santa cruz ca

What to do when things go wrong?

September 15, 2011

Every landlord has had something go wrong with their tenant, the rental, a vendor the list goes on.  How you handle the issue will reveal what kind of landlord you are or the type of business you operate.  I will share with you a recent experience and how I handled it. I offer placement services [...]

Read the full article →

Wear & Tear Versus Damages – Quiz Answers

February 9, 2011

Try this quiz: Wear & Tear (W&T) or Damages (D) Furniture scratches on wall Crayon drawings on wall Picture hook hole in wall Molly bolt hole in wall Hole in wall from doorknob Dent in wall from doorknob Mildew caulking in tub or around sinks Dead light bulbs Worn carpet at front door Stains all [...]

Read the full article →

Wear & Tear Versus Damages – Take the Quiz

February 2, 2011

Security Deposits are always a topic for heated discussion.  What is wear and tear versus damage?  Leaving a house dirty is not wear and tear.  It is dirty and cleaning can be deducted from deposit.  Security deposits aren’t to be used for last month rent because you may not have enough money left to cover [...]

Read the full article →

Don’t Know Where to Turn – Call 211

January 26, 2011

In this difficult economic time (Santa Cruz County Unemployment is around 10%) many are looking to their community for help.  Santa Cruz and Monterey offer a one stop shopping place to help people looking for services who don’t know where to start.  Call 211.  This is an information number that will direct you to the [...]

Read the full article →

Business Systems – Tips & Tricks

January 12, 2011

1/12/2011 When I teach classes I am always telling the attendees that managing a rental property is a business and needs to be treated as such.  Here are a few tips: Have a filing system – any system will work Current tenant files should include:  application, credit report, emergency contact info, copy of renters insurance [...]

Read the full article →

Landlording Made Easy – Really?

January 5, 2011

 I teach a regular weekend class at Cabrillo Community College in Aptos CA.  The next class is scheduled for Saturday February 26, 2011 from 9:00am-1:00pm.  For those of you who want to manage property yourself, or have inherited property and are trying to decide if to sell or keep and manage this is the class [...]

Read the full article →

Fire! Fire! What To Do When You Get That Call

December 29, 2010

I just had a fire in one of my rental homes and thankfully the tenant had renters insurance.  Moreover, we had a copy of the owners insurance and were able to get in touch with the insurance company on behalf of the owner.  It is important that you are listed as additionally insured on the [...]

Read the full article →

Show Appreciation

December 22, 2010

I like to show appreciation to my employees, vendors, owners of property I manage and tenants.  It doesn’t need to cost a lot of money.  Here are a few tips that have worked for me.  What has worked for you?  Please share. Thanksgiving note to employees thanking them for being on my team with gift [...]

Read the full article →

← Previous Entries