Landlord and Investor Education: Austin Landmark’s Property Management Blog

Rick Ebert co-founded Austin Landmark Property Services, Inc. CRMC® in 1986. Rick has earned both the Residential Management Professional designation (RMP®) and the Master Property Manager (MPM®) designation from the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM®), and his company has earned NARPM’s ® coveted Certified Residential Management Company designation.

Rick has been very active in promoting the property management profession and has developed 22 property management MCE classes approved in Texas, and he has written a two 30-hour pre-license property management class, also approved in Texas. In addition to teaching MCE classes in Texas, Rick has served as an approved instructor with the National Association of Residential Property Managers. Rick has been a continual provider of workshops for NARPM® and for the Austin Board of REALTOR’S®.

As an avid writer of property management articles, Rick has been published several times, and has written several bylines for the “Residential Resource”. Rick served on the NARPM® Education Committee for 10 years, and has chaired NARPM’s® Grievance Committee. Rick has served as Grievance Chairman for the Leasing & Management Division of the Austin Board of REALTORS® and has served on that boards Professional Standards Committee for several years.Currently, Rick has served on the Texas Association of REALTORS® Professional Standards Committee and the Property Management Committee and also a volunteer Ombudsman for the Texas Association of REALTORS®.

Rick is a past recipient of the Member of the Year award, the highest honor of the Leasing Management Division of the Austin Board of REALTOR’s®, and is a co-recipient of the NARPM® President’s Award.

For several years, Rick served on the Texas Association of REALTORS® leasing and management forms committee, and the forms currently used in Texas reflect his input and ideas.

Karen Ebert is President of Austin Landmark Property Services, Inc. ALPS in Austin, Texas. She was among the 13 founding members of The National Association of Residential Property managers (NARPM®). Karen served on the Board of Directors from 1998 through 1992 and was editor of the NARPM® newsletter, Residential Resource, for its first three years of publication. She was awarded the President’s Award in 1996 and along with Rick Ebert the President’s Award in 2007. She, along with Rick Ebert, was instrumental in developing office systems for ALPS which earned the 3rd national Certified Residential Management Company (CRMC®) designation from NARPM®.

Karen helped form the Austin Area NARPM® Chapter in 1996 when she was awarded Member of the Year and was the chapter’s first President.

Karen has written many articles for the newsletter and written and presented several convention workshops.

Call Karen: 512-794-8171 ext. 215

I joined the ALPS staff in 2007. I earned a B.A. in Jazz Composition as well as a M.M. in Jazz Theory from the University of Texas in Austin. Before entering the real estate world, I had over 20 years of various management experience in retail sales, software operations and development, local government division head, as well as full time ministry as a worship director. Since joining the ALPS team, I have earned my RMP and MPM designations from NARPM, my real estate broker’s license and graduated from the Austin Board of Realtors Leadership Program. Attention to details as well as compassion in dealing personally with clients brings a unique strength for property management. By persistently pursuing a Win-Win outcome for owners and tenants, a proven track record of success as a property manager has been created that builds on relationships with property owners. I have been married to my one and only wife, Carole, since 1983 and now take pleasure in the joy of our grandson being an integral part of our lives.

I joined the ALPS team in September of 2017. I am the Director of Operations and run monthly business operations functions for ALPS. I also create the monthly owner’s newsletter and assist the ALPS team with website updates.

I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Art from St. Edward’s University in 2007.

In my free time I enjoy hanging out with my husband, two children and dog, travel, hiking, cooking for friends and family, knitting and making jewelry.

I joined the ALPS team in 2002 and decided to become a Realtor and a Property Manager in 2011. I have since become certified as a Texas Association of Realtors Texas Residential Leasing Specialist (TLRS) and a Texas Residential Property Manager (TRPM). Over the past 6 years, I have managed a 140 property portfolio, I have become a Professional Member of the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM), and also gained the Residential Management Professional (RMP) designation. I have served on the NARPM’s local Board of Directors for 3 consecutive years, including serving as the 2017 Chapter President. After having such an integral role in NARPM, my hope is to eventually become actively involved with the Texas Association of Realtors as a Committee member. Over the years, my dedication has grown, not only for property management, but for my individual clients and tenants. I believe in providing professional customer service with a personal touch, ensuring that all of my clients and tenants are satisfied with the quality of service that I am pleased to offer.

I joined the ALPS Staff September of 2015 as the Accounts Manager. I have over 20 years’ experience in accounting, most recently spending 10 years as a Budget Analyst for various state agencies within Texas Government. My duties as Accounts Manager include paying vendor invoices, recording receipts, distribution of owner payments, managing banking information, and monitoring tenant and owner accounts. Property management accounting is relatively new to me, but one that I find interesting and I look forward to learning more about and applying past experiences to better serve our clients. Outside of work, I always have several projects going on around the house to keep me busy. I also enjoy camping and fishing around the Austin area, something that attracted me to Central Texas 17 years ago.

I have been a member of the ALPS team since 1986. I assist with the day to day operations of the office as well as managing a small portfolio of homes. I enjoy that each day is different and brings something new and exciting or something new and challenging. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my children, grandchildren and a lot of longtime friends.

I have worked at ALPS since September of 2005. I have a B.A. in English from The University of Houston. My title is Leasing and Management Coordinator, and my duties include coordinating and processing lease applications, posting online advertisements for vacant properties, and assisting property managers. My goal is to contribute to the overall efficiency and success of our business and to offer the most satisfying service possible to anyone who works with ALPS. In 2010 I was awarded “Employee of the year”. In my spare time, I enjoy live music, watching movies, and spending time outdoors with my dog.

I have provided services for ALPS for several years by doing their property surveys under Austin Residential Survey. I have many years of experience in renovation and repair. I am now on the staff as the Maintenance Coordinator. I look forward to overseeing efficient service for our clients and residents. In my spare time, I enjoy the outdoors and gardening.

I joined the ALPS Family in February of 2017. As the Mobile Services Manager I assist the property management team with some of the windshield time involved with property management. I also respond to service calls if rapid response or minor repairs are needed. This is an excelled service provided by ALPS, benefitting Owners and Tenants. I am proud to be part of this Team!

In my Spare time I love hiking and camping. Actually, any reason to get out in the trees. I enjoy getting together with friends and family. I believe laughter and happiness is the how and why of a successful life. It doesn’t hurt having a great partner to spend that live with – and I have that (thank you Julia!).