Should my Long Beach Rental Become a Smart Rental?

Dustin Edwards • May 8, 2020

5 Smart Items to Consider for Your Long Beach Rental

Can Your Long Beach Rental Become a Smart Rental?
Renters have choices when they look to rent a property in Long Beach. Even as a mature city there are new apartment developments and freshly renovated homes for renters to choose from and attracting the best tenants often means your property needs to stand out among the sea of choices that are possible; especially when you want to garner a great rental rate. One aspect to consider to make your rental stand out from the crowd of choices is making your rental a Smart rental.

A Smart rental is one that integrates common appliances and functions with Smart hubs such as Alexa, Google, and Ring. You may think “well no one really needs that” but it isn’t so much about “need” as adding a great convenience for your tenant that keeps them happy for years to come. To help you see what is possible for your Smart rental we invite you to consider the following elements:

Smart Thermostat
This is one of the most common upgrades to make a property a Smart property as the thermostat can be used with even older AC/heating systems. One of the most popular is certainly the NEST system which integrates easily with Google’s systems. Products, like a NEST thermostat, optimize the heating and cooling needs far beyond just temperature guidelines as they can detect movement in a house for additional optimizations. An added benefit is one can control the temperature from a phone giving the tenant additional flexibility to control temperatures.

Smart Door Locks
One of the most common calls a property management company receives is regarding keys. Especially if you are managing your own property, taking time to invest in a smart door lock could save you many calls and the time required to organize a locksmith at the property. While there are many solutions possible consider a smart door lock system that integrates with an existing deadbolt to minimize investment and maximize the benefit. Systems such as those from August provide multiple versions that you can control from your phone and it can track who is using the digital keys. These systems can also come in very handy when it comes time to allow a handyman or other trade service in the property.

Smart Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans probably aren’t one of the items in a rental that you put thought into...especially about making them smart. Ceiling fans though are a great way to help tenants optimize the temperature in your rental property and help keep the lifespan of your AC system going longer. Recently manufacturers have introduced smart ceiling fans allowing you the ability to control the ceiling fan from a mobile app (i.e. Hunter fans have a SIMPLEConnect app) or by using systems such as Alexa, Google Assistant, etc. 

Smart Sprinkler
A great looking yard makes for a happy tenant and attracts great tenants should one leave. To help keep your yard looking great and help your tenant optimize their water bill consider adding a smart sprinkler. For example the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler integrates a hyperlocal Weather Intelligence™ that takes into consideration 270,000 personal weather stations to ensure you are using water when it counts vs. just after a rain. With innovative water monitoring plus integration with systems such as Alexa, Nest, Google Assistant and more this is one of those items that should most certainly be on your list as you evaluate your landscaping.  

Smart Lighting
Tenants that feel like your rental is their home stay longer. You can enable smart lighting that ranges from security lights to landscape lighting. Effective security lighting and landscape lighting can help tenants feel at ease with those daily tasks such as taking out the trash cans or getting home late with groceries. Smart lighting systems from Ring easily integrate with Alexa making it a nice addition to the other smart features. 

Making your rental a smart rental is an approach to help you differentiate your rental on the market. When you want to find out if your rental would benefit from smart features we invite you to call us today (562) 888-0247 and we can share our experience. 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 .
By Dustin Edwards May 27, 2025
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