Newsletter
January 2012 
IN THIS ISSUE
Employee In The Spotlight
On-Line Rent Pay Is Available
Water Bills
Hints For Water Conservation
National Vacancy Rates Down: Renting is the New Buying
QUICK LINKS

EMPLOYEE IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Julie Aguirre   

Our Employee In The Spotlight this month is
Julie Aguirre. Julie is the Section 8 Specialist. She assists Tenants who receive housing benefits with their lease. Click here to see more about Julie and the rest of the GPM Team.
 
ON-LINE RENT PAY IS AVAILABLE
e deposit
Tenants who wish to pay their rent on-line may do so by logging on to the Tenant Portal.  One-time payments may be made by credit card or checking account draft (convenience fees apply).  If you set up Auto Pay with your checking account, the convenience fee is waived.  If you do not have a login for the Tenant Portal, click the SIGN UP button on the Tenant Portal and fill out the requested info.  Login information will be e-mailed to you. 
Greetings!

 

Winter is here in Southeast Michigan.  It took a while with the unseasonably warm weather that we've had, but make no mistake - it's cold now!

This month, we are addressing the utilities.  Please read on for important information.

Water Bills 

 

We are currently conducting an audit of the water bills with the Water Department to be sure that the bills are being sent to the correct address and to correct a problem. During this time, as stated on your bill, you are responsible for water charges.

  • You may overpay your current bill so that you have extra money on account to cover water charges.
  • Please note that we post your bills as soon as we receive them at the office.  If you have not received your bill, we have not received it either.
  • Water is billed to you on a net 30 basis, meaning that you have 30 days from the date the bill is posted to your account to pay the bill.

Thank you for your patience while we work through this audit with the Water Department and correct the issue.

Hints For Water Conservation   

 

Each drop of water that does down the drain is costing you money.  Below are some ways to conserve water and help to keep your bills in check:

  1. Check faucets and pipes for leaks - A small drip from a worn faucet washer can waste 20 gallons of water per day.  Larger leaks can waste hundreds of gallons.
  2. Don't use the toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket -  Every time you flush a cigarette butt, facial tissue or other small bit of trash, five to seven gallons of water is wasted.
  3. Check your toilets for leaks - Put a little food coloring in your toilet tank.  If, without flushing, the color begins to appear in the bowl within 30 minutes, you have a leak that should be repaired.  
  4. Use your water meter to check for hidden water leaks - Read the house water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used.  If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak.
  5. Insulate your water pipes - It's easy and inexpensive to insulate your water pipes with pre-slit foam pipe insulation.  You'll get hot water faster plus avoid wasting water while it heats up.
  6. Take shorter showers - One way to cut down on water use it is to turn off the shower after soaping up, then turn it back on to rinse.  A four-minute shower uses approximately 20 to 40 gallons of water.
  7. Turn off the water after you wet your toothbrush - There is no need to keep the water running while brushing your teeth.  Just wet your toothbrush and fill a glass for mouth rinsing.
  8. Rinse your razor in the sink - Fill the sink with a few inches of warm water. This will rinse your razor just as well as running water, with far less waste of water.  
  9. Use your dishwasher and clothes washer for only full loads - Automatic dishwashers and clothes washers should be fully loaded for optimum water conservation.  Most makers of dishwashing soap recommend not pre-rinsing dishes which is a big water savings.  With clothes washers, avoid the permanent press cycle, which uses an added 5 gallons for extra rinse.  For partial loads, adjust water levels to match the size of the load.  
  10. Minimize use of kitchen sink garbage disposal units - In-sink 'garburators' require lots of water to operate properly.
  11. When washing dishes by hand, don't leave the water running for rinsing - If you have a double-basin, fill one with soapy water and one with rinse water.  If you have a single-basin sink, gather washed dishes in a dish rack and rinse them with a spray device or pan full of hot water.  If using a dishwasher, there is usually no need to pre-rinse the dishes.
  12. Don't let the faucet run while you clean vegetables - Just rinse them in a stoppered sink or a pan of clean water.
  13. Keep a bottle of drinking water in the fridge - Running tap water to cool it off for drinking water is wasteful. 
National Vacancy Rates Down: Renting is the New Buying  

 

An article from Rentbits

 

In previous years, it was embarrassing to say you rent. Today, in most cases, it is embarrassing to say you own. According to the US Census Bureau, the U.S. homeownership rate has fallen about 1.5% over the past year (from 66.9% to 65.9%). For every 1% drop in the homeownership rate, it represents approximately 1 million new renters entering the rental market.

 

In some cases, homeownership rates have fallen below some European countries. Italy for example, has an 84% homeownership rate. Along with Spain with a 78% homeownership rate.

 

High unemployment rates, difficulty in getting financing, changing demographics and increased foreclosure rates are adding to the deceleration of homeownership. In 2011, there was a 4% increase in the amount of renting households compared to 2010.

 

In the United States, homeownership is the least in states like California (56%), New York (54%) and Washington at (64%).  

 

States with the highest homeownership rates are Michigan (75%), Mississippi (75%), South Carolina (75%) and West Virginia at (79%).

 

Rental vacancy rates dropped to 5.6 percent in the third quarter of 2011, down from their record high of 8 percent in 2009, according to Reis Inc. This increase in rental demand is putting upward pressure on rental prices throughout the United States.  As more foreclosures and new apartment buildings enter the market, the rental rates should stabilize and reach equilibrium.

 

Renting is the new buying and this trend doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon.

Owner Portal Reports 

 

We have updated the reports on the Owner Portal.  Log on to the Owner Portal and click on the Reports tab.  There you will find the following reports:

  • Occupied v Vacant
  • Prospects / Showings For Your Vacant Properties
  • Payments Received This Month
  • Balances of Current Tenants
  • Income Statement Detail For Current Year
  • Management Detail Report Current Month
  • Schedule E 2011  

If you do not know how to log on to the Owner Portal, or if you need any other assistance with the reports, please contact the Client Services Department.

As always, we appreciate your partnership.

Sincerely,

Chris Garner
Garner Properties & Management
  
Find us on Facebook
  
View our profile on LinkedIn
  
Follow us on Twitter
  
View our videos on YouTube
  
Visit our blog
Allstate Ad