We're getting ready to move out of town and are having a hard time trying to find a property management company in town willing to manage our property in Goleta - does anyone have any suggestions/recommendations on any companies or insights on why this is so darn difficult? We're wondering if we're going to need to manage our condo from another state... help!
COMMENT 135664P
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2011-01-12 09:58 AM |
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I'm interested in seeing the answer to this, too. We tried someone who looked great at first, but they don't seem to be working out the way we'd hoped.
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EZ2
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2011-01-12 10:21 AM |
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Terry Power 569-3888
Help u sell real estate
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COMMENT 135672
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2011-01-12 10:27 AM |
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Ron Wolfe & Assocs. in Goleta is the best in the area and reputable.
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COMMENT 135675
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2011-01-12 10:33 AM |
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We had management difficulties with Goodmanagement.
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COMMENT 135677
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2011-01-12 10:35 AM |
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Call the Laurel Company! If you have Residential needs ask for Michelle and if you have Commercial needs ask for Marti. Phone (805) 963-5934
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COMMENT 135679
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2011-01-12 10:51 AM |
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I was very happy with Becky Cohn at Sierra Property Management.
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COMMENT 135683
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2011-01-12 10:58 AM |
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Sun Coast Realty in Goleta. Jerry and Sue are pros at property management.
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COMMENT 135684
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2011-01-12 10:59 AM |
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I would love to manage your condo for you. It would probably be a lot cheaper than all the companies that do this as a business. Another suggestion is to cut a deal with a friend.
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COMMENT 135686
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2011-01-12 11:02 AM |
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I never had a problem with Town & Country when I rented through them. Nice and local...they are located on Calle Real near the Denny's.
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COMMENT 135688
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2011-01-12 11:14 AM |
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Sun Coast in Goleta
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COMMENT 135690
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2011-01-12 11:16 AM |
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I have never dealt with Ron Wolfe & Associates from an owners perspective, but as someone who rented from them for multiple years (outside of IV)... they are horrible. They don't fix things in a timely manner (if ever), they nickle and dime you, and they are not pleasant to talk to.
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COMMENT 135696
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2011-01-12 11:31 AM |
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135690: Another renter that will agree with this. Just an FYI, at least among my small circle of friends here, no one likes them. If I had a choice between two similar apartments, and one was Wolfe, I'd take the other.
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COMMENT 135697P
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2011-01-12 11:32 AM |
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Agreed, when I was last apartment looking I didn't even look at Wolfe properties because their reputation is so lousy.
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COMMENT 135698P
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2011-01-12 11:38 AM |
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Another renter's perspective: I found a great place to live last year and wanted to take a look a the rental. Ronald Wolfe & Associates told me that I could not see it until the current occupants moved out (which was very strange since they have the right to show the place and I needed to give a one month notice to my landlord). I told them I was interested and to keep me posted when I could see it. I followed up a week later and was told that "someone else was pre-approved" and would be renting it. I was never notified of their "pre-approval" process and am still upset at their lousy service. I will never rent from Ronald Wolfe & Associates since this is how they treated me.
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COMMENT 135702
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2011-01-12 11:52 AM |
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I also agree with the negative experiences with Ron Wolfe. They treat applicants with little respect, and tenants with nightmarish attitudes. To an owner, a good tenant is or should be worth gold. I would not wish any good tenant I had to be treated the way RW does--with abuse, cruelty, and just plain meanness.
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COMMENT 135709
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2011-01-12 12:37 PM |
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Mark Corliss, bkr 452-4497 - has great references :)
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COMMENT 135726
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2011-01-12 01:41 PM |
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Ron Wolfe and Bartlein & Co both have terrible reputatuions among renters and owners. I use to live at Villa Constance and we were in the middle of sueing Bartlein when I sold and I had to pay around 2000$ for lawyers. Heard they settled out of court and Bartlein had to pay big time. Went to school with Justin Cochran and he is a good person and runs Cochran and Assoc.
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COMMENT 135733P
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2011-01-12 01:52 PM |
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I would never use or rent from Ron Wolfe. They are the worst. They won't pay to have things fixed. And if you do fix them they think they've been over charged. No not Ron Wolfe from either side. Owner or tenet.
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COMMENT 135738
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2011-01-12 02:02 PM |
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ESTATE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Big and small clients Locallly based They do great work for us... Personally recommend them
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COMMENT 135739
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2011-01-12 02:02 PM |
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Beach Group - Santa Barbara
They do our vacation home. 805-886-4642
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COMMENT 135757
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2011-01-12 03:09 PM |
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Not Oasis Realty.
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COMMENT 135767
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2011-01-12 03:54 PM |
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Not Karen Lacks either.
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COMMENT 135768P
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2011-01-12 04:03 PM |
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I find most useful the referrals -- both pro and con -- that cite examples. Thanks.
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COMMENT 135770
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2011-01-12 04:06 PM |
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Meridian Group , headed by Robert Kooyman , is an exceptional Real Estate Management Co.
Honest , reliable , smart , they look out for their clients`s interest without taking adventage of tenants ..They have managed my apt building for many years , and I trust them with my money and property.
Meridian Group
5290 Overpass Rd , Bldg C SB 93111
692-2500
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COMMENT 135782P
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2011-01-12 04:35 PM |
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I used Bartlein & Co at one time to manage a property that my sister and I own - I ended up getting rid of them as they did not communicate well with either me or my tenants. When the tenants had a problem - major (roof leak) or minor (drain stoppage), they were not at all responsive. I learned about the roof leak when I drove by the property and saw plastic on the roof, called Bartlein, they said they didn't know anything about it - then went and talked to the tenants who said that Bartlein told them the owner couldn't afford the repair. Maybe it was a language thing - the tenant's first language was Spanish, but we communicated just fine - I could understand them and the roof got fixed. Also, Bartlein held the security deposits - and it took forever for them to return them to me after I cancelled the management contract with them.
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COMMENT 135799P
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2011-01-12 06:49 PM |
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I shudder when I hear the name, Bartlein. He charged me 8 hours' work for the bozos he sent out, when the work took them 15 minutes. His exact words were, "If I ask the subcontractor to reduce the charges, he will charge me more for the work he does on my other properties."
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MTNDRIVER
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2011-01-12 07:59 PM |
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Sierra Property Management is good.
We had horrible trouble with Bartlein, it was a disaster.
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COMMENT 135824P
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2011-01-12 08:05 PM |
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I would recommend Chip Eckert with EIPM. The entire Eckert family has an EXCEPTIONAL reputation within the community. I have personal knowledge of the property management industry from a repair stand point. I can tell you that while it seems Wolfe & assoc. does not make repairs, that is false. They are CONSTANTLY doing repairs for many properties. They often get a bad rap due to the willingness (or lack there of) of the property owner to authorize the repair if it is not a chargeable repair.... period. The management companies are at the mercies of greedy property owners. It is inappropriate to refer to the handymen as bozos. They are hard working people, trying to do the best they can within the guidelines of their job descriptions.
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COMMENT 135856
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2011-01-13 06:30 AM |
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Priscilla Northam, owner of Sunset Management, is fantastic - she's been around for many years and has a sterling reputation. She's also one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. (805) 692-1916.
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COMMENT 135860
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2011-01-13 06:43 AM |
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We just started using Jason Cox and we are very happy. He communicates with the owner and the renter. Fair and efficient too. 805-845-9251
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COMMENT 135863
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2011-01-13 06:57 AM |
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Property One on De La Vina is good.
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COMMENT 135869P
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2011-01-13 07:19 AM |
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Find a private real estate manager who have few properties to manage with good references, resource list and someone that doesn't advertise.
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COMMENT 135899
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2011-01-13 08:17 AM |
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Wolfe & Bartlein are the worst from a renter's perspective, and from an owners perspective you may like them because as others point out, they nickel & dime & overcharge the tenant's like no other. However, if you value your property, you may not want to use either of them because their maintenance crews don't actually fix anything. They'll do everything they can to not charge the owners for anything and pass everything through to the tenant, even if its something the owners should pay for. I'd stay away from Good Mgt also. I'm a licensed RE Broker and I've been looking to do some management on the side for a little extra income, I'd be happy to discuss taking over your property.
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COMMENT 135920
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2011-01-13 08:54 AM |
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From a tenant perspective: I don't know of Meridian has changed, but we had some absolutely HORRIBLE experiences with them a few years ago. Thought at first it was the property manager we'd been assigned, but it didn't change after we got a new one. It's exceedingly unprofessional to basically call someone a histrionic woman because she asks them to do something about the pool (which is full of growing green stuff, when its maintenance is the management company's job), and that was just part of what we had to deal with.
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COMMENT 135939
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2011-01-13 09:30 AM |
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After 3 years with a management company that neglected our properties, didn't notice when multiple squatters had moved into a unit or even taken over an apartment we had rented to someone else, padded repair and remodeling bills, etc., we moved to Christie Gallagher at Gallagher Property Management - 682-8433. Been there about a decade with a house and 11 apartments, through thick and thin. Very helpful with tenants, repairs, clear monthly statements, solid contracts generous with their time.
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COMMENT 136008
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2011-01-13 11:10 AM |
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The best small management firm is Gallagher Property Mgmt. GPM has great listings, a friendly and helpful staff of 4 and CARES.
They do my in-town apts management and get the BEST tenants for my units.
Heather or Christie Gallagher 682-8433.
Read 135939 for another opinion.
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COMMENT 136083
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2011-01-13 02:57 PM |
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Town and Country,Toni Briones would be my choice.805-967-4741.
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COMMENT 136168
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2011-01-13 07:27 PM |
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Gallagher Mgmt. is the best. Family owned and operated.
Call them now!
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COMMENT 136197P
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2011-01-13 08:53 PM |
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Not Meridian Group. I rent from them right now. My unit takes care of itself, but other units that require repairs don't normally get taken care of. At one point a repair person showed up unexpectedly with his own key. Another time, a realtor walked in and showed the place without managment giving proper notice, the tenant was home and sleeping. From the owner's perspective, this can be a good thing. It keeps the costs down, if you don't know it needs to be repaired, you don't make the repair and therefore don't spend any money. The gardner that they hired doesn't clean all of the yards and he makes sure he aims his blower at my open window. Little things, but they add up.
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COMMENT 136218
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2011-01-14 12:56 AM |
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Not Kennedy Acounting for property management, nor Sandy Foehl of Common Interest Delelopment, if the latter is still in business.
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COMMENT 136234
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2011-01-14 07:09 AM |
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I highly recommend SBB Property Management. Small company, excellent customer service. Call Andy Alexander at 805-722-2531.
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COMMENT 164083
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2011-04-14 06:31 PM |
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We rented from Wolfe and Associates and all of the above statements are TRUE. They are the worse company in town from both a renters perspective as well as landlord. They dont have enough staff to keep up with managing the hundreds of properties they have. All issues fall through the cracks anf their default position is to charge the tenant - this is not good for the owner because it creates disgruntled tenants who then do not want to stay or care for the properties. All we wanted to do was leave and then sue Wolfe and Associates for their routine abuse (which we did). The lawsuit costs are then passed onto the Landlord. Stay away from this horrible company!
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COMMENT 255333
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2012-02-09 08:10 AM |
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How much does hiring a property manager cost? We have a 4 unit apartment building with a small, minimal maintenance front yard. Would $120 per month be a good estimate?
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COMMENT 281586
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2012-05-22 12:46 PM |
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I wonder if anyone has anything new to add to this discussion. I'm looking for a property manager for my condo while I will be out of town for 2 years. I've heard so many negative things about each one that I have considered that I am really getting discouraged. I am currently looking at Sierra, Wolfe and Gallagher. Any recent experiences or comments about these or others would be welcome. Thanks!
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COMMENT 284078
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2012-05-31 01:04 PM |
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Question to the original poster, did you go ahead and select a property management company? I'd like to hear who you evaluated, who you selected, and why.
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COMMENT 299786
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2012-07-20 12:23 PM |
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Contact McFarland Financial (Google their website)
(805) 562-8482 x1 They specialize in accounting for small condo associations and offer association management services as well. They have a wonderful reputation and offer reasonable prices Good luck!
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COMMENT 313913
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2012-08-29 12:57 PM |
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For comment 218... FYI Kennedy Accounting DOES NOT manage rental units. They specialize in Homeowner Association Management ONLY and they do an EXCELLENT job at HOA management. They have been in business for well over 30 years and they also offer services for bookeeping, tax preparation, payroll processing and financial planning.I have personal experience with them myself. IF it was MY investment that I was looking to entrust to someone else's care in my absence, I would look for someone who had a strong backround in financial planning AS WELL AS a long history of property management and experience in HOA law! But that is just my opinion.
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