Elsie's Blog

Just when I thought it was going to be a good day, the phone rings with news that there is an ambulance at one of the properties I manage.   A neighbor says our tenant, Jan, is lying in the yard moaning in pain. By the time I arrive, the ambulance has left, but without Jan.  She is in the house a...

It is Monday morning and that means I am checking my vacant properties to make sure they are clean and ready to show. As I approach the front door to an 11th floor condo on the beach, I hear strange sounds coming from inside.  They sound similar to rustling papers and grunting.   I hear police si...

Sam was a nice man, an elderly veteran who suffered from diabetes.  Just as the entire island went into lockdown because of the pandemic, Sam walked out of the apartment he rented from us and collapsed in the building lobby. We had just received word that Property Managers had been deemed “essent...

Every year we have a “Christmas Decorating Contest” and we offer our tenants a cash prize for the best exterior decorations.  Our office staff goes out for our traditional holiday dinner together and everyone is provided with a list of the addresses of those who have entered the contest.   The te...

When an owner contacts us for management of their property, they usually do not realize that we are interviewing them as they are interviewing us.For us to accept management of a property, first and foremost, the owner must not be attached to the property or be overly emotional.  They must unders...

A young gentleman was looking to relocate to our beautiful island neighborhood from the mainland. He submits an application and is thoroughly screened. He has more than enough income, excellent credit and great references. He signs our Rental Agreement and mails in his security deposit. He will b...

How many problems can you have with the pipes under your house?  This month alone we had three problems, at three different properties, and for three entirely different reasons.   Our neighborhood was recently hit with a major storm.   It starts just as we all leave the office to head home one ev...

I manage a second floor unit in a three-story walk-up. The tenant calls and is hysterical.   She pleads with me to get over there right away.  When pressed for specifics, the only thing the tenant will say is that she has buckets everywhere.  Sounds to me like a water pipe has busted upstairs.   ...

I distinctly remember driving along the highway that morning, drinking loads of caffeine, and thinking that things are looking up.  Things are getting better.   I'm feeling good.  It's going to be a great day.  This is a newly assigned condominium unit and my job today is to meet a contractor the...

I am a Property Manager. The owner of every property I manage is my boss. While I treat all tenants fairly and honestly, I owe my fiduciary duty to the property owner. This is not usually a problem. Usually. Joey has been my tenant for over 10 years. He's a good kid. We have watched him begin his...