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 tj@remsaz.com

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.