Doing business in Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Alameda Counties

Call 408-559-5649

Call 408-559-5649

California Landlords & Property Managers Now Face Strict Water Conservation Restraints

Written by David Roberson, Esq. on . Posted in For Tenants, Landlords, Palo Alto, Property Management, Silicon Valley Real Estate Investing

AA Drought Resistant PlantsIn a historic move California Governor Jerry Brown issued an emergency order and declaration of water conservation rules which are now imposed on everyone in the state with the exception of farmers.  There will be fines and potential rate hikes for residents that fail to hit stepped-up conservation targets as the state endures the fourth straight year of severe drought conditions.  Governor Brown has issued water-saving orders for 25 percent statewide reduction in usage which includes bolstering enforcement of water waste, requiring drip irrigation at new construction projects, eliminating rouge farmers who divert water illegally from irrigation channels, and implementing an investment strategy in new water-saving technologies.

Legal Tax Deductions For Rental Properties

Written by David Roberson, Esq. on . Posted in Landlords, Palo Alto, Property Management, Silicon Valley Real Estate Investing

AA Expenses ReceiptsCalcAre you a rental property owner? If so, it’s great isn’t it?  You receive income from the rents, also known as other people’s money (OPM), and you realize capital appreciation from the equity gains in the value of the property – a rising tide raises all boats.  In fact using OPM is a great strategy for paying for your child’s college education, and providing a passive income stream for yourself in your retirement.  The key is buying and holding onto an investment property as soon as possible and taking full advantage of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) allowable deductions and expenses.  Becoming educated about this investment strategy is easy, fun, and should be taught to your children.

Why Most Landlords Don’t Know Habitability Standards

Written by David Roberson, Esq. on . Posted in For Tenants, Palo Alto, Property Management, Silicon Valley Real Estate Investing

AA Habitability Sign how-to-handle-maintenance-habitability-issues-4-638Over the years I took the deposition of several landlords – each of whom did not know the first thing about what the term “habitability” meant, nor could they articulate the law with respect to their requirements as a landlord.  “[I]gnorance of the law is no excuse,” and many landlords and property owners have managed to skate by without knowing they are violating the law when it comes to habitability of rental units.  California Civil Code Section 1941 et. seq. states in pertinent part that “a rental unit is required to be fit, or habitable, to live in and rent by tenants.  The rental unit must substantially comply with local and state building, health, and safety codes that materially affect the tenant’s health and safety.”  In California landlords and tenants each bear responsibility for certain kinds of repairs – however landlords ultimately are legally responsible for making sure the rental unit is habitable.

Barron Park, Palo Alto – Where Country Meets Surburbia

Written by David Roberson, Esq. on . Posted in Palo Alto, Property Management, Silicon Valley Real Estate Investing

Barron Park Home 3Barron Park is the one Palo Alto neighborhood with the greatest range of types of construction and architecture all with a rural to suburban atmosphere.   Many people are attracted to Barron Park because there is so much diversity in the housing stock.  Barron Park is improving every day with newer homes being constructed with a  Craftsman flair.  This neighborhood might be for you if you enjoy a slightly slower pace of life with a well-regarded community association and friendly neighbors who make an effort to become your friend.

Downtown North Palo Alto – Urban Living In Silicon Valley

Written by David Roberson, Esq. on . Posted in For Tenants, Palo Alto, Property Management, Silicon Valley Real Estate Investing

DowntownNorthPaloAlto2_MapOne of Palo Alto’s oldest and most recognizable neighborhoods – Downtown North Palo Alto – grew out of necessity during the construction of Leland Stanford Junior University – workers needed places to live, shop and eat.  Downtown North Palo Alto, located between Alma Street, Middlefield Road, University Avenue, and San Francisquito creek, is a few hundred footsteps from University Avenue which one of the most dynamic, diverse and economically powerful streets in the Silicon Valley.  The Downtown North neighborhood is the essence of urban living in Palo Alto, the hub of Silicon Valley.  Dozens of wonderful and tempting restaurants, cafes, shops, a theatre, and prestige stores line University Avenue (the heart of Palo Alto) – all within minutes of walking from Downtown North Palo Alto.  Jump on your bicycle, or throw on your walking shoes and Downtown North is also minutes from world renowned Leland Stanford Junior University and its sprawling campus.  A few minutes walking in the other direction leads to Caltrain – and all points north and south.

Midtown Palo Alto Is Far From Middle-of-the-Road

Written by David Roberson, Esq. on . Posted in Palo Alto, Property Management, Silicon Valley Real Estate Investing

Midtown_cowper_st_3457Developed after World War II “Midtown” Palo Alto contains all of the essential elements necessary to be a classic desirable family neighborhood.  Midtown is unambiguously located right smack in the middle of Palo Alto.  At inception Midtown was supposed to be a prototypical track neighborhood designed to accommodate California’s state-wide post-War development boom that defined the start of suburban sprawl.  Originally considered South Palo Alto, Midtown grew so big, so fast that the two separate neighborhoods – Midtown and South Palo Alto – were destined to be separated out of necessity.   Today Midtown is a distinct, charming stand-alone neighborhood which epitomizes Palo Alto neighborhood living.

Community Center Palo Alto – The Neighborhood Name Fit For Its Function

Written by David Roberson, Esq. on . Posted in Palo Alto, Property Management

CCPA Lucie SternIf one were to encounter a neighborhood crafted around the community gathering place a name like “Community Center” would be appropriate.  Community Center Palo Alto is precisely that place.  The Community Center neighborhood almost symmetrically surrounds the Palo Alto Children’s Library, the City of Palo Alto Main Library, the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre, the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo, the Palo Alto Art Center, Rinconada Park (for swimming and tennis), and the Lucie Stern Community Center. 

Crescent Park Palo Alto Displays Classic Elegance, Prestige and Charm

Written by David Roberson, Esq. on . Posted in Palo Alto

CP PA 1One of Palo Alto’s most sought-after neighborhoods is Crescent Park – in fact it is the Crown Jewel of Palo Alto.  This neighborhood is home to many amazingly beautiful mansions which define classic beauty, elegance, prestige and old wealth along the San Francisco Peninsula.  Pre-World War II homes divide up three distinct sections of Crescent Park’s Magnolia-lined streets; East of Middlefield Road, Prime Crescent Park, and Crescent Park Addition.  This neighborhood has many different architectural styles all of which are on display in each section of Crescent Park.  Just east of downtown are bungalows which began sprouting up in the early 1900s through the 1920s.  Many of these bungalows show architectural details and other craftsmen laid surprises not found in modern residential construction.  Tudors, Spanish Colonials, Spanish Revivals, and Monterey Colonials can be found throughout all sections of Crescent Park.  To appreciate all of the architecture one must just venture street-by-street, block-by-block.

Old Palo Alto Defines Old World Charm, Elegance, and Wealth

Written by David Roberson, Esq. on . Posted in Palo Alto

OPA 6

Wealthy individuals, famous high-tech entrepreneurs, worldly investors and knowledgeable property collectors all know that Old Palo Alto is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in all of the United States, not just California and not just the SF Bay Area.

Mature, blossoming magnolia trees provide a hovering canopy throughout the perimeter of Embarcadero Road, Oregon Expressway, Alma Street and Middlefield Roads – which is commonly known as Old Palo Alto.   Old Palo Alto is by far the wealthiest and most expensive neighborhood in Palo Alto – Crescent Park a close second.   No two homes are alike amongst the rich collection of Tudors, Moorish and Spanish Colonials, English traditional, Eichlers, Craftsman, and the recent Post-Modern designs which provides a unique experience for the first time visitor as they travel the streets and marvel at the large lots and expansive beautiful homes.   The first time one visits Old Palo Alto you recognize that it is a different neighborhood than most.

Historic Professorville Palo Alto is the Definition of an American Neighborhood

Written by David Roberson, Esq. on . Posted in Palo Alto, Property Management

Professor 1Wouldn’t you expect a name like Professorville to be something out of a Hollywood movie?  Well Professorville Palo Alto could very well be in a movie.  Professorville is one of the smaller Palo Alto neighborhoods which is found between Addison, Kingsley, Ramona and Cowper streets in downtown Palo Alto.  The first homes were built in Professorville in the late 1880’s.  During this period Leland Stanford was building out other portions of Palo Alto and Stanford University campus and some of the adventurous professors sought to build their own homes – on land they could actually buy which wasn’t owned by Stanford.

Silicon Valley Property
Management Group

1900 Camden Avenue
San Jose, CA 95124
408-559-5649

We manage residential and commercial rental properties in San Jose, Campbell, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Mountain View, Los Altos Hills and every point in between.

They get things done right and right away

★★★★★
5
Great services organization. They get things done right and right away, highly professional and no nonsense. I would highly recommend this firm for leasing or renting/selling a property.
- Eric Frazier
Overall rating: ★★★★★ 5 based on 1 reviews

CA RE Broker #01942886