Archive for August, 2012

August 13th, 2012

The Benefits Of A Tampa Property Management Company

gilroy property managementIf you own investment or rental property in Tampa, Florida, you will certainly want to consider the advantages of working with an experienced Tampa property management company. There are many real estate companies that offer management services in conjunction with their other activities, but these companies do not specialize in managing investment properties. They are in the real estate business and will manage investment properties as a side business. However, Real Property Management specializes in providing only top quality management services for all types of properties, it is their only business.

Owning an investment property is something that can take a considerable amount of time and energy. There is always something that needs to be done and, the constant issues with tenants, repairs, maintenance and other problems can make it seem like a losing proposition. This is especially true when you own more than one property. Unfortunately, even a single family home can create a lot of trouble for a landlord who does not have the time or training to manage an investment property effectively.

A Tampa property management service will be able to ensure that you can maximize the potential profits from any investment property you own. They will take care of everything from advertising and interviewing tenants to executing lease agreements, renewals and other tenant related issues; however, in addition to making sure that the occupancy rates in your properties remain as high as possible, an experienced property manager will also oversee all aspects of repairs and maintenance.

A professional management company knows how to find the best tenants possible in order to ensure that evictions, unpaid rent and damages are minimized. There is no doubt that getting the wrong tenant into a unit can create a huge problem. Of course, it can also result in a substantial loss of income, as well as the time and trouble needed to go to court and have the tenant evicted. Knowing how to advertise the property, check references and past rental history can certainly be an advantage. Additionally, when you have a professional management company to take care of these details, you can rest assured that your investment property is being well managed without your constant supervision.

A Tampa property management service will be able to qualify the best tenants to ensure that occupancy rates remain high, without undue problems created by unqualified tenants. They will also have the experience and expertise to make sure that all aspects of the property are maintained and managed in a professional manner. After all, if you want quality tenants, you need to make sure that your property is well-maintained. Not only will you be able to better retain your good tenants, but you can be assured that your investment will continue to hold its value and provide a reliable income source for many more years to come.

August 8th, 2012

Register A Trademark To Protect Your Rights In Business

register a trademarkIt is very important to know how to register a trademark when you have a product or service that you hope to use for commercial gain.  Trademarks may not always be necessary, but they are definitely recommended.  Disputes can arise over the rights to use a name, logo, or combination of the two. Having a trademark may not settle these disputes, but they can show that you have a valid claim to your product or idea.  Furthermore, it gives you some control over the product or idea.

One of the first things you have to do to register a trademark is make sure your product is eligible.  When you find you are eligible, you need to find out what type of trademark you need.  For instance, there are certification marks, collective marks and service marks.  You may want to protect colors, names, sounds, symbols and/or words that distinguish your products and services so that you can reserve them for use in commerce.

You will also need to make sure there is not already a trademark on the product or service you hope to reserve.  Fortunately, the Internet has made the process quite easy since you can search through one complete database to find the information you need.  You can even look for design codes if your trademark contains a design element.  Once you have confirmed that your trademark design is an original, you can start the actual application process to claim ownership of your trademark.

Registering the trademark may also be done online where you can make sure it is complete and accurate before you submit it.  The online process is probably the best way to go since mistakes on an application can cause some serious setbacks in the process.  Not only can your application be delayed, but it can also forfeit your original application fee, so you will end up having to pay to submit another application.

You should keep in mind that this process is only valid in the United States as other countries have their own regulations for applying for trademarks.  Furthermore, you cannot apply for a trademark from another country unless you have filed an application before a USPTO when you are overseas if the country is under the Madrid Protocol.  If you want to be sure you get the application process right no matter where you are, it is best to consult with a professional who understands the trademark process.