December 2010: Planning for the New Year

As another year ends, many people take time to reflect on the past year. Generally, this leads to setting goals and making resolutions for the New Year. Our company is busy reviewing 2010 and planning on how we can improve our property management services to you, our clients. Here are some of our key property management goals and resolutions for 2011.

Continue Our Education - we start with continued education because it shapes and influences all our goals and resolutions. When we continue to learn more about the many complex facets of managing rental property, we immediately improve our services. It is important to take the time to attend workshops or seminars on Fair Housing, current lead-based paint legislation, mold issues, advertising opportunities, new marketing techniques, notice requirements, technology, and more. Increasing our knowledge, implementing new tools, and improving our landlord/tenant skills help reduce risk and liability.

Continue with NARPM - one key source for education is our membership and participation in NARPM, the National Association of Residential Property Managers. Monthly we receive a multi-page newsletter with important articles to update us on current housing issues and trends. The educational opportunities at our local chapters meetings, state conference, and national conventions, are always informative and first rate. Therefore, a definite 2011 resolution is "to continue membership in this valuable organization."

Review the Code of Ethics - ethics is simply good business and doing what is right. When we joined NARPM, we agreed to abide by their code of ethics. Although we have always worked to conduct our property management business in a fair and ethical manner, it is always good to review the code of ethics periodically, and this is a "required company resolution" for any year.

Increase Our Marketing Skills - whatever the market, there is competition and a need to keep up with marketing trends. The Internet has become the advertising media of today and we will work to continue to keep up with this fast-paced and valuable resource in the coming year.