Wilkins - BHGRE Enters Distinctive Homes Collection

Stroudsburg - Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates is excited to announce that beginning January 2015, they are launching the Distinctive Collection by Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate.  The Distinctive Collection will feature luxury estate homes and properties throughout the Poconos and Northeast Pennsylvania.

Said Christine A. Wilkins, Exec V.P./General Manager, “Our Company has been selling high-end homes for a number of years, but beginning in 2015, it’s going to become a permanent part of our promotions and expected to be a big part of our business.”  The Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, a known household name, is a lifestyle brand that promotes a certain lifestyle and it’s all part of the home that a family lives in; that buyer is looking for a lake front home, a top shelf condo or townhome, a mountain view, log style home or that golf course community home in a private gated community.

Wilkins further stated, “Just go online and visit Better Homes and Gardens Magazine.  The site is filled with Holiday planning, recipes, decorating ideas, home improvements, gardening and so much more.  The Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate brand has gone into the luxury home market by developing the Distinctive Collection.  The Distinctive Collection by BHG has its own rich logo, one-of-a-kind stationery, champagne color and so much more.”

In mid-December 2014, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates are launching a new website.  The website will be --The friendliest site in real estate featuring the friendliest search for real estate.  “That’s sums up the new website.  The site is simple, rich, easy-to-use and is expected to be a huge success.” Wilkins stated.

The new website will be located at www.BHGwilkins.com .

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate hosts the popular TV show, Home First Home and is now nationally promoting the luxury home market for buyers and sellers through the Distinctive Collection by Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate.  You can view luxury homes for sale all across the United States through the BHG Distinctive Collection.   “We want to be your only Broker for Pocono luxury homes.” said Wilkins.

The Distinctive Collection can be viewed online at www.BHGwilkins.com , www.bhgrealestate.com or stop by any of the BHG Wilkins offices located in Stroudsburg, Mount Pocono, Bushkill or Milford, PA.  All offices are open 7 days a week.

Evans Hired as New Sales Manager of NEPA / Wilkins & Associates PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Stroudsburg – Amy L. Evans has been hired by NEPA Management and Wilkins & Associates—PROPERTY MANAGEMENT for the position of Sales Manager, Long Term and Vacation Rental Department.  The announcement came from Thomas R. Wilkins, CEO.

Evans, prior to joining the Wilkins organization, worked for The Frederick Group, Ltd. in Allentown from 2005 – 2014.  In her position, Evans was responsible for scheduling appointments, processing listings and sales, maintaining company files and assisting over 80 residential and commercial Realtors and their clients.

Evans holds a Pennsylvania Real Estate Salespersons license.

Prior, Evans was employed by the Nazareth National Bank and Trust Company as an Administrative Assistant in the Commercial Loan Division as well as a Commercial Real Estate Processor for Wise Financial Group.

Said Thomas R. Wilkins, CEO, “Our Management Department, particularly with long term rentals and vacation rentals, is a big part of our company.  We’re excited to have Amy as a part of our team.  Her length of tenure with The Frederick Group was of particular interest to us.  This is a part of our business that we expect to expand over the next several years and consider Evans the person to do it for us.”

Evans, as a part of her day to day responsibilities, will handle the long-term rentals of which the Wilkins organization handles approximately 150 units.  In addition to that, she will oversee the marketing to new investment properties as well as handling the maintenance, rent collection, disbursement of rent and ensure that tenants renew their leases as well as pay their rent in a timely manner.  Evans will answer to Thomas R. Wilkins, CEO.

Said Wilkins, “In addition, our Vacation Rental Department is going to be renovated during the seasonal down-time of March through June.  By renovating, I mean we have a new business model that we’re going to introduce which has to do with the time-share business.”  Recently, Wilkins was involved in the selling of 49 townhome units at Northslope II.  The Wilkins organization also manages that community.

Wilkins has been involved in Property Management for the past 25 years under the names NEPA Management Associates and Wilkins & Associates—PROPERTY MANAGEMENT.

The Management company will also be celebrating their newest branch office at the Historic Water Wheel in Milford, Pennsylvania.  That office is scheduled to open mid-April, 2014.

Wilkins OK’d for Fourth Real Estate Office in Milford

Stroudsburg – Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Corporate in Madison, NJ gave the “green light” to Thomas R. Wilkins to open a Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate office in Milford, PA.  Scheduled opening, contingent upon the Real Estate Commission approving the office, is slated for early March 2014.

Said Thomas R. Wilkins, CEO, “We operated in Dingmans Ferry and Milford during the height of the housing market and did quite well.  Only because of the downturn in the Pocono real estate market did we have to vacate those offices.  To be going back into the Milford/Lake Wallenpaupack and Pike County arena is extremely exciting for all of us.”

The office, located at The Upper Mill complex, a popular and historic landmark, will be boutique in nature offering our Realtors the best in internet marketing, online advertising and the latest in lead generating software–LeadRouter.

Said Wilkins, “The Historic Water Wheel property is an ideal location for an office.  Currently the suite is under renovation and when completed will have an Adirondack style theme.  The Agents will have the latest in technology to assist them in helping buyers and sellers.”

In addition to the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate office, this space will also be shared by Pennsylvania First Settlement Services and NEPA Management Associates as well as their sister company, Wilkins & Associates—PROPERTY MANAGEMENT.  It is Wilkins’ intent to offer his complete menu of services from The Upper Mill complex.  Wilkins will handle vacation rentals including weekend, weekly, seasonal and Corporate rentals.

Wilkins further stated, “By offering other professional services that our company excels in, such as title/settlement services, property or community management and maintenance, it will make our Milford location a true success.  We didn’t offer our other services previously, but this time we will accent those accessory services.”

The Wilkins organization is best known for their Independent Family of Home Buying Services which offers buyers, sellers and renters “one stop shopping” when they need to rent, buy or sell their home.  On the Management side, Wilkins offers a full array of professional services from collecting rent or past dues, depositing those funds and monthly reporting of the Income and Expense to the Owner, partners or Board of Directors.  On the Administrative side, they use the best and latest software for the specific purpose they are hired for.  In Community Management, they useTOPS and for residential and commercial investment properties, Rent Manager.

The office is expected to be open Thursday through Sunday in the springtime and open 7 days a week beginning the summer season.

The Wilkins organization’s corporate office is at 404 Park Avenue in Stroudsburg. Visit them online at www.wilkins1.com ; www.nepamgmt.com or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/BHGWilkins.

25 Years of flexibility, service, can-do attitude

By Melinda Rizzo

Special for Lehigh Valley Business

Customer service, attention to detail, a can-do attitude toward clients and willingness to offer a flexible menu of tailored services are among the reasons Wilkins and Associates Property Management is celebrating its silver business anniversary this year.

Thomas Wilkins, CEO of Wilkins & Associates Property Management, Wilkins & Associates Commercial Brokers, WACB Property Management (formerly NEPA Management) based in Stroudsburg, said this basic recipe has built long-term relationships with clients, as well as forged new territory when a client needs change.

WACB Property Management also offers related business services to clients, such as real estate tax appeals and tax consultation, according to Wilkins.

“I still have the first contract we took 25 years ago,” Wilkins said of this year’s quarter-century anniversary.

According to Wilkins, the privately owned, property management firm offers a three-tiered menu of services including financial (book-keeping and record keeping), business administration services and operations and facilities maintenance and management.

“Our clients can pick and choose either one, two or all three of the services we offer for their property management needs,” Wilkins said.

Wilkins & Associates offers property management services for residential, multi-family, commercial, property owner’s associations, condo-townhouse and investment properties throughout northeastern Pennsylvania, including throughout Monroe and Pike counties.

Wilkins & Associates also is a Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate firm, offering residential, commercial and relocation real estate services.

OPTIONS FOR CLIENTS

The property management arm of Wilkins & Associates offers accounting and financial management, leasing and rental services, asset-controlled real estate and operation services.

According to Wilkins, offering various options to clients means addressing needs rather than forcing them into a one-size-fits-all box.

Clients include residential communities with townhouses and condominiums, banks, hotel/motels, third-party investor properties, corporate property investments and time share communities.

“The biggest challenge with managing time shares, which is a specialty market, is the (number) of owners, furnished units and the in-and-out exchanges on the property,” Wilkins said.

DEVELOPING A BOND AND TRUST

Kathryn Harper-Johnson, president of Northslope II in East Stroudsburg, said having one firm represent all facets of property management for the community’s private homes and “quarter-share” units made practical sense.

“It helps to have one contact, and work with one company for all the various things involved in taking care of our community. It just stream-lines things rather than dealing with four or five different companies,” Harper-Johnson said.

According to Harper-Johnson, the continuity of regularly seeing the same professionals is an added bonus.

“You develop a bond and a (strong) trust with the people managing the property for you,” Harper-Johnson said.

Harper-Johnson said Wilkins & Associates takes care of it all: from bookkeeping and financial planning to facilities, administrative duties and landscape management contracting including snow and trash removal and landscaping.

LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS

Not all clients have the same needs.

Jeffrey Weichel, treasurer of Stones Throw Property Owners Association, a residential community in East Stroudsburg, said bookkeeping and fiscal management are the only services for which they are contract with Wilkins & Associates.

“After doing our own books for several years, we decided to delegate those duties,” Weichel said of the all-volunteer board managing the homeowners association.

Stones Throw is a 119-home community, and Wilkins & Associates handles maintenance fees, member monthly dues and late notices.

Wilkins said business contract terms typically run three years, and he’s dedicated to establishing long-term relationships with clients.

“The majority of our clients are with us for the long haul,” Wilkins said.

The Wilkins & Associates Property Management Office is open 7 days a week. You can visit them online at www.nepamgmt.com.

Lorie Lehman of PA 1st Completes Credential Verification for Settlement Services

Stroudsburg – Lorie Lehman, Executive Vice President of Pennsylvania First Settlement Services II, LP completed the required Risk Management Standards set forth by Secure Settlements, Inc.

Secure Settlements, Inc. is the first company to offer a standardized Risk Management process and information data base of fully vetted mortgage Closing Professionals that protect both consumers and lenders.

Lehman is a designated registered Closing Professional and is recognized by both PLTA and ALTA, American Land Title Association.

Lehman, with 27 years in the title business and thousands of closing, is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Pennsylvania First Settlement Services. In her position as Exec V.P., she handles a number of closings of both commercial and residential resales, re-fi’s and new construction sales. Pennsylvania First Settlement Services is celebrating 11 years in business and started as an affiliate business with First American Title Insurance company. It was purchased by Thomas R. Wilkins, CEO of the Wilkins organization. Pennsylvania First Settlement Services provides settlement and closing services throughout the greater northeast Pennsylvania region.

In addition, Pennsylvania First Settlement Services now offers “Updater”. Updater is a free online company that offers USPS change of address, scheduling of utility turn-offs and turn-ons and can update your account all in just a few clicks. Updater is an easy online tool to simplify your move. The service will be offered to buyers within the next several weeks.

Pennsylvania First Settlement Services II, LP is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and can be visited online at www.pafirstsettlement.comand on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bhgwilkins#1/pages/Pennsylvania-First-Settlement-Services/378031561801


Pictured: Lorie Lehman, Executive Vice President PA First Settlement Services

Tom Wilkins scheduled to teach Accredited Property Management Course

Scranton - Vintage Real Estate Academy announced that Thomas R. Wilkins will teach Non-Residential Property Management, an accredited Property Management course beginning January 22^nd, 2013.  This 4 day, 30 hour accredited course will run for 4 consecutive Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The classes will be held at the Clarion Hotel, 300 Meadow Street, Scranton, PA. 

Wilkins, who is owner of Wilkins & Associates-PROPERTY MANAGEMENT and NEPA Management Associates, has been involved in the property management business for the past 20 years.  From the ground up, Wilkins successfully developed an all inclusive and diversified property management company that interfaces with his primary company Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates.

Starting in Mt. Pocono in 1989, Wilkins began his property management team with a small condominium complex in Mt. Pocono.  From that one account, he has grown the company into one of the largest and most respected management companies in Northeast Pennsylvania.

Wilkins is an accredited teacher licensed by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission as a Real Estate instructor.  This course will expose the student to the basic concepts of non-residential property management, Management Ethics, Management Agreements and income collection.  Wilkins has extensive knowledge and expertise in that field.  His blog and writings can be found in such real estate publications as RIS Media, the Pocono Record, Northeast Business Journal, Lehigh Valley Business Journal and other periodicals both on a regional and national level.  Online, Wilkins’ articles can be found on the following sites:

http://poconorealestatehappenings.blogspot.com; https://www.realtown.com/PoconoRealEstate/blog; http://www.biggerpockets.com/users/thomasrwilkins

For more information on the course, please call Robert Walker at Vintage Real Estate Academy at (888) 712-719.

Wilkins & Associates Property Management Hired By Hickory Run Forest

 Jim Thorpe - Hickory Run Land and Homeowners Association, Inc. hired Wilkins & Associates PROPERTY MANAGEMENT to provide finance and bookkeeping services for their community located off Route 903 just outside Jim Thorpe.

The Association consists of approximately 700 homes and lots. The community has a lake and clubhouse.

Per the Management Agreement with the Association Wilkins & Associates PROPERTY MANAGEMENT collects the dues, late fees, interest charges and assessments, deposit and reconcile that income and report the income to the Board of Directors and Treasurer on a monthly basis.

Said Thomas R. Wilkins, CEO, "Hickory Run Forest has had the pleasure of having the same treasurer for about 20 years. This is something that is highly unusual in any type of association and finally (kiddingly) he will be forced into retirement. The primary advantage of having a company like us provide the bookkeeping services is that even if there is a change within our office, it does not affect the Association. Also, our costs for finance and bookkeeping services are very reasonable."

Wilkins & Associates PROPERTY MANAGEMENT is an off-shoot of NEPA Management Associates also owned by Wilkins. WA PROPERTY MANAGEMENT oversees close to 30 Associations throughout the Pocono Mountains and handles a number of rental units which consist of single family homes, townhomes and condominiums. In addition to that type management, they are also responsible for short-term rentals which are broken down into vacation or weekend rentals, weekly summer vacation rentals, seasonal and corporate accounts. All of the bookkeeping and property management takes place at the 304 Park Avenue, Stroudsburg office.

Wilkins & Associates PROPERTY MANAGEMENT is open 7 days a week with the Accounting office open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you would like a free quote and to see a 10 minute PowerPoint presentation for your Association, please feel free to either call or email twilkins@wilkins1.com. The telephone number is (570) 421-5409.