Property Management Blog

Indiana has been experiencing summertime temperatures and if you are not careful, this heat will wreak havoc on your electricity bill. The easiest way to save money is to set your air conditioner above 78 degrees. I know it seems pretty high, however, every degree below 78 adds 8% to your cooling cost. Making sure that your furnace filter is cleaned will also help the air flow through and will not overwork your a/c unit. The lower you turn your unit, the harder it works to stay caught up. Never set your air conditioner below 68*. Ways to help keep your home cooler is by getting a ceiling fan. This helps circulate the air in your house. Another way is to make sure that you have sealed up any leaks in your home from your window and doors. Last, but certainly not least, get proper blinds, shades, or curtains for the rooms facing the sun. If you are lucky enough to have the day off, pack a lunch and go to the park. Go creek stomping or to a splash pad. Nothing cools you off like the coolness of ice cold water. If outdoor isn't your thing, check out these indoor events. 

Many places have FREE MUSEUM DAYS. You can check that list out by clicking here 

Kids Bowl Free program is available. Check it out here

Go to the movies for just $1.00. Found out where by clicking here
Don’t let the rainy days deter you!  Check out “The Park”, a giant indoor playground, at Trader’s Point Christian Church. Click Here 

Here is a list of places where your kids eat free. Click HERE

Hope this helps you beat the heat. Until next time........

Spring is just around the corner and you know what that means? Spring cleaning. Almost everyone's favorite thing to do, right? Well, I have a way of helping you out. It is the 30-day De-Clutter Challenge. Here is how it works. 

Day 1 Empty one junk drawer

Day 2 Purge your clothes

Day 3 go through movie collection

Day 4 clean your tv stands

Day 5 go through your mail pile

day 6 clean off the kitchen table

day 7 purge 2 kitchen cabinets

day 8 donate old books

day 9 clean out your wallet

day 10 clean out your purse

day 11 purge out your makeup drawer

day 12 clean shower

day 13 purge bathroom cabinets

day 14 purge old shoes

day 15 purge more kitchen cabinets

day 16 organize the linen closet

day 17 purge medicine cabinet

day 18 clean out freezer

day 19 clear off kitchen counters

day 20 empty another junk drawer

day 21 clean out fridge

day 22 purge more kitchen cabinets

day 23 get rid of unnecessary accessories 

day 24 clean out your car

day 25 organize toys

day 26 donate unused toys

day 27 donate old games

day 28 organize cleaning supplies

day 29 purge 2 more cabinets

day 30 clean

By the end of April, you will have a new decluttered and clean house. If you have a day that you can't use, then clean something else. Don't rest until the end. 

With April you get lots of rain so, make sure that your gutters are clean and free of debris as well. 

Until Next Time.........

Looking for a property manager to lease out your home for you? Here are 12 questions you should ask before deciding on a management company.

1) What are the services you offer to your clients? 

Make sure that their services fit your needs.

2) How many rental units do you manage?

Too few rental units and they may be inexperienced and too many you may get lost in the shuffle. 

3) Do you or your company own any of the rental units?

Make sure they don't own any of their own. If your unit is vacant at the same time theirs is, you can almost guarantee they will try to rent their home before renting yours. 

4) How do you determine the rent amount?

You don't want your house overpriced so it doesn't rent and you don't want it underpriced because that will cost you money. 

5) Under what conditions can I cancel my management contract with your company? 

There is nothing like dealing with a company that you aren't seeing eye to eye with. Make sure you can void the contract if you are unhappy. 

6) What are your management fees?

It is important to know this so that you can determine if it is going to be worth hiring a property manager. 

7) Do you have lease renewal or lease up fees?
This is also important to know. You would hate to be hit with unexpected fees. 

8) Are there fees when the unit is vacant?

You don't want to pay a management fee if there is no income coming in. 

9) How do you handle owner payouts?

Knowing when and how you get your money is important. 

10) How do you "market" the property?

Having a property manager that markets your property correctly will help you rent it faster. 

11) What are your income and screening requirements? 

You want to try and get a qualified tenant in your unit and keep them as long as possible.

12) What miscellaneous fees could I be charged?

Again, you don't want to be hit with unexpected fees. 

Selecting the correct property manager is extremely important. Make sure they take the time to get to know you and understand you. Don't hinder too much on web reviews as it is easy for upset tenants to post negative reviews. When checking out a property management company make sure you check the Better Business Bureau. 

Until next time.....   

Now that the temperatures are dropping it is time to get prepared for those winter months. These steps, most of which you can do yourself, will help you survive the winter months.  

1) Have a technician inspect your furnace to make sure that it is clean and in working.

2) If you have a ceiling fan, reverse it. This will allow the fan to push down the heated air. 

3) Caulk around window

4) Clean the gutters 

5) Divert water. Use an extension to your downspouts so that the water runs 3-4 ft away from the foundation. 

6) Turn off outside water faucets

7) Make sure all the doors have weather stripping 

8) Prepare an emergency kit

 ***Indoor Candles and matches or lighter. 

 ***Find and store utility companies phone numbers in your cell phone

 ***Buy batteries for flashlights and any other battery operating devices

 ***Store extra bottled water and non-perishable food (be sure to include pet food if you have animals)

 ***Blankets

 ***First Aid Kit

 ***Portable Radio

Also, remember to change and keep your furnace filter clean. On top of that, make sure that you leave all your faucets on a drip. This will help the pipes from freezing. Keep cupboards open so that the heat can get to the pipes. 

To help keep the gas bill low, set the thermostat to an agreeable temperature and wear extra clothing or cover up with a blanket. I have a great heated blanket that I like to snuggle up with and it helps keep me warm. Socks will also help your body keep in that body heat. 

Warm yummy food will always warm the soul and is good for the body. I'll share some of my favorite receipts next time. 

Until next time.........

Looking for a Property Manager? Well you have come to the right spot.

We are a locally owned and operated Property Management Company large enough to support your needs but small enough to give you personal attention.

We offer a wide range of property management services to fit your needs as a landlord or home owner. We tailor our services to ensure that you have the highest level of service for your home.

We never charge a lease up fee or a lease renewal fee.

Our low monthly fee includes:

Access 24/7/365 to our Owner Portals

Monthly Accounting statements

View repairs request and status update

Receive direct deposits for your rental proceed

We advertise your property on a dozen websites as well as craigslist.

When processing an application, we check credit history, to see if they have been filed on/evicted or if they have left owing money to a property management company or landlord, and we check to see if they owe any utility companies.

We have access to online applications

Tenants can pay in person, by mail, or we'll even go pick it up at no charge to you!

We can do rehab and repairs for your property. Almost all repairs are done in house, cutting your rehab cost by 25% or more.

We look forward to talking with you about your property management needs.

Thanks,
TBH Management

I don't know about you but the change in time as really thrown my body for a loop. I always found it hard to get out of bed because it was so dark and it still felt like "night-time" to me. I just wanted to say in my bed and snuggle with my doggies. It was also harder for me to fall asleep because when I went to lay my head down at night time, it just didn't feel like night time. Now, with the change, I am hoping out of bed every morning and ready to go. The nights are where I am finding it super hard. When I get home from work it is almost 5ish. We get dinner done about 6ish. It is super dark out and I am so tired that I am ready to crawl in bed and go to sleep but I can't. I look at my clock and I find myself stunned that it is only 7pm. I know I am "old" but I am not THAT old. 

I also don't like the colder weather. I thought fall meant like low 60s not low 40s. I feel like it is getting colder sooner rather than later. Does this mean we are in for an early winter with lost of snow???? I sure hope not. I am not a BIG snow person. I can't wait until I can be one of the winter birds that head to Florida for the winter. With it getting cold make sure you check your furnace filters. I can say that enough. A dirty furnace filter can lead to all sorts of problems. Also,. make sure your gutters are cleaned. With the leaves falling like they are, you don't want to have a leak on your hands. 

One of my favorite things about fall is the smell. My husband brought home pine cones a few weeks ago and every time I walk into my house it smells like cinnamon. It is so good. Baking is another smell that I just can't help but love. The smell of cookies in the oven, YUMMY!!! I love making chocolate chip cookies from scratch. You want to know something funny? I can't make sugar cookies to save my life! They are one of the hardest things I have ever tried to make. Now, I can make a mean peanut butter pie but there is no baking involved in that. 

Thanksgiving is coming up and it is one of my favorite Holidays ever. It makes me happy to be around so much food and family. We have a lot of food. We do a turkey and a ham, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, rolls, and tons of desserts. We talk about how well all the kids get along and how much they have grown. We talk about remembering when we were their ages and how the world has changed. One thing that amazes me still to this day and I love.....the kids aren't on their devices. They are actually talking and playing with each other. It is so awesome. 

I have checked the forecast for the next several days and it is going to be cold. 

Check your furnace and make sure that it is running properly. 
If you have ceiling fans make sure you reverse it to push the heat down

Clean the gutters

Make sure all the water pipes on the outside are shut off. 

Happy Birthday weekend to the world's greatest husband, dad, brother, son, and friend.

On Sunday, not only is it Daylight Savings Time (remember to set your clock an hour back), it's also my husband's birthday. He will be 35 yrs old. We aren't planning much, just dinner with some friend's and family. I have had a hard time figuring out what to get him. I wish I could give him everything that he could hope for but, he ended up with me so how much more could he want (lol). I am really excited to celebrate him. He is a truly wonderful human being. He is a great cook and always makes me whatever I want to eat, even when he really doesn't want it. The good lord above broke the mold when he made this man. I am so thankful for him each and every day of my life. 

  
We just celebrated Halloween. Not much to celebrate really. I am not big on decorations for Halloween. Not my favorite "Holiday". My son doesn't go trick or treating but my daughter is still all about it. Especially, since this is the first year she has had her braces off. She was Carrie White from the movie Carrie. She even went as far as watching the movie the night before so that she could get in character. I didn't know that you could look so cute. 

We also got to spend some much needed time with so friends from out of town. Tracey and Lonnie came in town for the wedding of Tracey's middle son Trey. Trey had the honor of marrying his love Taylor. They are super cute together. They even have a cute nickname Treylor! It was a beautiful wedding in a remodeled barn. The wedding was upstairs and the reception was down. It was such a cold evening but there were plenty of heaters to keep the bar warm and you were sure to work up a sweat on the dance floor.  

That got me thinking. The weather. It has been super cold out however, this weekend is suppose to be nice. This is the change to winterize your home. 

1) take a pool noodle and cut down one side. Slide under your door to prevent air from coming in. Cut to size. 

2) replace your furnace filter

3) use blackout curtains 

4) Tweaking your thermostat so it isn’t running when you’re away from your home is a smart way to save money. You can create a different program for your days off so your house stays warm. For extra savings, try dropping a few degrees from your normal setting. 

5) Stay warm and safe

Until next time........

Well, July was a great month for us. Not only was it the 4th of July and we spent it with our friends and family celebrating with food and fireworks but, we were able to take our children on two nice vacations. It is GREAT having a large family that lives throughout the United States so you can have a place to stay for free. Makes for a cheaper vacation when you don't have to pay for lodging. 

The first one was to the Adirondack Mountains in New York. We stayed in a house that gave us the most beautiful view of a private lake. We were able to lounge around and enjoy the view. It was extremely peaceful. All you heard was the beautiful loons making the most amazing noise. It was unlike anything I had ever heard before. The kids got to go on a hike and go creek stomping. They swam and kayaked. We had the lake all to ourselves. We drove up to Gore Mountain and saw some stunning views. We drove into town and went shopping. We were able to make a lot of wonderful memories. I can't wait to go back. 

   

We were home long enough to wash our clothes, kiss our dogs, and go back to school shopping. We were off again for a long weekend to Michigan. We have been a few times before but, each time is even more wonderful. We go Jet-skiing, tubing, fishing, and we get to spend time with lots of family that we don't get to see and we get to eat the BEST ice cream. Oh and the view is breathtaking. From the moment you wake up until the moment you go to sleep. 
 

Now that I am finally back to Indiana and here to stay for awhile I really need to get some house cleaning done.  
Here are some quick tips to help you get a better looking home. 

1) If you have 1/2 of a lemon you can use it to clean stainless steel. 

2) Clockwise cleaning. Move clockwise around each room, putting away clutter and mislaid items. Stash any stuff that doesn't belong in the room outside the door to sort and put away later. Don't get side tracked. 

3) Change bedroom linens. Wash linens in hot water weekly to clean and disinfect them.

4) Prevent shower mold and mildew by simply keep your bathroom exhaust fan running while you take a bath or shower, and for 30 minutes afterward. You can also use your towel after you are done drying off to wipe of the walls. 

5) Spray down trash cans outdoors with a hose and a little dish soap. This will help prevent unwanted odors. 

I know some kids have already started school and I am waiting for mine to start. They don't start until the 15th of August. The last fun thing of the summer we get to do is go to the Indiana State Fair. I can't wait to try all the fall foods however, I think we will stay away from the rides this year. 

Until Next Time.............