Property Management Brainstorm

As landlords and property managers, have you ever experienced the dreaded “blackout” at your rental property when the tenant utility transfer was not handled properly? This is when you arrive to move your tenant into the home and guess what ... no power!  Even worse is getting a bill a month later and discovering that the transfer never happened and you’re now being billed for tenant’s utility usage. On this episode of Property Management Brainstorm, Bob discusses the process of setting up utilities for a tenant of your rental home and making sure it happens right every time. His guest is Peter Hernandez of Citizen Home Solutions. Peter explains their concierge service for reaching out to tenants and working with with them on the phone to get all utilities established. Topics Covered[2:30] Peter Hernandez introduces himself and describes the services provided by Citizen Home Solutions.[5:50] What is "concierge utility service"?.[8:25] The tenant experience when setting up utilities through Citizen Home Solutions.[11:45] Matching the tenant with the right utility services in their geographic area. [15:30] What happens when the utility provider requires an application, deposit, or in person visit?.[23:50] Benefits of the Citizen Home Solutions service to the property management company and landlord.[28:30]  What is required from the property manager or landlord to get the process started for the tenant?[32:30] Peter shares the story of the Property Management Health group on Facebook and what it has done for his own personal health.Connect with Citizen Home SolutionsCitizen Home Solutions Website - If you connect with them, tell them you were referred by Property Management Brainstorm!Connect with BobNorth County Property GroupResources MentionedFree eBook: Bob Preston’s eBook, Best Practices for Renting Your Home, is offered as a free download on the North County Property Group website, find it here as a free download! https://www.ncpropertygroup.com/ebookThis episode is always available for listening, sharing, or download at Property Management Brainstorm. Subscribe to Property Management Brainstorm on Apple Podcasts, Connect with Bob Prestonhttps://www.propertymanagementbrainstorm.com/This episode is always available for listening, sharing, or download at Property Management Brainstorm. Subscribe to Property Management Brainstorm on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio and YouTube.

We are starting to see them everywhere, “smart devices" installed for home automation. These devices might include thermostats, doorbells, home security cameras, lighting, appliance monitoring and more. Homes are becoming more efficient, secure and convenient. So is it something that makes sense for your rental homes as property manager or landlord?  On this Five Minute Friday, Bob discusses the factors that should be considered, including benefits and drawbacks, before installing smart devices in your home. Some tenants, for example, may love the idea of living in a smart home. Others may find it too “big brother” like if they think the landlord is eavesdropping or monitoring their lifestyle. Which is right for your rental home or property management company?  It is a great topic to get on the table, so here we go, have a listen.Here also is the link to a great episode about home automation, featuring Sean Miller of Point Central, definitely worth listening to this episode too:  Episode 27: Gaining Efficiencies Through Property Automation, Featuring Sean Miller of PointCentralTGIF, keep the faith, and we will catch you next Friday!This episode is always available for listening, sharing, or download at Property Management Brainstorm. Subscribe to Property Management Brainstorm on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, TunedIn, iHeart Radio and YouTube. Connect with Bob Prestonhttps://www.propertymanagementbrainstorm.com/This episode is always available for listening, sharing, or download at Property Management Brainstorm. Subscribe to Property Management Brainstorm on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio and YouTube.

In FMF #36, Bob speaks to the importance of open communication as a landlord and property manager. This is true with all of our stakeholders: tenants, maintenance vendors, and property owners. One question Bob hears a lot from new San Diego Property Management prospective clients is: Will you keep me informed throughout the rental listing process?  You see, they want to know what is going on!  We’ve heard a lot of stories of property management companies taking on new clients, never to be heard from again unless the client reaches out and makes a connection.Bob explains that at North County Property Group, they believe this is completely unacceptable and one of the reasons they provide an exclusive and value added service to  property owners called the Listing Tracker Dashboard! On a weekly basis, North County Property Group sends a Listing Tracker report to each of their clients with a rental listing that is currently active, vacant and listed with the company. This graphical report provides their clients with insights into the overall interest level in the property from a market perspective: number of leads received, how many of those inquires have had contact with our team, the number of showings which were scheduled, rental applications received, etc. It might be worth considering launching something like Listing Tracker at your property management company!TGIF, keep the faith, and we will catch you next Friday!This episode is always available for listening, sharing, or download at Property Management Brainstorm. Subscribe to Property Management Brainstorm on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, TunedIn, iHeart Radio and YouTube. Connect with Bob Prestonhttps://www.propertymanagementbrainstorm.com/This episode is always available for listening, sharing, or download at Property Management Brainstorm. Subscribe to Property Management Brainstorm on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio and YouTube.

On this episode of Property Management Brainstorm, the focus is what it takes to build and grow a property management business from the ground up AND the importance of the support provided by our National Association of Residential Property Managers, otherwise known as NARPM (N-A-R-P-M). Bob Preston discusses these topics with his guest, Kellie Tollifson, owner of T-Square Properties in King and Snohomish Counties of Washington State, which she has grown from the ground up. Kellie is also the national president of NARPM so brings a terrific perspective to both discussion topics. Topics Covered[2:25] Kellie Tollifson describes her journey in building her property management business.[6:10] Hurdles and challenges Kellie experienced along the way in her career.[8:40:] Guiding principles as an essential fabric in building a property management company.[14:28] About NARPM and why it is a tremendous resource from property managers. [22:45] Why networking opportunities available through NARPM as so important to the property management industry.[30:08]  The importance of local and state chapters within the NARPM structure.[36:42] Plans for the 2020 National NARPM Conference and Tradeshow, October 19–22, 2020, Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, FL.[39:00] PM Leadership XChange, a virtual event planned for August 24 - 25, 2020, co-sponsored/hosted by Second Nature, NARPM, and Rent Bridge.[42:15] Kellie shares personal story about overcoming some of her fears on her career journey by challenging herself with a tandem skydive jump out of a plane.Connect with Kellie at T-Square PropertiesT-Square WebsiteConnect with Kellie at NARPMhttps://www.narpm.org/Learn More about PM Leadership XChange, August 24 - 25, 2020An experiential leadership event featuring exciting new speakers!HOSTED by SECOND NATURE, NARPM, and RENT BRIDGEhttps://www.pm-xchange.com/Connect with BobNorth County Property GroupThis episode is always available for listening, sharing, or download at Property Management Brainstorm. Subscribe to Property Management Brainstorm on Apple Podcasts, GConnect with Bob Prestonhttps://www.propertymanagementbrainstorm.com/This episode is always available for listening, sharing, or download at Property Management Brainstorm. Subscribe to Property Management Brainstorm on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio and YouTube.

In this week's FMF, Bob discusses one of the challenges he had in the early days of his company with the delegation of authority … the process of transferring responsibility for a task to another employee. When working in a small company, finding the time to properly offload an aspect of the business to another person, and more importantly trusting that aspect to another person can sometimes be nerve wracking! There are many excuses for it, like: “It takes too long to train them. It’s quicker to just do it myself.” As the company has grown over the 20 years of it's history, Bob has grown personally too in becoming a better delegator. Simply put, without delegation you will never be able to make the organization possible. Bob further explains what he has learned about delegation through the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) which he has adopted at North County Property Group. Here are the simple steps:Make a list of all the things you do with your time, tasks if you will Put each of those tasks in one of four quadrants: Love to do it / Great at itLike to do it / Good at itDon’t like it / but Good at itDon’t like it / Not Good at itNow look at the last two quadrants and delegate those things you don’t like and aren’t good at If you follow this simple exercise, once per calendar quarter, you will allow you yourself as a leader to have the energy for all of those things you are great at and love to do. And there is a bonus .... productivity will go up throughout the entire company, you will have a better culture, and you will no longer be a bottleneck. TGIF, keep the faith, and we will catch you next Friday!This episode is always available for listening, sharing, or download at Property Management Brainstorm. Subscribe to Property Management Brainstorm on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, TunedIn, Connect with Bob Prestonhttps://www.propertymanagementbrainstorm.com/This episode is always available for listening, sharing, or download at Property Management Brainstorm. Subscribe to Property Management Brainstorm on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio and YouTube.

Built to Last. These are three simple words that communicate a powerful punch. It is actually the name of a a book written by James Collins and Jerry Porras in 1994. Bob explains how he was given the book 25 years ago by his boss at the time, Bill Krause, who had been an executive at HP and was the CEO of the start up where Bob was working in Silicon Valley. Bob still has the book to this day and the words “Built to Last” still resonate with he applies them to his property management business.In this episode of Five Minute Friday, Bob describes his journey of jumping off the Silicon Valley treadmill as the Chief Marketing Officer of a public company to return to San Diego to be closer to his family and forming his property management company, North County Property Group. The core principles from "Built to Last" are still being used by Bob today as he has grown his business from a strong foundation of core values he learned 25 years ago in Silicon Valley. Connect with Bob Prestonhttps://www.propertymanagementbrainstorm.com/This episode is always available for listening, sharing, or download at Property Management Brainstorm. Subscribe to Property Management Brainstorm on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio and YouTube.

On this episode of Property Management Brainstorm, Bob discusses home wellness as an essential part of healthy living with Andrew Smallwood, Director of Sales at Second Nature. One aspect of home wellness and healthy living is regularly changing filters on heating and air systems (HVAC) for improved air quality within a rental home. Second Nature, provides an easy and automatic way to get the right air filters for your rental properties and to get the air filters changed on time, every time. Doing so can be especially important for property managers and landlords in keeping the HVAC systems in rental properties well maintained.Topics Covered[2:15] Andrew Smallwood introduces himself and what he does for Second Nature.[4:10] Finding and changing air filters - why can this be a hassle for property managers and landlords?[9:25] Is there a regional aspect to the frequency and need for changing air filters?[13:45] Why is air quality in a home so important and what are the pollutants that we may breath in within a home? [16:05] Does air filtration help indoor air quality relative to protection against COVID – 19?[19:10]  Are there home automation aspects through smart home devices pertaining to HVAC air filters?[23:10] How does a property management company implement an air filter program with Second Nature?[24:40] Andrew shares information about the upcoming PM Leadership XChange, a virtual event planned for August 24 - 25, 2020, co-sponsored/hosted by Second Nature, NARPM, and Rent Bridge.[29:50] Andrew tells a cool personal story about radical generosity.Connect with Second NatureSecond Nature WebsiteLearn More about PM Leadership XChange, August 24 - 25, 2020An experiential leadership event featuring exciting new speakers!HOSTED by SECOND NATURE, NARPM, and RENT BRIDGEhttps://www.pm-xchange.com/Connect with BobNorth County Property GroupThis episode is always available for listening, sharing, or download at Property Management Brainstorm. Subscribe to Property Management Brainstorm on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Connect with Bob Prestonhttps://www.propertymanagementbrainstorm.com/This episode is always available for listening, sharing, or download at Property Management Brainstorm. Subscribe to Property Management Brainstorm on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio and YouTube.

On this week's FMF, Bob shares some fun news about his personal involvement in the industry association, the National Association of Residential Property Managers, also referred to as NARPM. Bob has taken office as President of the California State Chapter of NARPM, known as CALNARPM, for the 2020-2021 term.  Bob shares his thoughts about CalNARPM, the other people involved on the leadership team, and the CALNARPM State Conference and Tradeshow scheduled for March 31 - April 2, 2021.The CALNARPM Leadership Team for 2020 - 2021:Bob Preston, President, North County Property Group (ncpropertygroup.com)Bob Davie, Treasurer, San Diego Residential Property Management (sandiegorpm.com)Donna Gary, Secretary, Progressive Property Management Service (ppmdavis.com)Mark Scott, Past President, Encore Realty (encorerealtysd.com)Anne Lackey, Affiliates Director, Hiresmart Virtual Employees (hiresmartvirtualemployees.com)Ally Kubarych, Communications Committee Chair (ncpropertygroup.com)Call for Nominations is Still Open!CALNARPM is still looking for some great California Property Managers to help round out our board and leadership team. If you feel a calling to get involved at the state level, email to CalNARPM at info@narpmcalifornia.org. Specifically, we are taking nominations (self nomination is OK) for these volunteer positions:Conference Committee ChairEducation/Speaker Committee ChairPresident Elect for next year’s termWe need the involvement of some great California property managers, could that be you?  CALNARPM State Conference and Trade Show, March 31-April 2, 2021Each year, 200+ California property management professionals join our annual conference and trade show to learn best practices, legislative updates, and connect with vendors offering unique solutions within the property management industry. While we are hoping for a live and in-person event, we are of course monitoring what is going on with the COVID-19 pandemic and considering the possibility of a virtual event.  Either way, there WILL BE a California State Conference for NARPM. For more information: https://narpmcalifornia.org/conference/If you are not located in California, there are local and regional NARPM cConnect with Bob Prestonhttps://www.propertymanagementbrainstorm.com/This episode is always available for listening, sharing, or download at Property Management Brainstorm. Subscribe to Property Management Brainstorm on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio and YouTube.

Hello Brainstormers!  Wishing you all a very happy and safe 4th of July holiday. I'm taking a pause in broadcasting for a month or so while I'm on vacation during the first half of July.  Property Management Brainstorm full episodes and Five Minute Fridays will back be back on the air with great content again as of early August, 2020. Thank you so much for subscribing, listening and supporting Property Management Brainstorm!  We will catch you soon in early August!Bob Preston, podcast host.Connect with Bob Prestonhttps://www.propertymanagementbrainstorm.com/This episode is always available for listening, sharing, or download at Property Management Brainstorm. Subscribe to Property Management Brainstorm on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio and YouTube.

In this episode 31 of Five Minute Friday, Bob shares with his listeners one of the most common questions he gets from prospective clients: are we locked into a long-term property management contract? The answer is and has been, for the 20-year history of his company, an emphatic "no".  Bob calls this his Satisfaction Guarantee. If for whatever reason a client is not satisfied, they can discontinue North County Property Group's services at any time on 30-day notice. Bob further explains that from his perspective, life is too short to be in business relationships with people who are angry or disatisfied. Besides, it rarely happens that an owner wants to cancel and it is a competive advantage when bringing on new clients, especially when the property owner is coming from another property management company he has already fired. This cancellation policy holds Bob and his staff to what he calls an "SLA", or service level agreement to keep owners and tenants happy. Connect with Bob North County Property GroupThis episode is always available for listening, sharing, or download at Property Management Brainstorm. Subscribe to Property Management Brainstorm on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, TunedIn, iHeart Radio and YouTube. Connect with Bob Prestonhttps://www.propertymanagementbrainstorm.com/This episode is always available for listening, sharing, or download at Property Management Brainstorm. Subscribe to Property Management Brainstorm on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio and YouTube.