Resources for Santa Rosa Rental Property Investors: Websites, Associations, and Local Networks - Article Banner

Real estate investing is something that most people do on their own, however it’s hard to succeed when you don’t have the support you need to identify good investments, negotiate a favorable deal, and effectively rent and manage the property. As an investor, whether you’re new to this or experienced, you know that navigating the market and the industry can often feel lonely. 

Big decisions need to be made all the time, and only you can make them. 

It’s a solitary endeavor, unless you’re investing with partners, and the most successful investors make an effort to surround themselves with a strong network of professionals who can help them and provide tools and resources that make navigating challenges a little bit easier. 

Santa Rosa is a competitive real estate and rental market that’s constantly shifting. There are plenty of highs to help you feel great about investing, but there are also some fairly dramatic lows where you expenses begin to rise and tenants seem impossible to work with. Real estate investing can feel a bit overwhelming even for experienced property owners. 

Something to remember is this: You don’t have to do everything on your own. There are plenty of resources available to help you make the right decision and feel supported in your plans. Your property management partner will be a great starting point in finding the help you need to buy, sell, lease, renovate, or maintain

Whether you’re new to investing, new to the Sonoma County real estate market, or an experienced investor looking for ways to grow a portfolio, we want to share some associations, websites, and potential resources that can help you help yourself. 

Reach your investment goals faster by leveraging some of these fantastic partners. 

Look for Opportunities to Participate in Professional Associations  

The professional associations available to rental property owners, real estate investors, and even accidental landlords can be extremely beneficial. Whatever your goals ultimately happen to be with your rental properties, you will be well-served by joining organizations and associations that exist to further the mission of investors like you. 

Perhaps one of the best and most well-known associations for property managers, rental property owners, and investors and vendors interested in best practices and asset protection is the National Association of Residential Property Managers. Their website is www.narpm.org. The national organization holds conferences, classes, and puts people in touch with professionals who can help them learn and grow their businesses. 

In addition to the NARPM, the main organization, you can also get involved in the local chapter. Check out the Sonoma NARPM chapter at https://marinsonoma.narpm.org/. Memberships are available to property managers and affiliate members.  

This local chapter is worth joining because you’ll find ongoing educational opportunities, monthly networking meetings, guest speakers, and a social and professional exchange of ideas and solutions. A lot of local investment property owners turn to this organization for advice, knowledge, and community. 

In addition to NARPM, you might also consider joining the California Association of Realtors (www.car.org), which can provide industry insights, networking events, and Realtor referrals, as well as the California Apartment Association (https://caanet.org/), which is the largest organization in the state representing the rental property industry. You can get a lot of great resources from these organizations, including sample lease agreements, referrals to vendors and professional service providers, and documents that can help you have a better and more compliant rental experience overall. 

Look around for the groups and associations that will help you grow your own investment portfolio. You’ll learn a lot, meet new like-minded people, and find opportunities that you might not otherwise have had access to. 

Joining a local investing group is a good idea for your current investment goals and those you may have in the future. You’ll network. You’ll gain some good experience. You’ll even make some deals, especially if you stick around long enough and show a willingness to participate.  There’s a Sonoma County Real Estate Investors group that meets from time to time. Check out their schedule and sign up at https://www.meetup.com/sonoma-county-real-estate-investors-meetup-rohnert-park/ or join their Facebook group, which is open and often the site of lively debates and information sharing. 

Engage with Local and State Resources 

You’ll need to keep up with laws, regulations, ordinances, and city requirements. Stay in the know by following agencies such as the Santa Rosa Housing Authority and the Santa Rosa Housing and Community Services Department, within the city. 

The Community Development in Sonoma County is also a great resource for affordable housing and local programs that provide money and support to people looking for homes and those housing providers who are willing to help. 

The California Eviction Help Center can be a great resource for investors who find themselves needing to evict a tenant. We always recommend not evicting without the help of an attorney or a Santa Rosa property manager. It’s riskier than ever to evict, and it’s likely to take longer and be more expensive than you expect. But, a good starting place is this agency, which can provide some information to owners who are dealing with tenant disputes, nonpayment of rent, lease violations, and other issues that might lead to a lease termination and eviction. 

One of these California Real Estate Investors Association might also be helpful when you’re just starting out as an investor or looking for ways to grow your portfolio and your business: 

  • Bay Area Private Money Lenders Group

joe@meetup.com

www.meetup.com/Bay-Area-Private-Money-Lenders-Group/

  • Bay Area Real Estate and Note Investors

bobby@meetup.com

www.meetup.com/bay-area-real-estate-and-note-investors

  • Bay Area Real Estate Moguls

bobby@meetup.com

www.meetup.com/Bay-Area-Multifamily-Moguls

  • BAWB – Bay Area Wealth Builders Association

707-996-6411

info@bawb.info

www.bawb.info

Professional Resources and Rent Control in Santa Rosa

Rent control has been a reality throughout the state of California for a few years now. There’s not much new to learn, assuming you have the basics under control and you know when it’s possible to raise the rent and how much you’re permitted to raise it. 

Of course, there are always nuances and exceptions to every law, even those as large and wide-reaching as the statewide rent control and just cause eviction law. You never know how courts will interpret this law and what all of the new legislation coming down the pike might mean for you. 

Rent control and tenant protections are real in California, but they don’t necessarily have to be a deterrent to investors who are thinking about buying and renting out property here. Most rental property owners would tell you that it’s easy to work with these laws, especially when you’re partnering with an exceptional property manager in Santa Rosa. 

You always have to be aware of what rent control means for you and your investment properties, however. Understanding the impact on your investments (and how to manage it) is essential for a successful rental business. Make sure you’re getting your information directly from the city or a trusted Santa Rosa property manager when it comes to raising rent and evicting tenants. 

Online Communities for Rental Property Owners

While networking opportunities are fantastic when they’re in-person, don’t forget the power of the internet. 

More and more groups have been formed over the last 10 years online. Here, you can get together with investors, landlords, and real estate experts from all over the world to talk about anything pertaining to housing and investment properties. Check Facebook groups, where you’re likely to find large and small communities. Some groups are public and others are private. Set up accounts on Reddit, BiggerPockets, and other online sites that can support you on your investment journey. You can not only find answers to your own questions, you can also help out others by answering their questions. 

These online groups provide forums for questions and answers as well as conversations. You might find links to good information that you had not found elsewhere. There may be opportunities shared and warnings heeded. These groups are not all the same; some of them will be useful and others will simply be difficult. Find what works for you, and get involved. 

When you’re looking for advice, connections, and even just information, make sure you bookmark sites such as the following: 

  • City-Data.com, where you’ll find nearly a million posts and threads generated by the 14 million people who use it every month. The site provides detailed profiles on cities around the U.S. based on data compiled from government and private sources. Register to participate or simply browse. 
  • Real Estate Investing Club. This is a popular Facebook group offering tips and strategies that its 12,000 members share among themselves. There’s no selling here; affiliate links and shameless promotions are prohibited in order to keep the focus on education and advancement. 
  • RealEstateForums.net. This is worth checking out because it’s specific to Northern California. Find threads, posts, and questions related to real estate as well as other investment opportunities.

Contact Property ManagerThere are additional resources that we can share with you if you’d like to discuss your specific investment goals with us. Please contact us at Prestige Real Estate & Property Management. We manage homes in Sonoma County, including Santa Rosa, Windsor, Sebastopol, Petaluma, and Rohnert Park.