1. Brian A. Birdy, MPM®, RMP® Broker/Owner Birdy Properties, LLC

2.  Been in existence since 1979. Grew from 1 property to 75 properties in 25 years.  Three Generation Family Business.  I took over the company in 2004.  I joined NARPM in 2007, with the intention of growing the company. Doubled in size from 75 – 150 in 2007. Doubled in size from 150 -300 in 2008. Doubled in size from 300-600 in 2009. Currently managing around 700 properties. Opened Birdy Maintenance in 2009.

3.  I was an office of 1 with 75 doors, working hard and doing everything.  Then I was an office of 2 with 150 doors, working hard and still doing everything.  I decided I was going to FOCUS on growth and do everything I could to grow so that I could be working less and doing less.

4.  Join NARPM  Get your designations  Be involved in your chapter  Go to Regional and National Conventions  Choose between being an EXPERT or being good.  You need to work at being seen as the Expert in Property Management.  Sales vs. Rent, you can be good at both or be the expert of one.  Teach a Property Management class at your Board.  Serve on your boards Property Management Committee and/or the TAR Property Management Committee.  Be the best educated in town, take every PM course you can.

5.  Staff for growth  Most people hinder growth by being overworked  You need to pass off the work you don’t like, or don’t have time for, so you can focus on growth.  Heavy staffing to prepare for and accelerate growth.  Investing in growth cost money.  Facilities are the key  They need to be top notch.  They need to show confidence to the owner/investor that come in that you are the Expert in your Field.  Invest in your business.

6.  Let Technology Help You:  Have a GREAT web site  Phone System that gives you freedom and movement, VOIP  Optimize your web site  Set up Google Analytics  Set up a Google Adwords campaign  Buy Domain Names  Use referral sites like:  RentalHomePros.com  Rentlist.com  AllPropertyManagement.com  Be first to the leads and be prepared to act quick.

7.  Agent Referrals  Tell Agents you pay Referrals on New Doors  Guarantee that you will not compete on the sale and return the property to them.  Setting Goals  Set tangible goals for new accounts for you and your staff.  Ask your current clients for referrals, offer a discount on future fees for new accounts they refer.

8.  Advertising and Marketing  Branding Everything all the time.  TV Commercials and Radio Ads  Gym, Hotel, and Movie Ads not as expensive  Wrapping your company cars with Ads  Press Releases  Networking  Local Chamber of Commerce  NARPM Chapter  Board of Realtors  BNI – Business Networking International

9.  IS TO KEEP YOUR CURRENT CLIENTS.  Communication is the Key  Deliver on your promises  When you screw it up, step up and claim it, and make it right.  Three biggest reasons owners leave:  1. You don’t communicate with them.  2. You let them get surprised about a problem or repair with the property, see #1.  3. You don’t get their property rented!!

10.  Thanks for inviting me to share with your chapter!!!!