Since 1984, Bernard/Allison Management Services, Inc. has been involved with the management of over 75,000 apartments in metropolitan Phoenix , Tucson , Flagstaff , Albuquerque , Salt Lake City , Orange County , Dallas , San Antonio , Austin and Denver .  We have interviewed our clients at the start and end of our relationship to obtain answers to the following three questions:  (1) Why did we receive the business? (2) How well did we do? and (3) How could we improve?  This is what we learned:

1.
 Ability to Listen. Communication is crucial to any management relationship. We pride ourselves on really listening to our clients. We integrate their objectives into our performance strategies to accomplish those goals. Bernard/Allison takes a pro-active approach and searches out solutions rather than a reactive approach that would imply we only work on new ideas when told to do so. We are always accessible and we return phone calls and e-mails promptly.
2.
 Results-oriented. Our focus is to maximize collections and minimize operating expenses. We become extremely knowledgeable in each sub-market, we track and evaluate trends and check feedback from our residents. From this information, we develop strategies that achieve the best possible performance from each community we manage.
3.
Accurate and Complete Reporting. Review of our monthly operating reports enables an owner to analyze the site's performance very easily. We thoroughly review the same information and refine our strategies to effect further improvement.
4.
 Emphasis on Asset Management. We take an asset management approach to each apartment community entrusted to us. We do not take a caretaker approach, but rather have the experience and ability to determine what it will take to maximize a particular site's value.
5.

We Are a People Business. The residents at our communities represent a wide cross-section of cultures. We realize that each resident comes with a different set of needs. It is our goal to employ site staff who enjoy working with that diversity and we hire District Managers and other key management personnel who excel in training and motivating our on-site staff.

6.
  Experience. Our firm has 25 key executives with over 100 years of experience in apartment property management. We only do one thing. It has enabled us to consistently outperform the competition.
7.

Expense Reduction. Through our tax appeal program, insurance bidding, training, safety program, purchasing program and media buying program we reduce expenses wherever possible to do so. Due to our buying power, we can negotiate better prices than most management companies.

8.
 Feedback. We know it is extremely important to communicate with our owners and inform them of current market conditions. During our operating meetings with each client, we discuss detailed strategies. We also publish a quarterly market trends report and have sale market data available quarterly for review.
9.
 Site Staff Selection. We thoroughly believe that the property's performance is very dependent upon the strength of our on-site team. To ensure top performers, our pre-employment procedures include a rigorous background check. Each employee also receives Bernard/Allison specialized training including operating manuals with Bernard/Allison policies and procedures. Our recruiting and benefits programs enable Bernard/Allison to attract and keep quality employees.
10.
 Support Services. Our purchasing, training, marketing, human resources, accounting, information systems, administration, insurance, tax appeal and due diligence groups are able to support the needs of each site.
11.
  Government Compliance. We realize there is major exposure if we are not meeting the requirements of regulatory agencies. We analyze each regulation, determine what needs to be done to be in compliance and set checks and balances in place to ensure continued compliance.
12.
 Standards. We operate each site at the highest standard practical. We develop operating plans to eliminate deferred maintenance that could impact the long-term value of the property.
13.
 Due Diligence. Our due diligence team is dedicated to investigating the physical and market aspects of properties our clients are negotiating to buy. The due diligence fee includes a thorough inspection of the site including unit interiors, a complete market study, a rent roll analysis, a status report complete with costs to repair or improve the property, a marketing strategy to increase collection of operating revenue and a first-year budget.
14.
 Renovation/Remodeling. We have completed over $40 million of renovation work in the past 10 years. Our staff has the ability to oversee the bidding process, construction draw system and supervision of the improvement work. We pride ourselves on coming in on or under budget and have never had an unplanned overrun.
15.
 Conflict of Interest. We are a 100% fee-based management company and have no conflicts with property we own versus property we manage for others. We do not receive kick-backs or other consideration for the awarding of contracts.
16.
 Size. Bernard/Allison has the organizational ability and staff to assume management of multiple apartment sites on any given day. We were very successful in taking over 2,200 units for Great American Bank all on the same day, with 3 sites located in Phoenix and 3 in Tucson . We have also taken over 10 sites located in Dallas , Austin and San Antonio all on the same day.
17.
 Receiverships. Bernard/Allison has been appointed receiver on over 20 different sites representing over 5,000 units. Our reporting system to the courts, debtors and lenders has enabled us to relieve the anxiety created when those parties have felt the site was not being managed to its full potential. We are able to obtain receivership bonding within 24 hours. We have improved the occupancy, reduced operating expenses and therefore increased the value for the benefit of all in each receivership we have managed.