What You Should Know About Closing Costs

What You Should Know About Closing Costs Simplifying The MarketBefore you buy a home, it’s important to plan ahead. While most buyers consider how much they need to save for a down payment, many are surprised by the closing costs they have to pay. To ensure you aren’t caught off guard when it’s time to close on your home, you need to understand what closing costs are and how much you should budget for.

Using Property Investment as an Additional Income Stream

 

Ready to purchase an investment property in Florida? Trust Eileen Kedersha for the highest level of real estate service and expertise. Call 954-462-3600!

Article Written by: Brittany Fisher

Using Property Investment as an Additional Income Stream

The rental market has been on the rise for some time now and will only keep growing in the future. The current supply of houses isn’t enough to keep up with the increased demand of people who are looking to buy homes. This imbalance has caused a rise in home prices, which has made it difficult for people to purchase a home. This has led many homeowners to decide on renting out their homes instead of selling them.

If you’re not ready to sell your house, renting it out is a great way of making some extra cash. Besides the steady income stream, there are tax benefits for owners who lease out their properties.

Purchasing Rental Property

Or, if you’re looking to purchase a rental property, this is an excellent time for that, too, since increases in property values and rental prices will easily keep you with a nice steady income for as long as you own the property.

The following are a few things you should consider when looking to buy rental property:

  1. Location: The location of the property will significantly impact your rental income.
  2. Price: You should be aware that the higher the price, the more you can charge in rent.
  3. Rental rates: It is important to know what people in your area are paying for rent so that you can charge a competitive rate. Be aware of the effect specific neighborhoods and suburbs have on rental rates, too, so that you charge a competitive price.
  4. Occupancy rates: Zeevou explains that the occupancy rate will determine how much money you can make from your properties.
  5. Investment terms: You should know how long your investment will take to pay off and what percentage return on investment you are looking for.

Getting the Property Ready

It is probably not necessary to spend a lot of money on renovating your own home to prepare it for renters since you’ve likely been maintaining it all along, but there are some things you can do to make it more appealing for potential tenants.

  • Clean the carpets and flooring.
  • Polish all hard surfaces, including kitchen and bathroom countertops.
  • Repair any broken windows or doors.
  • Paint the walls and trim if necessary, using muted neutral shades.
  • Make sure the landscaping is as low maintenance as possible.
  • Curb appeal is important, so make yours stand out with some new light fixtures and flowers.

If you’ve purchased a home to use as a rental property, you’ll have to make sure everything is in proper working order, like structure, appliances, HVAC, wiring, and the roof are all in good order. Hiring a property inspector before you purchase is the best way to ensure you’re not going to be underwater making costly repairs.

If you don’t plan on living near your rental property or don’t have the time necessary for all the work involved, Rentec Direct points out that you will want to hire a property manager. They can help you maximize your profit by screening tenants, handling maintenance issues, and collecting rent payments on time. They can also help you find qualified renters by advertising your properties to the right people and negotiating leases with them on your behalf.

Tech Tools Make Marketing Easy

Marketing your property can be done easily using social media. Millions of people turn to marketplace sites like Facebook when searching for property. Posting your property on Instagram can boost awareness and showcase your rental.

You can share videos of your property to post on social media or on your website to give potential tenants an inside look at the property. Also, an infographic offers valuable information that quickly catches the eye of potential tenants and then expands on it in a fraction of the time it would take if the same message was written out instead. Building your own infographic to share on social media is easy when you modify ready-made templates by adding your own fonts, icons, and images.

Get Started Today

Property is always a great investment though it does require some work, so make sure you’re prepared before making the leap. But, as millions of other property investors will tell you, it can be one of the best financial decisions you’ll make.

If you are interested in an investment property in Florida, feel free to contact Eileen Kedersha, a Broker Associate with ONE Sotheby’s International Realty, 954-462-3600 | https://www.sfloridaluxuryhomes.com/ | EKedersha@OneSothebysRealty.com or her Husband, William Kedersha who specializes in investment properties throughout Florida, 954-817-2900 Wkedersha@onesothebysrealty.com.

 

 

 

 

How To Win as a Buyer in Today’s Housing Market [INFOGRAPHIC]

How To Win as a Buyer in Today’s Housing Market [INFOGRAPHIC] Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights

  • In today’s housing market, you can still be the champion if you have the right team and strategy.
  • To win as a buyer, you need to build your team, make strategic plays, consider what’s in and out of bounds, and stand out from the crowd.

Why Today’s Housing Market Isn’t Headed for a Crash

Why Today’s Housing Market Isn’t Headed for a Crash Simplifying The Market67% of Americans say a housing market crash is imminent in the next three years. With all the talk in the media lately about shifts in the housing market, it makes sense why so many people feel this way. But there’s good news. Current data shows today’s market is nothing like it was before the housing crash in 2008.

Number of Homes for Sale Up from Last Year, but Below Pre-Pandemic Years

Number of Homes for Sale Up from Last Year, but Below Pre-Pandemic Years Simplifying The MarketThe biggest challenge in the housing market right now, and likely for years to come, is how few homes there are for sale compared to the number of people who want to buy. That’s why, if you’re thinking about selling your house, this is a great time to do so. Your house would be welcome in a market that has fewer homes for sale than it did in the years leading up to the pandemic.

How Experts Can Help Close the Gap in Today’s Homeownership Rate

How Experts Can Help Close the Gap in Today’s Homeownership Rate Simplifying The MarketAs we celebrate Black History Month, we reflect on the past and present experiences of Black Americans. This includes the path toward investing in a home of their own. And while equitable access to housing has come a long way, homeownership can be a steeper climb for households of color. It’s an important experience to talk about, along with how it can make all the difference for diverse homebuyers to work with the right real estate experts.

You May Not Need as Much as You Think for Your Down Payment [INFOGRAPHIC]

You May Not Need as Much as You Think for Your Down Payment [INFOGRAPHIC] Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights

  • Many people believe you need to put down 20% of the purchase price when you buy a home. But recent homebuyers actually put down far less on their purchase.
  • And with programs like FHA loans, VA loans, and USDA loans, some qualified buyers are able to put down as little as 0-3.5%.

Should You Rent Your House or Sell It?

Should You Rent Your House or Sell It? Simplifying The MarketIf you’re a homeowner ready to make a move, you may be thinking about using your current house as a short-term rental property instead of selling it. A short-term rental (STR) is typically offered as an alternative to a hotel, and they’re an investment that’s gained popularity in recent years. According to a Harris Poll survey, 28% of homeowners have considered using a rental service to temporarily rent out their home for additional income.