Head of Marketing

Marketing Manager

Staff Writer, Stacker

Belong Co-Founders

Guaranteed rent, innovative financing, 24/7 support, a world-class app and cash referrals are just some of the ways Belong is leaving property management behind

6 New Ways Belong Flipped Property Management on its Head in 2022

Belong was born to disrupt the way renting works. To put home ownership into the hands of real people again, while providing a great experience for residents in the place they call home. 

After being failed by the property management industry for too long, Belong offers a unique humanized service that puts people first — supporting their financial freedom, a better experience when renting, or a move into home ownership. 

To create renting that people love, we have a team of local experts across the country that support members of our residential network every step of the way. We combine our people-power and expertise with impressive technology and innovative products making life easier for everyone too. 

We’re just getting started too, launching new improvements and products all the time. Here’s an example of six that were released in 2022 — with many more to come in 2023 and beyond. 

Belong’s app: Services at your fingertips, 24/7

You may have seen apps or online portals for things like logging service requests or paying rent. Belong’s new app is completely different, connecting everyone in our residential network to services they want and need. 

Rather than have a separate platform for homeowners and their residents, everyone uses the same, easy-to-use app to work with Belong. The app gives everyone 24/7 access to their concierge and a host of features at their fingertips — from paying rent and acquiring insurance to reviewing and approving repairs by our vetted network of over 10,000 professionals. 

Read More: The Belong App Just Got a Smart, People-Powered Upgrade

Belong homeowners have the option to finance anything they need for their home before or during their Belong membership — no down payment required. This means every homeowner on the Belong network can access our professional partner construction and maintenance services, while staying cash flow positive with Split It financing. 

Before a home is listed, Belong might recommend renovations that would increase the rental pricing and market value with great returns. With Split It, the costs could be spread over the duration of the resident’s lease. 

This gives homeowners complete control over their cash flow with no need to budget for repairs or renovations upfront. Every month you will still enjoy guaranteed rent, minus the Split It monthly installment. 

Split It financing is available for preventative maintenance, a fresh coat of paint, even a full kitchen remodel. It’s just another way Belong helps homeowners earn more rent, with less headaches. 

Insurance for residents: Renter’s liability coverage

Landlord insurance policies are great for homeowners, but they offer no protection to the residents living in their home. Belong now offers liability coverage policies to all residents, seamlessly added to their monthly rent. This offers better protection and peace of mind for everyone in our residential network should an accident or incident happen on a property managed by Belong.

Psst: We offer insurance for owners of rental homes too!

Subscribe to services: Set and forget regular maintenance

Homes need regular upkeep, so Belong has introduced a way to make sure preventive maintenance runs like clockwork. Add, pause or remove recurring services and maintenance subscriptions, right from the Belong app. From lawn mowing to gutter cleaning, set and forget your seasonal home maintenance and let Belong do all the work. 

Referral program: Share the love, earn cash

Know a homeowner who could benefit from Belong’s unique approach to home management? We’ve introduced a referral program, where you can earn $1,000 for every eligible homeowner referred and onboarded to Belong’s residential network. Learn more and get your unique referral code here. 

Read More: Introducing Belong’s Referral Program

Online listings integration: Get found, faster 

Did you know that Belong integrates into all of the popular listing platforms such as Zillow and Zumper? When you list with Belong, you’ll automatically be featured on all the top sites. This matters because it means, you’ll get 30-50% more views for your home as well as a direct feed of applicants from these sites into the Belong system. This lets us contact potential residents quickly and find the best applicant faster than a traditional property manager could. 

It’s another way that Belong reduces vacancy times and costs for homeowners, with 66% less vacancy than competitors and an average of 29 qualified applications for every home listed. 

Join Belong, the world’s first residential network

These new innovations add to a host of industry-disrupting services that Belong already offers homeowners and their residents, including:

Guaranteed rent, regardless of when its paid by residents

Maintenance and renovation services, provided by vetted partners in our 10,000+ strong network

Full transparency over fees with no sneaky extras like setup costs and lease renewal charges

Real 24/7 concierge-level support for both homeowners and residents, not just emergency logging 

Protection for homeowners against evictions with up to $15,000 of coverage against legal fees



True market data and real-time interest from potential residents that maximizes the value of homes on the Belong network



Credit to residents for every on-time rental payment, with can be built towards getting priority access to future rentals or even buying an eligible home on the Belong network in future 


Ready to learn more about how Belong is changing the world of home management and renting forever? Belong is simplifying the rental experience and helping more homeowners reach their financial goals through real estate. Visit our homeowner's page to find out more about how our services are helping people to ditch property management in Seattle, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Miami and many more.

Looking for a place to Belong? Become a resident by searching for available homes.

What every property manager needs to know about making sure their house is set up for a safe winter.

Winterizing Your Rental Properties: Do You Need To Do It?

Not so fun fact — at least, if you’re a landlord: every year, winter storms cause billions of dollars worth of damage to homes in America. In 2021, that total was over 15 billion. 

Sure, that number was inflated because of the blizzards that hit Texas in 2021. But there are two ways to look at that: you can write it off as a freak occurrence; or you can accept that the climate is changing on a global scale, and that it is increasingly difficult to predict what winter will hold for any and every biome.  So even if your property is located in a climate that typically doesn’t experience harsh winter weather, you can’t be sure the years to come will be typical. 

That’s why we encourage every homeowner to be familiar with the basics of home winterization. 

Many of the tasks associated with winterization you can accomplish on your own.  Some, though, take a level of expertise that your average homeowner does not possess. And considering how high the stakes are, it’s worth finding an expert who can help.

Benefits of Winterizing Your Rental Property

Efficient furnaces will still waste energy (and dollars!) if your home has air leaks. A well-maintained heating system, well-sealed windows and doors, and quality insulation won’t just keep your residents warm and toasty, they will also save on energy costs. 

Pipes are likely to freeze if weather dips below 20 degrees fahrenheit. Don’t wait until a cold front is predicted - by then it may be too late! 

Critters that would normally avoid being close to humans may creep closer as the weather grows cold. Spraying for bugs, sealing holes and air leaks, and cleaning your chimney can help avoid extra “guests” during the winter. 

If your rental home’s heater breaks during cold weather, you are likely legally obligated to get it repaired within 24 hours in most states. These maintenance emergencies are not only annoying and unsafe for your residents, they are also costly for you! An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure - schedule regular maintenance on furnace and HVAC systems before winter sets in.

Do I Really Need to Winterize My Rental Property?

Will these benefits of “winter proofing” apply to you? There are three main factors to consider when preparing for winter as a rental home owner: local climate, home vacancy, and landscaping. 

Even milder climates (i.e. Texas or California) may want to consider basic winterization, but locations with snow and ice should definitely expect to prepare their property for the harsher months. A good litmus test is if your residents will likely use heat for the majority of the winter. Even climates without snow can be cold enough to impact energy usage and plumbing. 

If you have water features in the landscaping

Ponds, waterfalls, pools, or any other water feature exposed to the elements should be winterized in most cases. A frozen pipe in a decorative landscaping feature can still cost you big bucks and plenty of headaches! 

This is especially relevant for short-term rentals (and one reason we suggest considering long-term rental properties instead). If you expect your property to be vacant for longer than 7 consecutive days over the winter, you should prioritize winterization. 

Think about it: all those leaves that have been falling off the trees have to end up somewhere. And those wet leaves can cause interior leaks and roof damage that occur because the water isn’t directed away from your house, and can end up getting behind shingles or window frames.

Not only can wind get through any cracks in your caulking, but heat can also get out. In both cases, the bottom line is your bottom line is negatively impacted: you have to pay more for heat to compensate. That’s one of the reasons we encourage self-managers to pay attention to the state of the caulk in their rental homes. 

You have to anticipate the damage winter storms can do to your property in general, not just the house itself.  Start with tree limbs – and entire trees – that are vulnerable to strong winds. Tree work can be expensive, so we advise you to get estimates that prioritize the trees closest to the house. Pay special attention to large trees that may require cables to hold together split trunks.

Make sure you move any outdoor furniture you have inside, or tie it down with bungee cords, or else they might become projectiles in windy conditions. The same goes for your grill. If you have a deck, you might want to give it an extra layer of sealant to protect it from the weather.  

While you’re in the backyard, be sure to shut off the water supply to hoses and water features, as well as drain them if they are full of water already. Even outdoor frozen pipes can be costly to repair and create a chain of plumbing issues. 

As your residents start running their furnace or space heaters, the risk fo carbon monoxide poisoning increases. A simple way to ensure they are kept safe is to annually check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. 

This is an example of simple maintenance that you can do even if you’re not particularly “handy.” Most furnace manufacturers have helpful videos online showing you exactly how to check the status of the filters you have, and clean or replace them if needed.

Not only is it necessary in terms of making the house habitable during the colder months, but insulation can dramatically save on heating – as well as air-conditioning. The payback time can be as little as six months – or as long as three years, which really isn’t long at all.

In terms of immediate benefits, proper insulation is critical in terms of protecting your pipes. A little physics 101: in winter, water freezes, turning into ice; during that process, it expands. The added pressure can cause pipes to burst, which is not only a costly and time-consuming fix, it could cause damage to the property itself. 

It’s one of those situations where it doesn’t pay to cheap out: the stakes are so high that even if you could install the necessary insulation, we’d still recommend you call in someone to help. Because even a crack in a wall in an inopportune place is costing you real money.

Uncover 6 home renovation or remodel projects that will add value to your home for years to come.

6 of the Best Home Remodeling Projects for Adding Value Over Time

Home renovation and remodeling projects are often done right before a home is put on the market to increase resale value. But what about properties that you intend to hang on to? For a long-term investment property, vacation rental, or even the enjoyment of your own home, this article uncovers six of the best home renovation projects that will add value to your home today and for years to come.

As the adage goes, “kitchens sell homes”. The reason kitchens are so important to anyone choosing a home — be it to buy or rent — is that this area is the heart and hub of the home. A central focus point and place where couples and families will gather every day. It’s also one of the spaces you need to use the most and they can date fast. An old kitchen with outdated appliances is a big turnoff for residents, which is why it’s an important place to start when considering projects that will add both short and long-term value to the home. 

If it’s your own residence you’re renovating, consider a major remodel to bring everything into the 21st century. An upgrade to luxury appliances can also see you get the most daily enjoyment of the kitchen space, while increasing the long-term value of the home. 

If this is an investment property or you intend to rent out your home one day, even a minor kitchen remodel can make your home immediately more attractive to potential residents. Fresh kitchens look stunning in marketing photos and impress during home tours. 

If your home is used as a vacation rental, remember that most families opt for a home rental over a hotel for the ease of having access to kitchen amenities while traveling and will be eyeing off these spaces in online listings. A new backsplash, updating the doors on the cabinetry and an appliance refresh are all ways to give kitchens modern appeal without breaking the bank. 

Think of the last time you browsed home listings for sale or rent. Is there anything more off putting than a dingy old bathroom? It doesn’t matter how clean they are, old bathrooms make a home look tired and stale. Chances are potential buyers and renters won’t even show up for a tour, so a refresh is a good way to add both immediate and long term value to any home. 

A bathroom remodel is said to increase a home’s value by between 10-40%, depending on the types of finishes and if you’re adding sought-after features such as a bathtub or extra toilet to the home. There’s also the potential for cost savings on your water bill with low-flow toilets and showerheads. 

Livability is another consideration when it comes to bathrooms within rented homes. Bathrooms are susceptible to mold and mildew issues from lack of ventilation, hot water supply issues from aging heaters, leaky faucets and plumbing problems. In the long term, these could add up to high repair costs or even breach of your tenancy agreement due to the warranty of habitability in many states. A bathroom remodel could be a better financial investment than patch jobs over wear and tear. 

3. Create functional and appealing outdoor space

When considering how to refresh a home, don’t neglect the outdoor space. Having a deck or patio for entertaining has always been appealing — but the pandemic also made it essential. With people spending more time at home than ever, the humble backyard, patio, or balcony has become a necessary place to unwind and even escape the home office. 

Outdoor spaces not only improve the livability and joy that you or your residents will get from the home, they can also attract a great return on investment long-term. Adding a deck for example, increases the living area of your home but the cost per square foot is considerably less than adding square footage to the primary building. 

The added value of a functional deck or yard doesn’t extend to swimming pools. While an enjoyable addition for a family home in sunny locations like California and Florida, a pool won’t add value to your home long-term. If you have a rental or vacation home, the upkeep and maintenance costs of installing a pool would likely cost you more than it’s worth and may turn away potential buyers when it’s time to sell. 

4. Increase the curb appeal with landscaping and exterior upgrades

Another great way to add value to your home immediately and long-term is to up the ‘wow factor’ on your curb appeal. A well-presented home will be eye catching in sales or rental marketing — and it feels good to arrive home to a beautiful space each day. 

Cost-effective and value-adding ideas include:

New landscape gardening or even just a pop of color with flowerbeds

A fresh color or refinish the exterior of the home

For some inspiration, see below for some inspiration from a recent renovation project in Burbank from the Belong Pros. Updating the front door, window color and the stucco on the exterior has given this home a stunningly modern transformation that will attract attention and value to the home for years to come. 

Poor insulation, drafty windows and old doors all contribute to uncomfortable homes and high energy costs. Investing in the energy efficiency of your home can add value immediately and reduce the cost to heat or cool your home.

Energy efficient fixes could be as simple as updating the windows and doors (which will also increase curb appeal and add a fresh look to the home) or the installation of modern heat pumps that can heat and cool homes efficiently. 

While energy efficiency may not add many zeros to the price of your home at sale — newer, efficient upgrades are more attractive to buyers and not replacing these items could decrease the value of the home by being outdated and expensive to operate. 

Read More: 7 Cost-Effective Ways To Make Your Rental Home Sustainable in 2023

You don’t need to invest in big new additions or remodels to give your home a value-boosting refresh. Check out this simple but effective interior renovation from the Belong Pros on a home in Oakland. By replacing aging light fixtures, removing old curtains, giving the walls a fresh coat of paint, tidying up the floors, and upgrading the kitchen cabinets including, RTA cabinets, the home has a completely refreshed look. 

Get the right remodel for your home, guaranteed

Neighborhood knowledge and expert know-how are the best ways to ensure any residential construction projects you take on will add value to your home. What drives the most value for residents in California won’t be the same as Seattle or Florida. To get personalized advice from a trusted local professional, Belong can connect you with a trusted professional from a vendor network of over 10,000 contractors. 

Belong is simplifying the rental experience and helping more homeowners reach their financial goals through real estate. Visit our homeowner's page to find out more about how our services are helping people to maximize their rental value and ditch property management in Seattle, Redmond, Oakland, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Miami and many more.

For an investment property, vacation rental, or your own home: Uncover 6 home renovation or remodel projects that will add value to your home for years to come.

Which will be more profitable for your home? We cover the pros and cons to weigh up your options

Short-Term Rental vs. Long-Term Rental: The Pros and Cons

Short-term vs long-term rental, airbnb vs property management — if you’re looking to rent out your home, this is one of the first decisions you will need to make. Is it more profitable to rent it to a single person/family or can you optimize your rental income by listing it as a short-term vacation rental on platforms like Airbnb, VRBO and HomeAway?

Ultimately it will depend on your personal circumstances, including how much time, money and energy you have to invest in managing the home. To help you weigh up your options, we dive into the pros and cons of both short-term and long-term rental for your home. 

The pros and cons of short-term vacation rentals

On the surface, the economics of renting your home as a vacation rental look promising. With rates charged per-night and huge fluctuations during holiday seasons, in the right location a vacation rental can be lucrative. It also allows you to access the home whenever you want it, so if you use the home throughout the year, this is a great option (provided you don’t mind the wear-and-tear on your furniture).

On the flipside, the payday that can come from a popular vacation rental becomes a lot less attractive when you factor in the number of hours you’ll spend working as a frontline customer service agent for your own property — especially when many Airbnb hosts are reporting a big increase in vacancy rates. 

Flexibility — you can rent out the home as little or as much as you like

You won’t need to put your furniture in storage if you are leaving temporarily

The per-night/per-week rates are higher than a flat monthly rental rate and can therefore be more profitable if the home is in a tourist hotspot and booked regularly 

There are several online platforms that are simple to list and manage bookings yourself

The property will be cleaned after every stay to help maintain the condition

You may be able to claim some costs on tax — such as fees, maintenance and cleaning

There is no guarantee of regular income as bookings will be inconsistent and you’ll be subject to last-minute cancellations

Many Airbnb hosts are reporting an increase in vacancy rates and that the work involved is making the option less profitable/unprofitable

You will need to handle all of your guest inquiries and demands — most likely on weekends, evenings and during holiday periods

You are removing housing options from your neighborhood and contributing to the rental price squeeze that is impacting families that are priced out of home ownership

The property will need to fully furnished and you will be responsible for the upkeep and replenishment of all amenities

You will need to hire a professional cleaner or be prepared for a lot of hard work between guests, cleaning the home throughout and laundering all bed linen and towels

You risk your home being destroyed during parties and a high turnover of guests (they’re technically banned, but there’s little you or Airbnb can do to stop them)

If guests are unsatisfied with the home or service, you could be forced to give a full refund within 24 hours, in accordance with Airbnb policies

There are ever-changing local regulations to comply with — some areas like LA have even outlawed short-term rentals for investment properties

You may need to collect and pay additional taxes or fees to have a legal short-term rental under local ordinances, which are becoming increasingly common 

You will have additional costs such as paying for all electricity, water, internet access etc

Neighbors don’t like short-term rentals, so you risk souring any relationships if you intend to come back to the home (and you could be in violation of your HOA agreement)

Management fees are high — if you don’t want to handle the workload yourself, you will pay up to 20-50% of total income generated for a company to manage a short-term rental



Airbnb guest coverage doesn't provide the right insurance to protect your home, with short-term rental insurance costing between 10-70% more than a homeowners policy

With rising inflation and property values in recent years, more Americans are feeling locked out of home ownership so they are renting for longer. There has been a sharp increase in rental pricing as a result, meaning the average rental homeowner is receiving drastically more money in rent than previous years. 

This means it’s a great time to hold an investment property and if you don’t intend to use the home during the year, having a long-term lease agreement on your home may be more profitable than a short-term rental, even at a lower per-month rate. 

Predictable income, with less vacancies and one person/family living in your home for 12-months or longer

High demand and attractive rental rates locked in for the lease term

Residents are vetted and screened, helping you to place responsible people in your home who will treat it as their own

With the right management, income can be truly passive, with no need to play customer service representative for holiday-makers

Provides a stable living environment for people who don’t want to, or can’t, buy their own home

Favorable tax breaks and capital gains depreciation

No need to furnish the home or worry about cleaning costs and replacing amenities

No utility costs, as residents will typically pay for these unless it’s included in their rent

Management fees are lower, usually around 8 - 10%

Less local ordinance hoops to jump through

You won’t have access to the home throughout the year as residents will be living there full-time

Short-term vs long-term rental, airbnb vs property management - which will be more profitable for your home? We cover the pros and cons to weigh up your options

Sparsh Mehta

I grow new markets and bring our industry-changing experience to homeowners and residents around the country. Lover of the Outdoors, Scuba Diving, Skiing, Hiking, Live Music, and all things Technology.

Jane Allison Gunn

Ashleigh Graf

Eric Vandekerkhove

Dom Difurio

Ale, Owen & Tyler Founders

Jane Allison Gunn

Ashleigh Graf

Eric Vandekerkhove

Dom Difurio

Ale, Owen & Tyler Founders