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Q: Are you licensed?
A: Yes. Our team has over 40 years combined experience in the real estate field. We are licensed under the Department of Real Estate with a Broker’s License and have licensed agents that work with us. Further specialized training and accreditations within the property management industry include PMC (Property Management Certification) and current members of NARPM (National Association of Residential Property Managers).
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Q: Can I reach you after hours?
A: We are available after hours by appointment and for emergency maintenance.
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Q: Can you put the money directly into my account?
A: Yes, we set up an ACH direct deposit for our owners. We receive rent, pay bills and make a deposit for you.
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Q: Do I get to see the lease or sign it?
A: You will not sign the lease, but are free to review it. We have a very extensive lease to make sure you are protected, but you are welcome to review it and add any additional items to it. After the lease is signed by tenants, we upload a copy to our website so you can reference it anytime.
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Q: How long does it take you to rent a home?
A: We have a track record of very little vacancy time. We use professional photos and make sure our advertising stands out above the rest. Once a tenant gives notice, we will set up showings before they move and can typically procure and approve a tenant for move in shortly after the current tenant moves out. If a property is on the market for longer than a few weeks it is often viewed as stale and we would need to discuss price reductions or how to make the home show better.
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Q: Where do you advertise my home for rent?
A: We use the top resources available to make sure your home is rented as quick as possible. We list on our website, syndication sites that will send out to every relevant site from Zillow, Trulia and Hotpads, Facebook, Craigslist and more. We can also discuss listing your home on the MLS for other agents to see. To list on the MLS, you will need to offer a Co-op fee to agents who will show your home to their prospective tenants.
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Q: Do you sell real estate too?
A: Yes. We have a team of agents with over 40 years of experience in buying and selling real estate, locating investment opportunities and mortgages. Lots of experience and the luxury of an in house transaction coordinator. More info at
www.cardiffrealestateagent.com.
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Q: How and when do I get my rental income?
A: A typical month is rent collection from the 1-5th, bills paid from 5-7th and deposits to owners between the 5-9th.
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Q: How is rent collection handled?
A: Tenants can pay online through a portal on our website or by check to our office.
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Q: Do you have a list of handymen, plumbers, and other trades you use?
A: Yes, as San Diego natives raised by local contractors, we have everything from a handyman to experienced electricians and everything in between. Years in the construction industry have given us skills to compare bids and make sure you are getting a highly qualified vendor to do quality work. We receive approval on any work over $300.
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Q: How long of a lease do you sign?
A: We recommend a year lease. Although it is not uncommon in this market for tenants to request longer, you may want to offer the right to extend a year if all lease obligations are met.
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Q: How much security deposit do you charge the tenant?
A: A security deposit is always at least one month’s rent, with increases for pets or furnished rentals.
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Q: How soon can you start managing my property?
A: The process can be started immediately. After a walkthrough of the property and a discussion of our management services, we can arrange for photographs and start advertising.
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Q: What type of properties do you manage?
A: Single family homes, townhomes, condos and multi family properties. We specialize in the long term management of unfurnished rentals, but also have a portfolio of luxury vacation rentals.
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Q: What kind of insurance do I need to carry?
A: If you currently have a Homeowner’s Policy, you should contact your Insurance carrier and ask them to change to a Landlord policy. I have seen a homeowner denied a costly claim caused by a flood because they had second home insurance. Insurance companies will look for any reason not to pay out on a claim.
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Q: What type of reports do I get and how often?
A: We have every financial report you could need available to you through the owner portal of our website, from up to the minute accounting to monthly, quarterly and yearly income/expense statements. At year end we will send a 1099 income statement and a year end income / expense report to help with taxes.
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Q: Who holds the tenant security deposit?
A: It is up to the individual owner. Most security deposits are held in a trust account so it is out of sight and out of mind, but some owners prefer to hold onto deposits.
