We believe that property management has more to do with the wonderful people that make their homes in our communities than the physical structures themselves. We strive to make every single apartment feel like a home, where our exceptional residents build memories, enjoy their lifestyles, and achieve their goals. We respect and value the trust that our residents place in us, and work hard to ensure that we exceed their expectations.
Protect Your Credit by Protecting Your Identity
While identity theft is always something to be concerned about, many people become increasingly concerned about identity theft during the holiday season. Shopping becomes most popular during the holiday season, so many identity theft tactics revolve around holiday consumers. The following are just a few tips to use to keep your personal information out of the wrong hands.
Why would we find it important to discuss identity protection on our apartment living Blog? Because identity theft affects your credit, and most property management companies do require a positive credit history in order to meet their application selection criteria. If caught early, a case of identity theft might not have the opportunity to reach your credit report. Once an identity theft victim finds out that they have had part of their identity stolen, they must notify their creditors and credit bureaus to try to remove or repair what might have been tarnished on their credit report. This process can take a very long time, involves extensive research and investigation. In addition, if the victim is unable to prove that their identity was in fact stolen, the negative items on their credit report might stay in tact.
Shopping
When shopping, even at the grocery store or convenience store, keep a close eye on your belongings. Keep your purse and bags close to you, and where you can see them at all times. Make sure to keep you purse closed to make it harder for someone to swiftly reach in and grab your wallet. If you carry your wallet on you, try to keep it somewhere other than your back pocket-it is much easier for someone to pull a wallet out of someone’s back pocket than their front pocket. When outside of your wallet or purse, keep a close eye on your credit and debit cards. Many identity thieves use a process called “skimming,” which stores your credit or debit card information when swiped. This information can later be retrieved to be used fraudulently. Try to make sure you can always see your card being swiped or scanned. Of course, always review the charges on your credit card and bank statements to make sure that all of the purchases are accurate.
ATMs
ATM cards are great because they require a PIN. It is very important to never allow anyone to see your pin number. Regardless of how many people are around you, keep the keypad out of sight, even if you have to shield it with your hand. The “skimming” process can also be done using ATM machines. If you see a gadget attached to an ATM machine that looks out of place, consider using a different ATM.
On the Internet
Shopping online can be very safe, and consumers should not be scared away from online shopping. It is very important, however, to be cautious when entering personal information, credit card, and bank information over the Internet. Even after deleting your cookies and clearing your Internet history, personal information entered can remain on your hard drive. To help protect you on the Internet:
- Don’t open suspicious-looking emails. If you do open an email and find that it looks suspicious, do not click on any links within them.
- When making online purchases, verify that the server is secure prior to entering your personal information. Secure web addresses start with https rather than http.
- If you are giving your computer to someone else, or simply disposing it, completely erase the hard drive first to remove any stored personal information.
- Make sure your anti-virus software is up-to-date
- Change your passwords regularly, and try to use a variety of passwords that are not easily recognizable. If you need to write down your passwords to remember them, be sure to keep these passwords in a safe location, preferably locked.
It is very important to stay informed on what might be appearing on your credit report without your knowledge. Monitor your credit report regularly, and contact the credit bureaus immediately if you notice something that looks inaccurate. Every one is entitled to a free credit report once per year. To get your free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com. If you have already received your free credit report this year but want to get another, this website will direct you to options where you can purchase your credit report.
Norris Hills Move In Survey
Toftrees Move In Survey
November, 2009
On a scale of 1-5, how would you rate your move in experience? 1 being the experience was unsatisfactory and 5 being very positive. 5
Was your apartment to your satisfaction? Yes
Questions/Comments: It’s great! Melissa is very welcoming and helpful.
Norris Hills Move In Survey
Norris Hills Move In Survey
November, 2009
On a scale of 1-5, how would you rate your move in experience? 1 being the experience was unsatisfactory and 5 being very positive. 5
Was your apartment to your satisfaction? Yes
Questions/Comments: Great work, thanks for getting us in, in short notice.
Norris Hills Move In Survey
Norris Hills Move In Survey
November, 2009
On a scale of 1-5, how would you rate your move in experience? 1 being the experience was unsatisfactory and 5 being very positive. 5
Was your apartment to your satisfaction? Yes
Questions/Comments: Problem with toilet leak, but was repaired. Impressed with the apartment, no complaints.
Maintenance Survey Response From Goshen Terrace Resident
Goshen Terrace Maintenance Survey
Date Completed: 11/25/2009
Overall, were you pleased with our service?
Yes
Comments
Over the last 1-2 years I have witnessed a vast improvement in the efforts made by management. Thank you.
Things to Do Before Leaving Your Apartment For a Few Days
With people traveling to be with family and loved ones, Thanksgiving weekend is the biggest travel weekend of the year. Leaving your home, even for a just a weekend, can be stressful. Although no list of tips will ever guarantee ones safety, or the security of their home, the following is a short list of items to go through prior to leaving your apartment.
- Do not turn your heater off. Turn your thermostat to 55 degrees-this will keep you apartment cool enough to reduce your cost of heating, yet should keep your apartment warm enough to avoid freezing pipes.
- Plug several lights into timers set to come on with your normal pattern of use. You may want to avoid leaving some lights on constantly as that could be an indication that you are not home, and will drive up your electricity bills.
- Unplug your computer and other electronic equipment to protect them from surges, and to save on the parasitic electricity they use.
- Make sure all windows and doors are locked securely.
- Clean out your refrigerator of food that could spoil, and take all trash out.
- Keep some shades and blinds up and curtains open to keep a normal appearance-a good rule of thumb is to keep your blinds and curtains where you normally have them.
- Ask a trusted neighbor or family member to stop by and check on your apartment, and water your plants, while you are away. In case of problems, leave a contact number that you can be reached at.
- Put a stop on your mail and newspapers. The post office can hold it until you get back. You can request a hold on your mail online. You can also ask a neighbor to pick it up and hold it until you return. If you anticipate receiving any packages while you are away, ask your trusted neighbor or family member to hold the packages for you until you return.
- Pour a little Lysol or Pine Sol into toilet bowls and drains to prevent odors and eliminate bacterial growth.
- Never leave message on your answering machine saying you are on vacation. Set your answering machine to answer in five rings. If your telephone has the call forwarding feature, forward your calls to your cell phone.
- Examine your apartment from the street and make sure no valuables, like expensive electronics or artwork, is visible from the street.
- While it can be helpful to notify your Leasing Office that you will be out of town for a few days, remember that your property management company will not be able to accept responsibility for your apartment in your absence. Your leasing team, however, might be able to handle some favors that you request, or, they might be able to point you in the direction of another neighbor who would be happy to assist you in your absence.
Should I Rent or Buy?
Apartment living may not be for everybody, but it may be a smart decision for you. In fact, renting might be a surprisingly smart option for people who have never even considered it before. According to the New York Times, in the final analysis owning a home today may be much more expensive than renting throughout most of this country. Here are a few guidelines that may help you decide whether to rent or buy:
Lower Upfront Costs
When you rent, you don’t have to worry about saving for the substantial down payment, attorney’s fees or heavy closing costs. Homeowners are also obligated to pay insurance, property and school taxes. Insurance has been rising an average of 8-10% each year, depending upon market value. Property taxes have been increasing about 4-5% each year.
Lower Monthly Costs
Renting will generally cost you less per month than a mortgage payment for a similar size and quality space. In fact, the gap between renting and owning a house is the highest it’s been in a decade. The monthly mortgage and interest payments homeowners pay are just the beginning of the financial commitment. With adjustable rate mortgages, monthly payments increase whenever interest rates rise. If you’re considering a condo, don’t forget about the monthly Homeowners Association and Condo fees you will be paying.
Greater Personal Flexibility
Renting gives you the flexibility to move if you need to-if you change jobs, transfer, meet someone special or simply decide you want a change of environment. When you rent, you’re not locked into a long-term financial commitment the way you can be with a house.
Less Financial Risk
Life is full of changes. In fact, nearly one-third of homeowners find themselves moving within five years. If you are renting, if you want to move in 5 years, you’re not tied down to a long-term mortgage. When you rent, you don’t have to worry about the value of your house or your ability to sell in a buyer’s market. You can leave one rented apartment home and find another quickly for less than the cost of selling or leaving behind an empty house that has yet to sell.
Increased Saving Power
Most people assume that by buying a house, they will be getting tax deductions to cover the extra costs. However, you get those tax deductions only if you itemize your taxes and only if the costs exceed the standard deductions offered by the government. In fact, only one-third of taxpayers do itemize. If you find you can itemize, depending upon your tax bracket, you may only be saving $.10 to $.35 in taxes for every dollar you pay in mortgage interest. The best way to increase your savings power is to decrease your costs and free up some money to invest in retirement, a new hobby or a dream vacation.
Fewer Maintenance Expenses
Average annual maintenance can amount to 1-2% of the house’s market value. Homeowners need to budget for the unexpected: the leaky roof, the broken furnace or the garage door that’s stuck closed. At any point in time, it seems, anything can and will go wrong in a house. You just need to be sure you’re always got the money to fix whatever it is that’s wrong this week. Renter’s, on the other hand, have the convenience of knowing exactly how much their housing will cost each month, month after month. Instead of spending money on property repairs, you can save for your retirement; buy stocks, bonds, or other investments; or put money into a side business or hobby.
All the Extras Included
If you rent from a community-oriented company such as Berger Rental Communities, you’ll enjoy all sorts of conveniences! Depending on where you rent, your community may offer a swimming pool; tennis courts; recreation center; business center; fitness center; media center; and other amazing features-all professional managed with staff ready to assist you at all times.
Maintenance Survey Response From Highland Manor Resident
Highland Manor Maintenance Survey
Date Completed: 11/19/2009
Overall, were you pleased with our service?
Yes
Comments
This service was very pleasing. The new maintenance worker did a great job!
At Berger Rental Communities, we constantly strive to make your stay with us enjoyable. How can we further improve our resident services department?
I feel there should be a contact number or email address for a member of the company who is higher in charge then just the leasing office. I am extremely dissatisfied with our maintenance. We’ve been waiting over two weeks to have maintenance come and look at three issues. Finally, when maintenance was scheduled to come at 9 a.m. they didn’t arrive until 11:30 a.m. and noone informed us of the change. I had to call the leasing office to find out what was going on. I would expect them to call me!
ApartmentRatings.com Review of Norris Hills
Love it!
From: -Anonymous-
Date posted: 11/18/2009
Years at this apartment: 2009-2009
Nice place to live, friendly office staff, maitinance is a little Mr. Magoo but definitely friendly and willing to come by for anything. The drug trafficing comment scared me a little bit but I have been here for a few months and have not experienced anything like that only nice friendly neighbors. Great for the price and always remember no place is perfect! Overall I really enjoy living here and would defanitely reccomond it to someone who is looking to save money and live in a nice place!
Click here to read this review, or post your own review, on www.ApartmentRatings.com.
Maintenance Survey Response From Toftrees Resident
Toftrees Maintenance Survey
Date Completed: 11/18/2009
Overall, were you pleased with our service?
No
Comments
I put a request in to fix the moisture in one of my windows around the end of May. November comes around and I receive notice that the job has been completed, but I do not see any evidence of that nor have I been informed about how the technicians have tried to solve the problem.
At Berger Rental Communities, we constantly strive to make your stay with us enjoyable. How can we further improve our resident services department?
1. Keep the tenant notified about progress with response to a complaint. For example: when was the problem inspected? When was the problem fixed? How did the technician try to fix it? 2. If a tenant complains about noticeable damage to his/her apartment, a brief survey of the damage should follow promptly (i.e. within a week) as an assessment. If you find that your maintenance team is constantly busy and cant find time to do even a simple inspection over the course of several months, it’s a good indicator that the maintenance team is understaffed. 3. If your maintenance team feels that it is too costly to repair something for what its worth, it is still good business practice to tell the tenant about it instead of pretending the problem isn’t there.
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