by: Rebecca Bacon It’s that time of year again! Utopia Management has published and released its 2014 1099’s. What is a 1099, you ask? It is a Federal tax form the government requires a “payer” (Utopia) to send to non-employee paid individuals or entities during a calendar year. It can report income such as interest income, income for work performed as a non-employee (individual, …

As a property owner, a typical day can seem exhausting. There always seems to be something that needs your attention. Especially when you have properties in different locations, you will need extra help to keep track of everything. Luckily, your mobile phone may offer solutions to help you stay in control. There are many mobile apps to aid property owners with things like marketing …

Managing rental properties comes with a myriad of responsibilities, with rent collection being one of the more important duties. The traditional methods of paying rent with checks in the mail or stopping by a leasing office are becoming outdated, and more landlords are turning to digital methods to streamline this task. Efficient rent collection is crucial for the vitality of your business, and automated …

Real estate is a fast-paced market, and the name of the game is to get as many eyes on a property as soon as it is listed. Social media has become a powerful tool that integrates community and marketing on one dynamic platform where property owners, managers, renters, and buyers can all interact. Incorporating social media into your marketing strategy offers several benefits that …

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 …

Even though it may seem intimidating at first, purchasing raw land is not as scary of an investment as you might think. By familiarizing yourself with some important considerations when it comes to buying raw land and knowing how to do the proper research, you can open up a wide variety of investment opportunities. One of the most important things is surrounding yourself with …

Smart property investors look to maximize profits while offering quality living quarters to their tenants. These two goals can be achieved by making smart and affordable updates to the property thus making your properties stand out, attracting high-quality renters, and minimizing repairs down the road. Aside from boosting the value of the property, you also run the opportunity to take advantage of tax deductions …

An open house is your chance to show off your property to potential buyers, and making it as appealing as possible is key to securing a sale. Highlighting the right features will draw attention and help buyers envision themselves living in the space. Here are five of the most attractive points to focus on during an open house. 1. Curb Appeal The first thing …

Online bill pay has become a logical step for landlords and property management companies to take in this tech-savvy world, making rent collection more convenient and efficient than ever. While there are several benefits to online rent collection, both tenants and landlords have voiced a few common concerns over this shift to online payment. While these misconceptions are certainly understandable, we are here to …