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Randy Crocker, Principal Owner of Hassle Free Commercial Services, gets questions all the time from prospective clients about their property and why they should choose HFCS over other contractors. What is a commercial services maintenance company you ask? They can handle everything that goes wrong in your building, from roof to basement, from inside to outside under a set flat rate based on the size of your property. The following is a list of advantages for using a commercial services maintenance company that can do it all for you, hassle free.

Preventative Maintenance.

The primary goal of preventive maintenance is to prevent the failure of building critical equipment before it actually occurs. Most contractors will come to a site and deal with problems as they occur costing you a fortune when looked at on a larger scale. Preventive maintenance will not only save you time and money, but it will also improve system reliability, decrease system downtime and extend the life of your equipment and it’s parts.

Emergency Response

By using a commercial services maintenance company, many times they are on site already maintaining your building, just as an employee would be, when problems do occur. Typical average emergency response times range from 2 – 4 hours, much less time than a general contractor you may hire, especially if you have to find a fair price first.

Overall Appearance

While systems maintenance is a large portion of most commercial services maintenance companies jobs, it does not take away from the concern for the aesthetic side of your property. Aesthetic maintenance includes: drywall repair, janitorial services, landscaping, snow removal, and more.

Overall Functionality

Maintenance testing is a top reason to use a company like HFCS. Imagine the insight that can be gained on a problem from someone who works in your building all the time, and has records of test results and maintenance actions taken. This data can be evaluated for trends and serve as the basis for decisions on appropriate testing frequency, need to replace or upgrade equipment and performance improvement opportunities that would normally be overlooked by your hourly repairman.

Tenant Relationships

Tenants and occupants of buildings feel much more comfortable working with someone that they have met previously and can develop a working relationship with. Having multiple contractors come in an out of a tenant’s space is not only a bother and worrisome, but can effect their work as well.

Simplify building manager/owners time

Hiring multiple contractors for the various systems in and around your building can be a huge hassle and also out of the scope of knowledge of building owners and managers. Effective time management for owners and building managers can result in happier tenants, faster lease turnovers and a hassle free job. As HFCS says, “Relax, we got it.”

Peace of mind

It’s a nice feeling to know that your contracting company is there for you, and not to make a quick buck. Many contracting companies say you need an entire new system when a simple loose wire or new belt could fix a problem that arises. With a contracting company who is working for you at a fixed rate, this is never a concern. You can expect high quality of work with emergency decisions that can be made based on an expert in your building and it’s needs to operate effectively and efficiently.

Even More Advantages!

This list could really go on forever, but here are just a few more reasons that a commercial services maintenance company is the way to go:
• Fire Systems Testing
• Less than 5% of subcontracting, supervised subcontracting when it does occur
• Adaptive Maintenance – Adapting the equipment in your building to address requirements that arise due to changes in the environment or new state/county/city regulations.
• Perfective Maintenance – Enhancements or modifications that can improve the safety, reliability, efficiency and/or cost-effectiveness of operation.

About the Author:
Randy Crocker, Principal Owner of Hassle Free Commercial Services, has over 27 years of experience in the commercial engineering field. HFCS are contractors specializing in industrial building maintenance, fire prevention, and repair on: HVAC, fire alarm systems, plumbing, emergency generators and electrical systems in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. Visit HFCS online at www.myhfcs.com. Online Marketing by Tim Kenney Marketing.

It’s a market obsessed with making short-term returns. As a result, the past decade of what is perceived as ‘regeneration’ has been dominated by speculative investor bulk-buying, killing off any chance of creating vibrant communities resulting in a legacy of absentee owners, and an oversupply of one and two bedroom identikit apartments.

You can’t blame the house builders, developers or agents; after all, they represent the private sector which has to answer to shareholders who want to maximise annualised profit.
But what about the next 20, 50 or 100 years? Is such a short-term approach really the best financial model? Does it create vibrant and healthy communities and great urban places? The answer to these questions has to be no.

Until we adopt a long-term approach to creating communities and vibrant places rather than an obsession with buildings and short-term profit, the property market will not deliver sustainable city living in line with the European approach. I believe the answer lies with the larger financial institutions and the public sector. Both can afford to think long-term, as they don’t answer to private shareholders.

Currently, property only represents a small percentage of pension funds’ total investment. Traditionally, the financial institutions have avoided more exposure to property perceiving it to be volatile and management intensive. However, the city’s financial institutions are now starting to look at property as a long-term alternative for the creation of excellent returns. Morley, one of Europe’s largest property fund managers, set up The Igloo Regeneration Fund in 2002. This is the UK’s first urban regeneration fund investing for a commercial return in mixed use, environmentally sustainable, well-designed regeneration projects on the edge of the top 20 cities in the UK. The fund is managed by Morley on behalf of Norwich Union without pressure from shareholders.

The public sector is also starting to recognise that it can take a long-term approach to value creation and the generation of public benefit through quangos like Communities England (English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation) and British Waterways. For example, British Waterways established ISIS Waterside Regeneration at the 2002 Urban Summit held in Birmingham in order to use its assets to create long-term returns and sustainable new waterside destinations. ISIS is now revitalising more than 170 acres of land in seven towns and cities across the UK, designed to attract a wide range of occupiers, including families. Icknield Port Loop, one of the most significant regeneration opportunities this decade is one of these sites.

When the public sector take this long term approach, they often are faced with a dilemma given the need to cover short term costs, for example British Waterways are responsible for a 200 year old system that constantly needs to be maintained and suffers from years of under-investment. The current costs are more than British Waterways receive. British Waterways require consistent funding to be able to maintain the waterways for public benefit and as a catalyst for regeneration without having to sell off the family silver. Over the past weeks the national news has reported that it may be privatised; this would be a huge shame. British Waterways has the opportunity to continue to act as a force for good in regeneration, rather than being forced to dance to the tune of the shareholder.
We need to encourage the government and financial institutions to get behind the property market and set up more of these funds. We only need to look to northern Europe for an example of how this can work very successfully.

In the UK, young people have a stark choice – 25 year mortgages are likely to be replaced by much longer terms and if the idea of creating huge debts for others to inherit is not attractive they are forced to rent average quality and poorly designed apartments from private, relatively unregulated landlord. If pension funds invest in well designed apartments built as part of a thriving community and well managed by responsible investors such as Morley, places with long-term value can be created, which occupants can then buy-in to as part of their pensions.

This will be a challenge, as we need to overcome the stigma of renting on a long-term basis. In addition, if pension funds do invest in developers like ISIS, which puts sustainability at the heart of its approach, there is an opportunity for large numbers to acknowledge and address the challenge of climate change. If there were more communities living in residential schemes like ISIS ones which have sustainability built-in to the very fabric of the development, then a critical mass could develop into combating the effects of climate change.

An excellent case study of how the public sector can work with long-term funds, as I have described, is represented at Icknield Port Loop. Birmingham City Council, Advantage West Midlands and ISIS together with other key stakeholders are bringing forward plans to put this long-term approach to community and value creation into practice. It can’t come soon enough.

Mark Ryder - Chief Executive, ISIS - Granary Wharf will be home to 282 well designed waterside apartments in Leeds city centre; complemented by the retailers, restaurants and bars already established. There will be an additional selection of convenience retailers, independent bars and unique restaurants.

Greater Miami, Along with the City of Miami Beach, is a vibrant and thriving business community with a global reach. Miami has a vast array of resources to assist businessmen in the growth and expansion of their business.

In addition to the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, there is also an array of established and well-respected business organizations and chamber groups that can help provide assistance, consultancy as well as information on the proper procedures and connections that prospective investors might need in setting up businesses in Miami Beach.

Business Organizations and Chambers in the Greater Miami Area

- The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) is a private, non-profit sales and marketing organization. The GMCVB is a private sector-government partnership with more than one thousand private business members and four local governments. Its mission is to attract and encourage individuals and organizations to visit Greater Miami and the Beaches. In doing so, the GMCVB supports all community activities that boost Greater Miami and the Beaches as an attractive and desirable place for meetings, business, or leisure.

- The Beacon Council - Miami

The beacon Council serves as Miami-Dade County’s official economic development partnership vehicle. The Beacon Council is tasked with bringing new, job-generating investments to the community, as well as assisting existing businesses in their expansion efforts.

- The Greater Miami Chamber Of Commerce.

The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce continues to engage and advocate strong and durable trade relationships, as demonstrated through its acclaimed “America’s Linkage” program and active International Business Development group. The Chamber can assist investors with providing the right information and connections to key business leaders across the region, as well as provide a forum to build relationships and potential business partners.(info@miamichamber.com)

Local Government Business And Economic Resources

- The City of Miami Beach Economic Development Division.

The primary functions of the Economic Development Division are business assistance, attracting and supporting private capital investment, market research, and legislative affairs. The Division works with businesses and organizations to enhance the City’s business environment and to promote the overall image of the City’s commercial districts. It also identifies and implements strategies and programs to expand, develop, recruit and retain businesses.

The Economic Division also conducts research in order to provide as much economic information as possible to existing and potential investors, as well as applying private sector standards for responsiveness and customer satisfaction in order to encourage investment. The Division also works with the State and Federal governments to further the City’s interests; and balances private sector needs with neighborhood quality of life issues.

- Miami Dade County Portal

The worldwide web portal for Miami-Dade County. This portal is designed to be the window of County government, which would make it easier for tourists and investors to locate the information and services they need, ranging from business development and assistance, public safety, cultural events, and recreational activities. The newest version of the web portal - miamidade.gov, is an enhanced version or the county’s public access website.

Luxury Living Realty - http://luxurylivingrealty.net

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When it comes to finding your dream golf property Spain might not be the first location that pops into your mind. Perhaps the ideal location in your mind is in Florida or California. If that is the case, picture Florida minus the hurricanes or California minus the earthquakes, and the result that you get is the beautiful Spanish countryside. The Mediterranean can offer the same in terms weather as Florida or California - without some of the drawbacks.

The mild weather is only one reason why Rest Assured Properties is so enthusiastic about golf property in Spain – the other is the location of new golf, sports and leisure resorts that are currently under construction in a quiet, lesser-known region of southern Europe -the Murcia region of Spain.

This region is known for the golfing options that abound in the area. These new golf resorts have homes built right on the grounds and are some of the most popular and most expensive luxury homes in the area.

Whether or not you are looking for a golf property Spain is a prime candidate for a beautiful second home, retirement home, or simply investing in a home to rent out in order to have the mortgage pay for itself. Luxury homes in this region that are located on golf resorts are selling at higher prices than those located outside of the resorts. You could consider purchasing a golf property in Murcia Spain on privately owned land that is just as luxurious, but the value of homes located on golf resorts themselves are increasing at a faster yearly rate than private homes in the countryside.

Even if you do not play the sport yourself, there is no denying the beauty of the setting of these homes. Between the mild climate and the Spanish countryside, there is simply no beating the beauty and the tranquility found in this region.

Rest Assured Properties specialize in the sale of off-plan properties in the Murcia region of Spain. Visit us online today at http://www.simplymurcia.com to find out more about Golf Property Spain

Spanish property, Cyprus property and Bulgaria property are ranked very high in overseas property interest list. Have you too been thinking of buying an overseas property in Spain, Cyprus or Bulgaria? While sitting in your New York office have you been wondering how can I manage to buy a property for sale in Spanish? Here is a mini guide to smoothen your process of buying an overseas property.

While looking for a property in
Spain, the first thing you need to bear in mind is that Spanish property market is an unregulated industry. So it is as good as any other unregulated market. There are plenty of good real estate service providers who can help you find a good property for sale in Spain. One more important criterion to be fulfilled when buying a Spanish property is that foreign buyers need to acquire a fiscal identification number known as NIE (Numero de Identification Extranjero). It is required by Spanish tax authorities to identify buyers.

Cyprus is popular holiday destination flashing crystal clear water, sandy beaches, traditional villages and years of history. And now
Cyprus property is also in high demand. There are numerous buyers looking for a holiday home as it is very well connected. The land registry system in Cyprus differs only marginally from that in Unite Kingdom. Also the buy-to-let investment opportunity is very high for Cyprus property owners.

Buying a Bulgaria property is very lucrative option with Bulgaria recently becoming a member of EU. One thing important for the foreign buyers eager to buy Bulgaria property is to know is that there is a Tax estimation price, which is similar to ratable value in UK. This price is usually many times lower than the actual sale price and vendors generally prefer to write this price in title deed.

In order to be successful in buying overseas property Spain or overseas property Cyprus or property for sale in Bulgaria, you need to be able to get in touch with a registered estate agent who has a strong local presence and good relations with property developers. While buying an overseas property extensive due diligence is required as property laws are very likely to be different across different places. Thus along with a trusted real estate agent, it is also important to hire an independent legal representative who can clarify any doubts you have and who can be held legally liable.

Pauline Hopkins is a property advisor and recommends you to visit http://www.interlinkproperties.com/ for information on overseas properties.

Buying Commercial property, whether it’s an apartment, retail building, industrial, hotel, or shopping center, requires 20% down payment or more. The amount of down payment is different in different state. For instance, in CA market, you need to put down 50% or more if you were to expect cash flow.

If you don’t have a lot of money, there are different ways you can buy. For instance:

1) Create a group of investors, offer to pay them interest for their money

2) Form a group and invest together on a project.

3) Ask seller to carry back some of the loan that way you put a small down payment.

4) Cash out equity from other property

When you find a potential property, make sure you crunch the numbers. Take into consideration that payments for property tax, insurance, utility and unforseen fees such as increased water bill, leaking roof, sprinkler system no longer works, will be a lot different than what your seller is paying. Make sure you verify every knitty gritty details shown on the operating statement. Seek advice of a broker who knows the area well such as cap rate, gross rent multiplier, the cost of an apartment unit, cost per square feet of a retail building.

The reason for this is sometimes the displayed CAP rate on property’s flyer is overstated or understated. You do not want to use this number. You want to use the current market CAP in your calculation. Don’t forget to get pre-approved with a lender to find out how much you can afford to buy.