Rental "Real Talk"

It’s prom season, again!  Time for that annual rite of passage where area teens dress up, crowd local eateries and stay up into the wee hours of the night at various after prom parties. 

Over the past few years, I have noticed that prom has become more and more elaborate in terms of  costs and in how it is treated.  For instance, last year a youth in my church was trying to figure out his “proposal” for the girl he wanted to ask to go his senior prom.  I looked at him bewildered because “proposal?”  Personally, one of my best friends in high school raised his head off his desk during his English class nap and said, “Why don’t we just go to prom?”  That was enough for me, but now you have to have an elaborate and sometimes very public display to get a girl to go the prom (Note:  Overpass signs are soooooo, yesterday).  In fact, I know of a girl who has turned down not 1, not 2 but 3 different prom proposals because they weren’t good enough.  What?!

Yesterday, an article came out in USA Today that said the national average prom cost is up this year to $1,078 per couple.  I will break that cost down for you later, but that seems a little pricey for a dance where nobody would dance, a fancy French dinner nobody would eat and a ride around the city in a limo.  But considering where we are from, there isn’t any reason why we wouldn’t do it up big.  In fact, in the Northeast and in the South, the average prom couple will spend between $1,000 and $2,000 on their big night.  If you live in the West or Midwest, that number is only $700.  Lower incomes will spend more than the national average (around $2,600) and higher incomes will spend less.  Peer pressure to one up the other guy drives how much people will spend because for today’s celebrity influenced teens, appearance is everything.  This IS a teen girl’s Cinderella or “red carpet” moment and if that means you spend beyond your means to accomplish it, so be it.

This year my son is a junior in high school.  As we were getting closer to Spring Break, I began to wonder about his prom.  He hadn’t said a thing about going and what he could do to pay for it.  When I pressed him about it, he said, “It just seems a bit expensive for a dance, it’s not like it is my Senior Year. Besides, why strain the family budget?  We have college to pay for!” I see his point but at the same time, I would love to see him all decked out in a tux too.  Shame on me for raising such a thoughtful kid. 

Recently, there have been a lot of changes in my life that to say the least have been stressful.  I am the first to admit that I do not like being caught off guard or having to make a complete 180 degree turn.  Change for me is the enemy.  This of course leads me to ask the question, “Why are people so resistant to change?” 

Interestingly enough nature changes all the time, but humans have a little more difficulty with change.  Let’s take the recent changes going on at Facebook (I know, again!).  First, at the end of March, Facebook required all users to switch to Timelime.  If you had not made the conscious decision to get Timeline prior to March 30^th, you all of a sudden had it and you hated it. Mainly because you couldn’t find ANYTHING!  Also, everything is now getting documented whether it is what you read or the pictures you were viewing or even what you were listening to was all now appearing in your feed and viewable in the feeds of others.  Another small bit of your privacy while doing something  in your free time was gone.  So when news reports came out about Instagram being purchased by Facebook, fans of Instagram revolted for basically the same reasons.  The perception that the privacy of this little online community and the rights of the pictures would be stripped away.  (By the way, did anyone under say 30 really care about Instagram until it appeared in the news the other day? I know I didn’t but of course, now I have downloaded it and love it – Facebook, please don’t change it!)

According to a report from the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, people are resistant to change for several reasons:

• The reason for change was unclear.
• Changes are made without consulting those that are directly affected.
• Communications about any changes were insufficient.
• When the benefit or reward resulting from any changes are not seen as worth the trouble.

“An unwilling user can always make an idea fail, no matter how good it is.” 

An unwilling user can always cause a good idea to fail. Interesting observation because personally, I like the new Facebook Timeline, but I was one of the few that got it when it was still in its Beta testing stage.  I was a willing user!  When everyone started posting panoramic cover photos and I noticed what everyone was listening to on Spotify, I wasn’t as concerned that I had to learn new things.  I welcomed the change.  Many of my “friends” are having a harder time because as long as they are unwilling users they will continue to reluctantly figure out how to adapt in the ever changing world of Facebook over and over and over again.  But where does the cycle end?  Simple.  By using a more positive approach to change (take note Mr. Zuckerberg).  By thinking ahead, communicating and seeing the other side of things sometimes, changes don’t have to be so hard to implement.

Just a reminder that our offices will be CLOSED on Friday, April 6, 2012 in observance of the Good Friday Holiday.  We will reopen on Monday, April 9, 2012 at 8:30 a.m.  A member of our staff will be available to answer your leasing  questions tomorrow from 4:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. and on Saturday, April 7, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.   You are also encouraged to visit our website for additional information about our available properties including pricing, directions, pictures and virtual tours.

As always our Maintenance Department is available after hours, weekends and holidays for emergency repair requests only.  As a reminder an emergency is defined as:

• No power to the entire property and the Power Company is not responsible.
• No water to the entire property and the Water Department is not responsible.
• Gas odor (and  after the Gas Company is contacted first).
• Smoke or sparks from outlets, switches, etc.
• No heat or lack of operable heating facilities capable of heating the living areas to 65 degrees Fahrenheit when the outside temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit between November 1st and March 31st.
• No A/C or lack of operable cooling facilities capable of cooling the living areas to 85 degrees Fahrenheit between June 1st and September 30th.
• Break-ins where the property needs to be secured.
• Unusable toilet (only if there is no other usable toilets in the home)
• Broken locks on exterior doors and the property cannot be secured.
• Flooding
• Fire (Please dial 911 first prior to contacting us)
• Floor/wall/ceiling cave-ins.
• Termites.
• Sewage coming up in any drains.
• Leaking water heaters.

If your concern has not been listed above, we will be happy to handle your maintenance request upon our return on Monday, April 9, 2012.  In the meantime, you are welcome to submit our request in writing by visiting our website.

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!!  See you Monday!!!

It has been so busy here at the office of T. R. Lawing Realty, Inc. for the past week.  I’m not complaining, busy is good however if you love writing for Rental “Real Talk”, it’s a problem.  But none-the-less, here is today’s Wednesday Rewind.

Yesterday, tornadoes ripped through the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.  No doubt you have already seen the video of a massive tornado throwing tractor trailers around like they were feathers.  If not, check it out here.  Originally posted October 27, 2010, this article written by our own David Cunningham gives some helpful tips on what to do to keep from being blown away.

Many people are unprepared when it comes to changes in the weather – it seems everything from hard rains to snow flurries cause the citizens of the Queen City to go into a state of panic; flooding the grocery stores for canned-good provisions and losing the ability to drive with any amount of sanity. That’s why it’s even more crucial to keep one’s head in the face of truly severe inclement weather like tornadoes. “But what can I do?”you ask, hurriedly, as you toss gallon after gallon of whole milk into your backseat.

Remember these Four Steps to keep your cool when the forecast calls for tumultuous winds:

1. Be Alert – Do the skies look grim and foreboding? Stop trying to play meteorologist and turn on the news or check your local websites for weather reports. Overloaded by the number of sites out there? Try Weather.com.

2. Make Sure Your Insurance Is Active – For homeowners, a lapsed insurance policy can make a huge difference in the face of a natural disaster. “But I’m renting this property!” you say. Don’t think you need to protect your valuables? Read this nifty article on the importance of Renter’s Insurance.

3. Seek Shelter- If a tornado is in your area, it’s not a good idea trying to outrun or out-drive one. You can flash back to those elementary school drills if you want, but check NOAA.gov for concise instructions that will fit any situation you may find yourself to be in. A good basic rule of thumb: stay away from walls and out of rooms with lots of things that could go flying around.

4. Develop A Safety Plan With Family/Friends – Where are the flashlights? Where will you meet if you get separated? Who’s got the key to the storeroom with all of my canned goods? Figure out a game plan beforehand and you won’t be so frazzled in the midst of an emergency. Check The Tornado Project for more tips on dealing with tornadoes.

Don’t be caught unawares like SOME people…

Sometimes, we get Spring Fever too!  Thankfully, we have a lot of great posts that can stand the test of time.  Originally posted September 22, 2010, Property Manager, Brenda Armstrong offers some sound advice for the do-it-yourself owner.  Enjoy the rewind!

When we get calls in the office inquiring about our property management services, it’s usually the case that the client on the other end of the phone call is already sold on the idea of having their property managed. At the stage in which they contact us, they’re essentially shopping around, trying to find what they think is the best deal for services rendered.

But what about those people who remain unconvinced that property management is a fit for them? What about those who feel as if they can manage every aspect of their investment themselves? For the ones who find themselves faced with the option of handling their investment property, a very small percentage of those are actually prepared to deal with the sometimes-stressful financial upkeep, the various legal ins and outs, the marketing and prospective tenant screening and the sheer amount of time and patience required to manage a property successfully.

For the rest, however, trying to manage a property without these overall experiences and abilities can often end in less-than-desirable results.

I’ve heard horror stories of homeowners who decided to manage their own property having to deal with months of litigation and unpaid rent simply because they didn’t know or weren’t aware of the many North Carolina laws and procedures dealing with the eviction process. Not only did they have to foot the bill for the mortgage payments themselves, on top of legal costs, but but oftentimes when they finally regained possession of the property, it had been trashed by the finally-evicted tenant. Would you want to spend one to three months marketing a property, getting the property freshly painted and repaired, only to have to evict a destructive tenant months after a signed lease and spend hundreds of dollars getting it ready to rent again?

We’ve all seen those “People’s Court” episodes with the tenants disputing the loss of their security deposit and the landlords making their claims for the damages caused by the tenants – these situations can be extremely emotionally draining on the average property owner and, even in the case of the court finding in favor of the landlord, the amount of legal fees almost makes the ordeal not worth the hassle. Would you feel comfortable taking time off from work to stand in front of a judge, providing pictures illustrating damage done by your tenant or proof of unpaid rent?

The pitfalls of tenant screening can leave a landlord stuck with a less-than-desirable resident as well. I hear from owners quite a bit that when they managed the property themselves, they did check the applicant’s credit, but just stopped there, not bothering to check rental history or even do basic background checks! I’ve heard tales of illegal activities, damaged properties and tenants skipping out on the lease because of these neglected details. Would you let someone sign a lease to rent your property if you knew they had trashed the last place they lived in or caused the police to be called out to their property every other weekend?

Even physical presence becomes an issue with handling rentals. Many homeowners/investors live out of state, and can’t handle issues like emergency repairs or being physically present in court to handle evictions and other claims. Would you feel confident sending a friend or family member with no experience in court preceedings to represent your investment in front of a judge? Would you have any confidence sending a friend at 3am to fix a burst pipe in a basement?

At the end of the day, a homeowner/investor has to ask the question: Do I want to handle all of these details myself or pay a company with experience in these matters to handle the details for me?

Brenda

 I am enjoying the warmer temps and the pretty flowers outside  (if only I could see them better through my itchy, watery eyes), but I don’t think that I have ever prayed harder for a sudden down pour of rain.  This pollen HAS GOT TO GO!!!

For the past week, I have felt yucky.  I am tired, have a headache, body aches, stuffy nose and dry cough.  Thank goodness for over the counter medication and pain relievers, otherwise I would be a total mess.  You are probably thinking, what are you doing at work?   The fact that I am even discussing it here in a blog post may set off the Lysol Assault Team that goes through our office after someone sneezes.  However, if you look out the window, it is hard to miss the yellow haze in the air around us. It’s everywhere!! 

According to Livestrong.com, many people have flu-like symptoms associated with hay fever and allergy attacks.  These symptoms include:

• Headache – usually due to sinus pressure. 
• Respiratory Symptoms – stuffy/runny nose, sneezing but also what I call itchy face (eyes, nose mouth, ears and throat).
• Dry Cough – inflammation of the throat and mucus accumulation can lead to a dry hacking cough.
• Fatigue – contaminants in the lungs force your body to work harder to help you breathe which may result in you getting tired much faster during the day.

Hopefully with everything “springing” up so fast, April and May won’t be so bad.  It will probably just be hot.  We can gripe about that then.

During the month of March, the T. R. Lawing Realty, Inc. Wellness Club has focused on Spiritual Wellness.  Spiritual Wellness Month is historically celebrated during the month of March to remind us to practice living our lives in perfect balance within our body, mind, and spirit. 

Spiritual Wellness is defined as a dimension of wellness that involves seeking meaning and purpose.  It includes developing a deep appreciation for the depth and expansion of life and achieving a deeper knowledge of greater forces that exist beyond ourselves.  Learning to appreciate our inner spirit will reinforce your core values and beliefs as you go through this busy world.  You can engage in activities such as meditation, prayer or simply appreciate the beauty that comes from nature and life.

If you find that your life seems to be out of balance, there are some simple things that you can do to achieve a new balance in your everyday life.

• Learn to Control Your Anger – I know, easier said than done.  I am the worst when it comes to my temper.  But if I were to stop and take a breath before launching into some crazy rant, things are much easier to deal with and the aftermath is much easier clean up.  We have always heard, just walk away when confronted with a hot tempered situation. There is a reason that piece of advice has never gone away.  Why not take it.  The next time someone or something upsets you, just walk away.
• Smile! – It’s such a simple thing to do, but try it for even just one day.  The physical act of smiling will actually change how you feel and how your perceive things.  Even if something upsets you, try smiling through pain.  It’s hard to do but seriously, you will have a much better attitude and you may come to a resolution much quicker if you aren’t too busy pouting.  Try it!  I DARE you!
• Change Your Behavior – Are you sad, angry, alone?  Do something about it!  Don’t complain that you are all alone in this big ole world and sit in front of your TV night after night in the dark.  Get up and out of the house.  Find a community that makes you feel comfortable.  It may not happen right away and you may need to try out different communities to find the right one for you.  If you don’t like your life the way it is, try something different.
• Be Optimistic – Pet peeve alert!  Negative people suck the life out of the room.  I can’t deal with negative people for very long.  I feel sorry for them and try to help them see a positive light, but some folks just love to wallow in the mud and there is nothing you can do about it.  It’s also draining.  If you are a negative person, I just gave you a HUGE insight to why people don’t hang around you for very long.  Try to be a little more optimistic.  Positive thinking leads to good energy.  Good energy attracts good things to you. 

Happy Spiritual Wellness Month!!!

Driving through any “newer” Charlotte neighborhood in summer through late fall, you will notice a very attractive hearty tree with just the perfect shape to go along with our ticky tacky little boxes.  They are known as Bradford Pear Trees.  Right now you probably notice these little beauties waking up and producing sweet little white flowers that make the trees look like they are almost covered in snow.  But beware because looks can be deceiving.

Bradford pears do have many attractive qualities to them both outward and inward.  Introduced to the US in 1963, Bradford pear trees produce hearty green leaves that change to brilliant crimson and orange colors in autumn.  They are quick to grow (especially in urban areas) because they actually thrive on pollution.  Think of it as natures McDonald’s.  They adapt in areas of poor soil, resist tree disease, and are tolerant during drought conditions.  You can see the appeal of these little guys but these trees do have a dark side too.

On a warm day, much like today, if you step outside and under your Bradford pear, you might notice a very distinct foul smell.  Personally, I think that they smell fishy.  The warmer the temps to more you might notice their smell because oils from the tree burn off in the warm sun, causing the odor to be more pungent.  But their horror doesn’t end there.  All that pretty foliage and flowers make a very top heavy tree.  Bradford pears do weaken as they age because their trunks don’t expand to withstand the super growing branches and leaves.  This makes them susceptible to splintering and one good t-storm or wind storm and you could have tree debris everywhere.    

Bradford pears were originally bred to be a sterile tree, meaning give me the flowers but hold the fruit.  However, over planting has led the trees to adapt and some hybrids have actually started producing a very small fruit and seed which birds love to get rid of all over your car.  Not to mention that they are producing unwanted “offspring” which shoot up out of the ground like little thorns.  This is a nightmare to cut back and will mess up any lawnmower that tries to cut over them.

If you are building a new home or  you are  simply looking to plant a tree this spring, avoid the Bradford pear (we have enough of them).  If it is the white flowers that you desire, consider our state flower the Dogwood (from the Dogwood tree).  They are just as lovely, if not more.

Every day, Realtors® help make home ownership a reality for many.  Once the contracts are signed and the keys are handed over, it is up to the individual owner to maintain their investment, but what if something went wrong.  We have all been living the economical nightmare that has been going on in our country in some form or fashion but for some people, the economy has hit especially hard.  Whether it is a loss of income due to unemployment or severe illness, or maybe the death of a beloved family member,  there are so many homeowners right here in our area that just can’t afford a simple home repair.   That is where The Charlotte Regional Realtor® Association and Realtors® Care Day® step in. 

For the past four years, area Realtors® have stopped showing houses and negotiating contracts  for one day to come together to hammer nails into roofs, paint fences and building handicap ramps. 

This year, Realtors® Care Day® will be held on April 20, 2012.  There still time to sign up (deadline is April 1, 2012)!  If you are a CRRA member and a licensed Realtor®, you can volunteer to help.  If you are not, there is still a way to get involved through charitable contribution and sponsorship.  Click here for more details.

Happy Wednesday everyone!

With the flowers blooming and warmer temps on the way, many of our residents will be ready to take a dip in the pool soon. Owners, this is the perfect time to make sure that your pool and clubhouse privileges are enabled for your residents.

If you have already received your passes, please forward them to our office.

T. R. Lawing Realty, Inc.
Attn: Jennifer Mullis
1445 East 7th Street
Charlotte, NC 28204

If your HOA requires additional information before releasing any FOBs or passes, such as a copy of the resident’s signed lease, please contact your Property Manager or Jennifer Mullis  (Administrative Assistant) at jmullis@trlawing.com as soon as possible to avoid any delays or inconveniences to the resident.