If you think that just putting a “for rent” sign outside your home is enough to rent out your home, think again.

Get The Most Out of Your Rental Home

If you think that just putting a “for rent” sign outside your home is enough to rent out your home, think again. To successfully rent out your home you have to keep in mind things like screening possible tenants, contracts and other legal requirements, collecting rent, doing maintenance, and so many other little things that can come up along the way. 

That is why property managers are much needed. A reliable manager can take care of all the necessary operations at a rental property and can be a crucial asset to your success, from doing all the marketing for your rentals and finding trustworthy and high-quality tenants to dealing with maintenance issues and providing assistance with legal processes. During this article, we will talk about the benefits of hiring a property manager and why Belong is better. 

 A property management service usually has an established screening process that allows them to spot red flags and find tenants that most likely will pay their rent on time and create fewer problems. They also have all the required tools to run a credit and background check.  

Landlord-tenant laws and regulations are a huge thing to consider when renting out your property. If you rent your home without having a good understanding of how the legal part works, is always better to hire a property manager. They usually have a team of experts that knows all about the laws and regulations and know how to address any kind of legal situation. Some of the legal parts include evictions, inspections, terminating leases, security deposits, and rent and collections. The best part is: They also help with taxes! 

One of the main things homeowners expect when renting out a property is a monthly payment. And while there are a lot of people out there that is always on time with their payments, there are also a lot of people that are always late. This is where property management services are lifesavers. They act as an intermediary between homeowners and tenants, collecting rent and ensuring your cash gets to you. If someone is late, property management will be dealing with it so you don’t have to chase down rent or evict anyone.

Property damage is one of the things that worries homeowners the most, and for a good reason. Buying a house is a huge investment, and you want to keep it in great shape forever. When hiring a property management service, they are responsible for keeping the property in a safe condition. When hiring property management services, overall maintenance and repair costs are reduced. They will make sure to stay on top of regular maintenance to prevent bigger issues. This is possible due to preventative maintenance and periodic inspections.

If something happens to your home, a property management company has an established network of maintenance staff and contractors that deliver quality maintenance at the best price. Understanding of maintenance issues and their correct price. This saves you the hassle of finding reliable plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and so on. 

As you can see, managing your property without having the right set of skills can be difficult and time-consuming. When homeowners let a property managing company be the middle person, they end up with extra cash and extra time! 

So now that learned how important it is to properly manage your rental, let us tell you why is better to Belong.

Belong is the place where property owners and renters come to an understanding. 

No more landlords or tenants. We’re making renting magical for homeowners and residents.

Forget about having to deal with midnight emergencies, rental scams, and piles of paperwork and just Belong. 

The outlook isn't as gloomy as you may think.

Are We At Risk of Recession? What Happens To Landlords During a Recession?

As uncertainty continues about whether the US economy is in or headed for a recession, it’s understandable that homeowners in the rental market — mortgage holders in particular — are wondering what this means for their household. This article will take a look at the effects of a potential recession and risks to mortgages. 

The effects of a recession and risk to rental property owners

In the past, recessions such as the financial crisis of 2008 triggered a dramatic drop in house prices and people who couldn’t pay off their mortgages. So with a recession threat looming in 2022-2023, some are nervous about what this could mean for housing again.

Our real estate experts have noted that the market looks different today than it did back in 2008. There’s been a shift in supply/demand and more homeowners have had an opportunity to build equity in their homes off the back of historically low interest rates. This has made the market less fragile and many areas have even held quite strong despite rising interest rates. 

Recessions are unpredictable and don’t always mean a drop in housing prices or even rise in mortgage default. What we have seen however, for years now, is that would-be homeowners are taking longer to get into the market and now their borrowing power has been dampened further by the rising cost of mortgages. It’s also considered risky to get a mortgage during a recession, which could see many potential home buyers stay in the rental market longer to see what happens. 

These factors have all contributed to the heat in the rental market, where competition and prices for single-family homes has continued to intensify. For rental property owners, this means that providing you can comfortably make your mortgage repayments and stay on top of any debt, owning a home on the rental market can still be profitable and deliver passive income. 

If you’re having an issue with the repayments for your mortgage or your rental property isn’t bringing in enough income to assist your finances, it’s time to assess your financial situation. Lowering costs or increasing the value of your home could be the smartest decision long-term, rather than selling if there is a downturn in home values. This gives you the option to build equity in the home and receive rental income while waiting for the market to grow again.

Belong can assist homeowners by providing a world-class home management service without the extra charges you might be paying a property management company. We also offer innovative financial solutions such as Split It, which allow you to stay cash flow positive and spread out the costs of things such as repairs, maintenance and even investment-boosting renovations. 

Learn more about how Belong is making renting lovable here. 

Is a recession good for home buyers and real estate investors?

If you’re considering acquiring a home during a recession to take advantage of lowering house prices, it’s worth taking a close look at your finances and employment situation to be prepared before taking on the risk of a new mortgage. There are also current issues of high inflation and rising interest rates that could be a bigger risk to mortgages than the recession itself.  

At a recent webinar on the housing market, our resident Asset Manager, Jon Martin from JDM Asset Management, was asked to weigh in on the topic of acquiring a home with interest rates on the rise. 

“At higher interest rates, fewer prospective homebuyers will qualify for mortgages (or at a lesser dollar amount) and will instead choose to keep renting. Rising rental demand will further push rents up – we’re actually already seeing that, with median nationwide rent passing $2,000 for the first time ever in May 2022,” explains Jon. 

If you are looking at acquiring a property for rent, Jon notes that now is a good time to keep a watchful eye for opportunities and price-drops in your desired neighborhoods, as less competition provides some welcome relief to house hunters. 

“While you’ll have to factor in a higher cost of capital when analyzing your next opportunity, the recent upward pressures on rents and the likelihood of locating an attractive single family rental are creating a more attractive market for acquisitions,” says Jon. 

“Another point to consider when looking to acquire a rental, for those sitting on cash, is a higher down payment than say the standard 20% to reduce your exposure to higher interest rates,” he adds. “This will only help when running the numbers to see if your rental income will cover your operating expenses and mortgage payments,” says Jon. 

Watch now: Catch the full webinar conversation here.

Should you pay off your mortgage before a recession?

During a recession and with the high rate of inflation, cash on hand becomes increasingly important. So while it’s a good idea to clear off high-interest debt such as credit cards or personal finance loans, you don’t want to pay off the mortgage entirely if it means draining all of your cash reserves.

Recessions can be brief, so a knee-jerk response may not be warranted or the best financial option for your situation, unless you have a minimal amount to pay down and are already in retirement. 

Recessions can increase the likelihood of redundancies and unemployment, so having cash reserves is likely to be more important than owning your home outright. This is because a fully-paid home won’t help your weekly budget if you get short on cash for essentials such as food and utilities. You will also need to consider long-term expenses such as college funds or retirement plans if they apply to your financial situation. 

Got more questions for Belong? Contact us 24/7

Whether you prefer email, online chat or a good ol’ fashioned phone call, we’re here to answer any questions you may have. Check out our homeowners page to get in touch or learn more about having your home loved by Belong.  

Is the US headed for recession and what is the risk to mortgages for landlords who own homes on the rental market? The outlook isn't as gloomy as you may think.

Is it worth the cost of installing a security system for a rental property? See 4 benefits of home security for rentals and the dos and don’t for landlords.

The Dos and Don’ts of Home Security in a Rental Property

Home security is a wise investment when it comes to peace of mind for your own home, but what about a rental property? Is it worth the cost of installing a security system for a home you don’t live in? In this article, we explore the benefits of home security for rental homes and the dos and don’t for landlords considering their options.

4 benefits of adding home security to your rental home

1. Home security can protect your real estate investment

Systems that can deter theft or notify of an issue will help protect your asset both during and between lease agreements. It’s inevitable that your home will be empty from time to time — during pre-lease maintenance or renovations and when your home is on the rental market. Empty homes are a prime target for break ins and vandalism, so home security can help you keep watch.

When you do have tenants, the system will still be valuable in protecting your asset. Your residents don’t want anything stolen and you don’t want your property damaged — making security a win-win. 

2. You may be eligible for a discount on your insurance

A secure home reduces liability and most insurance companies reward this with a discount on premiums. Deadbolts, alarm systems and locking windows can all contribute to a reduction in your tenant’s premiums and may also reduce your own landlord’s insurance.

3. Home security could increase the rental value of your home

A secure home provides extra safety and peace of mind to potential residents and could attract a premium on your rental pricing. If you’re smart about your choices, this could cover the cost of installation and increase your return long term. Make sure monitoring services aren’t eating into your profits if tenants are not willing to foot the bill. 

4. Smart home monitoring could prevent serious issues or damage to your rental home

Smart home products can keep your home and residents safe by monitoring problems before they become emergencies, for example:

Smart smoke alarms that detect carbon monoxide levels can avoid toxic poisoning.

Water sensors that alert of leaks and flooding can avoid costly damage to homes.

Doorbells with video and/or motion sensors can notify of any unauthorized access to the property when it's vacant.

What to do when installing home security in a rental home

Buy reputable smart home products that residents can use

Smart home products that residents can enjoy themselves, such as a Ring or Nest video doorbell or smart smoke detector with carbon monoxide monitoring, offer the highest value to residents. These will make their life easier, while also offering some basic protection to your home. 

Make smart investments that increase your rental returns

Simple security upgrades such as deadbolts or smart locks, flood lights and window sensors can make a huge difference in peace of mind, without much outlay. Do your research before committing to anything too expensive and if you’re unsure if it will add value to your rental pricing, you can always ask the team at Belong. 

What not to do when installing home security in a rental home

Security cameras are a common feature of home security, capturing footage of any break ins and deterring intruders. But when installed in a rental home, you risk breaching the privacy of your residents. This is especially true for hidden cameras that aren’t easily visible. 

There is a legal requirement for tenants to have privacy and ‘quiet enjoyment’ of the home they rent, which means any camera that monitors the home could be considered a breach of your lease agreement or even tenant harassment. It goes without saying that you absolutely can’t have a camera in any private space such as a bedroom or bathroom, but even surveilling their coming-and-goings outside the home could be a breach of privacy without proper consent or with improper use of the footage. 

Don’t install any cameras without doing your research 

Generally, it’s perfectly legal for landlords to install a camera outside the home to monitor outdoor activity. However, it’s important to note that state legislation varies across the country regarding consent and hidden cameras. So if, for example, you decide to install one at the front door, do your homework first. You may need to switch it off during a tenancy or get their consent to have it there. 

Homeowners are increasingly being targeted by home security scams and fraud. Home home security scams include:

Door-to-door sales scams, conning you into a bad contract for things you didn’t want or making off with your money. 

Free equipment scams, where you are promised home security equipment for free, with huge long-term monitoring costs in the fine print or auto-renewal clauses.

Fake business scams, where fraudulent websites look to steal your details and/or money for home security systems.

Avoid being taken advantage of by sticking with reputable companies that you have researched, turning away salespeople at your door or cold-call phone calls, and not succumbing to high-pressure sales tactics. You should also read through any contract before signing.  

Don’t spend too much money on security monitoring services

While video surveillance and active monitoring may be the most secure way to protect a home, they can be expensive and may not get you the return on investment you’re looking for. 

For a rental home, avoid spending a huge amount of money on costly monitoring services or video surveillance that could violate privacy, such as inside the home. 

One of the best ways to ensure your home is safe and secure is to rent it out long-term to reliable, trustworthy people. People who will take care of your home like it's their own and stay longer, reducing vacancies and damage. 

Belong gives this peace of mind to homeowners by finding the best residents (with 66% less vacancy), giving them 24/7 access to a concierge to report any issues, and offering instant access to a network of over 10,000 vetted contractors to keep the home in good repair. 

Visit our homeowner's page to find out more about how our services are helping people to ditch property management in Seattle, Redmond, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Tampa, Oakland, Orlando, Jacksonville, Miami and many more.

Highlights of what we've achieved together in 2022

2022 In Review: How You Have Helped Us Belong

Belong is building a network; connecting people who own much-loved homes with people who want a place to belong. Working together, we can put people first and change what it means to rent a home — creating lasting, positive impact on innumerable lives for decades to come. 

Redefining an entire industry is not a journey that can be made alone. So before we gear up for a busy 2023, we wanted to take a moment to share our milestones and achievements with you — our homeowners, residents, investors, and team members — to celebrate the year that was. Here are just a few of Belong’s defining moments of 2022.  

Our vision was supported with Series C funding 

First of all a huge thank you to everyone who believes in our vision to create authentic belonging experiences for homeowners and their residents. A special thanks to our financial supporters, who helped us secure $80M in Series C funding in May 202. All our major investors (Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Battery Ventures, GGV Capital and Fifth Wall) doubled, tripled, or even quadrupled down on financial support for our dream — further fuelling our future growth and optimism for what we are creating. 

When homeowners join Belong, we make a real impact on the rental market. From finding lovable, long-term homes for those who need them to getting and keeping investment homes in the hands of real people, not corporations. This is why Belong’s proudest milestone by far was welcoming more than 2,000 homeowners (and counting) to our world-first residential network. 

Thank you to everyone who trusts us with their homes and for choosing to belong with us. We remain committed to providing an exceptional and personalized service to everyone in our network, which is reflected in the lovely things you’ve been saying about us! As we’ve grown, so have our glowing reviews on Google, rating us 4.8/5 stars. 

We put our services at your fingertips, 24/7

Belong takes the hard work out of managing or renting a home — and that got even easier with the launch of the Belong app for Apple and Android devices.

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 professional contractors. 

Our shiny new app isn’t the only innovative way we’re flipping property management on its head. Learn more about the 6 new products we launched through the year. 

We said howdy to hundreds of new neighborhoods

On the heels of successful launches across California and Washington, we set our sights on the sunny weather and never-ending energy of Florida. In 2022, we opened our end-to-end home management services and beloved rental experience to the homeowners and residents in neighborhoods in Miami, Tampa and Orlando. 

Stay tuned, we have our sights set on adding 12 new states to our network soon, including Arizona, Colorado, Oregon and Texas. 

A big part of what Belong wants to achieve is a level playing field, where individuals have the opportunity to achieve financial freedom from investing in the housing market after years of unfair competition from major corporations. 

Thank you to everyone who has joined us so far. If you missed any of these sessions, you can catch up on the recordings: 

The Effects of Rising Interest Rates on the Housing Market

What Are The Best Cities To Buy Investment Home in This Economy & Why?

Know someone who needs their home loved by Belong? We have $1,000 that belongs in your pocket! To support those that are telling their friends and family about us, we launched a new referral program that offers $1,000 for eligible referrals. Learn more here.

Belong is here to make waves and our new approach to renting has been getting us a lot of attention in 2022. 

When Business Insider asked top VC investors to name the most promising consumer startups of 2022, Belong was honored to be #3 on this list for our work in disrupting the outdated property management model.

We also made the CB Insights’ Fintech 250: The most promising fintech companies of 2022, with recognition as one of top 15 businesses in the real estate and mortgage category. 

The best part is, we’re just getting started

2023 is going to be even bigger and brighter with plenty of more people-led, industry-disrupting services coming to Belong homeowners and residents. Thank you to everyone who is joining us on this incredible journey to changing the world of home management and renting forever. We're gearing up to launch even more cities and more services so watch this space!

For anyone not yet on our network, you can find out if your home is eligible for Belong here, or become a Belong resident by searching for available homes.

Belong is building a residential network that connects people who own homes with people who want a place to belong. Here's what we achieved together in 2022.

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.

Hey San Diego! We’re building a newsletter specifically for America’s Finest City and our beloved members of our Belong community. In our monthly newsletter, you can find out what’s new with us and new in the city! Enjoy the first edition of our newsletter.

San Diego Monthly Newsletter: Issue 1

Hey San Diego! We’re building a newsletter specifically for America’s Finest City and the beloved members of our Belong community. In our monthly newsletter, you can find out what’s new with Belong and new in the city! Enjoy the first edition of our newsletter.

We believe in a world where homes are owned by regular people. Our mission is to provide authentic belonging experiences, empowering residents to become homeowners and homeowners to be financially free.

We outrank the best property management companies in California

San Diego has kept a consistent 100 NPS score for our homeowners in Q3 and continuing into Q4. Our longtime homeowner Yamit said, “Working with Belong team has been a pleasure and a fruitful experience for me, Belong as well as the residents”. We are rated 4.8/5 stars on Google and Zillow, making us the highest-rated property management company in California! Check out how we’ve done this and how we’re changing home management on our blog. 

On top of a one-of-a-kind app and web interface which makes renting and owning easier than ever before, Belong employs the management world’s first full-service Concierge who manages all communication and correspondence to owners and residents alike. 

With the Belong App, manage rent, request a pro, or message your concierge whenever and wherever you need to.

When you make a request on the Belong app, not only are you given a competitive quote sourced from the highest quality, licensed, insured maintenance staff and vendor network courted by Belong, a real person will take care of the job for you. 

Big or small, simple or complex, behind every feature and phone call a professional rental manager is making your life easier. 

Check out more here or refer for $1,000 in your pocket. 

Karma Wallet – Every time a resident on our Belong platform pays their rent on time, a portion of that money is stashed away in the wallet, for residents to apply to future home purchases. 


Guaranteed Rent – We find residents who are fully vetted and 100% guaranteed. With Guaranteed Rent, you choose between getting paid on the first of every month or receiving the entire year of rent upfront. Up to you!


End-to-End Service – We’re here for you 24/7 to offer support and assistance with your home. We do everything, from major upgrades and renovations to maintenance with our in-house team of pros during a lease. Let us help you with financing with our Split It program where our Belong homeowners enjoy special, no-down-payment-required financing options on any home maintenance costs you encounter before or during your Belong membership. 


Joe Caramanica is Belong’s General Contractor in San Diego. Joe brings with him decades of experience in the construction industry working on a variety of projects including new builds, kitchen renovations, bathroom renovations, ADU conversions, and more. This year, Joe and the team took advantage of changes to the California and San Diego municipal codes allowing for expanded development of housing when he and the team developed a multi-unit ADU concept here in the heart of Old Town. Once the construction is complete, Belong will manage the units for our homeowner, fulfilling the promise of a complete, white-glove, end-to-end process capable of servicing everyone from professional developers, to first-time renovators. 

Have a project in mind? Reach out to Belong here to schedule a virtual consultation. 

Come See Us at the San Diego Home Improvement Expo: 

The San Diego Home Improvement Expo runs from January 27th-29th between the hours of 10 am - 4 pm. 

Whether you’re a homeowner, resident, or just curious about new products, stop by to chat with our team who will be hosting a booth at the San Diego Home Improvement Expo! 

The San Diego Home Improvement Expo offers deals on kitchen and bath remodeling, home decor, and more all under one roof. Speak to experts from a large variety of home improvement and maintenance organizations. Get your free pass here to see what Belong has to offer!  

Fernando Dingler is a Software Engineer who recently moved from San Diego to Seattle with his wife. Belong jumped in and found amazing residents to occupy their San Marcos home. Fernando came to us after a bad experience with one of our competitors and decided to join the Belong family! Schedule an in-person visit with our home expert here.

Jack and Lauren moved into their home in San Diego a year ago and just renewed their lease with Belong for another year!

Here’s what Lauren and Jack have to say about Belong: “Such a breath of fresh air for a renter in a crazy market. They responded quickly to every communication. I virtually toured the same day I applied. They make a point of having a call with EVERY APPLICANT. That was great because, while we’re great tenants and financially secure, we’re not cookie-cutter applicants”.

Whether you're hungry for unique and creative food or just looking for a happy hour special, Mothership in South Park is the place for you. Recently built following Kindred's success (featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives), Mothership is an interplanetary experience that is incredibly exclusive.

The Belong team recommends the Heliotropic drink and the seasonal salad. Located at 2310 30th St., Mothership is open from 4:30 - midnight on weekdays and 2:30 - midnight on weekends.

Head to Candy Cane Lane in Poway or Christmas Card Lane in Rancho Penasquitos to sip hot cocoa sold by local students while walking the beautifully lit neighborhoods.

On December 11th or 18th at 5:30 pm, bundle up for the 52nd Annual Parade of Lights in San Diego Bay. Watch from Shelter Island or Coronado for this spectacular sight.

Take a trip to Hotel Del Coronado for ice skating by the sea until January 1st.

Stay connected with San Diego’s monthly updates with this popular San Diego newsletter.

Belong San Diego Fall Blog

5 tips on how to find and research reputable home renovation businesses.

How To Choose a Home Remodeling Contractor

Did you know there are more than half a million remodeling businesses to choose from in the US? Of course, this doesn’t mean the choice will be easy. There’s plenty of horror stories out there from people who have chosen the wrong general contractor, so researching trusted companies to get a bid from is a must. 

If you have friends, family or neighbors who have recently renovated their home, word of mouth can be a great place to start for trustworthy contractors in your local area. Ask them who they used, what the process and timing was like, and if they would use them again.

Even with a good referral, it’s always a smart idea to secure more than one bid to weigh up your options and costs. Once you have secured a few bids, try not to look at costs alone. It’s not uncommon for people to go for the lowest price only to be stung with a huge bill when poor work needs to be redone or there are extra fees and costs hidden in the fine print. 

There’s no way of knowing for sure until the job has started if you’ve made the right choice, but here are five ways to feel confident when choosing a home remodeling contractor. 

When you have some contractors completing bids, ask if they can provide references. 

Ask about the jobs they have finished recently and see if you can speak to any of their customers. Do they have before/after photos you can view to see the finished product?

Photos are great, but it’s also important to note that you’re not shopping for the bricks and mortar. When choosing a home remodeling contractor, it’s the professionalism and craftsmanship you need to focus on, so it helps to speak to people who have dealt with the business before. 

Before getting a quote from any contractor, it’s a good idea to check out their website and local review sites such as Google and Yelp to see what people are saying about them and get a feel for their reputation.

References will usually be positive because they are from customers that have been selected by the contractor. Sometimes online reviews can usually paint a more balanced picture. They’re not always the most trustworthy (you don’t always get the full story from strangers online!), but if there’s more positive than negative words being spoken about the company, you can probably rest easy. 

Remodeling projects are rarely straightforward, so you should have an open dialogue with your chosen contractors. Make sure there are no nasty surprises by being really upfront about what you’re looking for and making sure that you and the contractor are on the same page. 

Note what the communication is like when you approach anyone for a quote. Are you greeted with professionalism and in a timely manner? Do they show up when they say they will? Make sure you deal with a company who handles communication well and interacts with integrity. The way they communicate with you is a good indication of what they’ll be like to deal with, so if they aren’t helpful or open to discussion, this could be a red flag. 

One of the most important steps when choosing a home remodeling contractor is to check their credentials such as licensing and insurance. It’s never worth risking your home with an unlicensed tradesperson. 

Make sure any contractor or business you hire is:

Licensed: Are the contractors licensed for the work required and do they hold memberships with the local or national bodies? Do your homework and see what kind of training, qualifications and licenses they hold. 

Bonded: A contractor’s bond is a financial guarantee that the terms of a contract will be fulfilled. This protects all parties from financial loss if the contractor doesn’t follow through with the terms of the original agreement. It’s also not simple to obtain, so successfully having a bond is a good indication that there is high confidence in the business or tradesperson being able to execute on the contract. 

Insured: Contractors can pay a premium that covers claims and incidents if something goes wrong — such as worker’s compensation if an accident occurs on site. Not having adequate insurance puts you both at risk of liability. 

Most renovation companies will provide a warranty on workmanship and installation for one year. Be sure to find out the details and terms of any warranties or guarantees before assuming that work will be redone at no cost to you. If there is a dispute or it’s not deemed faulty, you may need to pay again for work to be fixed. 

Get the best renovation for your home, guaranteed 

Hiring someone you trust to manage your home remodeling project will go a long way in protecting your home and finances. Contractors and businesses should be honest and upfront about timelines, costs, and what is workable. If they can’t provide this or you can’t find information on their licenses and work history, walk away. 

To make it simple for rental home owners to access quotes and trusted contractors, Belong homeowners get instant access to an expansive vendor network of over 10,000 professionals that can handle everything from routine repairs to renovations. We'll even let you spread the costs over the term of your lease agreement. 

Visit our homeowner's page to find out more about how our services are helping people to achieve their financial goals through rental real estate in Seattle, Redmond, Oakland, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Miami and many more.

Find out how to choose a home remodeling contractor with these five tips on how to find and research reputable home renovation businesses.

Not all landlords are money-hungry monsters, pushing up house prices. Here are 6 tips on how to become an ethical landlord when renting out your home.

How to Be an Ethical Landlord

Putting your home on the rental market can be a great way to generate income and optimize your taxes while offering a place for someone to live. But more than that, it's also a way to preserve your home if you need to move but could see yourself returning one day. Despite these benefits for homeowners, many worry about becoming the dreaded “L” word. 

Landlords are often accused of being money-hungry monsters that gobble up all available property and push homeownership out of reach for others. But that's not always the case. We argue that making high-quality rental homes available plays a vital and important role in our communities. Not everyone is ready for homeownership, but everyone needs a place to call home. That is why the rental market exists.

How can you be a landlord in an ethical way that makes renting a win-win for homeowners and residents alike? 

1. Ensure your home is safe and comfortable

Your number one responsibility when making your home available on the rental market is to ensure it is habitable. Homeowners have a legal obligation to ensure their rental property:

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