Running a rental property doesn’t mean that you’re automatically guaranteed to get a quality tenant. Even in an area like Albany, where vacancy rates are only 5%, properties have to be attractive to get noticed. At Utopia, we are experts in advertising and property marketing.

Our team overhauls your property’s image, starting with its photos. We use professional photographers to update imagery. We then create listings on all major rental listing platforms using keywords and techniques that increase visibility. Once potential renters show interest, we handle all communication and occupant vetting to make the process as smooth as possible.

A majority of properties in Albany are residential, which means that you’re in luck if you’re planning on purchasing a home here. We primarily service houses and apartment buildings, which means that we are confident in bringing you fast and dynamic service. Every client has different needs when it comes to an Albany property manager, so we always tailor our services to meet their unique requirements. We listen to your expectations and craft a management strategy to best fit your goals. We offer exceptional tenant selection, marketing tools, and financial planning to take your stress away.

While many properties here are residential, Albany has a number of popular commercial and industrial spaces. From restaurants and boutique retail spaces on Solano Avenue to manufacturing facilities in the Ocean View neighborhood, Albany has properties of all shapes and sizes. We provide unique and complete services for business needs, such as REO management and CAM expense reconciliation. We understand the additional stresses of managing commercial space and work hard to pair you with the right tenant-vendors to prevent unnecessary legal disputes and damage to your property.

Finding the right tenant is a crucial step in rental property ownership. The difference between a good tenant and a bad one can be the difference between joy and sorrow. At Utopia, we want to find tenants that respect your property and your lease, are capable of good communication, and pay their rent on time.

We can do this by using our comprehensive occupant vetting techniques. We partner with you to determine the abilities of your properties and your preferred criteria for tenants. Once potential renters are found, we review information such as employment history, rental history, and income to evaluate the match. We are proud to say that we have a 1% tenant eviction ratio, meaning that the vast majority of the renters we put into place stay for the duration of their lease.

Managing the finances of a rental property isn’t just about collecting money every month. You have to track every aspect of your income and expenses for the property and keep everything organized. With the help of Utopia’s accounting team, you can offload as much of the financial work as you’d like to us. We can organize invoices and receipts and even assist with end-of-year taxes. Through our robust owner portal, we offer monthly reports to track the performance of your Albany property. We also have a tenant portal that makes rent collection a breeze. Enjoy the peace of mind that your rent is paid in full each month and that all financial reporting for your investment property is 100% accurate.

Keeping your property in peak condition is essential for attracting good tenants and maintaining a decent reputation as a landlord. Many of Albany’s properties are over 80 years old, adding an additional layer of importance regarding upkeep. Utopia has you covered on all things relating to maintenance.

We hold a general contractor’s license, which means that we are qualified by the state of California to plan and carry out large-scale maintenance operations on your property. Our inspectors can evaluate the strength of your foundation and potential problems that might arise long term, and give you detailed analysis to keep you informed on how to save money by properly maintaining your property.

Keeping a quality lease agreement is highly recommended for any landlord as it prevents liability and gives your tenants clear expectations for their occupancy. While having a lease agreement is a legal requirement between tenant and landlord, many landlords use generic contracts. Not only are these often outdated, but they also lack the specificity that your properties deserve.

Utopia has a highly trained legal writing team that can assist with writing foolproof lease agreements and other legal documents to protect you and your property. Our legal experts keep up to date with the latest rental property regulations to ensure your lease is compliant and avoids the risk of liability. We mitigate the risk factors while being there to enforce the agreement or, if needed, engage in eviction management protocols.