About

Hi! I'm Bea as in

Originally from Hawaii, I currently live in Las Vegas, Nevada. I'm a retiree now. With more than 30 years spent, in various capacities, in the real estate industry, the greater portion was spent as a residential real estate Owner/Broker with a property management division. I planned to rely on residential rentals for a portion of my retirement income. It's a reliance not easily changeable in retirement and is definitely not passive.

Over time, the awareness that residential rentals are not immune to the significant technological, economic, climate, and social changes happening around us, has grown on me. The rental market has grown competitive, not just from other Mom and Pop landlords, but also from institutional developers creating new multi-family units. These units cater to today’s renters with amenities like gyms, outdoor sitting areas, upgraded interior materials (such as stone countertops), and covered parking in order to command higher prices.

Adapting to a Changing Rental Market

Many of our rental units were built 20 to 30 to 50+ years ago. While they may remain entirely livable and functional - these units could benefit from aesthetic and functional upgrades needed to meet the demands of changing lifestyles and visually discerning renter-customers. I've felt the need to explore, research and implement practices and budget-minded upgrades to offer an improved rental product and share ideas for and between "Mom and Pop" landlords, in similar situations.

Overcoming Maintenance Challenges

The challenge of maintaining and upgrading with new materials and products is significant in a market where major projects test a landlord's ability to find experienced handypersons and specialists. Additionally, sourcing affordable yet durable new materials and products in a timely manner (such as during vacancies) is a major challenge for Mom and Pops who lack the scale to save on individual projects.

Exploring Improvement Options

Recently, I've delved into more planning to be ready for the next vacancy to make more "bite-sized" improvements that addresses the market's needs and wants. My goal is to continue offering a product that enhances not just the rentability of the unit itself but also contributes to the appeal of aging neighborhoods where many long-term investors might find themselves in.

Let’s not Forget Our Customers While We Watch Our Bottom Lines

Our renter-customers come from around the country thanks to technology, economic and social necessities. However, our customers are also our children, our siblings, nieces and nephews, our grand-children, etc. whose challenges may be even greater than our own – job instability, safe neighborhoods for children, inflating expenses.

I try to remember that we are all in this economy, this climate challenged world - and the personal touches we may and can offer to our customers is a significant point of differentiation from the impersonal profit-first focus of the Institutions - it’s a benefit we can “shout from the rooftops”.

Here, at Rentals Stoodeo, I hope to share what I'm finding, learning and doing and I hope you'll comment (below) to share your best ideas, insights, experience and projects to help me and other Mom and Pop Landlords continue to offer suitable longer term residential options, with heart.