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7 Tips to Choosing the Right Contractor
As a property manager I rely on a team of contractors daily. Finding plumbers, electricians, painters, masons, landscapers, pool technicians or air conditioning servicemen who will perform quality work at a reasonable price can be a daunting task. The following tips can help you avoid unscrupulous, disorganized or inexperienced contractors who may deliver broken promises, bad work and blown budgets rather than professional results. Word of Mouth: One of the best ways to begin your search for a contractor is to get recommendations. There are a...
read moreCondominium Collaboration in Hurricane Season
The condominium board members, homeowners and tenants of the island’s many condominium developments are aware of the unique elements of condominium living. Even hurricane preparedness takes on a different meaning at condominium developments as the entire condominium community must partner together to ensure success. “Emergency preparedness is a team sport”, according to Eric Whitaker, a public health and emergency preparedness expert. In the interest of helping your condominium community during hurricane season here are some preparation...
read moreThe ‘America’s Cup’ Standard – Does Your Bermuda Real Estate Make The Cut?
Bermuda’s excitement over the announcement that the island will host the America’s Cup in 2017 has been palpable. A celebratory atmosphere has spread island-wide since the official announcement on December 2, 2014. Bermuda eagerly welcomed the famed competition’s trophy, the Auld Mug, in all its gleaming, shining glory. The jovial mood will quickly turn to determined industry as the island prepares itself for the momentous event and the streams of visitors it will bring to our shores. Demand for quality accommodation for visiting teams,...
read moreThe Ultimate Tool for Your Condo Development
I’m often asked why a condo development needs a professional property manager. After all, isn’t the role merely to call a plumber when a pipe bursts? If only it were that simple! The truth is there’s a lot more to managing a condo development effectively than you may realize. A professional property manager is much like a Swiss Army Knife, comprising a variety of useful tools and skills in one package! It’s much more than standard property management; it’s also about governance, accounting, communication, mediation, forward planning...
read moreThe Laws of the Game: Avoiding Your Condo’s Red Card
World Cup fever is underway from the color and drama of the opening ceremony, the roar of the fanatical fans and the much hoped for sweet taste of victory for your favorite team! As a fan, one of the greatest frustrations is a game where a player exhibits poor sportsmanship or simply breaks FIFA’s ‘Laws of the Game’. Play is halted, spectators protest and the matter corrected (hopefully fairly!) so that play can resume. Every player must adhere to the rules to enhance enjoyment for the supporters and success for the team. Condominium...
read moreMasterkey’s Spring into Summer Tips
Two weeks into Spring and I’m already thinking about Summer. The professional property manager always plans ahead! Check out ‘Masterkey’s Spring into Summer Tips’ to prepare your property for the season ahead! Service your air-conditioning system before the first hot day comes around. Apply a ‘weed-and-feed’ to your lawn to combat those weeds and prep your lawn for the heavy growth season of summer Clean winter grime from your windows with a water/vinegar/rubbing...
read moreUnlock your property’s potential in 2014
Masterkey’s Ten New Year’s Resolutions for the Property Owner and Condo Board PLAN Set aside a reserve fund for unexpected repairs or apartment vacancies Plan your 2014 projects in advance to ensure sufficient funding. If possible, schedule your project for earlier in the year when contractors are typically less busy Review your current vendor contracts and see if there are improvements to be made in price or service UPGRADE Add alternative energy sources Update toilets, faucets and showers to...
read moreFamily-Friendly Facelift
Unlike the living rooms of the past, modern day living rooms are meant to be, well, lived in. This often poses a challenge for modern families who desire form, function and fabulous all in one package. I recently faced a similar challenge when my micro-suede living room suite had finally succumbed to the abuse it had endured from endless movie nights, birthday parties, gaming all-nighters and other atrocities typical of a family of four with a dog and cat! Structurally in good condition, I decided to have a new slip-cover made and complete...
read moreThe High Price of Ignoring Home Repairs
Home maintenance seems expensive – unless you’ve considered the astronomical costs involved with ignoring it. HomeInsurance.com and Redbeacon (a subsidiary of Home Depot) have teamed up to deliver this infographic, which examines some common home maintenance projects and the shocking costs that can result when they go neglected. Whilst the dollar figures are based on US costs, you still might just think twice before underestimating that leaky sink or faulty electrical outlet. Courtesy of: HomeInsurance.com and...
read moreHow To Baby-Proof Your Home
We think of our home as safe and secure – but if you have a toddler, you need to take a fresh look. As soon as they can crawl, toddlers want to explore every nook and cranny. They want to push and pull anything they can get hold of. And their preferred method of finding out how things work is to bite, suck or chew them. That means your house is chock full of threats and dangers, which is why we thought we would share this infographic from MoneySupermarket.com. They even have advice regarding the revision of your insurance contract. In...
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