San Mateo Property Management Blog

By Casii Robrahn-Washington - Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Lease Agreements for Landlords: A Complete Guide

If you own a rental property and you're still using a lease you found online five years ago, this post is for you.We talk to rental property owners all the time who treat the lease like a formality. Sign it, file it, forget it. They focus on finding a good tenant, getting the...

By Casii Robrahn-Washington - Monday, August 17, 2026

How to run a background check on a rental applicant

You've got a showing scheduled, three applications coming in, and one unit sitting empty. Every day it sits, you're losing around $98. So the pressure is real. The temptation to approve someone fast — someone who seems nice, has a decent credit score, and says all t...

By Casii Robrahn-Washington - Monday, August 10, 2026

Tenant Screening for Rental Property Owners: What You Need to Know

Renting out a property sounds simple enough on paper. You list the unit, applicants show up, you pick someone, they sign a lease, and the rent checks roll in.If only it worked that way every time.The truth is, the screening step is where most rental property owners either protect...

By Casii Robrahn-Washington - Saturday, August 1, 2026

Rental Property Maintenance Issues

Owning rental property is one of the most effective ways to build long-term wealth, but every investment comes with ongoing responsibilities. Whether you own a single-family home, condominium, duplex, or apartment building, maintenance is unavoidable. The difference between a pro...

By Casii Robrahn-Washington - Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Annual Lease Renewal Strategy

Timing of Renewal DiscussionsStart EarlyAn annual lease renewal strategy begins well before a lease expires. Many California property owners begin renewal conversations ninety to one hundred twenty days before the lease end date. Starting early creates enough time to review marke...

By Casii Robrahn-Washington - Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Pricing Your Rental Property

Determining the right rent is both an art and a science. Every property is unique, and even homes located only a few blocks apart may command different rental prices based on condition, amenities, school districts, parking, transportation access, and neighborhood demand.Many owne...

By Casii Robrahn-Washington - Monday, May 4, 2026

Preparing Rentals For Tenants

Getting your property ready for a new occupant is one of the most important parts of rental ownership. Whether you own a condo in San Mateo or a single-family home elsewhere in the Bay Area, the way you approach turnover directly impacts tenant satisfaction and long-term property...

By Casii Robrahn-Washington - Wednesday, April 15, 2026

rental property listing tips

What Makes a Rental Listing Attract Strong TenantsMost landlords think a listing is just a marketing step. It’s not. It’s a filtering tool.The way you present your property directly impacts who applies. If your listing is vague, poorly presented, or mispriced, you&rsq...

By Casii Robrahn-Washington - Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Professional Tenant Screening Process

A professional tenant screening process is one of the most important systems rental owners can implement. This guide explains how to screen tenants effectively, verify income, review credit, and build consistent policies that support long-term success in California’s rental...

By Casii Robrahn-Washington - Sunday, March 15, 2026

Rental Property Preventative Maintenance

Owning rental property in California—especially in the Bay Area—means managing one of the most valuable assets most investors will ever own. Yet many owners still operate reactively, fixing things only when they break.Rental Property Preventative Maintenance is o...