Tips for Finding a Malibu Rental
The California real estate market has something for everyone,whether you’re looking to buy Malibu bank owned homes or rent an apartment on the beach. Those interested in renting have many options,but it is important that renters research each listing thoroughly and make sure that they can live with the terms of any lease presented by a potential landlord. Follow these tips for making the rental process run as smoothly as possible.
Considerations
Before you even look at rental listings,sit down and make a list of all the features and amenities you must have in an apartment. If you hate carrying heavy baskets of laundry to the laundromat,look for an apartment that has a laundry room or a washer and dryer in the unit. If you plan to take a dog with you,make sure the apartment building has enough outdoor space for regular walks. If you have more than one vehicle,you need an apartment building with a large lot or assigned on-street parking spaces. Writing down what you want will help you find the best rental to meet your needs.
Research
Once you find several suitable Malibu real estate listings,make note of their locations and conduct research to find out as much as you can about the buildings and their owners. If an apartment building is owned by a large investment group or run by a property management company,you may be able to find online reviews. Read these reviews carefully and make note of any consistent problems. If only one person out of 100 reviewers has a complaint,it could be that the person is a bad tenant and was evicted from the building. If 75 people out of 100 have the same complaint,you might want to avoid renting in that particular building.
Building Tours
Once you narrow down your list of prospective Malibu beach homes,you must visit each of them to determine if they are right for you. Look in hallways,lobbies and other common areas to see if they are well-maintained. If they are dirty or in need of repair,the landlord may not take good care of the building’s apartment units either. Once you enter an apartment,note any damage to the walls,fixtures and furniture. Check the shower head,sink faucet,bathtub faucet and toilet to make sure they work properly. Make sure the refrigerator,stove,washer,dryer and any other provided appliances work properly. Once you have completed your tour of each building,you can use your notes to make a final decision.
Moving In
When you move into your new apartment,one of the first things you should do is take photos. These photos can help document damage that existed before you moved in so that you do not get charged for repairs or replacements. Make sure the photos are time-stamped and dated so you can prove when they were taken,if necessary. Keep these photos and your signed lease in a fireproof safe or a bank safe deposit box so that they are safe in case of fire,flood or other damage.
Russell Grether of Coldwell Banker Previews International is a real estate agent based out of Malibu,CA. He specializes in Malibu real estate,Malibu homes for sale,Malibu properties,Malibu land for sale,Malibu rentals and surrounding area real estate from Montecito to the Pacific Palisades.
Why Look at Malibu Beachfront Homes for Sale
Unlike many neighborhoods in more suburban areas,Malibu offers an excellent variety of living situations for various lifestyles –from the quaint neighborhood of Malibu West to the homes way up the canyons with expansive land and awesome views to the luxurious beachfront estates on the sand,each area can appeal to different types.
When considering Malibu beachfront for sale here are a few things to consider.
1. Consider your proximity to neighbors and major roads.
Fact –The only major street in Malibu is the Pacific Coast Highway. This highway serves as the main thoroughfare by which thousands of cars travel everyday. During summer months it is no secret that traffic can get jammed at times and sometimes parking on the PCH can be an issue.
Many often forget that they live on such a busy street as soon as they close their garage door and look out at the waves and hear just the sound of the ocean and begin watching the dolphins play outside their back porch again.
To that end,one of the best parts of having a Malibu beachfront home is that you have immediate access to the main highway and can easily drive to anywhere you need to go. Many people commute to Santa Monica or further because being able to come back home and look at the sunset overlooking the ocean is worth it!
2. Do you prefer more land or less land?
People who live on the beach usually love it and for good reason. Not only do you have a pristine environment that is constantly changing and showing its moods but you also have immediate access to an incredible source of beauty,entertainment and fun!
One consideration,however,is that if you are a family with young children or prefer a yard that you can tend to,perhaps the ocean is not the best place for you.
3. Maintenance anyone?
Fact –The ocean is salty.
Fact #2 –If you have a beachfront home you will need to do more maintenance.
Living on the ocean definitely has more pros than cons but the main con in my opinion is that you will need to spend more money on maintenance and be very diligent to make sure that you take measures to combat the corrosion and wear that living on the beach causes.
4. Hello neighbor?
Fact –There is not more oceanfront land being made in Malibu.
Unfortunately,there is only so much coastline in Malibu and as a result the properties and home that exist on Malibu beachfront are limited. Most properties are very near their neighbors so as a result sometimes privacy can be limited.
5. I thought you said sand?
When considering a Malibu beachfront home for sale take into consideration as to why you want to live on the beach. Is it the just the views,the walks on the beach,the sand,etc? In Malibu,property values usually coincide with the quality of the beach that the home is built on.
In Malibu there are many different types of beaches that exist. To name a few:
- Dry sandy –commands the highest price and for good reason. These beaches usually have sandy beaches throughout the year.
- Wet Sandy –Can be sandy but usually at low tide
- Rocky –Many homes in the Big rock area can be built over large boulders –access to the water is still possible but launching kayaks or other small crafts can be difficult/impossible.
- Seasonally sandy –Sand moves. A lot. One day you will wake up and the sand will be three feet lower and the next day it can be four feet higher. Some beaches are seasonally sandy with the sand moving based on the predominant swell direction (Winter swells = swells from the W and NW. Summer swells = South swells)
- Rocky with access to sand –Some homes are built over the rocks but a small walk
- Beach key –There are several private beaches in Malibu. Little Dume,La Costa Beach club,Sea Level Drive are a few. Sometimes to the homeowner,it is not important to be directly on the beach that is the most important but rather it is having the access to the exclusive beach that can be more coveted.
6. It smells funny!
In Malibu,one aspect of the Point of Sale Ordinance 321 is that in order to transfer ownership of a house,one needs to provide evidence that the existing septic system is functioning properly with an operating permit.
In some homes,particularly the older ones,the systems are antiquated and do not pass the stress tests to indicate that the home has a functioning septic system. If the system does not pass costs to put in a new one can be between $80,000 to several hundred thousand!
Beach houses usually require retaining walls and even more engineering to protect the system from the relentless force of the sea.
If you are interested in buying a beach house be absolutely sure that you get a septic inspection done - Even if the home has an operating permit! Other agents will disagree with me on this. I have personal experience with saving clients hundreds of thousands on insisting they get systems with operating permits tested that have failed!
Call me for questions on this.
For more information from the City –click here:http://bit.ly/ImCIPd
Right now inventories are high and prices are very good so if you have ever considered buying a beach house now could be a great time! Just in time for summer!
If you have any questions regarding Malibu Beach front homes,please do not hesitate to contact me. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have! russellgrether@coldwellbanker.com or 310.589.2471
