Does your Long Beach Rental Have Water Wise Landscaping Features?

Dustin Edwards • September 6, 2022

Water Wise Features For Your Rental

When managing your property have you considered water wise landscaping features?


Conserving water has quickly become a necessary feature when renting a Long Beach property. Many tenants who have to pay for their water utilities would rather save their money with water wise landscaping features. While landlords that include the price of water utility in the rent would be smart to keep landscaping features drought resistant and water wise. 

What are water wise landscaping features and why would you want to have them on your Long Beach rental? Below are a few landscaping features that can save you money and keep the curb appeal of your Long Beach rental high.


Water Conservation is Everyone’s Responsibility

People should understand that water conservation is everyone’s responsibility. As the challenges of this California drought rapidly increases, it will eventually result in increased prices. The solution is to conserve water by making your home more water-efficient. 


As a property owner, it's your responsibility to make sure water lines, irrigation and plumbing is well maintained and not leaking. But it goes farther than this, automation of sprinkler systems and proper lawn care can conserve water, keep tenants happy while keeping your curb appeal intact. 


Drought Resistant Lawn

Drought resistant grass lawns may be one of the best ways to keep a beautiful lawn while saving water. While there are some types of lawns that can be green year round with proper watering, this can be difficult to keep up when only allowed to water your lawn according to Long Beach water restrictions.


Drought resistant grass can thrive during periods of limited watering. Though a concern for some is that most drought resistant grass like buffalo and bermuda grass has a dormancy period in which the grass will turn brown for a season.


Although this may seem like your lawn is dying you can retain the bright lush green by simply applying grass paint during this period. It does sound odd to paint your grass when it's brown but it's far more common than you may think. When drought resistant grass goes dormant it doesn't need much water, so by painting the dry grass you can keep the curb appeal of a green lawn and save water. Lawn paint only lasts 2 to 3 months, by the time it begins to wash away your grass should be growing again.


Drip Irrigation and a Smart Controller

You may be wondering what a drip irrigation system is. Essentially its a low pressure, low volume lawn and garden watering system. It delivers water to your home’s landscapes through a small steam, spray or drip. This type of system uses less water than other irrigation systems while keeping roots moist but not soggy. With minimal evaporation and overwatering a drip irrigation can lower use of water while keeping plants thriving.


A drip irrigation system can solve some problems you can't with a traditional sprinkler system. The gentle and precise nature of drip irrigation will prevent over watering which can cause run off watering that can cause erosion. The water supply lines connect directly to a hose spigot making it unnecessary to cut into the home’s water lines.The flexibility of the water lines means you can adjust what locations get the appropriate watering as the plants grow and spread throughout the landscape. You can also get smart controllers like the Rachio R3 to adjust watering depending on the weather. Although drip irrigation uses less water than a traditional sprinkler system, you are still going to deal with local restrictions based on your property’s location.


Mulch

If you’re not familiar with mulch, it comes in a few varieties but most commonly its wood chips spread across gardens or other landscape features. Mulch is versatile in landscaping, it improves soil quality, allows better water movement, it keeps soil cool during summer, and it mitigates water evaporation.

 

Added bonuses include using it to hide drip irrigation systems, wires used for landscaping lights which can give your property a clean, natural look.


Sprinkler Maintenance 

Sprinklers, being a “set it and forget it” system many homeowners and tenants truly forget to adjust and maintain the sprinkler system. Forgetting to adjust sprinklers after a rainfall can lead to overwatering your lawn which is not only unnecessary it leads to waste of water.


Over time, much like everything in a home, sprinkler systems will need maintenance and repairs. Sprinkler heads can become misdirected and begin to spray walkways or driveways instead of the landscape. Depending on water quality the sprinkler head can also become partially clogged which can lead to pooling of water near the sprinkler head and dry spots throughout the lawn.


You can participate in Long Beach’s Lawn-to-Garden program which can provide benefits for the environment and attract environmentally conscious tenants. All Lawn-to-Garden projects are eligible to receive an incentive of up to $3.00 per square foot of lawn removed in the front yard or $2.00 per square foot in the backyard. Replacing water thirsty lawns for native, drought resistant gardens. If you need help understanding water wise landscaping features, or need help understanding Long Beach’s Lawn-to-Garden program feel free to call us at (562) 888-0247 or feel free to fill out our free rental analysis to see what your rental could yield today.

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ADUs and Junior ADUs, which one is the right one for your property?

By Dustin Edwards • June 6, 2025
With the real estate market as competitive as it is, many landlords are looking into building an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) or Jr. ADU to improve their bottom line with additional monthly income. While this is a great way to earn more, you need to be sure you’re investing in the right upgrade to your property. Below are some of the key differences between ADUs and Jr. ADUs; this way, you can make the right decision for your property. Differences between Junior ADUs and ADUs On the surface, the primary difference between an ADU and a Jr. ADU is the square footage. However, there are many considerations for each type of ADU , significant differences include costs and build limitations. ADUs are generally seen as a larger and more versatile build when compared to a Jr. ADU. They can be built detached from the main home, converting an existing structure, most commonly the garage. In Long Beach, an ADU can be up to 800 square feet or 50% of the gross floor area of the primary dwelling, whichever is smaller. For reference, an 800 sqft living space can be arranged as a 2-bedroom 1-bath home, though with creative use of the space, many investors have been able to fit 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms comfortably. If listing the ADU for rent is the goal, this can produce a higher yield, though at the cost of a higher initial investment. Jr. ADU, on the other hand, can only be a maximum of 500 sqft and must be built attached to the existing single-family home. While you can build an entire new addition to accommodate the Jr. ADU, it's not uncommon for homeowners whose homes are bigger than they need to convert a bedroom into a Jr. ADU in order to have additional income . A Jr. ADU does still require an efficient kitchen. Bathrooms can be shared with the main house, though this can deter some prospective tenants. Additionally, the utilities are oftentimes shared with the main house, which can simplify installation, though it can complicate utility costs with your tenant. When an ADU is Right Being able to build a full ADU provides an entirely separate and private living space, which is more desirable to prospecting tenants. This is the preferred choice for most investors, especially those who have unused space in their property. By being built apart from the main house, an ADU may cause less disturbance to those living in the main house, whether that be yourself or another tenant. In Long Beach, CA. ADUs can’t be listed as short-term rentals on apps like Airbnb; that being said, an ADU can command more in rent because of the aforementioned features. If you’re looking for a long-term investment, ADUs increase your property’s value while generating a consistent cash flow. Finally, if you ever plan on selling your rental property, the additional ADU can improve the appeal of your property to future buyers. When a Jr. ADU is Right While a Jr. ADU doesn’t have the same potential as a full-sized ADU, Jr. ADUs are far more budget-friendly. These are a great option for investors who have limited funds. Since Jr. ADUs generally require less work to be done in less time, allowing you to begin making a return sooner. Finally, if your property doesn’t qualify for a full-sized ADU permit due to the size of the property lot, a Jr. ADU can be built primarily through interior work, which may only require reconfiguring existing interior space. Whether you choose a full-sized ADU or a Jr. ADU, the decision depends on more than just the size of the structure, you’ll have to manage filling the vacancy and managing the new tenant. If you need help choosing which ADU is right for you or you need help managing your Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .

Beach Rentals Need These 3 Maintenance Items Before Summer Starts

By Dustin Edwards • May 30, 2025
Summer is a great time of year where people enjoy a number of outdoor activities. Though for landlords, summer brings with it a list of maintenance items and preventative care for their properties. Below, we’ve gathered three of the most important maintenance items to do before summer starts. Service your HVAC System Southern California summers are getting hotter and hotter, if you want to maintain tenant satisfaction you’ll need to have the HVAC or any A/C or cooling system properly serviced . Filters should be cleaned or replaced, and the ductwork should be inspected. For rentals with window units or mini-split systems should also be thoroughly inspected as well for optimal cooling. Doing proactive maintenance can reduce the risk of the cooling system breaking down during peak usage while also improving the system’s efficiency. This can lower utility costs for your tenants while extending the lifespan of your cooling system, saving you money in the long run. Additionally, consider inspecting your window and door seals for leaks. If the seals are broken, it allows hot air into the living space, this increases the cost associated with cooling while adding more load to the HVAC or cooling system. While not directly a part of the HVAC system, ensuring there aren’t any breaks in the seals helps extend the lifespan of your cooling system which is beneficial to your bottom line. Inspect your Roof The condition of a roof is oftentimes ignored since they tend to last over twenty years, and some property owners may not even be sure when the roof was last replaced . A poorly conditioned roof is one of the primary ways for a rental property to drive up the costs of repairs and tenant complaints. A damaged roof can inefficiently insulate a home, making it harder to keep it cool. It can also lead to water leaks during rainfall, which can lead to water damage, stains, and mold growth. While summers tend to be dry, the coastal cities such as Long Beach may see unexpected shifts in weather, which can bring sudden rainstorms or increased humidity. Fixing a small roof leak is relatively inexpensive, however, leaving said leak to grow can result in an emergency repair can cost thousands especially if a tenant has already moved in. A thorough roof inspection is a great maintenance item to do during a vacancy period especially as this can result in a positive experience with new tenants. This can lead to a long term stay with many lease renewals. Check for Signs of Pests Pest infestations are one of the fastest ways to ruin a tenant’s stay while also damaging a landlord’s reputation. Pests such as ants, cockroaches, other bugs, and rodents are common in many beach cities, especially during the warmer seasons. Being in a city, you’ll likely never truly be rid of pests, though, even a single complaint about an excess of bugs or rodent droppings can lead to bad reviews online, service calls, and in severe cases, lease termination. These pests not only create an unwelcome environment for your tenants, but they can also cause real damage to your investment property. Cockroaches are known to damage small wiring in appliances, ants can ruin food and get in everything, while rodents can chew through walls, plumbing, and even electrical wiring. Landlords should schedule regular ppest inspectionsto check for early signs of pest activity before the hotter season begins. Much like everything in this article, preventative maintenance is significantly cheaper than an emergency call, in this case to an exterminator. If you want to keep your tenants happy and your property well taken care of, preventative maintenance is a must. If you’re unsure about the signs to look for when doing routine inspections or you need help managing your Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .

What Is A Solar Battery and Does Your Rental Need One?

By Dustin Edwards • May 27, 2025
A Solar Battery is an important party of a solar panel system. However, is it valuable for a rental property? Read on to discover.
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