|
Unlike most firms managing major co-op
and condo properties in the metropolitan area, Mark
Greenberg Real Estate (MGRE) is ... situated in the
quaint Long Island town of Port Washington, ... "We
have a great working atmosphere," says Steven Greenbaum,
director of management ... When asked if it has been
a hindrance to be located on Long Island, Greenbaum
suggests just the opposite. "... if anything, we have
much more space and resources here than we'd have
in the city, so we're able to keep more records on
the premises," allowing efficient and effective management.
The Logical Choice ... MGRE was formed 21 years ago
by president Mark Greenberg, ... who bought buildings
and converted them into co-ops and condos. Right before
the collapse of the real estate market in 1987, Greenberg
stopped the conversions and analyzed the business.
During the same time, people in many of Greenberg's
converted buildings had asked that the company manage
the properties... Greenberg decided to give property
management a shot. The decision has proven successful.
Vice president James Goldstick joined the firm in
1981 and Greenbaum came along in 1984. Greenberg provides
an invaluable resource for the company in terms of
financial guidance. According to Goldstick, Greenberg
"has an incredible knack for knowing sponsors, mortgages,
and restructuring loans. When any of our buildings
need creative methods, Mark's a genius to get help
from." Hands-On Management MGRE manages over 45 co-ops
and condos, amounting to over 7,000 units in the New
York City/Long Island area. Forty percent of the firm's
properties are in Manhattan; the other 60 percent
are located in Queens, Brooklyn, Riverdale and Nassau
County. Greenbaum ... says MGRE's major advantage
is the hands-on involvement of the firm's executives
and back office staff. Each board member is granted
full access to not only their property managers, but
to Greenbaum and Goldstick as well. According to Greenbaum,
"James and I attend every board meeting of all of
our buildings along with the property managers...
We feel that the role of the property manager is to
be at the property and to have the support and presence
of the company's executives." Goldstick adds, "When
Steve or I go to a meeting, we know what's going on,
we make sure the agents are prepared, that there is
a full agenda, and we have all documentation, including
minutes and
|
financials, as up-to-date as possible
...The level of service we offer buildings is what
differentiates us from other firms..." It is Greenbaum
who calls the collaboration of efforts between managers
and executives "Team MGRE."... "I was once a president
of a co-op," says Goldstick, "so I have an appreciation
for the difficulties of the job." Relating to the
frustrations of board members is what prompted that
hands-on style of MGRE's executives. Greenbaum reiterates,
"... It's comforting for board members to be able
to reach us. Or if there's a financial question, they
know they can call our controller, Cynthia Dubinski."
In addition, the firm offers full financial planning
and advice. Says Goldstick, "If I can give an answer
based on my 20 years in the industry, I can save the
co-op a good deal of money on legal fees." He adds,
"Both Steve and I are regulars on panels" for the
co-op and condo industry. Satisfied Clientele Leo
Schmid, president of the 287-unit, 27-building Flowerview
Gardens Owners Corp. in Floral Park, Queens, has been
more than satisfied with the services provided by
MGRE. "They've managed our buildings for over nine
years and we work well together. They're responsive."
Schmid continues, "Since they've been with us, we've
refinanced the underlying mortgage, changed our landscapers,
and saved money." Like other buildings managed by
MGRE, Flowerview Gardens was a success because of
MGRE's primary objective: setting an agenda. "We're
very goal oriented with boards," says Greenbaum. "We
sit down with them and create goals for one year,
two years and then for longer terms." Flowerview was
at one time spending $80,000 per year in private sanitation
costs. MGRE was able to hurdle bureaucratic obstacles
and get the town to pick up the trash. MGRE also restructured
Flowerview's underlying mortgage, and now $5,000 goes
into the reserve fund every month from excess operating
costs. In addition, Schmid says, "MGRE renegotiated
our laundry room contract and got us more money, plus
had the laundry rooms refurbished at no cost to us."
According to Greenbaum, these successes are because
the firm is "accountable and responsible." Greenbaum
cites the success of another MGRE-managed property
which has been able to accomplish the litany of objectives
on their agenda. "In the final interview with them,
we set a laundry list of goals. Within a year, they've
been able to accomplish everything on that list."
|