September 2011 RENT TALK NEWSLETTER

Posted in Uncategorized on September 26th, 2011 by ppproperties – Comments Off

    UPCOMING EVENTS:

        RENTAL HOUSING ASSOCIATION OF GREATER PORTLAND will be sponsoring a class entititled “TOXIC MOLD FACT OR FICTION”.  The class is presented by Michael Gardner with Real Estate Mold Solutions.  Class is Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011 from 6:30 - 8:00 PM.

   PROPERTY MANAGEMENT:

        In looking for a competent property management company, Portland Pioneer Properties would like to let our new customers and clients know that we are members and affilliates of the following.

            Rental Housing Association of Greater Portland

            Clark County Housing Association in Vancouver Wash.

            National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM)

        We believe it vitally important to let our new clients and customers know that we are associated with professional organizations and abide by the professional ethics and meet the statandards of professionalism called for by these industry standouts.

        If you are investigating property management services for your properties we ask that you call 503-238-2560 and inquire about our services and offerings.

    LEGISLATIVE LANDLORD/TENANT BILLS PASSING IN 2011:

        The following areas will be experiencing immediate changes in 2011.

            Applicant Screening Charges

            Deposits

            Carbon Monoxide Detectors

            Evictions

        Portland Pioneer Properties is in the process of obtaining copies of the bills for distribution of our customers and clients. If you would like copies please call our office and ask for the number of copies of each area of change or number of copies of complete sets.

        For more information regarding these areas please call our office and ask for Dick. 503-238-2560

 

    LANDLORD/TENANT EVICTION LEGAL SERVICES:

        Portland Pioneer Properties specializes in client services regarding Evictions, Small Claims, Collections, and Service.  If you are having problems collecting rents, have troublesome tenants who are agressive towards you, or just want to re-establish your rights under your rental agreements then now is the time to call 503-701-6589.  Change is just a phone call away.  

 

    LANDLORD/TENANT HOTLINE:

        Oregon Legal Assistance Service in concert with Portland Pioneer Properties operates a 24/7 Landlord Tenant Hotline Service.  If you have questions concerning a landlord tenant matter please call the hotline now at 503-701-6589.

 

    PROPERTY MAINTENANCE:

        Allied Contractors LLC. is Portland Pioneer Properties contractor of choice regarding rental unit maintenance.  Allied Contractors provides maintenance service and assistance and general maintenance for the low rate of $35.00 p/hr. plus expenses.  Licensed plumbing and electrical work is charged out at  $95.00 p/hr.  If you have a routine repair or a bid on specific work call our office at 503-238-2560 for fast and easy maintenance dispatching .

RENT TALK JUNE 2011 NEWSLETTER

Posted in Uncategorized on June 22nd, 2011 by ppproperties – Comments Off

PORTLAND PIONEER PROPERTIES MOVES TO NEW LOCATION:

    After a very successful 2010 operational year, Portland Pioneer Properties staff came to the realization that we were rapidly running out of office space in our Cesar Chavez SE location.  As luck would have it,  we kind of fell into an opportunity that we could not pass up.  Location, space, finances, interest rates and a host of other factors led us to move to our new offices located at 409 NE 150th PL., Portland, OR 97230. 

    We have successfully made the move and while we still have some boxes to unpack we are clearly on the tail end of our move.  If you find yourself in the area, please feel free to stop by and say hi.  We always look forward to visiting with our owner and tenant clients.

CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURE:

     Utility Charges On The Rise.  It is our opinion that Utility Charges are or will rapidly require drastic changes in how utility costs are handled in the future.  In the past most renters have always relied on Water, Sewer and Garbage were always provided by the landlord.  With the rate of increases projected by the City of Portland in the coming future, Landlords and Managers will be forced to pass those costs on to the consumer(renters).  How best to make that transition is not exactly know at this time.  Portland Pioneer Properties has partnered with key end users to study this dynamic and will be making recommendations to our client base in the latter part of Q4.  If you have suggestions and or comments for input, please don’t hesitate to call Dick at the office number at 503-238-2560.  Any suggestions will be welcome and appreciated. 

Hidden cost increases passed on to Landlords and Property Managers.  Many outside of the industry do not recognize the operational cost increases we have endured to remain in business.  State and Local License Fees have doubled for small businesses operating under LLC’s and other license catergories.  Legal and Landlord Tenant Evictions fees, forms and service costs as well as trial fees have increased.  Downtown parking meter hours have been extended to 7:00 PM and fees increased as well as parking structure fees.  Maintenance costs and licensing requirements have increased as evidenced by the Lead Based Renovation EPA license which increased fees for licensed contractors and repair costs for all.

Its still the economy stupid.  While there are signs rents are showing some signs of increasing we are not seeing that trend in the rental applications we are receiving.  We still have too many prospective tenants whose sole income is unemployment insurance, Federal School Loan programs, subsidized incomes i.e. TANIF, Housing, and various other programs designed to get folks into housing who do not have the financial resources to front the cost on their own.  

Increased Regulation is placing the small investor/landlord on the endangered species lists.  For the new landlord trying to stay out of trouble in the world of regulations and severe penalties, along with the declining property values associated rental properties pretty much place the small independant landlords on the road to extinction.

Portland Pioneer Properties LLC is well positioned to help landlords navigate the complexities of Landlording.  For more information on how we can help you please call the office at 503-238-2560 and we will be happy to talk with you about your situation and landlording needs.

NEW SERVICES OFFERED:

    In 2010 we started a new service working with independant landlords to help them screen their prospective tenants.  Utilizing our template screening criteria form as a starting place and working through the desired attributes of future tenants we can offer our clients professional screening services and low cost margins.  Such a service allow the small investor to utilize the same structures of large property management companies without having to invest in overhead structure to avail the needed information.  If this service appeals to your needs give us a call today.  503-238-2560 is the number.

OREGON LEGAL ASSISTANCE SERVICE:

    Portland Pioneer Properties works hand in hand with our partner Oregon Legal Assistance Service (OLAS).  OLAS provides the following services.

    Landlord Tenant 24 hour Hotline services. Call 503-701-6589.

    Landlord Tenant In-House Attorney network.

    Eviction Processing Forms

    Eviction Filing Services from notice through first appearance

    Attorney Reviews at Affordable Hourly Rates.

    Small Claims Assistance

    Collection Assistance

    OLAS partnering with Portland Pioneer Properties continues to meet the needs of both small to medium landlords and Property Managers.  OLAS operates in 8 Oregon Counties and can in most cases assist your needs.  OLAS is a member of the Oregon Paralegal Association and the National Paralegal Association.

ALLIED CONTRACTORS LLC:

    Allied Contractors completed the Lead Based Paint Renovation and Repair training and received the corresponding license added to our CCB license # 182269.

    Allied is partnered with Portland Pioneer Properties to assist with all maintenance evaluations and repairs.  Allied remains the go to guy for standard and routine repairs.  As the name suggests, Allied is associated with professional maintenance technicians who bring the right skill sets to the right job.  General Maintenance Repairs, Sheet rock jobs, large or small, general plumbing / electrical repairs, or whatever the need, Allied is always ready to assist.  For immediate assistance call Dick directly at 503-701-6589.

    SAFETY FIRST:

      As the summer starts to play a more direct role in all our lives, please remember to alway work safely and play safely.  Life is to precious to endure a preventable work or recreation accident.