Cost segregation studies are a very effective way to generate savings when buying investment property. They should be considered by every real estate investor on every transaction. When optimized, they can increase cash flows, reduce tax liability, and uncover missed deductions. What is a Cost Segregation Study? A cost segregation study (CSS) is an engineering/accounting…
One Nevada landlord and property manager have settled with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) after they refused to rent to a tenant with a disability who had a dog as an assistance animal, according to a release. The landlord and property manager agreed to pay $6,500 to resolve allegations of discrimination brought…
Over the years, multi-family developers have come to recognize the importance of strong in-building Wi-Fi and cellular data systems to be on par with other critical utilities. It’s a modest exaggeration to say that a powerful signal is nearly as important to building residents and staff as water and electricity. In fact, we are living…
Below are questions asked by rental property owners regarding California rent control laws followed by answers provided by eviction attorney, Dennis Block. Question One: I leased a condominium to a tenant less than a year ago. I have learned that the tenant has advertised the unit through apartments.com and is subletting the unit to other people. The…
Changing the Terms of a Tenancy Under California Law, if you are increasing rent 10% or less, a 30-Day Change of Terms of Tenancy is required to be served on your tenant. If you are increasing the rent 10% or more, a 90-day notice is required. In California, there exists an “Anti-Gouging” statute, Penal Code…
The power of preventive maintenance is woefully underestimated. The act of changing an air filter is probably as unglamorous and unrecognized as any task that our team faces on a daily basis. Have you ever received a comment card that stated, “Tom changed my air filter today – he’s my hero!” Yet, this simple service – installing…
Houston, Texas is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the entire United States. With its continually developing industrial bases in energy, manufacturing, aeronautics, and transportation, including being home to the headquarters of more than 25 Fortune 500 companies, the city attracts more than 100,000 new residents annually. What Makes Houston Different? What makes…
Wealth has often accompanied marginal product improvements. The story of oil lamps has been around for a long time partially because it illustrates how small improvements can be cumulative, with each step enlarging the market, and significant wealth accruing to the people who fit the last small upgrade. Night Work – People have tried to…
In a recent newsletter from the Housing Rights Center, it was noted that steps are being taken to curtail the rising discrimination in housing. Below are some of their plans and things of which you should be aware. More “Testers” to Come In their Spring newsletter, there is an advertisement seeking “testers” for Los Angeles…
A recent column was headlined “Inflation, The Cruelest Tax.” Well, if inflation is the cruelest tax, then inflation’s impact on gasoline, combined with the nation’s highest tax, can only be characterized as “cruel and unusual punishment.” In addition to inflation and taxes, other government policies related to petroleum are counterproductive. These include regulatory burdens and…