Real Estate Investment Advice

It’s finally happened – you found out that your tenant has “trashed” your house – that long term investment property that you now own. It’s what you’ve always feared. You put careful consideration and money into finding this asset and now your tenant has made a mess and damaged it.  But have they, really? Chances are, they haven’t. Your property is likely just fine for the overall course of your long term investment. Whether it’s down to your differing standards for living or your nervousness around an asset in your portfolio, it may be the case that your tenant has […]

As an investor in rental properties, you are likely well aware of one of the most appealing advantages of investing in real estate– cash flow. Just like a stock paying dividends, a rental property that has been well-vetted can provide a steady income stream. While this cash flow is great and, in truth, tends to outperform the payouts from dividends, it’s not all real estate has on offer. There are a variety of other ways in which real estate creates returns on your investment, and each of these can add even more value to your portfolio.  Appreciation Throughout the years, […]

There Is No Best, and Here’s Why When considering houses to buy as an investment rental property, you likely have considered how big a house to get. What is the ideal size for the rental market? You’ll often hear the 3/2 described as the ideal family home, but the truth is this is a dated notion. The rental market is diverse, and any size home might be the right fit for a great tenant or family. Consider the following: Tenants come in all sizes. Tenants and families are not all parents, 2.2 kids, and a dog. Tenants and families today […]

Considering an investment in real estate begs the obvious question: What are the risks, and how do they compare to other investment opportunities? Whether you are new to investing or looking to diversify as much as possible and want to weigh all your options, understanding how real estate performs against other options such as CDs or stocks can be helpful. Let’s walk through the distinctions between investing in real estate and other investments, with an eye on risk and opportunity.  Real Estate Vs Stocks Stocks are the ultimate gamble— they come with potential for enormous returns and the potential for […]

Investing in a turnkey investment property offers ample opportunity for a healthy ROI and can be as hands-free an experience as many a good long term investment. On occasion, however “stuff” will happen in the form of maintenance issues. What can you expect in terms of maintenance, and how should you react to these incidents? By managing expectations and going in with a basic cost framework in mind, these unexpected and slightly bothersome events can be easily dealt with.  Going by the Numbers Preparation in advance always makes things easier. One way in which you can prepare for maintenance issues […]

As a real estate investor or someone considering real estate investment, you’ve likely heard about the advantages associated with urban investment properties. For those looking for turnkey investments, especially, a metro area offers a high percentage of renters and a reliable infrastructure. Rural areas on the outskirts of major metropolitan areas, however, offer a range of advantages and are growing as we speak in response to urban booms.  Birmingham – A Case Study Birmingham residents clock an average 29.86-minute commute, spending an average $619.69 a year on maintenance costs, $748.75 a year on fuel and $7,276.53 in overall commute costs […]

A home inspection is a critical step in the purchasing process of an investment property. It provides you with a detailed assessment of certain central factors related to a home’s value. As an investor, you want to do your due diligence, but you may not know what is and what isn’t relevant in a home inspection.  By focusing on the high-level issues that really impact the value of your home, a home inspection should give you insights into a rental property and its long-term potential. It can also provide you with necessary data you need to continue your negotiations on […]