Is it time to buy a rental? - 12/30/11 08:15 PM
Yes!  Making an offer now or buying one off the court steps is an excellent idea.  Most likely your new investment will be rent ready by February or March and that is when the rental market begins to heat up.  I always suggest you stick to single family homes:  3 bed 2 baths or 2 bed 2 baths as they are the most sought after by tenants. 
--James Safonov
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Natomas rents remain steady - 12/30/11 08:11 PM
With the cool winter months and holiday season the rents in Natomas have remained steady--not falling as they often do during this time of year.  As always remember to know your market, price the rental properly and make sure it is in rent ready condition.
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Water bills--another option when deciding who is to pay - 12/30/11 08:08 PM
With more and more communities activating water meters, it is now the norm for tenants to be responsible for the water bill.  In making this decision it then becomes another task to bill the tenant and monitor whether they pay the bill (or reimburse the owner when specific water companies do not permit tenants to establish service directly).  More steps can mean more costs for the manager and the owner.  An option is to have the owner pay the minimum cost for water and advise the tenant that they reserve the right to bill them for amounts exceeding the basic water allotment.
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Cold temps mean busted pipes! - 12/30/11 07:57 PM
Homes sitting vacant during these cold months pose a serious threat if the water is not shut off.  It is important when maintaining a vacant property during cold weather that you turn the water off at the main and turn on all faucets, sinks and showers to drain the remainder of the water out.  Pipes left with water in them may freeze up, expand and bust costing hundreds if not thousandes of dollars in damage.
--James Safonov 
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