Communication is key in just about every relationship. Whether with your partner, your best friend, your colleague or your tenant, it's important to be upfront and honest about where you stand. This is especially true when it comes to the relationship between landlord and tenant. Without communication, there is no trust. Without trust, you enter into an agreement that could end in disaster for both parties. Scott Safadi of Cal Bay Property Management advises all landlords to consider the following when establishing communication with new tenants:
Courtesy Calls are Key If your tenant walks into their home and a strange man is in their bedroom, their first inclination is to call the police. Even if the man explains they have a key, are performing maintenance and have been assigned to the unit, it's enough to set anyone on edge. There are laws dictating the kind of notice you're required to give tenants before entering their apartments. Without a courtesy call, you set your tenant and your contractor up for an awkward and potentially even dangerous situation. Put a Face to Your Name If your relationship with a tenant exists solely over email, text and phone, it'll be hard to earn their trust. After all, you're just the voice on the end of a line, no different than any other nagging call from a bill collector or spammer. By introducing yourself and checking in on tenants in person from time to time, you ensure an open line of communication and build a relationship that they can trust. Put Technology to Work If you're overseeing a huge multifamily property, popping in to check on folks isn't always an option. Instead, make sure you have an easy to use tenant portal for folks to report maintenance problems, alert you to concerns and address frustrations they might have. This kind of tool is key to getting in front of bad reviews that might end up on Yelp or Google.
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Campbell is a city often overlooked by those searching for a place to live in the Bay area. While certainly not as large or notorious as towns like Palo Alto or San Jose, the city has become known for its relative affordability and ease of access to jobs in the tech sector. If you're searching for a few hidden gems that set Campbell apart from other towns in the area, Cal Bay Property Management's Scott Safadi has the recommendations you need:
Ainsley House While San Jose's Winchester Mystery House might grab more headlines, Campbell's Ainsley House is equally as compelling. Built in the Tudor style in 1925, the home is a love letter to the time period. Exhibits showcase what life in California was like in the era, with antique furniture giving us a glimpse into the style of yesteryear. Host to many a beautiful wedding, Ainsley House has lush gardens and gorgeous backdrops worthy of any Instagram profile. Downtown Campbell Farmers' Market If you've been to one farmers' market, you've been to them all, right? Wrong! The Downtown Campbell Farmers' Market is indeed a treasure. With lush bouquets of flowers, soft baked bread and fresh strawberries up for grabs any given weekend, you'll love basking in the sights, smells and tastes of this Campbell favorite. Khartoum Boston has Cheers, and Campbell has Khartoum. Some might call it a dive bar, others their second home. The ultimate locals' bar, Khartoum is comfy and cozy in the afternoons. Come evening, though, the party really kicks off. Whether you're looking for a low-key place to grab a beer or a spot to celebrate a night on the town, Khartoum is a Campbell favorite. No matter where you end up in Campbell, you're sure to find surprising, delightful spots to eat, drink and enjoy yourself. - Scott Safadi, Cal Bay Property Management Burnout is real in every industry, but none quite compare to the all-out exhaustion associated with property management. Few other fields require managers and employees alike to deliver stellar customer service at any hour of the day or night. Scott Safadi of Cal Bay Property Management encourages busy property managers to take up these healthy habits to prevent burnout:
Train and Delegate If you want something done the right way, you'd better do it yourself. This attitude is pervasive in our industry, but it's a dangerous line of thinking. Instead, have faith in your employees to rise to the challenges you set them. Of course, you can't do so without proper training. Invest in ongoing training workshops and seminars to keep your staff at the top of their game. Then, don't be afraid to issue assignments that you might normally shoulder yourself. Reward Employees Gratitude has a way of making everything seem a little more tolerable. The next time you're feeling stressed, make a quick list of things your grateful for in your workplace. If a particular employee stands out in your mind, consider rewarding them in some way. You don't need a grand gesture to thank employeees for a job well done. Even simply verbalizing your feelings and thanking them for their hard work is a great start. Invest in Technology When used correctly, technology can seriously impact the way we live our lives and perform our duties at work. If you're not collecting rent payments online, for example, the sheer amount of work associated with cashing checks and following up with each tenant is exhausting. Perhaps you can invest in sprinklers on a timer or automated locks on vacant units. Wherever you can save a moment or two, consider working in a new piece of technology to help out. - Scott Safadi, Cal Bay Property Management The Bay Area has dozens of communities vying for the attention of renters who are new to the region. That's why we're focusing this blog on Belmont, a spot well-worth the consideration of those looking for a place to make a new start. Cal Bay Property Management's Scott Safadi offers these three great reasons to move to Belmont in 2019:
Smoke-Free Paradise Belmont is the place to be if you hate the smell of cigarette or vape smoke. The city made history in 2006 when they banned all smoking both in public and in private. The gold standard for healthy communities, Belmont is now the model city which many others are judged against. Of course, this smoke-free paradise could present a problem if you enjoy your cigs, but take it as a sign that it's time to quit for good! The Schools are Second to None If you've got kids, you'll appreciate your options for schools in Belmont. Both public and private offerings are among the best in the state. It's no surprise that many Belmont students go on to prestigious colleges and universities. The relative safety of the community is an added bonus! Location, Location, Location Halfway between San Jose and San Francisco, Belmont is ideally situated. With an easy commute in either direction, it's no surprise that Belmont has become something of a bedroom community for both cities. Make no mistake, though, Belmont has a lot going for it besides its proximity to other cities. With the ocean just 20 short minutes from Belmont, there's a ton of natural beauty and fun in the sun to be had. - Scott Safadi, Cal Bay Property Management There's a lot to love in Sunnyvale. With so many residents employed at big-name tech companies, the city is often dismissed as a bedroom community rather than a town of its own merit. Though Sunnyvale may have started out as quite rural, the community has boomed in size over the last few decades. For anyone considering renting in Sunnyvale, Scott Safadi of Cal Bay Property Management urges you to keep these aspects in mind: We're One of the Safest Communities in the Nation Pound for pound, Sunnyvale is indeed one of the safest places to live and work. With the lowest crime of any city its size, the town has a stellar police department to keep the streets safe. It's just one of the reasons Sunnyvale is such a great place to raise a family. Without a high crime rate to worry about, you can let your kids explore the natural beauty of the area. Cyclists Paradise One of the best ways to explore that natural beauty is by bicycle! Sunnyvale is extremely bike-friendly, with a community supportive of the hobby and respectful of cyclist safety needs. Less congested than San Francisco, Sunnyvale offers gorgeous year-round cycling that you'd be hard-pressed to top. Strap the kids into their helmets and take a ride to school each day; Sunnyvale has fantastic schools, too! Delicious Food If the United States is a melting pot, then Sunnyvale is a heaping bowl of that stew. Head to Gochi or Tanto for enticing Japanese offerings, or give Kebab & Curry a try if you're in the mood for Indian. With so many cultures intermingling throughout the city, you can help but stumble upon great reataurants everywhere you go. The best part? Many are reasonably priced - at least for now. If you're considering a move to Sunnyvale, chat with our offices for even more reasons to give our town a try! - Scott Safadi, Cal Bay Property Management |
AuthorScott Safadi leverages extensive experience in the real estate industry to serve as the CEO of Cal Bay Property Management (CBPM), which he founded in Palo Alto, California. Archives
January 2020
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