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.

Legislation has a ripple effect on the real estate markets. So which ballot initiatives passed and how will they impact landlords and real estate investors?

Which 2022 Ballot Initiatives Passed and How Could They Impact Homeowners?

We recently wrote about the 2022 Ballet Initiatives that could impact homeowners and the real estate market. This is because property availability, prices and investment potential are all influenced by local factors such as interest rates, economic cycles and legislation.

In a follow up to that article, here are the latest updates (current as of November 17, 2022) on what passed and what didn’t — and the potential impact on real estate investors.

1. Proposition 30: California’s Wealth Tax

California proposed a Wealth Tax to support clean air programs, generating funds for electric vehicle (EV) incentives and wildfire prevention. While wealth taxes aren’t often billed as for millionaires, they work in a similar way to property taxes, where taxes are based on the value of your assets. This include any residential or commercial property you own. This makes it one to watch for any states where you own — or even inherit — property. 

Status: Defeated, with 58% voting ‘no’ on Proposition 30

With the ballot defeated, this is no longer an immediate concern for homeowners and real estate investors in California. That doesn’t mean that wealth taxes aren’t still on the agenda across the country. In fact, voters in Massachusetts have passed a similar measure, approving a 4% surtax on annual income over $1 million to fund education, road infrastructure, and public transport.

It’s worth keeping an eye on this on a federal level too — France, Portugal and Spain are all countries with a ‘wealth tax’. 

King County in Washington State proposed a property tax levy to fund the acquisition and preservation of urban green spaces, natural areas, wildlife and salmon habitat, trails, river corridors, farmlands and forests. The conservation futures property tax level will be charged at a rate of $0.0625 per $1,000 of assessed value for collection in 2023. 

Status: Approved, with 69% voting yes on Proposition 1

For homeowners in Washington state, your property taxes will be affected by this measure from 2023. In terms of how it will affect the Washington real estate market, the conservation efforts that it funds will contribute to a healthy and prosperous community, keeping cities like Seattle desirable places to live. It will protect residents from issues such as excessive heat, poor air quality, or flooding — all of which can contribute to a loss of income for homeowners through reduced rental pricing or repairs to your investment home. 

3. Florida’s Flood Resistance Improvements

Florida’s Amendment 1, ‘Disregard Flood Resistance Improvements in Property Value Assessments Measure’, sought to incentivize homeowners to take proactive measures to protect their property from flooding, with the value of any improvements excluded from property tax evaluation. 

Status: Defeated, despite 57% voting yes. A supermajority of 60% was required for the approval of Amendment 1. 

Florida experiences the highest amount of property value losses due to flooding, which has an obvious impact on anyone investing in real estate in the area. While there won’t be an incentive on property taxes to take a proactive approach to improving your Florida property, it could pay off to do so anyway by minimizing the loss of value or cost of repairs should your property be in a flood zone. There are also resources available for anyone considering investing in Florida to check property addresses for the risk of flooding before purchasing. 

Additionally, in 2022-23, legislation from the Florida House will dedicate $100 million to mitigate the impacts of flooding on homes and businesses. 

Florida Amendment 3 sought to lessen the financial burden on public service workers looking to buy a home in Florida. The Additional Homestead Property Tax Exemption for Certain Public Service Workers Amendment would provide an additional tax exemption on $50,000 of assessed value on property owned by teachers, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, active duty members of the military and Florida National Guard, and child welfare service employees.

Status: Defeated, despite 58% voting yes. A supermajority of 60% was required for the approval of Amendment 3. 

Home values and property taxes are increasing rapidly in Florida and the amendment sought to provide a financial break to essential workers who are supporting the community. While defeated by a single no vote from State Senator Bobby Powell, it was not because he didn’t support financial initiatives for essential workers. “I don't think that us putting another homestead exemption on the ballot alleviates or helps with the situation that we're currently facing. I am of the belief that the priority at this point should be to figure out how we can get police and firefighters and teachers into a home, whether it be first-time homebuyers, whatever it be, we need to figure out how to get them into homes,” said Powell.

For essential workers, this means new initiatives could be proposed in future to support home buying. For real estate investors, it could mean a shift such as a reduction of stock suitable for the rental market if more first home buyers enter the market. 

Other noteworthy ballot measures to watch

1. San Francisco’s Proposition M, the “Empty Homes Tax” 

San Francisco is warning real estate investors that they could face additional taxes for keeping vacant properties, with Proposition M, Create Tax on Certain Vacant Residential Units Initiative.

From 2024, property owners with at least three units that have been vacant for more than six months will be taxed $2,500 - $5,000 per empty unit, with penalties set to increase yearly to up to $20,000. Money collected will be invested in subsidizing affordable housing in the city, including for people over the age of 60. 

Status: Too close to call, projected to pass

Larger and professional real estate investors who hold multiple units will be directly impacted by the measure. To avoid financial penalties they will need to put empty units up for rent or sale. This would increase the available inventory of both rentals and units for sale in San Francisco — having a direct impact on pricing for the city. 

Individual investors, like those that Belong supports, are less likely to be financially impacted by the measures at this stage, with single-family homes and duplexes exempt. That said, it’s a timely reminder that many counties are actively taking steps to reduce empty homes while the homelessness crisis continues to bite and more families are priced out of home ownership. 

It’s not uncommon for homeowners to sit on a vacant home for a variety of reasons. Some have inherited a family home and aren’t sure if they’re cut out for property management. Others move for work and plan to return to the home and feel unsure about renting the home out. If this is the case, Belong has a solution. We find people that will love and respect your home as much as you do, while also doing all the work to ensure it’s looked after and maintained. We can even help you move out if you’re relocating. Learn more about Belong’s unique residential network and homeowner services here. 

2. Pasadena’s Measure H, Rent Control Initiative 

Rent control measures in California are back up for debate, with Pasadena going to vote for Measure H, Charter Amendment For Rent Control Initiative. The initiative would establish an independent board that will limit rent increases to 75% of the CPI increase and provide enhanced eviction protections, requiring homeowners to have just-cause. 

The rent-increase caps do not apply to multifamily rental units built after February 1, 1995, and most single-family homes and condominiums; however, the eviction protections do apply.

This is billed as a win for renters, who have been getting priced out of the rental market or evicted only to have the home listed for a higher price. 

2022 Ballot Initiatives That Passed How They Impact Homeowners

Enjoy the benefits of renting out your home without all the hassle, with guaranteed rent and innovative new services not available from property managers.

What Are The Benefits of Belong Over a Regular Property Management Company?

Getting the most out of your investment is quite important when you buy a house. This is why experienced real estate investors always work with a good management company.  

But what if you don't need to be an experienced real estate investor to start earning money with your property? With Belong, you can have all the benefits of renting out your home without all the hassle that property management implies. Keep reading and discover the advantages of Belong.

With our services, we'll find people who Belong at your home. Our tenant (or as we call them - resident) selection process involves a thorough screening process to find trustworthy residents, so you don't have to worry about it.

Some of the problems of renting out your house if having to go after your tenants and dealing with late payments. With Belong, you will receive your money on time, every time. 

Happy tenants mean longer rentals which means consistent cash flow for you. 

It takes one tricky tenant to cause significant legal headaches. Belong has a qualified team with knowledge of the latest landlord-tenant laws and will make sure you don't have to worry about all the legal parts.  

If you charge too much, you might not rent at all, if it's too low, you are losing money each month. Finding the right price requires experience and access to specific tools that you might have never heard of. With Belong you can forget about all that trouble and just enjoy your extra time (and cash!)

Have you ever put up an ad to sell something? If you have, you know how time-consuming it can be. The good news is you don't have to do that! We will advertise your property with incredible results. 

This is actually the best part: With Belong, you will have guaranteed rental payments, continuous cash flow, maximized rental value, AND free time! 

These results can only be expected from a trustworthy company like Belong. A poor choice of a management company can produce many headaches of its own. So if you are ready to Belong, all you have to do is visit our website and follow a few simple steps. 

What Are The Benefits of Belong Over a Property Management Company?

With high migration and lower price point than Miami, learn more about investing in a Tampa rental home.

The Local Investors’ Guide to Tampa Real Estate

With stunning beaches and an enviable outdoor lifestyle (without the price tag of Miami), Florida’s Tampa is a market on the rise. While it’s true that Tampa doesn’t attract the same sky-high rents as Miami, the lower entry point makes Tampa an attractive destination for real estate investment as it becomes an enticing alternative for homeowners and residents priced out of other markets. 

If you own a single-family home or condo in Tampa, or are considering a rental investment in the city, this guide will direct you to tips on everything from property taxes and rental management for Tampa. 

Is Tampa a good place to invest in real estate?

PwC’s Emerging Trends in Real Estate report places Tampa and St.Petersburg at #5 in the top-ranked real estate markets. This is because this market is large and diverse, while being more affordable than neighboring cities. The report places Tampa in the “Super Sun Belt” market category. Cities in the Super Sun Belt market are among the fastest growing in the US, with solid economic performance and fast recovery from pandemic-led downturns.

While price growth is slowing, it remains an appealing market long-term that will continue to attract new residents, with the the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reporting that job growth is sitting above the national average at 4.8% and the unemployment rate trending down at a low 2.2%. 

With a strong job market and continued demand for single-family homes to rent, if you own or have inherited a Tampa property and are considering putting it up for rent, now is a great time. 

Discover the modern-day alternative to property management in Tampa. 

The last few years have been a wild ride for the housing market in the US. With huge shifts in migration, inflation, interest rates and property prices, the simple fact is that the housing market in Tampa isn’t the same market of years past. The rental market is no different. Property values have changed too much, we’re all playing a different game now. Yet, it seems this is news to the property management industry, who are still using a handful of comps to price Tampa homes in this complex market.

Belong addresses these rapid changes in real-time, by taking a modern approach to pricing homes on the rental market. In fact, Belong has ditched the property management model to offer a completely new approach to the rental market.

When helping homeowners in Tampa, Belong uses technology to blend live market data with an all-important metric: real demand for each home. We determine the right price for your home that will maximize rental income and keep vacancies low, long-term. And because we extend our services to renters as part of our community, we attract the best of the best to place in your rental property. Learn more about real-time rental valuations for Tampa in this article. 

Read More: The Realistic Way To Price a Miami Rental Home When The Market is Mad 

How much property tax will I pay in Tampa?

Property taxes in Tampa are collected by Hillsborough County. While the tax will vary per property, the average property tax rate for Florida is 0.89% (accurate as of August 2022). Compared to other states, this places Florida around the middle-range, ranked 23 out of 50 for the lowest property tax rate. You can get a more accurate estimate using the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser search function. 

Who are the best property management companies in Tampa?

The best way to ensure your investment home is well-kept and profitable is to find the best company to help you manage it. But when comparing the best property management companies across Florida, you’ll be looking at a handful of differences between them all. Things like how much they charge in management fees and how often you are going to get slogged for more (if they even tell you!). 

With Belong, there’s no comparison. Because Belong isn’t a property management company, it’s a completely unique experience that is humanizing the rental market. 

Belong does things differently in Tampa, by offering:

Guaranteed Rent: Receive your rent on time, every month, regardless of when it’s paid by residents.



24/7 Concierge Support: Both homeowners and residents have access to real-time support, going beyond emergency maintenance requests.



Transparent fees: No hidden costs like setup fees or lease renewal charges.



Modern-day marketing: Virtual tours and video marketing is included in listings.



User-friendly app: Belong's app provides convenient access to documentation, cash flow insights, and financial and insurance solutions. 



Long-term residents: Belong takes a personalized approach to match the right people, so they stay longer and feel at home.



Innovative financial solutions: Homeowners can manage cash flow effectively, even splitting the cost of maintenance and placement fees.



Eviction protection: Owners are shielded from legal costs if we ever place the wrong people.



Extensive vendor network: Belong connects homeowners with a vetted network of over 10,000 professionals for repairs and renovations.



Comprehensive insurance solutions: Belong offers insurance options that protect homeowners, their properties, and residents.


Market-driven insights: Belong utilizes market data and real-time interest to maximize the value of your home.


Even though Belong topped the Florida list (you can see the rankings here) when we compared Tampa’s top-ranked property managers, it became clear we were comparing apples with oranges. 

Read More: Why Florida's Top-Rated Property Managers Are More 80s Than Miami Vice

As a land of sunshine and low taxes, Florida is an attractive state for real estate investors and a great place for homeowners to enter the rental market. If you own a home in Tampa, Miami, Orlando, Tallahassee or Jacksonville, now is the time to find out if you’re eligible to join the Belong residential network. We specialize in single-family homes and condos, helping individual homeowners to achieve their financial goals in the rental market. 

Here is a snapshot of what Florida homeowners are saying about Belong…

Great personal experience with Belong. They treat you like people versus other agencies that are focused on numbers. I recommend Belong 110%” - SBF 

Wonderful experience with Belong Property management. They are taking wonderful care of my tenants. The level of professionalism they have shown is impressive, I will continue working with them as long as I have properties.” - Thalina V

Think your Florida home belongs with us? Check out one of our local homeowner pages below to see if you qualify:

To speak to someone about listing your rental home, you can also call 786-628-0600 (English) or 786-786-1073 (Español). 

Is Tampa Florida a good place to invest in real estate? With high migration and lower price point than Miami, learn more about investing in a Tampa rental home.

Find out with our guide on how to budget and plan for a kitchen renovation for your home or rental property.

What is the Average Cost of a Kitchen Remodel?

The kitchen is the heart and hub of any home. Owning or renting, coupled up or with a big family, even single and having friends over — it’s the one place where people gather every day. As one of the spaces you need to use the most, they also wear and date fast. 

An old kitchen with outdated appliances is a big turnoff for homeowners and renters alike, 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. 

Whether you’re looking to remodel your own kitchen or planning to upgrade the investment in your rental home, this guide looks at the average costs of a kitchen remodel and how to plan for one. Costs are based on national averages and are accurate as of December 2022, subject to change from inflation and material costs. 

What should I budget for a kitchen remodel?

The National Kitchen and Bath Association says the industry standard for a kitchen remodel budget is around 10% of the value of your home. 

By this standard, if your home is worth $500,000, you should be comfortable with spending up to $50,000 to remodel your kitchen. However, with home prices skyrocketing in recent years, this figure may not be quite as straightforward. If your home is worth $1.3million dollars, do you need to budget $130,000 for the kitchen renovation? You certainly can, but depending on what you want to do and the finishes you choose, you may get away with spending half of that. 

The age and condition of the existing kitchen

Do you need a major remodel or will a minor remodel suffice to modernize the space?

Does the space need to be reconfigured or expanded?

The return on investment you expect when you sell the home — whether that is in the near future or in years to come

The type of finishes you choose for your home will also impact how much you need to budget for a kitchen remodel. You might be able to save money with mid-range finishes and off-the-shelf cabinetry that will suit your remodeling needs. If you live in an area with high-end homes that attract a luxury price tag, investing in higher end finishes or custom work may be a sound investment because potential buyers will expect more for their money. 

To get a better picture of what people are spending on kitchen remodeling, we have pulled together some average costs across the country. 

What is the average cost of a kitchen remodel?

In its annual Cost vs Value report for 2022, Remodeling Magazine lists the following average costs for a kitchen remodel. 

National average cost of a kitchen remodel:

Minor Kitchen Remodel (mid-range): $28,279

Major Kitchen Remodel (mid-range): $80,809

Major Kitchen Remodel (upscale): $158,015

Where your home is located will also have an impact on price. The costs of labor and materials will vary depending on where you live, with homes in California and Washington state costing around 10 - 15% more to remodel than homes in Florida. 

Average cost of a kitchen remodel in Pacific states such as California and Washington:

Minor Kitchen Remodel (mid-range): $31,413

Major Kitchen Remodel (mid-range): $88,229

Major Kitchen Remodel (upscale): $171,150

Average cost of a kitchen remodel in South Atlantic states such as Florida:

Minor Kitchen Remodel (mid-range): $26,921

Major Kitchen Remodel (mid-range): $77,770

Major Kitchen Remodel (upscale): $152,672

HomeGuide lists the national average spent on kitchen remodeling at $100 – $250 per square foot, with a range of approximately $12,800 - $21,200 spent in total. Because of the huge variation in types of kitchen remodels — not to mention rising inflation and stock shortages spiking prices — this doesn’t give a full picture of what people might be spending in 2022. 

Going back to the Remodeling Magazine figures, a reasonable budget for a minor kitchen remodel with mid-range finishes is around $30,000, whereas a major kitchen remodel should be around $70,000 - $90,000. If you’re looking for a more upscale kitchen, you should be prepared to spend upwards of $150,000 for a major renovation. 

Of course, the only way to truly know what you’re in for cost-wise is to speak to qualified professionals for a quote. To get someone in your home to provide an accurate estimate, Belong can put you in touch with the best local contractors in your area from our extensive network. 

It’s also important to have a buffer in your budget. Especially in this era of wild inflation, a tight labor market and global stock shortages, prepare that you will need to spend more than you may have planned. Once you’ve set what you want to spend, you should plan to keep around 10-20% of that aside for unexpected expenses. If you suddenly find out that your dream backsplash went up by $5 sq/ft or that wall you wanted knocked down is load-bearing, having a buffer will take the stress out of the unexpected. 

What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?

When planning a kitchen remodel, there are four factors that will heavily influence the cost of your renovation:

Kitchen cabinetry makes up a large portion of your kitchen, as well as your kitchen remodel costs. Prepare for cabinetry to take up 20 - 40% of your budget. Obviously if you need custom-designed cabinets to fit your kitchen, this will be on the higher end than if you select a flat-pack, ready to assemble option. If your kitchen cabinets are in good condition, you may be able to save money by having them refinished. Consider how long you need them to last and what buyers and residents in the area would expect to see when it comes to getting a return on your investment. 

Installation and on-site labor will take around 20% of your remodeling budget. Depending on how much you’re changing the kitchen will impact how many contractors you will need on site. Changing the layout to create an open plan concept for example may require a designer, structural engineer, electrician and plumber to reconfigure the home. 

When replacing the appliances in your home, the costs can really vary. There are plenty of budget options for refrigerators and ovens, but if you want something with real wow-factor that is going to last for years to come — it could eat up to 15% of your kitchen remodel costs. 

High-end appliances and large stoves make cooking and entertaining a dream, which is why they’re incredibly popular with homeowners and renters. If you’re looking to reign in the budget, consider splashing out on a key item that will elevate the whole kitchen (such as a great stovetop) and saving money on items like the microwave and premium slow juicer. 

Pro Tip: Energy-efficient appliances may be increase the value of your rental home while reducing your residents' carbon footprint. Read more in 7 Cost-Effective Ways To Make Your Rental Home Sustainable in 2023.

What is the average cost of a kitchen remodel? Find out with our guide on how to budget and plan for a kitchen renovation for your home or rental property.

With high demand for long-term rentals, learn more about investing in and pricing LA property for rent.

The Local Investors' Guide to Los Angeles Real Estate

Whether it’s for fame, fortune, or just a good old dose of sunshine, Los Angeles has an allure that attracts people from across the country and the world. 

This means the rental market stays incredibly tight, with properties always in demand. This is excellent news for homeowners who have — or are considering putting — a property on the rental market. 

Most homeowners weigh up their options between using their home as a long-term rental under a lease agreement or using the property for short-term vacation rentals on a platform such as Airbnb. In LA, this decision is fairly straightforward due to the city cracking down on short-term rentals to make more investment properties available for LA residents. 

Whether you’re now considering the long-term rental market or are considering purchasing an investment property in Los Angeles, this guide brings together some handy resources to help you get the most out of your home. 

Is it better to have a long-term rental or short-term vacation home in Los Angeles? 

In 2019, Los Angeles introduced the Home-Sharing Ordinance that eliminated the use of investment properties as short-term vacation rentals. In order to apply for a short-term rental ordinance, you must provide evidence that you reside in the home for at least six months of the year. If you don’t, and you want to use the home exclusively for rental income — long-term rental is the way to go. Homes found to be operating as a short-term rental without a permit or in breach of the eligibility criteria risk daily fines.  

The good news is that if you rent your home on a lease agreement, you can benefit from a steady income for 12 months and are eligible for generous tax benefits that don’t apply to short-term rentals or homes used part-time by friends and family. You’ll also have significantly less turnover and reduce the cost of wear and tear on your property from having the same residents in place for a year or more. 

Own a condo or single-family home in Los Angeles? Belong offers a unique home management service and residential experience to all LA neighborhoods from Alameda and Berkeley to Chula Vista and everything in between. 

How much property tax will I pay on a home in Los Angeles?

The average property tax rate for California is 0.76% (accurate as of August 2022), though as a large state this can vary between counties. For LA County, you can learn more about property taxes and run address searches through their online property tax portal here.

How much rent should I charge for a home in LA?

Los Angeles rents are often reported to be among the highest in the nation. But does that mean you can go big and ask for sky-high rents? Or is it a better strategy to be more reasonable and attract a resident at a price they can afford for the long-term? 

When looking at median rents and stats available online, it’s worth remembering that these are asking-rents for available properties only and aren't reflective of what is actually being paid in the market. These medians often incorporate high-end luxury properties that aren't indicative of all rents, especially with LA’s rent control laws in effect.

When helping homeowners price Los Angeles rental properties, Belong uses technology to blend live market data with an all-important metric: real demand for each home. We determine the right price for your home that will maximize rental income and keep vacancies low, long-term. 

Once your home is on Belong, we get a true measure of the market by looking at impressions, clicks, tour sign-ups and how many people have started applications. With all that data at our fingertips — plus local-market benchmarks — we can work with homeowners to react quickly and maximize rental value, while minimizing vacancy. 

As a result, we trump the property management industry with 66% less vacancy. And our residents want to stay, with 71% renewing their 1-year lease (and unlike property management companies, this is done at no cost to homeowners). 

Read More: How to Price Your LA Rental Property To Attract Long-Term Residents

Who are the best property management companies in Los Angeles?

The best way to ensure your new investment home is well-kept and profitable is to find the best company to help you manage it. But when comparing the best property management companies across California, you’ll be looking at a handful of differences between them all. Things like how much they charge for management fees and how often you’re going to get slogged for more (if they even tell you!). 

Providing cutting-edge marketing and video tours to everyone, not just those who pay the most

Not charging hidden fees like setup costs and lease renewal charges

Offering real 24/7 concierge-level support, not just logging maintenance emergencies 

Offering innovative financial solutions for managing cash-flow on your terms

Helping you to maximize your ROI with personalized asset management advice

Going beyond the owner portal for maintenance logging with a mobile app designed for both homeowners and residents to manage their entire renting experience

Using true market data and real-time interest from potential residents to maximize the value of your home

Connecting you to an extensive vendor network of more than 10,000 vetted professional contractors


Even though Belong topped the list when we compared Calirfornia’s top-ranked property managers, it became clear we were comparing apples with oranges. Find out if your LA property is eligible for Belong here. 

Read More: We Outrank The Best Property Management Companies in California

Discover why Los Angeles la-la-loves Belong

We love LA — our local Belong team has over 40+ years of real estate industry experience in the Los Angeles area. From the waterfront living in the Venice canals and the mid-century modern villas in the Hollywood Hills, to the traditional neighborhoods sprawled along Ventura and the Wilshire Corridor condos, our residential network is open to single-family homes and condos right across Los Angeles. LA loves us too…but don’t take our word for it. Here’s what some local homeowners are saying about Belong...

First, I will say being a "landlord" is not easy, so handing over the reigns to Belong is the best decision I could have made!  From renting my place at a great rate, to moving in the new renter, everything was taken care of.  I no longer have to worry about calls on nights and weekends with a request from my tenant. Belong handles repairs, including finding vendors.  So far, it has worked well.” - Lea HS

My experience with Belong has been great. Very responsive, definitely on top of their game.” - Anas D

Think your LA home belongs with us? Find out if you qualify here.

Is Los Angeles a good place to invest in real estate? With high demand for long-term rentals, learn more about investing in and pricing LA property for rent.

At Belong, we believe landlords or tenants are outdated. We want to make renting a magical experience for homeowners and residents. Beyond properties, we are renting people love and happiness.

Belong: Disrupting Property Management 

At Belong, we believe landlords or tenants are outdated. We want to make renting a magical experience for homeowners and residents. Beyond properties, we are renting people love and happiness. 

In this article, we will explore Belong: a company that works as the middle person between homeowners and renters. 

Belong is an online platform that connects homeowners and renters so they both can find what they’re looking for in the most simple and convenient way. 

If you are a homeowner looking for passive rental income, Belong makes it easy for you. With our user-friendly platform, putting your property out on the market and finding the perfect renter can be done without all the stress that usually comes with it. All of this happens in one place, at the click of a button on your phone or computer. The Belong App is people-forward and convenient for everyone to use.

You can forget about advertising your property, showing the house, finding the right tenant, doing a throughout screening process, collecting rent and so many other things that landlords usually have to do. 

With Belong, all you have to do is visit the website, go to the Homeowner section and follow some simple steps that we will list below.

First, you input your address in our search engine to make sure Belong is available in your area. If it’s unavailable, just be patient; we are working hard to expand to more places. You can check out all the cities we’re “coming soon” to on our website!

If you are still living in the property you want to rent out, don’t worry! Belong will handle your move so you can just sit back and relax while we make the magic happen.

Welcome To The Playroom