Sharper Management Continues Expansion into East Metro
Eden Prairie, MN (May 18, 2016) Sharper Management, a locally-owned, mid-sized property management company located in Eden Prairie, MN has recently been brought on board to manage the home owner’s association for Heritage Square Fourth Addition, Inc. in Maplewood, MN. With this new partnership, 82 units (comprised of both townhomes and condominiums) will be under management by Sharper. In addition to Heritage Square Fourth Addition, Sharper also manages Bailey’s Arbor, Kirkhaven, and Primrose in the eastern part of the metro. “We’re excited about our growing presence in the east/northeast area of the Twin Cities,” states Dan Cunningham, Partner and Managing Broker. “Our ability to provide exceptional and reliable property management services is growing rapidly across the Twin Cities metro area. We’re happy to grow with and help board members throughout the area.” Known for their reliable and committed approach to services for condominium and townhome associations in Minnesota, Sharper Management specializes in providing exceptional property management solutions. Offering a full-suite of premier services to the Minneapolis-St. Paul seven-county area, Sharper Management continues to expand their service area and look forward to building more new relationships throughout the Twin Cities.
Sharon Ronning Joins Sharper Management as Community Manager
Sharper Management is pleased to welcome Sharon Ronning to its team. Ronning brings over 8 years of experience in administrative and property management experience to her position as Community Manager. “Her commitment to helping clients will be a great asset to our communities,” states Matt Froehlich, Chief Operating Officer. Ronning’s commitment to exceptional customer service fits perfectly with the philosophy of Sharper Management. “I’m excited to be working for a locally-owned and growing company that values and provides support to its employees, which translates to great customer service for their clients,” states Ronning. Founded in 2010, Sharper Management is a locally-owned, mid-sized property management company offering a full suite of premiere services to rental owners and homeowner’s associations of all sizes. Sharper Management currently provides services to the Minneapolis-St. Paul seven-county area. For more information on Sharper Management services and employment opportunities, call 952-224-4777 or email to info@sharpermanagement.com.
Kimberly Marthaler Joins Sharper Management as a Community Manager
Sharper Management is pleased to welcome Kimberly Marthaler to the staff as a Community Manager. Marthaler brings with her expertise gained over many years working as a community manger in the property management industry. Marthaler’s vast experience is a true asset to Sharper Management,” states Matt Froehlich, Partner and Head of Operations. “The Community Manager position is a critical link between home owner associations and Sharper Management. We value our property managers and the work they do immensely,” says Froehlich. As part of company operations, Sharper Management has implemented many efficiency and support resources as well as educational opportunities for their community managers. “Sharper Management’s commitment to being Your Minnesota Neighbor will continue to focus the company’s efforts as we continue to grow in 2015,” says Froehlich. “One of our greatest strengths is our ability to provide exceptional customer service to our clients. Properly supporting our community managers is part of that commitment,” states Froehlich. Founded in 2010, Sharper Management is a locally-owned, mid-sized property management company offering a full suite of premiere services to rental owners and homeowner’s associations of all sizes. Sharper Management currently provides services to the Minneapolis-St. Paul seven-county area and to Rochester, Minnesota. For more information on Sharper Management services and employment opportunities, call 952-224-4777 or send an email to info@sharpermanagement.com.
Lisa Thompson Joins Sharper Management’s Accounting Team
Sharper Management is pleased to welcome Lisa Thompson to its accounting team. Thompson will be handling accounts payable for all of the communities in the Sharper Management and Advantage Home portfolios. She has over 13 years of experience with accounts payable and vendor relations, having worked for organizations such as Best Buy and Cargill. Thompson looks forward to utilizing her attention to detail and determination, as well as a partnering with the rest of the Sharper Management team. “With the addition of Lisa Thompson, we are growing our capacity by 25%. This investment in our company will provide our clients with better customer service and quicker processing time. We are thrilled to have Thompson join our team,” states Nick Schilling, partner and head of finance. Founded in 2010, Sharper Management is a locally-owned, mid-sized property management company offering a full suite of premiere services to rental owners and homeowner’s associations of all sizes. Sharper Management currently provides services to the Minneapolis-St. Paul seven-county area. For more information on Sharper Management services and employment opportunities, call 952-224-4777 or email to info@sharpermanagement.com.
Get on Board With Your Board
It’s been a long running joke in the community association industry that homeowners join the Board of Directors for one of two reasons; 1.) Because no one else would do it and you happen to be in the room and all eyes turn to you. 2.) You have an “axe to grind” around an issue. The latter scenario is all too common and can be toxic to the effectiveness and functionality of the Board. Most of the time it only takes a few meetings for that new Board member to realize there’s a whole lot going on. With any luck, world views expand quickly and that single issue gets put into perspective. For example, that simple little $300 repair to MY front step has to be done at ALL 300 homes? That $300 repair is actually a $90,000 bill for the association! Directors Must “See the Big Picture.” Naturally, we all have our own interests. Some may think beefing up the Reserves should be the priority. Another thinks that a long-term landscaping plan should be the focus. One is adamant that rules aren’t being enforced and the community is on the brink of chaos. No individual is wrong in their priorities; however, remember that the Board of Directors is not the “Board of ____ (insert single issue here).” Time should be spent deliberating topics and researching issues. Informed decisions are the best kind. Be sure however, to recognize when time is being monopolized. If a particular Board member has a recurring issue they want addressed, encourage them to research the topic and report back. Or, have him or her form a committee. The breadth of topics the Board of Directors of a community association has to deal with is vast. If you can’t get on board with your Board, get off the ship and row your own stream. A shared philosophy of the “30,000 foot view” is essential. Only then can synergy be achieved and your Board be effective for your community.
Concrete Maintenance for Your Association
As the snow melts and the weather warms, you’re getting a first good look at what winter may have done to the concrete walkways and patios in your association. The freeze/thaw cycle in Minnesota is hard on many things, but in particular paved surfaces. The process can literally attack from above and below. The importance of proper base material and regular maintenance are critical factors in maintaining the beauty and functionality of your association’s paved surfaces. The Base The most important factor for the base material is that it is uniform. If a soft spot forms under your concrete slab, you’re likely to have curling that creates tension points. These tensions will cause cracks in the surface. The base should be flexible and uniform (no soft spots) so it moves consistently across the entire slab. A good subbase mix of gravel and sand that has been compacted should provide the base you need. The Surface In addition, the surface of your concrete slab can be porous. Sealing your concrete regularly will fill in the porous areas and prevent water from collecting in the surface material. When water is present and freezes, it can push your surface apart and cause surface cracking. Even though concrete is hard-as-a-rock, it is susceptible to the elements. It pays to take care of it. With proper care, your concrete should realistically last 20 years or more.