All Forum Posts by: Kevin Tran

Just quick update to close this post out.  We hired a superstar real estate attorney who listed the house, sold it, and evicted the residents within a month.  However they did some major damage to the home on their way out so we had to fix it for the new buyers.  I was surprised at how quickly they were evicted after hearing California is a renter-friendly state.  

thanks for the suggestions.

quick update.  Evil aunt got a lawyer and starting lawsuit.  It's going to be a long ordeal.

Thanks for the response, Dustin.  The family definitely feels entitled to ownership of the home.  It's not a matter of insufficient income for them not paying rent, but merely my father's kind-heartedness.  My first inclination was to maintain the status quo, but her belligerence, physical abuse on me, and demand that I sign over the property to her family forces me to devise an exit strategy.  The value of the home is 7 figures so and even Dad wasn't that generous.

What you said about seller financing is a good second option.

Hi BP Cali friends.  I have an interesting situation that will probably end up with hiring a lawyer but I'd love to hear your advice if you're familiar with eviction laws in California.  So this isn't really my personal situation but I will explain it as if it were mine.

My father passed away just before Thanksgiving.  He owned a home in California in which he allowed his sister and family to reside rent-free for many many years.  In his will, he left the house to me.  Since his death, his sister has been angry and violent to me to the point we cannot be in the same room anymore.  She is demanding that I sign over the house to her.  I've decided once the estate matters are settled, I will sell the house. 

However, there is the matter of actually trying to get them out of the house.  She and her husband are in their 70's, and several other members of her family live in the house as well.  The ideal situation is to ask them to leave, and if they do not, evict them so I can repair any damages and sell the house.

Before I call up a lawyer, can y'all recommend any other course of action?  Thanks.

Many times the market dictates and there's just not anything you can do.  However, if you know details of the comparable rentals, you can market your unit as the high-end rental.  Include more amenities (appliances, better building materials, wifi, etc.). If you're the only unit of your size offering granite, or whirlpool tub, or a smart home, there will be tenants willing to pay more for the square footage or willing to settle for a smaller unit (like yours) at the same price.  Think out of the box, otherwise, there's not incentive for them to pay more.

Find the owner of record on the county tax or appraisal website.  That's where you should be mailing your letters.

Read Brandon Turner's book on Managing Rental Properties.  There's a lot to it, but if you've got one unit to manage, you can totally do it yourself.  

that's what I figured.  I'm actually an agent and my clients would be the owner/occupant.  Thanks for the info, greg. 

I believe it's been foreclosed. I have not physically gone to the house. My client gave me an address which he found online. The property has an assigned REO Document number along with a foreclosure date. The description says "Fannie Mae has foreclosed on the property..." I called Fannie and the agent said they don't own it, yet the address of the owner on record has the same address as the Fannie Mae Resource Center.