by Marcel Ford | Mar 26, 2021 | Uncategorized
92% of American properties are owned by individual investors. If you’re among them, or hoping to join their ranks soon, you undoubtedly want to know how to be a good landlord. A day in the life of a landlord sounds great, and it certainly can be, but it also...
by Marcel Ford | Mar 26, 2021 | Uncategorized
It’s entertaining to browse funny stories online about mistakes landlords make, but it’s no laughing matter if you’re the one who is the butt of the joke. The truth is that there are many things you cannot legally do as a landlord. Other mistakes may...
by Marcel Ford | Mar 26, 2021 | Uncategorized
Criminals can be our friends, co-workers, and neighbors. In fact, one in three adults has a criminal record. These people face discrimination everywhere, including in the housing space. Many landlords and supervisors are reluctant to extend housing opportunities to...
by Marcel Ford | Mar 26, 2021 | Uncategorized
Marijuana is rapidly becoming an acceptable drug throughout the United States. Each year, more states are changing their laws legalizing the use and sale of marijuana. Marijuana is incredibly versatile, allowing users to smoke or consume it as an edible. While...
by Marcel Ford | Feb 28, 2021 | Uncategorized
The Federal Fair Housing Act has a few rules for landlords when it comes to dealing with applicants with a criminal past. The Pros Justifiable policies enforced consistently protects landlords Landlords have opportunities to prove their cases Applicants with...
by Marcel Ford | Feb 17, 2021 | Uncategorized
Are you a property manager? Do you fear what the winter weather could do to your rental properties? If so, now is as good of a time as any to start taking action. We’re deep in the throes of winter, after all. Winter-related abuse is likely already taking place....
by Marcel Ford | Feb 17, 2021 | Uncategorized
The property management industry is worth over $11.70 billion and is expected to reach $23.26 billion by 2026. Purchasing a property is a major investment, and these professionals help protect it. Qualified property managers make life easier for landlords. They handle...
by Marcel Ford | Feb 17, 2021 | Uncategorized
The life of a landlord certainly isn’t easy. From maintenance emergencies to tenant disputes, there’s rarely time to relax. The good news? During tax season, all that hard work might just pay off, literally. April 15th is right around the corner, which...
by Marcel Ford | Feb 17, 2021 | Uncategorized
Homeowners associations (commonly referred to as HOAs) have been around since the mid-1800s and grown in popularity in the last few decades. What exactly is an HOA? On the surface, HOAs are fairly straight forward. An HOA consists of a body of elected representatives...
by Marcel Ford | Feb 9, 2021 | Uncategorized
The dreaded demand letter is a letter that can simultaneously be worryingly serious and frustratingly frivolous. Demand letters generally tend to be issued by a disgruntled former or current tenant or by someone who was injured on your property. This article shares...
by Marcel Ford | Feb 9, 2021 | Uncategorized
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s) have been known by many names such as granny flats, in-law units, backyard cottages, and secondary units. No matter what you call them, ADU’s are an innovative, affordable, and effective option for adding housing while...
by Marcel Ford | Feb 9, 2021 | Uncategorized
Proposition 19 was passed and as part of the measure, children who inherit their parents’ houses will no longer receive a property tax break if they intend to keep it as a second home or rent it out. This has a serious effect on the traditional parent-child exemption...
by Marcel Ford | Jan 13, 2021 | Uncategorized
There are around 10 million taxpayers in the United States receiving rental income. With an average of two units per landlord, these small entrepreneurs can’t all be sophisticated property managers. They need simple guidance on issues such as emergency and...
by Marcel Ford | Jan 13, 2021 | Uncategorized
While finding potential renters across most cities in America has generally not been difficult over the past few years, finding the right kind of tenants is often a struggle. Problem tenants cost landlords hundreds or even thousands of dollars in fees, legal costs,...
by Marcel Ford | Jan 13, 2021 | Uncategorized
Sometimes, even the best-laid plans often go awry. If you are a landlord who has taken every precaution when finding tenants for your building, it can be disheartening when things go wrong. You might have done the most thorough background checks and interviewed every...
by Marcel Ford | Jan 13, 2021 | Uncategorized
Do you own or manage an apartment block? If you do, then you should be taking proactive steps to ensure a safe environment for your tenants to live in. In many areas, it is the owner of the property’s responsibility to make your complex safe. If you fail to meet the...
by Marcel Ford | Dec 19, 2020 | Uncategorized
These days, nearly everything is done online, and numerous industries are making the switch to providing online services. The convenience that comes with making payments or purchases no matter where you are, is second to none. That goes for rent too. If your property...
by Marcel Ford | Dec 19, 2020 | Uncategorized
Are you considering becoming a landlord? Being a landlord comes with its set of challenges, but the job can provide you a financial cushion. A day in the life of a landlord includes maintaining the units, collecting rents, and dealing with tenants. Unit maintenance is...
by Marcel Ford | Dec 19, 2020 | Uncategorized
In 2019, the New York Times reported that nearly 200,000 pets in America were registered emotional support animals. This number is up from just under 2,500 in 2011, marking an explosion in the reliance on animals to allegedly fulfill emotional needs. Being a landlord...
by Marcel Ford | Dec 19, 2020 | Uncategorized
As of October 2020, there were almost 7 million units sold. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, home buyers and property investors are still buying homes, and the market is booming. Are you one of these investors who recently bought a new property? Have you’ve had your...
by Marcel Ford | Dec 8, 2020 | forms
example-property-management-form...
by Marcel Ford | Dec 8, 2020 | Uncategorized
Accessory Dwelling Unit Basics Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s) have been known by many names such as granny flats, in-law units, backyard cottages, and secondary units. No matter what you call them, ADU’s are an innovative, affordable, and effective...
by Marcel Ford | Nov 16, 2020 | Uncategorized
The dreaded demand letter is a letter that can simultaneously be worryingly serious and frustratingly frivolous. In the area of residential rental real estate, demand letters generally tend to be issued by a disgruntled former or current tenant or by someone who was...
by Marcel Ford | Nov 13, 2020 | Uncategorized
The dreaded demand letter is a letter that can simultaneously be worryingly serious and frustratingly frivolous. In the area of residential rental real estate, demand letters generally tend to be issued by a disgruntled former or current tenant or by someone who was...
by Marcel Ford | Nov 11, 2020 | Uncategorized
One of the most important parts of becoming a landlord is deciding whether you want to use a month-to-month rental agreement or a residential lease that spans a longer term. With a long-term lease, you are typically committing for a year and with a month-to-month...
by Marcel Ford | Nov 9, 2020 | Uncategorized
In July of this year, searches for upscale homes spiked by close to 7.3%. This is one of the fastest growth rates in the housing sector in recent times, especially considering the ravaging effects of the COVID-19. Investment in rental property is among the...
by Marcel Ford | Nov 9, 2020 | Uncategorized
COVID-19 has had a tremendous impact on all people in a variety of scenarios. People in landlord and tenant relationships are no exception. A landlord might think that a COVID-19 liability waiver is a good idea, but is it legal? In premise, there is no definite answer...
by Marcel Ford | Nov 9, 2020 | Uncategorized
As a landlord, you are responsible to provide safe living conditions for your tenants. This includes making all repairs in a timely manner and conducting regular maintenance inspections. Even with your best efforts, there are still times when someone will slip and...
by Marcel Ford | Nov 9, 2020 | Uncategorized
In 2016, landlords evicted 41,178 people from California rental properties. If you’re a landlord, you might have evicted some people, too. Evictions are a regular yet frustrating part of owning rental properties. No matter how hard you try to find good tenants,...
by Marcel Ford | Oct 29, 2020 | Uncategorized
The bottom line is that the UD process is not what it used to be, and our previous strategies either no longer apply or no longer work. Courts were closed for anywhere from three months to eight months. Most of them are still working on clearing their backlogs. The...
by Marcel Ford | Oct 10, 2020 | Uncategorized
Are you looking to increase the value of your rental home? If you’re lucky enough, having property to rent can be a vital source of income. However, with so much competition on the market, it can be hard to stand out and get the value your rental home deserves....
by Marcel Ford | Oct 10, 2020 | Uncategorized
90% of landlords say they always run a credit and criminal background check on their prospective tenants. Poor credit is one of the legal reasons to reject a renter’s application. The renter background check helps ensure you’re getting the best tenants....
by Marcel Ford | Oct 10, 2020 | Uncategorized
COVID-19 has changed the lives of people around the world. It has also changed the way a lot of businesses operate. A lot of people have talked about how COVID-19 has hit certain businesses especially hard. People mention the hardships retail workers, nurses, and...
by Marcel Ford | Oct 10, 2020 | Uncategorized
It’s a tough time for renters and landlords. Many renters have lost their jobs due to the Coronavirus lockdown. Temporary holds on evictions have helped renters for a little while, but landlords, especially those with only a few properties, are hurting too....
by Marcel Ford | Oct 8, 2020 | Uncategorized
If you’ve lost your job or been laid off due to the Coronavirus, you might be worried about getting evicted. However, the Trump eviction moratorium may provide you with relief. President Trump’s rent relief moratorium is surprisingly aggressive. It’s a sweeping ban on...
by Marcel Ford | Oct 8, 2020 | Uncategorized
As landlords, you need to comply with housing regulations from the federal, state, and local governments. Upholding your legal responsibilities makes you an attractive landlord and prevents lawsuits that could destroy your investment. The Fair Housing Act (FHA) is a...
by Marcel Ford | Oct 8, 2020 | Uncategorized
At this point, 2020 looks like it just might be an unprofitable year for rental properties with all the taxes property owners have to face. This is not good news because investing in rental properties is about maximizing profits and enjoying passive income. However,...
by Marcel Ford | Oct 8, 2020 | Uncategorized
When searching for an apartment or house tenant, a benefits package can really attract quality customers. Not only do they provide value and service, but they can also reduce costs and keep properties maintained well in the long term. In addition to that, you can also...
by Marcel Ford | Sep 23, 2020 | Uncategorized
Let us look at seven ways collecting rent through online payment systems makes the lives of Orange County tenants and landlords easier. Online rent collection is simpleTenants of all ages prefer the convenience of paying online. Studies show that nearly half of older...
by Marcel Ford | Sep 16, 2020 | Uncategorized
Nationally, forty percent of all landlord references are bogus since applicants provide the phone number of their roommate, coworker or perhaps themselves posing as the landlord to ensure a great reference. There are even companies that renters can hire that will pose...
by Marcel Ford | Aug 22, 2020 | forms
example-owner-statement...
by Marcel Ford | Aug 20, 2020 | Uncategorized
Many landlords fear litigation when declining an applicant and thus may reluctantly approve the wrong one. The cost of vacancy is also a driving force that may cause a landlord to make a bad decision. Then there are the ‘professional renters” who ask scripted...
by Marcel Ford | Aug 5, 2020 | Uncategorized
There were more Americans living in rented accommodation in 2017 than at any point for the preceding 50 years. This level of use of rented accommodation makes lease agreements hugely important. Disputes between landlords and tenants are not uncommon, and they can get...
by Marcel Ford | Aug 5, 2020 | Uncategorized
The security deposit has long been the standard for how landlords are able to protect themselves from unreputable tenants. However, there’s a growing push to get rid of them altogether. If you own apartments or housing that you rent out to the general public, it...
by Marcel Ford | Aug 5, 2020 | Uncategorized
Every owner of a rental property wants to keep it as clean and livable as possible. One never knows when a current tenant will decide to leave, and it has to be shown again for potential new residents. The last thing a landlord wants to discover is damage from...
by Marcel Ford | Aug 5, 2020 | Uncategorized
Automation is one of the hottest topics for business owners. It seems like every industry is using automation to improve their work and satisfy their customers. You don’t need to work in the tech industry to be able to benefit from automation. Did you know that...
by Marcel Ford | Jul 13, 2020 | Uncategorized
What makes an apartment building feel like home? Is it the unit itself? Is it the building overall as well as the amenities? As it turns out, the modern-day tenant is searching for an apartment with a touch of both. It’s safe to say that apartments have come a...
by Marcel Ford | Jul 13, 2020 | Uncategorized
Safety is one of the most important attributes that people look for when moving into a new property. In fact, it’s become even more of a priority due to the COVID-19 outbreak. However, it’s not always obvious how you can improve your apartment security to...
by Marcel Ford | Jul 13, 2020 | Uncategorized
With nearly 4 billion people around the world using social media, it’s no surprise that it has become an essential part of our everyday communication. For Orange County landlords who want to communicate with tenants, it’s an invaluable resource. Social...
by Marcel Ford | Jul 13, 2020 | Uncategorized
Wildfires, mudslides, earthquakes, sinkholes and wildfires. These types of natural disasters leave billions of dollars in property damage in their wake every year according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. California is no stranger to most of...
by Marcel Ford | Jul 6, 2020 | Uncategorized
Being a property management professional can be an incredibly rewarding experience under the right conditions. Everyone needs a place to live that they feel comfortable and safe in, and a big part of your job is making sure that they have it. However, property...
by Marcel Ford | Jul 2, 2020 | Uncategorized
Landlords may create a “no pet” policy in their apartment or other community for a wide array of different reasons, all of which are perfectly understandable. Sometimes they feel like pets are too noisy and they want to create a quiet environment for...
by Marcel Ford | Jul 2, 2020 | Uncategorized
Being a landlord is an incredibly rewarding career choice, especially if you like working with people. Everyone needs a place to live and part of your job is to offer them the best home possible in any way that you can. If you want to make a positive, meaningful...
by Marcel Ford | Jun 16, 2020 | Uncategorized
As a landlord, you may not necessarily describe your business as “tech-based” – this despite the fact that you’re surrounded with the type of technology on a daily basis that helps you not only do your job more effectively, but that also helps...
by Marcel Ford | Jun 3, 2020 | Uncategorized
Malicious attackers now initiate a new cyberattack every 39 seconds, successfully attacking 81% of organizations. As a landlord in Orange County, you might wrongly assume you don’t need to concern yourself with cybersecurity. Remember that you work with...
by Marcel Ford | Jun 3, 2020 | Uncategorized
Finding a profitable rental property can go a long way towards building wealth, but being a landlord in Orange County also comes with its challenges. Not only will you need to keep up with repairs, deal with tenants, and navigate complex legal issues, but you also...
by Marcel Ford | Jun 3, 2020 | Uncategorized
How often do we see a tenant being taken to the Tribunal for legal discourse? All too often. However, landlords can be victims too, and it needs more awareness. When times get hard, tenants will sometimes look toward committing rental fraud in some shape or form. Of...
by Marcel Ford | Jun 3, 2020 | Uncategorized
With over 15% of Americans having no retirement savings, it’s never too early to start putting money away for the future. Don’t make life more difficult down the road. One of the most lucrative ways to generate revenue for retirement is by living off...
by Marcel Ford | Apr 22, 2020 | Uncategorized
As people quarantine in their homes, maintaining properties might seem like an unnecessary risk for everyone involved. Are you wondering what you can do for property maintenance? If you’re a property manager that owns one or several properties during this...
by Marcel Ford | Apr 22, 2020 | Uncategorized
Approximately 11% of all travelers have tried vacation rentals instead of hotels and resorts. As vacation rentals are becoming more popular, it’s important to ensure your property stands out. Otherwise, renters might choose to stay with one of your competitors...
by Marcel Ford | Apr 22, 2020 | Uncategorized
If you’re a new landlord, renting out space in your home, or just trying to step up your property rental game, you’re probably always looking for new ways to increase your tenancy and keep your properties and rental units full. There are more renters than...
by Marcel Ford | Apr 22, 2020 | Uncategorized
Did you know that 43 million households are filled with renters? Renting might not be new to them, but it could be new to you as a landlord. Getting new tenants in one of your rental properties is always exciting, but do you know how to properly greet and welcome them...
by Marcel Ford | Apr 9, 2020 | Uncategorized
On Monday April 6, 2020, the CA Judicial Council adopted an emergency rule which essentially prohibits all evictions as the residents can claim health and safety concerns. This rule does the following: 1. No courts in California may issue a summons on an unlawful...
by Marcel Ford | Apr 7, 2020 | Uncategorized
President Trump recently signed into law the Economic Relief Package as it relates to COVID-19. This relief package addresses many different aspects of our economy, with an entire section dedicated to addressing housing. Here’s what landlords need to know about the...
by Marcel Ford | Apr 2, 2020 | Uncategorized
On March 27, 2020, Governor Newsom passed a second Executive Order implementing additional eviction protections for tenants who are unable to pay their rent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This second order states that if an unlawful detainer action is filed...
by Marcel Ford | Feb 19, 2020 | forms
Inspection-Report-Example...
by Marcel Ford | Feb 17, 2020 | Uncategorized
Many landlords don’t feel comfortable when it’s time to raise rent. So, here are six simple ways that may help the uncomfortable process be a little more, well, comfortable. Remember, you’re a business firstAs friendly as you might be with your...
by Marcel Ford | Jan 22, 2020 | Uncategorized
California’s interest in Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) stems from the housing shortage. A new law effective January 1, 2020 streamlines the ADU approval process by requiring cities to approve applications within 60-days or it is considered automatically...
by Marcel Ford | Nov 19, 2019 | Uncategorized
It happens to every landlord at some point… a tenant moves out and they didn’t leave the property in the same spotless condition that you gave it to them in. So, you wonder what repairs and expenses can I deduct from their security deposit? California law...
by Marcel Ford | Nov 5, 2019 | Uncategorized
Most of us count ourselves among the 6 in 10 Americans who consider pets to be members of their families. Yet, sadly as many as 90% of pets in shelters were given up by owners who simply couldn’t find pet-friendly housing. Since 62% of Americans have at least one pet,...
by Marcel Ford | Sep 24, 2019 | Uncategorized
AB 1482 passed which limits statewide annual rent increases and puts in place just-cause eviction protections for tenants. The bill takes effect January 1, 2020, with a retroactive provision and will be in place for 10 years. Here’s a simple overview for...
by Marcel Ford | Sep 18, 2019 | Uncategorized
Many landlords hire freelancers or unlicensed contractors to work on their Orange County property management rental properties. Most of the time it works out just fine, but when things go south, as they often do, a nightmare may unfold. By hiring an inexperienced...
by Marcel Ford | Aug 27, 2019 | forms
Fees Other Management Companies...
by Marcel Ford | Aug 27, 2019 | forms
Residential-Lease...
by Marcel Ford | Aug 27, 2019 | forms
Property Management Agreement & Addendum ...
by Marcel Ford | Aug 20, 2019 | Uncategorized
Not all CPA’s are created equal. Some know medicine, manufacturing, or aerospace and may not know too much about real estate… Whether a landlord owns one or one hundred properties, it’s wise to talk to or retain a CPA that knows...
by Marcel Ford | Jul 17, 2019 | Uncategorized
Not all insurance policies are created equal, so it’s a good idea to talk with your insurance carrier upon renewal to ensure your policy is what you want it to be. Here’s a few topics to cover… 1. Property Protection Insurance policies for...
by Marcel Ford | Jun 18, 2019 | Library
As Orange County landlords, we want some amount of tenant stability; after all, tenant turnover is a cash flow killer. Very rarely do we allow tenants to break a lease without a very good reason, such as these that top the charts. Active or reserve militaryActive...
by Marcel Ford | Jun 5, 2019 | Library
Sounds like a good idea right… market early to rent early? Yet this is not always the case. Here’s some reasons why we don’t pre-show properties… Help… I can’t see! It’s kind of like selling a car; we need the fries gone,...
by Marcel Ford | Jun 1, 2019 | Library
Property management companies are routinely questioned by landlords about the cost of replacing smoke and CO detectors when they ‘appear’ perfectly fine. The life expectancy of smoke alarms is generally ten years and CO alarms are seven years in ideal, sanitary and...
by Marcel Ford | May 25, 2019 | Library
Most particularly, the more aware Orange County Property management companies are always looking to mitigate liability on every level – and there are many, many levels with tenants. One way to keep everyone out of a legal nightmare is to ensure the new tenants receive...
by Marcel Ford | Apr 5, 2019 | Library
Landlord and tenant rights are constantly changing and unfortunately California courts favor tenants. The current “money maker” for attorneys isn’t asbestos, lead or mold, it’s Emotional Support Animals – and landlords need to know what they can and cannot do in...
by Marcel Ford | Mar 20, 2019 | Library
Tenants love unscrupulous attorneys, the simplicity of small claims court in an ever growing tenant friendly state… Sometimes landlords feel like second class citizens and end up getting stuck with small claim or petty law suit judgements. So what can a landlord do to...
by Marcel Ford | Mar 20, 2019 | Library
Wondering why your house isn’t renting? Renters can see exaggerated or misleading language from a mile away. We’ve compiled a list of words that may be scaring your potential applicants away. Words to Avoid in Rental Listings are: Clean: This arouses suspicion–people...
by Marcel Ford | Feb 8, 2019 | Library
Struggling to fill a vacancy? Wondering what’s preventing you from finding the perfect tenant? Here are four “must dos” and one major “must not do.” Here are four must do’s: 1. Verify Market Rent Check comparable rentals in your neighborhood to make sure you’re...
by Marcel Ford | Jan 6, 2019 | Library
Location-location-location still reigns as the king for orange county rentals, but curb appeal is the close queen influencer on perception of value. So if want more potential tenants to apply for your rental property here are tips to improve a tenant’s first...
by Marcel Ford | Dec 15, 2018 | Library
If you’re a out of area landlord with rental property in Orange County, the last thing you want to do deal with is tenants, toilets, troubles and attorneys from afar. Here are just a few reasons why you may want to consider hiring or perhaps should hire (or at...
by Marcel Ford | Nov 15, 2018 | Library
It’s 2019 and landlords are seeing their “For Rent” perhaps signs up longer than anticipated. This is when we loves to show off our marketing, skills and leasing team to fill vacancies and maintain rent values to maximize the landlord’s income. But not all...
