Knowledge Base
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Oct 3, 2023East Bay Rental Market
Is a Property Manager Worth It? DIY vs Hiring, Honestly
Some owners should self-manage; many should not. The honest math on DIY vs hiring a property manager in California: hours, vacancy, pricing accuracy, and what management really costs.
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Jul 28, 2023California Rental Law
California Homeowners Face Insurance Crisis as Major Companies Pull Out
Insurance companies are increasingly pulling out of California for new fire insurance policies, citing the state’s high risk of wildfires. This could significantly impact the local economy, as homeowners and businesses will have to find alternative ways to protect themselves from financial loss. What does this mean for the local economy? The loss of insurance
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Jul 28, 2023Maintenance & Property Care
Section 8 in California: A Housing Provider's Guide to Vouchers
How the Housing Choice Voucher program actually works for California housing providers: the 2020 source of income rules, inspections, guaranteed subsidy payments, and running voucher tenancies well in Contra Costa County.
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Mar 21, 2023Maintenance & Property Care
Property Condition Assessment Near Me
As a property owner, ensuring that your property is in good condition is crucial. It not only helps to maintain the value of your property but also ensures the safety of its occupants. A Property Condition Assessment (PCA) is an important step in assessing the condition of your property.When it comes to finding a PCA
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Mar 2, 2023Maintenance & Property Care
Why Completing a Rental Property Analysis is Critical for Housing Providers
If you own a rental property, you know that managing it can be challenging at times. From finding and screening tenants to maintaining the property and dealing with unexpected repairs, being a housing provider requires significant time and effort. But even with all the hard work you put into your rental property, it may generate
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Feb 17, 2023California Rental Law
What Is California's AB 1482? A 2026 Guide for Housing Providers
California is known for having some of the strictest tenant protection laws in the country, and the California Tenant Protection Act (AB-1482) is no exception. This law, which went into effect on January 1, 2020, limits the amount landlords can raise rents and imposes restrictions on when housing providers can evict tenants for specific reasons….
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Feb 17, 2023East Bay Rental Market
Housing Providers (Landlords): Living Trust vs. L.L.C.
If you own a rental home in Pittsburg, Antioch, Oakley, Brentwood, Concord, Walnut Creek, or elsewhere in Contra Costa County, one question may come up as your rental becomes a bigger part of your financial life: Should I hold my rental property in a living trust, an LLC, or something else? It is an important
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Aug 17, 2022Maintenance & Property Care
Routine home maintenance prevents more significant issues later on
Routine home maintenance prevents more significant issues later on. It is essential to take care of minor problems before they become big problems. The best way to maintain your house is to conduct a condition assessment regularly. You also want to have a plan if unforeseen circumstances arise. Regularly changing the air filter, checking your
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Aug 10, 2022Maintenance & Property Care
A vacant rental with continuous break-ins, what’s an owner to do?
A self-managing housing provider named Jennifer came to my office a few years ago. She was frustrated that she couldn’t keep good tenant’s in her rental property. Her rental had been vacant for a few months, and her reserves were dwindling; she needed to get new tenants to lease the property ASAP before she ran
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Aug 1, 2022Maintenance & Property Care
The day my tenant started a fire
Accidents can happen in any rental home. Recently, one of our tenants was frying food when a small kitchen fire quickly escalated. Thanks to fast emergency response and our proactive property management approach, what could have been a disaster was contained and resolved with minimal damage. Immediate Response Matters The apartment building’s owner had hired
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May 7, 2022Maintenance & Property Care
A Renter's Guide: Insurance, Maintenance, and Your Lease in East Contra Costa
Are you covered? Did you know that homeowners’ insurance only covers the dwelling and not your personal property? If you haven’t already done so, reach out to a local insurance agent to discuss the importance of renters’ insurance. Got Maintenance? Your lease should cover what maintenance services are the owners responsibly and what are yours
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Apr 29, 2022Maintenance & Property Care
Should you have your Pittsburg, CA home inspected prior to listing?
When it comes to selling your Pittsburg home, first impressions matter, and so does buyer confidence. One way sellers are gaining an edge in today’s competitive market is by ordering a pre-listing home inspection. While not required, it can make the selling process smoother, faster, and often more profitable. What Is a Pre-Listing Inspection?
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