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Landlord Profile: David Gruber

Name: David Gruber
Occupation: Real estate ownership and management
Education: Almost completed college
Residence/Neighborhood: Richmond District
Year Joined SFAA: 1993

Rental Philosophy

Reason for Getting into Rental Property: My father asked me to spend a year learning the family business 28 years ago, and I’ve never left.
Rental Business Philosophy: Make sure my rental units are top class.
First Building Purchased: Two Edwardian flats, just below U.C. Med.
Best Rental Tip: Be responsive
Biggest Plus of Ownership: Ownership basically is an irreplaceable asset.
Where is the Best Place to Invest in Rental Housing and Why?: As long as the price reflects the opportunity, anywhere in the city, depending on one’s threshold for different tenant profiles, because people always need housing.
Yardstick of Success: High occupancy.
Goal Yet to Be Achieved: This changes every time I buy one more building.
Histories
Best Tenant Experience: Received many “thank you” notes and referrals for new tenants from current tenants.
Worst Tenant Experience: Found a deceased tenant in the unit twice during my 30 years of property management.
Toughest Business Decision: With multiple applications, selecting more than one acceptable tenant and then denying other excellent applicants.
Worst Rental Mistake: Rented without seeing the roommate.
Smartest Move: Decided not to buy any office buildings.
Funniest Rental Story: Bought a 12-unit building on Lake Street and then received calls from each tenant asking for my credit card number. The previous owner found property management easier when the tenants could use his credit card for repairs instead of calling him.
Biggest Missed Opportunity: Something better came along whenever I thought I missed out.
Reason for Joining SFAA: An excellent organization that has helped make all facets of my business easier.

True Confessions

Like Best About Being a Landlord: Providing good housing.
Like Least About Being a Landlord: Handling disputes between neighboring tenants.
Pet Peeve: Listening to the excuse that the check must be lost in the mail.
Favorite Vendor: Anyone returning my call the same day.
Most Important Lesson Learned: Being responsive, especially now that tenants have other options.
Favorite Person in the Rental Business: The prospective tenant from out of town who is unaware of the rental market and needs an apartment immediately.
Favorite Elected Official: Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr. for makingCaptain Alex Fagan Assistant Chief of Police.
Least Favorite Politician(s): The majority of the Board of Supervisors who really have no clue about anything.

Personal

Favorite Quote: If you don’t vote, you can’t gripe.
Favorite Cause: Helping children.
Favorite San Francisco Spot: Crissy Field.
Favorite Vacation Spot: Tahoe.
Where Would You Live If Not San Francisco: Portland, Oregon, with its proximity to water sports and snow.
Favorite Way to Spend Free Time: Playing with my three children.
Automobile: 1985 BMW 535i.

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