Aaron Dickinson made the declaration on his blog this morning. Here’s an excerpt: “The last six months have shown a dramatic turn in many fundamentals – far faster than many, including me, expected. While statistics are great, actual experiences of those on the street are still quite helpful in “taking the temperature” of the real estate market. As many of the housing statistics were showing improvement, that data was supported by the experiences I’ve had and the stories I have heard from many other agents in our market.”

Some economists aren’t as optimistic, and we’ll never really know when the market has hit bottom until it’s already happened. Even the two largest Realtors’ associations avoided making such a prediction at its annual year-end press conference last week, saying only that “the outlook is positive.”

Dickinson, who has a deep understanding of the association’s data, makes the case using several kinds of data that rising sales and falling inventory will put an end to the broad price free fall we’ve seen overall the past several years. For example, last year inventory was down almost 30 percent while sales increased 8.2 percent, according to data from the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors. While he doesn’t expect any across-the-board price increases, he astutely notes that some segments of the market are healthier than others and could even see some price gains. Other micro-markets will continue to see declines.

www.StarTribune.com

Jim Buchta

Community Development, Inc. is a property management company specializing in the property management of homeowners associations in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Some of our property management services include Accounting, Administration, Consulting, Inspections & Maintenance, and Vendor Management. We manage all types of homeowners associations which include but are not limited to Townhomes, Condominiums, Cooperatives, and Master Planned Communities.

Feel free to learn more about our property management services and how our company began.

If you are are interested in a property management proposal from a company that has a very strong customer service philosophy or have any questions please contact us and we would be happy to assist you.

Have a great day!

2011 BEST PLACES TO WORK

#18 SMALL COMPANY

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, INC.

BY SAM LANE

STAFF WRITER

When Community Development, Inc. employee Shelly Horton-Tuma died suddenly in December, her co-workers rallied to support each other through a very difficult time.

Horton-Tuma was a funny and lively addition to the firm, said company co-owner Chuck Schneider. The 39-year-old’s death solidified a nurturing environment in the office.

“If someone needed to leave the building and get out, they’d do that,” Schneider said. “Everyone else would step in and cover for them….[The employees] bonded.”

The spirit team members exhibited through that period is an example of what makes Community Development a great place to work, Schneider said. “As the owner, I try to create an environment where we’re encouraging, supporting, fostering positive attitudes and creativity. My view is my employees are my clients, and we have to make sure they’re taken care of as much as real clients.”

For Golden Valley based Community Development, that involves a number of morale boosting activities and incentives to keep employees engaged.

Every other Friday, Schneider lets some employees go home at 1 p.m. If they’re not meeting with clients, employees don’t have to follow any sort of dress code. The company frequently holds lunches, dessert breaks, barbecues and happy hours.

“We like to create a culture that is unique,” Schneider said. “I’ve heard so many times from employees: “I’ve never worked any place where the culture is so fun.”

What does having fun at work mean to you? “One thing I love is when I walk through the halls and hear laughter.” – Chuck Schneider, CEO of Community Development, Inc.

Schneider says he’s modeled his leadership after Tony Hsheih, the successful Zappos.com CEO. Schneider founded the company with business partner Ryan Hall 12 years ago. Community Development now has 95 full and part time employees.

The Company uses a “team style” at work that officials say encourages camaraderie. Every group of three community managers is assigned a community specialist, who assists the “pod” in day-to-day tasks.

“It’s a group that really works closely together,” said Amanda McManus, the company’s director of community management. “They end up being a team. They get to know things about other people’s properties and can brainstorm.”

The firm also has created a Random acts of Kindness Committee. Twice a month, a group of employees walks around the building in costumes for 15 minutes, blowing whistles and making noise in an effort to keep up the office’s morale. The group also will pick an employee’s name out of a hat and show appreciation for that individual for two weeks through gifts and other recognitions.

Russ Lis, vice president of client development, said the committee goes a long way in promoting the happiness of employees.

“It’s the overall atmosphere,” Lis said. “You feel like you’re working with a family. If you didn’t have to work, no one would, but it’s a good place to work. People enjoy coming to work, they enjoy talking to people, they have friendships outside of work.”

Lis noted customer service businesses can be tough, and those in the industry often liken the stress to having squirrels running around in their heads. To lighten the load, Schneider bought a stuffed squirrel, which employees pass around to co-workers who seem to be having a rough week.

So what’s Lis’ favorite part of the company? “It’s got to be the squirrel.”

Community Development’s Random Acts of Kindness Committee includes, from left, Michelle Gaskill, Aimee Adams, Brenda Clay, Jesse Dubuque, Angie Blazek (kneeling), Amanda McManus (not pictured).

This article appeared in Volume 29, Number 11 of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal on August 19, 2011, page A11.

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/

Are you not happy with your current property management company? Community Development, Inc. manages hundreds of homeowners associations and thousands of homes in Minnesota (MN) and western Wisconsin (WI). If you are interested in finding out more about our property management company please contact us.

We would be happy to provide a professional property management proposal for your townhome, condominium, cooperative, or master planned community.

Thank you!