Blog Post

Best Tenants for my Long Beach Rental

Dustin Edwards • January 31, 2020

3 Tips to find the best tenants for my Long Beach Rental

Looking for the Best Tenants
When a property in Long Beach has been well prepared to be a great rental the next step is to find the best tenant. Finding great tenants means having a consistent process for showcasing available rentals, showing the properties to those who are interested, and reviewing rental applications to see who is the best fit. While we do this daily for our clients this is certainly a process you too could follow if you wanted to rent your property on your own.

To find the best tenants we invite you to consider the following:

Tip #1: Online Marketing for Tenants for Your Long Beach Rental
Reaching prospective tenants means having a balanced approach to reaching renters as they search for available properties. While the traditional searching for a rental property involved flipping through local newspapers, today’s renter actively uses multiple online resources to find the best property for their goals.

To attract tenants for your Long Beach rental consider marketing your rental on a number of online sources such as: 
 
Facebook Marketplace to Advertise Your Long Beach Rental
Facebook marketplace is a free area within Facebook that originally started as more of an enhanced version of Cragislist. It allows you to easily add photos, details, desired rent and it exposes your rental to not only those you are connected to but those within a large area to reveal what is available.
 
Be prepared to answer questions from prospective renters as to the availability of the property, time for showings, and what’s included in the rental amount. Even if you have these listed in the Facebook marketplace ad you will still get asked many questions.

Zillow/Trulia for Marketing Your Long Beach Rental
While many associate Zillow and Trulia with the home buying process they have established themselves as prime destinations for renters seeking out their next property. Especially within Long Beach, that has many defined neighborhoods, these platforms allow renters to easily search within submarkets such as Alamitos Beach, Belmont Heights, etc.  

Dedicated Website for Long Beach Rentals
When you have a single rental property this isn’t necessarily the most straightforward task to accomplish but it is helpful. As a property management company in Long Beach we post all of our available rentals (with a larger majority within Long Beach) and this gives prospective tenants the opportunity to see a variety of properties (i.e. condos, homes, duplexes) where they can have just a single point of contact making it quicker for both tenant and the owner to get the property leased.

Tip#2: Making the Property Available for Viewing
The same way prospective homeowners view properties prospective tenants need to view properties as well. With everyone having a variety of work schedules and there always being competition for attracting great renters it is important to make your property as available as possible.  

If you are renting your own property it can be challenging to make it available during the traditional work day. In these scenarios we would recommend having more of an “open house” where you can make your property available on a weekend for many prospective tenants to view. Make sure you provide a window of time to prospective tenants who have called, messaged you about the property, or who have requested notification when you would hold the property open. 

At Beach Cities Property Management we have the benefit of showing available renters during the work day and we have a dynamic key system that allows us to ensure our available rentals can be shown at times that work for the best possible tenants.

Tip#3: Reviewing the Applications
Finding the best possible tenant means evaluating every rental application fairly and carefully. Take time to understand how many people will be living in the property, the number of pets (if you allow pets), the ratio of income vs. rent, job history, credit history and more. For many homeowners who are renting their home for the first time they want to take the first renter that fills out an application, and that might work, but we encourage you to thoroughly evaluate each application to ensure it is the best tenant for your property.

At Beach Cities Property Management we market to 100’s of locations to attract the best tenants for your Long Beach rental, make it available for viewing easily to ensure there is minimal downtime without a renter, and have a detailed process of reviewing applications. When you would like to find out more on how we can find the best tenants for your Long Beach rental we invite you to request our Free Rental Analysis to see how we can help.

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By Dustin Edwards November 18, 2024
Be aware of these 3 common issues when the rainy season arrives at your rental property.
Cold weather can come fast and strong so it's best to ensure your property is ready for this climate
By Dustin Edwards November 12, 2024
It's important to prepare your rental properties for the colder weather. Although we don’t need to prepare for snow and freezing temperatures, we do need to prepare for the cold and rain. By ensuring your rental is cozy inside and prepared for the fall season , you can not only reduce energy costs for your tenant but also maintain your rental property value. Today, we’ll go over three signs your property is ready for this upcoming cold weather.  Sign #1 Proper Weatherproofing During the colder seasons, it's much easier for a tenant to notice any cold spots in your rental. Well-insulated doors and windows can not only help maintain the warm temperature but also prevent it from lowering. It can also prevent cold spots and drafts, which can help with tenant satisfaction . Doors and windows should be properly sealed and insulated to prevent drafts and maintain proper temperatures. A visual inspection of the weatherstripping around doors and windows to ensure they’re intact is a great place to start. If damaged, consider replacing them, as trying to seal gaps can be tricky and rarely lasts. Other seals should also be checked, as well as any areas that need to be caulked in order to keep cold air out. Insulation during the summer helps keep the cool air in, and during the winter, insulation in the halls and attics helps retain desired heat. Hot air rises, and if there isn't adequate insulation in the ceiling, heat will continually be lost. Luckily, adding insulation to an attic is not uncommon and typically only requires a day or two for installation. Sign #2 Energy Efficiency Measures During the winter, it's not just the cold you need to keep in mind. As days are much shorter, there is less sunlight to keep the rental warm and more hours of darkness. For this reason, it's a good idea to keep energy efficiency in mind when preparing for the cold weather. Energy-efficient lighting or smart lighting helps reduce overall costs since your tenant will likely use electricity to keep warm. Ensure your outdoor lighting is rated for external use, as this can provide crucial illumination during longer nights. Draft guards on doors and windows help reduce the load on your rental’s HVAC system which can significantly improve its lifespan. This is also a great time to replace filters and clean the ductwork in your rental to improve energy efficiency. Additionally, consider installing an insulative film on older windows, which helps retain heat and keep rooms warmer without the need for extra heating. If your rental has a programmable thermostat, ensure it’s in working order, as this can help tenants manage an energy-efficient heating schedule more easily. Sign #3 Property Exterior Southern California is a great place to settle down, and while we don't need to worry about snowfall or deep freezes, ensuring the exterior of your rental property is ready for the cold weather is important. With our cold season mainly bringing with it rain, inspect your rental property’s rain gutter system . Remove debris from drains and check for leaks or signs of wear and tear. Walkways should be clear of debris and well-lit. This may require you to prune and trim trees and bushes that may leave behind leaves. When combined with rainfall, a single wet leaf can cause someone to slip and hurt themselves. Consider adding non-slip mats or tape to areas where people may have tripped in the past. Much like during the hotter weather, it's important for your rental to be ready for fall and winter. By keeping your property ready for any weather Southern California has to offer, you ensure your rental property and tenants will provide steady rental income every month. If you need help preparing your rental for the cold weather or if you need help managing Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .
By Dustin Edwards November 4, 2024
Owning a rental property in a beach city like Long Beach, CA , offers a number of advantages, like great weather and a strong real estate market. However, the cold ocean breezes can pose some challenges for landlords and tenants, making it convenient for property managers . Although the weather is generally great, these ocean breezes can sometimes make properties drafty and uncomfortable during the fall and winter seasons. Today we’ll go over four measures that can improve tenant comfort and protect your investment from the cold ocean breezes. Weatherproofing Againsts Drafts Drafts are caused by gaps between doors and windows which can make a rental feel colder than it is. This leads to unnecessary energy use and tenant discomfort. Sealing these gaps is not difficult and quite doable for a landlord who doesn’t mind getting their hands dirty. Replacing worn weatherstripping and adding fresh caulking to seal minor gaps blocks air from permeating the property. For additional protection from drafts, you can provide your tenant with inexpensive door sweeps. Improve Heating Efficiency Having efficient heating is crucial to countering the cooler ocean breezes while keeping costs low. Schedule regular maintenance for your HVAC system , such as replacing filters, cleaning vents, and cleaning the compressor to keep it running smoothly. This not only provides more efficient heating, it also extends the life of your HVAC system. Installing a smart thermostat is another way for tenants to adjust heating schedules efficiently. Protect Outdoor Spaces Outdoor areas such as patios, balconies, and even porches can oftentimes be exposed to the coastal breezes. This can be an issue in the long run, especially for rentals next to the beach , as the wind can carry sand and salt, which can accelerate the deterioration of metals, wood, and paint. This can be mitigated by adding windbreaks to the property, such as lattice panels or outdoor curtains, to create a more comfortable and functional outdoor space. Exterior finishes will require more frequent maintenance. This includes resealing wood and metal surfaces. As well as repainting is important to protect against wear from salt, sand, and moisture. Wind Mitigating Landscaping Much like with the curtains and lattice previously talked about, the landscaping can also be used as a windbreak. For example, planting wind-resistant shrubs or trees alongside exposed areas creates a natural barrier. This helps reduce the impact of the gusts of wind hitting the property. Many native plants thrive in coastal climates while also requiring minimal maintenance. While expensive, the results can greatly improve your rental’s longevity and curb appeal. Alternatively, you can strategically place planters to provide protection. Durable Furniture Furniture and fixtures exposed to the cold coastal breezes need to be able to withstand that wear and tear. Choose resilient materials such as treated wood, powder-coated metals, and outdoor-rated plastics. These are less prone to being damaged by the salt or wind. Furniture that is lightweight should be secured or anchored in place to prevent it from being blown away. By investing in durable furnishing, you can provide tenants with a comfortable and functional outdoor space for years to come. Protecting your beach city property from the cold ocean breeze doesn't necessarily require extensive renovations or investments. Try to focus on any relevant feedback from your tenant, this can help you pinpoint what part of your rental needs attention. If you need additional help protecting your rental property from the cold ocean breezes or if you need help managing Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .
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