April 2010: Setting the Stage for Better Showings

By Michael Mengden Wednesday, March 31, 2010

If you list your home with a REALTOR®, they would advise you to take certain steps to maximize how your house would show to the public. Their recommendations may include cleaning, landscape clean up, painting, installing new flooring, changing an appliance, and more. In ad...

March 2010: A Message from TERRA Residential

By Michael Mengden Sunday, February 28, 2010

Welcome to the inaugural edition of the online version of the TRS monthly Newsletter. Many of our clients have been requesting more online and we have been listening. In addition to this Newsletter, TRS now offers online electronic statements and documents on our secure onli...

February 2010: Terra Residential OWNER Portal

By Michael Mengden Sunday, January 31, 2010

Many of you have been requesting more online and we have been listening. TRS is pleased to announce that we are now offering online electronic statements and documents. We now have our secure online OWNER PORTAL through our website at terraresidential.com where you will have t...

January 2010: Terra Residential Services is GOING GREEN !!

By Michael Mengden Thursday, December 31, 2009

As announced last month, TRS is also making a change in our monthly Owner Statements beginning this month (January). We now have the ability to place a note on your statement that gives you the details of exactly what work was performed on a particular invoice. This note wil...

December 2009: The Personal Touch When Communicating

By Michael Mengden Monday, November 30, 2009

The 2009 year definitely has mixed reviews – interest rates are still low, the stock market is working toward recovery, and many throughout the country have been working tirelessly to help furnish jobs, feed the hungry, and aid disaster victims. However, it has been parti...

November 2009: 12 Practices to Maintain your Investment

By Michael Mengden Saturday, October 31, 2009

Our newsletters cover many issues, but as we move toward 2010, we want to review twelve practices that we, as your management company, use to protect your investment. 1. Support Fair Housing This is crucial to successful property management. This covers such a vast are...

October 2009: Update on Lead-Based Paint

By Michael Mengden Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Lead base paint has been of utmost importance since March 6, 1996, when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) & Housing & Urban Development (HUD) released regulations on the Residential Lead Based Paint Hazard Control Act. Additionally, the EPA invoked the Lead-Based...

September 2009: Realizing the Benefits of Professional Management

By Michael Mengden Monday, August 31, 2009

Many times property owners question property management services because of the fees. Now with a distressed economy, this can become an even bigger question when a difficult market puts investment finances to the test. After quoting our fees to a prospective client, we often hea...

August 2009: Warning Signs on Showings and Applications

By Michael Mengden Friday, July 31, 2009

As experienced property managers, we have learned to recognize certain warning signs or red flags when marketing properties and taking applications. Here are some we encounter while showing properties: The applicant is willing to pay more than the offered rent and secu...

July 2009: Should You Allow a Tenant to Paint

By Michael Mengden Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Often current or prospective tenants will negotiate with property owners on painting. The owner usually will consent to this with one thought in mind - saving money. However, they do not realize the problems that it can create, particularly if they do not outline any limitations...