Blog Post

Maintenance Items for Beach Front Properties

Dustin Edwards • Aug 02, 2023

Maintenance is inescapable regardless of what kind of property you own. However, beachfront property maintenance is a bit more involved due to the proximity to the ocean. Not only will you need to keep in mind the added corrosion of the salt in the air, but you’ll also need to consider the added moisture, winds, and sun.


Today, we will give you a list of seven maintenance items you should prioritize for beachfront properties.


Preventative Rain and Storm Maintenance

Southern California has fallen into a pattern of severe drought followed by extremely wet weather. For this reason, it's important to ensure your beachfront home is ready for any condition. Typically, you’ll want to check your roof for leaks or any inconsistency every three years. It's recommended that homeowners inspect their rain gutters and drainage systems yearly. Especially after dealing with a drought, many elements of these systems are overlooked when the state is dealing with a drought.


Saltwater Corrosion Control

Corrosion caused by the ocean salt can feel unavoidable at beachfront properties. However, there are many ways for landlords to protect their investment properties from the salt. It's a good idea to visually inspect the property, whether yourself or a professional, to check for areas that commonly corrode due to the salt. Metal hardware will frequently seize or begin to squeak if they’re not lubricated regularly. Although a spray of WD-40 can suffice for most applications, it's recommended to use marine sprays and lubricants made for homes on the beach. If the hardware has begun to rust, you may need to replace it or coat it with an anti-rust coating.


HVAC Maintenance

HVAC systems on beachfront properties usually require more maintenance than properties inland. Wind can blow sand and saltwater into an HVAC unit, causing a much shorter lifespan. While there are some preventative measures you can take, such as protecting the HVAC unit from the elements with covers and fencing, you’ll need to inspect the unit more often than with non beachfront properties.


Pest Control

Many pests prefer moist environments, making beachfront properties a perfect nesting ground for cockroaches, rodents, ants, termites, and more. These pests can cause thousands of dollars in damages if left unchecked. Inspecting for pests should be done regularly every three months or whenever a tenant notices them. It's important to ensure they are taken care of quickly, as the longer they are allowed to infest a property, the harder it is to get rid of them.


Mold and Mildew Control

Moisture from the beach also provides a great environment to grow mold and mildew. Not only should you inspect the home for fungal growth, but you should also ensure bathroom exhaust fans are working properly. Because salt and moisture can get into the motor of bathroom fans, these should be inspected regularly. Depending on the humidity levels, homes may need monthly inspections for mold and mildew. 


Safety Device Inspection

It's common for people to forget about their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors when living in beachfront properties. Yet these are life-saving devices that need to be in working condition. Moisture can cause these devices to short-circuit or batteries to corrode. It is best practice to inspect the devices monthly and ensure there are extra batteries if necessary.


Inspect the Exterior Paint

Being right next to the ocean can be relaxing. Nevertheless you should ensure the exterior paint can keep up with the beach weather. There is little protection from the sun next to the beach, and heavy winds can make sand act like an abrasive when hitting your home. For this reason, exterior paint tends to flake more often. Paint isn’t just to maintain curb appeal; it acts as a barrier to the elements. This means even high-quality paint may need to get touched up, or the home may require a repaint as often as four or five years.


Keeping up with beachfront property maintenance can be a handful but well worth it. If you need help managing your beachfront maintenance, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our
Owner Application online.


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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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