Are you always behind your utility dues because of your busy schedule? Worry no more for Utility Junction is here to save the day! Utility Junction provides service not only to Homeowners, but also to Property Managers & Landlords, Wholesalers, Investors, Enterprises, and iBuyers. UJ can help you manage home utilities, avoid overpayment, and help you save money! If you’re wondering what Utility Management is, let us give you a little background. The goal of utility management is to determine how various energy, waste, and water metrics affect your organization’s performance. You may be able to reduce costs by monitoring your residents’; and your property’s energy use and identifying waste or problems quickly.

Here is how you can get a glimpse of what Utility Junction has to offer. You can request for a demo and see what fits your needs.

1. Go to their website: https://utilityjunction.com/


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Just click the link and it will redirect you to UJ’s page. Once you are there, you will be able to see the Features, Pricing, and details about the software. You can also sign up for a free demo to get a deeper understanding of how it works.

2. Request for a Demo

On the home page, you will see a “Request Demo” button. Just click that button and it will redirect you to a page where you can put your details and arrange an appointment with the Utility Junction team at your earliest convenience. They will give you a tour on the software and how to navigate it.

3. What you can see on the Dashboard:

Now, we are at the most exciting part. Here is a glimpse of the interface of Utility Junction:

Summary Page:

On the summary page you will be able to see the Property Details such as Address and Property Information. You can upload files which contain the data of your bills. If you are more of a visual person, there are charts wherein you can see the changes of your bills by month and track your spending trend. You can also list several properties especially if you are a property manager.
Want to know more? REQUEST A DEMO now and you never have to encounter problems in paying your utility bills!

Imagine this: 

You’re a Property Investor, Cash Buyer, iBuyer, Home Flipper, or a Property Development Company. In general, a company that has a portfolio of properties and that is constantly buying and selling. Furthermore, you manage utilities for your portfolio in-house. 

It’s all going well, the business is growing and this happens:

The company’s accounts payable department discovered that utility bills were being paid for a house whose status is SOLD.

So, what happened?

Let’s see this first scenario: you have some of the utilities of your portfolio on autopay, which means that it is till you check the accounts that you realize that the numbers don’t match. What could be happening?

You realize that your company has been paying for a property that you recognize but something seems odd because you thought it had already been sold.

Between the things that could have happened, you might think “whose fault is this?”

Here’s the thing, humans are certainly not perfect and in the beginning, utility bill management probably seems annoying but not hard, and with a controllable amount of spreadsheets, it’s no big deal, right? 

When the company starts to scale is when issues start to arise, because as the property volume increases, you need to track more details about the bills and properties, more spreadsheets are created and more connections and disconnections are requested in a not so friendly and tedious process that involves dealing for long hours with utility providers. Furthermore, some billing is received via paper bills and others via e-bills or paperless bills, which makes it harder to have full control of the due dates, amounts to pay, and bills to pay.

Home buyer in scale, tips for cash buyers, Successful property investment company, utility bill management, late fees, billing management company, utility bill management solutions, avoid late fees

To make it easier for your team, let’s say you set up some of the bills on autopay. However, even if you hadn’t done that, it was always a possibility that a mistake like paying bills for a sold property, would happen. It happened to some of our clients. Believe us, it’s more common than you think.

if you’re a glass-half-full type of person, you’ll see that this is almost a good problem to have because it means you’re scaling. Congratulations if this is your case! The other good news is that you’re not alone, and there are solutions that can help with this kind of problem.

Home buyer in scale, tips for cash buyers, Successful property investment company, utility bill management

How to avoid paying for a sold property:

  1. Centralize your billing data. Instead of using multiple spreadsheets, organize all data in one spot. If you want to streamline the utility bill process, consider a utility bill management software.
  2. Monitor periodically the accounts on autopay. Or have a third party do it for you.
  3. Improve communication between teams. See if the communication channels are working. Centralizing data is a way to solve this issue too.
  4. Get advice from an expert in utility bill management to determine the best strategy for your company.
  5. Outsource utility bill management. Trust the experts and harness the power of technology, while being able to access reports on consumption and costs.

These solutions are proven to save time and money for real estate companies. If you’re ever looking to reduce the burden of manual utility bill tracking, our platform can help achieve 95% SLA.

Utility Junction is a solution that can help any business in the field of real estate to simplify utility & bill management processes. This platform can reduce the amount of time & money spent on administrative tasks and provide an infrastructure for analyzing financial data for both individual property and multi-property organizations.

Get a quick overview of all your portfolio’s utility accounts, keep track of payments and expenses, transfer services painlessly and remotely, get bill due date reminders, and more. Utility Junction’s platform is the only solution you’ll ever need to manage your utility needs end to end.  So, let’s connect for a discovery call & we can discuss the challenges you are facing in your operations. Know exactly what you need, contact us here or send us an email at support@utilityjunction.com

Utility Management has long been a necessity for businesses and even households. Today, the digitalization of Utility Management has taken the world by storm. Not only businesses and households are relying on it – but individuals are too. 

Are you tracking your utility bills with spreadsheets? It’s an easy solution that works fine for a small number of items, but practicality and efficiency start to fall apart as the number of utilities you have grows.

The use of spreadsheets to track utility and other utility bills can become a real nightmare. Oftentimes, data gets lost or misplaced between numerous tabs, and there’s no easy way to export the data into useful formats. With online platforms available to help you do just that.

We have been able to recollect some examples of situations that real estate companies face based on interactions we’ve had with our clients & working with them closely.

Cases in which spreadsheets were ineffective:

Have you ever experienced a situation whereby a member of your operations team was trying to figure out why a utility at home was disconnected? As it turns out, the payment slipped through the cracks and was missed. A past due balance led to service being disconnected. 

Imagine another scenario, where you need to set up services for a property with the service provider.  Almost 45 minutes later, you are told the service set-up cannot be completed as there are past due balances that need to be paid. Spreadsheets as a means of tracking your utility and other costs is not the right approach.

Some disadvantages spreadsheets may have for a growing real estate business:

  • A decentralized utility bill pay process causes confusion in managing hundreds of utility accounts. Leaving you with questions like: Were the bills paid?
  • The billing data is entered into the spreadsheet and then re-entered into the company’s A/P system so that payment can be made. Consequently, each utility bill is handled twice (sometimes even three times). It is a time-consuming and error-prone process.
  • The spreadsheet-based method does not allow easy comparisons between bills to determine if the company has been overcharged or to identify meter or billing issues.

The solution that has been proven to help real estate company streamline their process is centralized utility bill data.

Utility Junction is a solution that can help any business in the field of real estate to simplify utility & bill management processes. This platform can reduce the amount of time & money spent on administrative tasks and provide an infrastructure for analyzing financial data for both individual property and multi-property organizations.

Get a quick overview of all your portfolio’s utility accounts, keep track of payments and expenses, transfer services painlessly and remotely, get bill due date reminders, and more.

Utility Junction’s platform is the only solution you’ll ever need to manage your utility needs end to end.  So, let’s connect for a discovery call & we can discuss the challenges you are facing in your operations. Know exactly what you need, contact us here or send us an email at support@utilityjunction.com

Ever wonder if there’s a better way to keep track of your utility bills?

Spreadsheets aren’t the most efficient method for managing multiple bill due dates and amounts, and it can be hard to pay bills on time with so many other things going on. That’s where Utility Junction comes in. Our complete Utility Bill Management solution allows you to track all your basic utilities in one place – electricity, water, gas, sewage, and trash, etc – so you can stay organized. And with our Analytics Dashboard, you get access to all the features you need to:

Track bills and make sure they’re paid on time.

utility bill management, bills, electricity, water, gas, utilities, utility provider

What features will help you accomplish efficiency?

  • Bill addition reminders.
  • Bill due date reminders.
  • Pending bills summary notification at the end of the month, and at the beginning of the following month.
  • Pay my bills section
  • My properties section
  • And more

Utility Junction has helped customers like you:

  • Track their utilities in one place
  • Pay their utilities on time
  • Get organized 
  • Analyze their utility expenses
  • Make sure the process of transferring their utilities is taken off their plate

So what happens when there is a change? 

For example, when you move into a new house or apartment, you have to transfer your utilities to your name. Not a big deal, right? But it is for most people! Finding out if these services are available and how much they cost can be a hassle.

If your company deals with connecting and disconnecting utilities because you are a property manager, an iBuyer or a property investment company, you know the struggle firsthand. But you still do it because customer experience defines your success, right? And it does, but this doesn’t have to give you a hard time either.
Utility Junction makes sure that the hassle of transferring the utility services is taken off your to-do list. We manage it efficiently and smoothly for you.


We are passionate about helping companies like yours save time and money through efficient utility management.
Let’s connect for a discovery call & we can discuss the challenges you are facing in your operations.
Contact us here or send us an email at support@utilityjunction.com

By Katie Conroy of advicemine.com.

When the temperature drops, the electricity bill often rises accordingly. Those chilly winter months can make it a real challenge when it comes to staying warm in your house, and most years, the energy bill reflects all that extra effort you have to put into keeping yourself and your family comfortable. At a certain point, however, it might be smart to start looking into ways you can lessen the amount of energy your home consumes so that you can save money on those bills each month.

You might even be surprised at some of the simple ways that you can easily shave dollars and cents off your energy bill. There are tons of strategies that can help you save money, from improving certain parts of your home to swapping out your old thermostat and/or furnace for ones that might be a bit more modern and energy-efficient.

Courtesy of Utility Junction, check out a few top strategies for saving money on your energy bill this coming winter…and perhaps even for years to come!

budget, savings, home, energy, utility management, real estate, realtor, home buyer, property investment

Consider Getting a New Furnace

Many homeowners might not realize that their outmoded appliances can seriously run up those energy bills. Getting yourself a new furnace — something of a major project — can be a seriously effective way of reducing your energy consumption and the bills that reflect it, especially in the long run.

A new furnace, in many instances, can cost you quite a bit of money depending on which type of unit you select. There are also labor costs to consider, of course; sometimes, this can account for a substantial amount of the total budget. You’ll want to look online to find the best contractor in your area who can get the job done. Someone who specializes in HVAC systems is probably going to get you the best results for a new furnace installation.

Something else to remember: certain home improvements, like investing in a new furnace, can also increase your home’s appraisal value. Just make sure you’re keeping and carefully organizing all those receipts!

 

Give Your Home a Spot Check

One of the things that can seriously impact your energy bill is the presence of things like cracks (especially in windows, though you’ll need to hire someone to replace window glass for you), intrusions, or gaps in places that should normally be sealed in your home. During the warmer months, these things might be easy to ignore, but they can contribute to a pretty expensive problem when it starts to get cold out. If you need home window repair, costs average $290 per window depending on the repair and window type. When working with window repair contractors, insist that they’re licensed and insured.

Another great way to lower the utility bills in your home is by finding small ways to reduce your overall energy consumption. Replacing standard light bulbs with LEDs, for example, is one great way to lower your bills.

 

Look into a Thermostat Upgrade

There are many smart thermostat options available now, and this type of upgrade is a great way to save money on utilities. A smart thermostat monitors your patterns throughout the day to learn the best times to increase and reduce temperature, thus ensuring your comfort at the ideal time as well as energy efficiency. Best of all, you can remotely control these thermostats from your smartphone or even via your home’s voice assistant.

There are plenty of ways to reduce your energy consumption and the bills that come along with it, especially as the weather starts to get colder. While this is normally a time of year that incurs extra costs, these strategies will help you save money and enjoy a comfortable living space at the same time, most likely for years to come.

The mission of Utility Junction is to simplify every aspect of your utilities from the moment you get in touch. With us by your side, it is that simple. Call 888-782-7885.

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Need help with utility management? Send us an email at support@utilityjunction.com or reach out to us on any of our social media handles.

By Katie Conroy of advicemine.com.

 

In 2019, it was revealed that real estate had emerged as America’s favorite type of investment. With millions flocking to brick and mortar as a means to grow wealth, you’ll need to research thoroughly and act quickly if you want a high-potential property of your own.

Finding a Property

Unlike buying a property for occupancy, your reasons for buying an investment property are more likely to come down to monetary factors such as appreciation, rentability, or re-sellability. It’s important when looking at a location, to pay extra attention to its commercial appeal and demography – if you’re looking to rent the place out, you’ll want to find somewhere populous, with a good class of tenant, for example. Generally speaking, a property that can produce monthly rent equivalent to 2% of the purchase price is likely to produce a positive cash flow for the investor. 

You’re buying a property to make money but, if done properly, the process should also involve spending some (on top of the purchase itself). Appraisers can help you to identify the objective value of a property and bypass much of the misleading information surrounding real estate, a buyer’s agent (realtor) will act as a source of knowledge, providing suggestions & narrowing down your options and it’s often worth enlisting the help of a home inspector to check structural integrity, plumbing and electricity before you proceed onto the buying stage.

utility management, real estate, realtor, home buyer, property investment

Purchasing

When buying an investment property, it’s important to consider the added costs of property management before you enter into the buying process. Try to consider any added fees that might be spent on landscaping expenses, homeowner association fees, 3rd party property managers, or general maintenance.

If you’re held back by costs, you’ll find plenty of help from loan providers – private lenders often provide more flexible terms than conventional mortgage lenders when it comes to investment properties. Be aware, in comparison to loans for a personal residence, you are likely to pay a larger down payment with percentages around the 20-35% mark. An SBA 504 loan, for example, is perfect for commercial property purchases – with lower interest rates and up to 25 years in repayment terms.

Managing

You’ve found and bought a high-prospect investment property, congratulations! Now’s when the hard work starts. More often than not, an investment property will require renovation to increase its value, this is especially the point of a fixer-upper. If you’re in an area with high competition for renters, it could be worth considering some changes to improve the curb appeal – a new fence for the yard, for example, costs $4,500 on average (depending on materials, size of the fence, and place of installation). Be sure to use a platform like Angi to search for an ‘affordable fence company near me’ to receive a quote, then read online reviews and check for licenses before hiring any contractors.

If you’re taking in new tenants, it’s vital that you read up on your responsibilities as a landlord. Your property is much like a business and will require a few hours per week (minimum) for administration, comms, and maintenance. Unless you want to fork out for a property manager, you should be ready to spend money on repairs, replacements, and time on screening/maintaining tenants.

Properties often prove to be truly lucrative investments but, if you want to earn from them, you should expect to put in some hard work, or pay for the work of others. There’s plenty of competition on the market and landlords who have invested time (as well as money) are the most likely to profit.

Utility Junction is a utility management service on a mission to build utility connections, help you track utility expenses and expense analysis. Learn more about our unique services, at: www.utilityjunction.com

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Need help with utility management? Send us an email at support@utilityjunction.com or reach out to us on any of our social media handles.

Every time we get feedback from our users on Utility Junction, how it has made a meaningful difference, we are convinced we did the right thing. So this time, we decided to step out of our comfort zone and get no holds barred feedback from one of our users. We had fun reading this feedback received from Sonal Rajmohan – An investment banker, committed daughter supporting her mother and not to forget – one of our earliest adopters and were equally amazed. Have fun reading!!

Guess what? I was shocked. 

I had just found out about the Utility Junction platform. And just like any other platform would do next, I was expecting to be led to their homepage.

What came next, was nothing I could have ever imagined.

In clear words, I was told ” You need to register first for a plan, please feel free to choose one at the Pricing Table”

Being the first time seeing this, I was a bit perplexed and at the same time, curious. 

The first question that came to mind was; What was so special about their services that I had to go through a pricing table first?

And more importantly, what made them unique? What made them so different from every similar brand out there?

I decided to find out what was so special about them.

And my journey began!

utility management

At the Pricing Table:

The first thing I was offered was;

  •  Peace of mind

 It was as if they knew what I was looking for, and they went for it.

  • And then, I saw the free plan. It seemed so perfect! 

Here I was, still skeptical, but I was being offered a “Try Me” Plan? Who was I to refuse?

I clicked on it and I was led to a signup page. Within a minute, I had filled in the necessary information.

While waiting for my account to be activated, I figured, why not browse around. You know, look closely into what I would be investing into.

And so I went back to the pricing table.

That was when things began to take a turn.

I paid closer attention to the other plans and their offerings were fantastic. In all, they had included everything I needed at that moment. The only thing left was to schedule a meeting, make the proper arrangements, and close the deal.

Next, I checked The Story Page

And one thing resounded with me. 

  • They recognized a problem that was peculiar to mine. And they fully understood that Property Management was more than just rent and repairs.  

I had struggled with these issues for a while, and to finally discover a brand that understood my needs, it seemed too good to be true.

Still elated and doubtful at the same time, I kept on reading

They offered all these solutions under one roof. It was like a dream come true.

I could see my utilities being efficiently managed, thereby giving me more time to focus on other parts of my business that mattered.

Still in the process, I moved on to The Solutions Page

Trust me; It was an Icing on the cake. 

They offered customizable solutions to handle whatever utility management issues I had. 

They had the experience, the tools, and most importantly, offered me round-the-clock support. 

At this point, the only question left was; When can we start?

If you are looking for Reasons To join Utility Junction; some are listed below.

To make sure you do not miss them, I will list them below.

  • Clients are their priority. And that is why they have a 24/7 support system to take care of your needs.
  • On-time service delivery. That is the goal.
  • They offer customizable solutions specifically tailored to manage your utility problems. You have a need; they provide the answer.

Need some more? How about finding out for yourself? Trust me; it is going to be worth your time.

So, what do you think? Tell us by commenting on this blog.

Need help? Send us an email at support@utilityjunction.com or reach out to us on any of our social media handles.

There was a time everyone had to sit down and by themselves, calculate their cash flow – inflow and outflow from their operations. This practice is still very much ongoing. However,  amidst this, there has sprung up a much better way to calculate costs and manage daily utilities.

In a time where technology is constantly evolving, people have begun to make the transition. A transition from the old-school approach to a more organized and automated system of managing utilities. 

It is no longer about the “How”. But more about “Who”. Utility Management. Companies have continued to spring up and people no longer ask the question of “What do we use to solve our problem?” Instead, the question now is, “Who is the best fit to provide the professional services and support needed to help solve our problems?”

In this article, you’ll get step-by-step guidance on how to transition, adapt to this new normal. We’ll also look at proven strategies to curb usage, cut costs, and become more efficient.

Utility management helps you take control of your finances by saving time, money and energy. As a business owner; most especially property owners, it is crucial that you take steps towards reducing your utility management expenses as fast as possible.

To achieve this, the following strategies lead the way – 

 
  • Stay focused on what you do best.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a big company or a startup. Knowing what you want in your business can make it easier to manage the resources you have. And also get the most out of them. If you’re not careful about expenses, they can get out of hand. In fact, the rising cost of inflation can end up hurting your bottom line as well. That is why, instead of trying to manage the utilities by yourself, take the logical step. Go with the utility management company.

  • Research and seek advice where necessary

Utility management companies have extensive knowledge and technical experience in – 

  1. handling issues related to utilities.
  2. Handling issues related to utility costs and other bills. 

Thus seeking advice from such a company on utility matters can help you –  

  1. discover the best approach to managing your utilities.
  2. Monitoring your expenses is easier for you. 

By doing so, you will be reducing costs and saving time as well.

  • Track and manage your spending and find efficient ways for you to spend your money as a business owner. 

You cannot afford to spend lavishly without a budget in place to manage your resources. It is thus advisable that you enlist the help of a utility management company – 

  1. Who can study your business 
  2. Come up with innovative solutions tailored to your particular needs

Utility Management has indeed become the new normal of today. So instead of making use of the old-school method of managing your utilities by yourself, why not consider hiring a utility management company?

With the market packed with a wide array of utility management companies, pick the one who can partner with you. This allows you to focus on the aspects that matter the most. They’ll take on the hard part of managing your utilities. 

We are passionate about helping companies like yours save time and money through efficient utility management.

Let’s connect for a discovery call & we can discuss the challenges you are facing in your operations. 

Contact us here or send us an email at support@utilityjunction.com

When it comes to your utility bills, especially electricity, what are some of the thoughts that you or I or we usually go through – 

  1. Why am I paying so much for electricity?
  2. Why is my electric bill so high?
  3. What can I do to lower it?
  4. Is there a better rate available for my gas connection?
  5. How do I lower my water bill?

These are the thoughts that a regular homemaker goes through and even a utility manager at a real estate company. 

If you are managing “a” home, then you would go about the usual steps –

– turn off the lights when not in use.

– manage the cooling using smart thermostats.

– go on google and look for ways to reduce water & gas usage…

And more, and more, and more.

Still, you will find out that those actions are not enough…

When it comes to a utility manager at a large real estate company, the challenges are different. It’s a portfolio of properties that are being managed with little control over how the utilities are being used. Here, it boils down to – 

– Are we with a service provider that is giving us the best rates?

– Are there leaks at the property?

– Are we managing the utilities in the most judicious manner?

We understand both these perspectives and hence decided to do something about it. How? Well, giving you a few tips and tricks and also telling how we can help you.

So let’s take a look – 

 

Tips on how to lower your utility rate

 

  1. Do your research 

When it comes to utilities, you should do the same research that you do for cars, clothes, and loans. You may ask why? Well because, unlike clothes where you have an option to return them, you don’t have the same choice with your utilities.

We recommend checking for electricity service providers who provide services in your neighborhood. Compare the rates across service providers and check which suits your needs the most. It is okay if your service provider is different from your neighbor or Mrs. Larson who stays 2 houses away as long as you are paying less without compromising the quality of services. 

Pro Tip – All of this sounds like a hassle. Well, then look no further. Utility Junction is your partner in this journey. Contact us and we will guide you through the entire process. 

  1. Be open to seeking help 

One aspect that always stops us from seeking help is the “I got this” syndrome. One always has the feeling that he/she can manage the situation without any help. That holds true when it comes to financial decisions.

This is where everything starts going downhill. When it comes to saving money, it does not matter how much, if you are not sure what needs to be done – ask. If you think you know what needs to be done, validate it – by asking for help.

One way of seeking help is to ask friends and family. However, when it comes to utilities, that may not be of as much help. Here, always seek inputs/help/opinion from an expert. Now, you may think, who really has the time to guide me? Well, that’s on us if you are not aware of it that Utility Junction is always available to help you with these decisions.

How? Track your property on our dashboard and let it help you. Need help in finding a service provider that works best for you – contact us and we will walk the way with you.

  1. Don’t shy away from paying a deposit if it is getting you a better rate 

More often than not we have experienced this. We recommend a provider who is offering a rate that is as much as 40%-50% lower than the existing service provider. To sign up there is a deposit payment needed and the client decides not to go ahead. 

That leaves us aghast. Why??? Especially, when your deposit is safe with the service provider. 

While the general feeling around is – Deposits are not and never good. We say – If the deposit payment helps you get better rates and helps you save money in the long run, go for it! When it comes to saving money on utilities, one has to think long-term. Short-term saves will hurt in the long run.

  1. Always look for campaigns that your service provider is running 

Service providers always run various campaigns to retain their customers. These range from – 

– Providing discounts for signing up for autopay on your bills.

– Running referral programs.

– Subsiding the purchase of equipment like smart thermostats that play an important role in saving money by helping you regulate your usage.

– Additional usage allowance or discounts for switching to green energy like solar.

More often than not we tend to ignore these and not pay attention. Mostly, because we feel either the idea is just too good to be true or we just find it too expensive.

This is where one needs to again think long term. 

If you are happy with your service providers’ services and you are getting rewarded for referring your friends and family to enjoy them as well, why not take the opportunity?

If you have been planning to change your thermostat and now have an offer from your service provider that can help you save money in the long term, why not?

A lot of people shy away from green energy like solar power due to the cost involved in the installation. What they don’t take into consideration, is in the long run, solar power plays an important role in reducing your energy bills. Also, there are programs available wherein any excess energy that your solar setup generates can be added back to the grid and that gets adjusted in your bills. 

Bottom line 

You need to look out for yourself when it comes to saving money. And Utility Junction is here to walk with you on this journey. You are NOT ALONE. 

Have any questions, comments, feedback – contact us here or send us an email at support@utilityjunction.com