Investment Real Estate

Are you waiting for “just the right time” to get into the real estate market? The signs indicate that there is no time like the present. Interest rates are still comparatively low and buyers are shopping for new and second homes in great numbers.

Vacation homes are very popular for investment purposes and personal enjoyment. You can use your vacation home as a getaway property now, and by the time you retire you will have paid a significant amount on the loan. If you live in a vacation home for 14 days a year or less, you can take depreciation on it.

Another important benefit is that tax deductions in the form of interest and property taxes help to offset the cost of paying for a second home. If the debt does not exceed $1 million, mortgage interest payments on principal residences and second or vacation homes are fully deductible for tax purposes.

Don’t waste valuable time while interest rates creep upwards — all you need is the right real estate agent to guide you!

It is important to attract and keep great tenants when you own investment property. A good way to begin a positive tenant/landlord relationship is with clear communication about what you expect from your tenants and what they can expect from you.

The written lease agreement spells out the legal obligations of each party. The landlord must ensure that the property is habitable and complies with local codes, and the tenant must pay the rent in a timely manner and not damage the property. Make sure that the terms of the agreement are stated clearly in straightforward language.

Let the tenants know of your commitment to keep the property in good repair and of your desire to know about maintenance problems before they become serious. When it’s time for the tenants to move, offer to provide a reference letter if they need one. This is a nice way to say “thank you” to them for having maintained the property during the terms of their lease. Good communication can help you to maintain the quality of your investment.

When you are in the market for a home, how should you evaluate the properties that appeal to you? There is an old cliché about the three most important factors of a piece of property–location, location and location.

Some neighborhoods have a certain distinction that attracts buyers, but there are other factors to take into account. A house in the best part of town may have a few points subtracted if it is located on a busy street. There are buyers who would like to be close to schools, shopping, and churches, but don’t want to live across the street from these facilities. You may want an easy commute to your job, but would not consider a location close to the “on” ramp for the major route into town. A location close to a airport could be convenient if you are a commercial pilot, but could make it difficult to sell even the most wonderful house.

As you balance all of the factors, remember that a location liability which gets you a great house at a reasonable price will probably require you to pass a similar savings on to future buyers.

When you buy an investment property, finding and keeping a tenant is very important. It’s been said that a little caution during the screening process can save a lot of headaches later on.

You can rely on an intuitive sense of how a prospect feels to you. While this is an important aspect of a landlord’s decision-making process, following up on your intuition by checking on the facts is definitely worthwhile. Have prospective tenants fill out an application giving employment references and the names and addresses of previous landlords. The application should also include written permission for you to run a credit check. In most areas, it is difficult and expensive to evict someone who turns out to be less than a model tenant. Only after you check their references and credit history should you allow them to move in.

Marketing a rental property presents some special challenges. Owners will probably want to offer the house for sale while tenants are still living there so that the property continues to bring in income. However, most real estate agents prefer that their listings either be occupied by the owner or empty. Tenant-occupied homes are often the most difficult to sell since the tenants may not share the same pride of ownership. They may not be eager for the property to sell, and as a result, the house is not shown to its best advantage.

When you put a tenant-occupied house on the market, it is important that you enlist the tenants in the effort to get your house sold. Talk to the tenants first to see if they have a desire and ability to buy the house. If they are not interested in buying, work out with them the ground rules for access to the house. In most cases, the new owners will want the tenants to move, and it will be important to work out alternate living arrangements with them. In each situation, work hard to create a spirit of cooperation with the tenants.

Buying a second home as rental property makes a great centerpiece to your retirement plan. It forces you to make regular savings in the form of mortgage payments that become your equity.

You only need cash for the down payment, and you should make sure that your monthly rental payments will cover the mortgage and any additional expenses. This is a real possibility if you buy the right house at the right price because a good single-family house should always stay rented. Your investment money is subject to less income tax, and the interest and property taxes may be deductible.

Housing has appreciated in value all over the country in recent years, making a second home an important hedge against inflation. Most experts predict that interest rates for fixed-rate and adjustable mortgages should remain in single digits for the foreseeable future, so it should be easy to acquire financing with a small down payment.

Call an agent with your real estate questions. They have helped hundreds of people to sell their homes and properties–and to purchase the home of their dreams.

Homeowners who don’t need the equity from their home to purchase a new home may consider renting it instead of selling. Rental property is almost always a good investment, but you should understand the consequences of becoming a landlord.

Tenants may not share your pride of ownership and, therefore, may not maintain the property like you would. If you plan to rent your property, acquaint yourself with state or local landlord/tenant laws, including those dealing with rent control and eviction procedures. If the home you rent has been your primary residence, you could lose the benefits of a capital gains deferral when you sell it later. Get professional advice from a tax expert and a professional real estate agent before you decide to turn your home into rental property.

When you own an investment property, one of your goals will be to get the highest monthly rental with the lowest vacancy rate. How can you accomplish this?
It pays to keep your property in good condition while you are trying to rent it, as well as after the new tenants move in. You obviously want the property to look its best when it is being shown. If you work to keep it that way, your tenants are more likely to feel motivated to stay in the home.

When something needs to be repaired, be sure the tenants know whom to call to get the job done. Arrange for periodic inspections of the property to check for leaking roofs or pipes, defective wiring or malfunctioning appliances. If you are an absentee landlord, it makes sense to hire property management professionals to keep a close eye on your investment for you.