The Santa Cruz real estate market is a great place to invest in property and earn some money. High-quality rental homes are in high demand, and there aren’t enough of them. This is a market that provides a lot of opportunity for investors, landlords, and even tenants. There’s a high quality of life in our area, and people like living in the homes we rent out. 

With limited inventory and high demand, investing in Santa Cruz requires knowledge, capital, and at least a basic understanding of the local rental market and how it works. It helps to know the tenants here, the competition, and of course, the rental laws. 

Whether you’re new to investing or growing an investment portfolio, success requires relationships. You need access to the best resources available, and you also need to surround yourself with professionals who can help you identify the right opportunities and avoid the costliest mistakes. 

To effectively capitalize on Santa Cruz real estate, you need valuable insights and top local resources. We’re suggesting a few things to you, today. 

Participate in Professional Associations and Networks 

Any investor should be committed to learning more about best practices, new technology, legal changes, and investment protection. You can learn a lot from professional associations such as the local chapter of the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM). Look for your local NARPM group in Santa Clara County (it’s called NARPM-SCC), and get linked in with some of the smartest and most innovative property managers in our market. You don’t have to be a property manager to join. You’ll find networking opportunities with other investors, vendors, tech providers, and professionals in service industries that impact and support real estate investing. 

There are also groups such as the California Association of Realtors. Check in with the California Apartment Association. Join SCARR - The Santa Cruz County Association of Realtors. Look around for the groups and associations that will help you grow your own investment portfolio. You’ll learn a lot, meet new like-minded people, and find opportunities that you might not otherwise have had access to. These groups will have libraries of information you can access, and you’ll likely meet some great people, too.

Investor and Owner Resources around California Rent Control 

Rent control. Just cause eviction. Section 8. Security deposits. There are a lot of laws you need to know in order to effectively invest in California rent control. Fair housing laws. Support animals vs. service animals vs. pets. 

Are you doing an okay job of staying up to date? 

The law that gets the most attention around here is the statewide rent stabilization laws, which have been in place for a few years now. Most investors have become accustomed to what they mean and how they apply. However, there are always nuances. There are always exceptions. There are always different ways that the courts might interpret the law. New legislation is always being proposed. How can real estate investors keep up?

The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz can help. The State of California’s Justice Department also has resources and newsletters that can keep you up to date. Check in with the attorney general’s office if you have any questions about housing laws or tenant protections. 

Property Management Resources Santa Cruz Investors 

Many of our property management clients come to us because they’re new landlords and unsure of how to navigate the complex rental laws in Santa Cruz and throughout California. Or, they’ve been renting out a property for a while but they’re tired of fielding phone calls from tenants, driving over to the property, and chasing down late rent. 

As professional Santa Cruz property managers, our job is to protect your investment. We’re here to take care of all the leasing, management, and maintenance while communicating with you about what’s going on at your property. 

Property management is a huge resource for investors and landlords. Don’t wait too long to reach out for help from a management company. 

The resources we provide cover: 

• Finding and placing a tenant. This includes marketing, showings, screenings, and lease negotiation. 
• Collecting rent and enforcing the lease
• Responding to routine and emergency maintenance issues
• Responding to tenant concerns and questions; managing disputes and conflicts
• Providing accounting and bookkeeping services for your property, including statements and reports
• Communicating with owners, tenants, vendors, and other interested parties such as insurance agents, attorneys, accountants, and other professionals 
• Keeping an eye on preventative maintenance issues and property condition

A good property manager will do more than place tenants and collect rent. It’s our role to help you earn more and spend less on your investment. We have the tools and the resources as well as the expertise that easily facilitates this. For example, we place better tenants quickly, which saves you money on extended vacancies, potential property damage, and eviction costs. 

Protecting your property and your income are what we do best. All the resources you may need as a new landlord or an experienced investor are right here with us. If you’re tired of doing it all on your own or worried you might make an expensive mistake, Santa Cruz property management can be your secret weapon. 

We protect you from unqualified residents and expensive legal mistakes. This is essential to maintaining and growing a strong portfolio. Property managers are an invaluable resource because we save you money and help you earn more.