Property Management
Maximize Your Rental Income.
Minimize Your Stress.
Full-service property management tailored for homeowners, landlords, and investors across Santa Rosa and Sonoma County. We protect your investment, keep your vacancy rates low, and handle everything — so you don’t have to.
Property Management Done Right
We know the Santa Rosa rental market inside and out. Here’s what sets Kimberly James Real Estate apart from every other property management company in Sonoma County.
Deep Local Expertise
We live and work in Sonoma County. We know the rental trends, the neighborhoods, the seasonality, and the legal landscape specific to California and Santa Rosa — and we use that knowledge to keep your property occupied and profitable year-round.
Truly Comprehensive Service
From listing your property and screening tenants to collecting rent, coordinating repairs, and managing move-outs — we handle every aspect of property management so you never have to chase a contractor or deal with a late-night maintenance call.
Transparent Communication
You’ll always know exactly what’s happening with your property. Regular updates, detailed financial reports, and an easy-to-access owner portal keep you informed without requiring you to ask. No surprises — ever.
Maximized Returns
Strategic rental pricing based on real-time market data, proactive maintenance to prevent costly repairs, and professional marketing that minimizes vacancy — all working together to make your rental investment as profitable as possible.
California Legal Compliance
California has some of the most complex landlord-tenant laws in the country. We keep your leases, procedures, and disclosures fully compliant with current state and local regulations — protecting you from costly legal exposure.
Trusted Vendor Network
Years of managing properties across Sonoma County means we’ve built relationships with reliable, fairly priced local contractors, plumbers, electricians, and maintenance professionals. Quality repairs, faster response times, better pricing — for your property.
Our Property Management Services
Every service below is included in our full property management program. We handle it all — from the first listing photo to the final move-out inspection.
Property Marketing & Advertising
We create compelling, high-quality listings with professional photography and targeted marketing campaigns designed to attract qualified tenants quickly — minimizing vacancy and maximizing your income.
- Professional photography for every listing
- Listings on Zillow, Trulia, Apartments.com, and top rental sites
- Social media promotion targeting local renters
- Competitive rent pricing based on current Sonoma County market data
- Coming soon promotion to pre-fill vacancy before move-out
Tenant Screening & Placement
Finding a reliable tenant is the single most important step in property management. Our rigorous screening process protects your investment from day one.
- Full credit history and score review
- Criminal background check
- Income and employment verification (minimum 3x monthly rent)
- Rental history and landlord reference checks
- Eviction history search
- Fair Housing Act compliant screening process throughout
Lease Preparation & Legal Compliance
California rental law is complex and constantly evolving. We prepare legally sound, comprehensive lease agreements that protect your rights as a property owner — and keep you fully compliant with current state and local regulations.
- California-compliant lease agreements
- All required addenda and disclosures (lead paint, mold, AB 1482, etc.)
- Local rent control compliance where applicable
- Move-in documentation and condition reports
- Annual lease renewals and rent increase notices per California law
Rent Collection & Financial Reporting
We handle all rent collection, enforce late payment procedures, and provide you with clear, detailed financial reporting — everything you need for accurate records and stress-free tax preparation.
- Online rent collection with automatic reminders
- Consistent late fee enforcement per lease terms
- Direct deposit of owner disbursements
- Detailed monthly owner statements
- Annual income and expense reports for tax filing
- Owner portal access to financial records anytime
Maintenance & Repairs
Responsive maintenance keeps tenants happy, protects your property’s value, and prevents small issues from becoming expensive problems. We coordinate everything through our trusted vendor network — with your budget and best interests in mind.
- 24/7 emergency maintenance response
- Routine and preventive maintenance scheduling
- Vendor coordination — we get multiple bids for larger repairs
- Owner approval required for repairs above your set threshold
- Detailed maintenance records for every property
- Seasonal property inspections to catch issues early
Move-In / Move-Out Management
Thorough documentation at the start and end of every tenancy protects your property and ensures security deposit disputes are handled cleanly and legally.
- Detailed move-in inspection with timestamped photos
- Tenant walkthrough and condition acknowledgment
- Move-out inspection report within 48 hours of vacancy
- Security deposit accounting per California Civil Code
- Coordination of cleaning, painting, and repairs between tenancies
- Fast turnaround to minimize vacancy between tenants
Let’s Talk About Your Property
Whether you have one rental home or a multi-unit portfolio, we’d love to show you what professional management can do for your bottom line. No pressure, no obligation.
We Manage Properties for Every Type of Owner
Whether you’re renting out your first home or managing a portfolio of investment properties, we tailor our services to fit your situation.
Individual Homeowners
Renting out your home — whether temporarily while relocating or as a long-term income strategy — comes with real responsibilities. We handle all of it so you can enjoy the income without the headaches.
Real Estate Investors
You invested in property to build wealth — not to field maintenance calls. We provide the hands-off, professional management that lets your investment work for you while you focus on the next opportunity.
Out-of-Area Owners
Owning a rental property from a distance adds a whole layer of complexity. We serve as your trusted local eyes and ears — handling every detail with the same care we’d give our own properties.
Multi-Unit Property Owners
Duplexes, triplexes, small apartment buildings — managing multiple units requires systems, relationships, and local expertise. We bring all three, keeping your units occupied and your tenants satisfied.
Areas We Serve Across Sonoma County
We proudly manage rental properties throughout Sonoma County. If your property isn’t listed below, reach out — we likely cover your area.
Property Management FAQs
Answers to the questions we hear most often from rental property owners in Santa Rosa and Sonoma County.
Property management fees in Sonoma County typically range from 8–12% of monthly rent collected, depending on the scope of services and type of property. There may also be a leasing fee (typically one-half to one full month’s rent) when we place a new tenant. We’re transparent about all fees upfront — no hidden charges, no surprise deductions. Contact us for a free consultation and a quote specific to your property.
We conduct a detailed Rental Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) based on currently rented and recently leased properties similar to yours in the same neighborhood. We factor in square footage, condition, amenities, schools, and current Sonoma County rental demand. Pricing too high extends vacancy; pricing too low leaves money on the table. We find the sweet spot that attracts quality tenants quickly while maximizing your return.
In the current Sonoma County rental market, well-priced, well-presented properties typically rent within 2–4 weeks. Properties that are overpriced or poorly presented can sit vacant for months. Our professional photography, targeted marketing across 20+ rental platforms, and competitive pricing strategy are specifically designed to minimize your vacancy window. We also start marketing before the current tenant vacates to eliminate gaps in rental income entirely.
We enforce late payment procedures immediately and consistently per the terms of the lease. If a tenant fails to pay, we initiate the California three-day pay-or-quit notice process and guide you through next steps up to and including eviction if necessary. Consistent enforcement from day one — rather than allowing late payments to become a pattern — is the most effective way to protect your income. Our rigorous screening process is specifically designed to prevent this situation from arising in the first place.
Absolutely — and this is actually one of our specialties. As a full-service real estate team, we understand both sides of the equation. We’ll manage your property and keep it in excellent condition while you decide on your timeline. When you’re ready to sell, we can advise on optimal timing, coordinate tenant transition, and list your property for sale — all through one team you already trust. Many of our property management clients eventually sell with us and benefit from that seamless transition.
AB 1482 (California’s Tenant Protection Act) caps annual rent increases at 5% plus local CPI (or 10%, whichever is lower) and requires just cause for eviction for many residential properties in California. However, there are significant exemptions — including single-family homes with proper notice, condos, and properties built within the last 15 years. We assess every property’s specific situation for compliance and advise you accordingly. Santa Rosa also has its own local rent control ordinance for certain properties, adding another layer we navigate for you.