Janell Kittleson's Blog

 After reading this week about a bizarre hazardous waste discovery in an Idaho apartment complex, I got to thinking about the various dangerous activities that can get overlooked in Property Management, leaving tenants, neighbors and homeowners at risk.  While most illegal and dangerous behaviors...

Part of my daily line-up at Rentec Direct is sorting through any subscription cancellations to glean why a customer has decided to jump ship.  We keep a close eye on why/where people come to us, but an even closer look at why they leave.  Understanding where you went wrong is equally, if not mor...

Actually, you'll want to throw Montana and New Hampshire in the mix as well when making your guess.  So, the answer is that the residents of these states came out on top in a recent Gallup poll of "least likely to relocate to another state."  Yep, if they would have asked me, I would have concurr...

Frequently I wake with a song buzzing through my head - some good and some bad - and today was more like "oh, no, not that one!"  Yes, The 5th Dimension's "Age of Aquarius."  And if you want a big dose of wackiness, I've done the honors of adding in the video for you.  You're welcome. Call it scr...

This week in the New York Times science section, scientists & researchers were interviewed about projections on climate change and how it will effect the livability of various locations around the United States from now until 2100.  They went on to say that millions of people will be environmenta...

I have to hand it to her - she always sees the best of a situation where others might be more inclined to see the GIANT PILE OF POO in the room.  An optimist verses a realist would be one way to describe our different styles of addressing issues.     Take, for example, my mother's rental homes.  ...

I didn't realize how much I needed this today.  I liken it to when you sit down for a massage appointment because you have a sore back and you are amazed that the muscles in your feet are sore. And how awesome is it that someone is rubbing them!   Laughter is always good medicine, and an especial...

This past week I took a day off from Rentec Direct and traveled with my family to the Jedediah Smith State Park in the Redwoods National Park in Northern California to celebrate my brother turning 50.  We Southern Oregonians are so blessed with the abundance of natural beauty surrounding us!  I ...

I'm sure there are great things about Arkansas - like its diverse and beautiful natural resources and Johnny Cash - however it also has some dirty laundry the rest of the union has turned its back on over time.  Arkansas is known for high government spending, a poorly educated population, low hou...

Before working for Rentec Direct, I spent a spell of time buying delapidated homes, fixing them up and selling them.  You know, like all of us did in the earlier part of this millenium.   Luckily, I never was faced with a squatter on my own properties, as I made it a point to be inside them weekl...