Blog Author: Elly Johnson

San Luis Obispo sits snugly in California’s gorgeous Central Coast region. It’s the county seat of scenic San Luis Obispo County, which boasts one hundred miles of prime Pacific coastline, including California’s only drivable beach. San Luis Obispo — lovingly abbreviated to SLO — is a laid back, compact city that often serves as a weekend getaway for people from all over the state …

Over a third of Americans are currently renting, which means there’s a huge market out there for those considering becoming landlords. Unfortunately, most properties aren’t outfitted for tenants and need some work in order to get ready for them. This doesn’t mean you have to change or replace everything about your real estate: a full remodel isn’t always within budget. Instead, consider some of …

Fresno is the 5th most populated city in California, with a total population of over 550,000 residents. Sitting in the center of San Joaquin Valley, about 2 hours from the West Coast, Fresno is named after the abundance of ash trees lining the San Joaquin River. Niche rates Fresno as #41 of the most diverse cities in the nation. The city is well known …

Reno is one of two areas that Utopia Management fully services in Nevada. Understanding the laws and regulations around rental property is essential for all parties involved in a rental experience. Landlords, property owners, and tenants must know their legal limitations, protections, and responsibilities regardless of what is included in the lease. The rental laws in Reno largely align with Nevada state laws. Here …

Portland is the biggest city in the state of Oregon, and the second most populated city in the Pacific Northwest, following Seattle. The city itself comprises just under 145 square miles, with the surrounding urban area sprawling for over 520 square miles. With over 600,000 residents within the city and over 2.4 million in the surrounding metropolitan statistical area, about 47% of Oregon’s population …

Finding the right neighborhood for your family is extremely important, and not always easy, especially if you don’t live near the area you’re moving to. There are a variety of factors to consider that will have a big impact on your family’s life, especially local school quality, crime rates, and nearby attractions such as libraries, parks, museums, or movie theaters. Here’s the run down …

At long last, live music is back! Concerts and festivals are finally happening again now that most people are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. While live streaming has been an innovative way for musicians to stay active, make some money, and connect with fans during the pandemic, it is no replacement for in-person events. And music-lovers are not the only ones eager for shows – …

Oakland, California is a fast-growing city quickly gaining popularity for being the sister city to San Francisco, just east of San Francisco Bay. It is often desired for its warmer weather and affordable housing, as it is not quite as crowded and bustling as its neighbor. Oakland is attracting many young professionals with its growing tech and startup community, as well as its lively …

Finding mold in the house, or hearing that your tenants found mold, is always a dreaded moment. Not only is it unsightly and disturbing, but it can pose health risks and damage your real estate property when left untreated. It also can be the sign of bigger issues; always deal with mold right away. Types of Mold Although most kinds of mold are relatively …

For your first residential real estate investment, there’s one big decision you’ll have to make first: what type of property will it be? Will it be a free-standing house, an apartment building, or something in between, like a condo or a townhouse?  At the end of the day, the type of property you purchase should depend on the type of renter you want to …