Greater Bristol Property Owners Association Claims To Be Largest

7 October 2006.

The Greater Bristol Property Owners Association GBPOA isn't just in Bristol. Information from the GBPOA web site indicates the following:

In Connecticut, well known in Hartford County, Greater Bristol Property Owners Association is the largest property owners group under one roof serving more Landlords and single property owners with the everyday local and state information and help on laws, building, zoning, health codes, blight ordinances, evictions.

The Greater Bristol Property Owners Association has hundreds of members so there are more contacts with marshals, tenant check and collection agencies, Legislators, Chambers of Commerce, attorneys, etc., as well as other Landlords throughout the state with varying levels of experience. Greater Bristol Property Owners Association has experienced landlords (30+ years) to share insights, information, forms, leases, help with questions, solutions, screening applicants, research etc.

Rather than concentrate solely on legislation (although equalizing laws on mutually respected common ground with GBPOA Legislators is important and GBPOA encourage all Landlords to be involved. Greater Bristol Property Owners Association main concern is the educational, financial, and legal health of member Landlords.

Greater Bristol Property Owners Association has monthly newsletters, meetings with interesting speakers (attendance not required), packets full of information on lead disclosure requirements and forms such as applications, leases, pet agreements and Connecticut eviction information. Dues are $60.00 per year (Nov. to Nov.) and are tax deductible.

Connecticut Property Owners Fight Bureaucracy

A quick look at the Connecticut Property Owners Association (CPOA) web site reveals ongoing frustration with increasing bureacracy affecting property owners and investors. The CPOA web site explains how they believe that landlords and investment property owners are getting hit from all sides with increased state taxes, unfavorable legislation and worse, more LOCAL regulation as we've seen attempted in Winsted, New Britain and now New Haven.

CPOA say that "landlording is one of the heaviest regulated businesses in Connecticut."

For over 30 years, the CT Property Owner's Association (CPOA) and its members have monitored the State Capitol for unpopular and unfavorable legislative actions, and mounted lobbying efforts against them when possible. Connecticut Property Owners Association has also forged alliances with similar interest groups to help fight unpopular legislative attempts on a broader scale. Some of these alliances have proved invaluable and the Connecticut Property Owners Association is proud of their partners such as the CT Realtors and the CT Homebuilders.

Connecticut Property Owners Association has been proactive and lobbied for beneficial legislation as well, joining the Coalition for the Adoption of a Unified Code (CAUC), an attempt to support the Legislature and Department of Public Safety in its efforts to adopt a coordinated Building and Fire Safety Code statewide. They claim it is to prevent the further haphazard adoption of specific/individual code regulations by the Legislature.

Over the last couple of years, the Connecticut Property Owners Association has attempted to forge agreements and understanding with some aggressive tenants' rights groups in order to educate them on on the CPOA's perspectives as owners - and try to find common ground vs. waging additional battles.

On the education front, Connecticut Property Owners Association has participated in many regional real estate group events, Legislative dinners, and hosted numerous speakers so that landlords can educate themselves on the latest legal issues potentially affecting CPOA or engage in meaningful debate with real estate professionals and local and statewide politicians and officials. CPOA is also involved with the nuts and bolts of owning investment property such do-it-yourself evictions, where to find better financing, making smarter insurance claims, the latest hidden tax deductions, or the latest plumbing shortcuts.

Colorado Couple Spotted Need For Real Estate Investors Club

The Western Slope Real Estate Investors (WSREI) founders Mandy and David Vindiola started investing in real estate in the Grand Junction area of Colorado in 2000.

Like many new investors, Mandy and David felt nervous and scared to make that first step. Many of the books they read and seminars they attended suggested that they needed to get involved with a local real estate investment group to network with others, share resources and learn. Unfortunately the closest real estate investment group was in the Denver area and the couple couldn’t always get to mid-week meetings and seminars. As the years past, Mandy and David waited and hoped that someone would start a real estate investment group.

Then in 2004 while working on their final project for their Masters of Business Administration degrees Mandy and David decided that they should start their own group. Two years in the making, Mandy and David launched Western Slope Real Estate Investors of Colorado in the spring of 2006.

Avid outdoor enthusiasts, Mandy and David enjoy all types of activities and compete in races and triathlons. The couple enjoy pushing themselves both physically and in their business. Mandy and David spend a lot of time outside their comfort zone and enjoy learning from others. Mandy and David have seen the benefit of networking, education and collaboration in their real estate investment business and invite new members to share in their vision.

Meetings of the Western Slope Real Estate Investors (WSREI) club are held the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30p.m. at The Bray Education Center, located at 7th and Belford Ave. near downtown Grand Junction.

Coming events include:

November 8, 2006 - How to Use the Equity in Your Home to Build Your Assets. Learn how to think differently about equity and diversification. Sponsored by Jo Ann Winkelhake from College Aid Specialists.

There will be no December meeting as Co-founders Mandy and David will be on the 2006, 17th Annual Landlord Getaway Cruise with Holland America.

January 10, 2007 - More Creative Financing Strategies. Purchasing homes for investment with little or no money out of your pocket and strategies for having money to fix up a property. Sponsored by Creative Home Sources.

Is Now A Good Time To Buy Real Estate?

It is a question that gets asked in good times and in bad times and, unless you have a crystal ball, the answer is always subject several factors and to personal opinion.

So, if you are a first time home buyer and you keep hearing that the house prices are starting to fall, will the house prices keep falling and do you buy now or wait?

Well, if you do buy now and the prices keep falling, the value of your property will depreciate rather than appreciate therefore you won't be building any equity.

The key therefore is to research the market and watch the trends. Prices may fall or rise depending on a number of factors including: the local economy, the national economy, demand factors, money supply, employment rates, building activity and list goes on.

It is usually a good idea to look at several houses before making a decision to buy. Calculate price comparisons with recent house prices in the area over the last 3 months. Check out new constructions too, the builders may be eager to sell for a bargain price.

Judge each property and area individually. Strike the best deal you can. If you are planning to stay in the home 5 years or more, short term price adjustments or drops may not be of major concern to you.

Remember, it's the location you are buying. If you buy a poor house in a bad location you will unlikely to see any major gain in value. If you buy a mediocre house in a great location you could potentially do well. If you buy a fixer upper in a great neighborhood and put some sweat equity into it, you could again see a lot of appreciation in the value of the property.

Remember too, if the local property market is on the decline, a percentage of the people who have homes for sale will be desperate to sell. If the owner is not willing to bargain or wants what the neighbor sold for last year (despite a downturn), you could consider looking for a better deal elsewhere.

If you do find the house of your dreams, and if it is good value for money, then you might be best to purchase it rather than chase after a bargain that doesn't meet your needs.

2006 San Francisco Apartment Association Trade Show Planned For November 13

On November 13, 2006, San Francisco Apartment Association (SFAA) is offering free property management courses for all of its members. Afterward, attendees are invited to the San Francisco Apartment Association (SFAA) annual trade show, Apartments Ahoy, a boutique trade show covering all facets of the multifamily housing industry.

Professionals who provide San Francisco’s rental housing industry with top products and services will be on hand and happy to speak with members.

California Rental Housing Conference Planned For 2007

The Northern California Rental Housing Conference and Expo is planned to be held April 10 & 11th, 2007.

The California Apartment Association (CAA) is committed to providing pertinent educational and networking opportunities at the Northern CA Rental Housing Conference & Expo and is calling for interested parties to participate.

The California Apartment Association (CAA) welcomes proposals for presentations on possible topics including:

• Business Best Practices
• Internet Marketing
• Branding
• Property Maintenance
• Technology
• Property Ownership & Management: What You Need to Know
• Management Success
• Employee Satisfaction & Retention
• The Renter’s New Face Resident Services
• Finance Tools for Success
• Interior Design & Style

Deadline for submissions is Friday, November 17, 2006. Contact the California Apartment Association (CAA).

Arkansas Landlords Association Discusses Code Compliance, Tenant Screening, Evictions and Rent Collection

The North Little Rock Landlord Association in Arkansas was formed in 1998, providing landlords with an opportunity to meet others who share the same interest and problems associated in managing property. The purpose of the association is to give members a voice in local government.

The North Little Rock Landlord Association offers suggestions, encouragement and ideas to educate members and associates through planned programs.The association addresses issues that landlords are currently dealing with such as: Code Compliance, Tenant Screening, Evictions and Rent Collection.The knowledge gained gives a clear understanding for members, of their situations, to enhance the profit and position of property management.

Twice a year the North Little Rock Landlord Association provides hands-on workshops to assist with knowledge in various areas of property maintenance.

Meetings are the third (3rd) Monday of each month. Doors open at 6:30pm, meeting start's at 7pm. Location: North Little Rock Community Center, 2700 Willow, North Little Rock, Arkansas (across from the Hayes Center).

Real Estate Club Alive And Kicking In Arizona

Membership in the Phoenix Real Estate Club provides Arizona real estate investors with access to information, education, and networking opportunities that can be essential to success in real estate investing. The club caters for part-time investors, full-time investors be they beginners or have years of experience in real estate investing.

The Phoenix Real Estate Club holds monthly meetings the third Tuesday of the month at the Crowne Plaza Hotel 2532 W. Peoria Avenue, Phoenix (I-17 & Peoria). The meetings start with a structured networking session from 6:00pm to 7:00pm followed by the general session featuring a special topic or guest speaker. The meetings end at 9:00pm.

The monthly meetings are included in the annual membership fee. This meetings provide outstanding networking opportunities, access to business sponsors, and guest speakers who are experts in the field of real estate investing.

Club members get access to all education offerings through the Phoenix Real Estate Clubs sister organization, AZREIA. There are special interest groups for different areas of investing, as well as a free lending library. Members can list properties for sale on the web as well as e-mailed to all members.

The Phoenix Real Estate Club offers a structured networking session at each monthly meeting. This is the time and place to meet and network with other investors and vendors. Through networking, members can build a team, create business relationships, and find investment opportunities.

Affixed to each members name badge is a colored label identifying a specific interest area or speciality. This makes it easier to "find" the right people - and let people find individual members.