Find out why summer is the best time to get your rental property listed and how to attract the best possible tenants for your home on the rental market.

4 Reasons Summer is the Best Time to List Your Rental Property

As the school year concludes, high school and college graduates as well as families with children entering summer vacation are poised to move during their wide open summer months. 

With increased demand and a limited supply of housing, you’ve got the chance to make even more in rental income, even with the unprecedented rates we’ve seen in the past few years. 

Follow along for more details about why summer is prime time for you to get your rental property listed, and some details about attracting the best possible residents for your home! 

Why enter the rental home market in the summer?

If you’re thinking of listing a property on the rental market, don’t wait! Here are the reasons that summer is the best time to list your rental property:

1. Higher moving rates (and rental demand) than the rest of the year

As schools shut down for the summer season, moving rates skyrocket. Here are a few of the reasons that people move in droves in the summer months:

High school graduates: as high schoolers move on to adulthood, data suggests that many of them make the move to a new community in the summer months. In many instances, they’re finding a place to rent near their new college. In others, they’re seeking a job in a new place away from home.



College graduates: with their college years behind them, recent graduates are moving on to new opportunities for work. This age group is particularly open to rent with limited funds and a need for a place to live near their new job. 



Families with children: parents are hesitant to move to a new place while their children are finishing up school. Now that the school year is behind them, many families are making the switch before the new year rolls around. 



People are seeking adventure and to try new things: summer is the season notorious for traveling and getting new experiences under your belt. As a result, it makes for a prime season for those seeking a change in their lives to move somewhere new.

With many reasons for people to move during the summer, demand for rentals increases substantially nationwide. That makes it the best time to find tenants as you’ll likely have more applicants than any other time of the year!

2. Higher rent prices in the summer months

As the world of renting returns to seasonality after years of sky-high pricing, you can get a premium for your property by listing it in the summer months. As explained above, the increased demand makes the limited supply a harder challenge for renters to overcome in the summer months. Lower vacancy rates nationally in recent memory will make the rent prices even higher this summer.

3. Let passive income pay for your summer adventures

‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’ author Robert Kiyosaki summed it up best when he said, “You can only be financially free when your passive income exceeds your expenses.” Everyone likes to travel and have fun experiences in the summer months, but that doesn’t mean you should deplete your hard earned money. Rather than taking money out of your bank account, moving residents into your rental property will give you the passive income to pay for your summer fun. 

Explore the guide to Earning Passive Income on a Rental Property for more tips on how to make your rental property a truly passive investment.

4. Recent trends indicate that you should get your property rented sooner than later

As signals of an economic downturn continue, recent trends in costs of goods and in communications from the US Treasury and World Bank indicate that you should act soon and fill your home in the summer of 2022 because there are many signals that the United States (and the rest of the world) may be entering an economic decline by 2023. For rental property owners, this means two things:

You’ll want to get a year lease locked in before the economy declines so that you have guaranteed rental income locked in regardless of the status of the economy. For truly guaranteed rent, work with Belong, as we 100% guarantee that you receive your rent, whether the resident pays or not 



As economic hardship unfolds, it will become more difficult to sell a house but easier to rent it out. Even if real estate prices crash in the short term, holding for the long term has proven to be an effective method for seeing property rates rise. Hold on to your asset as long as possible by renting it out!

You might be wondering, How Will Rising Interest Rates Affect Landlords? Explore our guide to find out. 

How to find great residents for your rental property

By choosing to rent your property in the summer months, you should have a wide array of residents applying to rent out your home. Here’s some tips for choosing the right residents for your rental home:

1. Organize, declutter, and clean your property before hosting open houses

You want your rental property to look as nice as possible to entice renters to choose your property to be their new home. If your property is already fully furnished, make sure it’s as cleanly and organized as possible before showing it to potential residents. If it’s not furnished, consider staging it to give potential residents a clear picture of what your home will look like with furniture, home supplies, and artwork. 

Looking to stage your rental? Here’s some helpful guides for Staging a Rental Home to Make the Rooms Feel Huge and the Best Home Improvements for Increasing Your ROI. 

2. Advertise your rental listing accordingly 

To get your home rented quickly, you’ll need to use the right forms of advertising it to get the property in front of potential renters. Consider making postings to relevant online channels like Zillow, Craigslist, etc., or work with a realtor to track down and vet potential tenants. 

If you don’t have the time or expertise to advertise your rental property effectively, work with Belong. We’ve got years of experience finding residents for rental properties, with it taking an average of just 19 days to lock in someone that will love your home. 

3. Have maintenance partners lined up and on call

In order to have a positive relationship with new tenants, you’ll want to make sure you have your bases covered if an issue arises with your property. Be sure to find partners like handymen, electricians, etc. in the neighborhood to ensure any issues that arise can be addressed and fixed quickly. 

Belong has an extensive network of over 10,000 vetted professionals on call all day everyday, meaning you can work with our maintenance team to ensure that your home remains in perfect shape and your residents are happy as can be with the condition of their rental. A quick fix to any issue is just a quick call or text away. 

If you’re concerned about finding tenants that are high quality and getting your home rented quickly, choosing a partner like Belong is the smartest way to go! Belong has years of experience using data to choose the right residents for rental properties, making it easier to dictate which resident is the right choice for your home. 

Belong for homeowners also has full time maintenance partners, meaning that if an issue arises at any time, you and your tenants can get an issue fixed quickly 24/7, 365. 

The best time of year to list a rental property 

Clearly, higher demand paired with increased rent prices makes summertime the best time to rent out your house. Whether you’re renting to a high school or college grad, a family with children, or anyone seeking a place to live in the booming summer months, listing your rental property NOW is a sure way to get higher rent prices and to pay for your summer adventuring. 

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, Jacksonville, Miami and many more.

Know precisely what your rental income is (regardless of when tenants pay) and expenses are to simplify your tax deductions for property management fees.

How To Simplify Property Management Tax Deductions For Rental Homes

If you own a rental home in the US, this source of income is taxed like a business, with expenses related to managing the home considered tax deductible. Whether you DIY, hire a property manager, or work with Belong, fees such as tenant placement and maintenance will be deductible. Of course, tax matters are rarely black and white, so we dig a little further to clarify “are property management fees tax deductible?”

Are property management fees tax deductible? What about Belong’s fees?

In short, yes, property management fees for a rental property are tax-deductible. A property you don't use for yourself or family is seen as an investment or business, so the cost of managing the property is tax deductible.

This also means you can claim fees from Belong. Although Belong is not a property management company, Belong takes on all of the responsibility of looking after your home and residents, so you can include fees and maintenance from our professional tradespeople as a deduction in your tax return. 

The tax benefits of hiring Belong vs self-management

You may have heard that there are tax benefits to taking a DIY approach and managing a rental property yourself. This is true, if you are self-managing the home, you may qualify as having ‘materially participated’ as a real estate professional. This allows your rental property involvement to receive non-passive tax treatment. Non-passive income means you can use any losses to offset other types of income, and you won't be subject to the 3.8% tax that applies to net investment income.

But to benefit from this approach, you need to be meticulous about bookkeeping and accounting. You will need to keep an accurate record of every penny spent on supplies and contractors maximize deductions at tax time. 

You also need to keep records to show that you have spent 500 hours or more managing your property. This route isn’t for landlords looking for passive income opportunities. 

Don’t have a spare 500 hours or more a year? No surprises there! Outsourcing the day-to-day to a professional is without doubt the simpler option for managing a rental home. But if you take the self-management route and need someone to help with your property, be aware that you could accidentally become an employer. If you hire an individual to help you out, you will need to consider legal and tax implications such as payroll. 

By working with Belong, both your costs and deductions are straightforward. When tax time comes around, your income and expenses will be simple to calculate because you always know exactly where you stand. With guaranteed rent in place, you will know precisely what your rental income looks like (regardless of when tenants pay). And you won’t find yourself getting tripped up by a string of unexpected expenses. 

When it comes to maintenance and repairs, Belong sends out vetted partners from a trusted network of over 10,000 professionals. We'll connect you in an instant to someone who can take care of necessary work and you can manage it all (including the cost) right from the Belong app.

Of course, to find out what best suits your financial situation and real estate investment, you should discuss this with a qualified accountant (their fees, like Belong, will also be tax deductible!).

If your rental property is a sideline investment that you don’t want to lift a finger on, it’s considered a ‘passive activity’ by the IRS. In this case, you can still claim tax deductions but any losses will carry forward until you generate passive income or sell the investment.

There is a middle ground between passive income and becoming a real estate professional is known as “active participation”. The IRS takes into account major decisions about your investment, such as approving new residents and even the work that goes into appointing a property management company. If you actively participate in these decisions, you may be able to deduct some (up to $25,000) of your passive losses, without doing it all yourself. There are income thresholds and caps on deductions here so you will need to speak to an accountant to determine if you qualify for this. 

Income and expenses from a rental property can get complicated if you own more than one property, or decide to manage things yourself. By partnering with Belong, everything gets easier. 

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.

Find out how the right property manager can work with your HOA, ensuring the Board will love having you as a landlord renting a home in the community.

How To Rent Your Home and Stay HOA-Board Approved

If you own a home with a HOA in place, you may face hurdles when looking to put the property on the rental market. Read on to find out how property managers can work with HOAs and why you need the right one in your corner to simplify the process of renting your home. 

Homeowners’ Associations don’t have a reputation for making life easier for landlords. HOAs are in charge of managing the community spaces they govern — keeping neighborhoods desirable and properties valuable. Some believe that this means keeping renters at a low ratio, or even out entirely. 

When HOAs restrict rentals it’s because they are under the impression that tenants are not as invested in a property as owners are and won’t care for them properly. It’s assumed there will not be as much effort or investment put into home maintenance and repairs. Some even believe renters make a community less livable, eroding the value of the neighborhood. 

This viewpoint ignores the fact that almost everyone will call a rental property ‘home’ at some point in their lives and some for longer than others. Renting in a community governed by a HOA is appealing to long-term renters because they can enjoy high quality amenities and community spaces to call home. 

Thankfully, there are ways to ensure your HOA will love having you as a rental property owner in the community. It starts by outsourcing the heavy lifting to the right property manager. 

How a property manager can work with your HOA

Most HOA boards are rental friendly, but have strict rules in place that govern how your property and tenants need to be managed. Bylaws may stipulate minimum lease periods, references, background checks, and even how many times owners can rent their property during a calendar year. This means if you get the rental process wrong at any point, you could face fines or an empty untenanted home. 

The best property managers know how to work with a Homeowners’ Association to make sure you not just follow the rules, but also get the most from your rental property, by ensuring:

The right price to keep your property value high

Regular maintenance and repairs to maintain curb appeal 

Ensure accurate rental pricing for HOA compliance

Property managers are responsible for an analysis of your home and local area to determine the best possible price for the rental market. Price the rent too high and you will struggle to get applications and lose visibility. Price it too low and you could bring down the value of neighboring homes and cause issues with your HOA. 

At Belong, we combine technology with a local human touch to identify the right price for your home. We collect absurdly rich data on your home and neighborhood, empowering our crack team of quants and proprietary algorithms to crunch the numbers. But unlike fully automated estimates, our local team refines this suggestion to ensure critical nuances are never missed. This informed approach ensures you’re not only getting the best possible price for your rental, it keeps the rent at the right price for your HOA-governed community. 

Homeowners are responsible for ensuring that any residents follow the rules and regulations of their HOA, known as Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&Rs). This doesn’t change if you don’t live there. If renters fail to follow the bylaws or CC&Rs, you as the homeowner will be held liable and could face fines.

The best way to ensure your residents are the kind of people that can play by the rules is to screen for high-quality, long-term renters who will love your home as much as you do. 

Belong ensures that all tenants are 100% vetted, focusing on long-term residents that are keen to feel at home and part of the local community. In fact, Belong is all about a sense of community. By ensuring that renters (or ‘residents’) are cared for just as well as our homeowners are, they remain well informed, have access to our 24/7 concierge support and are less likely to unwittingly break HOA bylaws. 

And in the unlikely event that the vetted resident isn’t complying with HOA terms or their rental agreement, Belong doesn’t charge eviction fees if they need to move out. 

Deliver HOA-approved property maintenance and fast repairs

There’s little a HOA board takes more seriously than curb appeal. If you’ve ever tried to paint your home the wrong color, you’ll know how quickly you can get slapped with a fine for breaching the rules around the appearance of your property from the outside. 

This is because a top priority for the HOA is to keep property values high — and aesthetics is a big part of that. Like resident behavior, the conditions and appearance of your home is ultimately the homeowners responsibility. 

While you expect a good resident won’t cause any damage, it’s also not up to them to manage repairs and maintenance. This is where Belong can make a world of difference. If something breaks, we fix it. We have an extensive vendor network of over 10,000 contractors across the country and can connect you to them in a flash with our 24/7 concierge support service. Your residents can even make maintenance requests through the app and get qualified help fast, without putting the work onto you. 

Not your garden-variety property management

When your property is taken care of to the highest standards, it’s easy for HOAs to love you as a landlord within the community. That’s why Belong goes out of its way to find residents that will love your home as much as you do — and treat it with respect and care. 

“Knowing my home is loved and cared for by my residents is something that I really appreciate because I love my home and I love sharing it with somebody else…. As a homeowner, when I say that Belong handles everything, Belong really handles everything for me.”
Sandra G, Belong Homeowner

If you have an HOA for a property you intend to rent, find out if your home qualifies for Belong here.

Property Management and HOAs: How To Rent Your Home and Stay HOA-Board Approved

Desirable school districts have an impact on the rental market. We show you where to find the best school districts in the Seattle area to own rental property.

6 of the Best Seattle School Districts To Own a Rental Home

Finding a great school is a top priority for most parents — especially those on the rental market. Whether they’re relocating for work, saving for a house deposit, or even renting to be closer to better schools, parents are doing their homework on well-rated school districts before choosing where to rent. 

If you own or are considering a home on the Seattle rental market the proximity of the home to good schools will have a big impact on the return you can expect. 

So where are Seattle’s most-desirable school districts and how do you decide if it’s the right place to own a rental home? Each year, organizations such as Niche.com and U.S. News analyze statistics, reviews, and data from the U.S. Department of Education. They take into account test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality, public school district ratings and more. 

This article highlights six of the best-rated school districts in the Seattle area, as well as the top-20 neighborhoods with the best public schools, according to their 2022 rankings. 

Read More: How Your Property's School District Affects Rental Pricing

Best school districts in the Seattle area to own rental property

Mercer Island is Niche.com’s top-ranked school district for the Seattle area, with four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. This school district is also considered to be the best for athletes and the safest — another big drawcard for young families. 

For families with older children, U.S. News rankings puts Mercer Island High School at #6 in Seattle, with a graduation rate of over 95%. 

In addition to being a great school district, neighborhoods in the Mercer Island District enjoy access to more than 475 acres of parks and open space for families to enjoy sports, nature walks, picnics and playgrounds. 

Coming in at #2 on the Niche.com rankings is the Bellevue School District. Bellevue School District serves the communities of Bellevue, Clyde Hill, Medina, Hunts Point, Yarrow Point, Beaux Arts Village, and portions of Newcastle, Kirkland and Redmond. The district offers 31 schools in total, with 19 elementary schools, eight middle schools and eight high schools. 

Bellevue has not one, but two top-five rated high schools in the area, with U.S. News ranking International School at #2 and Newport Senior High School at #4.

It’s not a cheap area to secure property, however according to areavibes.com it’s considered an exceptional place to live and attracts rental prices 54% higher than the Washington average.

Bainbridge Island isn’t just for day trips, it’s also a great place to live and ranks third in Seattle’s best school districts. Just a short ferry ride across the Puget Sound, Bainbridge Island School District contains 10 schools; six elementary schools, five middle schools and three high schools. 

It’s worth noting that Bainbridge Island ranks #1 for places to teach, making it an attractive location for families and teaching professionals alike. Bainbridge Island is also considered to be a safe area for families, with crime rates 66% lower than the Washington average.

The residents within the Lake Washington School District are spoilt for choice when it comes to accessing great schools, with 34 elementary schools, 15 middle schools and 10 high schools servicing the area — including the top-ranked high school in Seattle.

Eastlake, Lake Washington, and Redmond High Schools all enjoy a 94%+ graduation rate and are positioned within the top 20 high schools in Seattle. But for parents looking to alternative education opportunities, Tesla STEM High School is ranked #1 in Seattle and #12 nationally, making it a big drawcard to this district for families looking for a modern STEM-focused education and Advanced Placement programs. 

Being a magnet school, Tesla STEM High School accepts applications from outside of the district, but homes within the district make for an easier commute. 

Lake Washington School District is located between Lake Washington and the Cascade Mountains, to the east of Seattle. Covering 76 square miles, LWSD is the public school district for the cities of Kirkland and Redmond, as well as about half of Sammamish. On the north end of the district, some Bothell and Woodinville residents also attend schools in this area. 

The Issaquah School District has grown considerably in recent times, transforming over the past 100 years from a sleepy mining town to a vibrant neighborhood that attracts residents for its great living and employment opportunities. Retail giant, Costco, is headquartered within this district, so there is no shortage of working parents looking for homes. 

This school district contains 28 schools; 16 elementary schools, seven middle schools and six high schools — including Issaquah High School, which ranks ninth in the Seattle area. 

The Northshore School District is the 10th largest school district in Washington state, serving the cities of Bothell, Woodinville, Kenmore, and surrounding unincorporated areas in King and Snohomish counties.

In 1959, Woodinville and Bothell School Districts were consolidated to create the Northshore School District. Today, it offers 39 schools in total; 24 elementary schools, nine middle schools and nine high schools. Woodinville and North Creek High Schools are ranked among the top 20 high schools in the Seattle area (18 and 20 respectively).

Outside of the schools, there’s lots of reasons why residents are drawn to the neighborhoods along the Sammamish River. From waterfront parks and dense woodlands, to wineries and festivals, this region is fast-growing with plenty of interest in property. 

Top 20 suburbs with the best public schools in the Seattle area

If you already own a home that you have (or are considering putting) on the rental market, you can look up nearby K-12 schools and their performance on the Washington State Report Card. 

If you’re looking to purchase a rental home in one of Seattle’s best school districts, here is a shortlist of 20 top-ranked suburbs with the best public schools, according to Niche.com in 2022: 

Belong’s average time to rent in Washington is an industry-leading 12 days

Owning a rental home in a great area is one thing. Making sure it’s priced accurately, marketed, well-maintained, and guaranteed to bring you rent every month is another. 

Before you consider local property management to market your home, consider Belong. 

We manage everything about rental homes, so you don’t need to lift a finger. Belong trumps the property management industry with an average time to rent of just 12 days in Washington (as of May 2022). 

From finding a great family who will care for your Seattle home to providing them 24/7 support and in-house repairs and maintenance, you can rest easy knowing that Belong will handle it all.

If you own a Seattle or Washington property on the rental market, find out if you’re eligible here. 

From shifts in property value to an uplift in demand for rentals, find out how rising interest rates can affect landlords.

How Will Rising Interest Rates Affect Landlords?

First, a note on vocabulary: at Belong, we hate the words “landlord” and "tenant." Instead, we call everyone in our residential network Homeowners and Residents. Because language matters, and we want your home to be loved, not just rented. That said, we use the terms “homeowner,” “landlord,” and “investor” interchangeably in this post to help more people find this useful information. To learn more about why we’re working to change how people think about renting, see this article in TechCrunch.

While interest rates have been historically low over the last twenty years, they are currently on the rise, raising concerns within the real estate industry.  

On March 16th, the Fed approved a 0.25 percentage point rate hike. During their May meeting, the FOMC raised the benchmark rate by half-a-percentage point, following the quarter-point increase in March. Experts suggest that several more hikes are likely to follow later this year. Consequently, landlords need to understand how they will be affected by these rising interest rates.

Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), often referred to as the Fed, targets a specific interest rate. The FOMC, or Fed, is composed of seven governors of the Federal Reserve Board and five Federal Reserve Bank presidents. The FOMC meets eight times each year to set the target federal funds rate. In response to this target, the Federal Reserve System will adjust the money supply so that interest rates will move toward the target rate. 

The federal funds rate is the interest rate banks will pay for overnight borrowing from the federal funds market. Any change in this interest rate will affect consumer interest rates, yields on Treasury notes, and indirectly, long-term conventional mortgage interest rates. Fixed rates on conventional mortgages are set slightly higher than the yields on 30-year Treasury bonds. 

When the Fed raises the federal funds target rate, it increases the cost of credit throughout the economy. Generally, the Fed will cut interest rates when the economy is struggling and raise them when it is strong. 

How do rising interest rates affect the housing market?

An overall increase in interest rates will have a cooling effect on the housing market. When interest rates increase on mortgages, borrowing the same amount of money costs more—a higher interest rate results in a higher monthly mortgage payment for most buyers. As a result, homebuyers may suspend or slow future home purchases. 

When borrowing costs increase, purchasing a home becomes more costly. This is especially true for first-time buyers because they do not have equity in a current home. After relatively lower interest rates, potential homebuyers are likely to be more sensitive to cost increases. As a result, current tenants may choose to stay in a rental property for an extended period. When more people remain in rentals, it increases the demand in the rental market. 

Interest rates also affect real estate values, consistent with other investment vehicles. For landlords, an increase in interest rates may result in slower appreciation or a decrease in the value of a rental property. Increased interest rates can impact the availability of capital and the demand for investments. Changes in availability affect the supply and demand for property and, as a result, the price.

How do rising interest rates affect real estate investors? 

Interest rate increases equally impact real estate investors. Like traditional homebuyers, it will cost landlords more to borrow for new real estate investments. 

Purchasing power for rental properties and cash flow concerns

Landlords and real estate investors looking to purchase additional properties will have higher borrowing costs, impacting their cash flow and annual yield. Landlords should continue to carefully calculate cash flows and look for ways to adjust to higher borrowing costs. 

Some may suggest that landlords purchase new rental properties with a plan to refinance when interest rates decrease. However, we do not know if and when rates may decrease. Refinancing also comes with additional costs and restarts the amortization of a loan. 

Real estate investors can combat higher borrowing costs by improving their credit scores and shopping around for mortgages with the best rates.  

Cash will continue to reign during periods of growing interest rates. The increased borrowing costs caused by these interest rates may decrease the overall cash flow for landlords. Subsequently, it may become more challenging to compete for fewer ideal investment properties, and cash buyers will continue to see less competition. 

Real estate investors will likely see improved capitalization rates due to increased interest rates. A lower capitalization rate can indicate less investment risk. However, capitalization rates don't factor in increased borrowing costs. The higher demand for rental housing can improve your cap rates as a landlord. Similar to a decrease in cash flow, lower cap rates can make finding deals for new investment properties more difficult.

Concerned about rising interest rates? Look for favorable fundamentals

An increase in interest rates indicates that the Fed believes the economy is strong. Interest rates are just one factor used to assess the housing market. The FOMC only raises rates if they determine that the economy can withstand the change. Even after recent increases, interest rates remain historically low. 

While interest rates provide crucial decision-making metrics, landlords and investors should continue to focus on the fundamentals. A property valuation will continue to provide fair market value of a real estate property. Comparing each property valuation in conjunction with a cash flow and profit opportunity analysis will allow you to evaluate the risk and opportunity of each investment. Further, by carefully considering the purpose and horizon of the investment, you can be sure you're making ideal ventures in the current market.

While rising interest rates will affect landlords in several ways, immense opportunity still exists in real estate investment. Landlords can mitigate cash flow changes by carefully calculating costs and options. 

Belong offers a form for homeowners to estimate how much they can make renting out their homes. We also guarantee our landlords rental income even when a home is vacant. Make the most of increasing interest rates and see how much you can earn with Belong. 

Interest rates have been historically low in recent times, but they on the rise. Find out how rising interest rates affect landlords with rental property.

Today is a special day for Belong. We are announcing an $80M Series C Financing led by Dan Wenhold at Fifth Wall. All our major investors (Battery Ventures, GGV Capital, and a16z) are doubling, tripling, and quadrupling down on our dream. 

Belong Announces $80M Series C Capital Expansion

We are announcing an $80M Series C Financing led by Dan Wenhold at Fifth Wall. All our major investors (Battery Ventures, GGV Capital, and a16z) are doubling, tripling, and quadrupling down on our dream. 

We founded Belong as first-generation immigrants to the United States. As immigrants, we had to redefine what Home meant to us in numerous ways multiple times. 

The mission of Belong is to create authentic belonging experiences, empowering residents to become homeowners and homeowners to become financially free. 

In simple words, we are on a mission to make the terms landlords and tenants obsolete. Replacing them with a more caring, empowering, and human-centric system. Putting people first.

This mission is of cultural and pragmatic relevance to the future of the United States and the world.

The last 40 years saw a combination of stagnant wages and a restricted housing supply due to local and federal policies. As a result, home prices have increased dramatically to unsustainable levels, creating two entire generations of perpetual renters. The average worker with an average salary is priced out of the average home. 

In addition, the last ten years saw a significant concentration in ownership of the housing supply. As a result, individual homeowners and renters now compete with prominent hedge funds to access homes to live in and build long-term wealth.

Belong is the counterforce to this grim future, where giant corporations own a majority of homes.

We have made owning a rental home easy and stress-free enabling more individuals to build equity in, and generate cash flow from, their homes - ultimately building towards financial freedom. We do this by offering a one-stop-shop home management platform for homeowners so they never have to be a landlord, get financial tools to manage their investment, guaranteed rent, and have their home be taken care of by high-quality residents and our in-home maintenance team. As a result, our homeowners can now become small-scale investors using Belong’s system.

We have created a new system, one made with love, that enables residents to receive extraordinary service while they build towards homeownership with each on-time rent payment, helping them break the perpetual renting cycle.

Belong’s version of the housing market is one where homes are in the hands of regular people. 

For that, we work day and night to make renting a home delightful and financially sound. The way it should always have been.

Our rapidly growing community agrees! We have thousands of homeowners and residents in Belong Homes. Our customer satisfaction is several orders of magnitude higher than the industry average. Our members rave about the Belong system in our public reviews. 

This journey hasn’t been easy. And it won’t be going forward. It will be challenging and fraught with unexpected surprises. It will also be fun and rewarding. 

One thing, we can promise: the best is yet to come!

Thank you to all Belong team members past and present! These are the heroes that brought Belong to where it is today. 

Abner, Adalia, Adam, Adrian, Adriana, Adriano, Agustin, Ahmad, Akash, Alejandro, Alejandro M., Alex, Alexander, Alexandra Lux, Alfiero, Alyanna Marie, Alyssa, Amanda C., Amanda F., Amber, Amy T., Amy X., Anders, Andrea F., Andrea G., Andrew S., Andrew Q., Angela, Ann, Anna Marie, Anthony L., Anthony R., Arlie Mae, Arnie, Arsalan, Arthur, Aumi, Austin, Benjamin, Bhagwant, Breanna, Brian H., Brian S., Britt, Brittany R., Brittany W., Brooke, Bruce, Brynn, Caleb, Cameron, Candace, Cara, Carlo, Carlos, Carolyn Mae, Caryn Marie, Casey, Cassidy, Catherine, Celeste, Cesar G., Cesar B., Charles C., Charles H., Chelsea, Cherdy, Chris Y., Chris D., Christian, Christopher G., Christopher W., Claudio, Clayton, Colton O., Colton R., Corinne, Daisy Jane, Damian, Daniel D., Daniel P., Daniel K., Daniel W., Darely, David S., David C., Deborah Mailén, DeJon, Diego M., Diego B., Dionisius, Divine Grace, Douglas S., Douglas H., Edward L., Edward G., Eileen, Einar, Eleanor, Elglenn John, Eli, Elise, Ella, Emiliano, Emily, Emma P., Emma H., Emmanuel, Eric, Erica M., Erica F., Erin, Esteban, Evan, Ezequiel, Fedelyn, Federico, Felicia, Fernando, Flora, Francesca, Francisco P., Francisco F., Francisco O., Gabriel, Gareth, Garrett, Gerson, Giankarlo, Gilbert, Gonzalo, Grace, Gregory T., Gregory A., Haman, Hannah, Haris, Hector, Hernan G., Hernán C., Hugo, Hyuk, Ignacio M., Ignacio S., Iishe, Inci, Ivan C., Iván P., Jack, Jackson, Jaclyn, Jamie James, Jan Ronniebert, Janet, Jarl Anthon, Jason, Javier, Jawad, Jay-R C., Jay-R V., Jeffrey Q., Jeffrey V., Jeremias, Jerry, Jesse, Jessica M., Jessica B., Jocelyn, Joel, John A., John C., John P., John K., John G., John U., Jonathan M., Jonathan Y., Jordan T., Jordan B., Jordan E., Jordan D., Jorge, Jose R., Jose Re., Jose Marie, Joseph F., Joseph H., Joseph C., Juan O., Juan R., Jubie, Julian, Julio, Kar, Kareen, Karen, Katerina, Katherine, Kathleen, Katy, Kayla, Keith, Kelly W., Kelly D., Kelly E., Kevin, Khymberly , Kimberly, Kirsten, Larry, Laura, Laurence Jake, Laurie Mari, Lee, Lily, Lip, Lucinda, Luis, Ma. Therese Anne, Madelaine, Madeline M., Madeline S., Madyson, Mahli Carmela, Manuel, Marc, Marcos, Marcus, Maria An, Maria Lina, Maria Nica, Maribel, Mario R., Mario L., Mario C., Marisol, Mark, Marlene, Martin L., Martin P., Marvin, Mary Ann, Matias A., Matias B., Matias P., Matías O., Matthew Y., Matthew H., Matthew J., Matthew N., Meldenne Joy, Melisa, Michael P., Michael G., Michael M., Michelle D., Michelle M., Michelle Joy, Miguel A., Miguel R., Milan, Mirasol, Montana, Murugesh, Namrata, Nancy, Naomi, Naomi Lynn, Natalia, Nate, Nica, Nicholas R., Nicholas C., Nicholas I., Nicolas G., Nicolas A., Nicolas G., Nicolás M., Nicole, Noemi, Otgondavaa, Pablo, Paul, Pierre, Pradeep, Priscila, Pryncess Juvy Jane, Randy, Rachel,, Rebecca, Rey, Richard E., Richard H., Ricky, Robert R., Robert K., Robert V., Robert N., Romeo, Ronald, Ronson, Ruben M., Ruben A., Ryan F., Ryan W., Rylie, Sajni, Saliq, Sanjana, Sarah A., Sarah W., Sarkis, Scott, Sean, Sebastian, Shad, Shawn, Shelby, Shyla May, Sonia, Sparsh, Spencer, Stephan, Stephane, Stephanie X., Stephanie R., Stephanie M., Steve, Steven, Sydney, Temitope, Thomas C., Thomas L., Thomas S., Thomas P., Tien, Timothy M., Timothy I., Tom, Tomas, Travis, Treavor, Trisha Erika, Tyler R., Tyler L., Tyler D., Venancio III, Victoria M., Victoria R., Victoria C., Warren, William L., William B., Xavier, Yungun

Announcing an $80M Series C led by Dan Wenhold at Fifth Wall. All major investors (Battery Ventures, GGV Capital, and a16z) are quadrupling down on our dream.

When it's time to upgrade your rental, it's important to choose projects to yield the highest ROI. Here are 5 high-value rental renovation ideas to consider.

The 5 Best Home Improvements for the Highest ROI

Renovating a rental property can be a great way to increase the value of your home and rental return. Here are 5 ideas for achieving the highest return on investment when remodeling a rental property.

Are you thinking of making some changes to your rental property? As a landlord, it’s your job to make sure that your rental property is the best it can be. This could mean anything from adding upgrades like new appliances, hardwood floors, or a fresh coat of paint to upgrading your property’s electrical system or installing a new roof. When it comes to making home improvements, there are a lot of factors to consider. Not all projects are created equal and some will offer a better return on investment (ROI)  than others. 

According to Remodeling Magazine, the average home-related remodeling project costs around $35,000 with an average return on investment (ROI) of 138% in additional home value. But how do you know what upgrades are more likely to increase the value of your property?

Whether you’re a landlord looking to modernize your rental or just planning on selling your home in the near future, here are the top five home improvements with the best ROI. 

1. Renovate or remodel the kitchen and bathroom

The kitchen is the heart of your home – it’s where you cook, eat, and entertain. While a kitchen renovation can be a daunting and expensive undertaking, it’s also one of the best investments you can make. When planning a kitchen renovation, it’s important to focus on the features that will give you the best ROI. Some of the most popular and effective kitchen renovations include expanding the space, updating appliances and fixtures, and adding storage.

Likewise, bathroom remodels are always a great investment. You can save money on your water bill by installing low-flow toilets and showerheads. You can also create more storage space with creative cabinet choices. If you're thinking of putting your property on the market, a bathroom remodel is one of the best ways to increase its value.

2. Repaint the exterior and interior of your home



One of the most cost-effective ways to add value to your home is by painting. A fresh coat of paint can make any room look new and updated. Select neutral tones that will appeal to a wide range of potential buyers. Painting the exterior makes a huge difference in your property’s curb appeal and is one of the most cost-effective improvements you can make.

Replace old, drafty windows with new, energy-efficient ones to save you money on your heating and cooling bills year after year. Installing new energy efficient windows can also help add value to your property by making your home more comfortable. When choosing new windows, be sure to look for ones that are ENERGY STAR® certified and have Low-E glass.

Flooring can be a dealbreaker when it comes to selling a home. While hardwood floors are usually the most desirable, laminate flooring is also a good option for those who are on a budget. Luxury vinyl plank flooring is also becoming a popular option, as it is designed to mimic stone or wood without the upkeep. The best thing you can do to make your property more appealing is to keep the flooring consistent throughout. 

Laura Diamantoni, of The Diamantoni Group is a licensed Realtor with Realty One Group and the owner of Red Canna LLC. Laura has been investing in real estate for over a decade, rehabbing properties for resale as well as long- and short-term rentals and has worked with every type of property from Section 8 to Executive rentals. 

“My rule of thumb when making upgrades, is to do it like you are the one who is going to be living there. When I am rehabbing a property, the first thing I look at is the flooring. I hardly ever put carpet into my properties, instead I opt for hard surface flooring. It just gives the property a cleaner, neater look. If the property has original hardwood floors, I will sand them down and refinish them, adding a tint into the poly to even out stains and correct UV damage.” 

First impressions matter and you want your home to look its best when welcoming visitors or potential buyers. Many people don’t realize that landscaping can also be a great investment, with some projects providing over a 200% ROI.

Improving your landscaping, adding a deck or patio, or even just power washing your siding can make a big difference in how much your home is worth.

Shane Kuhns, of the Shane Kuhns Team leads one of the top-producing teams for Berkshire Hathaway and is the recipient of The Chairman’s Platinum Award. His team has members in both Pennsylvania and Florida. According to him, these are the top four landscape improvements worth considering:

Seeding your lawn to fill in any divots or gaps (417% ROI)

Investing in standard lawn care (303% ROI)

(STATISTICS: National Association of Realtors)

How do I know what improvements I should make?

If you're thinking about making some home improvements, Kuhns says it's a good idea to look at comparable properties that are on the market, as well as how quickly similar properties in your neighborhood are increasing in value. This will help you gauge what kind of improvements are likely to add the most value to your home. “No amount of upgrades will change those numbers,” says Kuhns.

When advising property owners, Kuhns also says not to get too hung up on the latest design trends. “Design trends change almost every six months, so it’s important to make upgrades that will stand the test of time, for example, choosing a more neutral palette.” 

Belong eliminates the hassle of rental property maintenance

When your home is with Belong, it will always stay well-maintained thanks to our extensive vendor network of over 10,000 professionals. Belong's vetted team can conduct initial and quarterly maintenance inspections throughout your lease term and are available to handle repair requests 24/7 through the app. 

If unexpected repairs or emergency maintenance costs do arrive, Belong has that covered too. All Belong homeowners are pre-approved for our Split It program, which spreads the cost of repairs across the term of your lease. This means you’ll always stay cash flow positive, receiving guaranteed rent every month minus a Split It repayment.

Belong is making renting loveable for homeowners with flexible financing, rewarding perks and constant innovation. Visit our homeowner's page to find out more about how our services are helping people to ditch property management in Seattle, Redmond, Oakland, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Miami and many more.

California Rent Control Laws changed with the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB-1482). This is an overview of changes to local rental control law in CA.

Everything You Need to Know About California’s Rent Control Laws

California Rent Control Laws changed with the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (the bill also known as AB-1482). Read on for an overview of changes to local rental control law in the State of California. 

Enacted on January 1, 2020, California’s statewide rent control law made it illegal for residential landlords to raise rent more than 5%, plus the local rate of inflation in a year. Called the “Tenant Protection Act of 2019,” or AB 1482, the law is designed to prevent the most “egregious” rent increases in the state, especially as many renters have had extreme difficulty paying for housing in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

California Governor Gavin Newsom remarked that with the implementation of the Act (AB 1482), the state will enjoy the “nation’s strongest statewide renter protections.” The statewide law is retroactive to March 15, 2019, and expires on January 1, 2030.

Note that the rental caps limit how much a landlord can increase a tenant’s rent, not the amount of the initial rental price. That amount is determined as it always has been: the homeowner and the tenant come to an agreement that is ratified through a signed lease. To help homeowners determine the optimum price embodied in that agreement, Belong offers a Pricing Optimization Model which takes into account a variety of factors, including market conditions and location.

Exemptions for the Statewide Rent Control Law

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