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Property owners often hear about property management companies and wonder what they are, in so much as how they benefit a property owner. There are many misconceptions regarding how property managers work and their responsibilities, as well as what sort of properties property management companies can be hired to maintain.

Let’s go over the ins and outs of property management and find out if it’s a Service you can benefit from.

What is Property Management? 

Property management means hiring a third party as a property manager to oversee the daily responsibilities of residential, commercial, or industrial properties. Generally, the property manager will ensure the day-to-day repairs, maintenance, and upkeep are taken care of and is usually tasked with caring for investment properties. 

What are the Property Manager’s Responsibilities?

The essence of property management is being delegated work that the owner or developer has no time to handle. These responsibilities can range from handling tenants to ensuring the property is properly maintained, specifically, a property manager’s job can include:

• Screening potential tenants
• Signing, drafting and renewing leases 
• Collecting rent from tenants
• Arranging for repairs for the property
• Creating and adhering to property maintenance budgets
• Preparing vacant units
• Advertising the rental property
• Handling lease agreements with tenants
• Rent adjustments
• Supervising property employees
• Handling evictions and move-out processes
• Handling tax for the property
• Ensuring property compliance with the law
• Property record keeping

While this list isn’t exhaustive, it gives a good and rounded impression of what type of responsibilities you can expect property managers to take on. 

Types of Property Management

There are four types of properties that property managers are likely to work and care for:

Residential Real Estate Property

Residential properties can fall to a property management firm usually when it’s a rental space and can include:

• Single-family homes
• Multi-family homes
• Townhouses
• Apartment buildings
• Manufactured homes
• REO properties
• Vacation rentals

Commercial Property

Commercial property is commonly associated with property management companies and can include a wide range of spaces, including:

• Co-working spaces rented by the day or hour, commonly used by freelancers and contractors
• office properties, such as doctor’s offices or large buildings with multiple offices and levels
• Retail properties, such as malls, restaurants, gas stations, and big-box stores
• Accommodation properties, such as hotels, motels, and resorts. 

Industrial Properties

An industrial property often has more responsibilities for the property managers than the other categories due to the nature of the work performed in these spaces, such as bidding for vendors and compliance with industry codes. Some of the types of properties that fall under property management companies’ purview include:

• Distribution facilities
• Warehouses
• Food packaging plants
• Automative plants
• Steel mills

Special-Use Properties

Special use, or special purpose property, means a property that is designed for a specific use and often translates to property managers needing specific skills to successfully manage them. A special-purpose property includes:

• Schools
• Colleges and universities
• Places of worship
• Resorts
• Sports arenas
• Theaters
• Senior care centers and facilities

Benefits of Having Property Management 

No matter the type of real estate property you own, there are a host of benefits to hiring a property management company, including:

Screening out problem tenants: likely the biggest headache for any real estate owner. Due to a property manager’s experience, they have the insight to see red flags and spot good qualities in a potential tenant, making the screening process more efficient and having better quality tenants long-term.

Decreasing turnover: piggybacking off the first advantage, lower turnover means stable property income and happy tenants. 
Avoiding legal issues: an experience property manager knows the housing and landlord-tenant laws: being able to navigate them while having good relationships with lawyers who specialize in these types of disputes. Some companies will also take care of fees associated with evictions or property damage issues.

Saving money on maintenance and repair: Like being connected with lawyers, an experienced real estate property manager usually works with a maintenance company that due to their professional relationship can benefit from discounted work without losing on quality. They can also stay ahead of repairs by having the time for regular inspections, reducing emergency repair costs.

Property Management For You

Now that you understand what property management is and the common responsibilities they have, along with what type of real estate they handle; do you think you’d benefit from hiring such a company?

Here at Goodale & Barbieri, we do just this. As one of the largest developers, property managers, and a leading real estate firm, we understand what to look for with tenants and the nuances of managing a property. Since 1937 we’ve handled properties of all sorts and currently over 4 million square feet of commercial property. Discover more about working with experienced experts by following the link below.
    

Goodale & Barbieri

In a time where technology is smoothly incorporated into every facet of our lives, the notion of the “smart office” has emerged as a game-changing trend in the business world. A smart office

leverages cutting-edge technology to improve productivity, collaboration, and productivity while establishing a flexible, analytics-powered, and responsive workspace. This article explores the main features of a smart office, its perks, and how it can reshape the current workplace.

The Evolution of the Workplace

The conventional workplace has gone through substantial changes over the recent years. The emergence of technological solutions, the internet, and, more recently, the implementation of virtual and blended work models have challenged standard office setups. Obsolete are the eras of rigid schedules, stationary workstations, and manual processes. Modern offices are designed to be more versatile, accommodating a combination of physical and virtual work, and using sophisticated technologies to streamline operations and promote collaboration.

Characterizing a Smart Office

A smart office is a workspace equipped with contemporary technology that integrates various gadgets, infrastructures, and programs to enhance office operations and elevate employee experiences. This includes incorporating Internet of Things (IoT) hardware, sensor technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and data insights to establish a responsive and smart environment.

Key components of a smart office consist of:

Smart Gadgets and Monitors

These are implemented throughout the office to gather real-time data on presence, environmental conditions, and resource consumption. For illustration, sensors can observe room capacity, desk use, and even air quality, providing valuable insights for space organization and environmental regulation.

Automated Systems

Automation plays a vital role in a smart office. From automated lighting and climate control to advanced booking systems for desks and meeting rooms, these arrangements help form a more productive and comfortable workspace.

Statistical Insights

By examining data collected from various sensors and systems, businesses can make educated decisions about space utilization, energy consumption, and overall office administration. This results in better resource distribution and cost savings.

Integrated Communication Tools

Smart offices feature advanced communication applications and platforms that support seamless collaboration among employees, whether they are in the office or working remotely. Video conferencing, real-time chat, and collaborative software are crucial parts of this configuration.

Advantages of a Smart Office

1. Enhanced Efficiency and Productivity Smart offices mechanize regular tasks, minimizing the time employees devote to administrative activities. Intelligent booking systems, for instance, optimize the process of securing meeting rooms and desks, reducing conflicts and guaranteeing optimal use of office space.
2. Upgraded employee Experience A smart office caters to the varied needs of a contemporary workforce. With flexible workspace arrangements, employees can choose environments that suit their tasks, whether it’s a peaceful area for concentrated work or communal spaces for team activities. Enhanced environmental management also enhance a pleasant and healthy workplace.
3. Analytics-Powered Decision Making The real-time data collected by smart office systems allows organizations to make knowledgeable decisions about space employment, energy administration, and operational productivity. This information-based approach results in more efficients resource assignment and can significantly reduce operational cost.
4. Environmental Responsibility Smart offices support eco-friendliness goals by energy usage and reducing waste. Automated systems make certain that lights and HVAC systems are used only when necessary, and data insights help recognize areas where energy conservation can be achieved.
5. Improved Collaboration With connected communication tools and flexible workspace arrangements, smart offices encourage better collaboration among employees. Teams can readily interact, share information, and work together regardless of their physical location.

Summary

A smart office is greater than just a trendy thing; it embodies the upcoming era of work. By utilizing state-of-the-art technologies, businesses can develop a vibrant, productive, and captivating workplace that meets the evolving needs of their employees. As enterprises continue to embracing the hybrid work model and the requirements of a digital world, the smart office will play a crucial role in advancing output, eco-friendliness, and employee contentment. Implementing this evolution today will prepare organizations for success in the years to come.

Many small businesses will consider skipping over having a phone system and cite the cost of having one or not being big enough to justify clunky hardware. These are understandable reasons, though they misrepresent where small business phone systems are Technology impacts every aspect of life and has in recent years has transformed communication from the bottom up, especially in the business world. Due to the advent of the internet and how it has radically changed the way companies do business and how employees communicate, a business owner has several options for communication technology, i.e. a business phone system.

There are two primary business phone systems to choose from, which we’ll compare and contrast below to better enable you to choose which is best for your company.

What is a VoIP?

A VoIP phone is short for Voice over Internet Protocol phone, which is a type of communication technology using both hardware and software that enables the user to make phone calls via an internet connection instead of a landline. A good example of this kind of technology is a smartphone app or programs like Skype, though a VoIP phone can also be used in traditional phones too.

There are several popular features that a VoIP phone typically has, including:

• Automatic Call Forwarding: a service feature that automatically takes calls to the VoIP phone line and redirects them to another line you’ve chosen. For example, rerouting a call to your cell phone when they’ve dialed your office.

• Virtual Receptionist: This feature is also known as a virtual assistant and provides the same traditional service a receptionist would. It can deliver recorded messages, direct calls, and answer the phone. You’ve likely interacted with this technology when calling a customer support line. 

• Voicemail to Email: This is a VoIP service that transcribes voicemails and delivers them to you as an email. Please note that this technology isn’t a voice-to-text feature, but delivers an audio file to your email box rather than text.

How Does a VoIP Phone Work?

VoIP phones don’t use the traditional cables and wires as a traditional phone system does. Instead, they are connected using a broadband internet connection, the same as your computer. The VoIP phone converts calls into digital signals within the phone instead of relying on physical signal exchanges, like a traditional phone.

There are numerous methods a VoIP phone uses to work:

• Via a computer, such as Google Voice or FaceTime. Also known as a “softphone”

• An adapter with a traditional phone, plugging an adapter into a phone outlet, or your router converts a traditional phone into a VoIP.

• A dedicated VoIP phone, this looks like a traditional phone but it can directly connect to a computer network instead of a phone line.

To use a VoIP system you’ll need a reliable internet connection, as the quality of the call depends on your internet connection. This makes security all the more important as your calls can be hacked without having a secure connection.  

What is a Landline Phone?

A landline phone is the classic telephone that uses a solid core of twisted-pair copper wire and plugs into a two or four-pin wall jack. This technology hasn’t changed much since the late 1800s and is based on the analog technology of physical switch boxes and sending signals through a series of exchanges. 

While the technology is quite old, it is still quite reliable. 

VoIP vs. Landline

To choose the best phone system for your business, it’s important to compare and contrast the available technology. 

VoIP Pros

1. Lower cost: due to calls taking place over the internet, you cut out additional costs related to traditional phone lines. Instead, you’re only charged for the internet access and you avoid multiple phone line costs. 

1. Sound quality: A VoIP phone system has a clearer sound than a traditional phone, though it depends on your internet connection. 

1. Functionality: Due to a VoIP system having additional features outside of just calls, there is enhanced functionality for the user, such as video calls, analytics, and voicemail-to-text transcription.

1. Location: A VoIP phone system can be used anywhere there is sufficient internet connection while an analog phone requires a direct hardwire connection.

VoIP Cons

• Emergencies: Due to voice over IP being reliant on an internet connection, it may be difficult to contact an emergency call or be tracked to an accurate location since the call can be made anywhere. Some VoIP service companies have begun offering a 911 emergency auto-service and can detect your location or set by the user, which can be shared, but this depends on the system you’re using. 

• Internet dependence: A VoIP phone is completely dependent on the internet, which can make calls unreliable when away from a strong connection and dropped calls more likely.

Landline Phone Pros

• Consistency and Reliability: Due to a landline phone being hardwire connected, the sound quality and call status are far more consistent. Meaning you don’t have to worry about dropped calls or the sound quality bouncing between poor and excellent.

• Static Infrastructure: The landline phone systems aren’t in danger of transforming or falling by the waist side. While digital communication is becoming the new standard, it’s subject to further transformation and adaptation, which means a business phone system may need to be replaced in the future.

Landline Phone Cons

• Cost: Landline phones are more expensive than a VoIP system as landlines are subject to taxes and additional fees from features added on. 

• Spam: A VoIP phone system usually has a feature that can detect spam phone calls while an analog landline does not. You’re far more susceptible to telemarketers with a landline phone, even if it’s a business phone. 

• Scaling: A landline phone system has many odds and ends to it, from wires to hardware. This makes it difficult to scale a small business phone system in any meaningful way without costing a lot. VoIP systems are much easier to upgrade and maintain when growing a business.

What’s Best for a Business Phone System?

This question greatly depends on the goals and function of your business. Knowing the key points discussing VoIP vs Landline phones can help you come to a greater understanding of what your business needs from a phone system and help avoid expensive experimentation.

We at F2F Telecommunications understand the needs of a small business phone system and can consult on what makes sense for your company. We encourage you to reach out to us and explore a business phone system that makes sense in today’s business world.

You can contact us by phone or send us a message using the link below:

Contact Us | Face-2-Face Telecommunications Tech | Telecommunications Service Provider

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