Why Should You Use a Professional Property Manager?

There is lots of work that goes into running an effective HOA, and much of it is done by volunteers. It can be a lot for volunteers to deal with, so hiring a professional management company can really be a positive asset. The role of property management companies in HOAs is to provide necessary support and help ensure the community is well-managed and enjoyed by all.

Some HOAs choose to self-manage, but many have turned to property management companies upon realizing how much they can benefit from this partnership. It can be well worth the investment if you do your research and find a reputable company that can meet your needs. 

Here are just a few benefits of working with a professional property manager:

Knowledge. Many boards lack experience when it comes to finance and record keeping. Professional managers have a wealth of knowledge regarding HOA management and all of the requirements that go along with it. They can connect the HOA with training and guidance to improve their knowledge and skills, while also handling many administrative tasks.

Added Resources. Property management companies work with a variety of clients with different needs. They have built connections in the community and can recommend contractors for landscaping, pest control, construction, repairs and more. This can save the HOA time and allow the board to contact several reputable companies for bids instead of having to search through dozens of listings on its own.

Clarity and Consistency. HOAs run more smoothly when rules and regulations are clear, concise, and consistently enforced. A property manager can review documents to ensure they align with the law and help to correct any inconsistencies, confusion, or potential violations. Homeowners can have peace of mind knowing that rules will be enforced fairly across the community and problems will be addressed in a timely manner.

Support. Property managers can take on many of the day-to-day responsibilities of running an HOA and free up board members to focus on more important issues. This can  allow decisions to made more quickly and efficiently since more time can be devoted to planning and discussion.

Guidance. Board members are volunteers, and many do not have previous experience running an HOA. Even if they have sat on the board for a few years, there are always new issues that arise that they may not be sure how to handle. A property manager can provide guidance on resolving problems, making clearly defined rules and regulations, and executing decisions and projects.

If your HOA could use additional support and guidance to help boost its operations, communications, and relationships with homeowners, contact Premier Property Management Services, LLC today. Discover the benefits of a strong partnership with a high-quality, professional property management company.

Tips for Preparing Your Condo to Sell

In today’s buyers market, it is more important than ever to make your condo unit more attractive to potential buyers – it’s very important to present it at its best!

Here are a few no and low cost things you can do to make your condo more appealing to potential buyers. Some are DIY projects and others require the help of a professional. Either way, these upgrades can help you get top dollar for your condo unit.
 
De-clutter and De-personalize: This is probably the easiest, most effective change you can make. When it comes to showing your condo, less is more. Put away gadgets, small appliances, knickknacks, personal photographs and religious items. Keep in mind that you want the buyer to remember the condo unit, not your “stuff”!
 
Clean It Up: Dust, vacuum, clean the glass, wash the floors and counter-tops. People cannot envision themselves living in a dirty home.
 
Upgrade Hardware: Changing the cabinet hardware is a simple and cost effective way to give a new, modern look to an old cupboard door.
 
Upgrade Light Fixtures: Replace old, outdated light fixtures and switch/outlet cover plates. Make sure there are no burned out bulbs.
 
Paint: Freshen the interior of your condo unit with a new coat of paint. Use neutral colors (white, gray, beige) to make the space appear larger than it is and allow the buyer to envision their own furniture in the space.
 
Upgrade Flooring: Replace worn or stained carpet with a neutral berber style. Cracked linoleum can be replaced with vinyl tiles or laminate.
 
Kitchens: If it’s not in your budget to renovate the whole kitchen, consider replacing old appliances with stainless steel. Stainless steel appliances are sleek and will give your home that modern touch. Cabinet refacing or even painting can also bring new life into an old kitchen. A new laminate counter-top is also an inexpensive way to freshen up the kitchen.

Baths: Update the vanity cabinet and replace old fixtures. Make sure mirrors and glass doors are spotless. Clean grout and or ever consider painting outdated colored grout with a more modern, neutral color.

Your potential buyers only get a few minutes in your home, make them count!

Spring Project Spotlight - Hamlin Court Parking Lot Cleanup

Hamlin Court is a 28 unit condominium complex located in downtown Middletown. The building was the former Central School, converted to condominiums in the 1980s. It's a very unique property, with several different unit types and sizes.

In addition to the main resident parking lot, there is a small overflow lot down the block from the building. It wasn't clearly marked, so there were unauthorized cars, vandalism to the signs, overgrown weeds and litter. As you can see from these photos, the lots looked abandoned.

With the help of one of the Board members with graphic design experience, we were able to create a new sign made of a durable PVC material. The association's landscape contractor cleaned up the weeds and litter, and then our maintenance team installed the new signage. 

 When a driver goes to pull into the lot, they now see this sign directly in front of them:

 

If they still aren't sure if the lot is for public parking, we also installed these standard signs at each end of the lot:

We're hoping that these changes will make this space look less like an abandoned lot and more like an extension of the complex.

Do you need a management company that cares about your property as much as you do? Contact Premier Property Management Services, LLC today! (877) 208-4570 or visit our website.

The Importance of Having Trees on Your Property

Studies have shown that residences with trees in the area can increase home values from 10% to 15% depending on the location. A study in Portland, Oregon showed increased values between $1,688 and $19,958. See the article HERE.

Benefits of trees include (other than the obvious aesthetic enhancements):

• Improve air quality
• Sequester carbon by absorbing carbon dioxide
• Increase oxygen in the air through photosynthesis
•  Reduce storm water runoff and erosion by absorbing water through the root system and deflecting rain as it falls to the ground
• Trees cool the air through transpiration which is the releasing of water vapors through the leaves during hot weather
• Provide shade that cools buildings and saves cooling utility expenses, especially from shade trees planted on the southern and western sides of buildings
• Deciduous trees (those that lose their leaves each fall) provide both heating and cooling attributes because they provide shade in the summer but after they drop their leaves they allow sun light penetration onto buildings in the winter which helps in warming and reducing heating expenses
• Well placed evergreen trees act as wind breaks which also can help reduce heating costs
• Trees can help shade and protect pavements and other hardscapes from the degrading effects of the sun, which can help reduce replacement and maintenance costs
• Trees can block unwanted views
•  Recent studies have shown stress reduction, shorter healing times for people, and improved behavior in children from settings with trees

These are the positives of having trees on property, but it’s also important to maintain them properly in order to maintain their health and beauty. Risk management is also very important, as trees and branches can fail and drop to the ground causing damage to property or people – but these issues can be managed through a proper tree management program of regular tree evaluation, pruning, cabling, fertilization and pest control. A licensed arborist can help make sure the trees on your property and healthy and safe.

Questions? Contact Premier Property Management at (877) 208-4570 or visit our website.

Source: James Dean, CT Licensed Arborist, White Oak Tree & Landscape

Your New Home is Waiting for You!

At Premier Property Management, we offer more than more than management services. We can also help get you into a fabulous new apartment!

Why risk losing your money to an online scam when you can trust our professionals to help you find the apartment of your dreams at the price you can live with?

Here are some of the properties we currently have available:

Hartford

404 Hillside Avenue – 2 Bedroom (3^rd Floor): Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, Bath. New paint, new floors/carpet. Washing machine hook-up, no dryer. Street parking only. Tenant pays utilities (Gas & Electric) $800 per month.

East Hartford

133 Prospect Street – 1 Bedroom (2^nd Floor): Living Room, Kitchen, Bath. New paint, Washing machine and dryer in basement. Off Street parking. Heat & hot water included. $800 per month.

133 Prospect Street – 2 Bedroom (2^nd Floor): Living Room, Kitchen, Bath. New paint, Washing machine and dryer in basement. Off Street parking. Heat & hot water included. $900 per month.

New Britain

84 Belden Street – 3 Bedroom (3^rd Floor): Living Room, Kitchen, Bath. New paint, new floors/carpet. No washing machine hook-up, no dryer. Off street parking. Tenant pays utilities (Gas & Electric) $900 per month.

Bristol

403 West Street – 2 Bedroom (1^st Floor): Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, Bath. New paint. No washing machine hook-up, no dryer. Off street parking. Tenant pays utilities (Oil & Electric) $800 per month.

403 West Street – 2 Bedroom (2^nd Floor): Living Room, Kitchen, Bath. New paint. No washing machine hook-up, no dryer. Off street parking. Tenant pays utilities (Electric Heat) $700 per month.

403 West Street – 1 Bedroom (2^nd Floor): Living Room, Kitchen, Bath. New paint, New Carpet. No washing machine hook-up, no dryer. Off street parking. Tenant pays utilities (Electric Heat) $500 per month.

Give us a call at (877)  741-3317 or visit us online to learn more about leasing with us!

Save on Energy Costs with Home Energy Audits

Premier Property Management Services, LLC is excited to announce that we are partnering with Santa Energy Corporation to offer our Connecticut properties Home Energy Audits.

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 50% of the country’s energy consumption is used for home heating and cooling. With that said, it’s no wonder why homeowners are constantly seeking to improve their energy efficiency and cut their monthly utility bills.

One of the best ways to improve energy efficiency is through a Home Energy Audit. During a Home Energy Audit, a certified professional will thoroughly inspect your home and conduct a series of tests to determine areas where energy is being wasted. In addition to improving efficiency, an energy audit can also help detect safety hazards in your home such as high levels of carbon monoxide or improper electrical wiring.

Upgrades recommended through Home Energy Audits can help consumers save up to 30% on their monthly energy bills. In addition to the monthly savings, these upgrades can also increase the resale value of your home; plus most of them are eligible for government cash rebates. 

Recently we worked with Santa Energy at one of our properties to see how we could help owners save money on utility bills. The auditors from Santa Energy came in and inspected the buildings. With their help, each unit owner received brand new, energy efficient windows and complete winterization. The project cost was estimated to be upwards of $300k, but the cost to the Association was $0!  

To schedule a Home Energy Audit for your property please contact Premier Property Management Services at (877) 208-4570. You can also visit our website at www.ppmgmtonline.com

To learn more about Home Energy Energy Audits, check out at this infographic provided by the Department of Energy (click HERE to see the graphic larger):

Welcome to Premier Property Management Services, LLC!

Our mission is to provide residents with the highest level of the home living experience. As the main contact with your residents, whether over the phone, in person or email, it is important for their management company to feel like home as well. Taking a couple minutes to talk with them to ask them how their day is going just might make their day better. And, as the stewards of their community, it is our goal to let them know that we care. That is just what Premier Property management is all about.

Besides maximizing your residents' living experience, our goal is to ultimately develop your association into a well-run organization that is forward thinking, always improving with time, and securing property values well into the future. Our professionals are always focused on providing financially responsible management and the highest standards of governance. We strongly believe in controlling costs all while continuing to make improvements, and in making wise decisions so as to benefit the entire community.

We have a company-wide commitment amongst our professionals to supply our staff with the tools and advice necessary for them to make the right decisions for our clients.

We believe in our mission and in our role of making our clients home a better place to live. Find out today about our easy transition process and how you can get Premier Property Management to work for you.

Call (877) 208-4570 or visit us online at www.ppmgmtonline.com