Halogen Hell.

If you want to get to know the clerk at your local light shop really well, install halogen lights.  Halogens can be relied on to last about as long as it takes to drive back from the store with the replacements for the last ones that blew.  If you are lucky, you’ll have time to find the step ladder too before ‘pop’ there goes another one.

Not only is this wasteful of resources – all those bulbs in landfill, all the trips back and forth to the light shop, it isn’t all that energy efficient either.  I’d argue you get more usable light from one 100w incandescent bulb than you do from two 50w halogens.  Not as romantic a light, but more practical.

If you are serious about developing a romance at the light shop, well, sometimes the planet needs to take second place to true love.  If love is off the cards, think carefully about the type of lights you install.

Tenants hate halogens.  Not only do they need replacing every 4.3 seconds, they cost more than regular bulbs to replace.  They are also really hot to touch, so they can’t be replaced the instant they blow, they need to be allowed to cool down first.  Halogen burns – I have a number of scars on my inquisitive fingers to prove it.  That’s what I get for touching the merchandise when I’m light shopping.

They can last longer if the cotton gloves literally go on when changing bulbs.  The oils from your skin can create hot spots, and that’s not a good thing for delicate bulbs.  I’d hate to think of the effect of kitchen splatter.  But, better yet, just install ordinary fittings, not halogens.  You can also fit these with compact florescents too, to save energy.

Have you got what it takes to be a Property Manager?

Rental Results is an award-winning property management company offering high quality property management service to investors with property in Wellington, Hutt Valley and Porirua. While Rental Results is relatively new, the director is widely respected for her expertise, professionalism, and quality of service, and seeks person cut from the same cloth to join our small team.

Our property manager would be responsible for all aspects of residential property management, including but not limited to:
• liaising with clients
• finding and managing tenants
• regular property inspections
• arranging maintenance with trades people
• applying to and attending Tenancy Tribunal
• project managing renovations
• related administration duties
If you have a broad skill-set, this is the role for you.

The person we seek:
• has a positive attitude - no problem is too hard to overcome, and they seek win-win outcomes
• takes pride in their work and has a strong sense of responsibility (sleepless nights if they don't do what they said they will)
• is assertive and can say ‘no’ when necessary
• has sales skills to rent property and gain new clients
• has great time management and organisational skills (we're not kidding)
• has great customer service and ability to relate to a wide variety of people
• has a good judge of character (can spot a liar before it’s too late)
• is calm under pressure and many demands on time and attention
• has good computer skills, including internet and Microsoft Office Suite
• has excellent communication skills, particularly written
• has a clean drivers licence, good credit and no criminal history (we will be checking)

Ideally they:
• have some experience with renovation or maintenance (you know a paintbrush from a plunger – although you won’t actually use either on the job)
• have experience or interest in property investment
• are mature (attitude, not necessarily age)
• are able to have fun, even when the whole world seems to be against them

We will extend your comfort zone and your skill set - if you love being challenged, you'll relish this. This is a position involving a high degree of trust and responsibility, and you will need to be an ambassador for the company at all times. There is no ‘job description’ – you are expected to do what needs to be done. Hours are somewhat flexible, with this full time position conducted any time between 7am and 7pm Monday to Friday and there is occasional 'on-call' work involved on a rostered basis. You will be provided with a cell phone and there is a work car available for use.

We won’t lie to you, with every job there are downsides. From time to time the role can be stressful and disheartening. You may be shocked by what you find on occasion and there will be some long hours in our busy season. However, if you can find the funny side of most situations you will find yourself in an exceptionally fulfilling position. We have a very supportive tight-knit team with a great sense of humour. We do things differently and think outside the box. At Rental Results we work together and capitalise on each individual’s strengths.

You will get to go to conferences and other development opportunities where you will develop a greater financial literacy and will learn a lot about property management and investment- while having a whole lot of fun! You will have access to professional associations and their benefits and you will meet a large number of people, many influential (as they say, you are who your friends are).

We offer comprehensive on-the-job training, so no previous experience as a property manager is necessary. The role would suit someone changing careers, leaving tertiary study, or returning full-time to the work force.

This role can be challenging, but also immensely rewarding. If you take pride in your service apply now with your CV and cover letter emailed to annelise@rentalresults.co.nz. Position to start ASAP.

You must be eligible to work in NZ to apply for this role.

*** Applicants please note: ***

We have an incredible team in place. If you think you have what it takes to be the best, impress the heck out of us! Please research us before putting in your application. To get an interview, show you know your stuff.

Jackie Thomas-Teague
021 681 481
04 4711880

Real Estate Agent Friday, Property Manager Monday.

Last weekend I was looking at a property with a real estate agent.  ‘I’m intrigued by your car’ he said, commenting on the sign-writing, ‘is it your business?’.  I explained that indeed I ran a successful property management company in the Wellington area.  ‘Fantastic!’ he said.  ‘I’m in that industry too.  Our company property manager resigned on Friday, so the office manager said come Monday morning, I’m it’.  Not surprisingly, this was the extent of his knowledge about his new career.  Yup, that’s the quality of property manager some companies have.  Not a career choice, certainly not a vocation, or a calling, but ‘bugger, the seats empty, who’s fool enough to say yes to sitting in it?’.  Sigh.  It is this sort of recruitment process that makes me weep for all the landlords and tenants and houses damaged by such lack of care and passion.  It makes me weep for all the property managers who do give it their all but are tainted with the same brush.  It makes me weep about all the wannabes who apply to work at Rental Results without a clue about what it takes.  That X factor is hard to describe.  I tried to explain the other day to someone that it takes an iron fist in a velvet glove, but that doesn’t really capture it.  Take a look at our recruitment advert here to learn more about the skills and attributes we look for.  Not surprisingly, there are few who fit the bill.  But that’s fine.  We know it takes a special someone to be part of the team and give it what we do.  If you know that special someone, show them our advert.  We are dedicated to having the best property management team in the country.

Test - should you do your own maintenance?

Most people find being a ‘hands-on’ landlord doing their own maintenance, is not as fun as they imagined, particularly when the property manager starts to also nag them to ‘get the work done already before a bigger problem occurs’.  Some of our clients have learned the hard way that they are not cut out for doing their own work, and it really is far cheaper, and a lot less stress, to have Rental Results handle it.

So, before you volunteer to do your own maintenance, ask yourself these ten simple questions:

Be honest, and don't cheat and look at the correct answers below first.
 

1. Am I trade qualified in the field of the work I am about to do?
2. Do I carry sufficient insurance?
3. Will my doing the work invalidate any insurance claim, current or in the future?
4. Can I get it done within 4 hours of being advised of the problem?
5.  Will I get it done then?
6. Do I have all the tools I need to do it safely and quickly?
7. Do I have the knowledge to do it in a tradesman-like manner?
8. Would I be happy to pay someone to do the repair to the same quality as I can do?
9. Can I tell the tenant ‘speak to your property manager about that’ if they ask me for anything?
10. Do I have better things to do?
 

If you have answered “Yes, Yes, No, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, and No”, in that order, then sure, go ahead and do your own maintenance.  

Any answers contrary to those, go hang up your tool belt immediately, get Rental Results to handle it, and relax.  You’ve just made the world a better place.