Frequently Asked Questions for
Contra Costa County Property Owners

A full-service property management company handles marketing, tenant screening, leasing, maintenance coordination, maintenance surveys, rent collection, legal compliance, accounting, and move-in/move-out management.

Many owners choose management to save time, avoid legal pitfalls, and ensure their investment is protected.

Renting out your home can be a smart financial move, but it does require the right mindset. Before deciding, ask yourself:

• Am I prepared for routine and unexpected maintenance costs? Even well-maintained homes need repairs over time.
• Do I have a financial cushion? You’ll want a reserve fund for mortgage payments, insurance, emergency repairs, and other operating expenses.
• Can I view my home as an investment, not a personal space? Successful rental ownership requires emotional distance so you can make objective business decisions.

If you’re comfortable with these realities, renting out your home can provide stable income and long-term appreciation.

Start by analyzing comparable rentals in your neighborhood and city. Look for homes similar in:

• Size (square footage, bedrooms, bathrooms)
• Age and condition
• Upgrades and amenities
• Location and school district

Note how quickly comparable homes rented, that’s a strong indicator of market demand and appropriate pricing.

You can gather data from local property managers, online rental platforms, and real estate agents. A professional rental analysis from a property management company will give you the most accurate, up-to-date market rental value.

First impressions matter, especially for renters who often decide within seconds whether a home feels right. Here’s how to get your property “market-ready”:

• Start with curb appeal. Stand across the street and ask yourself: Would I stop to see this home? Fresh landscaping, clean walkways, and a tidy exterior go a long way.
• Handle maintenance and cosmetic updates. Touch-up paint, replace worn flooring, fix minor repairs, and ensure everything is clean and functional.
• Declutter and depersonalize. Remove small items and excess furniture so the space feels open, clean, and easy to envision as “home.”

The better the condition of your property, the faster it rents, and often at a higher price.

Thorough tenant screening is the most important factor in protecting your property. Many problem tenancies start with incomplete or inconsistent screening. We recommend requiring:

• A full rental application from every adult occupant
• Income verification, such as recent pay stubs showing year-to-date earnings
• A valid ID with matching name and address

Always run:

• A full credit report (Applicants with government housing assistance may opt out of credit report requirement – See CA Law SB329)
• A tenant performance / eviction history report
• Rental and employment reference checks

We use the National Tenant Network for screening because it provides both credit data and tenant-history insights, including prior evictions or complaints. Proper screening significantly reduces the risk of late payments, property damage, and eviction.

If you have questions about tenant screening, just email us, we’re here to help.

We take a proactive, preventative approach to maintaining your investment and take care of maintenance needs before they turn into costly repairs.

When work is needed, we coordinate with trusted, high-quality vendors who provide reliable service at fair, affordable rates. This ensures your property remains safe, habitable, and efficient, while protecting your long-term rental value and reducing unexpected expenses.

Our goal is simple: keep your home in top condition and prevent small issues from ever becoming big ones.