rems, inc
DESCRIPTION
Property management magazine addressing management topics in ArizonaTRANSCRIPT
M eet the Broker
Often in the case with family
owned businesses the next genera-
tion steps up, taking the reins, con-
tinues the work of their parents and
grandparents before them. Some-
times it‟s expected but other times
it‟s genetic! Offspring who grow
under the light of the family busi-
ness often strive to take it to new
levels. They hopefully bring more
energy and innovation and pride
themselves on continuing the fami-
ly legacy. There‟s something very
solid, very American about this
model.
Corporations like The Campbell‟s
Soup Company, Johnson Wax,
Motorola, Estee Lauder, Coors
Brewing, Mars Candy, etc., are fine
examples of family owned and op-
erated businesses many of whom
are now fifth generation family run
powerhouses that started with a
dream.
TJ Loegering Jr., Designated Bro-
ker/Owner of REMS, Inc., a third
generation family owned business
knows all too well how it feels to
take the reins; to continue a family
dream. His grandfather started the
business sixty five years ago in Los
Angeles California. It began as a
residential construction company
but when granddad saw the need
for quality property management he
launched Real Estate Management
Services, Inc.
The next generation, Thomas J.
Loegering, Sr., took over for his
dad and became a Certified Proper-
ty Manager CPM®. The full ser-
vice residential property manage-
ment business family continued to
grow when TJ and his two sisters
Michelle and Kelly joined the firm.
TJ, the youngest, went on board
after graduating from Mira Costa
High School in Manhattan Beach,
CA. He started at the bottom, liter-
ally. He began by cleaning and
removing trash from vacant units.
He actually began working with the
family business while attending
high school. He worked for his
grandfather in the construction
business but always felt he had a
calling for the management end of
the business.
As time passed TJ began taking on
other duties; serving notices, run-
ning errands, picking up supplies
and riding along with managers
when they did their field work.
That gave him an opportunity to
learn the trade first hand.
Later he attended El Camino Col-
lege taking business courses and
eventually obtained his real estate
sales license. “That was the
final stepping stone which allowed
me to become a licensed property
manager” TJ recalls. “For a while I
enjoyed being a property manager
but discovered I had a knack for
accounting. I would help out with
accounts payables and receivables
and found the work a welcome
break from my daily field duties”
he continued. He chose to work
with the office accountant for two
years and during that time gained
enough knowledge and proficiency
to take over the department. “That
was a long time ago. I worked in
the California office for 27 years!”
he reports incredulously. “Wow,
time really does fly”!
Opportunity struck when his par-
ents, in an attempt to retire, moved
to Arizona. Tom Sr. along with his
older brother had purchased the
Sun City Country Club. Tom Sr.
was looking forward to enjoying
endless days of playing golf and
enjoying amazing Arizona weather.
Ever the business man TJ‟s dad
spotted an opportunity. “My dad
saw a need for a qualified, quality
property management company in
the Phoenix Metro area. We had
numerous discussions and meetings
and eventually I decided to branch
out. In 2005 we opened Real Estate
Management Services, Inc. in Ari-
zona. Shortly thereafter I attained
my broker‟s license and became the
designated broker. My sister Kelly
remained on a designated broker in
our California offices. Our oldest
sister Michelle left the business. She
followed her calling to the teaching
profession working with children with
special needs. Kelly‟s oldest son, my
nephew, Joseph is the fourth genera-
tion in the property management busi-
ness and works in our California of-
fices as well.”
It‟s been seven years since the Arizo-
na branch of REMS, Inc. has opened
and TJ admits that these last several
years have been interesting. “I can
honestly say that the current economy
and real estate market is unlike any-
thing I have ever experienced. There
is so much volatility. I‟ve seen more
in the past seven years than in my 27
years in California” he reports. “I‟ve
seen owners lose their properties and
I‟m seeing investors buying proper-
ties at bargain basement prices. For a
while there it started to feel like we
were facing another Great Depres-
sion. Now I think there may be a light
at the end of the tunnel” he reports
when asked about the real estate mar-
ket in the Phoenix Metro area. “I
have renewed belief in real estate be-
ing a solid investment. I might not
have said that a year or two ago but I
am feeling more and more confident.
There certainly are lots of opportuni-
ties for real estate investors in this
market. It‟s not all bad news. For
investors that have the means there
are plenty of great properties out
there. It‟s a buyer‟s market”.
he said happily.
When asked why he prefers property
management to the traditional sales
end of the business he said “I grew up
in property management, it‟s what I
know, and now it‟s a big part of who I
am. I also find it more challenging
and less monotonous. I meet more
people, property owners, tenants and
even vendors”. We then asked
him to tell us the best thing about be-
ing a designated broker. “Of course I
like being an owner. Owning my
own business gives me a sense of
pride and accomplishment. I enjoy
helping others, too. Being a designat-
ed broker I can help property owners
and investors by guiding them toward
success. Of course there are never
any guarantees but my team and I
(including my dad/CPM®) truly be-
lieve in our company motto; good
management doesn‟t cost, it pays!
Also, I must admit that there is rarely
a dull moment in my business. I ben-
efit from a combination of field and
desk work and that makes it very en-
joyable for me”.
Over the past couple of years TJ has
added networking to his list of duties.
He enjoys participating in several pro-
active networking groups.
“Networking gives me another oppor-
tunity to meet a lot of new people.
You know, networking is being uti-
lized more and more especially given
the state of the economy. It feels like
I am banding together with like-
minded people and we all help each
other figure our way through troubled
times. We are utilizing creativity;
we‟re thinking outside the box. I‟m
always looking for other proactive
networking groups. We‟re all trying
to be successful and at the very least
hold our ground”.
We asked TJ to share some memories
and here‟s what he said:
Most memorable property manage-
ment moment: “Alongside my dad
successfully transforming a vacant
commercial property into a viable all
internet building with 20+ rental
suites. The project lasted five years”.
Funniest management moment: “I
didn‟t know that a dog was on a prop-
erty until I turned and saw the dog
chase my sister Michelle and actually
bite her. It then turned toward me.
Luckily the tenant came and grabbed
the dog before I was the next victim.
The dog was a pit bull and fortunately
my sister was not hurt. Looking back
my sister and I laugh at our reaction
which included lots of screaming and
running!”
Most unbelievable moment: “I met with a new owner at his home and
found he was a hoarder! Well, back in those days the term „hoarder‟ did-
n‟t exist so I just thought he was a pack rat. He hoarded magazines, bro-
chures from seminars and trade shows, you name, it if was made of paper
he kept it. He also had tons of pens, plastic party favors, etc. It was hard
to stay focused on the meeting”.
Fondest memory: “I have many fond memories of tenants who suddenly
pass away. There have been several instances of tenants passing away in
their rental home and I have helped the family”.
Great accomplishment: “I took on a short-term property management
project that entailed taking two multi-family downtown Phoenix gang
infested properties and turning them completely around. By that I mean
we got rid of the gangs, got the units fixed up. This allowed the owner to
sell the properties which she desperately wanted to do but was unable to
get the property back on track. Without our help she probably would
have lost both properties and possibly her life‟s savings. That‟s an
accomplishment I am very proud of.”
Although being a designated broker takes up a lot of TJ‟s time, he still
finds time to relax. He lives with his very comical singing hound-dog
mix Burlington who, without any provocation will burst into a signature
howl that can last for 2-3 minutes. TJ says he‟s looking for attention and/
or treats! The two enjoy traveling but these days Burlington (aka Burly) who is getting on in years usually stays
behind with grandma.
Most of his traveling is done on motorcycle and he is a member of several motorcycle groups. He takes short and
long trips with his dad and also does group rides on occasion.
When asked about his best motorcycle ride memory he responded: “Once my dad and I rode from California to the
east coast and toured many Civil War battle fields. I think that was the best!” And the worst ride? He said “It was a
weekend ride where my motorcycle broke down three times. We left from California headed to Mexico border
towns. On the way back the bike broke down. Luckily a mechanic finally discovered it was only the headlight that
was causing a short circuit and draining the battery. I eventually got home safe and sound but the ride was no
fun”. As for his longest ride; TJ actually once took a motorcycle trip that left from San Ysidro California, stopped in
Key West Florida, headed to Madawaska Maine, on to Blaine Washington and back to San Ysidro. The ride was ap-
proximately 13,000 miles and took 21 days! “Yes, I was sore!” he chuckled!
TJ is an extremely dedicated and conscientious designated broker. He brings a level of caring and commitment to all
of his property management clients. It‟s a rare thing to find these days. “I used to think that running a family owned
business was all about carrying on a family dream until one day I realized…hey, this is my dream too. The future is
always bright for someone who is living out their dream!”
TJ Loegering can be reached at (623) 977-6011 or email at [email protected]
ON THE COVER
Living and working in Peoria, AZ certainly has it‟s advantages. One
of them is having access to beautiful Rio Vista Park and Recreation
Center. Located at 8866 W. Thunderbird Road in Peoria AZ (just 1/4
mile west of loop 101) TJ and Burlington enjoy leisurely strolls (see
cover photo) on paths or just walking around the urban lake. With
52 acres of sprawling park grounds there‟s always plenty of things to
see. Of course Burly seems to prefer bird watching and probably
dreams of a tasty meal as he gazes at the ducks happily frolicking on
the lake.