COROA is very pleased to offer a “No Cost” class in October entitled “Making the Most of Mediation.” Terry Flora Turner, one of our COROA board members, is the instructor. She will be discussing mediation as it pertains to the eviction process, and how to use mediation to negotiate exit dates, payment schedules for money the tenant owes you, and more. Terry is the owner of High Desert Property Management, LLC in Redmond, and has a wealth of experience in landlord/tenant relations. The class is open to all COROA members and prospective new members.

The COROA board thought this would be a good way to say “thank you” to our current loyal members, and introduce prospective members to the advantages of COROA membership. We hope to reach many new first time landlords who are eager to understand Landlord/Tenant Law and have access to the most up-to-date and Oregon-specific rental forms available.

The class is Tuesday, October 27, 2009, 5:30 to 8 pm, and pre-registration is required as space is limited. The registration form is included in this month’s newsletter.

The Sept. 22 class on “Evictions” by Paul Heatherman, a Bend attorney, was interesting. Much of the discussion involved the rights of tenants in the foreclosure situation. Thank you, Paul, for graciously donating your time to COROA!

Recently, The Bend Bulletin ran an article urging tenants to try to convince their landlords to lower their rent. My advice is to carefully consider this request and hold as firm as possible to your rent schedule. Rents in Central Oregon are low already, and we have seen some decline, especially at the top range. But our Central Oregon rentals are a good value and we all know owning rental property is not without expense. Stay firm and if you have to provide your tenant an incentive, be creative… add some landscaping, clean the carpets, paint a room, give them a dinner out as a Thank You, etc., but try to keep your rent intact.

Thank you for your support of COROA! We value your membership.

Sincerely,

Lawnae Hunter