Why Smart Meters Are Not Smart For You! by Ellen and Tobie Cecil Introduction to Smart Meters As Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) in Northern California along with Southern California Edison (SCE) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) in Southern California roll out a combined total of 11.7 million new electric and 10.6 new,…
Turn Your Dreams in to Your Goals by Ernest F. Oriente, The Coach On February 9, 1996 I was fired for personal reasons from an executive position with a large sales organization within the multifamily industry. For some, this day would be considered the day a large door was slammed shut. Instead, I will always…
Working with Residents During Tenancy: What You May Not Have Considered By Julie Johnson There are many different scenarios that can happen during tenancy. Here are a few with tips on how you may want to consider handling them. Making Exceptions If you need to make an exception when implementing the rules, make sure you…
The New Estate and Gift Tax Act By Jeff Reed On December 17, 2010, the President signed into law the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 (Act), revising the income, estate, generationskipping transfer (GST) and gift taxes for 2010, 2011 and 2012. For 2010, the Act retroactively imposed an estate…
Home vs. Business Expenses and Tax Deductions for Landlords From Completelandlord.com No matter what anybody tells you, you cannot deduct personal, living or family expenses as business expenses. The IRS is committed to keeping your business expenses separate, despite a rise in fraudulent home-based business tax schemes. The IRS noted that the following examples are…
Apartment Insurance Costs Increase for the First Time in Four Years By the National Multi Housing Council The cost to insure apartments rose slightly in 2011, the first time in four years, according to the National Multi Housing Council’s annual Apartment Cost of Risk Survey (ACORS). The survey, which is based on data covering 750,000…
Failure of Leadership in the Rent Stabilization Revision By Michael Millman, Esq. Below is an open letter sent to Mayor Villaraigosa. Dear Mayor Villaraigosa: Approximately six years ago, the L.A. City Council arranged for the Economic Round Table Group to investigate the feasibility of continuing with rent control within the City. The Council allocated $1,000,000…
The Tax Planning Countdown to 2013 Starts Now! By Cliff Hockley As we begin 2012, all real estate investors need to pay very close attention to the ever changing tax landscape. Particular attention needs to be paid to the significant tax increases slated to occur in 2013. Investors considering whether or not to sell and…
Is Your Fire Protection System in Compliance With the Fire Department or Your Insurance Company? By CV Fire Protection, Inc. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requires that all fire protection systems be inspected, tested and maintained periodically in order to ensure a reasonable degree of protection of life and property from fire. It is…
The American Dream Redefined “ An Opportunity for Landlords! By Drew DeMasters New government data in January 2012 showed that America is more and more becoming a nation of renters. The Commerce Department reported that just 66% of U.S.homes was occupied by their owners in the fourth quarter of 2011. That’s the lowest level of…