...every aspect of property management must be conducted with the highest quality standards.
Property Management: Managing Your Building
We believe that every aspect of property management must be conducted with the highest quality standards. The following are among the many services Cooper Square Realty provides to bring buildings we manage to meet those standards. Our superior performance in these areas distinguishes us from other management companies.
Trained, Professional Property Managers and Staff
Our property managers are among the best in the industry. They have come to us equipped with stellar backgrounds and proven management skills. In addition, we have the best formal training program in the industry. All managers are trained in building operations, repairs, construction, and monthly financial reporting. All agents are licensed, certified, or working toward these designations, and continuing education is encouraged.
"MOST" (Maintenance Operating and Tracking System)
Cooper Square has developed the finest computerized building maintenance tracking system in the area. This program transforms the speed and efficiency of project completion in a building. It has the ability to track preventive maintenance from beginning to completion, keep a list of suppliers for ordering, remind administrative agents of insurance policy renewals, local filings, annual boiler and pump maintenance, and can be used by a concierge system to monitor access to the building and the individual units. The Board and the superintendent can access this information so they are completely up to date on what the maintenance staff and site manager are currently doing and what is planned, allowing for more accurate budgeting and planning.
Supervision of the Building's Staff
The old axiom, "A chain is only as strong as its weakest link," has special significance for us. Our quality management can only be achieved by close supervision of the building's staff. To insure this we oversee each employee's performance and coordinate and monitor work assignments. The Cooper Square Guide to Staff Services is customized for every building we manage with job descriptions, procedures and sample work schedules.
Construction Expertise
Cooper Square set the industry standard for managing construction projects. Utilizing our many years of experience working with contractors, expertise in construction and in-house engineering capabilities, we have established procedures for all types of construction projects. We stringently monitor the entire process from bidding to completion for timeliness and quality.
Timely and Comprehensive Reports
An informed board is an effective board. We provide comprehensive monthly financial reports that review a building's expenditures and revenues against its budget and also compare the expenses against industry averages. This serves as a guide to compliance with the annual budget and an alert to potential fiscal problems. Other reports, accompanied by charts and graphs, are generated to provide the board with summaries of building activities.
Frequent Building Inspections
A manager is most effective when he or she frequently visits the properties they manage. In addition to our visits and walk-throughs, we conduct periodic full-scale inspections to report building conditions. In this way we can assess the maintenance programs and make repairs when the job is comparatively minor, rather than being unaware of a potential problem and later incurring a major construction expense.
Reduced Energy Costs
Inspections are conducted periodically to detect inefficient equipment and wasteful energy practices, and when appropriate, we institute corrective programs. As part of our monthly financial analysis, fuel usage and costs are compared to previous years and to temperature averages.
Efficient Monthly Collections
The collection of monthly charges is paramount to maintaining cash flow. We have developed a computerized system to track all fees due and create a record for each resident. Delinquencies are handled in a proactive and expeditious manner.
Effective Purchasing Policies
We maintain accurate records and invoices of all purchases and follow strict purchasing policies. We work with the Board to develop new policies as needed. We use a variety of vendors who deliver quality at a good price point. Cooper Square's purchasing program takes advantage of purchase discounts without requiring large orders.
Compliance Department
Our compliance department insures that the buildings we manage are in compliance with the increasing number of laws, regulations and required inspections.
Cost-effective Insurance Programs for Associations and Unit Owners
Cooper Square has developed an insurance program for residents of buildings we manage. This program contains premium discounts up to 35% off standard rates based on the services of the building. We are approved by Fireman's Fund, Greater New York Mutual, CAN, Shelby Casualty, and Kemper and Chubb.
We Care About Security and Fire Safety
Cooper Square takes an active role to establish procedures for and educate our residents about security and fire safety. We inspect for possible security breaches and make recommendations for improvements. As needed, we write and distribute security alerts to residents. We provide residents in our client buildings with fire-safety strategies in an operations and procedures manual that Cooper Square prepares. The manuals are tailored to meet the needs of individual buildings since each one varies in size, age and layout.