San Mateo Property Management Blog

By Casii Robrahn-Washington - Thursday, September 24, 2026

How to check rental history and contact previous landlords

You've got a stack of applications. The top one looks great. Strong income, decent credit, professional email. Your gut says yes.That feeling has cost landlords thousands of dollars.We work with property owners across Redwood City and San Mateo County, and the single most com...

By Casii Robrahn-Washington - Wednesday, September 16, 2026

How to verify income and employment for rental applicants

Placing the wrong tenant in a $2,945/month rental does not just create paperwork. It creates a cash flow crisis. And in San Mateo County's rental market, where applicants come from wildly different income situations, the gap between a qualified tenant and a well-presented unq...

By Casii Robrahn-Washington - Friday, September 11, 2026

What does a credit check show landlords (and what score is good enough)

You've got a rental unit sitting empty, a stack of applications coming in, and someone's credit report open on your screen. The score says 680. Is that good? Is that a pass or a fail? And honestly, what does that three-digit number even tell you about whether this person ...

By Casii Robrahn-Washington - Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Lease Agreements for Landlords: A Complete Guide

If you own a rental property and you're still using a lease you found online five years ago, this post is for you.We talk to rental property owners all the time who treat the lease like a formality. Sign it, file it, forget it. They focus on finding a good tenant, getting the...

By Casii Robrahn-Washington - Monday, August 17, 2026

How to run a background check on a rental applicant

You've got a showing scheduled, three applications coming in, and one unit sitting empty. Every day it sits, you're losing around $98. So the pressure is real. The temptation to approve someone fast — someone who seems nice, has a decent credit score, and says all t...

By Casii Robrahn-Washington - Monday, August 10, 2026

Tenant Screening for Rental Property Owners: What You Need to Know

Renting out a property sounds simple enough on paper. You list the unit, applicants show up, you pick someone, they sign a lease, and the rent checks roll in.If only it worked that way every time.The truth is, the screening step is where most rental property owners either protect...

By Casii Robrahn-Washington - Saturday, August 1, 2026

Rental Property Maintenance Issues

Owning rental property is one of the most effective ways to build long-term wealth, but every investment comes with ongoing responsibilities. Whether you own a single-family home, condominium, duplex, or apartment building, maintenance is unavoidable. The difference between a pro...

By Casii Robrahn-Washington - Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Annual Lease Renewal Strategy

Timing of Renewal DiscussionsStart EarlyAn annual lease renewal strategy begins well before a lease expires. Many California property owners begin renewal conversations ninety to one hundred twenty days before the lease end date. Starting early creates enough time to review marke...

By Casii Robrahn-Washington - Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Pricing Your Rental Property

Determining the right rent is both an art and a science. Every property is unique, and even homes located only a few blocks apart may command different rental prices based on condition, amenities, school districts, parking, transportation access, and neighborhood demand.Many owne...

By Casii Robrahn-Washington - Monday, May 4, 2026

Preparing Rentals For Tenants

Getting your property ready for a new occupant is one of the most important parts of rental ownership. Whether you own a condo in San Mateo or a single-family home elsewhere in the Bay Area, the way you approach turnover directly impacts tenant satisfaction and long-term property...