Panzera Realty

My boyfriend and I just moved in to a Panzera property last weekend, so you could say we are still going through a trial period. But based on everything so far, there shouldn't be any cause for an angry, disgruntled-renter edit of this review.

I've only rented one other place before, so I don't have much to compare to besides talking to my friends about their landlords and their respective horror (scarily common) or positive (sadly few) stories. I do however, know what a landlord should or shouldn't be, and Panzera is doing something right.

The first positive sign was the incredibly professional website we linked to from the apartment ad on Craigslist. They put a lot of effort into establishing a polished, professional image. Everything we needed to know was on there and I was able to print a rental application that was very clear about the requirements to apply including expected income and additional documents needed.

The pictures of the place online looked extremely promising so I prepared a money order and showed up with all docs filled out ahead of time, and it was a good thing that I did. I had set up an appointment to see the place and wasn't able to confirm that morning so they called and cancelled. I called back and left a frantic voicemail asking if I could still make it and they consented. Well, when I showed up, it was to find an open-house environment swarming with people. I wasn't sure why they didn't make that clear ahead of time, anyone off the street could have come in and checked it out, but I still had my application and handed it over right away, beating all those other people to the punch. Apartment hunting is an aggressive business.

**SPOILER ALERT**

We got the apartment, pulling a classic House Hunters happy ending. HGTV missed out!

There were phone calls back and forth getting everything in order,but they were undeniably responsive and helpful, and it felt like you were talking to a person, not a robot that took your money in exchange for a hovel and refused to assume responsibility for the roach infestation (friend horror story). I feel like if we have any issues, these are people we can talk to and who will listen.

Other positive signs: the terms of the deposit return are clearly listed with pricing for each thing in the house not up to code. Crazy, right?! No guessing if they will care or how much they will charge if you don't change out that light bulb you can't reach.

A sheet with nearby fire stations, police, grocery stores, you name it. They called for me to switch electric over, I just had to pay the deposit and set up an online account. They have a renter portal where you can track all service requests and payments made to them.

The transparency, responsibility, and responsiveness is almost unreal - but really, this is what every landlord should be doing for their tenants.

We had terrible water pressure and I suffered the three worst showers of my life, but one day after we submitted a service request, the problem was fixed while I was away at work.

Let's keep this up, Panzera! Your tenants are two very happy, grateful people.

I had to update my review because my experience was worse than previously described.

I moved into a unit in Hilliard, Ohio in late August, 2015.

Fact: There was a small black spot in our closet when we moved in that had become increasingly larger over time.

Result: It was a slow leak from the bathroom. Maintenance opened the ceiling to reveal black mold. He "cut it off" and sprayed bleach on it. Peep the photo on yelp.

Fact: Our upstairs toilet is (and has been) faulty.

Result: Maintenance used a bread twisty tie to make a repair for one of the many service orders. We had to flush it 3-4 times each time we used it and It was eventually replaced 6 months later.

Fact: We had bees (in addition to all the other bugs) and Panzera's maintenance used home defense spray. I questioned their methods, but they insisted the spray would work.

Result: After our family friend (a PROFESSIONAL maintenance tech) took a look at the dozens of bees that were dying, he confirmed it was a live bee hive. I wrote "I still have bees" on next months rent check and they reluctantly sent a professional.

Fact: Our furnace was unusually loud and rattled a lot. Heat wasn't thorough. We had to turn it WAY up to get moderate warmth.

Result: It needed to be replaced, it was 30 years old. It took 12 hours for the repair and we weren't offered that timeframe upfront. I have a small child and had to unexpectedly remove her from the home due to the below freezing temperatures that day. AND...the HVAC rep stayed it died out because we had the heat too high.

Fact: We had mushrooms, growing out of the carpet in April of 2016. Yes, mushrooms.

Result: Maintenance "plucked them" and sprayed bleach on the spot.

Maintenance touched the drywall around them and it was mushy. He confirmed there was a leak/moisture and adjusted the dirt outside in hopes that the water wouldn't come in so much! (Yes, smh...)

Note: MUSHROOMS HAVE GROWN BACK IN THE SAME EXACT SPOT FEBRUARY 2017.

Understandably, I was frustrated and contacted Panzera. They nonchalantly created work orders!

I advised David Panzera about how unreal my experience has been and expressed a perceived lack of ownership because of reoccurring issues, poor maintenance decisions and no empathy, compassion or compensation. I don't think they care, at all.

His reply was everything I expected. He said if I disagree, move out...with notice of course. (See photo in yelp)

Good tenants shouldn't have to fight so flippin hard to get stuff done!

All I'm going to say at THIS point, I went with another property management company years ago, but Panzera Realty and I have some unfinished business. I used to be able to call and talk to Dave but on my matter, they decided at one point to not put me through to Dave. Said to email him. The last 3 or for times I emailed Panzera Realty I got no response. So I suppose my emails were ignored. I don't live in Ohio , so I looked at the website to call again to leave a message, but now, it seems, you have call and leave a message. Or email them and they'll get back with you. ....... I don't know about You, but they WON'T return my emails. Last time I called about my matter the staff wouldn't put me through to him. So. I will NOT recommend him.

Absolutely a joke and a real hind behind what they say is there rules. They give u zero heads up that if u fill out the application u don't receive the 100 back if not accepted. I didn't even know before filling out application that it would be the extra 100 applied. They told me it was 45 bucks. As we all know that is money in there pocket after paying the 20 dollars a yr to look at credit. Went to look at the place and scheduled at 4pm. There were 3 other party's there. A true cluster f. Anyway they should just stick to making pizzas in Grandview.

I have rented from Panzera for 12 years and I have found them to be very responsive to any maintenance issue. It is an older apartment so Issues have come up, but they have been very quick to try to resolve them including replacing a stove on Christmas Eve allowing our family to be able to cook for the holiday.

Panzera Realty helped me purchase my rental property and they now manage it as I'm an out of state investor. I worked primarily with Justin Lemaster to purchase the house and he's knowledgeable about the Columbus market, very responsive, provided great advice about each property's location and layout and helped me negotiate a great price with seller credits. Now that Panzera is managing the rental, David Panzera and Justin managed the final walkthroughs, maintenance repairs and were able to rent out the house at a great price. They showed great expertise regarding the Columbus rental market and were one of the most proficient PM teams I talked to. I trust team Panzera with my investment being out of state!

Panzera is amazing. As tenants for almost two years, we have been so impressed with the care and effort that everyone at Panzera puts into your comfort and happiness. They know that your apartment is your home, more than just a rental, and they treat you like family, with respect and attentiveness. I would highly recommend looking into Panzera's rental opportunities if you are in the market for a new place-- you won't be disappointed.