Walnut Creek is a vibrant city in Contra Costa County, located about 16 miles east of Oakland. With roughly 70,000 residents, it blends an upscale suburban feel with urban conveniences. Tree-lined streets lead to a lively downtown brimming with shops, restaurants, and a thriving arts scene. Its location at the base of the East Bay hills gives residents easy access to BART, major freeways, and miles of regional parks.
Why Walnut Creek Is a Smart Investment
Walnut Creek’s combination of strong job centers, top-rated schools, and high quality of life drives steady demand for rentals. Home values here tend to sit between those of core Bay Area cities and more affordable inland markets, making it an attractive mid-point for investors seeking both appreciation and cash flow.
Major employers like Kaiser Permanente, John Muir Health, and regional corporate offices keep vacancy rates low and rents competitive. At the same time, proximity to Diablo Valley College and Las Lomas High School brings families and academics into the market year-round.
Neighborhoods We Serve
Walnut Creek’s neighborhoods each offer something unique. Downtown and the Broadway Plaza area appeal to renters who love shops, dining, and transit. Northgate and Heather Farms draw families with parks, pools, and community centers.
The Creekside and Rossmoor communities feature single-family homes on spacious lots. And the more hilly areas near Camino Tassajara are prized for their views and newer construction. No matter where your property is located, we tailor our marketing, maintenance schedules, and lease terms to match each neighborhood’s character and tenant profile.
Living in Walnut Creek, California
Residents enjoy a Mediterranean climate—warm, dry summers and mild winters—that encourages outdoor living year-round. The Iron Horse Trail and Shell Ridge Open Space link you to hundreds of acres of parks, ideal for hiking, biking, and dog walks.
Cultural attractions like the Lesher Center for the Arts, the Ruth Bancroft Garden, and weekly farmers’ markets give the city a small-town feel with big-city amenities. Easy BART access and direct freeway connections make commutes to San Francisco or Silicon Valley straightforward, while Oakland and San Jose airports are within a 30-minute drive.
Local Market Insights
Walnut Creek’s average rents reflect its strong demand: one-bedroom apartments typically rent for $2,300–$2,600 per month, while two bedrooms go for $2,900–$3,400. Vacancy rates linger around 3–4%, well below national norms, leading to quick lease-ups.
Median home values hover around $900,000, with modest year-over-year appreciation of 4–5%. By monitoring local trends and adjusting rent strategies proactively, we ensure your units stay competitively priced and occupied.
Our Property Management Process
Intempus offers a tried-and-true process for managing your Walnut Creek rental. Here are the benefits of having Intempus Property Management handle your Walnut Creek property:
1. Property Evaluation & Rent Maximization
One of the first steps we take is setting up a property evaluation meeting. During this meeting, we:
- Determine the Optimal Rental Rate
By analyzing comparable Walnut Creek listings and market trends, we set a rent target that attracts quality tenants while maximizing your income. - Discuss Lease Guidelines
We review lease terms—such as pet policies, security deposits, and renter’s insurance requirements—and explain the pros and cons of each to align with your goals. - Recommend Value-Boosting Repairs & Upgrades
Whether it’s fresh paint, modern light fixtures, or landscaping enhancements along the bayfront, we suggest improvements that yield the highest return on investment. - Install a Secure Lockbox
A coded lockbox ensures safe, convenient access for our showing team and maintenance vendors while keeping your property secure.
By the end of our evaluation meeting, you’ll have a clear action plan and roadmap to maximize rent value from the moment your property hits the market
- Professional Marketing Across a 200+ Site Network
At Intempus, we market your Walnut Creek property on more than 200 trusted rental websites—focusing on the full Walnut Creek lifestyle rather than just the walls of your home. We begin with high-definition photography and immersive virtual tours that showcase bay views, modern interiors, and nearby waterfront trails.
By listing on top platforms—Zillow, Apartments.com, Rent.com—and syndicating to niche Bay Area sites, we make sure your Walnut Creek rental gets maximum visibility among high-quality tenants.
3. Property Preparation & Move-In Readiness
After marketing, we focus on making your Walnut Creek rental welcoming and move-in ready:
- Thorough Cleaning & Repairs
We coordinate deep cleaning, minor repairs, and touch-ups—ensuring sparkling kitchens and functional plumbing. - Staging & Photography
Our vendors arrange furniture, accent decor, and capture your property’s best angles, underscoring living space flows and bay views. - Listing Activation & Realtor Alerts
We alert local realtors and leasing agents about your new listing, tapping into off-market networks for qualified prospects. - Flexible Showing Availability
Our team is available seven days a week, accommodating weekday and weekend tours to secure tenants quickly.
By handling prep work efficiently, we reduce vacancy days and accelerate lease signing—translating to more consistent cash flow for you.
4. Rigorous Tenant Screening
Quality tenants are the cornerstone of successful property management. Intempus requires every applicant to complete a detailed application and then:
- Conduct Background & Credit Checks
Screening for criminal history, creditworthiness, and financial stability. - Verify Rental & Employment History
We contact previous landlords and employers to confirm on-time rent payments and steady income sources. - Assess Lease Agreement Compliance
By reviewing each applicant’s understanding of lease guidelines, we minimize rule violations and late payments.
Once screening is complete, we present you with a concise applicant profile summary—enabling you to make an informed leasing decision.
5. Seamless Move-In Process
After you select a tenant, we oversee every step of the move-in:
- Lease Agreement Signing
Tenants sign a legally vetted, binding lease detailing rent, security deposit, and house rules. - Tenant Portal Setup
We provide each tenant with login access to our intuitive portal for rent payments, maintenance requests, and community announcements. - First Month’s Rent & Deposit Collection
We confirm receipt of all funds—ensuring the property remains off the market until financial terms are met. - Move-In Walkthrough
Our manager conducts a joint inspection with the tenant, documenting property condition and signing a Statement of Condition to protect against future disputes.
By guiding tenants through these steps, we foster positive landlord-tenant relationships from day one.
- Automated Rent Collection & Enforcement
We make sure rent arrives on time by clearly stating payment due dates and any late-fee policies in the lease. Tenants can pay however they prefer—through our online portal, auto-pay setup, or mailed checks—which helps avoid delays. Before each due date, our system sends friendly automated reminders, reducing the chance of a missed payment.
If rent does become overdue, we promptly issue pay-or-quit notices and handle any necessary legal steps to protect your interests. This proactive, end-to-end approach keeps delinquencies low and your cash flow steady.
- Annual Inspections & Preventative Maintenance
Each year, we conduct a thorough inspection of your Walnut Creek property to ensure it remains in top shape. During this review, we check for safety hazards—like electrical faults or missing smoke detectors—and verify compliance with building codes.
Based on our findings, we develop a preventative maintenance plan that schedules HVAC servicing, gutter cleaning, and landscaping to protect your investment and avoid costly emergency repairs. After the inspection, you’ll receive a detailed report complete with photos and clear recommendations so you can budget and approve any necessary work right away.
- Full-Service Bookkeeping & Financial Reporting
Our in-house accounting team handles every financial detail so you don’t have to. We coordinate vendor payments and accurately record all credits and debits, then deliver monthly and quarterly statements that highlight your income, expenses, reserves, and overall ROI.
When year-end rolls around, we compile every required tax document and point out deductions you may qualify for, streamlining your CPA’s workload. By managing your books from start to finish, we save you the hassle of chasing invoices or sorting through receipts.
- 24-Hour Repair Hotline & Vendor Management
We know emergencies can’t wait, so tenants and owners have access to our dedicated 24/7 repair hotline for immediate support with issues like burst pipes or power outages. Behind the scenes, our in-house maintenance team works alongside a vetted network of trusted contractors to provide fast estimates and skilled workmanship.
We act as your project manager on every repair—overseeing timelines, inspecting completed work, and ensuring quality—so problems get fixed right the first time without breaking your budget.
- Move-Out Coordination & Turnover Management
When it’s time for tenants to leave, Intempus:
- Conduct a Detailed Move-Out Inspection
Mirroring the initial walkthrough, we compare condition reports to determine any damage beyond normal wear. - Security Deposit Settlement
We calculate deductions, provide itemized statements, and return the remaining deposit—staying fully compliant with California law.
- Property Restoration
Coordinating cleaning services, minor repairs, and lock re-keying to present a turnkey residence for the next tenant. - Rapid Relisting
We relaunch marketing immediately—leveraging our proven process to minimize vacancy periods.
Partner with Intempus Property Management
At Intempus Property Management, we are committed to helping property owners in Walnut Creek achieve their investment goals. Our experienced team provides personalized services to ensure your property is well-maintained, your tenants are satisfied, and your rental income is maximized.
Contact us today to learn more about how our property management services can benefit you in Walnut Creek, California
