Power Tools for Property Managers

Although the Midwest region of the United States, is not the worst when it comes to green building efforts, it certainly isn't "leeding" the pack compared to the East and West coasts. California takes top honors "with the highest number of LEED-certified projects-- 79 as of last December, according to U.S. Green Building Council information. In comparison, Michigan, which leads the Midwest, has 35 LEED-certified projects, while the entire region has 111." The region, however, does have a few reasons to brag about green building efforts. The Chicago Center for Green Technology was the third LEED-certified platinum building in the country and the Chicago high-rise office building currently under construction is pre-certified gold.

Posted on April 25 at 01:20 PM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0)

Recently added to NAR's Virtual Library eBooks Collection: Creating Rainmakers, How to Become a Rainmaker, Web Marketing For Dummies®, Branding For Dummies®, Happy About Apartment Management. Check out eBooks.realtor.org for these and other titles. NAR members can borrow up to 3 eBooks, digital audios, and/or videos for FREE. New to NAR's digital library? Just follow the Quick Start Guide...and have your NRDS number ready!

Posted on April 23 at 01:29 PM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0)

Not all window films are created equal. In the past, window film's primary function "was to block solar heat coming through windows," to save on the cost of air conditioning, and reduce glass temperature. Today's security window films, however, serve a variety of purposes-- most importantly, saving lives, reducing injuries, and protecting property from damage due to natural disasters, gas line explosions, and various impacts. Property managers sometimes overlook the dangers of glass posed to tenants, yet low cost security film can strengthen existing windows. The most energy efficient film can cost between $10-$13 per square foot installed.

Posted on April 17 at 01:39 PM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0)

Windermere's Living Room office in Kirkland, WA combines real estate sales with wine tasting and an art exhibition. "Those who come in will meet with manager Vito Parente, a Realtor and former restaurant worker who says he can recommend a good wine and, when customers are ready to get serious, the right Windermere agent." Plasma screens show pictures of homes for sale.

Posted on April 13 at 01:21 PM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0)

Since the commercial office sector "spends roughly $24 billion annually on energy and is the single-largest operating expense for office buildings," BOMA developed an online resource named GREEN, the Green Resource Energy and Environment Network. BOMA's mission of the site is to "help property managers wade through the sea of information by creating a one-stop, all-encompassing information portal." The plethora of information on GREEN includes pointers on reducing plug-load during lunch time by turring off PCs and peripherals, looking for the Energy Star logo when purchasing new office equipment, and communicating the importance of managing individual and collective energy use through informational emails and posters at the office.

Posted on April 10 at 10:37 AM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0)