Homeowner FAQs
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Frequently Asked Questions from Property Owners
Rates for long-term rentals are based on market rents for comparable properties in similar locations. Since a significant number of residential properties in downtown San Diego are non-owner or renter occupied, there is ample amount of rental data available.
Rates for short-term rentals are also based on comparable rentals, and further depend on location, views, condition of the property, interior furnishings, and decor. Rates also vary seasonally and fluctuate based on the time of year and length of stay.
We subscribe (at no expense to the owner) to a national tenant screening service that provides us with credit reports and searches court records for any unlawful detainer actions and criminal history. Short-term residents generally pay the full amount of the rental in advance, and most of our short-term residents are prior customers or referrals. At Stay San Diego we set high standards for tenants and motivate them to meet those standards. This also helps to maximize income, minimize expense, and maintain the overall property and its value.
If your property is ready to rent immediately, it typically takes less than 30 days to locate a qualified tenant. We start advertising as soon as we have a signed management agreement in place and professional photography of the property completed. Prospective tenants contact our office daily in search of rentals for immediate move-in, and we receive many inquiries up to a year in advance.
Annual occupancy rates will vary by property, and depend upon the location and condition of the property, as well as the amount of time an owner may block off dates of stay for personal use.
We can help you determine whether your property is best suited as a long-term or short-term rental, depending on your needs. One of the decisions you must make is whether you want to use the property yourself throughout the year. If personal use of the property is important to you, you may want to consider the short-term, fully furnished rental of your property to allow for your own use and enjoyment.
While short-term rents can be significantly higher than long-term rents, the expenses are higher as well. Short-term management fees are higher, utility costs are greater, and the cost of maintaining furnishings and housewares are things to consider in a short-term rental, that do not apply in long-term rentals.
First, please call our office with any questions that we have not answered here. We want you to have an opportunity to have all your questions answered before committing your property to our management!
Once we have discussed our management services with you to determine if it’s a good fit, we will schedule an appointment to preview your property and to facilitate its placement into our portfolio. After viewing your property, we will assess market rental rates, discuss marketing plans, and the steps forward.