Datile Securities Inc.
("Datile")
We have been utilizing the property
management services of Dunlap & Magee since October 2002.
After a reduction in our property
holdings and a downturn in the Phoenix rental market which resulted
in an unacceptable "economic" vacancy rate of up to 20% (actual
vacancy + rent decreases + tenant inducements), we disbanded our
own in-house rental management operations in favor of a 3rd party
Property Manager.
We interviewed 4 prospective
Phoenix based Property Managers and engaged the services of Dunlap
& Magee for the following reasons:
- Dunlap was a mid-sized firm that
would be able to accomodate our 600 Units within its Property
Management portfolio. Our 6 rental properties varied in size from
44 Units to 164 Units.
- Dunlap had an "open door policy"
which allowed us to deal with key individuals, including Nedra
Halley, as owner, Scott Fitzgerald, Vice-President/Controller and
Christine Shipley, Vice-President Operations. This was an important
factor to us as we did not want to get lost in the bureaucracy of a
large organization.
- Dunlap had an established vendor base
that would be able to maintain our properties in pristine
condition. Since all of our properties were destined for condo
conversion we were adamant that no deferred maintenance be
permitted.
- Dunlap's professional team appeared
not only to be capable of addressing day-to-day rental operational
issues but also seamlessly transitioning our property management
accounting/information systems into their own...in the 3rd quarter
of the year.
We felt we made the right decision
for the following reasons:
- From an Operational Management
perspective:
- Dunlap interviewed and retained
certain of our former site managers and maintenance personnel prior
to incorporating them into their organization.
- Dunlap designated one Property
Manager, Marsha Ecklund, to service the Datile account. From an
"operational chain of command" perspective, Marsha was the primary
link between Datile and Dunlap...a key factor in quality
management.
- Dunlap incorporated a creative
marketing campaign to address our unacceptable "economic" vacancy
rates. Within 12 months Dunlap had successfully reduced vacancy
rates and tenant inducements substantially and was able to start a
program of gradual rent increases.
- Dunlap site managers kept abreast of
their local rental market to ensure that our properties remained
competitive and recommended strategy changes as required.
- Dunlap reviewed and assessed the
Vendor status prior to making any changes.
- On a monthly basis, the Property
Manager reviewed budget variances, produced written commentary
addressing such variances and implemented mutually agreed upon
changes as required.
- As the Datile properties were being
transitioned into condominiums, Dunlap was able to adapt to the
changes by interfacing with various people including sales teams,
renovators, mortgagees, inspectors, insurance companies and
incoming Condo managers. In addition, Dunlap personnel had to
resolve issues with "hostile" tenants who were losing their rental
accomodations in favor of homeowners.
- From a Financial Management
perspective:
- Dunlap was able to efficiently
transition the accounting results of all 6 Datile properties into
their rental software program within a 30 day period of time.
- For continuity purposes, Dunlap was
able to accomodate our request to incorporate Datile's 2002, 1st
three quarters results into the Dunlap produced financial
statements.
- Dunlap produced financial statements
on a regular uninterrupted basis. Such statements were prepared and
emailed in PDF format by the 12th day of the following month.
- Dunlap produced annual budgets in
October and November of each year for review by Datile.
- Dunlap accomodated our Canadian
auditors on an annual basis in their Phoenix offices and worked
diligently to provide answers to any auditing queries.
- As the Datile properties were being
transitioned into condominiums, Dunlap accomodated the changing
needs of their accounting/information systems to help track rental
versus condominium expenses.
We have enjoyed our relationship
with Dunlap & Magee, specifically with the key individuals such
as Nedra Halley, Scott Fitzgerald, Christine Shipley and Marsha
Ecklund all who have not only proven to be valuable contacts and
resources of information but also staunch allies when it came to
problem solving.
In conclusion, we are continuing to
sell condominiums in the Phoenix Metroplex but are currently
scouring the market for rental properties. Our Property
Management company of choice for our next rental properties will be
Dunlap & Magee.
Frank Bennett
Vice-President
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