Isaiah C., the founding real estate advisor at LivXplore Real Estate and Lifestyle, sat down to chat about his experience with COTS’ clients as tenants.
As a real estate license holder since the age of 18 and the winner of Sonoma County’s Best Real Estate Agent by The Press Democrat in 2023, Isaiah has proved his exceptional dedication and commitment to excellence. Isaiah is a Sonoma County native who has earned a reputation for genuine client connections, knowledgeable development consultations, and all-encompassing real estate investments and ventures.
Isaiah’s first exposure to COTS was at the end of 2023 when a rental application of a former, now housed, COTS client crossed his desk. After Isaiah contacted the listed references, Eileen, COTS’ Client Enrichment Manager, and the client’s care manager, the process began.
With their voucher* in hand, the client was excited to begin the next step of their journey. Isaiah recalls the rental application, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)** paperwork, and lease agreements going smoothly and quickly.
“[With COTS,] it’s not a super long and tedious process.”
Isaiah shared how the relationship between the property manager and the former COTS’ client has blossomed. The property owners realized that their tenant had a skillset in construction. The property owners then hired the tenant for multiple jobs and helped them broaden the client’s portfolio. The tenant and property owners still work together on projects if they fit into the schedule of the tenant’s booming remodeling career.
This housing placement was such a good fit and easy process that now Isaiah continues to reach out to Eileen to coordinate upcoming available units and potential clients to become tenants when they are ready.
Isaiah highlighted that sometimes an individual’s qualifications on paper do not accurately predict the renting experience. Recalling previous experiences, Isaiah has faced major headaches with applicants who were perfect on paper. He noted that while there are always going to be bad tenants, he has not experienced that with individuals from COTS.
“I think you guys [COTS] do a very good job at aligning good people with good landlords and ensuring that there’s some sort of support system in there.”
*Voucher holders are individuals who qualify for financial assistance with their rent. Voucher holders pay approximately 30% – 40% of their monthly income towards their rent and the city’s housing authority pays the remaining balance to the property owner directly.
** The utilization of vouchers only adds one additional agreement between the property owners and HUD stating that HUD is responsible for a predetermined payment amount each month. HUD does not step in on behalf of the tenants if the lease is violated and the tenant is asked to leave.