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.