The Fence Post Press

The Fence Post Press

“We Listen”

Vol. 1 Issue 1 December 2010

From Our Family to Yours Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and May You Have a Great 2011

Seated and clockwise from right: Ashley Kopeck, Barbara Suarez, Marjorie Hughes, Mike Avery, Nick Suarez, John Suarez, Daniel & Jani Suarez and Ben Lonidier

Twenty two years. Amazing… Never dreamed I’d create a successful real estate & property management company that has nearly 300 families living in homes we manage and that I’d create jobs that would help support six families, when I became a real estate agent on December 5, 1989.

Like many entrepreneurs I’ve seen many ups and downs in two plus decades, but a good plan, hard work and leading a charmed life helped me over the hurdles faced by small business owners every day. As a self described “take charge, methodical, work-oholic,” who thinks I’m slacking if I don’t work 12 hour days I’d like to pass on some things I’ve learned over the years that have helped me increase income and reduce debt.

Regardless of the current economic situation of high unemployment and out of control government spending, always keep in mind we don’t have 20 percent unemployment, massive uninsured bank failures, bread lines, or people jumping out of windows. We are in a cyclical recession – nothing more.

I’ve found that keeping a positive “can do” spirit is hard work. Nothing is free. I keep abreast of the day’s news, politics and economics, but I don’t allow these issues to be distractions from the every day real world I live, work and play in. Former Speaker of the House Tip O’Neil said it best, “All politics are local.” I’m far more concerned with “Kitchen Table” economics than focusing on never ending polemics that are magnified by the 24 hour news/entertainment cycle and an internet that gets more viral with each passing day.

As many of you know finding a job in today’s market place is no joke, but the jobs are out there to be found if you look hard, expand your search, are not afraid to make a few phone calls and understand that a job – any job – is better then no job at all!

Many people have found that the internet is a great tool for finding job openings that you can apply for on-line or by making a few phone calls. People get jobs everyday because they ask everyone they know if they’ve seen or know of any openings. Others pick up the phone and call businesses in their field and ask if they or another company in the industry is looking to add good hard working employees. Some employers like to keep a potential job opening file where they keep applications and resumes. It is important to know how long a company keeps a file, so that you can update yours and stay in line. For some learning new skills and or how to sell stuff is their route to a better more prosperous life. But the most important thing is to not be discouraged, keep punching and understand that every “No,” eventually leads to a “Yes!”

The flip side of the income equation is “Debt.” Like the government, many people today think nothing about spending money they don’t have. Dave Ramsey asserts in his book “Financial Peace: Putting Common Sense into Your Dollars and Cents,” that 50% of American households are “Debt Slaves!”

Having listened to Clark Howard for years and read many books about becoming Debt Free here are some basic do’s and don’ts that will liberate you from “Debt Slavery.” The first order of business is a realistic no holds bared look at you finances and creating a budget based on real numbers. Next is the understanding that sticking to your budget is essential to a successful plan. If you can’t pay cash for something you simply can’t afford it. Also not paying “Late Fees,” is critical to success. Don’t throw money away, which will only benefit some fat cat banker.

There are many theories about paying off passed credit card debt. The time honored method is to stop using credit cards and pay down the highest interest rate cards first. Others like Mr. Ramsey believe you should pay off the smallest debt first to give yourself a psychological boost and prove you can do this as you pat yourself on the back and cut the card in half. In either method once a card is paid off you can now use that money saved to pay off other credit vultures.

Mr. Ramsey is also big on packing lunch and eating out as little as you can get away with. He calls the theory “the Rice and Beans and Beans and Rice” method to financial independence.

In the end I’ve found that budget discipline is the most important and vital aspect of living debt free followed right behind by an optimistic attitude, hard work and a firm belief in a better future.

Daniel holds up a clean 30 day HVAC filter. A clean filter can save up to 10% during peak summer & winter periods. During winter you can save even more money and help with the environment by running the thermostat at 68 degrees during the day & reducing the temperature to 65 at night when everyone is asleep.

As we approach the New Year with cold temps, freezing rain and gloomy forecasts now is a good time to remind tenants & landlords of some routine maintenance and precautions you can take to save money, improve quality of life and avoid problems.

First, a new furnace filter installed every 30 days will save between 5 to 10 percent on monthly heating and cooling bills improve the air quality and help to avoid equipment break downs.

Second, 80% of the HVAC calls we get involve a rarely changed dirty filter. Over time filters clog and prevent heat or cool air from passing through the filter. They also disperse very dirty air and microscopic critters like dust mites in every breath you take. Yuck. Neglect can lead to higher bills, system failure and health issues for people with asthma or other breathing issues like allergies.

If you do not know how to change filters, or the system is in the attic or under the house and you need help – call me. We can install higher quality 90 day filters for $25 and the cost of the filter. If you want I can show you how to do it yourself during my visit.

Every year you hear of people burned out of their homes during the Christmas Holidays. It’s heart breaking. Now is a good time to check and or replace all smoke detector batteries. Also check any space heaters you may own and replace with oil filled radiators which are much safer and more energy efficient. Whatever you do be careful with coil type heaters. Make sure the cord is good and put the equipment as far from furniture & fabric as possible.

After last years heavy rains and flash floods we’d like to remind you that cleaning the gutters twice per year will reduce the risk of flooding inside the home. Cleaning gutters is not for everyone – so if you don’t own a ladder or wouldn’t climb if you had one – call us and we can take care of this for you.

Finally, two things concerning water and sewer; First, remember to drip the water when ever we are in a deep freeze. We try and send e-mail freeze warnings, but if temps are below 32 it’s a good idea to drip.

Second, after 18 months at this job, I’ve learned that most all major plumbing issues are a result of grease poured down sink instead of a grease can, pens, crayons and Barbie’s head flushed by young children and paper towels and hygiene products. Repairs from these items are expensive and prevention is the best policy for everyone.

PS: If you should need our assistance – please call me at 770 256-0628 daniel@reatl.net

We are celebrating our 22^nd anniversary in the Real Estate and Property Management business. At present the best homes that are priced right based on the condition of the house and its location are renting faster then we can replace them with new properties. So, if you or someone you know might benefit by talking with John about managing a property we will greatly appreciate the referral. Nearly 80% of our new listings come from referrals from our landlords and tenants.

We specialize in enhancing our owner’s property by “Finding Good Tenants for Good Homes,” and turning a wasting asset into a money generator. Our clients come from a wide variety of situations: Professional investors who need a manager to help capitalize on their investments. Seniors with property they can no longer manage alone or want to downsize from. People who love their Atlanta home and don’t want to sell, but must leave it for a job opportunity somewhere else.

Many people who have transferred out of metro Atlanta would love to sell their home, but because they are “upside down on their loan,” they intend to rent the property until the bulk of the value lost has been regained.

Also, as the economy has soured we are seeing a lot more business from home owners who can’t get rid of a trouble tenant they made the mistake of renting to. (Think Michael Keeton in Pacific Heights.) Obtaining and reading a credit report as well as other reference checks, including criminal background and “bad tenant history,” with multiple judgments for skipping out on a landlord -- anywhere in the United States --are tools we bring to the table that typically are not used by landlords who in many cases can’t obtain a credit report and have never heard of the National Tenant Network, which scans every court house data base in the country.

Unlike many property managers, who on average have a 14% vacancy rate, we have maintained a seven percent average for more than 10 years and this percentage includes new listings. More important, “Dead Beat Tenants,” who must be evicted or do “Midnight Moves” are as high as 7% nation wide. We are a below One Percent – despite the current Recession.

Barbara, a former New England Conservatory of Music soprano, enjoys bringing Christmas cheer, while caroling in this choir trio.

My husband of 49 years died of brain cancer Memorial Day 2005. I was devastated by the loss and soon discovered I was deeply in debt and very lonely.

John Junior was a walking, talking encyclopedia with a gift for creating the “sizzle in the steak.” His first job after we married was selling Singer Sewing machines door to door. Despite no mechanical aptitude he took his sample machine apart and to my amazement put it back together. He insisted that this gave him an edge. When he met someone with a Singer he would ask their opinion and if they were having any trouble with the machine? Most were happy campers and others were amazed when he fixed their problem. For John it was all about people.

While honeymooning in Atlantic City with $25 to our names, we had pie and coffee and he bought our first home purchase a wooden steak knife holder with the words “Chicken Today – Feathers Tomorrow.” Strange how nearly 50 years of marriage could be summed up by four little words.

I soon realized that with John gone I would have to face several issues to include continuing to work well past retirement age. Not one to dwell on the negative or waste time feeling sorry for myself, I met with my children and made a plan to profit from the last company John & I started, eliminate debts, save some money and move from Griffin to Marietta to be closer to the boys and grand kids. My daughter Lisa lives in New Orleans. Even from 500 miles away Lisa was instrumental in my transition to a new life, encouraging me to eat better, go to the gym, the senior center and use the internet to find a boyfriend.

Meanwhile, John (the Third) gave me a job and a new home where I could be effective processing applications and being his listing secretary, and in effect, be surrounded by my three sons. Because of the support and my own determination to stay active and involved I have been able to overcome adversity and “reset” my life.

With everyone’s help I’m eating better, I walk the track at Gold’s Gym and take Zumba classes at the senior center. Recently, I joined the Center choir and have enjoyed myself each time we practice or perform.

Seventy-eight in the spring I feel wonderful and very lucky. Unlike many of my peers I take no medication and my children tease me about making a big deal over aspirin. Always an optimist I can tell you first hand that age is just a number and that life is what you make of it. As Linda Hunt said in the classic western Silverado, “If life doesn’t fit you make alterations.” A good start is to eat less & move more.

Next month I’ll be talking about dating after divorce or death and finding work or activities that stimulate you by keeping yourself engaged, and maintaining a feeling of value and productivity paid or not.

Spray painting Your Street Number on curb or driveway is a great way to help emergency service providers find a home quickly.

As a former Neighborhood Watch Coordinator in Decatur I learned many things about safety and building a strong local community. The most important lesson to be understood is that in our modern society many people simple do not know their neighbors and this isolation reduces safety for everyone.

Soon after moving into my first home it was burglarized. I hadn’t even made my first payment. I was very upset and called the County Watch Coordinator to get a list of neighbors who belonged to the Watch. Of 16 names, a dozen had moved, two had been dead for more then three years and the remaining two were both in their 80’s and in poor health. If you live in a “Neighborhood Watch Community,” but have never been approached by anyone – chances are that your community has signs, but no program.

I created a flyer inviting neighbors to my home for a meeting, which I hand delivered. I expected a dozen people at most, but was amazed by the standing room only meeting with more then 50 people. Several attendees were from neighboring sub-divisions. I discovered that there had been 14 smash and grabs within two miles of my home, which was near Emory and considered a “safe” place to live in town.

The end result of this meeting was to replace the moribund non-existent watches with reinvigorated programs led in many cases by people who were new – just like me. A dozen neighbors agreed to be Block Captains and nearby sub-divisions started programs based on ours. Again, don’t assume that you have a Watch because of signs on your street!

The three keys to running a successful program are to suggest that everyone stand at their mailbox and identify every neighbor whose home they can see. In most cases this meant people introducing themselves to people who up till that moment were perfect strangers. The second key was to plan and hold an annual Neighborhood Block Party and a Garage Sale. This created a feeling of community that still exists today.

Sadly, the last key was accepting FBI data that more than 80% of home break-ins are committed by a teenager who lives with in sight of their victim’s homes. Also we learned that making sure that children, younger then 12 are properly engaged and supervised after school is very important – especially for the kids.

The Mail Box method worked wonders. People became very engaged and supported their new neighborhood friends. By knowing the neighbors and the car(s) they drive the Watch created overlapping radar like security where everyone looked out for each other.

Best of all, the Watch program was fun and effective. In the three years following that first meeting there was one burglary and that one was solved when an embarrassed teen admitted to the crime.

Special Thank You & Season's Greeting to all who serve & to all those who came before to Protect & Serve Our Country!!