Castle Breckenridge Management

If I could rate them LOWER than one star, I would. In lieu of that, I have filed a complaint with the San Diego District Attorney’s office, alleging criminal business practices, extortion and elder abuse. These people should be put out of business! I am a non-resident owner of a condo in a complex whose management has recently been taken over by this company. Have owned this property since 1984 and NEVER had a problem with 'management' before they came on the scene! Got a notice of the change last fall, but NO new ‘payment cards’ for the monthly HOA fee. Not hearing from them by the date the first payment to them was due, I sent off a check for TWO month’s payment to the address I had been sending it to for years, figuring that ‘professional courtesy’ would dictate that it be forwarded onto where it should go and giving them an extra month to sort out the ‘take over’ of management duties. This was November, last year and I FINALLY got the payment coupons the first week of January. I duly sent off the January payment, when due and a couple of weeks later got a VERY nasty note from them, threatening foreclosure, because I was ‘late’. The check for two months I had sent had NOT been cashed and I immediately ‘stopped payment’ (costing $25) and sent off a check for 3 month’s payment in a letter accusing them of NOT being timely in sending out the necessary ‘payment coupons’. That was the first of several letters, which they have NOT responded to. They are COMPLETELY unresponsive! Their accounting is ‘suspicious’, to say the least! They are charging ‘late charges’ on late charges (extortion!), as I am ‘up to date’ on the monthly HOA fee, but am objecting to being charged a ‘late charge’, because it was THEIR fault that they did not mail out the payment coupons in a timely fashion. I will be happy to tell ""the rest of the story"" to anyone who cares to ask Pros: NASTY, THREATENING and NOT a consumer friendly company! more

If I could give negative five stars, It would be too nice. The powers that be in this company should be jailed. The rep from castle breck that handles my complex has the maturity and business management skills equal to that of a five year old. IM NOT KIDDING. His letters and announcements are embarassing. \r \r When I had an issue with my HOA fees (castle breck made a clerical error) I called to have it fixed, no answer... Then I called again... and again... and again... EIGHT TIMES... Let me repeat that in case anyone missed EIGHT TIMES WITH NO ANSWER. \r \r Then I went down in person thinking that their phone system was definately malfunctioning... Its not. The poor receptionist at the front desk was holding off 4 angry condo owners in person while trying to pick up twice as many calls. \r \r As far as management of our complex goes.. I should upload photos of the disasters that remain where plants used to be. They've left our landscaping in ruins. In fact the only activity I see from Castle Breckenridge is when one of us leaves something on our porch thats not allowed. In which case this company is quite prompt in sending us a nasty letter. (My neighbor recieved a letter threatening with fines if they continued to throw cigarette butts out in front of their door... My neighbors dont even smoke.)\r Pros: No way Cons: liars, zero customer service, won even return calls EVER more

Karen Otter, our property manager from CBM, has been serving Doma HOA for about three years now. She is by far the best we've had. CBM has been a decent partner in serving our needs. The problem is not with CBM, but with the industry. HOA property management companies have not yet figured out that they could charge more and provide a higher quality of service if they knew how to convey the value that they would bring with that higher price. If I had the time and energy, I'd fix the industry. But overall, with an active board, CBM is very good to us. Pros: Persistant in delivering good service to customers. Cons: Every property management company can improve more

In my opinion is that Castle Breckenridge Mgmt in La Mesa is the most frustrating company to work with. \r \r Our HOA has been using them for over a year now and it has been one nightmare after another. Mistakes are made, costly errors made, calls not returned, emails not acknowledged or responded to, etc. We had to change our assigned Association Mgr from Margie when she made costly and questionable errors and actions. the lastest Mgr DeWayne is slightly better when he ""is on it"". There is never an apology given nor responsibility taken.\r \r I would caution anyone that is thinking about using this company to think twice. I have many instances to share with you should you need them.\r \r This company was one of the main reasons why I ran for a position on the Board of Directors on our HOA. As a Board Director it is my goal to replace them with a company that has a much higher caliber of service and grateful to have our business. \r \r The comments I have made are my opinions resulting from direct interactons with this company and its representatives.\r Pros: Nice company letterhead Cons: Unprofessional, not timely responses, ""dont care"" attitude, more

I called CBM with the expectation of no one answering the phone and if they did, they would be completely rude. To my surprise, a pleasant who introduced herself as Joyce listened to me patiently explain my problem and then directed my call to the appropriate person. I was transferred to Dorian, our property manager. He was also patient and courteous and quickly sent someone out to repair the roof leak in my unit. He called me two days later to double check and see everything was okay and to my satisfaction. I received another call from his assistant Marie a couple of days later to let me know if there was anything else they could help me with to give them a call...what teamwork!!! I am a happy homeowner in an association managed by CBM!!! I highly recommend them!!! Pros: Positive staff and amazing customer service more

I am v-p of a small self-managed HOA called La Contenta. Castle Management is in a consultive role to the board of directors and has offered useful information to formulate a delinquency policy, collection procedure, and late statements. This has assisted us in collecting dues in arrears and late fees! Also, they have offered a detailed proposal for the refurbishment of the exterior of two buildings which is currently being reviewed by the board. Pros: useful info more

This company is horrible!! We had a leak that was the property's fault and they did nothing about it!! The company said it was our fault and we had to take care of it. The plumer came out and even said it was the builders fault and HOA should take care of it! SCUMS!!! Cons: Liars more

I live at a condo managed by this company. My agent Chuck has never once asnwred when I have called, and never once returned a phone call. All he does is ""buddy up"" to our HOA president who doesn't have a clue, and then treat he rest of us like jerks. He may be the most cocky customer service rep I have ever seen. He walks around our complex in his cowboy boots like he thinks he's the sheriff or something. \r \r He was also rude to my elderly neighbor who calls him a ""that lying politician""! He said he thought that ""Chuck was full of sh*t"" as soon as he met him""\r \r If this company thinks he is a good employee then this company is not on that I would recommend. more

My wife and I own a condo managed by this company. Our ""representative"" is ""Chuck""....We left 5 messages for him over the course of three weeks and he never called us back even once? I asked the girl who answers the phones ""if he was on vacation"" and the answer was ""no""? We left polite, detailed messages explaining who we were, what unit we lived in etc..etc....Our HOA dues are paid ahead of time! How come no return phone call? Somehow I bet ""Chuck"" would call us if we were late on our payments. \r \r Anyway, long story short is; we finally had enough....I called him on the ""Emergency number"" figuring that no one else can get his attention? He became very mad at me, talked down to me, threatened to fine me, and hung up on me? When we asked him about this at our HOA meeting he got angry and accused us of making it up?\r \r This guy has some serious issues beyond being a lousy customer service rep. I can not even believe he is still employed there? If my wife or I behaved like him at our jobs we would have been fired on the spot? Maybe his uncle owns the place or something because he is not effective or even normal? more

I am a new homeowner and CBM has motivated me to join the board and vote to switch management immediately. My first communication was with Margie. She has a horrible attitude and needed to be reminded my dues pay her salary. As a property manager myself I would never talk to a customer the way she talked to me. She is the reason most people dislike property managers. All I wanted to know was which parking space was mine and what was my post box number. After all I did purchase one with the condo. They are slow to respond to repairs that actually cost causes more damage and more money spent. The qulaity of thie vendors are questionable as well. Search for a better company if you have a choice. Pros: Local Cons: lousy customer service and industry knowledge more

Our condo complex is fairly new, so we haven't had too many problems. However, the few we have encountered have been solved with the help of CBM. Their agents have always been courteous and helpful. They usually get back quickly to the members of the board or to individuals who may call them. People should remember that in an HOA with 54 units, there will always be someone who is dissatisfied among the ones who have been helped and are happy with CBM's service. In general, CBM has done well for our complex. Pros: friendly and helpful Cons: maybe a bit over-extended? more

Updated January 20, 2010: As a homeowner, who has seen several management companies come and go, I am very happy with Castle Breckenridge. When I need something done to my unit, it only takes one quick phone call to the property manager. If he is not in, I just leave a detailed message and the problem is taken care of. \r \r Several cases in point:\r This past December, a storm knocked over and damaged a beautiful bush in front of my unit. I made one call, left a message and the very next day the landscaping company fixed the bush.\r \r Recently my neighbor, and myself both had a similar plumbing problem. I made a quick phone call and the same day a plumber arrived on the scene and fixed everything. It was also a lot cheaper than if I had contacted a plumber on my own.\r \r Shortly after that, I was in need of pest control to spray around the outside of my unit. In less than 24 hours management had a pest control company show up and take care of the problem. They even offered to check in with me when they come back for their monthly visit at no charge. \r \r I must give credit where credit is due…all of these arrangements were taken care of by our Castle Breckenridge property manager. \r \r I ask you, if one phone call and a message, is all it takes, then what more could you ask for? If you want a good property management company give them a call and try them out for yourself. I am thankful that we have them. Thank you Castle Breckenridge.\r Pros: Very responsive to the needs of the homeowners more

My previous experiences with this firm have been unusually bad to say the least. \r \r That all changed today with my transaction with Jenny Ferraris. \r \r She was polite, prompt, accurate, personable and enthusiastic. It made my day to find out that she is our new representative. I am so happy that she is on our account now!!\r \r Thanks, K. MacGregor more

I have called CBM a half a dozen times to tell them I'm not recieving my HOA bill in the mail.. no reply. This is in response to a voicemail I recieved saying that I was two months behind on my HOA dues. \r \r In a separate story, my downstairs neighbor continues to get letters from CBM threatening to fine him if he doesnt stop throwing his cigarette butts into the adjacent alley... He doesn't smoke. \r \r I think these guys are on their way to serious trouble if they dont fix their game. Pros: ??? Cons: terrible communication, no service, no concern more

As a HOA board member and current president I highly recommend CBM. After an unsuccessful and unpleasant experience with another management company we have found a good match. Karen Otter has given us excellent personal service. I get prompt replies to all correspondence and immediate action for my requests. \r \r more

I am an HOA president and have been for almost ten years. We have been\r with CBM for all that time. I can honestly state that CBM is a very responsive\r management firm. They have great integrity and excellent resources. All\r calls are promptly returned. Their knowledge of HOA law is extensive.\r We are in the midst of a CCR review and CBM is guiding us with professionlism.\r I have recommended CBM to many other homeowner associations and will\r continue toi do so. I think they are the best in the business ofl what they do.\r Rod Smith Pros: Outstanding service in all respects Cons: none noted more

I just finished speaking with this arrogant property manager who didn't even try to hear my story. He started off talking how my call can never be considered an emergency, that it'll cost the management $50 for calls like mine and the complain of my tenant is purely mental incapacity and is not their problem. Out of the five-minute phone call, I probably spoken a few words. He did all the talking and made me feel like an idiot. He berated me like a kid when I am an owner who pays dues on time every month. This management really is awful in customer service and performance. The property's landscaping is terrible which is an exact picture of their service. Beware of this guy, Chuck, he's not person to go to when you need help...he's just there to talk and ruin your day. Cons: Lousy customer service, insensitive staff more

I will keep this short, because I know that if I go off this review will be deleted..... but let me tell you that this company is a scam and is out for your money. They don't care if you are thrown out in the street with your family and no where to go. They don't care if you are on a fixed income and elderly. What is this world coming to.. Where is the compassion and morals that used to be important? I hope this company gets a big law suit and ends up on the street. (Maybe then they can learn some important lessons in humanity. more

Can't get a return phone call and when you get someone on the phone after numerous calls, they make promises they don't keep... If they manage your HOA, go straight to your Association Board... You will never get anywhere with these losers, and god forbid there is damage to your property, forget about them doing anything to help you... Make sure you have good insurance... They will fight you all the way... Cons: They do nothing well!!! more

This is 1 of those really bad companies that i really hope for the good faith of homeowners would never have to deal with, their HOA fees are out of your mind you have not idea how much money we pay every month for our apt, the facilities are dirty all the time, the landscaping is really poor mantanice, pools and laundry rooms with poor cleaning services, if you have a problem in your complex these people will never take action inmediatly, and besides all the bad service they provide the home owners with if you are late omly 1 day in your HOA fee they have the guts tho sent you letters to remaind you that you are late and they will charge for these letter as well, so you eill be paying a late ffee, a letter remainding that you were late fee this companie was reported to the Better BB because waht they do is not rigth at alll. Pros: BAD bad bad bad bad Cons: bad bad bad bad more