January 31, 2012

We're #1!

Posted to Larry Smyth, Property Management, Relocation

At Farrell Smyth, selling real estate is only one of the many services we have to offer. In addition to sales, we also do Property Management, Maintenance, Relocation and Referral Services and Homeowners Association Administration and Management. We do our best to maintain a very high level of service in each of our departments. So it is always nice to receive recognition when you do a good job. Now I want to brag just a bit as we just receive notification that Farrell Smyth was voted the #1 Property Management Company by the students at Cal Poly. So what is Cal Poly you ask?

Cal Poly is short for California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo. Cal Poly is home to over 17,000 students, and they all need a place to live. Farrell Smyth has been serving the Cal Poly student housing needs since 1978. Cal Poly is a big part of the San Luis Obispo community. In fact, I am a Cal Poly Alum as are several of our staff. If you are not familiar with Cal Poly, you can take a look at the attached video for some information. The video was put together by a Cal Poly student while on a plane trip. I hope you enjoy the flight.

Posted by:  Larry Smyth



July 11, 2011

CO Detectors

Posted to Larry Smyth, Property Management, Tenants

You know it is hard to believe that we are already into July. With that in mind, I want to take a moment to remind everyone of the California law that went into effect January 2011, requiring Carbon Monoxide detectors for residential units. The reason I bring this up now is that we just passed an important date in the law which requires all residential rental units to be fitted with CO Detectors by July 1, 2011. So if you haven’t done, you need to get it done ASAP to be in compliance. All dwelling units will be required to have CO Detectors by January 1, 2013.

You may purchase CO Detectors at any hardware or home improvement store. At Farrell Smyth, we have already completed the installation of CO detectors in all of the rental units we manage. If you have units managed by another property management firm, be sure to contact them and confirm installation in your units.

Here is a summary of the important dates:

  • July 1, 2011 – CO Detectors must be installed in rental dwelling units.
  • January 1, 2013 – CO Detectors must be installed in all residential dwelling units.
  • Point of Sale – If you sell your home, a CO Detectors must be installed prior to the close of escrow.

Posted by:  Larry Smyth



January 14, 2011

A Million Times Better

Posted to Buyers, Larry Smyth, Owners, Property Management, Real Estate Sales, Relocation, Rentals, Sellers, Tenants

We just received our final numbers regarding our web traffic for 2010. Let me just say that we are a million times better. In 2009 the Farrell Smyth web site generated 2.3 million hits. For the year end 2010, we generated 3.35 million hits, so we are over a million times better. Not too bad for a little ole real estate company from San Luis Obispo. So the question is, what is all the buzz about the Farrell Smyth web site?

First, we have the most up-to-date information on all properties for sale throughout San Luis Obispo County and Northern Santa Barbara County. The information is tied directly to the Multiple Listing System and updated every few minutes. You can’t find more current information then right on the Farrell Smyth web site. This information can be accessed by clicking on the “View Listings” button on the home page. Put in the criteria you want to search and there you go. At the same time you can set yourself up for instant updates when new properties come on the market. Next you can search for properties all over the world when you hit the RELO Home Search button. This will link you to any of our partners in the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World network. I go there once in a while myself just for fun. Give it a try.

If you are looking for a rental, just hit the “Rental List” button and get the most up-to-date information on the rentals we have available. Our rental list includes houses, condos and apartments throughout San Luis Obispo County. In addition, we list commercial properties such as office space and retail space. Again by going to our list you can sign up for instant updates so you will be notified each time a new property comes on the rental market. You can choose from e-mail or Twitter. You know the choice you make may show your age.

Here are a few of the other thing you can find on our web site.


  • Loan Calculator
  • Community comparisons
  • School Reports
  • Real Estate School Information
  • Homeowners Association Management Services
  • Property Videos
  • Maps
  • Blogs
  • Relocation Information
  • Community Activities and Events
  • Much More

Like our on screen spokesperson “Yoko” says, when you get to our web site take a few minutes and look around the site. Maybe with your help we can get to 5 million hits in 2011.

As always, your questions and comments are always welcome.

Larry D. Smyth
Broker/Owner

Farrell Smyth, Inc.

Posted by:  Larry Smyth



August 24, 2010

e-PRO: An Advanced Designation to Help Provide the Best Services to Our Clients

Posted to Buyers, Homeowner Associations, Larry Smyth, Owners, Press Releases, Property Management, Real Estate Sales, Relocation, Rentals, Sellers, Tenants

We all know how the real estate industry has been changed with the advancement of the electronic age. We have all had to learn new technologies beginning with e-mail, and continuing with social media sites, web sites, and even Blogs like the one you are reading. As a long-time Real Estate Broker, I long ago recognized the importance of these changes. As a result, our company, Farrell Smyth, has made every effort to keep up with consumer demand for up-to-date electronic communications and information. As a part of our effort, I have recently completed the course to earn my e-PRO designation.

The e-PRO designation course is designed to train real estate professionals in the latest internet technologies to best serve our customers’ needs. Only 4% of all Realtors across the country have earned the e-PRO designation. So we are proud of our efforts to provide the best technology we can.

You already know about our Blog, but we want to tell you about another program we are just beginning. Constant Contact is our new marketing program. While our Blog will continue to provide general real estate information and updates on current market trends, Constant Contact will be strictly our marketing arm. We will provide information on new listings, price changes, open houses, and other cool stuff. Initially we will market to our current data base. Customers will be able to opt out if they wish, and rejoin at any time. If you would like to be added to our data base feel free to contact us, or in the near future you will be able to sign up on our web site home page at www.farrellsmyth.com. We continue to provide you with the most up to date information from the Central California Coast and beyond.

As always, your comments and questions are welcome.

Posted by:  Larry Smyth



July 19, 2010

Caveat Emptor - Finding a rental safely and securely

Posted to Larry Smyth, Property Management, Tenants

We have all heard the term Caveat Emptor, or Buyer Beware. Well, how about Renter Beware. The internet has given us all access to unlimited information. In addition we have access to misinformation, deceptive information and down right dishonest information. Herein lies the problem.

In recent times we have seen Scammers glean information on properties that are either for sale or rent, reformat the information and place it on various lists and web sites as a property for rent. Unsuspecting renters are asked to just “Drive by the property, and if you like it, send me a deposit.” Contacts are usually by e-mail, text, or even phone. You never really meet the scammer. The usual excuse is something like, “I am on a sabbatical,” or “I had a sudden job transfer and can’t be back in town.” Once that deposit check is in the mail the scammer is long gone and the renter is out of luck.

What can you do to protect yourself from this type of scammer? If you are looking to rent in your local area, you can go to a local reputable Real Estate or Property Management firm. They can provide you with rental listings and help you through the application process. If you are dealing with an individual owner, you should always meet them face to face. Ideally, meet the owner at the property and be sure they have keys for the unit. Be very wary of an owner who is too anxious to get your deposit “on the spot” with no application process.

If you are moving to a new area and need to find a rental, before you head out, go to a Real Estate or Property Management company in your area and ask for a referral to your new area. Many companies have built relationships with other companies over the years or belong to a referral network that specializes in relocation. This will allow you to not only find a rental in your new city, but you can also get lots of information about the area before you go. You can get information on transportation, schools, hospitals, etc. Take advantage of the professionals in your area to help guide you through the maze.

As always, if you have any questions feel free to contact us.

Posted by:  Larry Smyth