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How Your Lot Zoning Could Be Advantageous

Dustin Edwards • Nov 02, 2022

Zoning Can Help Your Rental Property

When buying a single family home as an investment property many new homeowners tend to overlook an important element of their new property. Their lot zoning, being aware of the zoning lot of your property can open up the possibility of greatly increasing the income that property can provide. 


Learning what zoning your property was built on can help you maximize the income of your Long Beach rental property to its fullest potential. Join me as we explore the advantages of knowing your lot zoning.


What is a Zoning Lot

In this case we’re talking about zoning lots as it pertains to the ability to build more units on your property. As an example, you may have purchased a single family home which was built in an R-2-N zoning lot, meaning it can be easier to add a second home, and an ADU. This has the potential to increase your income extraordinarily. Whereas if the house you purchased was built on an R-1-N zoning lot you may be limited to adding an ADU.


Generally speaking, Long Beach residential zoning lots are divided into 4 main zones. R-1 zoning lots support single family homes. R-2 Zoning lots support two-family residential homes. R-3 zoning lots are classified as low density multi-family homes. R-4 zoning lots are classified as dense multiple residential units.


Zoning Lots in Long Beach

In Long Beach many homes are built on zoning lots classified as R1 or R2 zones. Using the traffic circle in Long Beach as an example. The zoning map shows that south west of the traffic circle are R-2-N zones. Like previously stated R-2 zones make great investment properties because they can have more units such as a duplex and an ADU. This gives you the potential for 3 separate incomes on a single property. 


Immediately north of the same traffic circle are many R-1 zoning lots. Though not bad investment properties, these do not have the same potential income as properties built on R-2 zoning lots. Though these typically cost less than a home built on an R-2 zone.


How your Zoning Lot can Increase Your Equity

Zoning lots that allow for more buildings allow for more equity. A simple way to look at it is if you purchase a  house worth $1,000,000, each square foot is valued at $1,000. In an R-2 zoning lot, where you can build a second home, you would have the ability to double the living space, therefore double the value of each square foot. This in turn increases the value of this home to 2,000,000 while not investing another million to build. This means you would have 2 or more incomes from a single property. As well as equity you can take out for future investments including; purchasing more investment property or building more units on your existing properties.


Learning what zoning lot your property is on can drastically increase the potential income yield of that property. If you need help finding out what zoning lot your properties are built on, are looking for a high quality
full service property management company or if you require any further information on the services they provide call us at (562) 888-0247 or feel free to fill out our free rental analysis to see what your rental could yield today.


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By Dustin Edwards 01 May, 2024
Everyone wants to feel safe in their homes. As an investment property owner, it's up to you to decide whether or not to include security measures in your property. Many of the costs associated with the security measures can be included in the rent, meaning not only can you keep your property safe, but you can earn more income in the long run. However, you would still want your tenants to have renters insurance to protect their assets. Today, we’ll discuss the top five security measures you can add to your property and why they're beneficial to you and your tenant. Security Cameras Cameras are probably one of the first security measures people think about when asked about security. Cameras provide more benefits than just surveillance. They provide an extra level of security for the safety of the tenants and their belongings. Additionally, security cameras can be useful when repairs are required. Cameras can aid in supervising repairs and maintenance to ensure you’re receiving the agreed-upon work. During vacancies when the property is empty, security cameras can help keep the property safe from potential intruders. Doorbell cameras are incredibly popular now. They provide the aforementioned safety of a camera that can be accessed remotely, as well as the ability to communicate with visitors. Although one must be careful never to say you're not home, just say you're unavailable to strangers. Security Lights Security lights with motion detectors are another effective tool when adding security measures to your property. These lights brightly if a potential intruder attempts to get near your home. They can provide enough illumination to see the intruder or, at the very least, scare them off. Nowadays, you can find a combination of security cameras and motion-activated security lights, such as the floodlight cam wired plus from Ring . Additionally, because these lights only turn on when motion is detected, they’re more cost-effective than traditional lights with a switch. Illuminate the Property Light generally deters intruders as it's more difficult to hide. Adding lighting to the landscaping can increase the security of the property while creating a relaxing atmosphere. Lights can also be used in other areas of the property to accent features such as trees, benches, or artwork. This can help your property stand out while giving your tenants an additional feeling of safety. Keyless Entry Keyless entry is seen as both a convenience feature and a security feature. They usually use an electronic passcode, biometric data, or grant access through a smartphone app. Physical keys can be lost, stolen, or duplicated. You reduce the risk of unauthorized entry by eliminating the need for a physical key to enter the property. Many keyless entry systems include several features, such as remote locking and monitoring. Although keyless entry is a great new technology for keeping your tenants and properties safe, they’re best used with other security systems. Security Company Nothing beats having an extra pair of eyes on your property for security. This is where security companies like ADT and SimpliSafe come in. While companies may deal with security in varying ways, they aim to protect your investment. While safety is the primary role of a security company, remember that many tenants may be willing to pay more for a premium amenity like a home security company. Keeping your property and tenants safe is incredibly important to the longevity of an investment property. If you’re looking to improve the security of your Long Beach rental property or need help managing your beach city rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our Owner Application online .
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