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