Visiting North County San Diego and looking to surf? Watch out! What might start as a vacation activity can easily turn into a lifestyle. Next thing you know you will be saying, “Meet me at Nautical Bean Coffee Company at 6AM for Dawn Patrol” (surf lingo for surfing at sunrise). We will get more into surf lingo later, first things first, what board did you pack?

If the board under your arm, or on the roof of your car, is soft and squishy, that’s called a foamboard or a foamie. We will probably try to find an uncrowded wave to give you plenty of space. Ideally a wave that breaks a little slower as we learn to catch waves and understand how the lineup works.

If you have a short board (typically a board under 7-foot in length), fantastic! You are likely thinking about surfing something a little faster and challenging, or looking for a good peak to rip.

If your board requires an 8-foot perimeter to maneuver on land and takes some effort to carry, I’m going to assume we’re longboarding this morning. Either way, it’ll be awesome, and there’s some great spots to check along the coast for a nice, cruisy day.

If the above board lengths sound are totally foreign to you, no worries. If you’re already familiar with the variety of boards out there and I happened to miss yours, don’t worry, bring it along and we can find a wave for you too. If you’re stressing about us sharing a secret spot, leave the location in the comments and we will be sure to tell our friends not to surf there.

Now that we’ve determined your wave riding machine, let’s hit the road!

 

Oceanside Surf Spots

Surfing in Oceanside is great all year around. From beginner to pro, there’ll be a wave and a peak for us to surf together. Depending on your craft, we can find enjoyment at the North Jetty all the way to Cassidy Street, and many places in between to park and paddle out. We’re probably going to see a bit more shortboards in Oceanside and some high-performance fish boards. Occasionally you will see a ripper on a longboard.

 

The Oceanside Harbor and the Oceanside Pier are the two most popular spots, and with all things popular, some waiting in the lineup is usually expected. I would say if you are not ready to compete for waves, are plenty of other breaks to look at along Oceanside’s three miles of coastline. Let’s see what looks good further south across the lagoon and head over the Carlsbad.

 

Carlsbad Surf Spots

As we head down the 101, cross the lagoon separating Oceanside and Carlsbad, and through the roundabout, we have now entered Carlsbad!

Carlsbad has over 7 miles of coastline (double that of Oceanside) and many surf spots to choose from. Typically the popular surf spots will be the ones easily accessible by car.

One of the more popular surf spots in Carlsbad is going to be Tamarack Beach, located at the end of Tamarack Ave off of Carlsbad Boulevard. Here there is a beach break and easy parking in the paid California State Parking lot (a bonus if you have the California Parks Pass).

Along Carlsbad Blvd we’re going to be following the coastline and should have a pretty good view of the waves. If you see a wave break along the drive that you want to explore, it’s easy to find parking and take one of the access staircases down for some fun surf. This stretch of beach usually favors a board with some volume and speed, so that fish you packed should be perfect. Let’s bring down the foamie and longboard too, as it looks fun for all of them.

 

As we drive past the old power plant and climb the hill, we’re going to see a lot of longboards and Sprinter vans. This is called Terramar, and it’s the place to be if we’re looking for long rides and a predictable wave offering lots of room to move and wiggle. Popular with locals around high-tide, this reef break gets a lot of action, particularly around sunrise and sunset. We manage two vacation rentals with easy access to this reef break, the oceanfront home Shore Drive and a few blocks from the beach Hacienda Terramar. In case you need a place to crash!

The next spot we’ll see as the highway turns back toward the coast is going to give us some shortboarding options and some fun waves at a location called Turnarounds. If we’re surfing near the cliffs, use caution and see what others are doing before we go. There are some well-established trails along the cliffs, so we will stick to those. Remember, going down we will be dry, but coming back up we will be wet. Ever run in the mud barefoot? I haven’t either, but I imagine it’s slippery so let’s watch others and do as they do when traversing the cliffs.

As we meander through Carlsbad, we’re going to keep seeing little turn outs and surf spots, and they all offer some variety and fun. The last easily accessible spot before Leucadia is Ponto Beach, distinguishable by the two rock jetties. There’s usually parking off the highway, or a California State Parks parking lot right before the hotel. This wave can be challenging and has some good surfers, so be mindful if you’re not confident about your level and ability. When in doubt, don’t go out. (Surfline Travel Guide)

 

Leucadia Surf Spots

As the highway breaks away from the coast and bends slightly inland, we’re now entering funky Leucadia. This is a great town to explore and hang around in. Maybe we can grab a donut at Leucadia Donut Shoppe as we make our way to Grandview Beach. Surfing in Leucadia takes some time. First, we will need to navigate the streets and parking to the most infamous spots, Grandview and Beacons. Both waves offer something for every level, and we’ll see the boards get a little longer, a little wider, and a little more colorful.

 

Encinitas Surf Spots

Encinitas has a beach for everyone. If we want to shortboard, when we first drive to Moonlight and D Street, where the beach breaks offer up some fun waves. If we can keep walking along the cliffs and we may find a space with a little less of a crowd.

 

The best kept secret that everyone knows about is called Swamis. There’s a parking lot there and ample street parking and depending on the day and size of the surf, we’ll see every type of surfboard ever crafted. Swamis will have something for everyone and most of the time the wave is very user friendly. As always, be mindful of your ability. (Surfline Travel Guide)

 

Cardiff Surf Spots

Once we pass Swamis heading south on the 101, we’ll be entering Cardiff. Cardiff is a cool beach town with great places to eat, and home to my favorite campground. To the north we’ll be able to surf Pipes, which is a great wave to explore and build up some confidence. Just after the campground is Cardiff Reef. This wave will be dominated by longboards and surfcraft meant for the long, slopey walls. The playing field is big here and we can find a lot of space to practice surfing on the inside whitewash all the way to the peak depending on your skill level.

Just after Cardiff reef we will see some sand dunes and a very picturesque area. This stretch of the beach can offer up some fun waves that’ll give us a bit more high-performance surfing and enough room to feel alone at times. Right before we enter Solana Beach we will see the last parking lot full of family vans, surf vans, trucks, cars, and maybe even something you’ve never seen before. The main break out front is Seaside Reef. This wave can become competitive when it’s good, and it’s good a lot of the time. This break has a strong crew of locals, so be respectful of them, the lineup, and know your ability before paddling out.

 

Solana Beach Surf Spots

As we near the end of this morning drive and head into Solana Beach, you’ll notice it takes a little more creativity to see the surf. The main beach here is Fletchers Cove, and it offers some great waves for all skill levels and is located along some beautiful bluffs. Great for a beach day and bringing the family. There are several other public access walkways in Solana Beach and they can lead you to some very fun surf, but you’ll have to find them, which is part of the adventure.

 

Well, by now the coffee is gone and we’ve driven the coastline in North County. What do you say we find the first spot that looks empty and paddle out?

Here are some helpful sites to help you save you money on gas while you seek out your North County San Diego surf spot.

https://magicseaweed.com/Oceanside-to-Encinitas-Surfing/246/

https://gosurfingsandiego.com

https://www.surfline.com

Here’s Your Ultimate Guide to Making Your Vacation Rental Profitable

If you’re looking to join the vacation rental bandwagon, your initial questions are likely to be: What is VRBO? How does VRBO work? Is it any different from Airbnb?

Over the past few decades, the short-term rental market has grown in leaps and bounds. While travel rules and restrictions put travel and tourism industry activities to a screeching halt during the pandemic, activity is quickly picking up as things return to normal.

Today, both guests and hosts alike are going back to home sharing or short-term rental lodgings, which remain a well-liked option, especially for families and group travelers.

Both guests and hosts benefit from services like VRBO and Airbnb. These platforms give travelers and tourists additional options and a wider price range to work with their budget. They also enable hosts to generate passive income off their real estate investment.

Founded much earlier but relatively less well-known than its closest cousin Airbnb, Vacation Rental By Owner or VRBO (aka Vrbo) is a great option for anybody wishing to grow their short-term rental business.

If you have a San Diego, California property and are keen on providing the same service to travelers and tourists, there’s a lot of information you need to know to make VRBO work for you. And to help you out, we’ll be answering the questions posed at the beginning of this blog post and providing essential advice to get your VRBO business in San Diego, California up and running.

What is VRBO?

Prior to the development of the internet, vacation rental services were made available through newspaper advertisements, property management companies, and rental collections in various locations.

Originally known as Vacation Rentals by Owner, VRBO continues to be known as an American internet marketplace for short-stay or vacation rentals.

David Clouse created the first VRBO.com website in Aurora, Colorado in 1995 to rent out his apartment at the Breckenridge ski resort. Later, the website evolved into a complete solution that allowed homeowners to market their property for rent to travelers and holiday-goers.

HomeAway purchased the brand way back in 2006, but a few years later in 2015, the Expedia Group bought HomeAway.

From that point forward, the two websites, HomeAway and VRBO, were merged into one, becoming the single entity now known as VRBO. This came with a new pronunciation and a different logo.

At first, VRBO followed the subscription business model in which hosts had to pay an annual fee to advertise their vacation homes on the website. Being a part of the Expedia Group, VRBO eventually shifted to a per-rental commission charge structure (just like Airbnb), finally doing away with the yearly subscription fee.

Nearly 70,000 rental units were listed on VRBO during the first ten years of the company’s existence. The platform currently includes several million rental properties from around the world.

How does VRBO work?

If you have a rental home on the market available to renters, you can rent it out when it’s vacant using VRBO to earn extra money. With VRBO, finding dependable, vetted tenants to rent your property has never been simpler.

Follow the straightforward listing questionnaire on the VRBO website to gain a rough understanding of how to advertise your house on the platform.

Once your profile is complete, you can list your vacation rental right away. Since VRBO is accessible to more than 190 countries worldwide and listings appear in more than 50 dedicated sites, you’ll be sure to attract prospective renters from all over the world. This will guarantee that many people will see your rental listing.

VRBO is one of the world’s leading networks for travelers looking to rent houses, you can be sure that listing your property is a simple way to generate additional income from your real estate assets.

If you don’t want pets in your rental, that’s not an issue! You can easily set availability and property restrictions on a variety of items related to your rental.

Given the direction the global tourism industry is taking, there’s no better time than now to educate yourself on the newest and most effective ways to rent out your properties or locate tenants using the internet.

Listing your rental property on VRBO

Surprisingly simple and quick, listing your vacation rental house on VRBO is something you can manage easily.

However, take note that the platform does not permit the listing of shared homes or rooms. Only complete homes or property units are accepted.

These include beach houses, ski cabins, condominiums, townhouses, apartments, single-family homes, barns, castles, mountaintop yurts, and other types of properties (including the famous “Cockpit Cabana” — a remodeled airplane in Costa Rica offering guests fabulous ocean views and two queen-sized beds) listed on VRBO.

You can list your property by following these simple steps:

• Get your property ready. It’s really easy to create a listing on VRBO. All you need to do is provide information like the listing description, location, photographs, and payment details. Use only high-quality images, describe your property’s USP or what makes it special in great detail, set the price, and state your ground rules.
• Find your perfect match. Travelers looking for lodging in your area will see your listing on the website. They can then choose and take the next steps to book your rental. VRBO offers a platform for direct communication between the property owner and the possible visitor to provide a secure verification and prevent fraud. This is very efficient since it promotes a sense of security for both parties — guests and owners — and enables identity verification.
• Start earning. The VRBO website will deduct a service fee (both guests and hosts get charged a certain amount) and credit your total earnings to your Vrbo balance on the website.

Everything can be controlled from your dashboard. Your listing will stand out more if it includes relevant, detailed information and excellent photos. To avoid misunderstandings or confusion, be open and truthful about your listing and booking preferences.

Local rules and regulations should also be considered in your listing. You have a responsibility as a host to be familiar with and adhere to local regulations. These must be reflected in your ad in case there are set limits or restrictions on short-term rentals locally.

Property managers in charge of several rental homes might find it quite convenient to set up their property manager account with VRBO, after which they may be required to connect their property management software to the website.

Tips to create winning listings

Since millennials and members of Generation Z comprise a significant portion of the market for short-term rentals, hosts need to know how to sell to them effectively. Marketing to the younger generation is not difficult, and you can easily do it with adequate planning and preparation.

Below are some tactics you can use to win this younger market over:

• Be present online. Gen Z and millennials tend to spend more time online, so you need to be active online if you want to draw younger travelers to your property. The best social networking sites you can use that allow users to view visual (photos and videos) content are Pinterest and Instagram. Upload images and videos of your property on Pinterest and use relevant hashtags to make it easier for visitors to find them. You can also use Instagram to advertise your property by using photos and creating Instagram stories.
• Remember to tell a story. The images you use should convey a story. The experience that your visitors will have while staying at your vacation rental should be reflected in that tale. When guests check out your photos, you want them to envision their stay with you, so include clear, high-resolution images of the amenities, neighborhood, and nearby attractions. Try to stick with a consistent aesthetic or theme for your images and refrain from applying various filters.
• Offer experiences and deals. Instead of focusing on the amenities in your rental, emphasize experiences. For millennials and Gen Z, experiences are everything. They want to document and share those experiences with their network online. By emphasizing the distinctive experiences your rental offers, you can encourage reservations. Are kayaking, swimming, and hiking feasible as you operate a lodge on a mountaintop or near a lake? If so, by all means, emphasize those experiences. You can also work with local businesses like restaurants, museums, and tour operators, so you can collaborate and offer deals to prospective guests.
• Make your rental property eco-friendly. It’s no secret that younger travelers are partial to vacation rentals that are environmentally friendly. Features like solar panels, a smart thermostat, and LED lightbulbs are sure to attract millennials and Gen Z, so make sure you highlight and list them. If you’re part of collaborations or partnerships with organizations that support the neighborhood or community, include that information in your listings as well.

Setting your rates

Owners can decide on their expected rental prices for their properties on VRBO.

However, rather than randomly setting a price based on your desired profit, you should do a bit of research to find the current rental rate for similar properties in your area. You may choose to offer nightly or weekly fees, so you can pick the type of clientele you want.

A benefit of using VRBO is that when you post your property on their website, it also appears on all of the company’s linked or sister websites, thereby increasing your potential audience reach even more.

Remember, the parent company of VRBO is the Expedia Group, so other websites affiliated with it include well-known names in the travel industry. These include KAYAK, Trivago, Orbitz, Travelocity, CheapTickets, and TravelMob.

How is VRBO different from Airbnb?

As a third-party hosting platform where hosts can offer their short-term rental, Vrbo shares some similarities with Airbnb. By using the Vrbo app, users can explore properties, plan trips, and make lodging payments, just like with Airbnb.

However, there are also some glaring differences between the two that are worth mentioning here:

• Types of properties listed: VRBO exclusively features whole-house listings, unlike Airbnb. The latter lists shared lodgings, aside from private rooms in a house, shared accommodation (e.g., dorm room at a hostel), and even hotel rooms. This simply means you won’t be able to rent out an extra room on VRBO. This is also why VRBO is recommended for extended stays.
• Number of listings: Since Vrbo listings are property-specific, it makes sense that Vrbo has fewer rentals than Airbnb. However, both websites have millions of listings that renters can easily search for using a map view. VRBO has around 2 million listings, while Airbnb has over 5 million.
• Customer service approach: There are huge differences in both companies’ brand of customer service. VRBOis more likely to help guests with issues regarding their reservation or vacation rental. It’s no wonder VRBO typically gets great reviews for their stellar customer service. On the other hand, Airbnb adopts a more passive stance toward customer service and can only be contacted once a dispute has been settled with the property manager. You’re also likely to find negative reviews concerning some Airbnb-listed rentals.
• Insurance coverage: Vrbo offers optional travel protection insurance and damage protection insurance (especially for renters with kids and or pets). No such insurance is offered on Airbnb.
• Fees: With VRBO, the service fees can be substantially lower. A VRBO rental is typically less expensive than an Airbnb rental, though the final cost will depend on other aspects of your rental. The location and size of the property, as well as the duration of a guest’s stay, are some of the variables that can affect the total cost. Taxes, cleaning costs, and website service fees may also add to the overall price of your holiday rental.
• Cancellation policies: Although the differences in the cancellation policies for VRBO and Airbnb are not so cut and dried, it is generally easier to cancel a booking on Airbnb. But, of course, such policies depend entirely on the conditions and guidelines set by property owners or managers.

Why should you list your property on VRBO?

VRBO is a popular website that enjoys a lot of foot traffic, and it remains to be a trusted name in the vacation rental industry.

Listing your property on VRBO is a great way to drive traffic to your property listing. Your property will be displayed not only on VRBO but also on a variety of affiliate sites that’ll ensure your listing receives plenty of exposure. This way, your number of guests will increase, thereby giving you higher rental returns.

If you have more than one vacation rental, it makes sense to entrust Vrbo property management in San Diego, California to a reputable company like Haustay.

With our help, you can maximize your VRBO rental income while also freeing up more of your time for other more important pursuits. Get in touch with Haustay today!

 

Located between San Diego to the south and Orange County to the north, Carlsbad is steadily building its reputation as a major dining destination.  State Street is a food-lover’s dream and is the main hub of the Village. Several new restaurants have recently popped up on this street and State Street is also home to the city’s Michelin-star restaurant.

Read on for some of our favorite restaurants – old and new that are drawing locals and visitors alike to this sunny seaside city.

Campfire – 2725 State Street, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Campfire opened in 2016 and changed Carlsbad’s dining scene. Local ingredients are the feature of this unique restaurant in the heart of downtown Carlsbad Village. Serving American fare and cocktails amid camping décor, Campfire earned Bib Gourmand status from the Michelin Guide in 2019. We love the cozy vibe of the rustic camp-fire themed décor with picnic table seating, lanterns, baskets, fishing gear, and even a teepee tent set up outdoors.

Be sure to try the Almost Home cocktail, the broccoli and of course the s’mores.

 

Nick’s On State – 2742 State Street Carlsbad, CA 92008

One of the newest additions in State Street Commons, a new development in the heart of the village, Nick’s has other locations including One Paseo, Laguna and Manhattan Beach. They offer a crowd-pleasing menu of salads, sandwiches, and specialties like cioppino and maple-glazed meatloaf.

Our favorites are the Strawberry Fields cocktail, salmon poke tacos and the San Francisco cioppino.

Harumama – 711 Grand Avenue, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Harumama has reimagined traditional Asian recipes and infused them with a cute, modern flair in a fun and lively atmosphere. From their wide selection of savory ramen noodle dishes, tasty bao buns, and delicious bites, there is something for everyone to love. And don’t forget to try their Instagram-famous handcrafted character buns. Guests can visit Harumama’s locations in Little Italy, Carlsbad, Ocean Beach, or La Jolla.

Be sure to try the Garden Party, eggplant bao bao buns and the puppy character buns.

Puretaco – 2742 State Street, Carlsbad, CA 92008

At Puretaco, their mission is to deliver a twist to the standardized taco and globalize their hand-pressed tortillas with influence from cultures around the world like their Green Curry Shrimp and Pho Beef tacos. The atmosphere is super fun and upbeat.

Try the Paloma, TJ Ceasar, and green curry shrimp burrito.

 

 

Carruth Cellars – 2727 State Street, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Known for their Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé, Carruth Cellars Urban Winery and Tasting Room is a fun option for a pre-dinner wine tasting. Owner and wine-maker, Adam Carruth, is a Carlsbad native who used to truck grapes down to Carlsbad from Northern California’s premier wine regions to make wine. Carruth Cellars has been operating since 2006.

 

Jeune et Jolie – 2659 State Street, Carlsbad, CA 92008

When you walk into Jeune et Jolie, you feel that you have been instantly teleported to a bistro in France. Chosen as Esquire magazine’s list of the 22 best new restaurants in America for 2019, this Michelin Star restaurant is a perfect date night spot and a great excuse to get gussied up. The food, the drinks, the service, the décor are all impeccable. But be sure to make a reservation. They normally book solid a week prior.

The Goods – 2965 State Street, Carlsbad, CA 92008

The Goods offers locally sourced artisan donuts made from scratch every hour. Need I say more. AND they offer vegan and gluten free options. They proudly brew Stumptown Coffee and it is top-notch if you haven’t tried.

Blue Ocean – 2958 Madison Street, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Blue Ocean is a Japanese eatery serving specialty rolls & grilled skewers with sake & creative cocktails. Blue Ocean recently opened a second location in La Jolla, but the Carlsbad restaurant is more unique for its Japanese robata grill where you can order skewers that include pork belly, wagyu meatballs, baby octopus, and asparagus with bacon.

Try the mules, spicy edamame, popcorn shrimp, the dragon roll and the grande roll.

Choice Juicery – 430 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Head over to Choice Juicery and treat yourself to a smoothie or cold pressed juice. Choice offers organic, gluten free, dairy free, cold pressed, unpasteurized, plant based food and drinks. Check out their menu here.

Try the coffee buzz smoothie and the chunky monkey toast.

 

Pure Project – 2825 State Street, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Located in the heart of Carlsbad Village on bustling State Street, Pure Project has it all. Specifically designed to make you feel like you are sitting on a large porch whether sitting inside or out, the 5 roll-up doors open the space to invite the bustling activity in. They offer some murky IPAs, traditional ales, West coast IPAs, barrel aged beers, fruit forward beers, smoothie style beers, and even a collaboration with Handel’s next door. Weekly new beer releases keep things fresh.

If you have bought a property in San Diego and want to take advantage of the vacation rental market, you’ll be searching for the best Airbnb management company you can find. But if you have no experience in this area, you may not know how to whittle down the field of candidates to arrive at the perfect choice. So, how do you choose an Airbnb management company in San Diego to help you achieve your objectives?

20 Factors to Consider as You Narrow Down the Field

1. General Availability

You must ensure that your full-time property manager has the best communication skills and that the key staff members are available when needed. You may not expect them to be at your beck and call around the clock, but they should certainly have a way for your guests to contact them beyond standard business hours. Ideally, they will provide an emergency phone number or be contactable by email and text. Remember, some of your guests may arrive late due to travel issues, and if there’s something wrong and they cannot communicate, this may spoil their entire experience. In turn, this could lead to a negative review, which you’ll want to avoid at all costs.

2. References

Treat your search as if it were a job interview. You want to ensure that you choose the best manager for your property and need to hear what others say about their experience. You can seek written recommendations but ask for some contact details as well. That way, you can call current or former clients and judge their responses first-hand. 

3. Service Fees

Service fees can vary considerably, but always keep in mind that cost should not be the driving factor. It may be tempting to go for the cheapest solution to try and maximize your profits, but there is an inherent danger in that approach. Remember, you need an Airbnb management company that will help give you the best return on your investment, which translates to high occupancy rates over the long term with satisfied customers. Five-star reviews are an important consideration, so check the ratings as well as the fees.

4. Differentiation

Sometimes, the little touches may persuade you to choose a particular management company. You may have looked at all the fundamentals and have more than one company on your shortlist. Does one company go the extra mile to ensure satisfaction? Perhaps they provide small gifts that will surprise a guest upon arrival or take extra time to “bed in” guests when they arrive. Some managers may discover additional information about why the guests are in the area without being intrusive. They may then provide them with some tailored advice or specific guides.

5. Past Reviews

You should read every review when narrowing down your prospects as this will help you learn from the first-hand experience of former guests. Don’t expect every review to be glowing, but you should make a point of finding out what caused a negative review and deciding whether it’s an important factor. Some people may grumble about the weather or the general location, which you can ignore. But if the complaint seems to be related to management, you’ll want to follow up with the management company.

6. Marketing Processes

Your property may be one of many similar homes in that area, so what can make it stand out? Without a proactive approach, you might miss occupancy targets, so you’ll want to hire somebody who is good at filling these units. Ask for information to see how the company spreads the word and determine how many marketing channels they use.

7. Existing Portfolio of Clients

There are two schools of thought when it comes to a client portfolio. If you see that a prospect management company has a very large number of Airbnb rentals on its current portfolio, is there a risk that you could get lost in the crowd? On the other hand, if a prospect has no active Airbnb rental on its present portfolio, the company may either be just starting out or unable to retain clients due to issues. This may be a judgement call for you as you consider this factor alongside the other points raised here.

8. Types of Services Provided

Some Airbnb property management companies offer more services than others. Determine which of these are most important to you and use this checklist to narrow down your choices. For example, do they provide professional photography services to help create a listing? Do they offer a price optimization service so you can be sure that your postings are likely to succeed in the current market? Some companies have a 24/7 concierge solution, while others will take full care of your property maintenance.

9. Professional Certifications or Licenses

If professional certification is important for you, check to see if the company is a member of an established and recognized trade body. Their staff may keep up with regular training programs or need to sit for certain exams to move forward. For example, see if they are members of the Vacation Rental Management Association.

10. Specific Airbnb Experience

Airbnb is one of the leading short-term rental platforms in the world and has a particular approach to the task at hand. Consequently, you must ensure that your management company has experience in Airbnb specifically, so they are on top of those subtle nuances that differentiate the platform. For example, they’ll need to know how to work with Airbnb’s search ranking system to make your property visible to platform guests.

11. Detailed Knowledge of Local Markets

Always pick a management company with good knowledge of the local market. Some may be a generalist and aim to market properties across California, but are they really aware of the levels of competition or the dynamics of this specific market? With such knowledge of this area, they can develop certain marketing tactics to attract potential guests. They will also be able to give recommendations for arriving guests and will know if any local rules apply to Airbnb properties.

12. Contractual Terms

Ask for a sample contract and read it carefully. Ensure that it covers everything you need and don’t be afraid to ask questions about any clauses you may see as unfavorable. The contract should detail the services they provide and the associated fees. You need to know your responsibilities as a host and, crucially, that there are no gaps or uncertainties. Find out what will happen in the event that contract rules are breached or if there are any termination fees to consider.

13. Examples of Current Listings

When you look at some current listing examples, consider them from the perspective of a potential guest. Do these listings excite you, and if not, why not? Does the management company ensure that all photos are of the highest quality? Will a site visitor be able to view an array of images that show all rooms and from various angles? These listings should go into great detail about the property so you are left with no questions or assumptions.

14. Methods of Communication

How will a company communicate with you once you have signed on? Certainly, you don’t want to handle all the nitty-gritty yourself, which is why you are choosing such a company in the first place. However, you don’t want this to be an entirely hands-off approach either. Instead, set expectations and find out how often you will hear from them and what information they will supply. You may need to know if a guest has a significant issue immediately, but once you have agreed on the method and frequency of communication, you’ll want to ensure a consistent flow.

15. Dealing with Arising Issues

In an ideal world, issues never arise, but in reality, it’s inevitable to run into problems from time to time. If the air conditioning suddenly decides to stop working, how will the management company handle this issue? Your goal should be to ensure customer satisfaction in every case, and the way that the company deals with any situation when the guest is present will be crucial. Ask the company how they will typically process these situations.

16. Managing Inventory and Stock

Who is responsible for managing inventory and ensuring that everything is fully stocked before the next client arrives? Certain consumables will run out, and the management company must ensure that they have a replacement stock on hand at the right moment. In other words, you don’t want a last-minute panic if there are no filters in stock for your Breville Barista.

17. Providing Accountancy and Tax Details

At the end of the year, you will need to account for your business affairs with the tax authority and certainly need details of your rental activity. What kind of reports can you expect from your management company? Will these reports make your accounting and tax affairs more straightforward, with attention to detail and necessary information?

18. Handling Damage

There is always a risk of material damage when you open up your home to strangers. While Airbnb may well ensure that hosts are compensated if guests cause damage, your management company should also keep an eye on this. If any damage becomes evident, the manager should take this up with the guest while they are on the property and not be afraid to follow any of the rules laid down in the contract.

19. Knowledge of Real Estate Law

The last thing you want is to fall foul of any legal issues, and real estate law can sometimes be complex, changing from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Ensure that your property management company is fully aware of any challenges so that such issues do not find their way into your plate. As an example, will your guests be made aware of potential environmental hazards, such as those on the Proposition 65 list?

20. Portfolio of Experienced and Professional Contractors

The best management company will have a portfolio of experienced and competent contractors renowned for providing high-quality service and are available as and when needed. This “A” team should include builders, plumbers, HVAC contractors, and cleaners but can also extend to photographers and marketing experts.

How to Find the Best Airbnb Property Management Company

Finding the best Airbnb management company may take some time, but don’t rush the process. Certainly, you want to get your property on the market as soon as possible so that you can begin to recoup some of your investment and look forward to those profits. However, a cautious approach at the outset will pay dividends.

Narrowing Down Your Options

You may choose to advertise the fact that you’re looking for a management company on your initial listing or scroll through the search engine results to look for the best Airbnb management company in that area. You may find that several property management companies bid for your work, but remember to take into account all the factors listed above before you make your final decision.

Why Your Choice Is So Important

When you find the perfect Airbnb management company for your property, you will quickly see the advantages. The company will:

• Maximize occupancy
• Provide the highest levels of service
• Be efficient and thorough
• Communicate effectively with both you and the guests
• Optimize your listing through various platforms
• Ensure your property remains in good condition
• Deal with problems immediately
• Always be professional

You will avoid some of the problems, such as:

• Poor quality service, which can lower your ratings
• Excessive expenditure, which can dent your profits
• Any risk of legal issues

Working with the Best Airbnb Management Company in San Diego

If you are looking for an Airbnb management company in San Diego, there’s plenty of choice. However, you’ll certainly want to consider Haustay, a company with more than 3,000 five-star guest reviews. This professional organization is locally owned and operated and its management and staff fully understand the dynamic vacation rental market in San Diego. It’s worth your while getting more information, so please email [email protected], fill out our contact form here, or give us a call 858-522-9127 for help today.

 

San Diego’s coffee scene has exploded in the past few years, with more options than ever to satisfy that need for caffeine. We’ve put together a list of 10 of our favorite cafes in North County San Diego.  You’ll find spots where you can slowly sip on some coffee while people watching, neighborhood favorites where you can grab a cup of joe to go and cafes where you can order online for at-home delivery.

 

Ironsmith Coffee Roasters 
458 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas CA 92024 

Located in Encinitas this is boutique coffee roaster specializing in high-quality coffee from around the world carries coffee from Kenya, Costa Rica, Colombia, El Salvador, Panama, Mexico, and Indonesia that you can also order online. 

They have espresso and brewed coffee, matcha, vanilla chai, and Turmeric ginger for those who are anti-coffee. 

Conveniently located on the 101, you can expect a fantastic atmosphere and friendly staff. Make sure you get some of their fresh pastries while you are here. 

 

Lofty Coffee
2742 State Street, Carlsbad CA 92008

Lucky for us, this amazing coffee roaster company has locations in Solana Beach, La Costa, Carlsbad, Little Italy and two locations in Encinitas.

Seeking out farms, co-ops and importers from around the world that grow and transport in a sustainable manner to ensure the quality and consistency of their coffee, they offer bean options from Guatemala, Costa Rica and Peru that you can also buy to take home or order online. 

Daily their bakery is filled with sheets of hand-rolled croissants, muffins and cookies to create the day’s supply of scratch-made pastries made with natural, organic, and local ingredients. 

If you are in one of the Encinitas locations you can stop at Lofty Market where you will find fresh and local products like their house-made nut milks, organic juices, fresh baked breads and pastries, local organic eggs, organic dairy, cold brew, roasted Lofty coffee and even fresh flowers for those special occasions! 

 

 

Pannikin Coffee & Tea 
510 N Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024 

Located in the historic Santa Fe railroad station, this charming cafe has been operating since 1968 and offers a global selection of beverages.  

Emulating Leucadia, Pannikin has a laidback, friendly, relaxing atmosphere. In a very classic structure with plenty of outdoor and indoor seating, they offer roasted coffee, a vast selection of fine imported teas and fresh baked goods. 

You can also opt for a simple breakfast of avocado toast, a bagel or eggs or go for lunch featuring avocado chicken wraps, quiches, soups, or sandwiches and enjoy the peaceful area and step back in time in this historic building. 

They also have a cute little shop where you can find apparel, coffee and tea from around the world, original teacups, mugs and much more. 

They close at 5pm and they have two more locations at the San Diego Airport. 

 

 

North County Roastery 
129 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA, 92054 

Relatively new, established in 2020 with great coffee and special innovative options like Strawberry White Mocha, Lavender Vanilla Latte, or Iced Coconut Matcha Latte, North County Roastery offers a wonderful atmosphere for lingering and enjoying your coffee inside or on their spacious patio. You can choose from breakfast options like chicken and waffles, French toast, an omelet or an egg sandwich. 

The owner of the coffee shop owns the restaurant next door, called Switchboard, a Hawaiian-inspired cuisine where you can order an amazing espresso martini! 

 

Banana Dang Coffee
115 South Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA 92054

Having spent the bulk of our lives in love with coffee and caring for beaches, the owners wanted to create a space that embraced their passions: coffee, bananas, and the environment.

In 2007, they opened their first coffee bar in the surfing mecca of Rincon, Puerto Rico and in 2015, they relocated to Oceanside.

This vibrant coffee shop is inspired in Bananas, the owner’s favorite fruit, which possesses a unique and artistic concept. 

Here you’ll find great service, excellent drinks with a delightful selection of smoothies for summer where you can try something different like a Banana Mocha Frappuccino and more. 

They also have a delicious selection of pastries where of course it cannot be missed the classic Banana Bread from their menu. 

If you are Bananas about coffee, this is the place for you! 

 

Succulent Cafe
505 Oak Avenue, Carlsbad, CA 92008

If you are looking for something completely different, this is the perfect place.  

Located in Carlsbad Village, this is an incredibly unique spot featuring an open-air café surrounded by succulent walls.

At this café, you can relax and enjoy your coffee on the patio, then shop for plants on your way out.

They have delicious muffins, bagels, croissants, and avocado toast if you want to add something yummy to your coffee.

If you want to experience something different you can order Lavander Mocha, Mexican Mocha and Coconut Green Tea, or Lavander Lemonade for a refreshing summer drink. 

 

Bird Rock Coffee Roasters
2212 Carmel Valley Road, Del Mar, CA 92014

If you are in the Torrey Pines area, be sure to check out Bird Rock Coffee Roasters! This is a great spot to grab coffee with a view.  Go for a hike at Torrey Pines, then stop here for your post-workout treat.

They work directly with farmers from around the world to secure excellence in the coffee they offer. 

Some Farmers that they build relationships with from around the world are from Guatemala, Peru, El Salvador, Sumatra, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Colombia, and Mexico.  

You can also order online if you want quality coffee delivered.  

With an amazing view and close to the ocean, you can enjoy your cup of coffee on the deck feeling and smelling the ocean breeze. Make sure you try their fresh pastries as well. 

They have several locations around San Diego, including Carlsbad: 2656 Gateway Road, Suite 150, Carlsbad, CA, 2009. 

 

Revolution Roasters
1836 S Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA 92054

Revolution is a specialty coffee shop in South Oceanside. They roast their coffees weekly and make all of their sauces and syrups from scratch. They proudly serve Straus Organic Milk and house-made pastries that are baked fresh every morning. Offering have a wide variety of rotating seasonal options including beverages, pastries, and a limited release coffee, they also offer vegan, gluten free, and organic options that are available throughout their bakery, kitchen, and coffee menus. They offer online ordering and their “smooth operator” option is a must-try!

 

The Goods
2965 State Street, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Located in Carlsbad Village, The Goods offers an amazing and ridiculously delicious selection of donuts. They proudly serve Stumptown Coffee that pairs beautifully with their donuts.

 

Naked Cafe
300 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Located in Carlsbad Village, Naked Café is a local café chain with a globally influenced menu of breakfast & light eats, plus coffee & mimosas. They also have locations in Encinitas, Solana and Point Loma.

If you have any additional places to recommend for coffee in San Diego, please drop them in the comments below!

San Diego is well known around the world for its craft beer but North County is particularly a great place to try the most amazing local brews.  

San Diego has the perfect climate and lifestyle to find the right time and occasion to visit a brewery. 

Read on for some of our favorite breweries to visit in North County San Diego.

1. Viewpoint Brewing Company  

2201 San Dieguito Dr Suite D, Del Mar, CA 92014 

In a favored location of the coastal town of Del Mar, boasting a beautiful and peaceful view of the San Dieguito Lagoon from all vantage points, this 7,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor space offers a restaurant for a full dining experience.  

Viewpoint Brewing is the perfect place to taste one of the most delicious beers either with family and friends or solo with your dog. Yes, the place is dog friendly, and they offer handmade treats made by Boozy Bones! 

Their menu features vegan options and a kid’s menu and the ideal spot to spend an evening enjoying dinner, beers and the sunset. Be sure to try the So Cal Sol IPA.

Closed on Mondays, they are open Tuesday-Friday 12:00-9:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00-9:00pm.

2. Burgeon Beer Company 

6300 Yarrow Drive, Suite C, Carlsbad, CA 92011

Burgeon brings an incredibly unique and modern style that incorporates an “outdoorsy” motif into a popular industrial setting. Located in Carlsbad, they have a wide variety of beers, but their IPAs are something special. Try the Carlsbad Crush. And while they don’t serve food, they have a calendar with information on the food truck of the day that will service the brewery. They are also a pet friendly brewery.

They also offer their “greenhouse” for private events for any special occasion.

You can opt for on-site consumption, beer-to-go, online ordering for pickup, and home delivery to San Diego if you want to enjoy it from the comfort of your home. 

They also have 2 more locations in Little Italy and Escondido and are open 7 days a week.

3. The Lost Abbey/The Confessional  

2007 San Elijo Ave, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007

Located in beautiful Cardiff-By-The Sea, The Confessional is one of four locations from The Lost Abbey. Enjoy their 23 taps from their regular or seasonal menu, available in 4oz tasters, half pours, and full pints. Bring the kids to play some board games while you enjoy some brews! They are also pet-friendly; however, they do have a strict policy that dogs are only permitted on the patio.

Outside food is allowed in The Confessional, so you can purchase food from any of the neighboring food joints and enjoy it with your beer inside the tasting room.

They also have three more locations in San Marcos, San Elijo, and Downtown San Diego and are open 7 days a week. 

4. Belching Beaver Brewery  

1334 Rocky Point Dr. Oceanside, CA 92081

Founded in 2012, located in Oceanside, this award-winning craft beer company with a very casual, friendly, and fun environment has two priorities: offer a unique quality craft beer while inspiring good times where each beer carries its own and individual style, and make beer for all palates from their 23 varieties. 

With plenty of indoor and outdoor space, they hold different events like Live Music or Bingo.

They also have three more locations, one in North Park, and two locations in Vista and are open 7 days a week.

5. Bagby Beer Co. 

601 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA, 92054

Owned by the Bagby family since 2014, Bagby is a dream come true for Jeff Bagby, one of the most awarded professional brewers in the world.

Located in downtown Oceanside, this spacious brewery offers plenty of outdoor seating ideal for the So Cal lifestyle with an impressive and extensive selection of beers and a tasty food menu.

Most of their beers can be ordered as a tiny taster, a half pour, a full pour, and in some cases, a boot! 

Besides the star of the place, their beers, and their delicious food menu, you also have the option to order cocktails and wine. 

They are open Wednesday through Sunday from 12pm to 10pm. 

6. Aztec Brewery 

2330 La Mirada Dr. Suite 300, Vista CA 92081

Aztec Brewing Company started a century ago in Mexicali, Baja California in 1921, and is now rebranded and located in Vista.  

They offer live music at multiple times per week. Since music is part of their DNA, they support local musicians in San Diego knowing how much joy music can bring. 

From their IPAs to something different like Coffee Blonde, with a hint of coffee and not too heavy, or their Macaroon which is nut brown ale with coconut and vanilla, they have an immense variety of beers that you can easily taste while enjoying your favorite local band or artist. 

7. Wild Barrel Brewing Company 

692 Rancheros Dr, San Marcos, CA 92069

Wild Barrel Brewing specializes in sours, hazy IPA’s and stouts. They are known for their excellent “Vice” Sour Series which earned them Gold at the 2020 Great American Beer Festival. They really have something for everyone. If you can, try their famous Prince of Dankness, a West Coast double IPA.

There is a big outdoor patio as well and a great setup! so if you are with the kids, they have a nice open outside area.

You can also find their beers in many liquor stores around the area. 

If you are hungry, you can check their calendar for different food options since they do not have a menu a la carte. 

They have another location in Temecula and are open 7 days a week. 

The brewery options are almost endless in San Diego and though there are some we’ve missed, be sure to check out the list below for even more options that you can’t miss.

• Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Escondido 
• Culver Beer Co. – Carlsbad 
• Tap That Draft Beer Services – Oceanside 
• Dog Leg Brewing – Carlsbad
• Twisted Horn Mead and Cider – Vista 
• Battlemage Brewing Company – Vista 
• Prohibition Brewing Company – Vista 
• Karl Strauss – Carlsbad  
• Ebullition Brew Works – Carlsbad 

 

Sell or rent? Homeowners often face this question. If you own a home in San Diego, that you no longer use as your primary residence, or if it is an investment property, what should you do? Unfortunately, there’s no objectively right answer to this question. When it comes to selling vs renting, the final decision lies in where your financial situation is at that time, and how you wish to prepare for the future. 

Today we will talk you through the question of sell vs rent and suggest the best option for your San Diego property. Please keep in the mind the discussion points below are broad and generalized guidelines. Speaking with a real estate broker is always the best idea to know what you should do to your particular property. Nick Foster, Founder of Haustay, is a licensed real estate broker in the State of California (License # 01913436) who can assist you. That being said, let’s move on to our suggestions on whether you should sell vs rent. 

The invisible costs of owning a house

There are various costs associated with owning a house and some of them are less apparent than others. For example, we all know about property taxes and other taxes that are payable against owning a property. We also know about water, electricity, etc. bills that we must pay if we are living in a house. What we don’t account for is the hidden cost of wear-and-tear. 

If you do not protect your house from wear-and-tear, its market value will deteriorate over time. Not only that, maintenance and repair are recurring costs. You have to put in some money year after year to maintain the value of your house.

On top of that, adding fixtures and features to a house (landscaping, pool, etc.) can further increase the market value of your property, but the ongoing maintenance costs can cost you more as well.

To put it in simple words, owning a house is expensive. The more value you want your property to have when you sell it, the more money you’d have to invest into it. 

The risk of selling a house

Suppose you decide to sell your house one day and go to a real estate agent to list the home. Then you assess how much you will get from the sale and deduct the necessary expenses. Now, the figure that stands in front of you may seem good to you. However, if you realize that only waiting for a year would have given you 15% to 20% more than that, you will regret your earlier sale. 

On the other hand, you may decide to not sell your property until the market price is higher than its ever been. You decide to wait it out for a couple of years. But after a few years, you have a sudden requirement for money. The housing market, on the other end, is worse than it was a few years ago. You’d have to settle for a price that you know is not justified simply because the market is down. Adjusting it for inflation will further diminish the property’s value. 

As you can see, selling (or not selling) a house comes with an inherent risk. You do not know what to do and when to do it. More importantly, it can be impossible, if not extremely difficult, to predict the ups and downs of the housing market. When you are thinking about selling a house vs renting it, keep this dichotomy in mind. Timing the market is almost impossible.

Will renting be (more) profitable for you?

The debate of sell vs rent is to determine which would be more profitable, from a strictly monetary perspective. While there are other factors in real estate buying and selling that do not pertain to money alone, here we’ll tackle the money question alone. 

You need to calculate your profits down to single digits to know whether renting or selling would be better for you from a financial perspective. When renting, you have to first bargain for the best rent you can get. Now, you have to deduct the monthly maintenance amount from the rent. The remaining amount is what you’d earn from your property rental every month. You can do the same calculations for yearly or quarterly earnings. If you know how to rent out your house as a vacation rental, you can earn additional income from it.

When it comes to selling your property, you need to deduct at least 10% from the net amount you’ll get from the sale. The 10% would go to agent fees and other obligatory payments. The remaining 90% is your net earnings from selling your house. 

It can be quite difficult to deduce which would be more profitable for you in the long run. While real estate price tends to fluctuate wildly with time, the rental market is comparatively stable. On the other hand, if you time your home sale perfectly, you’ll get much more than what you’d get from rental payments. 

Are you going to buy another home?

If you are going to buy a home, selling can be often seen as a better decision than renting. However, that may not always be true. If your rental amount covers your installment payments comfortably, selling may not be a good option. If you sell the property, you cannot retain it once your new house has been paid for. But renting out your property will retain ownership while paying your installments. 

However, this strategy would not work if your rental payment does not cover your new home’s installments. In that case, you’d be bearing more than what you would for one house only. It’s a complicated question, and you’ll get the answers only through precise calculations and predictions. That’s why it is often a wiser choice to sit down with a market expert and do the maths together. 

The biggest dilemma facing someone who wants to sell their house is whether it’d be profitable in the long run. If you invest your monthly earnings from the rental for a 10-20 year window, will it be more profitable than selling your house? Will it be more profitable to sell your house and invest the lump sum amount for a similar time horizon? Choose between sell vs rent only after you have answers to these questions. 

Nesting a steady source of passive income

Neither would you want to work for the rest of your life nor would you be physically & mentally capable of it. That’s why investing gurus and pundits always stress the purchase of appreciating assets. A house is both an appreciating and depreciating asset. While the value of the property increases with time, you are also actively spending money on the house if you stay in it. As long as you are not thinking about selling or renting your house, it is not an appreciating asset. 

Property is one of the best sources of passive income. Unlike businesses and side hustles, you do not have to devote time and effort to making your rental profitable. At most, you would have to pay for regular maintenance and bills. In the case of a side gig, a lot of time will go towards making it profitable. 

Are you actively seeking a steady source of passive income? If yes, renting the house is a good idea. You will get some money every month and would not have to worry about the real estate market. It’s truly one of the best sources of a side income, no matter what your financial health looks like.

But if you already have sources of side income and are looking for an entrepreneurial endeavor, the capital you get from selling a house can give you momentum. To put it in simple words, renting your property guarantees a steady monthly income that selling your property doesn’t. 

Renting your property can save taxes

Nobody likes to pay taxes, and renting your property can help you pay fewer taxes. On the other hand, if you sell a property, you will have to pay taxes on capital gains. If taxes are a particularly big concern for you, renting your property is often the best option.

There are several caveats in tax rules that allow you to not pay taxes on the money you spend for capital improvement. Capital improvement, in the context of your property, refers to expenditures you make to increase the market value of your property. It also includes the cost of general maintenance and protection against wear and tear. When you sit down with a real estate expert, you’ll discover various ways to legally save taxes. That’s one of the biggest advantages of renting over selling a house. 

Small expenditures can add up to a significant amount. When you own and maintain a house, there are many expenses attached to it. While you can save money on that through tax deductions, understand that those costs would vanish if you sell your property. Here again, you’d need to calculate precisely which option would reap more profits in the long. If you are taking into account only the next 3-4 years and not more, the calculations would be skewered. All costs must also be adjusted for inflation in order to get a realistic picture. There’s no clear winner here since both options come with their own set of benefits.

Do you need quick cash for a venture?

Do you need quick cash for a new business plan? Are you trying to pay off a big loan against your home sale? If your motivation to sell your property revolves around similar issues, the natural response is to sell your house. It gives you access to all the money at once and you do not have to depend on periodic earnings. That’s an obvious advantage of selling a house when you look at it from the surface. 

However, there’s another approach to tackle these circumstances. Assume that you take a loan for your business venture and pay it off with your rental payment. Here again, you have to do the math. Will you end up paying more in interest if you decide to rent out your apartment? Will the real estate marker grow at a steady rate to make your future property sale profitable? It’s only after answering these questions that you can conclusively decide whether to sell vs rent. 

Do not always rush to sell your house if you need immediate funds. Consider all the possible options and then decide accordingly. 

What do market predictions look like?

The real estate market, for a long time, was one of the safest markets to invest in. With time, that notion has changed drastically. Much like stocks or gold, the real estate market is now volatile. It’s not as volatile as the stock market, but even small changes in market price can mean a loss of hundreds and thousands of dollars for homeowners. 

Timing the market is an impossible concept. It requires a degree of foresight that no one can claim to have with certainty. However, experts who are in the real estate market for a long time do have an idea about what will happen at least in the 5 to 10 year time horizon. 

Time horizons

While 10 years may seem like a long time, it’s not so much in the context of market fluctuations. If you see the real estate market booming 5 or 10 years down the line, waiting out is often the best option. It ensures that you get a much higher value for the same property (adjusted for inflation) and meanwhile, earn monthly rental payments. 

At the same time, don’t let market panic force you to sell your house. Wait until you have all the necessary information at hand and only then decide.

Get In Touch With Haustay Today!

We hope this guide will help you decide whether you should sell vs rent your San Diego property. As we have said so many times already, consulting with an expert is your best bet. Only a professional can tell you things that pertain to your specific property. Getting in touch with a vacation rental property manager is the first thing you need to do when the conflict of sell vs rent comes to your mind. For broader guidelines, this guide can help you with important pointers.

(Updated January 30, 2026)

Legoland California is located in Carlsbad, California. The founders of Haustay are Carlsbad locals and as Carlsbad locals with little kids, we have been to Legoland many times.

We want to help you navigate Legoland so you can make the most of your day. Gates open at 10:30 AM most days, now lets get started!

🚗 Parking at LEGOLAND California: Standard vs. Preferred

As you pull onto Legoland Drive you will head down a serpentine road adorned with Lego characters off to the side. When you pull up to the parking kiosks you will have the option of standard parking at $35 or preferred parking at $40. We have parked in both standard and preferred parking while at Legoland, and while the preferred parking does allow you to park closer to the theme park, it is not that big of a difference. Standard parking works just fine and it is what we recommend. 

What above EV vehicle charging? Legoland has a total of 19 level two chargers available for guests. They have thirteen level two charging stations in front of their Castle Hotel and six in front of their Legoland Hotel. The EV spots are a first-come first-serve basis.

🎟️ Navigating Security: Tips for a Quick Entry

When you walk up to the gates of Legoland, depending on the time of year, you may encounter a large crowd. The tip here is to stay as far right as possible. There are many security stations and the large lines typically form on the left and in the middle. The right lanes due to the curvature of the landscaping are always shorter, you just need to navigate to the right, to get in quicker.

🏅 Collecting Pop Badges: A Fun Souvenir for Kids

After you go through security visit Guest Services and ask if they have any pop-up badges. If it is someone’s birthday or it is your first visit they will give you a magnetic badge for the kids to wear. They also have an assortment of other badges they provide to kids if they ask.

Keep an eye out for any staff members wearing the Mr. Gold badge. 10 team members a day are given the Mr. Gold badge to wear. If you see a team member wearing this badge ask if they have Mr. Gold. They will then give you a special prize to redeem such as skip the line tickets, or prizes you can redeem at guest services.

They have also started hiding golden envelopes around Legoland. If are one of the lucky guests who finds one of the golden envelopes, you can redeem these for prizes as well!

Sea Life Aquarium or Legoland first?

After you get through security you can head straight into Legoland, or head left and go check out Sea Life Aquarium. We highly recommend Sea Life Aquarium, as it is very impressive and a good way to start you trip! You can walk through the aquarium in under 30 minutes and then head into the park. You also no longer need a reservation to enter Sea Life Aquarium.

Time to enter Legoland – What about tickets?

Tickets can be purchased online and require a reservation for the day. If you enjoy Legoland and you think you will be coming back again in the year, when you leave go to customer service and you can use your ticket as credit to purchase a season pass.

Entering Legoland – Left or Right?

When you go through the gates of Legoland you will walk up to a fork in the road. Here is a link to a map of Legoland to help you see the layout.

The majority of people go left. Depending on the time of day you arrive, if you head left the first few rides will be crowded. You can keep walking past those rides, or if you head right at the entrance you will typically find a less crowded area of the park. The newer Ninjago ride and the Ferrari build-and-race exhibit are right there.

What are the best rides at Legoland California for toddlers?

At the writing of this article our kids are 3 and 5, so here are the rides they most enjoy.

• Duplo Playtown – This is a great place to let the kids run around, explore, and play.
• The Hideaways – A gigantic tree house like structure is a another fun place for kids to run around and explore.
• Unikitty’s Disco Drop – A vertical riser and drop that rotates.
• Fairy Tale Brook – A slow boat ride that is good for all ages.
• Queen Watevra’s Carousel – The carousel is located right next to Unikitty’s Disco Drop.
• The Royal Joust – Kiddos love riding the mechanical horses like knights.
• The Dragon rollercoaster – A very beginner level roller coaster for kids.
• Ninjago the ride – A fun ride where you throw computer generated throwing stars to get points.
• Dune Raiders – Grab a sack, head to the top and slide down to race friends and family.
• Splash Battle – This seasonal ride is fun with a pirate ship and water cannons to shoot.

When is the best time of the year to go to Legoland California?

Many of the rides are seasonal as well as the Legoland Water Park. With that being said, we would recommend visiting Legoland California during the summer. The Water Park is a lot of fun for the family and seasonal rides such as Splash Battle are fun to ride and shoot the water cannons.

What is the best food to eat at Legoland California?

If you and your kiddos enjoy sweets, you have to try Granny’s Apple Fries. They taste like mini apple pies are a nice snack that you can find in the Castle Hill area of Legoland California.

We have had lunch at a few of the dining options and the best food we have had was at Fun Town’s Urban Kitchen. You will find kid grab-and-go lunch bags at all dining locations. Typically with chicken tenders. You can get PBJ sandwiches at the Beer Garden and Coffee Shop in the Pirate Shores Area. Back to the Urban Kitchen, they have a good Chicken Curry Thai dish for adults. Other options are a steak sandwich, salads, etc. For adults looking to have a beer, you can buy beers at most dining options throughout the park.

What’s New at LEGOLAND California in 2026? LEGO Galaxy!

LEGOLAND California is getting a major new addition in spring 2026: LEGO Galaxy, an immersive space-themed land designed to expand the park’s family-friendly attractions and interactive play zones.

Located in Carlsbad, this new area is expected to bring:

• New rides and space-themed adventures
• Hands-on LEGO building experiences
• Fresh dining and retail offerings
• A futuristic atmosphere built around exploration and imagination

For families planning a trip in 2026, LEGO Galaxy will be one of the biggest new reasons to add LEGOLAND to your San Diego itinerary — especially if you’ve visited before and want to experience what’s new.

Why LEGO Galaxy Matters for Visitors

LEGOLAND already ranks among the top kid-focused attractions in Southern California, but expansions like LEGO Galaxy tend to increase:

• seasonal demand
• park attendance
• and visitor interest in nearby vacation rentals

If you’re staying in Carlsbad or along the North County coast, spring and summer 2026 will likely be an especially busy time to visit.

Planning Tip: Book Early for Spring 2026

Because LEGO Galaxy is a headline expansion, locals and out-of-town families alike will be watching opening dates closely. If your travel plans fall into that spring launch window, it’s smart to:

• purchase tickets in advance
• visit midweek when possible
• and secure accommodations early in Carlsbad or surrounding beach communities

Where to stay when visiting Legoland California?

Most families like to stay together in vacation rentals. At Haustay Vacation Rentals we have over thirty vacation rentals in Carlsbad all between 5 to 15 minutes away from Legoland California. We have two, three-bedroom homes about five minutes away from Legoland and right next to the beach. Check out Hacienda Terramar and the oceanfront home known as Shore Drive.

If you are looking for something smaller, we have two two-bedroom condos known  Costa Balboa located in La Costa just south of Legoland California. We also have another two bedroom condo located closer to Carlsbad Village known as Juniper Beach.

We also have one-bedroom condos such Coastal Casita located in Carlsbad Village  and La Costa Chateau located in La Costa.

A home is a huge asset, but a second home in which you don’t reside in can be an income producing asset. If you know how to rent out your house as a vacation rental, you can generate a steady source of passive income. However, how much you earn also depends on the condition in which you keep your vacation rental. There are several other factors that we will discuss in detail below. 

Let’s find out more about renting out your house as a vacation rental.

Understand Your Target Guest Clientele

You have to decide whether you want to have high-paying guests, or guests on a budget. Often times the property and location itself will determine the type of guest you recieve, so sometimes it is beyond your control.

If you have a modest apartment in San Diego, it may never be successful in drawing in people looking for a luxurious vacation rental. On the other hand, if the size and locale of your house has elements of luxury, you can soon turn it into a premium vacation rental generating you top dollar income. 

It’s important to know that if you decide in favor of a luxury vacation rental, the initial cost would be much higher. There are several things you need to do to make your rental house more attractive and luxurious. When you are done with the upgrades, you can start earning from it. The great thing about luxurious residences, from the homeowner’s perspective, is that they can earn you anywhere from 2x to 10x more than a budget rental. 

On the other hand, a budget rental does not require a significant upfront capital expenditure. You’d still have to spend some money to make it adequate for a guests stay, but the out of pocket expense should be nowhere close to that of a luxurious vacation rental. At the same time, your budget rental will earn significantly less profit than a premium vacation rental. So you have to decide is the investment worth the return on investment.

Budget Rental VS Luxury Rental

The first thing you need to do is figure out whether your property can qualify as a luxury rental. If it fulfills the location requirement, you are already one step ahead. The next thing to consider is size. A luxury home has to have multiple bedrooms and living rooms, if not more than one floor. A small studio apartment can rarely pass off as a luxury vacation rental. 

On the other hand, a budget rental is much more flexible. Almost any residential locale is adequate for a budget rental and size is not that big of a factor. However, there’s a big advantage of budget rentals – attracting high-paying guests. 

Those who opt for luxury rentals demand a lot more from their rental properties. Finding such high-quality guests in itself is a big deal. When you do find your target guests you need to make sure you maintain a level of luxury and comfort guests are used to.

For budget properties, the hassles are much less. Finding guests is easier, and you may spend more time rejecting guests when compared to screening high-paying guests. Maintenance and repair are much easy, and you can address any issues without spending a lot of money. 

Pricing your vacation rental property correctly

Pricing is everything when it comes to budget rentals, but it’s also important for luxury rental properties. There are various things that you need to keep in mind while setting a price for your property. When it comes to luxurious properties, you can be much more flexible with your pricing.

For budget rentals, there’s a lot less freedom. It’s often a competition of pricing with other budget rental properties, and the lowest price wins. But if you sacrifice quality to pinch pennies, over time you’ll accrue negative reviews and a bad reputation.

Pricing according to locale

Where your rental property is situated is one of the biggest factors in determining its price. If your property is at the heart of the town or in a scenic location, prices go high. If it’s disconnected from the city center and does not offer a scenic view, the prices will go down. When the location is neither bad nor good, so is the amount you can charge for it. 

There are many ways of looking at pricing. You can offer a low price for basic accommodation. Such an arrangement works fine for digital nomads and those who travel around the country without staying in one place for a long time. Often they just want a nice place to work from home with high-speed internet and a desk.

On the other hand, you can brand your property as a premium vacation rental. In that case, you’ll have to add fixtures and features that elevate the worth of your house. That means nice lighting, wall mounted tvs, best-in-class decor and colors, landscaping, and a lot more. 

If you have a house at a premium location, it’ll be easy to brand it as exclusive and charge accordingly. In the long run, the initial investments will pay off handsomely. 

Seasonal pricing

Most vacation rental markets experience seasonality, even 70 degrees and sunny markets such as San Diego. If you see a lot of demand at a particular time, do not be hesitant to hike the price of your property. In San Diego that is typically in July.

Similarly, off-season leads to lower rates. It’s a fundamental rule of all vacation rental properties across the world. 

Pricing can also fluctuate depending on local events. If you have an upcoming event in San Diego that many people are going to attend, you can increase the price of your rental property. The economic principle of demand and supply should dictate the pricing of your rental property. 

At Haustay Vacation Rentals we use dynamic pricing which tracks market conditions and adjusts prices accordingly.

Branding your rental property

With so many rental properties in and around San Diego, you have to be on top of your game to always have renters at your property. It begins with branding your property correctly and efficiently. A unique property web page, social media account, and a name – can help create a guest following. Without a brand, if your property is just “one block from the beach” your property does not have an identity and can be easily forgotten.

 

Decide on the vibe of your rental property

When we look at famous hotels around the country, not all of them follow the same branding principles. While some hotels cater to corporate tastes, others have a more laid-back, casual vibe. You have to first decide on what your vibe is for your vacation rental, and then plan accordingly. 

If you want a premium, sophisticated vibe, you’d have to design the property accordingly. Make sure the paints and wallpapers are not faded or tampered with at any place. The next thing you need to take care of is the lighting and plumbing.

Lights alone can transform the interiors of a home. Understand the concept of primary, secondary, and ambient lights to give your vacation rental a sophisticated vibe. The same goes for bathroom fixtures. Premium bathroom fixtures look, feel, and work differently. It’s the same for kitchens, porches, and any other room of your house. If the fixtures are taken care of, your rental property will start to look and feel more luxurious. 

Landscaping can significantly boost the value of your rental property, but it requires you to have the physical space. If you do have the space, landscape it by all means.

Give a virtual tour of your property

Almost all rental properties offer pictures of the property. But if you want to build a brand, you have to take it a step higher. Virtual tours allow you to make the most of technology to brand your rental property. It gives potential renters a complete idea of what the house looks like. On top of that, you can highlight the best features of your rental property while not focusing on the unattractive parts. Creating a virtual tour may require you to get some professional assistance at first, but it’s a one-time investment. It’s one of the best things you can do to promote your rental property.

Prepare your rental property before guests arrive

When guests arrive at your rental property, they should feel welcome. That’s the only organic way to build credibility over time. To do that effectively, you need to know what type of guests are coming to your property. You would have to prepare very differently for a family compared to people coming for a bachelor’s party. The first step is to know about the guests and ask about their preferences. Instead of making assumptions, it’s always better to ask upfront about your guests’ requirements and demands.

Another thing that you should keep in mind is emergency situations. Make sure that your house has smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and everything else required to ensure safety. It’s also a good idea to list all emergency contacts at a designated place on your property. While you would never want emergencies to occur, they do not come with warnings. Being prepared is the only thing you can do to ensure safety at all times. When you are prepared for the worst, you can deal with most of the commonplace emergencies with ease.

Be clear on the legal side

From drafting an agreement to specifying inclusive and exclusive costs, renting out a property is not just about branding and marketing. There are tonnes of legal things to take care of when you are first renting your property as a vacation rental. There are different rules for residential rentals and vacation rentals, and your lease document should specify everything that the renter needs to know. If you do not keep the legal aspects clean, it will come back to you in the future. Unless you are a legal expert yourself, you would require professional assistance to manage the legal aspects of rental properties.

Communicate with your renter

If you want renters to know about a few specific things, tell them about it beforehand. Do not wait for guests to arrive at your property to tell them important things that they should know. The same rule goes for everything from pricing to rental terms and conditions. When you communicate everything in advance, renters do not have the chance of complaining or leaving negative reviews. It also builds a degree of trust and confidence between the homeowner and the renters. Communication is key when it comes to seamlessly managing your rental property and renters.This guide aims to help you lease out your house as a rental property. But we do understand that for a first-timer, doing everything on their own is not possible. In some cases, they do not have the expertise. In other cases, they simply do not have enough time. Getting in touch with a real estate management company is the simplest approach to renting out your property. It saves you a lot of time and hassle while keeping operations smooth. However, you must still know the ins and outs of your property to turn it into a successful rental property.

Encinitas, located in North County San Diego, was recently named of the of the best surf towns in the world. Approximately 25 miles north of San Diego, between Solana Beach and Carlsbad, and about 95 miles south of Los Angeles, Encinitas is your quintessential beach town. Rich in surf culture, amazing places to eat, drink and see – Encinitas is where it is at if you want to experience true Southern California.

Read on for our opinion of a perfect day spent in Enci.

8:00 a.m. – Begin the day with a surf (obvs)

For the intermediate surfer, Swamis rests at the bottom of a stunning bluff. At the edge of a cliff, you’ll find this magnificent right-hand point break (a rarity in San Diego). Even when the waves aren’t pumping, you will still find consistently above average surf hitting this exposed beach and reef break.

If you are approaching Swamis from the South, you’ll find a free parking lot to surf Swami’s State Beach on your left. Parking is quite scarce in the lot. You may have to settle for street parking along Pacific Coast Highway or Vulcan Avenue on the other side of the train tracks.

10:00 a.m. – Breakfast at Goodonya

GOODONYA is a nature-inspired, organic food and beverage brand, now based in Encinitas, California.

The restaurant is Organic and 100% Non GMO, which is virtually unheard of. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and even have a great wine lounge menu. But, back to breakfast, be sure to try the espresso golden milk and the baja scramble.

11:00 a.m. – Visit the Self Realization Meditation Gardens

For a truly peaceful experience, visit the Self Realization Gardens. There are trails throughout the garden that split in different directions and areas of benches. The garden is well-maintained and the whole place place smells of beautiful. There are sections that are close to the cliffs so you can take in the sites and sounds of the ocean. There is also a stream in the middle of the garden leading to 2-3 koi ponds with huge koi fish swimming around.

There is plenty of street parking to access the gardens.

12:30 – Walk the City

There are so many amazing places to see just strolling through Encinitas. But, maybe you want to consider a walking tour just to make sure you don’t miss anything. Walk the City Tours provides a personal tour guide who will provide cultural background of Encinitas and provide tips to the  local spots to explore later, and leave you with a bag of redeemable coupons to use at those interesting spots.

2:00 p.m. – Take the kiddos to the park

Olympus Park located in Encinitas has something for every family member including a skate park, a zip line, slides, walking paths, swings and even an epic turf “slide” where kids can sled down the artificial turf hill. Don’t forget to bring a piece of cardboard to slide down the hill even faster!

3:30 p.m. – Shop in Downtown Encinitas

Downtown Encinitas has more than 80 retail shops.  You will discover everything from charming specialty shops, to clothing and jewelry, music,  hardware, home furnishings and great gifts from all over the globe. 

5:00 – It’s 5 o’ clock So Have a Margarita

Death by Tequila is a Modern Baja Restaurant and Tequila Bar in the heart of downtown Encinitas. Inspired by coastal Mexican cuisine, the chefs follow the seasons with local, sustainably-sourced ingredients to compliment their menu. They offer more than 40 brands of curated tequila, craft cocktails, vibrant Baja fare and live music.

6:30 p.m. – Dinner

Buona Forchetta blends award winning Neapolitan-style pizzas and Northern Italian upscale entrees in a family-friendly, approachable atmosphere. The Encinitas location boasts a indoor seating as well as an outside patio and a small room for private events. Inside, a gilded oven churns out classic creations, while the main kitchen serves up chef-driven pastas and entrée dishes. And for any vegan folks, vegan pizza is hard to get right, but they have it figured out.

7:30 p.m. – Where to Sleep?

If you’d like somewhere to stay right in the heart of Encinitas, check out Fairway Retreat! This stunning home boasts panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and outdoor fun with putting greens and a hot tub. Truly the perfect location for a family vacation.

Enormous outside, wrap around deck with sofa seating, fire pit, and a gas grill to enjoy the beautiful sunsets year round.

There’s nothing like soaking up the positive energy of Encinitas.

Is there anything we missed? Leave a comment below!

O’side (as locals lovingly call it) is a beach-side escape where you can explore everything from sandy beaches to a booming farm-to-table food and craft beer scene and even a quaint New England-style harbor. Oceanside as a town is growing so read on for five new spots to check out in this ideal coastal escape just in time for summer!

1. The Famous ‘Top Gun’ House

201 N Myers St, Oceanside, CA 92054

The historic Graves House where it stood in as the oceanfront home of Charlotte “Charlie” Blackwood, the love interest of Tom Cruise’s LT Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in the Top Gun film, just opened on May 4, 2022, as a retro pie shop and bakery in downtown Oceanside.

Open daily, High-Pie will also serve hot coffee as well as specialty drinks like apple kombucha, cherry cider, and New Orleans-style iced coffee sweetened with condensed milk.

2. Hangar 76

3229 Roymar Road, Oceanside, CA 92058

Three years in the making, Hangar 76 featuring brewery and Carruth Cellars opened to the public April 1, 2022. Purchased and developed by Carruth Cellars, the 17,500-square-foot Oceanside warehouse has been converted into a multi-use venue that will serve as the new production hub and fourth tasting room for the local winery as well as the first brewing facility and taproom for Tipping Pint Brewing Co.

3. Valle

339 North Cleveland Street, Oceanside CA 92054

Valle sources fresh ingredients from California, and fuses together favorites from Baja Mexico’s Guadalupe Valley wine region. Valle features natural elements designed to enhance its space and create a welcoming and warm atmosphere for guests to unwind, dine, and drink (fine) Guadalupe wine. The seafood is sourced straight from local fishermen and the views of the Pacific Ocean are stunning.

4. The Rooftop Bar at Mission Pacific Hotel

201 N Myers Street, Oceanside CA 92054

A great spot for drinks, appetizers and a breathtaking coastline views and iconic sunsets is the Rooftop Bar located at the new Mission Pacific Hotel. There aren’t any other rooftop options in North County San Diego with views this spectacular. The food menu is light so expect light apps like oysters, ceviche and tacos. Drinks feature fresh juices and a focus on tequila.

5. COMING SOON – Cococabana

408 Pier View Way, Oceanside, CA 92054

Set to open in June of 2022 and housed on the Brick Hotel’s 2,100-square-foot rooftop is Cococabana, a Caribbean-style cocktail bar with its own menu of small bites. Judging by the renderings, this place is going to be epic.

Did we miss any fun and excited new places to try? Let us know in the comments section and if you need a place to stay in O’side, be sure to check out our vacation rentals!

 

 

When managing one or multiple rental properties, making money through cash-flow and/or appreciation on your real estate investments is paramount. If you not securing either gain, the performance of your real estate investment becomes questionable. One of the biggest hindrances that come between landlords and net profits are dreaded taxes. There are a number of different taxes that landlords need to pay, depending on the law of their respective states. 

Fortunately, there are multiple tax write-offs available for real estate investors and landlords. Today we will have a look at the top 10 tax write-offs for real estate investors and landlords and understand how these write-offs can help real estate investors make more money. 

As you must already know, not every tax write-off applies to everyone. You can choose which categories you can claim write-offs for depending on several factors. Without further ado, let’s find out more.

 

What is rental income?

Before proceeding further, we must understand what rental income is and how its shows in your tax returns. Any amount you receive against someone else living on your property is rental income. It does not mean only the monthly rent that you receive. Any deposit, be it security, advance, or something else, also falls under the category of rental income. 

The law of California, and other states also, allow certain deductions to landlords on account of various expenses associated with maintaining a rental unit. Today we will discuss ten of the most common ways to avail tax deductions on your rental property. 

 

1. Interest payments

Interest payments are by far the top tax write-off for landlords and real estate investors. If you are paying the mortgage for the rental property, you can claim a tax deduction under the laws of California. Interest payment goes beyond home loan mortgage payment. If you are paying interest for anything that has something to do with the property’s maintenance or improvement, you can get tax benefits. 

Not only is it one of the biggest tax deductions for landlords or rental property investors, but it is also very common. Many people buy property on loans with the aim of tax write-offs. If you are a real estate investor or landlord, you can also benefit from this clause. It is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce the burden of tax payments. It also makes it possible for homeowners to make profits even after all repair and maintenance expenses. 

 

2. Depreciation

Real estate and depreciation do not always go hand in hand. Traditionally, real estate investments have only appreciated. That’s why real estate is seen as one of the best appreciating assets, How does then depreciation play a role in tax write-offs for landlords? 

When you claim a tax deduction on account of depreciation, you are talking about the physical structure of the house – the building and what’s inside it. It does not take into account the value of the land or the rise in real estate prices. That gives you an avenue for tax write-offs on account of depreciation. 

Doing the mathematics to figure out how much you can claim on account of depreciation due to wear and tear is tricky. It involves so many variables and complex formulas that it’s better left to the professionals. Nonetheless, it is one of the best ways for landlords and real estate investors to save money on taxes. 

 

3. Maintenance of the property

Maintenance of a property is the same as giving it a facelift to increase its value. If you are adding a new swimming pool to your property, it cannot fall under the category of maintenance or repair. It is an upgrade, and you cannot claim a tax write-off for it. 

However, there are several other areas where you can claim tax write off. Anything that has to do with repairing the existing structure of the house or things inside it falls under repair and maintenance. You can claim a tax write-off on account of repair and maintenance since it is a necessary expense for homeowners. 

Every house needs maintenance, and every homeowner has to pay taxes. Figuring out how to save taxes on account of maintenance can be very beneficial for any homeowner or real estate investor. 

 

4. Expenditure on contractors, workers, and staff

People who buy a property with the intention of making it a rental unit often do not live near the property they bought. As a result, they require people who can run the rental property and make sure everything is alright. It can be both a manager or a caretaker, or even multiple of those. No matter whom you employ, you would have to pay them a salary. Any amount you pay as salary to employees with connection to the maintenance of your rental property is eligible for a tax write-off. 

However, paying staff is not an expense that landlords have to bear. There are several expenses on account of contractors, handymen, and so on. Any amount you pay to these skilled professionals is also eligible for tax deductions. 

It can be very confusing to figure out which types of work are eligible for tax deductions and which are not. An easy rule of thumb is to assess whether the person working is a skilled/specialized worker and whether it pertains to the improvement of your property. If the answers to both these questions are yes, then the expense might be eligible for tax deductions. 

Some of these tax deduction laws can be very confusing. If you do not have the time and energy to understand and study the complex mathematics that goes in, you can leave the work to a professional. It will make your work easy and a professional will make sure you get the best of everything. 

However, remember that all kinds of home improvement work do not fall under this clause of tax deductions. Any work towards improving the value of the property does not fall in this category, and you cannot avail tax benefits for them. 

 

5. Insurance premium

Some insurance expenses fall under the category of business expenses. You can claim a tax write-off for each of these insurance payments. Some of the most common examples of such insurance payments are personal liability insurance, fire insurance, hurricane insurance, or any other insurance for accidents and natural disasters. 

Leveraging insurance to your advantage is a very important skill for homeowners and real estate investors. If you do not understand insurance properly or do not know how to handle it, you will end up paying a lot more tax than you need to. Since every real estate purchase automatically comes with insurance payments, it is very essential to understand it properly. Consider discussing the matter in detail with your insurance agent to make sure you are getting the best deals. Insurance premiums are among the ten best tax write-offs for real estate investors and landlords. 

 

6. Tax deduction against legal and professional services

There are several professional services that landlords may need at various points in time. However, we are not talking about repair and maintenance services here. When you are running a rental property, there are various expenses that you have to bear in terms of payments for professional services. It includes what you pay to lawyers, accountants, and so on. 

If you turn your real estate rental into a business entity or LLC, you can avail of tax benefits for the expenses that have gone into it. It includes all professional services that you might need, be it payment of fees to the governing bodies or hiring an attorney for the process. 

When you understand how to make the best use of every opportunity you have, you can end up paying a lot less in taxes. Legal and professional services are yet another way to do so. 

 

7. Qualified business income (QBI)

Qualified business income is one of the trickier tax write-off options available to landlords and real estate investors. It is also known as a “pass-through” deduction. The QBI tax break is not for every landlord or investor. It is reserved only for sole proprietors or for those who have made their rental property a business entity (LLC). Qualified business income allows landlords to deduct 20% of the rental income over and above other deductions. 

The goal of QBI is to ensure that the same person does not have to pay taxes on rental income twice. Otherwise, they would be taxed twice – once as a business entity and once as personal income. Instead, QBI allows for the rental income to pass through to the owner so that they do not have to pay taxes twice. 

 

8. Payment for utilities

Whether a landlord is paying for some utilities or not depends on the agreement between the owner and the tenants. However, if you are paying for utilities like garbage disposal and water, the expenses of those qualify for tax deductions. However, it is not limited to only water or garbage. Any utility that you pay for is tax-deductible. It can include electricity, routine maintenance, gas, and so on. 

Once you understand which utilities you can save tax on, you can include the same in your rental agreement. It is a smart way to keep tenants happy while saving money at the same time. 

 

9. Travel expenses

For travel expenses, you can use the standard mileage rate deduction to calculate how much you claim for tax write-off owing to travel. As we already said, landlords often live considerably far from the location of their rental property. Over time, they have to visit the property multiple times. There can be various reasons behind their visit, be it for routine maintenance or tenant complaint. Every travel expense that’s in connection with your rental property falls under this category. If you can make the most of it, you can save a lot of money in taxes. 

 

10. Marketing and advertising cost

Homeowners regularly put up advertisements in various places to draw tenants. Since marketing expense is a part of business expense, it falls under the category of expenses that are eligible for tax write-offs. No matter where you put up advertisements, you can claim a tax write-off for it. 

With that, we conclude our list of top ten tax write-offs for real estate investors and landlords. However, there’s one very important point that has a lot to do with saving on taxes – preserving documents. In many ways, it is the first thing that every landlord should pay attention to. 

 

Preserving documents

As you can see from what we have said until now, you need to have verifiable records for every tax write-off opportunity. Unless you have proof of the expenses you have made, you cannot claim tax deductions under them. 

But it is very difficult to keep a tab of every single expense, from a light bulb replacement to a window shade change. To make things easier, you can keep a copy of all the documents on a cloud storage service. If you have a separate folder for it, finding what you need would not be difficult. 

At the same time, it is often crucial to preserve the hard copy of the document. The easiest yet most effective to do so is to maintain a dedicated file only for bills and receipts. It’s a rudimentary method, but it works. 

If you are in the habit of not keeping receipts and bills, it is time to change it. This habit can make it impossible for you to claim tax deductions against any expense. However, once you get into the habit, collecting bills and receipts is no big deal. All it takes is some practice and awareness. 

 

Final words

Before we end this piece, we want to convey to all readers that only a vacation rental property manager can give you specific advice on how you can save on taxes. The pointers mentioned above are only guidelines. You need a professional who has complete access to all your expenses to accurately understand where and how much you can save on taxes.