Financial News

Are you a financial news junkie like me? This is where you can find my take on real estate as an investment, mortgage info, sales info, and rental info in Santa Cruz County and across the country. I will share practical financial advice for managing rental properties such as budgeting, getting bids for large projects, hiring professionals versus doing it yourself. Don’t be a penny wise, a pound foolish. Get savvy financially.

9/11 how does it relate to managing rentals?

September 21, 2011

We just observed the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. The take away for me was the reminder of how precious life is and the fact that our lives as we know it can be turned upside down in an instant.  So how does that impact owning rentals? We need to be prepared.  Once you own real [...]

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Successful Landlording Cabrillo College Class

March 7, 2010

Successful Landlording Twice a year I co-teach this class with Karen Calcagno, Linda Murphy and this year with Paige White through the Cabrillo College Community Extension program. Yesterday, March 6th, was a full day with 15 attendees.  I am so pleased to find investment property owners willing to educate themselves about the process, and their [...]

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Property Management from A-Z: J

February 22, 2010

Jaded, Job & Judge Jaded – I see long time property owners who get to a point where they are jaded about tenants and being a property manager.  This ultimately comes about because they, the owners, don’t have procedures in place so every interaction with their tenants is a new and taxing experience.  This is [...]

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What Does the Medical Health Care Plan have to do with Rentals?

January 19, 2010

Starting in 2011 all property owners will be required to issue 1099’s to companies (including property management, HOA, utility company, home depot etc) for expenses over $600 in the given year.  Up until now this has only applied to non-corporate entities.  Example your landscaper is a one man business or your house cleaner are two [...]

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Home Retention Workshop January 21st

January 16, 2010

Is your home worth less than you owe? Are you headed toward foreclosure?  It’s not too late…you still have options. Take control and get the answers you need to keep your home and avoid foreclosure.  This workshop is being presented by local experts:  Mortgage Banker, CPA, Realtor & Home Retention Consultant Date:  January 21, 2010 [...]

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Renters Turn into Buyers – Yes it is True!

August 19, 2009

Summer is always a busy month for property managers and DIYers. However, this year some things have been different. In the month of June I had 5 tenants give notice and it was because they had become First Time Home Buyers – Yeah for them. Finally, prices have come down enough in Santa Cruz County [...]

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Apartment Vacancy Rate Hits 22-Year High

July 22, 2009

I reposted this article because I think it is informative about the current rental situation. The good news is that Santa Cruz is somewhat shielded from the huge drops and extended vacancies. Santa Cruz is more of a single family and small complex community. However, I have seen rents dropping and applicants are really shopping [...]

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CALNARPM – Why You Should Care?

May 9, 2009

CALNARPM stands for California Chapter of the National Association of Residential Property Managers. I am the President of the Monterey California Chapter and the VP of the California State Chapter. I just attended our annual California Conference last week – April 20-23, 2009 in Burlingame, California. Anyone that is a property manager can attend the [...]

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