Tim Ballering
A bit about me:
I've been a residential landlord since 1977, at the ripe old age of 21. This became a full time effort in 1981. We gradually added staff until we were a proper business in the late 80's. Currently we employ about 30 people.
In the mid 90's we created Affordable Rental Associates to address the needs of my buddies in the business that did not have the luxury of an office staff and full time maintenance people. The rural farm coops were the model that this was loosely based on.
I've been active with the Rental Property Association of WI, Inc. since the late 80's and served as president for a decade. I remain a director.
I'm also a bit of an old school geek, having learned to program machine tools back in mid seventies using a very expensive calculator, a pad of paper and an ASR 33 Teletype to punch a paper tape. Oh, those were the days...
Today I'm fairly proficient with databases. We run highly automated and custom database solutions to manage our businesses, otherwise all of this would drive me insane.
There is a huge untapped market where tech and real estate meet. I see this as an important opportunity. My next project is Startup Real Estate, an effort to merge the two in a meaningful and profitable manner.
Carmen, my wife, was an event decorator, turned event decor instructor. She was the person behind the Balloon-a-Palooza events at the Domes.
Carmen started the Event Decorating Academy® in 2007 in Milwaukee. After the first two years it was obvious that the climate really took a toll on attendance so we moved the business to Miami in 2009.
We've expanded the business and now have a wholesale wedding and event decor supply company, The Event Decor Mart.
More info and links for Tim Ballering
Some stuff I am involved with:
While this may seem like an impossibly long list of things to be involved with, I have great people working for me. Many have been with me 10-25 years. Without them it truly would be impossible.
To succeed at anything:
- First choose wisely what you wish to do and then diligently pursuing it. Do not quit even when everyone around you is telling you to quit or are giving up themselves. While "pivoting" is a catchy phrase with today's start up, how many gave up while on the cusp of success.
- Find dedicated employees and partners well before you think you need them. Then develop a compensation method that rewards employees who do what you consider important.
What people say they want and what they’re willing to work their ass off to get are two different things. — Hugh MacLeod
Cafeteria style property management services. We have owned rental real estate since 1977. In 1993, in response to a friend who needed help with their properties, we began providing services to other owners. Conventional property management seldom works well for the manager nor for the owner. Affordable Rentals was created based on the USDA Farmer Co-op model wherein every owner remains in control of their own properties but have access to a full range of services from office support through maintenance. This typically gives better results at lower costs.
Other business type interest
FileMaker Pro Database design
Some things I do to try and give back to the landlord community:
Rental Property Association of WI
I have been a director since the late eighties and president for a decade. The fastest wayto learn more about something that interest you? Join a trade group and becomve very active in it.
I've been an Association Board Member for most of the past two and a half decades. I see real value in active membership for all owners of any size. Nothing had helped me learn as much about the rental industry as the Association.
I'm married to an artist, Carmen Ballering, and yes, some days that is more work than all of the above. ;-)