All Forum Posts by: Diane Dono

Lots of great advice here!....by the time you read this, hopefully things have gotten a little better.:) 

Besides using a very strict, multi-step, tenant screening process to get good tenants, yes! ALL Legal, lol,
having good contractors, handyman, etc., is SO important to keeping my anxiety and stress down. I always use Yelp and look for people who have the most number of reviews, with the highest 5 star level of reviews, and have consistent great praising comments that they went over and above, etc, from reviewers.  I get fantastic and reliable people this way!  When I call them the first time, the first thing I say is... "I found you on Yelp and am calling you because of All the GREAT reviews you've received!"  They immediately are very cordial and helpful, starts the relationship on a great note!  THANK GOD I have yet to deal with a flake by finding and screening people this way.  As soon as they finish the job, I add a praising review for them.  Make sure to put them in your phone contacts right away under something you'll easily remember like "Roof Contractor", "Handyman", "HVAC Heating and Air, etc. 

Everyone needs to find their own stress tolerance level for anything we do in life.  I always need to have "Balance" and have given up a lot of potentially high monetary return opportunities, because my personality would worry more than the value of the money.  I hope you find your Balance, whatever that may be for YOU!:-)

Lol, that's why I remain at "medium" pockets:)... I've mostly chosen Peace of Mind and Less potential hassle over making the most money... helps me sleep at night better..;) 

All I can say is that during these Covid times, I have been SO glad that I paid all cash, AND that my tenant gets a PERS pension! Whew!!;-)

NOTE: I purchased my property for $215K.

Yes, if it looks like its installed correctly, because it doesn't modify/change home, except appearance....   and if they pay the electrical bill, I'd want them to be comfortable, BUT if it looks like its and old piece of cr*p;) then.......?

Bear Bear, my mini-poodle, please cover your ears;-)....it depends on your market and the amount of desire and tenant demand you have in your rentals area.  I have a LARGE demand and am able to be selective and choose not to allow pets.  As much as we love our pets, they can cause additional damage/wear, and yes you can charge a pet deposit, but I'd rather not even go down that road, since I don't have to, which is each landlords right to make that choice.  HOWEVER, if my rental was in a more competitive, less desirable, area, I would allow pets, with an additional pet deposit.  Sorry Bear Bear!:-))))  

I also was with REeBroker in the past under the MLS Only-100% Commission-Flat Fee. I was extremely happy with them as a brokerage, top notch!, and happy that I could be under them without having to join CAR/NAR. I am looking for a similar type California brokerage too.

Regarding the California AB 828 Bill, 25% rent reduction proposal, I called and emailed my State Senator this morning.... please all do same, who are concerned.  It does make a difference!...... 

Senator please vote NO on the horrific AB 828 bill!! I'm a small landlord, 1 rental home in **, and the small amount I "net" from this property, is my main source of income! My tenant is on a pension, plus is an Essential worker, and is not in need of covid assistance. If they were, the landlord should be allowed to work out a plan between the tenant and themselves, or the government should give the tenant assistance to pay their rent that is due!! It should not be put on the backs of landlords! VERY UNFAIR!!Again, please strongly oppose this bill, and all bills, that unjustly and illegally!!!!, cause financial, and emotional, harm to landlords throughout California. Thank you! Sincerely,Diane D

In the past I credited 1/2 back in closing.  But this is truly a personal decision by each agent. :-)

I like the advice @Account Closed gave! :-)

I'm in the, "don't raise the rent on a good tenant, until times are better" camp.... ;-)