U-Haul reports Boise top migration spot in 2010!

As reported by Kit Fitzgerald in Idaho Business Review.com

http://idahobusinessreview.com/2011/02/17/u-haul-report-says-boise-was-a-top-city-for-migration-in-2010/

Boise Area Vacancy Rates Update

Boise Area Vacancy Rates
First Rate Property Management’s vacancy rates in Boise and the surrounding areas remain low despite gradual increases in rent and deposits collected. This morning our overall vacancy rate was 2.54%. Last year at this time our vacancy rate was at 3.71%. Call volumes at our office are increasing due to the combination of warmer weather and rental inventory levels remaining low.
Below lists our vacancy rate by area:
BSU/North End 0.0%
Bench 4.6%
West Boise 2.2%
East Boise 0.0%
Eagle 0.0%
North Meridian 3.7%
South Meridian 1.7%

The graph below represents FRPM's vacancy rate from December 2009 to present:

 (Click on image to enlarge)

 
 
Backflow Testing Changes for Meridian Properties
The City of Meridian is changing their Backflow Testing Reimbursement program.  Effective March 1st, 2011 the backflow assembly testers will be paid by the property owner, instead of being paid by the tax payers of Meridian.  To help with the costs, this year Meridian will provide a $10 credit to customers that have their backflow prevention device tested by their 2011 Test Date.  The City of Meridian also provides a list of certified backflow assembly testers online at http://www.meridiancity.org/.  The City of Meridian Water Division requests that if we have questions to call them at 208-888-5242 or email at backflow@meridian.org.
The average price is about $34 from the list of vendors provided so the $10 credit does help some. In order to receive this credit, make sure that the backflow tester submits their results of performed tests to the City within 30 days.

Super Bowl Ads and Boise Vacancy Rates

Realizing that social media is becoming more and more popular, First Rate Property Management hired a programer to make our Facebook look and function more like our website.  I’m willing to spend a few bucks and time on it to see if it actually creates leads.  It is supposed to also improve our websites search engine optimization, which is good too.  Interesting enough, the company that we hired to do the programming ran a Super Bowl commercial, which featured our Face Book page front and center.  Go to our link below and watch this short commerical.  You have to look quick near the end of the video.  Please feel free to LIKE our Facebook page and help us get the word out.

http://www.facebook.com/PropManagement

Currently, our current overall vacancy rate is 2.7%, last year at this time we were at 4.6%.  Below lists our vacancy rates by area:

• 0.0% Northend/BSU
• 4.6% Bench
• 2.2% West Boise
• 0.0% East Boise
• 0.0% Eagle
• 3.7% North Meridian
• 2.3% South Meridian