Calling all Vendors!!

Vendors, please mark February 11th, 2010 on your calendars from 7-9 pm for Vendor Appreciation Night! Looking forward to seeing you all then!

Tacky Sweater Day

One of our company's little-known traditions (unless you have been fortunate enough to encounter us on this day) is an annual tacky sweater contest. We also added a comfort food potluck to make it really amazing. This year, the competition was tight. Stefanie, our Condo A/P Bookkeeper, rocked a zebra-print snuggie with a dangling ornaments and a heidi-style hairdo. Residential Property Manager Dawn lit up with the office with a custom-wired sweatshirt complete with LED lights. The Tacky Sweater Award initially went to Jenise, one of our HOA Property Managers, for her custom doily and ribbon creation, until another PM, Ken, showed up with his amazing collage of ornaments and tinsel to steal the show and bag the award. Well done everyone!! Tune in next year!!

Stef and her Snuggie

Dawn's Lighted Sweater

The First Winner Jenise (note the tacky sweater trophy)

Ken Comes from Behind to Win it

The Whole Gang

Winter Maintenance: Freezing Pipes

Pipes are especially vulnerable to damage caused by expanding water. Water lines that freeze are usually those directly exposed to severe cold, such as outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, or water sprinkler lines. In addition, pipes in unheated interior areas such as basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, and kitchen cabinets, and those that run against exterior walls with little or no insulation are also susceptible to freezing.

Following are some tips to help prevent damage from frozen pipes while you’re away from your home:

1. Shut off the water supply and drain pipes or appliances.
2. Have someone you trust check your home about once per week if you are away.
3. Have emergency numbers handy such as a plumber, electrician, roofer, and restoration expert in case something does go wrong.
4. Protect pipes, fittings, and appliances against freezing with insulation or heat strips.
5. Have your HVAC system serviced before leaving if you will be away for an extended period of time.
6. Set your thermostat no lower than 55 degrees.
7. Before leaving turn off your water heater. (See owner’s manual for procedures.)
8. Install storm windows and/or close shutters to keep in heat.
9. Clean gutters and downspouts to ensure proper water drainage.
10. Service sump pump to ensure proper operation. Adding a backup power source is prudent.
11. Unplug all nonessential electric appliances.
12. Inform local police if you will be out of town.

For more information on Water, Fire, Mold remediation visit:
www.PuroCleanChicago.blogspot.com

Interesting Article in NW REporter

Here's some very helpful information about winter storms courtesy of NW REporter

http://www.nwmls.com/discover/nwreporter.cfm?SectionListsID=25&PageID=5382

Here's a list of essentials that they recommend to keep in your emergency kit:
* Water: one gallon per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
* Food: at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
* Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
* Flashlight and extra batteries
* First aid kit
* Whistle to signal for help
* Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to protect shelter-in-place
* Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
* Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
* Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
* Local maps
* Cell phone with chargers (car charger recommended in the event of power outages)

They also include some of Puget Sound Energy's tips for better energy efficiency this winter:
PSE's energy-efficiency tips to prepare for winter

1. Seal up leaky drafts around doors and windows with weather-stripping, caulking, and door sweeps. Also seal up any leaks or gaps in furnace ducts that extend through unheated basements or crawl spaces.
2. Reduce air leaks by repairing broken windows and using inexpensive weather-stripping around entry doors.
3. Insulate attics, outside walls, and floors over crawlspaces.
4. Have the furnace inspected and serviced to make sure it is in proper working order.
5. Clean or replace the furnace air filters at least every two months during the heating season.
6. Set the thermostat at the coolest level you can without making your rooms uncomfortable. For most homes, the heating bill drops by about 2 percent for every one degree the thermostat is lowered.
7. Lower the thermostat at bedroom or while away during the day. Setting the thermostat to 58 degrees while asleep can cut a natural-gas bill by up to 7 percent.

HELP! I cannot get along with my neighbor!

By Dawn Hardley, Property Manager

As Real Estate Property Managers we can do our job to the letter of the law but when it comes to trying to make two different parties get along, it is not “what we do.” We get dozens and dozens of the following complaints:

“My neighbor is making too much noise……….….”

“My neighbor is parking in my spot……………….”

“My neighbor is smoking outside my window….…”

“My neighbor throws their garbage in my can…….”

We could write a book with all the complaints. Rather than speaking with respect and kindness to their neighbor, it’s usually handled in a brash, rude tone, which does nothing but make the other party instantly defensive and just as brash and rude in their response. This type of action/reaction does not get anyone anywhere. Property Managers often feel like preschool playground teachers as opposed to professional real estate managers. HOWEVER, we have discovered a service out there that may be everyone’s saving grace……..they are called Community Mediation Centers and they are all over the United States and most recently online. The services are either free or very low cost, and they offer everything from resolution training, to advise, to legal counsel. The best reference we have found in our area is www.resolutionsnorthwest.org.

If you are having trouble with neighbors please check out this website (www.resolutionsnorthwest.org) and see if you are able learn how to get what you want and also maintain a wonderful neighborly living environment at the same time. Everyone wins! The people next door whose dog’s barking is driving you crazy could be the same people to call the police if they saw someone breaking into your house, call the fire department if they saw smoke, or be your only contact in a natural disaster. ALWAYS keep this in mind when dealing with sticky neighbor issues.

IF FOR ANY REASON you feel yourself or your family members are being threatened or may be harmed, DO NOT call your Property Manager. CALL 911 or your local Police Department FIRST THING.

Bell Anderson will be Closed

Bell Anderson will be closed on Thanksgiving and the Friday after Thanksgiving (Nov 26-27). We hope all of you have a wonderful holiday! If you have an emergency meaning fire, flood, or blood, please call 206-255-3289.

Emergency Alert Systems

Below are links to some of the emergency alert systems that cities have set up in case of a flood or other natural disaster. Yes, we have really been pushing this information out there, but the safety of our clients is very important to us. We would rather everyone be too aware, as opposed to being caught off guard. If you live in one of these cities, we would highly encourage you to sign up for the notifications.

Auburn – Auburn Alerts

You can choose to register with a phone number, e-mail address or both

http://www.auburnwa.gov/Emergency/disaster/Auburn_Alert.asp

Kent – Code Red System

https://login.coderedweb.com/codereddataentry/Default.aspx?groupid=mVFKb0hY42JF%2fX8guYN%2bFw%3d%3d

Renton – Code Red System

https://login.coderedweb.com/codereddataentry/Default.aspx?groupid=BUFNQQoaaVLxfc85XAXZjA%3d%3d

Tukwila – E-mail Alerts

http://www.ci.tukwila.wa.us/listserv/hhdam_elist.html

Have a safe and happy winter!

Fannie Mae: "Deed for Lease" Program Announced

I thought this was an interesting piece of news. Thanks go to NARPM for the heads up:

Source: http://www.fanniemae.com/newsreleases/2009/4844.jhtml?p=Media&s=News+Releases

WASHINGTON, DC -- Fannie Mae (FNM/NYSE) is implementing the Deed for Lease™ Program under which qualifying homeowners facing foreclosure will be able to remain in their homes by signing a lease in connection with the voluntary transfer of the property deed back to the lender.

"The Deed for Lease Program provides an additional option for qualifying homeowners who are facing foreclosure and are not eligible for modifications," said Jay Ryan, Vice President of Fannie Mae. "This new program helps eliminate some of the uncertainty of foreclosure, keeps families and tenants in their homes during a transitional period, and helps to stabilize neighborhoods and communities."

The new program is designed for borrowers who do not qualify for or have not been able to sustain other loan-workout solutions, such as a modification. Under Deed for Lease, borrowers transfer their property to the lender by completing a deed in lieu of foreclosure, and then lease back the house at a market rate.

To participate in the program, borrowers must live in the home as their primary residence and must be released from any subordinate liens on the property. Tenants of borrowers in this circumstance may also be eligible for leases under the program. Borrowers or tenants interested in a lease must be able to document that the new market rental rate is no more than 31% of their gross income.

Leases under the new program may be up to 12 months, with the possibility of term renewal or month-to-month extensions after that period. A Deed for Lease property that is subsequently sold includes an assignment of the lease to the buyer.

For additional information about the Deed for Lease Program, including full details on program eligibility, please review the Guide Announcement on www.efanniemae.com.

NARPM National Convention in Orlando, FL

During the week of October 19^th-24^th Vickie, Dawn and I (Carrie) attended the National Association of Residential Property Managers annual conference in Orlando, FL.

On Tuesday the 20^th we took a special leadership class that was put on by the Disney Institute. You could not help but smile during their presentation. Most of the talk was regarding communication and how to effectively communicate. We did a really good exercise that involved a leader, manager, and co-workers. You could not look at each other or verbally communicate; you had to write everything down that you wanted to accomplish. Well needless to say I was the “leader” in our group and my team sat there the whole time because I didn’t flip my directions over to see what I was trying to accomplish! It was really funny how much I rely on verbal communication. If you don’t communicate what you are trying to accomplish, the whole process falls apart. It was a real wake-up call because we communicate so much by e-mail that I think we forget what we are saying in our e-mails is not necessarily the message that the receiver gets. I really liked it and highly suggest if you ever have the opportunity to go to one of Disney’s training courses you should.

During the conference on Wednesday night, Thursday and Friday we had 3 general session speakers and quite a few breakout sessions that were very helpful and invigorating. I really appreciate these conferences with NARPM because doing what we do can become a little monotonous once and a while. We also share a lot of information at these meeting and meet professional contacts in the industry. This group is amazing when it comes to sharing information and ideas. I always come away with new ways of handling situations and new ideas.

Another exciting event was held on October 23^rd, 2009 when my sister, Dawn, and I had the great pleasure of swearing in our Mom, Vickie Gaskill, to the position of President for 2010’s National Association of Property Managers. What an amazing opportunity it was and we are all very proud of her! Vickie is going to get to travel to a lot of NARPM chapters all over the United States next year and share with them her expertise in the area of Residential Property Management and Leadership.

We are all looking forward to the next year and what it has to bring!

City of Hope 5K Walk

To the right is our team that participated in the City of Hope 5K Walk, where the proceeds went to fund breast cancer research. We are a group of Bell-Anderson and Assoc. employees and family members who do not want to see breast cancer destroy any more lives. We had a great time walking and being encouraged by all the survivors that attended the event. It was a truly amazing experience.

Team Pink Ladies (and a few men) would like to thank everyone who donated and participated. Our team raised over $1,300.00 to help find a cure for breast cancer!!! As mentioned in a previous posting, the top donor will be awarded a basket of goodies. The top donor this year is Vickie Gaskill, owner of Bell-Anderson and Associates. Thank you Vickie for your generous donations!

Next year, we hope to plan earlier and get an even larger team and more funds donated to help fight against breast cancer. Once again, thank you for all of your contributions; without you we would not have been able to have such great success!

Kent will set up sandbag stations should flooding occur this winter

This is from the Kent Reporter Website (http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ken/news/59753052.html)

By STEVE HUNTER

Kent city workers plan to set up as many as five sandbag stations at sites on the East Hill and West Hill, where residents will be able to fill sandbags for free to take to their property.

The stations would be set up as soon as four or five days before a predicted heavy rain.

The sites include the old Panther Lake Elementary School, 20831 108th Ave. S.E.; the Fred Meyer store, 10201 S.E. 240th St.; Meadow Ridge Elementary School, 27710 108th Ave S.E.; Mill Creek Earthworks Park, 742 E. Titus St.; and Grandview Park, 3600 S. 228th St., in SeaTac.

City workers plan to give residents tips on how to fill sandbags at public meetings on flood preparation on Oct. 3 (9-11 a.m.) and Oct. 8 (6-8 p.m.) at the ShoWare Center.

Doing Our Part for the Environment

Beginning January 1st, 2010 Bell-Anderson will work toward becoming a “paperless” management company. We are confident that this will provide many benefits to our owners, tenants, homeowners, the environment, and also to Bell-Anderson. One of the biggest changes you will experience is a complete switch to digital methods of viewing statements. Not only will you be e-mailed statements for easy electronic filing at home, but we are hoping that very soon, owners in our Residential department will be able to access copies of their statements online as well (a capability which the board of directors in our Associations department has had for some time)! We are excited about this switch, as it not only means a decrease in the office supplies we consume, but faster access to information as we are no longer digging through paper files.

We appreciate your patience during this transition. It is fairly time-consuming to get all of our records onto the computer, but we are already seeing some major improvements, so bear with us!

We are also pleased to announce that we are fairly close to launching a new website. The idea for our new site is to enhance the online capabilities we already possess, and provide more online resources for our associations, owners and tenants. Thank you in advance for your patience, and we hope you are as excited as we are for the year to come!

Kent's CodeRED Emergency Notification System Operational

KENT, Wash. - September 23, 2009 - The City of Kent announces its new "reverse 9-1-1" emergency notification system is now operational. Residents and business owners within Kent's city limits are urged to enter their contact information online at www.kentCodeRED.com.

Called "CodeRED", the system gives City officials the ability to deliver urgent pre-recorded telephone, cell phone, email or text messages to targeted areas, or the entire community, at a rate of up to 60,000 per hour.

Kent's Emergency Manager, Dominic Marzano said the system is a great way to notify residents during emergencies. "It will be especially useful should we have flooding this winter." Messages could be sent for emergencies including hazardous material spills, illness outbreaks or other urgent situations such as a missing person.

All messages will begin with "This is an emergency CodeRED message from the City of Kent." If a phone is not answered, the system will try again, up to three times, leaving a message on the final attempt.

Marzano said the system is capable of sending messages in a text format to hearing- impaired individuals using TTY/TDD equipment. "It also allows the ability to record more than one message to accommodate multiple languages."

Marzano cautioned that the system is only as good as the database supporting it. "While CodeRED begins with an existing database of telephone numbers, no one should automatically assume his or her phone number is included. "If your information is not in the database, you will not be contacted."

The following individuals are urged to add their information to the database.

• All businesses
• Residents with unlisted phone numbers
• Residents who have changed their phone number or address within the last year
• Residents who use a cellular phone as their primary phone
• Residents who have recently moved, but kept the same listed or unlisted phone number
• Residents who wish to receive text and/or email messages in addition to telephone calls·
• Residents who receive their phone service over the Internet

CodeRED is a geographically-based notification system, which means street addresses are needed to select which phone numbers will receive emergency notification calls in a specific emergency. An associated street address is needed for cell phone numbers. Requested information includes first and last name, street address (physical address-no PO boxes), city, state, zip code, primary phone numbers and additional phone numbers and email address (optional). Residents and businesses may also choose to receive text or email messages about emergencies, in addition to telephone calls.

CodeRED gives those who want to be included an easy and secure method for doing so, and the information will only be used for emergency notification purposes. Residents and businesses may also opt out of the system entirely if they so choose.

Those without Internet access may contact Kent Emergency Management at 253-856-4440, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to request a registration form by mail.

Support the Fight Against Breast Cancer - Seattle's Walk for Hope

On Sunday, October 4th, some of the staff of Bell-Anderson along with their families will be participating in City of Hope's Seattle Walk for Hope to make a difference in the fight against breast cancer. This year, the national presenting sponsor, Staples, will match the total funds raised nationally up to a maximum contribution of $250,000.

If you would like to learn more about our team, the Pink Ladies (and a few men), or donate to City of Hope, please visit our team's website at http://nationalevents.cityofhope.org/goto/bellanderson.

The top donor will win a baked goodies basket filled with your favorites courtesy of the Pink Ladies!

Thank you for your support!

Are YOU Flood Ready?

The Auburn, Kent, Renton and SW King County Chambers of Commerce are hosting an Emergency Preparedness Symposium to talk about the flood threat from the Howard Hanson Dam.

Wednesday September 23rd, 2009 from 5-7pm

at the ShoWare Center in Kent (625 W James St)

Agenda for the evening includes presentations from the Army Corps of Engineers, Puget Sound Energy, FEMA, and WA State Business Continuity Planning with Breakout Sessions for the cities of Auburn, Kent, Renton and Tukwila. Flood maps will be available for viewing and you can meet with FEMA Certified Flood Insurers.

Contact Nancy Wyatt, President, Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce at 253-833-0700 or Nancy@AuburnAreaWA.org, to make your reservation for this important event.

Board Training Seminar

By Janice McCurley

On Tuesday September 1st, Bell-Anderson hosted a Board Training Seminar. The speaker for the seminar was Attorney Kenneth Strauss from The Law Offices of Goff & DeWalt, LLP. The Agenda for the seminar was titled “The Key Responsibilities of Effective Association Boards.”

The focus of the seminar was on governing aspects for community associations, which included the purpose of the Association, transition-duties and liability/business judgment rules, use of consultants, meeting and elections, corporate responsibilities, budgets and enforcement. The seminar enlightened and engaged participants with the best practices for community management. Properly governing an association inspires, leads and supports community leaders to continually improve their positive impact on people and their community.

The seminar was followed up with a survey sent by Bell-Anderson to each attendee. The comments on the survey were extremely positive and have inspired Bell-Anderson to host several seminars throughout the year. Ideas for future seminars include: Conflict Resolution, Collection of Assessments, Liens/Bankruptcy and Foreclosures and Rule Enforcement. Be sure to let your Property Manager know what you topics you would like to see covered.

Thank you to all the board members who attended and we hope to see you at our next seminar!

What is Your Code of Ethics?

By Vickie Gaskill, MPM®, RMP®, CPM®

Recently, I have seen activities in meetings that I have attended that would lead me to believe that there were a few in the group who were acting as if they had no kind of ethical/moral code of conduct to govern their behaviors. In other words, they said and did as they pleased and didn’t care how it effected others in the room. I’ve seen this in City of Kent committee meetings of which I am a volunteer. I’ve seen it in the board meetings of some of the condo/HOAs that we manage. I’ve even seen it in some of the board meetings of some of the trade associations that I belong to. What is it….can’t we govern ourselves in a professional civilized manner? What did the guy say in the movie, “Can’t we all just get along?”

What are ethics? Do we expect that everyone will have the same ethical standards? Ethics is the science of morality or a set of moral principals that a group or individual operate under. A Code of Ethics would be a set of principals describing a code of conduct or behavior that is commonly recognized and used to govern a group or individual. Ethical codes exist to guide interactions between individuals or groups in order to distinguish between good and bad decisions. Ongoing business can only be conducted between individuals who understand, share, and follow similar codes of conduct (ethical codes). This is how trust is established. It’s the foundation for establishing right and wrong in our group interaction.

With all this said and done, I ask once again, “What’s your personal Code of Ethics or Do you have a Code of Ethics?” When confronted with a difficult situation, a proposed contract assignment, or an unproductive meeting, do you feel discouraged and misguided? Do you think to yourself (or maybe even say right out loud), “I’m going to say whatever is on my mind and to heck with the rest of you?” What would be your response if you or the group you are interacting with had a specific Code of Conduct (Ethics) that was written out and that could be referenced every time you felt challenged in one way or the other? Why not consider writing a Code of Ethics or a set of principals that will establish the present and future behavior of yourself or your group?

If you need some help, in the publication, Community Association Journal (Jan./Feb. edition), Julie Adamen, President, Adamen, Inc., (www.adamen-inc.com) wrote a few ideas in her Common Sense Code of Professional Community Administration Ethics. She highlights the following:

· Don’t lie, cheat, or steal
· Know your stuff – and let others know theirs
· Refuse Abuse
· Keep an open mind
· Rid yourself of “We’ve always done it this way.”

Think about it. Having some well written established codes of behavior will help you through your sometimes difficult and challenging position as a participant in any type of meeting

Flooding in the Auburn Area

On Thursday the 23rd, our Maintenance Coordinator, Maria Garcia, and property manager, Kasey Medina, attended an apartment manager’s meeting at Auburn City Hall. We had the opportunity to hear from a gal with the Emergency Preparedness Department about flood insurance and flood risk posed by the Howard Hanson Damn. I vaguely recalled this being in the news last winter, but it really hit home when we were handed a map of the flood zone on which are a few of the properties managed by Bell-Anderson.

While the Army Corps of Engineers is working on the damn and are seeing promising results, there is still an elevated risk that a few areas of Northern Auburn will be affected by the flood this coming winter. Here’s the good news: IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO GET FLOOD INSURANCE. I asked the person speaking if flood insurance would be very expensive since a flood is predicted for the area. The response was more good news: when applying for flood insurance, the insurance company has to go off of FEMA’s map of areas likely to flood and not what the news is predicting. The North Auburn area is considered a low flood risk area to FEMA, so flood insurance is fairly inexpensive. I know one owner of ours was able to purchase insurance for a small multi-family building at about $400 per year.

Not only to owners need flood insurance, but City of Auburn is recommending that tenants purchase flood insurance as well. As with the owners’ policies, this insurance should be very inexpensive. If you would like more information, I’ve provided a few links to the City of Auburn website:

http://www.auburnwa.gov/Emergency/disaster/Green_River_and_Howard_Hanson_Dam_Information.asp

http://www.auburnwa.gov/government/News/2009_News_Stories/Green_River_Valley_Residents_Urged_To_Buy_Flood_Insurance.asp

From the City of Auburn website: ” To learn about preparing for floods, or purchasing flood insurance, and the benefits of protecting homes, business and property against flooding, visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531 (TTY 1-800-427-5593).”

Thank you to the City of Auburn for this very important information!

Attention All Board Members

Bell-Anderson and Associates will be sponsoring a board member training seminar on September 1st, 2009 at 7:00pm located at the Kent Senior Center. We strongly encourage you to be in attendance at this training session. This presentation is free for all who want to attend. The guest speaker from Goff & DeWalt, LLP will be speaking on topics ranging from Board of Directors' duties to how to run a meeting.

We hope to see you all there! If you have any questions please contact your Property Manager or give us a call at 253-852-8195.

A whole new world..of technology!

I (Kasey Medina) along with Jen Collins from the associations side of the company had the opportunity to attend a "Social Media and Blogging" class taught by Glenn Froehlich. It was an incredibly interesting and informative class, and really challenged our ideas about using social media networks as advertising sources.

As technology changes (isn't it amazing!) we have some really great opportunities to connect with new and current tenants and owners via services like this blog, Twitter, Facebook, and even YouTube!! I'm proud to announce our first venture into the videosphere. Please be patient with us as it will take awhile for us to learn to use this technology, but we are so excited about the possiblities.

Without further ado...our YouTube channel and first video!!

http://www.youtube.com/user/BellAndersonPM

Another Article

The Bell-Anderson Recycling team made the Seattle Times!

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009472121_recycle15m.html

Recycling Olympics

On Tuesday, July 14, Bell-Anderson participated in the “Recycling Olympics,” an interactive game meant to raise public awareness for the Allied Waste and City of Kent recycling program. Property managers Dawn Hardley and Carrie Fjeld along with maintenance coordinator, Maria Garcia, made up Bell-Anderson’s team of expert recyclers known as “The Dream Green Team.” The other two teams, “The Green Queen and Her Teens” and the “Eco Challengers” were made up of families from the Kent area.

Pulling into the neighborhood in Kent in which the event took place, the team was shocked to find that they would be working with “real” garbage, straight out of the Allied Waste truck. Donning protective gloves and goggles (they decided against large plastic ponchos), team Bell-Anderson met the judge of the competition, Tom Watson, project manager for King County's recycling and environmental services. They would have an unspecified amount of time to move as much of the garbage pile to their team’s area as possible, and sort that into either a blue recycling can, a green yard waste bin or a green garbage bin. The team with the most recycling at the end, measured in lbs, would be declared the champions.

Team Bell-Anderson worked their magic and scraped out a very close victory, recycling over 100 lbs of what was previously garbage into their two recycling bins. When asked what their secret was, the gals said “Finding heavy things like phonebooks.” Also present at the event were several media organizations to spread the word about how easy recycling can be. Watch your local news tonight for your friendly neighborhood property managers in the blue shirts!

While winning is always great, we were amazed by what we learned today. First of all, it was astounding the amount of perfectly good recyclable material that had been thrown away by Kent residents, things as basic as cardboard boxes and tin cans. The Bell-anderson team was also amazed by all the materials that can be put in your yard waste bin, such as food scraps (no meat, fish, or dairy), food soiled paper and even paper egg cartons. They were also surprised to find that removing labels from recycled items is no longer necessary, and clean dry plastic bags are accepted as well.

Overall it was a great event! Thanks to the City of Kent and Allied Waste for inviting us to participate. For more information on what can and cannot be recycled (Allied Waste customers in Kent only) visit http://www.rabanco.com/collection/kent/residential/resi_what_to_recycle.aspx

Dawn, Maria & Carrie

(a.k.a. the Dream Green Team)

The trash pile

The team with Caren Crowley,

Customer Service Manager for Allied Waste Services

King County Eco-Consumer Tom Watson &

Kent City Councilwoman Elizabeth Albertson

Digging in (we had to keep Maria from diving)

Carrie was the sorting person

Recycling is fun!

The champs meeting the press

Way to make us proud!

Why should you hire an ACCREDITED MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION® (AMO®) firm?

By Vickie Gaskill, broker

Experience – Since its establishment in 1933, The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) has only awarded the prestigious AMO® accreditation to those that can demonstrate market and property experience through years of actively managing real estate. Over half of the firms holding the AMO® accreditation have been in business for more then 25 years and nearly 80% have been established for over a decade. You can trust that your assets are being managed by the best and most conscientious real estate managers in the business. There are only 515 AMO® firms in the United States and Canada.

Education – Since every AMO® firm has a CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER® (CPM®) directing all real estate management activities, you can count on superior leadership, unparalleled ethics, and an unwavering commitment to achieving your real estate investment goals. Because CPM®s must complete a comprehensive education program, fulfill significant experience requirements in both fiscal and operations management, and pledge to abide by high ethical standards - you’re guaranteed a firm with the know-how to produce results time and time again.

Ethics – You want to know that the real estate management firm that you hire has a strong commitment to safeguarding your assets. Adherence to the AMO® Code of Ethics is a requirement to keep the accreditation and the code is strictly enforced. The code regulates the firm’s relationship with you as an owner/investor, requiring the utmost care in promotion, advertising and operating procedures. As an AMO® firm you can rest assured that your investments are being handled with care and conscience.

Happy Birthday America!!

Can you believe it? The 4th of July is almost here! For me, the holiday brings up images of family softball games, great food and of course…fireworks!

Many cities that we service in King County have a blanket ban of fireworks. However, the majority of there cities do offer public shows so you can get your fireworks fix. I have included links to as many events as I can find for those events. The cities that do not allow fireworks are as follows:

Burien
http://www.3treepoint.org?

Des Moines
http://www.desmoines50th.com/July.html

Federal Way
www.cityoffederalway.com/

Renton
http://rentonwa.gov/living/default.aspx?id=5920

SeaTac

Seattle
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/musicnightlife/2009397928_nwwfourth02.html

Tukwila
http://culturemob.com/events/5883113-family-4th-at-fort-dent-park-wa-tukwila-tukwila-wa-venue

The following Cities provide their own definitions of Legal and Allowable Fireworks:

City of Kent
http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/fireprevention/index.aspx?id=2730

City of Auburn
http://www.auburnwa.gov/Emergency/Police/Fireworks_Regulations.asp

Black Diamond and, Maple Valley and Covington adhere to these general rules set by the Fire Marchall:
http://www.ci.blackdiamond.wa.us/Docs/Notices/lglfwrks.pdf:

For a more complete list of events around King County, please visit http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/musicnightlife/2009397928_nwwfourth02.html and have a VERY safe and happy 4th of July!!

Featured Listing Friday!

4 bedroom split level at a GREAT price!

Monthly Rent: $1,350
Deposit (Refundable): $1,000

Lease Term: 12 months
Square Feet: Approx. 1600
25031 35th Ave So Kent WA 98032


This 4 bedroom, 1.5 bath split level home has been remodeled on the inside, to include berber carpet and updated wall colors. The full bath upstairs has also recently been remodeled. All appliances are included. It is well-located near I-5 for superb commutability. The house sits on a very nice size lot and even has an entertainment deck off the kitchen eating area. There are two seperate entrances which could be a great setup for a roommate situation. For further information or to set up an appointment to view please contact Dawn Hardley at dhardley@bell-anderson.net or 253-852-8195 x208.

Featured Listing Friday!

Gorgeous Home with Amazing View of the Puget Sound!

Monthly Rent: $2,200

Deposit (Refundable): $1,600
Lease Term: 12 month

168 S 295th Pl Federal Way, WA 98003

This home is a MUST SEE!! Too much beautiful detail to name! This 2800 square foot home features 4 bedrooms, one of which is located on the ground, one full bathroom, two ¾ baths, and a half bath off the mud room. EVERYTHING has been redone from the dark wood flooring, natural stone and carpeting, to new paint, fixtures, appliances, siding, the works! Excellent attention to detail and beauty is found at every turn with granite counter tops not only in the kitchen but all bathrooms as well, brand new stainless appliances, and lots of windows and natural light. Located at the top of a cul-de-sac, there is an amazing Puget Sound view from the living room, dining room, kitchen, master bedroom and second bedroom. The oversized master bedroom boasts a wood-burning fireplace and walk-in closet, and in addition to the seperate dining room, there is a cozy breakfast nook off the kitchen leading to an extra family room. Three car garage with plenty of parking. This home can be rented furnished for an additional $700 per month. Call now to book your viewing appointment! Contact Kasey at 253-852-8195 x 216 or kmedina@bell-anderson.net.

IREM® & NARPM® Sign Memo of Understanding

The following news story was pulled from the National Association of Residential Property Manager's website regarding their recent affiliation with the Institute of Real Estate Manager's. We here at Bell-Anderson are very excited about this news, as several property managers belong to one or both of these organizations.

(Washington, DC, April 22, 2009) – The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM®) and the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM®) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining a collaborative working relationship in support of their common goals. IREM® President Pamela W. Monroe and NARPM® President Fred Thompson, MPM® RMP®, signed the MOU during a special ceremony held at the just-concluded IREM® Annual Leadership and Legislative Summit in Washington, DC.

Monroe and Thompson, commenting jointly following the signing ceremony, noted that “IREM® and NARPM® are both committed to enhancing the real estate management profession through ethical business practices; providing top-notch educational resources to those who manage real estate as a profession; helping their respective members achieve success with the properties they manage and the businesses they own or that employ them; and, finally, promoting advocacies that benefit the real estate management industry and its clients.”

To advance these shared goals, the organizations will:

• Work together to further advance the real estate management profession within their respective market sectors and through other means as may be determined.
• Extend preferred member pricing on each organization’s products and services to members of the other organization.
• Publish articles developed by each organization and its members in the publications of the other, so long as prevailing editorial policies and deadlines are observed.
• Encourage submission of proposals for presentations at education sessions at the conferences of each.
• Exchange information on legislation, regulatory, and public policy activities affecting their respective members.
• Collaborate on other initiatives, as appropriate.

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE OF REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT

The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM®) has been the source for education, resources, information, and membership for real estate management professionals for more than 75 years. An affiliate of the National Association of REALTORS®, IREM® is the only professional real estate management association serving both the multi-family and commercial real estate sectors. With 80 U.S. chapters, 12 international chapters, and several other partnerships around the globe, IREM® is an international organization that also serves as an advocate on issues affecting the real estate management industry.

Membership includes more than 18,000 individual members and 500 corporate members. IREM® promotes ethical real estate management practices through its credentialed membership programs, including the Certified Property Manager® (CPM®) designation, the Accredited Residential Manager® (ARM®) certification, the Accredited Commercial Manager (ACoM) certification, and the Accredited Management Organization® (AMO®) accreditation. These esteemed credentials certify competence and professionalism for those engaged in real estate management. In addition, IREM® offers Associate, Student, and Academic memberships.
Collectively, IREM® CPM® Members in the United States manage over $1.5 trillion in real estate assets, including 8.4 million residential units and 8.4 billion net square feet of commercial space. An additional 977,400 residential units are managed by IREM® ARM® Members. IREM® Members are employed by some of the most prestigious real estate firms in the world and nearly 70% hold upper-level management positions. Due to their professionalism and vast experience, property owners and investors worldwide continually seek out the management services of IREM® Members.

To learn more about the Institute of Real Estate Management and its chapter network, call (800) 837-0706, ext. 4650 (outside the U.S. call (312) 329-6000) or visit www.irem.org.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MANAGERS

The National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM®), founded in October 1988, provides a permanent trade organization for the residential property management industry. NARPM® continues to be the premier professional association of residential property managers, currently representing over 2000 members comprised of real estate agents, brokers, managers and their employees.

• NARPM® promotes a high standard of business ethics, professionalism and fair housing practice. The Association also certifies its members in the standards and practices of the residential property management industry and promotes continuing professional education.
• NARPM® is an association of real estate professionals who know first-hand the unique problems and challenges of managing single-family and small residential properties.
• NARPM® members know that education and communication raise the level of our profession, so that we may better represent our clients.
• NARPM® is here to represent the interest of property managers.

To learn more about the National Association of Residential Property Managers, call (800) 782-3452, e-mail info@narpm.org visit www.narpm.org.

Source: http://www.narpm.org/about/news/index.html?detailed=308

Featured Listing Friday!

Large 4 Bedroom, 2.5 bathroom Home in Vintage Hills with 3-car garage

Monthly Rent: $1895

Deposit (Refundable): $1200

Lease Term: 12 months

This 2800 square foot home has much to offer! The Master suite has a magnificent soaking tub, shower, 2 sinks and a walk in closet. The three remaining bedrooms have lots of closet space. All the rooms have plenty of light and designer painting on accent walls and arches, with a pleasant neutral color scheme throughout. Featuring an open kitchen/great family room with a deck for entertaining and and summer BBQs, leading into a well-landscaped and fenced yard. There is an extra bonus room as well, perfect for a media room or office. This is a great neighborhood and the location is close to freeways, stores, malls and schools. Cats are possible with approval. There is a $300 non-refundable pet fee per animal. For more information, contact Carrie Fjeld at cfjeld@bell-anderson.net or 253-852-8195 x 206.

To view the complete listing, visit our website at http://www.bell-anderson.net/?page=rplistings

Effective Board Meetings

We are at that time of year again when a lot of new board members are joining the ranks of our associations. Here is a brief overview of the purpose of board meetings, as well as some helpful guidelines of conduct for both new and old members.

Originally published by Ken Allen, CPM, ARM, CMCA, AMS, Community Association Manager

Board meetings are a means of decision making which should focus on the areas to which a Board is authorized to make decisions and the decision making process itself. There are three areas of Board decision making: Business, Governance and Community. The business portion is to review administrative, financial and maintenance matters. Governance is to enforce the governing documents, adopt and enforce rules and regulations and to decide issues of policies. Community is to promote harmony through service, communication, hearing appeals and settling conflicts.

Board meetings should always focus on decisions that need to be made, the presentation of possible solutions to conflicts and the setting of new priorities for the next meeting.

For Board meetings to be effective the Board Member needs to be prepared and meetings should be conducted so that they are conducive to decision making. To be adequately prepared, Board Members need to be sure that the meetings conform to legal requirements as to the frequency of meetings, when the meetings should opened to the homeowners and voting policies. Being prepared for decision making can be accomplished if meetings are scheduled at a fixed time and place and often enough for timely attention to matters needing Board attention. Having reserved a location ahead of time for the meetings reduces stress as the meeting gets closer because you do not have to hurry to try to secure one or try to remember where the meeting is. If possible, secure a neutral location away from the property such as a church, school, library, fire station and even at the management office. Management companies typically have a conference room located in their office building and this may be the most cost-effective solution. As you prepare your meeting notice and agenda well ahead of the meeting, include all players and distribute the notice, agenda and supporting material at least a week prior to the meeting. That way, everyone will understand what matters are before the Board, their needed input, and decisions that need to be made.

Following the basic principles of Parliamentary Procedures during the meeting will instill order, courtesy, majority rule, protection of rights and justice. After calling the meeting to order, establish that there is a quorum. A quorum is the minimum number of members needed to conduct business. Using motions in the decision making process is a good way to control the meeting. For an effective Board meeting, the presiding officer opens the meeting on time, announces the presence of a quorum, establishes the schedule of the meeting, sees to it that the meeting follows the agenda, keeps the discussions to the point at hand, and keeps meetings from becoming unreasonably long. The presiding officer can assure proper behavior during debates by instructing that all remarks are addressed to the presiding officer. Members should stop speaking when the presiding officer speaks and confine remarks to the issue at hand. Some other appropriate behaviors are avoiding using members’ names when referring to their positions, avoiding attacking members’ motives, and warning members of offensive behavior. Executive Sessions should only be used to discuss sensitive matters such as personnel issues, contract negotiations and legal issues.

The recording of the minutes of the meeting is a permanent public record that should reflect what was done at the meeting, not everything that was said. The use of action items prepares the Board for the next meeting. Action items list the decisions made at this meeting and, in some cases, dictates the agenda for the following meeting.

If a Board will follow the above actions, they will find that their meetings will run smoothly without incident and will be over before they know it.

What is Renter’s Insurance and Why Do You Need It?

What is renter’s insurance?

Renter’s insurance covers damage to or loss of your personal property. Whether you rent from a homeowner, a property manager, or a university (as a student living in a dorm), consider purchasing renter’s insurance.

Why do I need renter’s insurance?

Landlords insure the physical apartment building or home against damage from occurrences like fire, hail, and vandalism. However, their insurance policy does not cover your belongings, so don't expect the landlord to owe you payment should anything happen. Another reason to get renter’s insurance is to protect you against any accidents caused by other tenants.

Renter’s insurance can also protect against liability lawsuits or medical bills of guests injured in your apartment, that the landlord’s policy would not cover.

Some landlords will require you to purchase renter’s insurance. If so, this would be stipulated in your lease or lease riders.

What kinds of loss of or damage to property does renter’s insurance cover?

Coverage can vary depending on your insurance company and policy. In addition to cost, this can help you choose from where you want to get rental insurance. For example, some of the better-known places do not cover damage from floods, unless you pay an extra charge. If you live in an area prone to floods, it makes better sense to search for options where flood protection is included.

How does renter’s insurance work when you need to replace your property?

There are two kinds of payouts: actual cash value and replacement cost coverage. Actual cash value pays an amount equal to the current cost to replace your items minus the depreciated value. On the other hand, replacement cost coverage pays you the amount it would cost to replace your lost or damaged property. You only get the money if you replace the items. There is also usually a limit on how much money you receive, and the premiums tend to be higher.

The deductible is the amount you pay for the lost or damaged goods, before the insurance company would begin paying. Typically, the higher the deductible, the less your policy will cost.

I have a roommate? Do we each get our own policy?

It depends on the policy. Some insurance companies offer one policy that covers multiple people. Others require each person to get a separate policy. Check with your insurance agent to insure you have proper coverage.

Are there any discounts available?

Some insurance providers offer discounts to people who already have or have had insurance with the company. Check to see if your motor insurance provider has such discounts, and you may be able to save some money by bundling the insurances together.

Where do I obtain a renter’s insurance policy?

If you do not have an insurance company already, there are several websites like netquote.com or insureme.com that provide quotes from several different companies at the same time. Most major insurance companies will provide quotes online or over the phone. Be sure to do some research into the reputation of the insurance firm you select. Finally, asking for referrals from friends and family can also be helpful when trying to find a reliable insurance company.

Community Clothes Closet

In these times of need the staff at Bell-Anderson has opened a clothing closet for anyone, free of charge.

We have boy’s and girl’s clothing, with sizes starting at 12 month’s to 4T and some youth sizes, as well as women’s clothes size Large to 22. We are hoping to get men’s clothing as well in the near future.

Anyone that is in need of clothing, please contact your property manager or e-mail info@bell-anderson.net to make an appointment. Please do not hesitate to contact us. Your appointment will be kept confidential.

If you have some clothing that you would like to donate, please contact our office at info@bell-anderson.net. Any donations of gently used clothes, shoes or coats would be greatly appreciated.

The Role of the Attorney for the Community Association

Adapted from: Community Associations: A Guide to Successful Management
Co-Authored by: Vickie Gaskill, CPM®, MPM®

The community association may want to consider the services of an attorney, preferably one whose expertise is in real estate law and/or community associations. Oftentimes the Board of Directors will shy away from hiring a legal representative because of the costs involved, but there are far too many issues that can come up. Also, there are very few associations who have attorneys on their membership roles. Even when they do, the attourney members either don’t have the proficiency in the field or they aren’t able to give their services pro bono (for free). Remember, the members of the association are going to hold the board accountable if they fail to work with a legal specialist at a time when decisions stand a chance to jeopardize their own personal homes. Associations have been sued and their members' homes have been liened in order to pay off the rewards from large lawsuits.

Before the community looks for an attorney, they first must identify what it is they need an attorney for. What issues do they have that may require legal assistance? Following are a few of the type of services that may require the assistance of an attorney:

· Original Construction of the CC&R’s, Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation (Governing Documents)
· Interpretation and enforcement of the Governing Documents
· Assistance with the collection of past due assessments including placing liens and following up on foreclosure actions
· Represent the community association in litigation brought forth by members of the association or other third parties
· Provide guidance towards proper operations and helping the Board of Directors to understand their roles and responsibilities
· Assistance in the rewrite and/or amending of the governing documents
Occasionally attend meetings that have the potential of “spinning out of control” (oftentimes this is because of a very heated issue that may be on the agenda for the meeting)

Once the Board has gone through this exercise, there are a number of places that they can look for their legal specialist. Local and state bar associations list their members online and in the yellow pages, but be sure and look for those that specialize in community associations. http://www.lawyers.com/ is a great place to find attorneys in your community’s geographical area. Many attorneys in the community association field belong to trade associations representing the same (i.e. http://www.caionline.org/, http://www.irem.org/. etc.) Generally speaking, the attorneys in these trade association are very active in their respective organizations, oftentimes sharing invaluable informationwith their fellow members, at little or no cost. Boards need to do their homework when going through the selection process for their legal representative.

Ask the Staff!

Do you have any questions relating to property management that you would like the staff of Bell-Anderson to answer? E-mail the front desk at dalexander@bell-anderson.net and your question may make it on our blog if we feel the information would be helpful to our clients and community.

We can answer anything in regards to rental owners, tenants, community associations or their residents, or we will do our best to point you in the right direction!

Hello From Bell-Anderson!

Hello from Bell-Anderson & Associates, a full-service property management company located in Kent, Washington. Whether you are a tenant looking for a single family home, townhome or apartment for rent, an owner with one or more investment properties, business seeking a small commercial space or a condominium or homeowners’ association in need of management, Bell-Anderson offers the service for you.

Our company motto is “Our family serving yours.” Not only does our company operate much like a large family, but we do our best to treat everyone we come in contact with like our family as well. In order to reach out to our owners, tenants, board members and community association residents, we will be posting updates to this blog on a regular basis. Our hope is not only that we can keep you updated with company and personal news but also provide general information relating to everyone involved with property management, as well as legislative and trade association updates: a little of everything if you will.

To get us started, let’s meet the staff of Bell-Anderson!

First off, our fabulous owners Tim and Vickie Gaskill: they bought Bell-Anderson in September of 2002 from Gerry Anderson, who started the company in 1963 with Don Bell, Jr. Vickie Gaskill joined Bell-Anderson in 1986, and worked as the General Manager for the last three years before she bought the company. Vickie has earned four professional property management designations (CPM®, ARM®, MPM®, and RMP®) and serves as an instructor on the national faculty for the Institute of Real Estate Management and the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM®). In 2010, Vickie will become the national President of NARPM®. What an accomplishment! Tim Gaskill works as our all-around handyman and police contact. Together Tim and Vickie foster a sense of family that is enjoyed and appreciated by all of the staff. In their spare time, they like to spend time at the ocean and spoil their three grandchildren.

Vickie Gaskill

Our community associations department is made up of three property managers, two bookkeepers and a few support staff.

Property manager Ken Allen, CPM ®, ARM ®, CMCA®, AMS® has been in the industry since 1978 and is an active member of the Institute of Real Estate Management.

According to Brandon Benavides, another community association manager, “Family, friends, work and sports are my life.” He is our resident baseball expert and coach.

Brandon & Ken

Jenise Doty is the most recent association manager to join the Bell-Anderson family, but has been in the property management industry for over 20 years. She also works selling real estate and loves quilting and gardening.

Stephanie Durham, our condo support person assists all of the property managers. Her real estate career began as a Realtor in Southern California, and in 2006 she earned (and still maintains) her Washington Mortgage Broker’s license.

Stephanie, Jenise & Shannon

Jennifer Collins works as the accounts payable bookkeeper. She received her Human Resources degree from Eastern Washington University. Stefanie Octave, a West Virginia native, recently earned her Washington Salesperson’s license and is our accounts receivable bookkeeper. Together, Jennifer and Stefanie’s bright smiles and April fool’s jokes keep our office laughing.

On the residential rentals side, there are three property managers, a full-time maintenance coordinator and one bookkeeper.

Carrie Fjeld, ARM®, RMP® manages the majority of Bell-Anderson’s apartment communities, as well as single family units. She is busy serving on the convention committee for NARPM’s 2009 national conference, and will co-chair the 2010 convention in Seattle.

Stefanie & Carrie

Dawn Hardley, ARM® began her property management career in commercial management, and now manages single and small multi-family units. She is an avid outdoorswoman, enjoying camping, fly fishing and photography.

Residential manager Kasey Medina recently joined NARPM and is looking forward to working toward her first professional property manager’s designation after having graduated from Central Washington with a Business degree in December of 2008.

Maria Garcia works as our Maintenance Coordinator and all-around smart and helpful person. She has been with Bell-Anderson for 10 years, and usually knows the answer to most of our questions. In her spare time she enjoys basketball and spending time with her family.

Maria & Kasey

Shannon Richardson works as both the Residential and Corporate bookkeeper. She has been with Bell-Anderson for 9 years and loves golfing in her free time.

Last but certainly not least is Debi Alexander, our front desk coordinator. She may be the most familiar person to the majority of our clients, and her hard work and organization keep our front desk running smoothly.

Debi

Well now that you have met the family, we hope you will check back in the future to see what else pops up on our blog. It is a pleasure to serve all of our clients and the community. From our family to yours, have a wonderful day!