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

Call 408-559-5649

Call 408-559-5649

Self-Management or Property Management Professional? That is the Question

Written by David Roberson, Esq. on . Posted in Landlords, Los Altos, Menlo Park, Non-Owner Occupied Properties, Palo Alto, Property Management, Silicon Valley Real Estate Investing, Uncategorized

Rental Properties Can Dominate You If You Aren’t Careful

When you’re thinking about advantages and disadvantages of owning a rental property, it’s easy to narrow the thinking down to the equation of rental income minus expenses equals your profit. This is a basic formula to start with, but there are so many different factors and variables that go into making it more complex than it seems. Many rental property owners don’t realize how much of their own time and effort is required for upkeep, taking tenant calls, collecting rent, enforcing leases and more. This brings us to the point of whether it’s worth the investment of your own time to handle these duties, or if paying a property management company to handle them for you is the way to go. Everyone views these perspectives differently but getting an overall understanding of both sides will help you make the decision that fits your lifestyle best. Finally, most people I meet don’t realize there are actually four (4) different ways to make money in rental properties – spending your time managing the property might not always be in your best interests.

Mold Prevention and Mitigation Guide for Property Managers

Written by David Roberson, Esq. on . Posted in For Tenants, Landlords, Menlo Park, Non-Owner Occupied Properties, Palo Alto, Property Management, Silicon Valley Real Estate Investing, Uncategorized

mold-removalI rarely use the “M” word because I’m not an industrial hygienist or a laboratory.  However, mold is commonly talked about in the real estate world and is everywhere – that simple fact doesn’t take away from the seriousness of it.  A mold infestation or contamination can be extremely damaging to a property and to investment property managers.  Not only does mold put your tenants/residents at risk, but you and the property owner may have to spend a significant amount of time and money to properly mitigate the environmental condition and make the rental unit a safe and comfortable place to live.  Moreover, mold creates a significant stigma on a property which most certainly attaches and affects value and desirability.  In addition to educating yourself about mold, one of the best things you can do is focus on the common areas (bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms) where mold grows and do your best to prevent it by keeping these rooms, walls, ceilings as dry as possible.  However, if mold/mildew growth is already there, it’s time to take care of it before the issue becomes more serious.  Remember, a property manager and/or landlord’s primary duty is to provide a habitable rental unit – a unit with mold is not habitable.

Living in Green Acres Palo Alto Means Top-Rated Schools and a Neighborly Atmosphere 

Written by David Roberson, Esq. on . Posted in Non-Owner Occupied Properties, Palo Alto, Property Management, Silicon Valley Real Estate Investing, Uncategorized

AA Green Acres 1In the words of the hit sitcom theme song, “Green Acres is the place to be!” While the Palo Alto version of Green Acres is far removed from the TV show’s “farm livin’,” living in Green Acres in Palo Alto is just as idyllic.  As a matter of fact, the current neighborhood is on a site that used to house sprawling citrus orchards, so city conveniences truly do meet country charm here in Green Acres.  This neighborhood has all the features that families look for in a full service neighborhood.  It’s walking distance to the amazing public schools, it is bordered and well-defined, and it has shopping and restaurants all within minutes.

Why Families Living in Duveneck/St. Francis Palo Alto Never Want To Leave

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

AA Duveneck 1Convenient, charming, family-oriented, and a bit more affordable than other Palo Alto neighborhoods, it’s easy to understand why Duveneck/St. Francis (also affectionately known to locals as Green Gables) is one of the area’s most coveted neighborhoods. Whether you are looking to buy your first home or are an investor looking for a reliable income stream, start your search by researching the available homes in Duveneck/St. Francis.  Duveneck/St. Francis provides easy access to the entire Bay Area, Silicon Valley, and beyond.

Life in Palo Alto Hills Offers an Escape from the Hustling Silicon Valley

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

PA Hills HorsesThe Silicon Valley is a hotbed of enterprising tech firms and hungry young professionals anxious to make their mark in this competitive field. It’s a vibrant and high-energy corner of Northern California, but not necessarily the ideal place to live. Those who appreciate escaping the daily grind and reconnecting with nature will love the more laidback lifestyle in Palo Alto Hills.

Window Replacement Trends for Rental Properties

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

By Eric Holder – President/CEO Able Glass, Window & DoorAA Windows Back Yard

Able Glass, Window & Door has been installing windows and doors in all types of residential and commercial (apartment) buildings since 1969.  Over the years we have seen many different types of windows, window systems, and installation methods come and go.  Window trends appear with the different types of construction, architecture, and consumer tastes as well as the ever changing rules of the industry standards to ensure that a building is energy efficient.  Window design and construction has gradually improved with technological advances in making a building use less energy, which helps reduce energy costs.  Today, in the San Francisco Bay Area housing market, we are experiencing some new trends in the types of windows being constructed and installed primarily for residential rental and investment properties by professional property management companies.  These trends continue to develop and evolve but here is an outline of what we are seeing in today’s environment.

Exemplary Schools, Silicon Valley Economy, and Amazing Year Round Weather are Just a Few Reasons to Live in South Palo Alto

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

1 Eichler 3If you’re looking for the perfect place to call home in the Bay Area, you may feel overwhelmed by the abundance of options.  Mountain View, Saratoga, Los Gatos, San Jose, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Los Altos, Menlo Park, Palo Alto… How do you narrow your options? You need to learn all you can about the pockets and enclaves in this amazing region of California. If you are looking for a family friendly area with charming homes that are priced reasonably, take a closer look at South Palo Alto real estate listings.

Midtown Palo Alto Real Estate: Exceptional Location for Less

Written by David Roberson, Esq. on . Posted in For Tenants, Landlords, Palo Alto, Property Management, Uncategorized

AA Midtown-Palo-Alto Home 3Palo Alto real estate is highly sought after, but it can also be extremely expensive, making home investment difficult. The good news is, Midtown Palo Alto, bounded by Oregon Expressway, Loma Verde, Alma and Highway 101, is more affordable than many of the other areas in town. When it comes to Palo Alto real estate, it’s the perfect location for a family looking to lease their home or find a home to invest in on a smaller budget with all the benefits of Palo Alto cache, schools, and community. 

Why E-Cigarettes Are Not Included in New Palo Alto Smoking Ban

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

E-CigarettesEven though e-cigarettes are increasingly being banned throughout California cities and counties Palo Alto’s City Council is not including them in their new proposed smoking ban for apartment buildings.  For those of you who aren’t familiar with them e-cigarettes look like the real thing, they glow when you puff on them, and a smoker puffs out a cloud of vapor when they exhale.  Many believe e-cigarettes are a “gateway” drug as the number of teenagers using them doubled from 2011 to 2012, and increased 61 percent from 2012 to 2013.  Moreover, e-cigarettes have nicotine, emit formaldehyde, are addictive, and can be dangerous for people with heart problems.  There are many unknowns with e-cigarettes and this is potentially the reason Palo Alto is not yet banning them in multi-family buildings.

Palo Alto’s Trifecta – Leland Manor, Garland, and Embarcadero Oaks

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

AA Leland Manor 2If you are looking for a quiet, peaceful Palo Alto neighborhood look no further than Leland Manor, Garland, and Embarcadero Oaks.  Located in the middle of Palo Alto, there exists these three small neighborhoods, all connected and which extend north from Oregon Expressway, to Middlefield Road, Embarcadero Road, and Louis Road.

These three neighborhoods were annexed into Palo Alto proper in the 1930s.  Each quaint neighborhood has its own unique and pleasureful personality.  Most of the homes in these neighborhoods were built in the 1930s to 1960s and many have been upgraded and improved with time.  Many of the homes in these three mini-neighborhoods were built as three and four bedroom ranch-style homes, sprinkled with the occasional custom Eichler. The central location for Leland Manor, Garland, and Embarcadero Oaks allows for ease of access to US 101, local shopping, great Palo Alto schools, Stanford University, and community amenities.

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