All Forum Posts by: Lois S.

A friend who is an extremely successful RE investor tells us that umbrella policies aren't necessary, based on his experience. Advises if you want more liability coverage, just add it to the LL insurance policy.  A million dollar liability coverage should be sufficient for single-family & MF up to 8 units, at least.

His experience is that any claims against his company have been frivolous & insurance co. settled or delayed until tenant just walked away. And million-dollar claims are rare.

So, would any big investors care to weigh in on this?

Thanks

Hi Rick,

They have an ADU attached to their primary residence & may want to ask the tenant to vacate so that a family member can move in. There are State & local regulations that are frequently changing.

A friend in Sebastopol, Sonoma County, rents a single unit & is looking for an organization that supports independent landlords.  Also, any referrals for attorneys representing landlords.

Also, I couldn't find a more local forum here on BP.  Is there one for Sonoma County?

Thanks. 

Turns out this is why you have to manage the manager. Was also charged for materials that we had already paid for in the repairman's invoice.

I have a MF several hours away, managed by a PM.   I see that one of the vendors doing our latest turnover purchased a tool, and we were charged for it.  (An electric tool that is under $100)

This vendor is a skilled handyman that the PM uses frequently.

My feeling is they should have their own tools, at their own expense.

Any advice to deal with the PM is welcome.

Greg, exactly right.  Instead of building adequate housing supply, city councils across the state prefer to punish housing providers. Backwards thinking.

Some info from local LL assn. - Heads up!

The Berkeley City Council plans to introduce a scheme designed to seize private property.  If passed in Berkeley, TOPA will likely be up next in Oakland!
The "Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA)" is an eminent domain in disguise. 

Stop the Berkeley City Council from stealing your property rights, lowering home values, and hurting Berkeley's future.

The first reading of TOPA is on the agenda of the Berkeley City Council Land Use, Housing, and Economic Development Committee's Special Meeting on Monday, April 26, 10:30 a.m. PT.

More info:  Google "berkeley city council stop topa"

Normally I'd agree about all white, but in this unit it works well. It's a quirky space.

I've had tenants who decorated it beautifully.

The rental market here has been very slow.  We slowly lowered the asking price for our duplex & finally found a couple who saw the unit & were enthusiastic about it. They were looking specifically for an older house. We approved their application, they came back one more time to see it & signed a holding deposit since move-in won't be for a few weeks.

Now I get an email asking if it would be possible to paint the unit before move in, & whether it was painted recently.

The paint is solid & clean, and it's all white.  

What would you do? Offer to let them pay for a painter?  Offer to just add an accent color wall?  

Any input would be appreciated.  Thanks.

My Oakland duplex is vacant & there are very few responses to my ads.  (Last time it was on the market a few years ago it was rented even before the last tenant moved out.)

Someone from the neighborhood contacted me because they're doing remodeling soon & are looking for a short-term rental nearby.

I might be open to a 3 to 6 month lease if we decide to sell in a few months.

What should I consider if we were to agree to a short-term lease?   What kind of compensation to require, etc?

Thanks.