Understanding Fair Housing Laws – What Landlords Need to Know
When the U.S. Congress passed the Fair Housing Act in 1968, it protected individuals and families from discriminatory or deceptive practices by those renting or selling residential properties. An amendment in 1988 further defined protected classes covered by the law, including race, religion, sex, disability, and family status. While the legislation is well-intended, it can... Read More →
How to Increase Your Rental Property’s ROI
As a rental property owner in San Jose or elsewhere in Santa Clara County, you likely have one primary goal in mind: to maximize your return on investment (ROI). After all, you’ve invested a significant amount of money into your property, and you want to ensure you’re seeing a positive return on that investment. Fortunately,... Read More →
Rental Property Trends in San Jose and Santa Clara County
Rising mortgage interest rates throughout 2022, combined with some economic uncertainty, helped finally cool the blazing-hot residential housing markets nationwide. Even in a seller’s market such as San Jose, home sales prices flattened at least a bit. What didn’t cool off were the rental markets in most areas of San Jose and Santa Clara County.... Read More →
What Fees Do Property Managers Charge?
Owning rental properties is a way to generate recurring, consistent income in the form of rent. And, in most areas, the market value of real estate consistently rises. However, as solid an investment as rental real estate is, it is not a passive investment. From single-family homes to apartment buildings with hundreds of units, every... Read More →
How Should a Property Manager Handle Tenant and Owner Funds?
Investing in a rental property can be a great way to generate consistent recurring income, but it’s not an entirely passive investment. Any rental property requires management. When you think about managing a rental property, you might think about maintaining the property and handling tenant relationships. But there’s also the matter of finances and bookkeeping.... Read More →
Tips on How to Avoid Renting to Problem Tenants
Owning a rental property can be a great investment, a source of consistent recurring income without you having to physically be there most of the time. Unlike a job, a rental property makes money while you’re on vacation, while you’re sleeping, and while you’re doing whatever else it is that you do. However, one of... Read More →
Costly Landlord Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Owning a rental property can be a great way to generate recurring income and gain equity value over time. Real estate investors know that it’s often a very profitable venture when it’s done the right way. They also know that it’s not a 100-percent passive investment. Any rental property, big or small, requires management. For... Read More →
Should I Rent My Home if I Move Away?
Whether it’s for a new job or to be closer to family – whatever the reason – relocating to a new city can be exciting. It can signal a fresh start, a career boost, or returning to a familiar place. What’s not as exciting is the decision about what to do if you currently own... Read More →
Should You Rent Property to Pet Owners?
It’s estimated that about 85 million United States households own some type of pet, about two-thirds of all households. It’s also estimated that about one-third of all U.S. households are renters. Logic follows, then, that these two categories likely significantly intersect. Plenty of renters are also pet owners. The cross-section of pet owners and renters... Read More →
Tips for Choosing the Right Property Manager for Your Rental
Investing in a rental property can be a lucrative venture, but if you manage it yourself it can become a part-time job. Maintaining the property, attracting and screening tenants, and handling the collection of rent are all responsibilities that can’t be ignored and require time. The time involved in managing a rental property is a... Read More →
