So much has happened over the past few years to enhance the
ability of real estate property management firms to grow and
compete. One of the most noteworthy perhaps, in terms of reducing
costs and improving productivity, is the decentralization process
currently becoming very popular in the apartment management
community:
Typically a manager of an apartment project will utilize an
on-site computer to track rent collections and billings as well
as purchasing for the site. The information is then transferred
electronically via modem to the computer at the property
management firm's regional or national office, and eliminates the
need to re-enter information. The site management should
experience no additional work, as it typically needs to record
the information, and the home office staff can eliminate the data
entry part of their work, and concentrate on reviewing and
processing the information already entered. (A side benefit, of
course, is that with fewer opportunities to enter the
information, there are fewer opportunities for error!)
Similarly, the site manager can utilize a computer program in
making purchase decisions. Such a program retains the budget
dictated by the home office, as well as previous purchases
entered at the site, so the site manager is assisted in noticing
overbudget situations before a purchase decision is made.
by Howard Haberman, President, Howard M Haberman
Associates, Inc.
Copyright © 1996 Howard M Haberman Associates, Inc. All rights
reserved.
Revised: February 29, 2004.
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