Category: Real Property

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Drones for Property Mgmt

Here are specific models known for strong performance in small-facility settings:

Brand / Model Key Features Best For
DJI Mavic 3T 4K camera, 56x hybrid zoom, thermal imaging, 45-min flight time General security, roof inspections, night monitoring
DJI Air 3 Dual camera (wide + telephoto), obstacle sensing, compact Daylight security patrols, detailed visual inspections
Skydio 2+ AI-based obstacle avoidance, autonomous flight, GPS tracking Autonomous patrols, complex environments
Parrot Anafi USA Thermal + 32x zoom, GPS, rugged, secure data Sensitive sites, thermal inspections
Autel EVO II Dual 640T Dual 8K visual + FLIR thermal camera, 38-min flight time Night surveillance, equipment inspection
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Corporate 3 day Rentals

what are weekend rentals in San Diego going for for apartments whose target market are visiting business persons ? what are such rentals called and how are they taxed and best managed?

ChatGPT said:

Here’s what I found regarding weekend rentals in San Diego catering to business travelers:

🏨 What they’re called

💵 Typical pricing for weekend stays

Local providers report:

While advertised as “monthly,” many accept shorter stays over weekends with prorated nightly rates.

🧾 How they’re taxed in San Diego

  1. Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)

  2. Business Tax & STRO License

  3. Rental Unit Business Tax

  4. Income Tax

    • Federal: report income on Schedule E (if no services) or Schedule C (if services offered), with self‑employment tax implications bnbcalc.com.

    • State: California income tax applies (1–13.3%)avalara.com+2bnbcalc.com+2westcoasthomestays.com+2.

    • Tax deductions possible: mortgage, utilities, cleaning, depreciation, etc. .

  5. 14‑Day Rule

🔧 Best practices for management

  • Use a property manager experienced with business‑oriented rentals—they can handle marketing, guest screening, cleaning, maintenance, and compliance with local rules bnbcalc.comself.com+10swellproperty.com+10bnbcalc.com+10.

  • Market toward business travelers by highlighting high‑speed Wi‑Fi, ergonomic workspaces, and proximity to business hubs or the Convention Centeraltovita.com+1self.com+1.

  • Choose between STR vs mid‑term rentals:

  • Keep meticulous financial records: track income, dates rented, fees paid, and expenses for accurate tax filing and potential deductions .

✅ Summary table

Aspect Details
Type of rental Corporate housing / aparthotel
Nightly rates ~$120–167 for 1–3 BR
TOT rates 11.75%–13.75% based on zone
Licenses needed STRO license (Tier 1–4); Business Tax Certificate
Annual tax Rental Unit Business Tax if ≥6 days
Income taxes Federal + CA income tax; deductions available
Mgmt tips Use property management, market to business guests, track finances meticulously

If you’re planning to operate such rentals, it’s wise to consult with a local accountant or property‑management specialist to ensure full compliance with San Diego’s regulations and optimize tax efficiency. Want help finding a manager or diving deeper into zoning or tax brackets? Just say the word!

You said:
would my taxes local and state be for six nights a month at $167 each the night. How much tax would pass on to the guest and how much tax would not absorbed by the owner? am I right to assume there would be no federal tax other than income?
ChatGPT said:

You’re mostly right. Let’s break it down with your example and clarify each tax component step by step:

🧾 Your Example Rental Scenario:

  • 6 nights per month

  • $167/night

  • Monthly gross revenue: $167 × 6 = $1,002

✅ 1. Local Taxes (Passed to Guest)

a. Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)

San Diego charges 11.05%–13.05%, depending on location. Let’s assume 11.05% for this example.

  • TOT = $1,002 × 11.05% = $110.74

  • ✅ This is passed to the guest, not absorbed by you.

  • Platforms like Airbnb and VRBO often automatically collect and remit TOT for hosts, but if you book directly, you must do this yourself (monthly filing with the City Treasurer).

✅ 2. City of San Diego Business Taxes (Owner Responsibility)

a. Short-Term Residential Occupancy (STRO) License

Required for renting <30 days. This is a yearly license fee, not charged per guest.

  • Tier-based based on how and where you rent. If you’re not onsite, likely Tier 3 or 4:

    • Fee range: $200–$1,100/year

b. Business Tax Certificate (BTC)

Annual requirement for anyone doing business in San Diego.

  • Fee: ~$34–$100/year depending on revenue and entity type

c. Rental Unit Business Tax

This is a yearly tax charged if you rent out the property more than 6 days/year (you would).

  • Estimated at ~$50–$150/year

✅ These are fixed annual obligations. They are not passed to guests — you pay them.

✅ 3. State of California Taxes (Owner Responsibility)

  • California income tax applies to the profit (net income) you earn from the rental.

  • Tax rate: 1%–13.3%, depending on your total income bracket.

  • You can deduct related expenses (cleaning, utilities, supplies, depreciation, platform fees).

✅ This is your responsibility, not passed to the guest.

✅ 4. Federal Taxes

You’re correct:

  • No federal taxes like sales tax or TOT.

  • You’ll report rental income on Schedule E (or Schedule C if you’re offering hotel-like services).

  • Federal income tax rates apply based on your income bracket.

  • You can deduct related expenses — potentially reducing your taxable profit.

📊 Summary Table

Tax Type Rate/Cost Who Pays It? When
TOT (Transient Tax) 11.05% (~$110/mo) Guest pays Monthly
STRO License $200–$1,100/year Owner pays Annually
Business Tax Cert. $34–$100/year Owner pays Annually
Rental Unit Biz Tax $50–$150/year Owner pays Annually
CA Income Tax 1–13.3% on profit Owner pays Yearly (filed with CA FTB)
Federal Income Tax Based on bracket Owner pays Yearly (IRS)

💡 Net Effective Tax Burden

  • Of the $1,002/month, about $110 in TOT is passed to the guest.

  • The rest (licenses + income taxes) are your responsibility, but can often be deducted as business expenses.

Want a calculator to estimate your federal + state income tax on this? I can build a custom one for your tax bracket and deduction assumptions.

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Drone Legalese – Calif

  Have you ever been tempted to buy a $99 drone from Temu or Amazon? They often fly away by themselves according to many reviewers …

Why: roof inspections, beach and canyon photography, photo tours for FSBO (for sale by owner) publicity.

I first bought a low end drone in 2023. It had a microscopic not-exactly–English brochure which I could barely read without laughing. But I admired their capitalistic  confidence – plus – I learned something thanks to chatGPT, what “gravity induction” means in the context of a drone.

Additionally chatGPT …

1. recommended a better drone that is not too expensive to lose but not so cheap that is useless.

2. recommended documentation sources and online classes

3. warned of FAA and state legal requirements … the responsibility of each individual…

…

ChatGPT said:

Thanks for your questions — sounds like you’re diving into the drone world with a practical goal in mind. Let’s break it down clearly:

📘 1. What might “Gravity Induction” mean in a drone context?

This likely refers to “Gravity Induction” or “Gravity Sensor Mode.”

In gravity induction mode, you can tilt your smartphone or controller to steer the drone — instead of using the regular joystick/thumbstick method.

  • Example: Tilt your phone forward to make the drone fly forward.

  • It’s a gimmick-style control, often used in toy drones or beginner drones.

  • Useful for simple fun, not precise enough for serious tasks like roof inspections.

🚁 2. Better Drone Recommendation for Learning (Not Too Expensive or Cheap)

You’re looking for a drone that:

  • Is good enough to learn real flight/navigation.

  • Is not so costly that it hurts if you crash it.

  • Has English support/documentation.

  • Can serve as a step toward doing roof inspections.

✅ Top Choices Under $300 (Beginner-Intermediate, Reliable):

Drone Price (est.) Why It’s Recommended
DJI Mini 2 SE ~$279 GPS, 2.7K camera, good for learning & basic inspections. Lightweight & reliable.
Holy Stone HS720E ~$270 4K EIS camera, GPS return-to-home, decent battery life, comes with English manual.
Potensic Atom SE ~$259 4K camera, GPS, beginner-friendly, lightweight. Surprisingly solid for the price.

➡️ Best pick for roof inspection training: DJI Mini 2 SE — it’s under the FAA registration limit (249g), good camera, GPS-stabilized, and very intuitive with lots of tutorials available.

📚 3. Documentation & Learning Sources (Flight + Roof Inspections)

Here are a few trusted, beginner-friendly resources:

🧭 Flight Training / Drone Navigation Basics

🏠 Roof Inspection Skills (using drones)

🧩 Final Notes

  • Stay away from very cheap drones (<$100) unless you’re just learning indoors.

  • The DJI Mini series is a sweet spot between affordability and capability.

  • Once you’re confident with flight, consider Part 107 certification if you plan to charge for roof inspections.

Would you like help choosing between those drone options based on your exact goals (e.g., residential roofs, steep pitches, photos vs thermal, etc.)?

You said:
what does part 107 certification cost? I live in California. Is there also California bureaucracy?
ChatGPT said:

Great questions — here’s a clear breakdown tailored for California:

🛫 What is Part 107 Certification?

Part 107 is the FAA’s commercial drone license. If you want to fly drones for business (e.g., roof inspections, real estate, construction, etc.), this license is required in all U.S. states, including California.

💲 Part 107 Certification Costs

Item Cost
FAA Knowledge Test $175 (paid to the testing center, e.g., PSI)
Study Materials (optional) Free – $250+ (depending on source)

✅ Minimum total: $175

(If you self-study using free resources)

📍 California-Specific Bureaucracy?

No additional California license is required just to fly drones commercially. However:

  • State privacy laws apply — e.g., you can’t fly over private property for inspections without permission.

  • Local ordinances: Some California cities or counties (e.g., L.A., San Francisco) have extra drone flight restrictions — mainly around parks, schools, airports, etc.

  • Business license: If you’re charging for inspections, you’ll need a basic California business license (usually through your city).

📘 Recommended Study Resources (Free + Paid)

Resource Type Cost Notes
FAA Part 107 Study Guide PDF Free Link here
Pilot Institute Online course $149 Excellent, pass guarantee, video-based
Drone Launch Academy Online course $199 Focused on drone business use
Tony Northrup YouTube Video Free Search “Part 107 free course”

🧭 Summary

Item Details
Certification Cost $175 test fee
California extras No drone license, but respect local privacy & flight rules
Best path Study for free or pay for a course → Schedule FAA test at PSI center near you (available throughout CA)

Would you like a map of Part 107 testing centers near you, or help deciding which study method fits your schedule and budget best?

You said:
yes
ChatGPT said:

Here are the Part 107 testing centers near San Diego—ideal for scheduling your FAA knowledge exam:

Golden State Flying Club
Golden State Flying Club
Open now until 7:00 PM

·

Lounge
PSI FAA knowledge tests near SD. letsflysandiego.com

Directions

Website

Call

Pinnacle Aviation Academy
Pinnacle Aviation Academy
Closed until Tue 9:00 AM
4.8(30 reviews)
Another PSI‑administered center at Palomar. letsflysandiego.com

Directions

Website

Call

✅ Step-by-Step: Scheduling & Cost Breakdown

📝 1. Cost & Registration

🏢 2. Choosing a Testing Center

🔄 3. Scheduling Tips

  • Book well in advance—slots fill up, especially on weekends and evenings.

  • Pro tip: Avoid system issues around midday; morning sessions tend to go smoother .

📅 4. On Test Day

Arrive early with:

You’ll hand over electronic items (phones, watches, etc.) and be provided scratch paper and pencil for test useletsflysandiego.com+7peltierphotocourses.com+7specializedheli.com+7.

🧭 5. Post-Test Process

🛫 Follow-Up Regulatory Steps

  • No separate California license needed for commercial drone work.

  • For operating a business, you may need a city business license and must always respect privacy laws and local flight restrictions (parks, schools, controlled airspace, etc.).