spots to go! The problem is, we are both Marin implants (gasp!) from Sonoma County, so we want to get the skinny on some "secret" spots Marin folks know of....

We are seeking advice from you--trails and hiking paths in Marin--something strenuous but that we can do after work while it's still sunny outside. We've tried our hand at yoga, but we crave the burn....after all, I am getting married in June!

P.S. Thank you to Matt for telling us about the trail off Paradise! Thank you Google Earth, or we would have never found it!

Erin Leidy named California’s 2011 Big Sister of the Year!

2011-02-25T13:04:00.000-08:00

Director of Business Development & Marketing at PRANDI Property Management, Erin Leidy, has recently been named the California Big Sister of the Year for Big Brothers Big Sisters. This honor is in recognition of her tireless support of the agency, and more importantly, of her “Little,” 11-year old Trayvon.

Each year agencies across the state, nominate 1 Big Brother and 1 Big Sister for their exemplary mentoring and advocacy. There are 19 agencies in all, representing over 13,000 matches. The individuals nominated are judged at the state-level by a panel of agency Executive Directors. Winners from each state are then eligible to be named National Big Brother or Big Sister of the Year.

Erin has been working with the organization for roughly five years spawned by her husband, Jonathan’s, involvement on the Board of Directors. She and Trayvon are far from the average pair. Although not the first “mixed-match,” traditionally, the organization has focused on pairing Bigs and Littles of the same sex. However, with over 200 children on the North Bay waiting list, mostly boys, the organization has been compelled to become more creative.

“When we have fantastic mentors, like Erin, willing to donate their time and talents, we want to get them involved with a child as soon as possible,” says Executive Director of the North Bay agency, Eddie Kaufman. “Pairing her with Trayvon was natural, given that she is the elder sister of 3 brothers. And the results speak for themselves.”

In the relatively short time that Erin and Trayvon have been together, they have done quite a bit. They have gone hiking, to Warriors games and amusement parks, visited museums, baked holiday cookies, and much more. “Over the course of our match, there have been many firsts for Tray,” says Leidy. “He has learned how to play tennis, make scrambled eggs, and even some less complicated things, like the importance of looking someone in the eye when you speak with them. Most recently, we took him up to the top of Tam, where he was able to experience snow for the first time.”

Of all of the things that she has brought to Tray’s life, the most valuable is stability. He has officially become a part of the Leidy family, never missing a holiday. “When we go out together, I notice others watching us, trying to bring context to a relationship that, on the surface, seems a bit peculiar. That’s fine with Tray and I; in fact, it often leads to a great opportunity for the both of us to share our story.”

Erin will be talking about her match a great deal over the course of 2011, including at both of the Inspiration events held by the organization as well as the upcoming Bowl for Kids’ Sake at Country Club Bowl in San Rafael (April 2-3). “Winning is a great honor and I would like to share this recognition with the staff at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Bay as well as all of my family and friends that have supported the organization along with me.”

The judging for the National Big Sister of the Year also takes place in April. If selected, Erin and Tray would be taking a trip to the White House, where past winners have had the opportunity to shake hands with the President.

Accounting | In Review

2011-02-22T10:19:00.000-08:00

As the PRANDI Client Account Manager, which really means the resident bookkeeper, it has been an extremely busy year for my accounting team. We just finished up last year’s 1099s from 2 different software programs, together with annual Summary reports, after our 2010 switch-over in July. The new software has been quite a learning curve for all involved and we appreciate the patience and understanding from our owners. Now, we are busy filling special requests for our owners’ tax accountants to help everyone complete the year.

New this year, the CA Franchise Tax Board made it mandatory that we collect and send 7% of rent income to the State for our out of state owner. Not a popular task!

Property taxes are just around the corner, so we’ll be starting our “Hold-Back” of funds this month, if you’re one of the owners who have specified that we pay taxes for you.

As of the first of the year, we started updating our vendor business licenses and liability insurance to make sure they are current. Our vendors have been hand-picked by us, and are the best in their respected fields, so as to give you the best service you deserve.

We are off into year 2011 with a great start and ready to take on new challenges and excitement – but we always have FUN in the process!

Project Re:Brand | Part 1

2011-02-19T13:57:00.000-08:00

Our marketing team is always sure to communicate our branded-name in several different places, such as on our: Website, Business Cards, Stationary, Email, Newsletters/ Press Releases, Advertisements, Mailers, Company Clothing, even our social networking sites (ie: Facebook, PRANDI Blog, Twitter).

Branding is technology. We recently changed the image of our website, updating our logo to make it modern. We also switched our in-house software services to an e-platform in order to be readily accessible for our clients 24/7. We’ve made this change universal, and sometimes it’s hard to remember how many places we’ve put the PRANDI logo over the years! But our marketing staff has certainly been hard at work, making our image consistent across the board and everywhere you look! (See our old logo on the left)

Branding is innovative. When creating a new look for PRANDI, we had to figure out how far we could drift from the image we previously held in the eyes of the community. We needed to change with the times, yes, but we also needed to update ourselves in a way that didn’t confuse or compromise our existing image either. We wanted to stay modern, and still similar enough that our clients would still recognize our image. Our colors took a more “21^st Century” darkening and switched to richer colors; we changed our solid home icon in our logo and made it a more of a “refined” outline.

Branding is effective. I read while researching marketing within companies awhile back that “big isn’t the only beautiful.” This quote hit home for me. Small businesses like PRANDI can also utilize brands and have an impact on their audiences, just as much as larger corporations can. We too can be innovative, effective and compelling even though we’re smaller than other Marin companies. No matter the small size of PRANDI, we have certainly been effective in our branding, and have been finding ways to reach as many audiences as possible.

Branding is money. We’ve found ways to market in both the paid as well as free markets. Paid marketing would put our name at the top of SEO in such places as Google. But inexpensive routes have oftentimes let PRANDI be found easily as well. Social networks, for instance, are free of charge, and have let us reach large audiences directly. Not to say that these free markets are completely free, as time is always money and sometimes social networks have been “expensive” by their time-consumption. Regardless of exact dollar amounts, where we focus our time and energy is very important too.

PRANDI and our marketing staff have certainly tried to find a balance between cost effectiveness and the audience we are seeking. With this balance we aim to target audiences in many different markets. We aim to use our technology, innovation, effectiveness and time to reach people who we hope will say, “Oh, I remember PRANDI, and I’ll call them!” when they need our services.

Just Listed Rental Listing -- 58 Maple!

2011-02-17T14:15:00.000-08:00

Just Leased this Great Property! – 58 Maple Avenue, Fairfax, CA 94930

We’ve just listed this 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom home, conveniently located near shops and transportation. Freshly updated with new paint, carpets, and appliances. Refrigerator and blinds to be installed soon. 2 car carport. A well-behaved pet would considered with approval. This is a non-smoking property.

For more information, contact Dana Esquibel at (415) 482-9988 x204 or email her directly at dana@prandiprop.com.

To see our other listings please visit out website at www.prandiprop.com.

Farifax Corner | Hot this Week

2011-02-17T10:15:00.000-08:00

What fun and excitement! We listed a Fairfax home and had it leased after our first showing. 23 Oak Tree Lane

FAIRFAX OWNERS: This is a great time to consider leasing your home! We have daily inquiries from potential tenants looking for quality homes to lease in your area. Call PRANDI Property Management at 415-482-9988 for a brief phone consultation and some additional guidelines to help you prepare your home for lease. Having an experienced team on your side will help to ensure that your home will be a wonderful income-generating asset for many years to come. We would love to hear from you!

Spring is Just Around the Corner!

2011-02-15T08:50:00.000-08:00

Spring is just around the corner here at PRANDI, and I am certainly looking forward to longer days with more sunshine and day-light to enjoy (less rain!). Not only can I not WAIT for the Giants to start Spring Training, but I also cannot wait to be outside and showing more properties in the upcoming warmer weather!I am looking forward to this time of year not only for myself, but for the properties I work with directly. Now is the time to look at each of our units, figure out what needs to be done at the property, and get ready for the high rental season that comes with this time of year. Spring Clean-Up is a regular occurrence both inside and outside of the home and it is very important to stay on top of yearly maintenance precaution tasks. Taking care of your home now in small steps should protect you down the road from having more maintenance trouble in the long-run. Don’t forget such preparations as cleaning and checking pool filters, or dry vegetation/ weed clean-up in the yard.

Remember to take a break after your hard work too! I always look forward to spending part of my spring/ summertime lunch breaks at the great frozen yogurt places we discover in town! Ask me about my personal favorite locations the next time you come into the office for a visit!

New Carbon Monoxide Detector Legislation!

2011-02-07T14:03:00.000-08:00

New Legislation You

Should be Aware Of!

SB 183 - Carbon Monoxide Detectors

As some of you have probably heard, California has recently passed new legislation requiring all single family homes to have a carbon monoxide detector installed by June 1, 2011 if there is presence of a gas-burning appliance (gas range, water heater, dryer, etc.). Similarly, this new law will take effect for all multi-family dwellings by January 1, 2013.

The penalty for not installing proper detectors can be up to $200 for each offense, after a 30 day notice to correct. Fortunately, unlike regular smoke detectors CO detectors only need to be replaced about every 7 years.

Here at PRANDI we are taking appropriate measures to ensure that all our vendors are aware of this new legislation and are installing the proper smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in all PRANDI properties moving forward. We are also going to be sending out reminders and notices to all our clients reminding them that this will need to be done in the near future and to expect this necessary expense!

Please look out for more information in the PRANDI Press this month!

For more information visit: Kimball, Tirey & St. John LLC's website and click on "Legislative Update for 2011" or visit http://www.realtown.com/articles/view/legislative-update

New Year, New Ideas

2011-02-04T08:50:00.001-08:00

In 2010 we updated our property management software to stay on the cutting edge of technology. In 2011 we revamped our website to refresh and strengthen our image.

This month, we have made sure the website changes were fully implemented so our clients can efficiently navigate to find the information they need. This week, we have added additional "face-lifts" by updating the site with a modern feel.

Today, our staff will continue to be involved with the Marketing Department, coming up with great ideas that will better our business here at PRANDI. We will continue to strengthen our presence in the areas we are already visible. We will make ourselves known in the places we are less likely seen. We are branding our name into recognition. We are hitting the ground running in 2011.

San Anselmo & Fairfax Markets are Blooming!

2011-02-03T09:53:00.000-08:00

For those of you who do not know, PRANDI is broken into office teams. Although we work very closely with one another, and often times our "team lines" are crossed into one another, I work with Dana as her Assistant Property Manager.

There has certainly been a lot going on this month at PRANDI. January has been a busy month for us, especially our team, in that we are listing new properties or have more new listings in the pipeline than ever before for this typically "quiet" month of the year. The San Anselmo / Fairfax market is blossoming, and Dana and I are excited as we both grew up in that area and are very familiar with those areas. We love our hometowns are and are happy to be working there so frequently!

We recently listed three Fairfax homes (just within the last two months), of which two rented quickly and the third will hit the market next week. Watch for the newest 3 bedroom 2 bath single family home!

Along with the business in the other areas of Marin that we do, we are very excited about THIS market!

February Newsletter

2011-01-27T08:13:00.000-08:00

Here is PRANDI's February 2011 Newsletter "The PRANDI Press"

We send this newsletter to our managed clients every month with their monthly statement!

Spare the Air Alerts

2011-01-23T17:39:00.000-08:00

Remember, if you have a fireplace, Spare the Air Alerts are in effect all winter-long. Make sure to check http://www.sparetheair.org/ before you use your fireplace or it could result in a hefty fine!

January Re-Cap for 2010

2011-01-18T11:59:00.000-08:00

I am finding that the rental market in Marin has been fairly stable and not too adversely affected by the poor economy. Surprisingly, December was a very busy month here at PRANDI and properties that were priced right rented quickly. I don’t know if I would call it either a renter’s market or a rental owner’s market as the inventory has increased, due to the slower sales market, and the number of people looking for a rental has also increased. This has resulted in a stable market with healthy competition and a good pool of potential quality tenants. The smartest thing an owner can do is offer a quality product home (in good condition and pristine) and market/ list it at a reasonable price.

Now that there is a nice break in the weather, I suggest owners clean off roofs and gutters. Leaves have been falling and getting knocked down in the recent rain storms and it would be good to take this opportunity to clear things out before the next rain storm.

New Rental Listing -- 128 Morning Sun Avenue, Mill Valley!

2011-01-17T11:35:00.000-08:00

New Mill Valley Listing for Lease! – 128 Morning Sun Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941

We’ve just listed a very charming 2 bedroom/2 bathroom single family home in Mill Valley with hardwood floors, spacious bedrooms, private washer and dryer, storage, and large outdoor deck with gardening area! Great location near award winning schools including Tamalpais High School, and just blocks away from public transportation. Wonderful sunny location ready for lease!

$2,500/month—1 year lease preferred, non-smoking, and a cat is okay with an increase in security deposit.

For more details or to schedule a showing please contact us at 415-482-9988 or the agent directly at christine@prandiprop.com.

Don't miss out -- this home will go quickly!!

To see our other listings please visit out website at www.prandiprop.com.

January 2011 Newsletter

2011-01-13T09:27:00.000-08:00

Here is PRANDI's January 2011 Newsletter "The PRANDI Press"

We send this newsletter to our managed clients every month with their monthly statement!

Who you gonna call?

2010-12-29T11:18:00.000-08:00

Don’t call Ghostbusters! Call PRANDI!

As much as we love receiving referrals to increase our own business…we love giving referrals as well. Yesterday afternoon, I noticed my friend Pam posted a note on Facebook saying she had a roof leak and needed help before the two-day storm that was heading our way.

I responded to her post (along with 6 or 7 other friends) and she called me first! Pam knows I am in the property management industry and frequently solving problems of all kinds; large and small, simple and complicated, emergencies and of course, standard routine maintenance. PRANDI manages a constant flow of property related problems, which is why I think my friend immediately knew that she would get a not only a good reference, but a GREAT one! I gave Pam the number of Alternative Roofing Solutions, Inc (ARS) who answered the phone right away and said they would be at Pam’s house within an hour. ARS also said they’d be able to patch her roof to keep her dry over the next two days as well as follow up with a longer term solution. Pam was thrilled, ARS has new business and PRANDI is once again, proven to be a trusted name in property management! That’s what I call a win-win-win all the way around!

ARS’s response time is the same type of service we provide for all our properties (and our Facebook friends!) and we are proud to recommend our vendors at any time. Call PRANDI when you need a referral! We are knowledgeable and have a long list of trusted vendors we have worked with for many, many years. Part of our reputation rides on how responsive, clean, professional and cost effective our vendors are…and without a doubt…they are all of the above!

Need a roofer? A plumber? A mortgage broker? Insurance agent?
Call PRANDI!
A special mention and thanks to the ARS roofing team!

http://www.arsroofing.com/

Marketing, Marketing…Constant and Consistent Marketing!

2010-12-28T09:45:00.000-08:00

I’m sitting at my desk – surrounded by names and email addresses, newspapers and marketing postcards, new ad ideas and layouts. This office is constantly on the go, and so am I – making sure that not only are we easily found on the internet through various SEO methods, but that we’re also in local newspaper print delivered to your home! We have a message for our clients, as much as for our friends and competitors in this field: we’re here, in plain sight, constantly reminding you that we’re a powerful force in the property management industry!

Part of the marketing routine includes updating our website (www.prandiprop.com), making sure our listings are posted correctly on Craigslist and the MLS. We inform our owners though monthly topics of self home care with their own newsletter: the PRANDI Press; and, our tenants receive a monthly newsletter as well: the PRANDI Journal. Once a quarter, a newsletter is sent out to past clients, or possible new clients, with helpful hints and tips of being their own landlord, and telling them more about our office and services – our intent is to remind them that PRANDI is here to help should they ever need us again. This week, I’m sending out a new PRANDI postcard to owners in southern Marin, to inform them of the new satellite office we recently opened on Bridgeway in Sausalito!

I’m always on the go, looking for the next great opportunity that will keep PRANDI’s name in people’s minds! The best trick, I’ve found, is to keep this constant task consistent enough, so when I mention PRANDI to someone in Marin they say “Oh, I’ve heard that name before”!

PRANDI Resolutions for 2011

2010-12-20T16:35:00.000-08:00

Here it is, almost 2011, and definitely time to look at all of our personal resolutions! While we're at it, we'd like to consider other PRANDI marketing resolutions we're promising for the new year! We're always on the move, hoping to keep re-analyzing and re-vamping what we already have, in order to keep up with the rest of the ever-changing world!

This year, we promise to stay more on top of our Facebook & Twitter updates -- making sure people know all about the PRANDI Property Management Team happenings on a regular basis! We've updated our current website at www.prandiprop.com and are using a new cloud-platform that allows both our owners and tenants to log into their personal accounts, to do such things as: view their property information, pay their rent, or submit service requests. We certainly hope to keep our website fresh with information that will interest all of the visitors who stop by to say hello! Soon, we're even hoping to re-vamp Melissa's personal website at www.prandiprop.com, so everyone can closely follow her National speaking schedule and topics.

We're setting up all of our employees, so they can blog too, giving you a taste of the inner life here at PRANDI, as well as the juicy details of Property Management as we know it. We're hoping to stay more connected with the cyber-world and find out more about marketing and what our viewers want!

Happy 2011 New Years Resolutions to the rest of you -- and here's to hearing more from the marketing department!

MAR Installation Lunch

2010-12-16T10:47:00.000-08:00

A group of us from the office recently attended the Marin Association of Realtors 91st Annual Installation and Holiday Celebration--it was a great time for all. We have been long time members and supporters of the MAR organization and are excited to hear all the new ideas for next year.

We also want to congratulate our dear friends Mary Kay Yamamoto from REMAX and John Zeiter from McGuire Real Estate. Mary Kay is the incoming 2011 MAR President and John has received the coveted award of Realtor of the Year! These two are top-notch professionals and we are so proud and happy for them both, as well as all of the new board members for MAR that will serve in 2011.

To read more about John's Realtor of the Year award click here: http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/John-Zeiter-Named-Marin-County-REALTOR-of-the-Year-1369870.htm

Teambuilding at It's Best

2010-12-14T08:49:00.000-08:00

This past Wednesday the entire PRANDI team was involved in an extreme team-building experience at Driven Raceway in Rohnert Park!

We teamed up with Alliance Property Management out of Santa Rosa, also national and state members of NARPM, and mean lean racing machines!

The trip refreshed and regrouped our office! It was a great time for all and we not only enjoyed the company of our fellow office-mates, but that of the Alliance team as well.

Several of our office staff scored and received an award! Erin won the award for "Fastest Female on the Track", Roxie won the "Granny Driver Award" with the slowest lap at 127.148 seconds and Matt received 2nd place overall, with Jock McNeill from Alliance Property Management taking 1st place!

Next year we're going to need to bring our 'A' game to defeat the champions......

Happy Holidays

2010-12-03T13:05:00.000-08:00

There is a lot happening this and next month! November was Birthday Month and the office is aflutter with all the holiday happenings coming up in December......

This year we have decided as a team that instead of getting each other gifts we will reach out to the community and get involved in spreading some holiday cheer! Many ideas came up—from gifts for the boys at St. Vincent’s School, gift packs for soldiers, to donating our time to serve the hungry in Marin. We have decided to Adopt-a-Family by donating necessary items like towels, clothing, food and gifts to a family in need. If you would like to make a donation to our cause please contact us at prandi@prandiprop.com so we can tell you how you can be a part of this wonderful cause.

We are also entering the coveted Sausalito Gingerbread House Competition & Tour hosted by the Sausalito Chamber of Commerce. We will be displaying our Gingerbread House for everyone to see in our Sausalito office window at 1201 Bridgeway, Suite I. We would like to take this time to cordially invite you to come visit us in our new satellite office and take a look at our confectionary delight! Please vote for us!!

Happy Holidays to Everyone!

--Cristy

P.S. Please note we will be closed December 24th and our office will have modified hours on December 23rd, closing at 3pm

22nd Annual NARPM Convention

2010-10-18T15:43:00.000-07:00

The latest convention was full of educating classes and informational training--but best of all was that this year the convention was held in beautiful Seattle, Washington and we had NO rain!!

So happy to have had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people from our organization who are commensurate professionals in their field, to have seen great Seattle sites, and to learn more about the industry--came back to the office energized and ready share what I've learned with everyone in the office!

I was able to squeeze out for a moment to see the spectacular views from the Space Needle and enjoy a fabulous dinner in Pike's Place with a colleague based in Santa Rosa from our local NARPM Chapter! Also attended a fabulous networking cruise on the bay....that was fun!

See our silly photo from the Space Needle here: http://photos.spaceneedle.com/Current/2010/10/13/141934-406639-905-H.jpg

The condition of the sales and rental markets were at the front of everyone's mind and we shared the economic forecast with speaker Jim Hebert. All in all, Hebert suggested the rental market picking up (especially for apartments and smaller homes) as well as the National forecast looking up in 2011. Good news!! Fun fact....NARPM members manage over $20 billion in residential rental properties nationwide (WOW)!

--Cristy

PRANDI Property Management Opens New Sausalito Office on Bridgeway

2010-09-21T10:30:00.000-07:00

Sausalito Office Press Release - For IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sausalito, CA – September 21, 2010 – PRANDI Property Management Opens New Sausalito Office on Bridgeway

PRANDI Property Management, Inc., CRMC is proud to announce the opening of a second office in Sausalito. The expansion increases PRANDI’s visibility in Southern Marin and allows the firm to be readily accessible to existing and new clients in the area.

The Sausalito office will act as support for PRANDI Signature Properties, PRANDI’s newest property division. This offering better serves the needs of our luxury property leasing and ongoing managed clients.

“With the economic downturn, we have noticed a large increase in the number of owners looking to lease their properties, especially in Southern Marin,” says Melissa Prandi, MPM, President of PRANDI Property Management, Inc., CRMC. “PRANDI Signature Properties combines the high quality approach that luxury properties require, with our extensive expertise and brand presence.”

Melissa Prandi has owned PRANDI Property Management for over 28 years and is actively involved in many community aspects of Marin County. Many of her staff members are also involved in giving back to our community through various organizations. Melissa has shared her vast amount of expertise by authoring two books; The Unofficial Guide to Managing Rental Property and The Idiot’s Guide to: Success as a Property Manager.

PRANDI Property Management, Inc., CRMC is one of only 33 companies nationwide to hold the prestigious designation of CRMC (Certified Residential Management Company). In addition, several staff members hold personal designations such as Master Property Manager (MPM), Residential Management Professional (RMP) and Certified Support Staff (CSS). The PRANDI team remains active in several industry related associations maintaining a constant flow of continued education to better serve their clientele. PRANDI Property Management is also the proud recipient of the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce 2010 Small Business of the Year award. The PRANDI team is excited to continue serving and building their client base in their new Sausalito location!

Contact:
Melissa Prandi, MPM, President
PRANDI Property Management, Inc., CRMC
(415) 482-9988
www.prandiprop.com

NARPM Chapter Meeting -- Communicate or Crash

2010-03-01T10:50:00.000-08:00

Three staff members recently attended the monthly Marin Sonoma NARPM Chapter Meeting entitled “Communicate or Crash,” in Petaluma. We had two fabulous guest speakers, Carolyn Rosenblatt and Dr. Mikol Davis. Carolyn, a Registered Nurse and an Attorney, has 40 years of combined experience in her two professions. She has worked in mediation and conflict resolution, and specializes in real estate conflicts. Dr. Davis is a family conflict specialist and often supports Carolyn in understanding the underlying issues to many conflicts.

The pair presented interesting ways to solve conflicts and how to prevent conflicts with owners, tenants, and vendors, as well as some interesting facts about mediation.

--80-85% of conflicts are resolved with mediation, before they go to litigation or further legal actions

--Mediation services are confidential & always voluntary. There are even community groups that offer free mediation services in Marin and Sonoma counties.

--Oftentimes people use minimization is a defense mechanism—Carolyn and Mikol explained that this often leads to more problems because the person with an issue feels that they are not being listened to and not being heard and acknowledged. Carolyn said instead of telling someone that their problem is not really a big issue, that one should first acknowledge the problem and work to a mutual solution before it escalates into a conflict.

--Carolyn offered tangible ways to help communicate with our clientele better. Instead of using minimization tactics, one should say “I realize/sense/understand that you are upset,” and then follow up saying, “What can I do to help resolve this problem (or what can I do to help communicate this problem to someone who can help us resolve this issue).”

--Disputes happen because people are not acting as good listeners; instead they are listening to their internal dialogues (their internal problems, tasks, distractions, etc.). To really listen you need to stop and understand what the person is saying with no interruptions or interjections in their dialogue. Then you must think about what they say before responding. This will help both parties understand the issue.

--Interrupting each others conversations is a way that blocks good communication, so if this happens you must slow down, take a deep breath, and say to the other person, “why don’t I let you speak first without interruptions, and then I will speak and you can listen to what I am trying to say?” This will help each person regain focus and present their side, while alleviating stress and anxiety from the conversation.

--An important aspect to mediation is that both parties suggest a remedy to their issues; a mediator cannot suggest an alternative remedy. This has to come from the parties involved to be the best solution for all involved.

PRANDI Maintenance: Letting tenants know how to have items repaired through their landlord

2010-02-12T15:33:00.000-08:00

With any maintenance issues that come to your attention this winter/ spring, or during any season for that matter, it’s always important to report it to your property manager! You might as well ask, just in case, instead of risking it! In fact, fixing a smaller problem now can easily prevent major problems that may arise later. When you ask for your issue to be resolved, please make sure it is properly the responsibility of the landlord to fix; if it is something that has been caused by normal wear and tear, no problem, we’re on it – but if it is something you have done to the home yourself, while you should still call in your request, be forewarned that you may be required to pay for all/ or some of the repairs out of pocket.
Whenever a maintenance request arises, be sure to inform PRANDI (or your landlord, if there is no property management company involved) what the issue is, and to ask for it to be repaired. Please note: PRANDI recommends having ALL maintenance requests in writing. PRANDI work orders can easily be submitted online (www.prandiprop.com) – under the Tenant Section, there is an area to type in your Work Order Maintenance Request. Depending on the urgency of the issue, there will be a time frame set up with you so you know, approximately, when we will be at your property to fix the matter. If it’s something like a clogged sink, you’ll want to call/ email your maintenance department immediately to have it taken care of before it turns into an even larger problem. Something that may not be as urgent may be put a little farther down on PRANDI’s TO-DO list if other tenants are calling/ emailing in with more pressing matters, but it WILL be taken care of nonetheless. No matter the urgency, your maintenance issues ARE important to us, and we will try to get them taken care of as soon as possible!
Please remember that sometimes maintenance workers will need to enter your property. If you give written permission for this to happen, more often than not, your request can move forward quickly. Often times our maintenance crews work the same hours you may, so sometimes they will have to enter without you in the home (especially if it’s an urgent matter that needs to be dealt with immediately) and in which case, they will need your approval to enter your home without you there. If you want to be present at the time of their entrance, be sure to be patient, as it is sometimes difficult to find a time that will work for everyone involved.
The same is true, that sometimes patience is needed to connect you with your property manager when making your maintenance request in the first place. If your landlord, or manager, has not responded to your email, phone call, or other similar message be sure to try again. Sometimes they get caught up in the other emergencies or pressing matters at hand, but they most likely did not forget about you. If, when enough time has passed, your issue has not be taken care of, just give another friendly reminder call to your landlord or management company and let them know you’re still waiting.
If there has been a misunderstanding and you feel that the property managers/ landlords have not responded well to your request, please DO NOT withhold your rent until they respond to you, or you could face an eviction notice. Be sure to ALWAYS pay your rent in a timely manner. Whenever anyone withholds rent, for any reason at all, it is always a nightmare when it comes to balancing the accounting books! Sometimes in smaller maintenance requests (and ONLY when your management company or landlord gives the OK beforehand), it does work to have a pre-arranged agreement that you may purchase some item yourself and be reimbursed for it. Once again, DO NOT take the money out of your rent. It is much easier to pay your rent in full, turn in copies of your receipts from the transaction, and have those reimbursed SEPARATELY. Once again, this is only sometimes the case, and is ALWAYS done ONLY with the pre-approval of the manager and owner of the property. So, make sure you don’t withhold any money of your rent!
Again, be sure to notify your landlord or your property managers of any maintenance issues you may face, preferably in writing. Sometimes the winter months bring out more issues, what with the wet weather and the natural effects of nature. So make sure you report any fallen limbs, leaks, or broken heaters (or ANY other maintenance issues) so we can make sure you’re warm, safe and sound in your rental home in these upcoming winter months!
Owners, if you don’t have a property manager to do it for you – be sure you clear all property drains and gutters before the leaves start clogging them, make sure the heater filters have been cleaned or replaced, and make sure your tenant knows how to reach you in case of an emergency!
PRANDI Property Management, Inc., CRMC recommends keeping all maintenance requests in writing – Be sure to visit http://prandiprop.com/?page=tenants_maintenance to see what our Maintenance Work Order page looks like!

Our Services

2010-01-28T13:15:00.000-08:00

Property Management is not just collecting the rents.

There are so many things that a Full Service Property Management Company does besides just collecting the rents.Here are just some of the things we in the world of property management do but believe me when I type that we do a lot more.

Rent collection
Provide/supervise maintenance
Payment of all bills/mortgages
Monthly computerized statements
Creative advertising/marketing vacancies
Thorough verification/credit screening
Assist/supervise resident managers
Retain legal services (at owner's cost)
Advise of competitive rental/lease rates
7 days a week and 24 hours a day emergency availability
Take care of tenant complaints
Annual Walk through

Property Management is not an easy job. It takes a lot of attention to detail, patience, continued education, keeping up with the laws and ordinances both locally, state wide and nationally.

Keeping up with Technology is also very important.

Property Management Companies should hire employees and not independent contractors and the owner of the Property Management company should be always thinking ahead, insist on all employees taking Fair Housing Training, workshops, getting designations in property management, keeping up with technology and laws individually as well as company wide.

Everyone should find their Niche. Mine has been property management for 27 years starting out as a receptionist and doing anything and everything to learn the business and 22 years ago purchasing the company from the owners at the time.

I have never been bored and each day is a "Never a dull moment day"

Signing off for now with my first official blog..............

- Melissa Prandi, MPM

Why Owners should hire a Property Management Company

2009-10-27T23:38:00.000-07:00

Why, you ask, should you hire a property management company? Well, we hope that some of what we say hits home for you, and if it’s a nice fit, be sure to check out a property manager in your area today!

There are many cases we come across… Some owners cannot sell their home and are losing money from their investment, some others may live out-of-state or out-of-country, some may have simply inherited a home and do not even know where to begin, or sometimes owners just don’t want to stress over how to find a qualified tenant with good credit and who will pay rent on time. In any of these cases, and so many more situations, a qualified property management company can help!

CANNOT SELL
If you’re trying to sell your home and it has been sitting on the market for days or MONTHS without a bite…at least by putting it up for rent and aiming to place a well-qualified tenant, you can generate income for your residential investment while you wait for a better selling-market. Perhaps this will merely be a good source of additional income for you, and you can sell it in the future when its price may generate the kind of sale one would have expected from an investment property in the first place.

OUT OF THE AREA
Our out of area owners may not have the time nor the expertise regarding all of the rental details, so proper property management is very important for our clients. Some of our owners are out of the area, some out of state, and even some live out of the country. We’re here, in town, and can keep a watchful eye on the property for you! Tenants will pay the rent directly to us, and call us in cases of an emergency. No more late night phone calls about a leaking toilet! That’s what we’re here for…24/7!

FIGURING OUT WHERE TO START
It can be overwhelming to try to rent out your home, and we’re here to help! As an expert in the field, this is our full-time job and we are happy to be of assistance. If you don’t even know where to begin or what price to put your property on the market for, why not hire someone who is professionally trained with the knowledge?! With so many changing laws, we’re here to guide those owners who don’t even know where to begin. Honestly, would you attempt to put a new roof on your house if you didn’t have the technical ability? The same goes for property management – and if you don’t know where to begin, please consider hiring a professional who can take care of the daily maintenance and upkeep of the property while suggesting work repairs when the tenants need help. If you are an owner who already knows where to start, please remember, before you place a tenant, the property needs to be in good condition. If you need ideas about how to do this, or vendors to call, you can also be sure to set up a consultation for us to come out and look at the property to give ideas of how to make the condition ready for move-in.

FINDING THE RIGHT TENANT
Some owners may ask, why would I hire a property management company when I can handle the day-to-day management all by myself? When you know the maintenance you already need, and you know the amount you want to rent your home for, you may still be stumped on how to find the perfect tenant for you! As property managers, we can help verify that the proper tenant we place will be qualified to live at your property. If you can handle the actual management of your home yourself but need help finding a resident, we have a Leasing Service that may just fit your needs! We would market and advertise for you in the places tenants tend to look the most, using our tools on Craigslist and our own website. We would meet the prospective tenants at the property to show them the unit. They wouldn’t only need to qualify based on what you, the owner, are looking for – but they would also need to qualify through our management company’s requirements too! We would diligently verify their income and credit history to better ensure that the tenant will pay their rent on time, while also calling their current and previous landlords to see what kind of residents they had been in the past. Once that was complete, we would also take care of the lease signing, as well as the initial collection of the security deposit and first month’s rent. So, even if you can handle everything else yourself, you may want to consider a company like ours who would help place a tenant for you!

These are just some of the reasons people decide to hire property management companies, and as with anything, each property management company you come across may differ. However, if you’re in Marin and think PRANDI might be right for you, please be sure to call our office to set up a consultation today. You don’t need to agree to anything at the moment, but maybe you just have some questions and want to make sure your ideas are heading in the right direction, and we can help there too.

Our company is constantly staying up-to-date with current laws, and while working closely with our real estate lawyer, we’re sure to do everything by the letter of the law. If you need legal action, or you are having a problem with a tenant not paying on-time, because we are so informed with the tenancy and landlord laws, if you hire us, we can make sure you get the property management you deserve!

Whether PRANDI works for you or not, be sure when looking into a company that may fit your needs, that you hire a well-qualified team to manage your property. While we, of course, recommend ourselves…the deciding factors may fall on the service prices charged for your property and how you and the management company work together. Be sure to chose a reliable company who has managed a similar property to yours before and who you know you can trust.

By having a reliable property agent, our owners can stay tension and worry free while getting some extra income for their investment real estate.

Check out our website today if you’re interested in learning more!
www.prandiprop.com

What is Property Management?

2009-09-16T16:05:00.000-07:00

What is Property Management?

Property Management is not just collecting the rents.

There are so many things that a Full Service Property Management Company does besides just collecting the rents.

Here are just some of the things we in the world of property management do but believe me when I type that we do a lot more.................
Rent collection

Provide/supervise maintenance
Payment of all bills/mortgages
Monthly computerized statements
Creative advertising/marketing vacancies
Thorough verification/credit screening
Assist/supervise resident managers
Retain legal services (at owner's cost)
Advise of competitive rental/lease rates
7 days a week and 24 hours a day emergency availability
Take care of tenant complaints
Annual Walk through
Property Management is not an easy job. It takes a lot of attention to detail, patience, continued education, keeping up with the laws and ordinances both locally, state wide and nationally.
Keeping up with Technology is also very important.
Property Management Companies should hire employees and not independent contractors and the owner of the Property Management company should be always thinking ahead, insist on all employees taking Fair Housing Training, workshops, getting designations in property management, keeping up with technology and laws individually as well as company wide.
Everyone should find their Niche. Mine has been property management for 27 years starting out as a receptionist and doing anything and everything to learn the business and 22 years ago purchasing the company from the owners at the time.
I have never been bored and each day is a "Never a dull moment day"
Signing off for now with my first official blog..............
Melissa Prandi, MPM
PRANDI Property Management, Inc. CRMC
Author of "The Unofficial Guide to Managing Rental Property"
email: prandiprop@aol.com
415 482-9988 ext. 203
http://www.prandiprop.com/

About Us

2009-09-10T11:05:00.000-07:00

PRANDI Property Management is centrally located in Marin County and locally owned. Established in 1978, we serve a growing need for professional property management that specializes in residential properties only.

We provide unlimited service to investment property owners. Our strengths are in real estate management, leasing, contract administration and accounting. PRANDI Property Management delivers prompt and reliable service to owners and other professionals who serve owners (e.g. accountants, attorneys, auditors, brokers, contractors, vendors, et al.).

We are constantly subscribing to, attending or teaching real estate seminars, national conventions, associations, and professional publications in order to stay up-to-date with the ever-changing legislation, liabilities, rules and regulations pertaining to property owners' and tenants' rights.

PRANDI Property Management is owned by Melissa Prandi, MPM who is a Marin County native. Melissa has over 27 years experience in residential property management. She is actively involved in the community and was voted the Corte Madera 1992 Business Citizen of the Year, as well as being the former President of the Corte Madera Chamber of Commerce. Melissa is the daughter of the late Charles T. Prandi, the retired Sheriff of Marin County. It is because of Melissa's honesty, integrity, knowledge and enthusiasm, along with her simple philosophy to "minimize expenses and maximize profits" that has made us a prudent, successful and trusted company.

We provide the following services for residential property owners:

Monthly Management Service
One-Time Rental/ Leasing Service
Consultation

To determine which service is right for you, please read the detailed description of our three services on our website: www.prandiprop.com. You can also find out more about our company there!