Chris Smith
Author

Chris Smith

CEO · NextGen Coastal

Chris founded NextGen Coastal in 2020 to bring white-glove property management to coastal California at a 5.9% fee, roughly half the industry standard. His team manages 200+ single-family homes, small apartment buildings, and HOAs within 100 miles of the California coast. He writes these dispatches from the field on what is actually working for owners navigating ADU and JADU permits, Coastal Commission reviews, vacancy cycles, and long-term rent strategy.

5 articles published in Coastal Insights.

Modern two-story luxury home with stucco exterior and tile roof in an Orange County hillside neighborhood
Luxury Rentals

Maintenance Networks for Coastal Luxury Rentals

We manage 200+ units across coastal California, and every one depends on a vetted maintenance network. Here's how we built ours, and why it matters for your rental income.

Mar 13, 2026 11 min
Two-story coastal California rental home on a hillside street
Insurance

The California FAIR Plan for Rental Owners

The CA FAIR Plan provides essential fire coverage when standard carriers exit coastal markets. Here's how investors structure comprehensive protection for beachfront and hillside rentals.

Feb 24, 2026 12 min
Laguna Canyon hillside rental homes with defensible-space fire-zone clearance
Insurance

Renting in Laguna Canyon's Fire Zone

Post-fire insurance challenges demand proactive disclosure and policy management. Learn CA wildfire zone requirements, tenant notification protocols, and renewal strategies.

Jan 12, 2026 12 min