Castle Breckenridge Property Management Podcast

John Kalas, president and CEO of Castle Breckenridge Management, and Joel Kriger, founder and owner of The Kriger Law Firm, discuss collections in the post-covid19 world. 

Guest speaker Joel Kriger (from Kriger Law Firm) joins Castle Breckenridge on Facebook Live to discuss tips on writing effective vendor contracts that can save HOAs money. This special episode was video broadcasted live on Facebook Live on CBM's Facebook page. To watch the video and follow future live video events, visit Visit Joel Kriger and Kriger Law Firm at

Guest speaker Mike Uhrhammer (from Helix Water District) joins Castle Breckenridge on Facebook Live to discuss Governor Brown's executive order on water conservation and its effect on HOAs. This special episode was video broadcasted live on Facebook Live on CBM's Facebook page. To watch the video and follow future live video events, visit Visit Mike Uhrhammer and Helix Water District at

Guest speaker Bradley Schubert of Kriger Law Firm joins Castle Breckenridge on Facebook Live to discuss the California Solar Rights Act and solar energy systems in common interest developments. This special episode was video broadcasted live on Facebook Live on CBM's Facebook page. To watch the video and follow future live video events visit CBM at Visit Bradley Schubert and Kriger Law Firm at

Guest speaker Jon Epsten, Senior Managing Partner of Epsten Grinell & Howell joins Castle Breckenridge on Facebook Live to discuss the complexities of HOA legislation and day-to-day pointers. This special episode was video broadcasted live on Facebook Live on CBM's Facebook page. To watch the video and follow future live video events visit CBM at Visit Jon Epsten and Epsten Grinell & Howell at

Guest speaker Laurie Poole of Peters & Freedman, L.L.P. joins Castle Breckenridge on Facebook Live to share her expertise on short term rentals in HOAs. This special episode was video broadcasted live on Facebook Live on CBM's Facebook page. To watch the video and follow future live video events visit CBM at Visit Laurie Poole and Peters & Freedman, L.L.P. at

Guest speaker Patrick Crais from Blue Watchdog joins the Castle Breckenridge team for a live discussion about water conservation & sustainability. Patrick shares 3 helpful tips for property managers to cuts costs and more efficiently maintain water systems on properties. This special episode was video broadcasted live on Facebook Live on CBM's Facebook page. To watch the video or follow for future live video events visit CBM at Visit Patrick Crais and Blue Watchdog at: 

Joel Kriger, Esq. and Bradley Schuber, Esq. of Kriger Law Firm in La Mesa join Castle Breckenridge to share their expertise regarding construction defects. Brad Schuber clarifies what is and what is not a construction defect. He shares examples of various types of construction defects, their causes, and the types of properties or projects that they are typically found in. In addition to identifying construction defects, it's important to know what to do when you find one. Proper handling and action is discussed along with an explanation of who is responsible in various cases. Visit Kriger Law Firm at:

Our world is rapidly growing technologically as an estimated 50 billion devices will be connected by the "Internet of Things" by the year 2020. Guests Kimberly Weiss and Dionne Petitpas from Three Phase Electric present the latest advancements in network connected "smart" street lights. These new street lights, combined with powerful software and scalable add-on options, turn communities into Smart Communities. The common task of converting street lights into LED street lights presents an opportunity to consider installing a smart street light that not only allows for customizable power use reduction, but also sets the foundation upon which a plethora of smart connected sensors and tools can be added. These may included gun shot sensors that can alert the police, traffic sensors to automate light dimming, and community amenities such as WiFi hot spots or notification speaker systems. Visit Three Phase Electric at:

Guests Christina A. Ciceron & Keith S. Ciceron of CAC join the Castle Breckenridge team this month to discuss FHA/VA certification. As of July 1, 2016, managers of condominium projects are required to disclose current FHA/VA certification status in annual budget reports. Christina & Keith discuss the pros & cons of the certification process as well as whether or not certification is necessary for various types of properties. Visit Christina A. Ciceron and Keith S. Ciceron at CAC:

Castle Breckenridge's own Harold Palmer and guest speaker Mike Tobiason of Accurate Underground and Grading, Inc. discuss the planning, installation, and use of rain barrels on properties. Harold and Mike share their recent success installing a three barrel system, granting 5,100 surplus gallons of rain water for use in irrigation on the property after less than an hour of rain fall. The discussion includes an explanation of the characteristics of a rain barrel system, advice on how to develop a strategy for implementing and using rain barrels, and the importance of the location of the water collection component of a system. Visit Mike Tobiason at:

Tim Turbeville from Lumedio LLC and Scott Davis from California Comfort Systems join the Castle Breckenridge team this month for a guest discussion about the 7 reoccurring costs that every commercial building requires. With the technological improvements in LED lighting over the past few years, costs have come down dramatically and the color of LED lights can now match any building's needs. Tim Turbeville shares his experience of utilizing LED lighting to reduce lighting energy costs by 40-70% for commercial buildings. Include repair and maintenance in the equation, and savings can reach as high as 85-90%. In addition to covering LED lighting, this month's CBM podcast welcomes Scott Davis to discuss the highest cost (on average) of commercial buildings: HVAC systems. Scott share his successes in helping businesses and properties significantly reduce their costs. Visit Tim Tubeville, Lumedio LLC at Visit Scott Davis, California Comfort Systems at

Bradley Schuber, Esq. from Kriger Law joins the Castle Breckenridge team to share a brief overview of the nonjudicial foreclosure process from the first pre-lien notice after past dues all the way to responsibilities assumed by an HOA after a property has been foreclosed and everything in between. While most nonjudicial foreclosures typically cost around $3,000 and span 9 months to 1 year, there are many specifics that should be noted and carefully navigated. Bradley and the CBM team discuss the various aspects and stages of a nonjudicial foreclosure and address challenges Homeowners Associations may face. Visit Bradley Schuber at http://krigerlaw.com

Guest Laura Welty joins CBM this episode to share crucial energy saving tips and info. As an energy consultant for SDGE, Laura brings an industry expert insight on how energy pricing structures work and how to strategize for cost-saving energy use in residential or commercial properties. Hear an informative overview of pricing tiers to help you understand why energy bills can spike dramatically with slightly more or less use month-to-month. Laura also talks about some free offerings from SDGE such as a smart thermostat and water-savings kit that can be provided and installed for free. For more information, please visit: http://SDGE.com

Richard Salpietra joins the Castle Breckenridge team for a guest talk about drones (unmanned remote-controlled aircraft, typically equipped with a camera). Should drones be allowed? There are indeed some innocent and ethical uses for them to consider. Richard discusses how HOAs can regulate drone use as well as what should be expected in regards to liability related to drone use. Learn tips HOAs can use to formulate reasonable drone restrictions and several of the FAA laws set to take effect in 2017. Visit The Law Office of Richard Salpietra at:

Mike Regan, owner & president of Pacific Green Landscape joins John Kalas and the Castle Breckenridge team this month to discuss the latest California drought regulations, ordinances, and rebate programs. California has reached a statewide 27.3% reduction in water use, exceeding Governor Brown's call for a 25% reduction. However, as Mike Regan explains, some drought-related rebate programs have depleted their available funds. Are they still worth it? Find out as Mike shares his expertise. Visit Mike Regan & Pacific Green Landscape at:

Special guest Joel Kriger of Kriger Law Firm joins Castle Breckenridge this week to share his expertise and tips for dealing with common water damage problems at condos and properties. Flood damage is often caused by roof leaks, misdirected sprinkler heads, rain & drainage, and plumbing leaks. Joel discusses how to properly take action to minimize damage and best serve occupants while determining responsibility and costs. Visit Joel Kriger at: http://krigerlawfirm.com/

As a continuation of last episode's discussion about the California water drought, John Kalas and the Castle Breckenridge team share and discuss more tips for property management and reduced water usage. Best practices for water and cost saving features and techniques are mentioned as well as additional emphasis on penalties and fines accompanying the latest water conservation guidelines.

California has just entered its fourth year of severe drought. An expanded set of emergency regulations has been adopted by the State Water Resource Control Board in March 2015 including water usage requirements and more strict fines. John Kalas and the Castle Breckenridge team review the newest water conservation regulations and share tips for property management and reduced water usage. Residents and property managers are both urged to make extra efforts in water conservation in response to the California drought.