Whether your luxury car is a collectible retro BMW into which you’ve poured your blood, sweat, and tears or the Rolls Royce that you adore, you want to protect your investment. That means you won’t trust just anyone to transport your vehicle when it comes time to move to a new home or transport it…

Homeowners associations often get trashed for being overly bossy with homeowners, and the latest Big Brother scandal to make headlines is no exception: An HOA in Auburn, CA, is demanding that residents keep their garage doors open. That's right, go ahead and show off this greasy, grimy armpit of…

As somebody who moves like greased lightening (or so I have been told), once I make a decision to do something, I research it to the hilt and pull the trigger. This is just how I operate—you are either with me or you are not. Luckily for me, I found a great partner who can hang on for the ride and…

If you’ve ever searched for “property management software” on Google, you’re all too familiar with the overwhelming feeling of staring 29 million results in the face, unsure of where to begin. Should you rely on review sites, choosing whichever software solution has the most positive ratings? Should…

Nothing can take away the thrill of finally moving into a new home quite as quickly as discovering that something you love was damaged in the process. What's even worse? If it's something you love that's also very expensive to repair or replace. Accidents happen , and you can't control everything…

Buildium Free Trial Buy now Blog Accounting & Bookkeeping Buildium Software News Growing Your Business Industry News & Events Legal Concerns Maintaining Your Properties Resident Retention Tech & Sustainability This week in property management news: January 8, 2018 Industry News & Events Where rents…

January 08, 2018 by Ash Bell Move-in day is typically the day when the sales and leasing processes finally wrap up and the resident retention efforts begin. It’s no secret that happy residents are more likely to renew, but at what point does a resident cross from being happy to unhappy ? Can it…

In a previous post , I discussed the possibility that the multifamily frenzy we’ve experienced over the past seven years may be cooling off. So, a lot of investors may be wondering about the best strategies to employ in the event that this little slowdown turns into a full blown downturn. My…

As Stephen Covey said, “I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions.” January heralds in the beginning of a new year—with new possibilities, opportunities, and challenges. I don’t believe new year’s resolutions are inherently bad, but I feel they often lead to a “right…

2017 was a fantastic year for investing in real estate—and for me. As I performed my personal review and looked back over the last 12 months, here are some of the key things that stood out. 1. There is always room to grow. My business, myself, investments, and the residential housing market have…

They say everything is bigger in Texas. The cliché certainly holds true when it comes to the massive mansion recently purchased by NBA superstar Chris Paul in The Woodlands, TX, just outside of Houston . The 18,717-square-foot estate has every creature comfort CP3 could possibly require, including a…

After years of taking our collective home decor in a more neutral direction (we're looking at you, inoffensive beige, gray, and granite color schemes), we're finally branching out and allowing some color back into our homes. Look no further than our 2018 interior design forecast , which predicts…

There are a lot of factors that go into calculating how much your move will cost. To ensure that you go in with a complete understanding of what your movers will be using to determine your estimate and final cost, we’ll explain how to calculate linear feet the right way — at least, the right way for…

Presenting a strong, solid property is the best way to a fast, lucrative sale. But before you plant a sign in the yard, you’ve got some work to do. From assessing the state of the property and cleaning it up and getting it ready to list to speaking to your tenants so they aren’t blindsided by the…

There’s a new lord of the manor at Chateau Emanuel in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles : Comedian and TV host Chris Hardwick has reportedly purchased the $5.6 million, three-acre spread, according to Curbed L.A. (The final price paid wasn't yet known.) As we reported in October, the 1920s…

A rare “bomb cyclone” has just slammed the Northeast. Homes are being battered by inches of snow, hurricane-force winds, and sub-zero temperatures. As of noon on Thursday, more than 50,000 Americans had already lost power. That number is only expected to climb. The blizzard follows a week of brutal…

When you get started in real estate, it is best to choose a focus. That’s what I did. I decided I wanted to help working people in my community live in nice, affordable homes. It felt economically smart. Professionally, it filled me with pride. My chosen path is to buy affordable housing (grade C to…

When I was 16 years old, I aspired to become an airline pilot. Using the money I’d earned from a week of bagging groceries, I took one flying lesson a week at our local airport after school. Learning to land an airplane was an incredible experience. After you complete your first unassisted landing,…

As one of America’s oldest cities, Philadelphia is no stranger to the Colonial era. However, the housing stock of modern, glossy condos and townhouses in the center of the City of Brotherly Love don't necessarily reflect the town's history—except for a lone log cabin that just went on the market.…

Artificial intelligence (AI) — computers that learn by themselves — is taking our society by storm, and real estate technology is no exception. Though computers that think for themselves might sound scary, there is huge potential for the real estate industry to leverage this technology. Brokerages…

Fans of Mid-Century Modern architecture have an opportunity to own a piece of history when the city of Palm Desert, CA, auctions off the Walter S. White –designed Wave House in February, with no reserve price. The house was built in 1955 by White in collaboration with the home's original owner,…

I was one of those lucky kids who lived in the same house throughout my childhood, in Orange County, CA, where kids played whiffle ball after dinner and rode their bikes to soccer practice. Throughout college and my 20s, I returned here during summers and vacations because, even though I'd moved on,…

Kids are high-impact on rental properties. So why the heck would any landlord go out of their way to attract families? First, because families tend toward longer tenancies. Young adults in their 20s move frequently, as they bounce between jobs, date around, get married, and start having children.…

Andy Williams may be bellowing over the airwaves that “ i t’s the most wonderful time of the year , ” but property managers know that it’s also one of the most challenging times of year–especially if you’re not prepared for the impact that winter may have on your properties. While winter weather can…

You’re ready for a road trip! When you’re moving cross country, renting a moving truck to haul your belongings to your new home might seem like the best cost-saving option. Shipping has to be more expensive, right? Not necessarily. Have you considered how to calculate moving truck gas costs? Fuel…

With each move and renewal, residents are expecting more from their apartment communities. From out-of-this-world amenities like glass-bottom pools to the more tame amenities of yoga classes and pet-friendly buildings, continuously innovating with unique apartment amenities is no easy feat. In a sea…

Which sounds better: three properties that bring in $700 a piece for $33,333 each or a property that costs $100,000 and brings in $1,350? Well, just judging from the numbers, it would be easy to say buy the three properties. Most new investors see the low cost of entry and the high price-to-rent…

What improvements can add the most value and rent increases for multifamily investment property owners? Reality TV shows have made rehabbing and renovating real estate many people’s dream. Still, when it comes to investing for profit, it is essential to look at the math and make sound, objective…

With so many moving companies out there and so many things to consider, we want to make sure you have the information you need to choose the best of the best. Here are the 10 best moving companies of 2017, selected for their top-notch consumer ratings! Check out who is close by, then read our tips…

Bitcoin is the hottest word on the markets right now. With a meteoric rise, bitcoin has taken the world by storm. Paul Moore previously wrote a great article that I’d like to add to from a technology and macro-economic perspective. Investors must understand that the underlying technology, referred…

In the sizzling San Francisco real estate market, luxury housing moves fast. And this jaw-dropping downtown penthouse on the market for $3,950,000 would seem to possess all the right attributes for a quick sale. It's newly renovated, stylish, and has views for days. Yet the unit—the Tenderloin…

In a matter of seven weeks, the GOP has developed, amended, and reconciled a $1.456 trillion tax bill. On December 22, Donald Trump tweeted the tax bill into law. If it feels like this all happened fast, it’s because it did. The Tax Reform Act of 1986, our country’s last major tax overhaul, took a…

Alaska is undoubtedly one of the wildest and beautiful states in the U.S., and living there is a call that many cannot ignore. The biggest city, Anchorage, has a lot to offer both in the way of stunning scenery and interesting culture with over 360,000 residents. If you’re thinking about making the…

Tough conversations are, well, tough. Unfortunately, sometimes people don’t do their job right or don’t do right by you in one way or another. And letting these problems simmer and build in business works about as well as it does in your personal life. Robert Brodo notes that , “Not having those…

"What happens if I skip a mortgage payment?" is one of those questions we hope you never have to ask, but life is unpredictable: Sometimes no matter how carefully you plan, you may find yourself short on the funds you need to pay this crucial monthly bill. So what happens if you skip a mortgage…

The cost of owning a dog, cat, or other pet might not be the first thing on your mind when contemplating bringing one of these furry balls of love home, but it's best to know what your financial responsibilities are upfront. Petfinder averages the costs of owning a dog at around $766–$1,350 the…

Vacancies can cost you money in lost rents and in turnover expenses. The best way to ensure profitability is to keep your tenants in your units long-term and avoid recurring vacancies. Some tenants move because of a change in their job, life situation, or circumstances you can’t control as a…

Let’s say you’ve got yourself a rental property and you’ve worked hard to get rents up and keep expenses low. The property is profitable, and you are looking to trade up by selling it and buying a more expensive property. The problem is that if you sell, you will have to pay capital gains tax on the…

Of all the things that could get damaged when moving, electronics is high on the list and certainly can cause you the most inconvenience, especially if you rely on your laptop, for example, to work from home. And the kids will be none too impressed if their gaming console is damaged during your home…