Blog written for out of state CA property owners, originally intended as an email newsletter.
Making the Decision to Sell The reasons why a property owner may decide to sell a rental property include: wanting to buy a different investment, cashing in on the appreciation of a rental property rather than accumulating money through rent, minimizing the cost of a property that is losing money, or feeling fed up with…
How to Estimate the Current Value of your Property Perhaps you are considering selling your property, but want to do so at the right time to get the best price. Even if you decide that you are not ready to sell now, it’s good to do an annual check to see how the property values…
Bears and Earthquakes and Rent Control, Oh My! Earthquake Preparedness An earthquake is the sudden, rapid shaking of the earth, caused by the release of sudden and extreme energy due to the shifting in the Earth’s crust. Earthquakes in populated areas may cause extensive property damage. If your property is located in a mountainous area,…
California is the land of dreams, from Hollywood to Silicon Valley. But for landlords, sometimes its a different story. California Vastness California’s coastline stretches over 1,000 miles, and the state population exceeds 38 million. Whether you prefer owning property near the shoreline, on flatland, or in the mountains, or whether you prefer to own in…
The Eviction Process Eviction…you didn’t want it to come to this. But sometimes, there is no other way. If you find yourself in this position, follow these guidelines: Step 1 – Written Notice In order to start the eviction process, the landlord must first give the tenant written notice. There are 5 types of notices…
Resolving Disputes You would be unrealistic to assume that renting nice property to an accomplished, responsible tenant will result in a problem-free rental period. Potential tenant problems may involve: Disputes among multiple tenants or with other neighbors Rental payments routinely paid after the due date (or not at all) Additional residents and/or pets added subsequently…
Rent payments are cash flow. Any interruption of that income stream could have dire consequences. The good news is, you can take some simple steps to protect yourself. Always include a clause in your rental agreement clearly noting the monetary penalty amount applied if rent is not paid by the noted due date; Always apply…
Don’t let yourself get swallowed up in the financial details of property management. Follow these guidelines to maximize your income potential and minimize your tax bill. Embrace Your Inner Geek Landlord Ther are many effective and inexpensive online bookkeeping applications, such as Quickbooks, Freshbooks, and Xero, as well as specialty apps such as DIY Landlord…
California law limits you to asking a maximum of two months’ rent if the apartment is unfurnished. If the apartment is furnished, however, you can request up to three months’ rent. While there are certain security deposit rules that govern the state of California as a whole, the city or the city or county in…
Sellers of real property must disclose known defects and deficiencies in the property—including earthquake weaknesses and hazards—to prospective buyers in accordance with Civil Code, Section 1102. The California Seismic Safety Commission has developed the following 2 earthquake guides: Homeowner’s Guide to Earthquake Safety and Commercial Property Owner’s Guide to Earthquake Safety The guides include information…