Checking Credentials for Home Improvement Projects

Many people in the real estate business have heard horror stories about home-improvement projects gone awry, made worse when the company hired was not insured and the homeowner was left to foot the bill. Here’s the type of scenario I’m talking about. Imagine Heather the Homeowner hires a contractor to complete a small home renovation. … Read more


The Housing Market is Doing Fine

I was at a seminar recently and the speaker, a respected economist, made me feel way better about the economy. Traditionally in America, we’ve faced an economic recession about every seven years, so by that measure, we’re overdue for a downturn. However, if you look at economic indicators, this speaker made a solid argument for … Read more


Proposition 65 – A Good Idea Run Amok

On July 1, 2019, updates to the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65) went into effect, requiring landlords to adhere to new safe harbor warnings for California residential property. Safe harbor provisions are those that define actions that should prevent you from running afoul of a given law. I’ll get … Read more


Prepare for Days-Long Interruptions in Electricity

Many of us can hardly imagine going a full week without electricity, but that is precisely what Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) is telling us to prepare for. In the wake of devastating wildfire seasons, PG&E has warned local residents that if weather conditions meet certain criteria, PG&E will shut off power to the electrical … Read more


Landlord-Tenant Issues – Who’s Right? Part IV

Landlords and tenants often see things from very different perspectives. Our property management service has dealt with all sorts of disagreements. Sometimes the landlords are right. Sometimes the tenants are right. Here are a few interesting cases. What Happens to the Lease Once the Property Sells? Imagine you own an investment property, a single-family home … Read more


Landlord-Tenant Issues – Who’s Right? Part III

After 45 years as a property manager, I’ve collected quite a few stories about what can happen when you rent your property to others—and some wisdom about what to expect. If you own a rental property, or are thinking about it, here are some things to consider. Raising the Rent Let’s say you find out … Read more


Landlord-Tenant Issues – Who’s Right? Part II

Having been in the property management business for more than 45 years, I’ve seen all sorts of strange things and I’ve learned some interesting tidbits along the way. If you own a rental property, or are thinking about it, here are some things to consider. Normal Wear and Tear As a landlord, I expect normal … Read more


Landlord-Tenant Issues – Who’s Right? Part I

As I’ve said before, landlords and tenants often see things from very different perspectives. Having been in the property management business for decades, I have seen all sorts of crazy things. Sometimes the landlords are right. Sometimes the tenants are right. Many times, it comes down to the details of the lease agreement. Even though … Read more