Starting the Year Strong
as a Property Owner
Hi Friends,
A new year always feels like a reset, a chance to look at what’s working, what’s not, and where you want to be by the end of the year. January is when goals feel clear and decisions feel intentional, whether that means simplifying your life, strengthening your investments, or setting your properties up for a smoother year ahead.
That’s why this month, I want to focus on a question many property owners ask themselves at the start of the year: Should I continue self-managing, or is it time to hire a property manager? There’s no universal right answer. It really comes down to your time, goals, and the kind of return you want from your investment. Our featured blog breaks down the pros and cons of both paths to help you decide what makes the most sense for this season of ownership.
We’re also calling attention to an important California compliance update that landlords shouldn’t ignore: the new refrigerator ordinance. This law requires rental units to provide working refrigerators. Falling behind on this requirement could lead to delays, added costs, or compliance issues, which is why understanding when it applies and how to prepare now is essential.
I’m also excited to share a few fun (and insightful) market facts this month, including current sale prices and average rent trends. These numbers don’t just tell us where the market has been, but they can offer helpful clues about where it’s headed and how to position your property accordingly.
As someone who actively invests in real estate myself, I always use the start of the year to reassess strategy and expectations. Whether you own one property or several, a little clarity now can make the rest of the year feel far more manageable and profitable.
As always, if you want to talk through your options or need a second set of eyes on your approach, I’m happy to connect.
Here’s to a smart and successful year ahead,
Investor | Broker | Property Manager
Beyond Property Management
(858) 222-4663
CA DRE #01710807
Self-Managing vs.
Hiring a Property Manager
Managing a rental property in San Diego comes with more than just finding tenants and collecting rent. Between strict local regulations, emergency maintenance, and day-to-day operations, many landlords eventually face a key question: Is it better to self-manage or hire a property manager?
In our latest blog, we break down the real costs, risks, and responsibilities behind both options—from legal compliance and rent collection to maintenance coordination and emotional decision-making—so you can decide what truly makes sense for your time, goals, and investment.
👉 Read the full blog to see which approach is the right fit for your rental property.
Review Highlight
“Last year, when I changed rental property management to BPM for a rental unit in Encinitas, I couldn’t believe the difference in professionalism and responsiveness of their team in comparison to my prior property manager. The transfer to BPM was handled seamlessly for me and my tenants. This Spring, my tenants gave notice since they were buying a house of their own. Ana Alarcon Morris was outstanding in managing the process of their leaving, facilitating repairs and maintenance to the rental, and quickly securing new tenants at a substantially higher monthly rent. I could not be more pleased with the property management services provided by Ana and BPM.”
- Marc S. via Google
