We saw a terrific two-bedroom townhouse in a great SW Edmonton neighbourhood. It is perfect and has a finished basement with a room that could either be a 3rd large bedroom with a sitting room or a family room. There is also a half bath downstairs. We would buy it in a minute except that we...

QUOTE (edlabine @ Dec 6 2007, 08:53 PM) Rascal - my 3 catagories - new tenants = card, good tenant = gift, bad tenant (I don`t have any but I`ve heard that they exist...) = nilch! Ok, you`re in Edmt, they are 5 hrs away and building your retirement... Buy some gifts, and go for a drive - say...

QUOTE (SonjaSkage @ Dec 5 2007, 09:19 AM) Hi! I have mostly young tenants and I usually give them a set of bath towels for Christmas. All young people seem to need towels. I watch for an awesome sale. If it`s female tenants, I`ll add bath stuff and chocolates - what woman doesn`t love this?? If...

I like the idea of presenting ourselves as a group. Exit has a lot to offer. I like the fact that they are small and personable. Jackie is the person who handles PM and she is amazingly thorough with her communication. Maybe it was just that I made a point of telling her how much poor...

QUOTE (rnieb @ Nov 23 2007, 10:37 PM) Congradulations Wayne and Diane, So which PM did you end up using? Thanks, Rich Exit Realty Discovery. www.exitgp.ca 780-532-3388. Ask for Jackie or Brian.

Thank you, REIN! We just want to say thank you to REIN and to all of its members who have helped us this past month as we worked through many difficulties with our properties in Grande Prairie. Just to recap, in July, as brand new REIN members, we bought our first two properties in GP--two...

QUOTE (trudijohnston @ Nov 22 2007, 06:31 AM) Good-morning!!! I just wanted to make a comment. When we are at our REIN meetings it is so great to be with other like minded people. The problem is we have such a short time to meet and greet. Therefore, it was really great to meet yesterday with...

Wow! That seems high to me. I have received quotes from five companies now, and none of them so far have mentioned an hourly fee for advertising and credit checks. Credit checks cost, but other companies bill you just that cost. I`ve never heard of a lease commission. That seems over the...

QUOTE (srousseu @ Nov 20 2007, 09:36 AM) Hi Tyler, For me the most important thing is communication. I don`t mean I expect to be emailed about my property every week, but when I have a question about my property I would expect a resonse within 3-5 business days. I am currently looking for a new...

QUOTE (TIMWEMBLEY @ Nov 15 2007, 11:59 AM) I am also in Grande Prairie and have been unimpressed by Property Management (Richer Realty). Much of the same stuff as it sounds like with Carver they sound like they sound like they care when on the phone and meetimng with them. But results renting...

I would also add that there is some kind of proactive marketing strategy. Throwing a lame ad in the paper and waiting for people to come to you isn`t my idea of a good plan. It would be refreshing to see a PM jump in and market the place as if it were his or her own. Directional signs, huge...

All of the above plus I like lots of open, clear communication. I want to know if my ads are working, if the calls are coming in, if and when they show my place, what the results are, what are their impressions of the applicants, etc. I can`t stand having messages go unanswered. When they...

What are people`s thoughts on leases (in Alberta)? I have heard two different arguments. Some say that leases are more in favor of the tenant and some say the same for the landlord. Some recommend renting month-to-month. Any feedback from those more experienced would be helpful.

QUOTE (rnieb @ Nov 14 2007, 10:55 PM) I was thinking of using Prime because I had heard nothing but good things but now I am starting to wonder if they are the best option. Tell me about your experience with them.Thanks,Rich One thing that I have learned through this is to NOT choose a PM...

QUOTE (SamEfford @ Nov 14 2007, 07:13 PM) We are looking into a "tenant-finder" as well in Grande Prairie. Will keep everyone posted if we find someone. We have asked Brian and Jackie at Exit Realty to help us show the property and screen tenants. I met with them when I was in town on Tuesday...

QUOTE (RedlineBrett @ Nov 14 2007, 01:54 PM) They need to be licensed as a property manager to keep funds in trust and make payments for repairs and stuff like that. Realtor`s can`t do that unless they also have a property manager`s license. However, given the trouble you`ve had maybe you want...

QUOTE (RedlineBrett @ Nov 14 2007, 12:40 PM) I am sorry to hear you have had so much trouble with your GP investment properties... Property management is one of the reasons we have kept it close to home in the early going. However, I think you should be commended for sticking with it and taking...

QUOTE (jarrettvaughan @ Nov 14 2007, 11:36 AM) I am wondering if any one has had success with discounting rent if it is paid on time? For example, rent is advertised at $1000.00 if paid on time and $1200.00 if paid late. Has this been successful and how much of a discount do some of you offer...

Well, who would have known after our first Quickstart in June, that property management would be the biggest fly in the investment ointment? I remember Don and Russell both telling us that we would make plenty of mistakes, that we should count on it and that we would learn some of our best...

By all means. We started with Prime Property Management and then moved to Carver. We just cancelled our contract with Carver. I would not recommend either one of these companies based on my experience. I could tell you more if you email me.