Utopia Management blogs

Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Installed for Your Protection

blogger — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 21:50:22 +0000

In May 2010, the state of California enacted a law requiring home owners to install carbon monoxide detectors in their homes. According to the California Air Resources Board, 30 to 40 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning. If you are a tenant renting a property from Utopia Management, a carbon monoxide detector has already been installed in your property for your safety. It is imperative to continuously monitor the proper operation of your carbon monoxide detectors. Much like smoke detectors, It is strongly advised that you test your carbon monoxide detectors on a monthly basis to ensure you and your family remain protected.

If you notice that the detector is not functioning properly, you may want to try changing the batteries and try testing the devise once more. If that does not resolve the problem, please contact our maintenance department immediately so that we can take measures to remedy the problem.

To reach our maintenance department, you may call our office at 858-598-1111 Monday thru Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You may also place an online maintenance request at http://www.utopiamanagement.com/maintenance-request.

Rental Qualifications

blogger — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:26:54 +0000

So, you’ve found the rental of your dreams, what do you do next? Applying for any property managed by Utopia Management is easy! You can stop by our office centrally located in Kearny Mesa and pick up an application, or you can print an application from our website (http://www.utopiamanagement.com/rental-application) and return in to our office. Or, if you prefer to complete the application process online, simply go to the webpage of the property you would like to apply for on our website and from there you click on apply now button. Utopia’s rental qualifications, listed below, will highlight the requirements needed to be considered as a possible tenant:

1. All applicants must submit an application for the property that they are interested in, and in addition pay a $25.00 nonrefundable fee to have their credit processed before they are approved. Concerning the credit check, at Utopia Management we are not looking for applicants who have good-excellent credit. Once an application is received in our office, please allow 24 – 48 hours for processing. Payment of the $25.00 needed to process your application can be paid in our office with cash or personal check. If you are choosing to apply online the application fee can be paid using a debit or credit card.

2. Everyone living in the property, 18 years or older, must be represented on the lease. This means that all adults living on the property must fill out an application and submit the $25.00 necessary to have their credit check completed. And, as a friendly reminder, the application fee is nonrefundable.

3. No prior evictions can be present on your rental history.

4. No Bankruptcies less than two years old can present on your credit report.

5. Proof of Income. The combined gross income of the household must be 2 ½ to 3 times the rent. Proof of income can include paystubs and tax returns.

6. Rental History. Applicants must provide previous rental history for up to three years. This requires current contact information from your previous landlord who can verify your previous tenancy.

Retiring Without A Mortgage

blogger — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:52:07 +0000

Let’s face it: Whether you’re 35 or 65, the prospect or retiring without a mortgage is an attractive one. Not having to send monthly checks to your lender means extra money to spend on having fun once you exit the workforce. After years of punctual principal-and-interest payments, it’s the least you deserve, right?

There are several way to begin approaching a retirement without a mortgage to pay. Some approaches benefit you from an early start—so if you are able, plan ahead. Other mortgage free retirement options can be put into effect even if you’re close to collecting Social Security.

1. Make Extra Mortgage Payments -- Over time, a few bucks here and there tacked on to your mortgage payment can translate into thousands of dollars saved on interest and years shaved off the repayment period. The trick is to find small ways to cut corners on other household expenses so that you can apply those modest savings toward your mortgage. Simply swapping out traditional incandescent light bulbs for CFLs, for example, can save you $50 a year in energy costs. A programmable thermostat can save you up to $180 annually.

2. Downsize Your Home-- Think about it: At a time when you're supposed to be enjoying the simple life, do you really need a formal living room, separate dining room and two spare bedrooms that you never set foot in? If your answer is no, think about downsizing your home.
The beauty of downsizing to a smaller home in the same area is that you don't need to say goodbye to your friends, family and community. Of course, beauty can also be found in the fact that you might be able to pay cash for your new abode. That means no mortgage.

3. Relocate to a Cheaper City-- Can't find the right place at the right price to retire in your hometown? Move somewhere cheaper. Sure, there will be sacrifices, but what you'll give up in familiarity you'll make up for financially. The best places to retire combine ample activities with affordable real estate. And moving to an affordable locale will boost the odds that you won't have to take out a new mortgage.

Should I Allow Pets in my Rental Property?

blogger — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:55:01 +0000

To many pet owners, their furry little bundle of joy is equated to being a member of the family. This goes doubly here in Southern California where pet shrinks, groomers, and luxury boarding facilities seem to be found on every corner! To pet owning tenants, the thought of giving up their dogs and cats in order to move into a home is absolutely ludicrous! They can’t understand why anyone would hesitate to rent to them and their pets.

Just about every homeowner has heard some kind of horror story from a friend, neighbor, or family member about a renter/pet situation that went awry. As soon as they hear that an applicant has a pet, the mind can tend to conjure up images of destroyed yards, urine soaked carpets, and smells that will linger for years. Not saying these kinds of things do not happen, but this occurrence is not the norm. Many renters in California are seeking pet friendly rental residences. Here in San Diego, the rental market has become increasingly competitive! An increase in the number of available properties coupled with an unchanged pool of renters means that if you want to rent your home quickly, you need to appeal to the largest market share that you can.

In conclusion, I would encourage home owners to at least consider the prospect of renting to tenants that have pets. For the average homeowner in San Diego, one month of missed rent on a vacant home could range significantly. At Utopia Management we ask for an additional pet deposit and rent from our tenants with pets. There are plenty of ways to safeguard your home and investment from the potential pet carnage!

Always remember… Less vacancy means more money in your pocket!

Normal Wear and Tear

blogger — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:43:31 +0000

During the hopefully pleasant and profitable period of renting your home or investment property, one needs to bear in mind the term “Normal Wear and Tear”. Any home, whether occupied by the owner or tenant (regardless of how meticulous they are in maintaining the property) cannot escape normal wear and tear.

Based upon the perspective of most working professionals in the property management industry, here is a list of examples of what is considered normal wear and tear:

1. Minor scuff marks on walls, trim, woodwork, flooring and doors

2. Minor scratches and dings on appliances

3. Minor stains and visible wear and tear on carpeting in traffic areas

4. Picture hangers

5. Deterioration/staining of caulking

6. Loose fixtures & loose door knobs/locks

One of the goals of Utopia Management is to protect and preserve your property in a condition that represents how you left it, taking into account normal wear and tear.

We complete detailed inspection reports before your new tenant moves in, and again after each tenant vacates. We use these reports as the basis to determine damages. An example of normal wear and tear would be window screen fraying from age. However, a large red stain on the living room carpet that was not present prior to the tenant’s occupancy would be considered damage.

Please remember, normal wear and tear should not be deducted from the tenant’s deposit.Carpet, flooring, paint (interior and exterior) appliances, and roofs all age and require periodic maintenance and replacement.

Ready for 2012?

blogger — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 20:03:21 +0000

Like so many, we are astonished that we are already at the end on 2011! Christmas will be here in a few days, and before you know it, 2012 will be here as well. A new year brings new possibilities and changes, and for some of our tenants that could mean moving out of their Utopia managed rental property. Transitioning out of your current rental home into a new one comes with its own set of challenges. Coordinating your move, packing all of your belongings, and relocating takes a significant amount of time. Ensure that your transition is as smooth as possible by following these three steps:

It is important to provide a written 30 day notice before you intend on moving out of your Utopia managed property. This will give the management company ample notice of your intended move out, and start to give you a timeframe for your move. You will also be in compliance with your rental agreement by providing a written and signed 30 day notice. If you have not already begun looking for a new place, this is the time to start looking.
Upon moving out of your Utopia managed property, see to it that you are leaving the residence in the same condition as you received it. Don’t be afraid to put a little elbow grease in and make your former place sparkle! When you are moving out, it goes without saying that you‘ll want the biggest return on your security deposit. Leaving your former home spic ‘n span with professionally cleaned carpets could not hurt the return you will receive!
One of the most important elements to remember when moving out of your rental property is returning all of the keys on the last day of your lease or before. When you are returning keys, you are returning possession to Utopia Management. This process is quick and relatively effortless! All you have to do is come into the Utopia Management office and return your keys to the receptionist. She will then make you a photo copy of the keys you have returned and ask for a forwarding address for your deposit/any additional paperwork that needs to reach you after move out. The keys to your former property will be delivered to your property manager.

Following these steps will help you transition smoothly out of your former property into your new one. Whether you have just signed a lease with us, have lived in one of our managed residences for years, or whether you are planning on moving out in 2012; the staff here at Utopia Management sends you best wishes for the coming year!

Do NOT Wait! Advertise Your Property TODAY!!

blogger — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:14:15 +0000

The old adage is that time is money, but, in the case of a property owners time is rent and rent is money! The more time that is taken to think about whether to re-rent or sell, when a tenant gives notice, the more potential rent an owner can lose.

One of the best ways to ensure the least amount of time between the lull of having your property vacant and rented again is to start advertising as soon as you get a notice from your tenant. Getting a jump on letting the world know your home is going to be available in the coming month will give you extra time to find a new occupant. This strategy could have the potential to eliminate the down time between renters, and have you making money on your property faster than you thought.

Don’t have the time with the holidays to begin the advertising process? This would be a good time to start seeking a property management company to get the ball rolling for you. Utopia Management actively advertises all of our properties on over 100 websites . This gives you maximum exposure and allows you to focus on other important details of your life, rather than worrying about whether or not you will be receiving that rental income in the New Year.

Just interested in having a management company find your new tenant? NOT a problem! If you are just seeking some help in getting someone in your property, that is also an option for you if you decide to sign with Utopia! If you have the experience to manage your property yourself, Utopia Management can provide desirable renters to occupy your investment home.

The main point is; DO NOT wait on advertising your available property! Make the time to insure that you are utilizing every available avenue to let the world know that you are ready for a new renter. And, if you do not have the time, consider in hiring a property management company to take the advertising out of your hands.

Military Personnel Relocating to San Diego

blogger — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 00:16:07 +0000

San Diego is a town that is rich in military personnel, which means that the jobs held by much of the work force are individuals involved in active duty. Having a career in this field comes with a considerable amount of sacrifice, but finding the perfect rental home does not have to be a challenge. Whether you are relocating to San Diego from another California city, a completely different state or from another country all together; Utopia Management is the best company to represent your needs and interests as a member of our armed forces.

For individuals or families relocating to the San Diego area, looking for the right property to fit your needs does not have to be a hassle. At UtopiaManagement.com/Rentals we include our available listings on our website for your convenience. If you are planning to move to San Diego from outside of the area our complete rental list could serve as an invaluable tool as you are able to view interior pictures of various properties, video tours, and accurate descriptions of the homes we manage. San Diego is a large city, and if you are relocating here there could be some confusion about where to start looking for a place to call your own. Below we have compiled a list of some of the most popular military bases along with surrounding areas:

If you will be working in or near the US Naval Base in San Diego or the North Island Naval Center, close by areas include Coronado, Downtown San Diego, National City, Chula Vista and the Balboa Park Area.
If you will be working at the Camp Pendleton base, close by areas include Oceanside, Vista, Encinitas, San Marcos, and Escondido.
If you will be working at the Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar, nearby areas include Clairemont, La Jolla, Santee, and Scripps Ranch.

Utopia Management values the hard work and dedication of our service men and women. Should any of our military tenants receive verifiable orders for a change of duty station, separation, or deployment for more than 90 days, Utopia management will honors the terms and conditions set forth by the Service Member’s Civil Relief Act. This allows our service men and women to continue to protect our country without any additional worries or hassles.

Don’t fret! If you don’t find a home on our rental list that will fit your needs, keep checking back! Our website gets updated daily and new properties are listed every day.

Tips for a Happy Thanksgiving

blogger — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:03:10 +0000

That wonderful time of year is upon us once more – Thanksgiving. For many of us this means stressing about what football jersey to wear, rushing around to get the perfect turkey, and of course eating too much. Most holiday stresses are unavoidable, but many additional annoyances and time consumers can be avoided if the proper precautions are taken into consideration. As a tenant in any rental unit, the following tips can alleviate a lot of additional tension.

One of the most important parts of gathering for Thanksgiving is the actual gathering! Having guests over for the holidays is always a fun and memorable experience! Do not let stressful elements ruin the festivities. If you live in an area that is managed by an HOA be sure that your guests are following all the rules set in place by the community. Let everyone know which areas to park before they arrive and if they will need a guest parking pass. Having a family member towed on a holiday would not make a very fond memory. Another part of making your Thanksgiving a success is adhering to the terms of your lease. If you are renting a property that is not accepting pets, please make sure your guests are aware that they must leave their furry family members at home. Pets accidents could very well be a holiday disaster and could easily be avoided by leaving all animals at home. If you are a tenant with Utopia Management, please be sure to notice that there is also a no smoking clause with in our lease.
Preparing a delicious meal is a wonderful holiday tradition! Be sure to check your stove in advance to make sure that it is in working order before you think about baking your bird. Report any abnormalities as soon as you notice something wrong so that it can be taken care of prior to your holiday celebration! Another tip to save you a lot of holiday heart ache is as simple as placing potato peels in the trash can rather than the garbage disposal. Placing peels in the sink causes them to swell and clog the drain. Adhering to these tips could make for smooth holiday. If you do indeed find yourself without an oven or with a clogged kitchen sink, or any other non-emergency maintenance issue, please refer to Utopia’s rental request page (http://www.utopiamanagement.com/maintenance-request) and fill out a maintenance request.
The later we get into the winter season, the more likely adverse weather conditions arise. If your roof springs a leak, be sure to move anything that could be damaged out of the way of the drip. Be sure to place any sort of suitable water reticle underneath the leak. From there, either call to place a maintenance request or visit the link above to fill one out online. The roof can be repaired once to storm has concluded. No one can control the weather, but with the proper containment and notification this problem can be fixed.

Security Deposit Refunds

blogger — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 01:04:54 +0000

One of the most common questions many renters have is “What do I need to do to get as much of my Security Deposit refunded after move out?” While there is no easy answer to this question, we will give you three ideas on how to receive a higher security deposit refund

1.Touch Up Painting: Taking a swatch and having paint matched and made for you is an easy and cheap fix to wall scuffs. This could potentially save you $200-$400 dollars as a professional company not only charges for paint, but time and labor as well. Do not forget the baseboards and if you have hung pictures, spackling and filling nail holes will also promote a larger return. With a little elbow grease and a trip to your local hardware store, these simple fixes could potentially save you hundreds!

2.Clean! Clean! Clean: Having a pristinely cleaned unit or rental home will also help you receive the max amount of your deposit back. A thorough cleaning on the space you were occupying could save you money! Give extra attention to the kitchen and bathrooms of your rental, as those locations tend to be the prime spots for spills and stains. If the rental you are moving out of has carpeted floors know that vacuuming may not be enough! If you are considering having your place professionally cleaned it might actually be better not to. Why would this be? The reason is that Utopia Management WWW.UTOPIAMANAGEMENT.COM hires professional vendors who give us preferred rates; these rates are passed along to you as our tenant. This is a deduction from you deposit, but if you need to pay for it anyway, this is actually a savings to you as our tenant. Utopia will do all the work and get you a discount at the same time… How’s that for service.

3.Prevention is the Golden Rule: The most important rule about maximizing your deposit return resides in prevention. Utopia Management will only charge you for items that are not normal wear and tear. So minimizing breakage and damage during your tenancy will mean a higher refund at the end. Also, remember to fill out the move in form to document the original condition of your place. Also, it is important to note that anything that needs to be repaired at move in is not for the move in sheet. For anything that you wish to have fixed you should contact the maintenance department at 858-598-1111 x126. Be sure to report any future maintenance issues as they arise. Always strive to return your rental in the condition in which you received it! This will save you money and a headache when it comes time to move out.