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!