Home Owner's Associations

I was sitting in a coffee shop the other day, and started talking to the guy sitting in the seat next to me. He was a nice guy, worked for a local auto repair shop as the manager and through the course of the conversation, we realized that we lived in the same neighborhood.

He announced he was planning on leaving the neighborhood as soon as he could sell his home - told me he was so frustrated with the neighborhood association that it made him want to move into an area without an HOA.

Now, I did not tell him what I did - that I work for a property management company that handles HOAs.... (although ironically, not the one in our neighborhood). But I did ask him a few questions, because I was curious. Personally, I have never felt the HOA was particularly heavy-handed or unfair, and professionally I know that all HOAs are made up of the residents of a neighborhood, and all rules, policies, meetings and events that an HOA oversees can be changed with a vote--a vote of the neighbors!

So I asked him if he had ever been to an HOA meeting... NO. I asked him if he ever volunteered for a committee...NO. I asked him what specifically he did not like, and he told me it was the policy on what you could and could not build on the property. Specifically, he wanted to put a 2-story out-building/second garage on his back yard.

And I smiled. I live in his neighborhood and I would not want someone to build a second garage in their yard! Our properties average a quarter acre at best, and the amount of space that would take up would be huge. It would, in fact be an eye-sore, may even bring the property values around that house down.

We might all love extra space for our tools and our cars. We might all love to have a "guest bedroom" built. But in this particular case, it was not appropriate for the neighborhood and the covenants for our HOA were actually protecting us from everyone building over-sized sheds, or extra buildings on a small property.

This gentlemen and I won't agree, and he also won't join the architectural review committee either and volunteer his time to make a change he is interested in, or take the initiative to find out why his dream of a second garage is something that just doesn't fit into the neighborhood standards.

I am sure that he would not like it if his next-door neighbor painted their home barbie-pink and decided to put a moat in either!

HOAs are a good thing. But they are not for everyone. If you are a free spirit who likes to have full control over your property, and doesn't feel that you should be concerned with the "bigger picture" of how that affects the neighbors around you, there are plenty of homes and properties available. If you want the security and camaraderie, amenities and continuity that a neighborhood offers, than an HOA may be for you.

And remember... if you can and if you care, get involved! HOAs do not run on their own.

Kuester Property Manager

Charlotte, NC

The Importance of Landscaping in Commercial Property Management

Your commercial property is a major investment for your company. Enhancing and maintaining the look of the property can be a very cost-effective way to preserve and enhance that investment, and ensure your future income.

Property management companies do a many things for the commercial property owner, but one of the most obvious from the outside is how the lawn, landscape and property are maintained. Landscape design and maintenance can help achieve a premium appearance for your property. Your visitors and prospective tenants will have a more professional image of your company, that of your tenant and the people who work in your buildings will enjoy coming to work in a more pleasant and attractive environment.

Additionally, well-maintained landscape will discourage vandalism, and create a safer environment for those who work, live, shop or play on your property.

Whether you own an existing facility, or are constructing new buildings, working with a property manager who sees the value in focusing on the outdoors as well as the inside structure of your building is critical.

If you would like to know how Kuester can assist you in the property management of your commercial building, please contact us at: 704.973.9019.

Choosing an Office Space

Charlotte and the surrounding area offers an amazing variety of office space. Big, small, Uptown, or up by the lake... your choices are nearly limitless. Yet, as you think about your business, and how you want to work, you can begin to narrow down the possibilities.

You certainly need to have a good, clean environment for your office. But beyond that, you should ask yourself the following questions:

1.) If there is only "office work" being done, (and no manufacturing or retail)?
2.) Do you need a "reception" area where clients would enter and wait for you?
3.) How much space will you need? (Remember, you may want to grow before the lease term is up).
4.) Will you need bathrooms, or can you share bathrooms with other offices in the same building?
5.) How much parking will you need?
6.) How far will you need/do you want to travel? (And how about your employees?)
7.) Do you need a room for computer servers, a conference room, kitchen, or other space?
8.) Do you want an open floor-plan, cubicles, or offices with doors?
9.) Will you frequently have clients in the space?
10.) What technology needs do you have, (i.e. Internet connections, phone service)
11.) What if any build-out will the property owner/management company do to make the space work for you.
12.) How far is the space from main roads, town, the airport, restaurants and other points of interest?
13.) What are the terms of the lease?
14.) Who are the other tenants? (Are they competitors, or partner-businesses?)
15.) How is the common area, landscaping, and parking lot managed?

Choosing the best space for your new office is important for your ability to do your work and succeed as a business. If you would like assistance finding the best office space in Charlotte, Boone, Concord, Myrtle Beach, or Fort Mill, SC, please contact Kuester Companies at 704.973.9019.

Property Manager
Kuester Companies, North and South Carolina

News: Kuester Names Among the 10 Largest Real Estate Firms in Charlotte

We are pleased to announce that Kuester was named among the top 10 largest real estate firms in the Charlotte-Metro area.


The Charlotte Business Journal ranked the Kuester Companies #8 in terms of local employees and #25 in terms of commission-only brokers.

Besides our strong presence in Charlotte, we also have offices in Boone, Fort Mill, Myrtle Beach, and Concord.

If you would like any information about Kuester, property management, HOA's, or available property in our service areas, please contact us at: 888.600.5044.

What to Look: Commercial Property Manager

Dear Property Manager:

We need a property management company to take over the small property in Fort Mill that we own and lease out. What should I look for in a company? How do I find the perfect fit?

Steve X.
Fort Mill

Dear Steve:

For For the perfect fit, a property management company's expertise should match your needs. Is your property a real estate investment an office? It doesn't sound like you have an industrial building, a multifamily housing complex, or retail center--but is important when finding a good match to find a company that specializes in your type of space. You should also consider if your building have a vacancy, maintenance, marketing or other challenge, which will make filling it difficult.

Investigate the experience of a firms you are considering by asking what other properties like yours it manages. Be sure to ask long it has managed the properties, and what have been the results of its management--and if possible, visit them to investigate how they have been maintained.


Be sure to ask about the type of investors with whom the property management company usually works. Does it manage for individual property owners or does it specialize in working with larger companies? You need to know if the commercial property managers have expertise in the type of investor you are as well as your type of property, because they are handled so differently.

Investigate the firm's reputation, check references, and track records. Ask about insurance and accreditation and the education of the people directly handling your property. Also, get a list and description of all the services they offer, and if they are bundled, or offered a la carte.

And then, when you have asked all your questions, ask one more of them: Do they think you and your property would be a good fit for them?

Property Manager
Are you a good fit for us?
www.kuester.com

NEWS: Update on Kuester Move

Update on Kuester Move

You’ve probably heard the news that Kuester's Charlotte NC property management office is moving! We’re very excited that our company has grown so that we’ll be relocating our corporate headquarters to a brand new office building that we’re constructing on Highway 160, near the location of our old headquarters.

Although work is progressing and the office space will be stunning, there have been some delays, and our new offices will not be completed until the end of 2009.

But no need to worry! We’ll continue maintaining our consistently high level of property management and HOA management for our clients from an interim space until the new offices are completed.

Beginning April 27, our interim offices will be located at 1300 Altura Road on the second floor of the InterNET building.

The one important change that you need to be aware of is that all appointments must now be scheduled in advance, since we’ll be in a secured access building, requiring that all visitors sign in and be announced before being escorted to our offices.

Our new mailing address will be changing from 108 Stone Village Drive to:
Kuester Companies
PO Box 3340
Fort Mill SC 29708

All payments will continue to be sent to Community Association Banc as normal.
(Your Community Name)
C/o Kuester Companies
PO Box 64893
Phoenix, AZ 85082-4893

Thank you for your understanding.

Our space may be changing, but our commitment and service to you remains as constant as ever!

Sincerely,

The Kuester Companies Team

-your Charlotte property management and Charleston property management leaders