Meissner Poised for Growth in the Association Department

We’re excited to announce the addition of Nicole Cardenas, CMCA, AMS  to our team as our new Senior Portfolio Manager for the Association Department!

Nicole brings 21 years of experience in property management, with 17+ years in onsite luxury HOA’s and mixed-use vertical developments.

Her career has been largely centered in the Southern California market, where she has successfully managed a diverse range of projects, including residential luxury high-rise, mid-rise, and bio-medical properties. Her primary focus lies in ensuring that the Board’s goals are always at the forefront, enabling confident decision-making and quality service delivery.

Her extensive expertise encompasses managing numerous accounts of contracts and services, overseeing board and client relations, implementing preventative maintenance, and project managing reconstruction projects. Nicole’s career highlights include serving as Developer Board President, Account Manager in mechanical systems and preventative maintenance, and Customer Service Manager in commercial warranty. Her skills span general management, project management, and staff management.

Nicole has a Bachelor of Science and Liberal Studies from San Diego State University and has a CAI-CMCA & AMS Designation.

As Meissner continues to grow in Association management, we are expanding into Homeowner’s Association Management. Nicole’s extensive experience is a pivotal step in our broader vision for expansion, and we are confident her professional knowledge will greatly contribute to this mission.

Learn more about our Owner Association Management Services here.

Case Study – Paseo Carlsbad Retail Center

Property Name: Paseo Carlsbad Retail Center
Case Study: Retail Property Management
Property Location: 5613, 5617, 5621, 5625 Paseo Del Norte,

Carlsbad, CA 92008

Property Description: Retail Space, 45,000 Total Square Feet


Client Requirements
Strategic Property Advisers, Inc. (SPA), is a private real estate investment consulting and advisory firm that services institutional clients. SPA contracted with Meissner to provide professional property management services to Paseo Carlsbad, a retail center part of a 20 acre parcel located in Carlsbad, CA and owned by a Southern California Trust. The 45,000 square foot retail development is optimally located in North San Diego County. Paseo Carlsbad boasts such tenants as, Corner Bakery Café, St. John Apparel, RoadRunner Sports, Soccerlocco, as well as P.F. Chang’s, King’s Fish House, and BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse, which are located on separate, out-parcel pads. During development, Meissner was retained by SPA to provide professional property management services, including tenant move-in coordination, consulting on operations and advising on operating expense forecasts in order to efficiently bring the project to stabilized occupancy upon completion.

Process
Meissner worked with SPA and the Center’s developer from construction to completion and was instrumental in accelerating the speed with which new tenants occupied space through a highly-detailed operational plan, and in reducing operating expenses through strong vendor relationships and appropriate service contracts. Additionally, Meissner provided property recommendations during construction to ensure that future replacements would be minimal, including such items as proper landscape and exterior furnishings, location of signage and grease interceptors, and proper sizing of trash enclosures.

Testimonial
“I have worked with Meissner for over 10 years on numerous projects and lease transactions. Their real estate management skills demonstrate exceptional expertise and deal making ability.” – Bill Shrader, Senior Director, Cushman & Wakefield

Result
Meissner’s pro-active management style and knowledge of operational requirements assisted both Ownership and Developer of Paseo Carlsbad to anticipate future outcomes and tenant issues in order to deliver a stabilized project on time. Meissner continues to provide professional real estate management to Paseo Carlsbad and the Center currently experiences a 95% occupancy rate.

Source:
Meissner Commercial Real Estate Services

Carlsbad Research Center

 

Property Name: Carlsbad Research Center Owners Association

Case Study: Commercial Association Management

Property Locations: El Camino Real, Faraday Avenue, College Blvd, & Rutherford Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Property Description: Commercial Owners Association at 1,000,000 Total Square Feet

 

Client Requirements

Meissner Commercial Real Estate Services provides professional commercial owners association management to the Carlsbad Research Center Owners Association, a mixed-use development located in Carlsbad, CA that consists of 500 acres. The association contains 109 lots of research & development, manufacturing, commercial office, and retail space. Meissner’s communication with the Board of Directors is paramount to effective association management, including establishing financial goals, budgeting operating expenses, and facilitating vendor contract services.

Process

Upon takeover of management in 2001, Meissner focused on such key management areas as, review of governing documents, executing the Board approved annual operating budget, providing prompt financial reporting as required in bylaws, providing a leadership role in conducting board meetings, and acting as a community ambassador for the association.

The initial review of governing documents included CC&R’s, Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation, historical meeting minutes, and prior annual reports. It is imperative that this information continues to be properly managed so that Meissner can effectively conduct the quarterly and annual board meetings to ensure that management and the Board of Directors create a long-term, stable environment for the 75 lot owners to conduct their business. In addition to management of governing documents, Meissner ensures that all aspects of accounting are performed to the highest standards using institutional-quality software.

Meissner takes an active role in the Association’s Architectural Review and Landscape Committees, where our involvement includes reviewing architectural requests made by lot owners, conducting quarterly violation surveys and notices, and project coordination with the landscape consultants on landscape projects totaling over $500,000. In addition to managing the internal workings of this immense Association, retaining professional vendors for cost-effective maintenance and property services is paramount as the Association’s landscape projects are large and complex – for instance, a 3-year, $240,000 turf renovation project on over 500 acres. In addition, Meissner, on behalf of the Board of Directors, oversaw two important amendments to the governing documents and was the liaison between lot owners, the Board and the Poseidon Desalination Project Team during the year-long construction project through the Association.

Result

Due to Meissner’s experience managing premier Commercial Owners Associations, and our current association management portfolio totaling over 1,200 acres, we have succeeded in continuously maintaining a high level of communication with the Board of Directors of the Carlsbad Research Association and have achieved in keeping the large and diverse Board Members organized and informed as to the operation of the Association and it’s many on-going projects.

Sources:

Meissner Commercial Real Estate Services

Case Study – Champions of the West Plaza

Property Name: Champions of the West Plaza
Case Study: Construction Coordination
Property Location: 12250 El Camino Real, San Diego, CA 92130
Property Description: Office Space, 68,576 Total Square Feet

construction management services

Client Requirements

Champions of the West Plaza,LLC, a private ownership entity, contracted with Meissner to provide complete real estate management services to their professional office space located in the Del Mar Heights submarket.  Meissner quantified and resolved multiple building and tenant issues, including latent building construction defects, supervision of the leasing of 50% of the building, re-positioning common areas, and overseeing tenant improvements.

Processconstruction management companies

Meissner worked diligently to upgrade property components such, as installing separate suite electrical metering, building signage, renovating the building entry lobbies and the courtyard water feature, and installing street-frontage monument signage.  Construction management was provided in resolving the building’s exterior water intrusion issue and remediation of subsequent tenant water damage.

Client Testimonial
“I hold Meissner in the highest regard for customer service as they are always prompt, professional, and competent.  Their property management services are first rate.”
John Junge, President – Champions of the West, LLC

Result

Meissner succeeded in converting the building from two tenants to a multi-tenant occupancy with a 94% occupancy level, increasing rents, and diversifying revenue risk.  Meissner continues to provide professional property management services and oversight of leasing and lease renewals.

Sources:
Meissner Commercial Real Estate Services

Case Study – Energy Management

Meissner worked with the company chosen by the U.S. Department of Energy to spearhead the EV Project (a grant specializing in the deployment of clean electric transportation technology) to install electric vehicle charging stations at the client’s high-traffic retail centers.

Property Description

Retail Shopping Centers
Totaling 170,000 square feet

Property Locations                               

Ramona Bank Building
1315 Main Street, Ramona CA

Santa Ysabel Shopping Center
Hwy 78 & Hwy 79, Santa Ysabel, CA

Client Requirements

The Auerbach Realty Group, a private investor, owns a portfolio of six properties located throughout San Diego County.  In addition to providing the client with full-service commercial real estate management services, Meissner provided energy management and sustainability services in the form of Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Installation at three of their retail locations.

Process

Meissner worked with the company, chosen by the U.S. Department of Energy, to spearhead the EV Project (a grant specializing in the deployment of clean electric transportation technology) to install electric vehicle charging stations at the client’s high-traffic retail centers.  Meissner provided project management expertise and oversight of all contractors to ensure that the client’s interests were maintained throughout the process and project deliverables were achieved.   

Client Testimonial

The main thing that comes to mind when thinking of the services and interaction that Meissner provides is that they are always professional. — John Farkash, Owner, Auerbach Realty Group

Result

Meissner succeeded in installing electric vehicle supply equipment at the client’s properties at little-to-no cost, thereby adding to the growing network of electric vehicle charging stations that allows drivers to re-charge their electric vehicles, while increasing pedestrian traffic to the tenants of the retail centers.

Expert Insights into Yardi: Interview with Joe Shakely

How long have you worked in/on Yardi?

I have over a decade of in-depth Yardi experience, specializing in crucial areas like Advanced Budgeting and Forecasting for commercial clients and Investment Management. My final role as a Technical Consultant further honed my expertise, giving me a holistic understanding of the system’s capabilities.

Why is it good/necessary to work with a programmer knowledgeable in Yardi?

A Yardi-knowledgeable programmer streamlines implementation, customization, and everyday workflows. They understand the complexities of Yardi’s setup and can alleviate the frustration of repetitive or time-consuming tasks. This frees you to focus on your core expertise, maximizing both efficiency and job satisfaction.

Why do you need a programmer when using Yardi? Or why is it important to use someone who knows what they’re doing?

While Yardi is powerful, it can also be complex. A skilled Yardi expert navigates its intricacies, ensuring proper configuration, accurate reporting, and streamlined processes. This translates to less frustration, faster time-to-value, and confidence that you’re maximizing the system’s potential.

Why is it important to make sure a user’s set up in Yardi is correct? (looking for a ‘garbage in, garbage out’ kind of answer).

Yardi is a powerful property management software, but its effectiveness hinges on proper configuration – especially when it comes to menus and user setups. As a seasoned Yardi database administrator at Meissner, I’ve seen firsthand how getting these fundamentals wrong can lead to security breaches, workflow snags, and a host of other problems.

Let’s dive into ten compelling reasons why investing time and expertise into user configuration is a must for any Yardi user:

  • Data Security and Integrity: Incorrect user setups create vulnerabilities, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive information. Inaccurate data entry compromises the reliability of everything Yardi produces. Think of it as “garbage in, garbage out”.
  • Compliance Adherence: Improper configurations can lead to violations of industry regulations, resulting in costly fines and legal issues. Meissner’s expertise helps Yardi users stay on track with these standards.
  • Workflow Efficiency and Accuracy: Tailored menus and user permissions streamline processes, making it easier for users to find the tools they need and reducing errors. Less frustration, less wasted time.
  • User Experience and Training: Overly complex setups make Yardi daunting for new users and frustrating for veterans. Meissner simplifies this, improving user adoption and boosting productivity.
  • System Performance and Stability: Inefficient setups can tax Yardi’s performance. Optimizing user configuration is essential for system health and responsiveness – especially as your organization and data demands grow.

The Bottom Line

Messy user configuration is like building a great house on a bad foundation – it’s a recipe for trouble. That’s where Meissner’s Yardi expertise comes in. We understand the deep connection between proper setup and your organization’s success.

How can using Meissner as a database administrator help a Yardi user?

Unlocking Yardi’s Full Potential: Why Meissner is Your Database Administration Partner

Yardi is a complex and powerful property management software, but it takes expert hands to make it truly shine. That’s where Meissner comes in. Our experienced Yardi database administrators optimize your system for success. Here’s how partnering with Meissner directly benefits you as a Yardi user:

  1. Elevated security and data integrity: Meissner strategically designs your user access and implements robust protocols to protect your sensitive information.
  2. Compliance made easier: We’re fluent in the regulatory demands of the real estate industry. Meissner helps you stay compliant, minimizing risk and potential fines.
  3. Streamlined workflows for maximum efficiency: Meissner tailors your setup, matching menus and user rights to specific job functions for a smoother, more productive workday.
  4. Simplified training and expert support: From initial setup to ongoing questions, Meissner is there to guide your team. Confusion is replaced with confidence.
  5. Optimized performance for a seamless experience: Our proactive approach keeps your Yardi database running at full speed – even as your business grows.
  6. Troubleshooting and problem-solving: Meissner’s Yardi expertise allows us to spot and fix issues before they become major headaches, ensuring minimal downtime.
  7. Unlock the power of your data: We go beyond configuration, offering custom reporting and analysis to turn your Yardi data into actionable business strategies.

What is your favorite/most efficient customization?

One of my favorite customizations revolves around streamlining invoice processing. By understanding the client’s specific workflow and pain points, I built several automations and custom reports that significantly improved efficiency.

Firstly, I integrated their AP system with Yardi, allowing invoices to be imported directly with minimal manual data entry. This alone saved their team hours each week.

Next, I developed a validation step which exported any errors or warnings via SFTP to highlight potential discrepancies between the system and scanned invoices. Initially this helped them catch errors early in the process, preventing costly delays later, and eventually allowed them to avoid these errors and warnings altogether.

Finally, I designed a dashboard providing real-time visibility into invoice statuses, bottlenecks, and vendor performance metrics. This gave the client greater control over their payables process and the data to make informed business decisions.

This customization not only made life easier for the AP team, but also led to improved accuracy and more timely payments for the organization.

 In your experience, how much of the Yardi software are customers using if they don’t work with a knowledgeable programmer?

The percentage of Yardi’s functionality a client can effectively leverage without technical expertise varies greatly. Some clients have straightforward needs and might find the out-of-the-box features quite sufficient. Others with complex reporting, integrations, or unique business processes likely miss out on the software’s full potential.

I’ve seen cases where clients underutilize Yardi due to a lack of understanding or time constraints. They might rely on manual workarounds or not take advantage of automation, leaving efficiency gains on the table.

Often, it’s not about using 100% of Yardi, but rather ensuring they’re using the most critical and impactful parts aligned with their business needs. That’s where a knowledgeable programmer can make a dramatic difference – analyzing those needs, tailoring Yardi, and building custom tools to bridge any gaps in the standard functionality.

Learn more about Meissner’s Yardi Consulting Services and how we can unlock the full potential of Yardi for your business!

Featured Property – Kline Ranch

1.4 million sf industrial campus in Inland Empire contracts with Meissner

TIAA-CREF, institutional property owner of Kline Ranch industrial campus, a 1,396,495 square foot asset comprised of two 100% leased, high-tech buildings with long-term tenants, contracted with Meissner in April 2013. Meissner provides the asset with full-service, professional commercial property management and delivers TIAA-CREF with strategic business plans in order to enhance the value of the asset.  Kline Ranch is located in Rialto, a highly desirable investment market in California’s Inland Empire.

Preventative Maintenance Increases NOI

Developing and implementing a property business plan and budget that aligns with ownership’s investment objectives allows commercial property managers to focus on cost effectiveness and maximize cash flow in both the short and long term.

Property Name:                               Vista View Plaza              

Property Location:                          6725 Mesa Ridge Road, San Diego, CA 92121

Property Description:                    Office, 32,702 Total Square Feet

Positioned in the centrally-located Sorrento Mesa submarket, Vista View Plaza, a 32,702 square foot, class-B office property, includes a tenant roster spanning a variety of industries including law, finance, marketing, technology, and communications and research. Meissner was contracted in late 2015 by ownership to provide professional commercial property management services to this asset.

Client Requirements

With ownership set to headquarter and occupy space within the building to accommodate their office and showroom, Meissner was engaged to provide construction management and leasing oversight to bring the 73% occupied property to full occupancy. Keeping in line with the ideal tenant mix, Meissner worked with the leasing agent, Voit Real Estate Services, to promote the direct marketing campaign to the tenant rep agent in order to improve the property marketability.

Process

Upon takeover, Meissner discovered that common area maintenance fees or CAM charges – expenses incurred for maintaining the common areas of a building – were not being charged to tenants per the terms of their leases. Going forward, ownership will not have to absorb these costs and will be better able to gauge operating expenses due to proactive building maintenance. With the addition and implementation of a routine schedule for preventative maintenance addressing physical plant issues such as HVAC, landscaping, janitorial, and parking lot maintenance, Meissner was equipped to achieve a premier physical environment.

Result

As a result of Meissner Commercial Real Estate Services proactive property management approach, ownership’s investment objectives of full occupancy, operational excellence, and maximization of the property’s operating income was realized.

Sources:

Meissner Commercial Real Estate Services

Introducing our newest in-house expert, Joe Shakely.

Introducing our newest in-house expert, Joe Shakely! We’re excited to announce our latest partnership – Yardi expert Joe Shakely has joined the Meissner team.

Joe Shakely brings over a decade of expertise as a Yardi Consultant and programmer, specializing in the creation of custom Yardi solutions. His contributions include crafting APIs that bridge third-party systems with Yardi’s Vendor Invoicing interface, facilitating seamless data migrations from platforms such as MRI and RealPage into Yardi, and designing custom financial and property report packets as well as tenant correspondence to be delivered to the necessary parties automatically.

His approach is both collaborative and client-focused, designed to optimize existing Yardi functionalities for efficiency gains, or to facilitate a smooth and seamless transition to Yardi’s advanced systems. Joe’s skill set extends to developing tailored SQL and web-based solutions, leveraging Yardi’s functionalities to meet specific client needs, or creating custom solutions if needed. He has engaged extensively with clients in both the Commercial and Residential sectors, managing tasks ranging from the conversion and import of charts of accounts to the implementation of Yardi’s Advanced Budgeting and Forecasting and Investment Management suites. This focus on delivering practical, impactful results helps clients optimize their property management processes, leading to improved operational efficiencies and financial outcomes.

Learn more about our Yardi Consulting Services here.

Summit Ridge Business Park

 

Property Name: Summit Ridge Business Park

Case Study: Commercial Property Management

Property Locations: 6759, 6769, 6779 Mesa Ridge Road, San Diego, CA 92121

Property Description: Office / Industrial Center at 133,841 Total Square Feet

 

Client Requirements

Meissner Commercial Real Estate Services provides professional commercial property management to Summit Ridge Business Park, a 133,841 square foot office / industrial center located in the Sorrento Mesa submarket. The park is comprised of 3 buildings and is currently occupied by 3 tenants. Ownership, CW Capital Asset Management, LLC – located out of state – relies on the Meissner property management team to be their eyes and ears for the operations of the business park.

Process

Upon takeover of management in 2014, Meissner focused on improving the appearance of the park, including resealing and restriping the parking lot, upgrading the exterior lighting, and repainting all of the entry ways. Besides providing an enhanced façade and improving the curb appeal, the lighting upgrade allowed for increased energy efficiencies. Due to a CAM surplus from effective budget management, Meissner was able to institute these projects and at the same time reduce the CAM charges to the Tenants. In addition to the exterior improvements, Meissner and Ownership have plans to perform interior improvements to bring the current vacant space to market.

Key commercial property management aspects that Meissner continues to enact at Summit Ridge Business Park includes, superior accounting services and financial reporting, purchase power – which allows for negotiation of better pricing on vendor services – responsiveness to Ownership’s requirements, and excellent tenant relations. Meissner investment objectives for the business park are to maintain full occupancy, operational excellence, and maximize operating income.

Results

Due to Meissner experience managing commercial properties and expertise in budget management, Ownership was able to improve the property’s appearance, while reducing CAM charges to the park’s Tenants.

Sources:

Meissner Commercial Real Estate Services

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