Archive for March, 2009

Tenant retention is an integral part of property management. Creating a strategic plan for tenant retention is necessary.  No longer is tenant retention simply service with a smile.  Today’s property management companies must understand and know what their tenants want, need and expect from their occupancy.  Creating and building a relationship with tenants is crucial.  Tenants that are treated as valued “partners” in the property will in turn be more satisfied in their tenancy.  Giving your tenants a voice and a say in the running of the property is a new and different approach to retention.  Property management is a “we” business and this needs to be conveyed to the tenant.  A team approach, coupled with creative thinking, and a community building positive attitude is what today’s tenants require .
 
At Redstone, our property management prides itself on building a sense of belonging for every tenant.  We work with tenants to accommodate their needs and take a proactive, long term approach towards property management.  Looking at both the fiscal and physical management of every property we strive to provide a tailored and individualized property management service for each property.  Whether it is a maintenance technician, repairing a faucet or a property manager reviewing an annual property budget, every tenant is treated as a valued customer.  Our goal is to convey to our tenants that they are important to us and to provide superior, quality property management services.

What is Green Building?  According to the Vermont Green Building Network http://www.vgbn.org “Buildings have a tremendous impact on the environment–both during construction and through their operation.  Green building is a loosely defined collection of land-use, building design, construction, and operational strategies that reduce these environmental impacts. Green building practices offer an opportunity to create environmentally sound and resource-efficient buildings by using an integrated approach to design: architects, engineers, land planners, building owners and operators, and constructors get together and design the building by looking for cooperative or advantageous relationships between parts of the project.”
 
At Redstone we believe Green Building starts with selecting the right site.  Many of our projects involve reusing existing buildings and focusing investment in Vermont’s downtowns and village centers.  Working in locations with a variety of compatible uses and transportation alternatives results in fewer single occupancy vehicle miles traveled by building occupants.  After site selection, using high quality materials that will last long term, are sourced locally when possible, and do not contain harmful chemicals is critical.  Additionally, designing mechanical and electrical systems that perform efficiently reduces energy consumption and lowers a building’s carbon footprint.
 
There are a variety of excellent sources for additional information on Green Building topics and techniques.  In addition to the Vermont Green Building Network, a couple of my favorites are Environmental Building News (based in Brattleboro) http://www.buildinggreen.com/ and the U.S. Green Building Council http://www.usgbc.org/ 

Not a day goes without hearing about topics of energy efficiency, green building or capturing our renewable resources.  Who does it really benefit?  http://www.reformer.com/ci_11903551?source=most_emailed

In the $787 billion stimulus package, officially titled the, “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,” commercial real estate is supported through provisions that focus on green building and energy efficiency, as well as business tax incentives. The bill provides significant funds for state energy programs, which could be used to support commercial property owners’ investment in energy efficiency upgrades and commercial property owners seeking to invest in alternative energy systems.  Read executive summary.