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 Property Management, Inc., CRMC -- Whether you own a single-family home, condominium, townhome or an apartment, you can turn to PRANDI for over 29 years of pairing quality tenants with quality homes. The only Certified Residential Leasing & Management Company in the Bay Area. Local. Focused. Qualified. PRANDI...experience you can trust. Please visit us online at www.prandiprop.com. You can also call us at (415) 482-9988, or visit our office at 1321 Third Street in San Rafael, CA.
Showing posts with label owners. Show all posts
Showing posts with label owners. Show all posts
March 1, 2010
February 12, 2010
PRANDI Maintenance: Letting tenants know how to have items repaired through their landlord
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!
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!
January 28, 2010
Our Services
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
October 27, 2009
Why Owners should hire a Property Management Company
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.
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!
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.
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!
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
www.prandiprop.com
September 16, 2009
What is Property Management?
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/
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/
September 10, 2009
About Us
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:
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!
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