Blog Posts in Category: Maintenance Care
06/19/2023
Your Preferred Property Management Group
Advent Properties, Inc has been providing service beyond expectation to California Homeowners and Landlords since we were established in 2008. As we move into a shifting market, it’s important for us to continue expanding our ability to provide top notch services to all of those we continue to serve. Here are just seven reasons why we are your number one choice for Property Management:
1) Marketing Presence
One of the number one keys to keeping your property constantly occupied with great tenants is our expansive Leasing and Marketing abilities. We keep our eye on the local rental market and make sure local renters keep their eye on your property. We implement videos, virtual staging, and flexible private touring from highly trained our highly trained leasing professionals. Allowing your property to be viewed as the number one choice in its neighborhood is why we consistently keep our properties occupied with great tenants. more...
For the month of May, Advent Properties is proud to support our very own Leasing Agent, Tyler Powell. Tyler has been with the company now for over 3 years and is our sole Leasing Agent working directly with our owners to keep their properties occupied with our amazing tenants. Thanks to Tyler, Advent has an average of 28-40 days on Market for our properties. Which is less than the 30-60 average days you usually expect in the Bay Area. We sat down with Tyler and asked him questions on why he has so much success:
How long have you been with Advent Properties? How did you get your start here
Since October 2020. I was let go of my previous job due to covid in March of 2020. I spent months looking for not only just a job, but a job that would get me excited. When Benjamin and William decided to hire me and give me a chance, my career was truly changed forever. more...
As retirement approaches, many people are concerned about ensuring their financial stability. One way to achieve this goal is by investing in real estate. Purchasing a rental home can provide a stable source of income during retirement, but there are several things to consider before making such a significant investment.
According to Investopedia, investing in income-generating property can be a smart financial move. A rental property can provide a steady stream of passive income that can supplement other retirement savings. In addition, owning a property provides a tangible asset that can appreciate over time, increasing its overall value. However, this is not for the faint of heart, investing in rental properties requires careful consideration, education, research and planning. more...
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
According to the latest Producer Price Index (PPI) report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the prices of goods used in residential construction ex-energy climbed 3.6% in January (not seasonally adjusted). The index was higher by a 25.4% jump in softwood lumber prices and 9.0% price increases for indoor and outdoor paint.
Building materials prices increased 20.3% year over year and have risen 28.7% since January 2020. Over the past four months, the index has climbed 8.4%. more...
Nationally respected business recommendation website, Expertise.com, scored 178 Property Management companies in San Francisco and 31 Property Management companies in Concord — so far, we technically rank #1 on both lists in 2021! We also received this award last year in San Francisco, and both lists were recently updated on March 12th and 17th, 2021 — giving us a great sign that our hard work is not going unnoticed!
Expertise makes it easy to find the best local experts in your area. Their proprietary research and selection process identifies the top service professionals in over 200 different industries in major cities across the United States. Expertise features are only objectively quantified, and qualified professionals hand-picked by their selection process and research to understand what’s important when searching for experienced and professional companies. more...
Martin Grube, FEMA - 44263 - Mold Remediation Awareness, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons
Overview:
During the humid summer months, mold can be an unwanted guest. Taking the steps to prevent mold before it can grow out of control is essential. We’re already partway through the summer, but there are things we can do and change to protect our home from mold damage. Stopping mold before it starts, or even in its beginning stages, before it has the chance to grow, will help prevent a greater problem down the road.
Some mold can also be identified by smell. In general, the smell of mold is unpleasant and smells like something is moist in the room. Some people compare it to the smell of wet socks, or rotten wood or paper. When mold eats, grows, and multiplies, it releases Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOC). There are many of these compounds, or chemicals, that are released as mold grows, but some of the most common have smells that are pungent and musty. Their scent is also described as earthy or meaty, likened to the smell following rain. Others have an acetone-like, or camphor-like odor, with some described as herbaceous, nutty, or fatty. Another MVOC releases an alcohol fermentation smell. more...
06/05/2020
4 Tips for DIY Spring Pest Control
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Like clockwork each spring, pests will find a way to sneak in through the tiniest of cracks and crevices in your home, and you'll try your best to fight them off. Fortunately, taking just a few proactive steps before summer arrives can limit the number of bugs and rodents that come inside. Here are four tips to make your home a bug-free zone this spring and summer:
1. Fix Leaks and remove any standing water:
Residents should notify property management of any roof leaks or other exterior leakage as soon as possible. Bugs enjoy the water, and any water sources close to your home will attract pests. Standing water in lawn furniture, plant containers, and toys can become a breeding source for mosquitoes and harmful micro-organisms. While carpenter ants and termites can tunnel through moist wood much like rodents and other animals. more...
As Bay Area residents do their part by turning their residences into virtual places of business and e-learning hubs, they must think about energy use. Whether using energy to power appliances and technology or light, heat or cool their homes, this increase in residential energy use could result in higher costs.
Since California's shelter in place rule went into place in March, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has seen residential electric usage already increase by 15-20% compared to the same time last year. Two programs currently exist which may help residents who are feeling the energy burden, including: more...
05/29/2020
10 Very Common Rental Property Repairs
As a Property Owner, one of your most significant responsibilities is to keep up the property and repair things when they break. Although this can be high-priced and stressful if you budget and successfully plan for maintenance, you will have funds saved to handle these issues. Repairs tend to scare new landlords, but most maintenance issues are typically simple to repair. Even though you will rarely foresee when these issues happen, you can predict that they certainly will.
1. Appliances Not Working
Appliances have a lot of moving parts, and as such, tend to break down fairly often. Although the landlord can fix some issues, many problems will require a professional appliance repair representative. Unless a new appliance is needed, the typical cost to fix is between $50 and $100 per hour, and most repairs take about an hour. Used appliance stores exist in almost every town, and especially in the case of stoves, can be just as good as new. more...
Buying a home is one of the most significant financial decisions you’ll make in your life. Although, on occasion, it can be one of the largest sources of stress for many first-time buyers is the financing process. Unless you’ve planned thoroughly and dedicated time for research, receiving a mortgage can feel complicated and overwhelming. Luckily, you could learn from these common mistakes first-time homebuyers make to have a less stressful experience:
1. Not realizing the full cost of homeownership:
Being a first-time homebuyer involves much more than the monthly cost of renting, which usually includes your rent payment, some of the utilities, your internet, and cable bills. As a homeowner, you’ll be responsible for the additional monthly costs that may have been covered by your landlord. That includes the following expenses: Water, sewer and garbage, monthly HOA fees, landscaping, property taxes, and homeowners insurance. All of that is in addition to maintenance costs, which you should set aside 1-3 percent of the purchase price of the home annually to cover repairs and maintenance. more...
While the spring market would usually be running at full power now, COVID-19 has put an impermanent stop to most real estate transactions. However, that does not imply that you cannot set aside the effort to prepare your home to be listed and available to be purchased once we flatten the curve. In light of that, here are four recommendations on things you can do to prepare your home to hit the market after stay-at-home orders have been relieved:
1. Address any minor repairs:
Even the most meticulous homeowners typically have a list of home repairs that they mean to fix when they have time. Whatever fixes may be on your to-do list, it's imperative to deal with them before you list your home available for sale. While these fixes usually won't require a ton of effort on your part, they will go a long way towards improving the opinions of the overall condition of the home, which can lead to higher-priced offers. more...
Dear Friends & Fellow Citizens:
We are a group of individuals with resources and connections in Asia for Mask and PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) supplies. This campaign is to help fund the purchase of these vital supplies and deliver to those service providers in the most urgent need during this pandemic outbreak. We are ordering masks and PPE as we speak, and fundraising on the backend to help multiply our purchases by way of large quantity discounts.
We are contacting all hospitals and clinics in the hot spots initially to understand their situation for supplies and will prioritize based on the needs accordingly. more...
Home Trends can make your home feel and look new and refreshing, but they can also make your home feel outdated and uncomfortable. Some trends reach their end date while some become timeless. You might be asking yourself “How can I tell when my home needs to be renovated?” The most common method of staying up-to-date is to find blogs, influencers, and catalogs that fit the moods you want to show inside and outside of your home. You can modernize your home with small details like adding wallpaper, plants, and accents. Or you could go big and paint your rooms, order new furniture, or even add/remove the carpet. But remember, trends change like the seasons. So here is a list of 10 Home Decor Trends we’ve noticed that are losing their appeal this forthcoming Winter Season. 1. Fake Plants Implementing Plants in your home can help improve your indoor air quality. So place a few living plants in the appropriate hospitable locations of your home over several fake plants and flowers. If you’re concerned about your lack of a green thumb, here are a few suggestions that are easy to care for during winter. • In an Overly-Heated Room: Cacti and Desert Plants • In a Dry Room: Aloe or Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees • In a Dry Room: Philodendrons or Succulents • In a Low-Light Room: Chinese Evergreen, or Aglaonema • In a Drafty Room: Christmas Cactus or Jade Plants 2. Too Much Granite Granite is a popular option when choosing kitchen counters, but avoid going overboard by adding accents such as quartz or butcher block countertop for your kitchen island and workspace. 3. Industrial Everything Industrial home decor has been popular for decades; Edison bulbs, exposed brick, rusted or brushed metal accents are a few examples of this decor design. However, there is such a thing as too much industrial. If you want to go for an industrial look inside of your home, add a couple of elements such as modern pendant lights or a pegboard backsplash. 4. All Grey Everything Adding to the Industrial trend we’ve listed prior to this, all grey rooms can sometimes make a room feel dull and life-less in contrary to creating a calming and minimal environment. If it is too late to re-paint your walls or you absolutely adore your grey furniture, try adding in some vivid colored plants or wall decor that is an appropriate fit for the type room. 5. Vertical Blinds Vertical blinds can be a pain to open, close, and can become tangled easily. So most home decor enthusiasts update to mini blinds, DIY window treatments, and lightweight curtains to preserve the abundant natural sunlight in their homes. 6. Indoor Wicker Furniture Wicker furniture is typically a top choice for your balcony or porch, so keep the wicker outside. When used indoors, wicker is one of those home trends that can quickly make a home look dated. 7. Carriage hinges Carriage Hinges are most popularly found on tilt-up retractable garage doors that usually do not open like shed doors. This trend could make your home garage feel more like a barn shed as opposed to a destination for your vehicle. 8. Tuscan-Inspired Kitchens A popular kitchen design trend for just about two decades, but Tuscan kitchens are starting to lose their appeal. Instead of lots of stone and darker colors, today’s kitchens focus on brighter lighting and a crisp color palette for home trends. 9. Brass Hardware Metals may be in when it comes to accessories, but avoid shiny brass as it can make a kitchen look dated. Instead, replace cabinet hardware with brushed nickel, glass or stainless steel. 10. Bold Appliances Bold kitchen colors are on-trend, but avoid choosing bright colors for appliances. You wouldn’t put a ’70s avocado green or goldenrod refrigerator in your kitchen now, so just imagine how that bold red or seafoam green appliance will in a few years. We hope this list is helpful to your home modernization, we anticipate the various point of views about trendy home decor. Please let us know what your thoughts are in the comment section below, or tag us in your post on any social platform! more...
As the brisk winds of winter approach us, Advent Properties is here to keep you updated on how you can prepare to keep your home warm, cozy, clean and sturdy!
For your safety, and to avoid damage to your property inside and out; it is best to routinely clean your microwave and oven, range hood filters, unclog sink and drain holes, replace heater filter, and check smoke alarms and fire extinguishers on a monthly basis.
Cleaning your heater system, windows, and running water to flush toilets in unused spaces should be done on a quarterly basis. However, the following home maintenance tasks done to prepare your home for the Winter season will help you stay ahead of any property damage inside and out of your home. more...
11/28/2017
How to Get your Security Deposit Back
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It's hard to imagine where to even begin when moving out of your home. Between the yes and no questions of "Do I reallllly need this?" and "I forgot I even had this", one question you may ask is "How do I get my Security Deposit back?". It's a significant and expensive question that has crossed the mind. After all, a pretty penny went towards the security deposit; why not try to get most of it back? Part of the series of common maintenance items anyone can do, we've created a list of tasks that can help maximize returning your deposit. We understand that it can be overwhelming at times, so a steady pace and the right tools can make anything achievable KITCHEN Clean refrigerator, shelves, crisper, under crisper and underfoot guard. Clean and defrost freezer. Clean Cabinet Doors Inside and Out Clean tiles and faucet fixtures. Clean floor (including under the refrigerator and stove). Check and clean garbage disposal (if applicable). Clean stove, hood, vent, and filter (all should be grease free). Clean all counter tops. LIVING ROOM, DINING ROOM, BEDROOMS, CLOSET, AND HALLWAYS Vacuum carpet, including edges. Shampoo the carpets if necessary. Carpets are preferably cleaned professionally to avoid damage. Clean baseboards and woodwork throughout the unit. Clean all blinds. Clean windows and windowsills (inside and out wherever possible). Clean and vacuum sliding window tracks. Clean air conditioner BATHROOMS Clean medicine cabinet out completely Clean mirrors Clean window and windowsill Clean all tile Clean floor Clean Bathtub, Shower, shower doors Clean all drawer/cabinets & vanity Clean hardware on faucets/shower Clean toilet inside & Out including enclosed base FIXTURES Clean ceiling fan blades Light cover Outlet Covers need to be installed GARAGE AND PARKING STALLS Stain-free from any car oil GARBAGE AND DEBRIS Remove and dispose of any debris. more...