The Budget Season Blues (Continued…Third & Final Segment)

The third and final installment of our exhilarating series on the "B" word...That's budget for you non-real estate people. This is...The Budget Season Blues, Part IIIA much longer excerpt in honor of HalloweenTrapped at Your Desk? Think “Budget Season, Budget Season, Budget Season!”By: Nicholas A. Dunlap, CPM Saving Money is Making Money Next up: accurate budgeting of personnel and … Continue reading The Budget Season Blues (Continued…Third & Final Segment) →

You Catch More Flies With Honey Than Vinegar

You Catch More Flies With Honey Than VinegarBy: Nicholas A. DunlapFrom an occupancy perspective, Property Management is no different than any other business in that a manager's success depends on their ability to effectively troubleshoot problems and keep their customers (tenants/residents) happy. Happy residents who feel cared for and respected will generally want to remain … Continue reading You Catch More Flies With Honey Than Vinegar →

Who Needs a Property Manager, Anyway?

Who Needs a Property Manager, Anyway? By: Nicholas A. Dunlap, CPM In meeting property owners, one of the questions I often encounter from individuals who operate or manage their own rentals is: why do I need a property manager? While I cannot speak for all property managers, I usually start by saying that professional management … Continue reading Who Needs a Property Manager, Anyway? →

Three Steps to Successful Advertising

Three Steps to Successful AdvertisingBy: Nicholas A. Dunlap, CPMLast month I was featured as a panelist at the Apartment Association of Orange County’s informational luncheon covering a topic I am quite familiar with: internet advertising. While advertising on the internet is a relatively simple task, it is difficult to do correctly. In fact, many people … Continue reading Three Steps to Successful Advertising →

Business Practices That Amaze (and not in a good way), Part I

Business Practices That Amaze (and not in a good way), Part IBy: Nicholas A. Dunlap, CPMThis week’s “it amazes me that people like this are in business” thought came to me while reading an article published in Realtor Magazine. The article referred to or suggested that in the years 2002-2008, otherwise known as an economic … Continue reading Business Practices That Amaze (and not in a good way), Part I →

Avoid the Summertime Vacancy Blues

Avoid the Summertime Vacancy Blues By: Nicholas A. Dunlap, CPM Graduation time, kids are out of school, family vacations and three day weekends are here, you guessed it, summertime is upon us. Even the best apartment communities experience turnover in the summertime. Follow these 3 secrets to make sure you fill your vacancies before Independence … Continue reading Avoid the Summertime Vacancy Blues →

Building Your E-Curb Appeal

Building Your E-Curb Appeal By: Nicholas A. Dunlap, CPMThe apartment industry has become increasingly reliant on technology. With owners accessing financial information and records from abroad, managers logging details on property inspections and operation from the field and residents scouring the web for move-in specials on their I-Phone and Blackberry devices, it’s safe to say … Continue reading Building Your E-Curb Appeal →

3 Steps to Better Resident Screening

3 Steps to Better Resident Screening By: Nicholas A. Dunlap, CPM As a landlord, there are few things worse than preparing a unit for rent, marketing it and ultimately renting it to what turns out to be a problem tenant. However, thanks in part to technology and comprehensive criminal record, credit bureau and other such … Continue reading 3 Steps to Better Resident Screening →

April 22nd: Judgement Day?

April 22nd: Judgement Day?By: Nicholas A. Dunlap, CPM This week in California there were over 131 arrests made of contractors who are accused of operating without the appropriate licenses for their trade. The arrests were made in conjunction with Contractors State Licensing Board investigators who suspected that these individuals had either been using someone else’s … Continue reading April 22nd: Judgement Day? →

The Lights Are On, But Nobody’s Home

The Lights Are On, But Nobody’s HomeBy: Nicholas A. Dunlap, CPMSkyline Towers, the beautiful twin set of 25 story, high rise apartment homes located just off of the 55 freeway at Macarthur is now open and available for rent. Acquired earlier in March by Essex Property Trust in a JV effort, the firm purchased the … Continue reading The Lights Are On, But Nobody’s Home →