Magazine Articles

Perhaps the most important precursor to signing a lease agreement is the proper completion of a property condition checklist PRIOR to your tenant’s move-in.  The checklist is required to document the property’s condition, without which a rental owner [may have a difficult time] legally collecting or withholding any deposit money from the tenant.

Every year, about 60 days out from year end, I ask if people are planning to move in the upcoming year. This year only one said yes (he’s leaving the Coast Guard and moving home.) I had his space rented more than 60 days before his lease is up, so that was good! And this…

Small property owners of San Francisco Institute and local property owners have prevailed in opposing the second effort by San Francisco to substantially increase Ellis Act relocation payments.

Here’s a statement you don’t hear too often – “Wow … my landlord gave me a gift this holiday season!” Sending/giving holiday gifts once a year to your tenants (customers) promotes good will, lets them know you appreciate them, can turn bad tenants into better ones and makes it a little easier for them to…

All of our thoughts turn to family during the Holiday season even more than the rest of the year.  That makes this a great time to consider whether the Estate Plan you have for your family is still “up to code.” No “inspector” will drop by unannounced to see if your

The following true story highlights how tenants can take advantage of a generous landlord and the procedural nightmares that can come into play when attempting to regain possession of rental property.  A discussion the procedural history follows. (Keep in mind that the article was written with Texas law in mind.  The time periods referenced for…

In 2015, more households were formed as the share of buyers who previously lived with their parents increased to 12%, according to the California Association of Realtors®’ “2015 Survey of California Home Buyers.”

This article is about a tenant’s right to exercise his or her religion vs. a landlord’s property rights. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

By now everyone reading this knows that the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) decided to leave the Fed Funds rate unchanged at 0.00%-0.25%. That decision probably means the key interest rate won’t be raised until the Fed’s December policy meeting, or maybe not until sometime next year. As I discussed The Fed is concerned that…

Conventional wisdom says buy as many rental units as possible. After all it’s good for your financial future and great for your ego. Collecting rentals is a well-worn path to financial freedom, but more needs to be said about profitability. Placing an emphasis on profitability is a must.  Try to double the profitability of your…