Rain Gutters for Your Long Beach Rental

Dustin Edwards • June 25, 2020

Rain Gutters can Protect Your Property and Improve Aesthetics

Rain Gutter with Leaf
Water is one of the natural elements that can cause quite a bit of damage in a very short period of time. There is a reason that the city codes take into account not only the slope of your driveway to the street but also take into consideration rain gutters for your property. While many Southern California’s give little thought to how we handle the rains (after all we aren’t Seattle) the reality is that having a great gutter system can save you from costly repairs.

A proper rain gutter system can help to protect the eaves on your home, avoid pools of water near your foundation, contribute to nicer living conditions and can even add to the aesthetics of your property. 

Prefabricated Rain Gutter
Prefabricated rain gutters are the types you most commonly see at Home Depot and Lowe’s. You can piece together your rain gutter system by purchasing 10’ sections of gutters and the supporting connecting components, downspouts, etc. These systems are great because they are the most cost effective. Even though it could be tempting to complete this work on your own we would recommend having a professional installation of even the prefabricated rain gutters as cutting to proper lengths and ensuring you have tight connections is a skill that is developed over years of diligence.

Seamless Rain Gutter
A seamless rain gutter gives you the added advantage of minimizing the points of failure. A machine is brought onsite to develop gutter lengths that align to your property. Whereas the prefabricated pieces come in 10’ft lengths you can get up to 50’ lengths (unusual to need that long) with a seamless rain gutter. Minimizing the connection points allows you to minimize the points of failure in a gutter system.

Aesthetics
While not as common, when you are completing gutters for your rental, it is still possible to implement a gutter system that is a design element for your property. In areas of Long Beach such as Belmont Heights, Belmont Shore, or Bixby Knolls you can find wonderful examples of rain gutters that help to further enhance the architecture of the home. Whether it be a Spanish Style home or a Craftsman the use of copper gutters is often looked at as a design element and can help set apart the property from the competition. Combine a copper seamless rain gutter with an innovative downspout and you just might get a tenant who doesn’t want to leave. Keep in mind that generally copper is looked at as the most expensive to install, but it can last up to 50 years which just might make it a great investment for your property.

Cost
As with any feature on a rental property there is a cost to protect your property with rain gutters. You certainly could install your own gutters, but as is the case with many of our property owners we realize that outsourcing to a professional is often what is the most efficient. Should you decide on going with seamless gutters you can expect prices for aluminum to be around $11 a foot, Copper at $25 ft, steel at $13 a foot and vinyl at $7 a foot. There can be additional charges for two-story homes and removal of existing rain gutters if present. On average you can be prepared to spend in the range of $1,500-$2,500 for a typical property.

Protecting your investment with a rain gutter system is a great way to keep your property happily rented for years to come. When you want to find out how we could help find the best tenant who just might appreciate your passion for rain gutters we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247. If you want to have a quick check to see how much your property could fetch in rent we invite you to fill out our Free Rental Analysis where we perform a comprehensive comparison to share your rental stacks up to the competition.

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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 .
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 .
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