House Hacking in San Diego

[Rachel Rocconi]

Hi all,

I'm an LA based agent planning on moving back to San Diego this summer, and eager to buy my first property to house hack. Ideally I'd love to buy a duplex that needs some work, but I'm finding that most of the active listings are fully tenant occupied. I would not want to kick someone out in order for me to move in - wondering if there are any creative strategies you've used in the past to avoid this? 

[Emy Bernardo]

Price point is around 800k and up depending on the area.  You may be able to find something for less. Everything is extremely competitive in San Diego but 100% tenant occupied that need a lot of work may stay on the market longer.  You could try cash for keys as an incentive (on top of the 1 month rent that is already required) or if you plan to do a major rehab (one of the allowable "just causes" for eviction) and have it vacant, you could offer the tenant the first chance to rent it back - at the new and improved price, of course.   I took another read through the Rent Cap and Just cause addendum form and I noticed that if you are using one side of a duplex as your primary residence at the time a tenant enters into a new lease on the other unit, you are actually exempt from the law.. That could be a benefit for you.. Here's a good FAQ on the RCJC on CAR - you may have already seen.. https://www.car.org/riskmanagement/qa/landlord-tenant-folder/Rent-Cap-and-Just-Cause-Eviction-Law---Rent-Control---AB-1482#V.#V.##