My leases state that a late fee of 5% is charged if the rent is failed to be paid by the first of the month (unless when the first falls on a weekend or legal holiday in which case it would be due on the next business day) and $5 for each additional day the rent remains unpaid.

Some of you may have heard it before but take a little time this holiday and give it a listen, it's good stuff to get you thinking about  where you are headed!  

Could just be the time of year (currently between two major holidays).Have you called the buyer's agents for the rental comps. yet?

HAHA that's true I feel this way when I call newspaper to stop delivery between 12/22 to 1/2 when I got visit my parents I was thinking it's like announcing you are going to be vacant during the holidays.

I wish you all a happy holiday season and a profitable new year.

Joffrey: I read a lot of CA real estate case law (for fun and relaxation) and I'm sure I must have come across cases including the use of brokers and usury claims, but no particular case comes to mind.

Geeez, that changes everything, it's only the second and the first was a holiday!

As many have eluded to, know your market.Here our market dies off during the holidays, right around Thanksgiving through Christmas then goes right back to full a day or so after New Years.

You were very helpful and I can relax over the weekend now!!

Foreclosure Moratorium panic, mid-term elections distraction, hammered with mailings, etc - could be a lot of factors.We're also coming into Holiday Season.