 Image via Unsplash Are you thinking about turning your home into a long-term rental property? While there are obvious benefits to selling your home, there are also benefits to renting it out. Not only do you have the chance to bring in additional income each month and grow your investment portfolio, but renting out your primary residence typically means that you can keep the lower interest rates in place, as opposed to the higher interest rates that come with purchasing an investment property.
With that said, it’s important to know what you’re getting into and to approach it the right way so you can be successful as a landlord. Read on to learn more about converting your home into a long-term rental, along with special considerations in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Make Sure You Want to Be a Landlord First of all, do you really want to be a landlord? There is a lot of responsibility involved. Particularly if it’s your first time, you might be handling much of the responsibilities yourself, and it can get overwhelming if you’re not committed or well-prepared. The benefits are real. Just be sure that you’re up for the management tasks involved (e.g., making repairs, keeping the property maintained, dealing with tenant complaints, etc.) and that it won’t put you in a precarious financial position. If you can budget for it, Rentec Direct suggests hiring a property manager. It’s an investment, but it can save you a lot of time, energy, money, and stress in the long run. Look into Cash-Out Refinancing You will likely need to make some changes to your home before renting it out, which we will discuss below. If those changes include remodeling or other types of major improvements, and you need a way to cover the costs, one option is cash-out refinancing. Lenders like PennyMac replace your existing mortgage loan with a new, larger one. Then, the difference between the two loans is given to you in cash. You can then use that cash to pay for home improvements. Another thing to consider is that the coronavirus has caused interest rates to drop significantly. Therefore, now could be the perfect time to refinance. Make Essential Repairs One type of improvement that you will probably have to make is essential repairs. This includes any big or small projects that will ensure the safety and function of the property. For instance, if the roof has seen better days, there is an issue with the plumbing or electrical, or there’s a broken step in the entryway, those things will need to be addressed before you put your home on the rental market. Think About Upgrades Other than the essential repairs, you will also want to consider any ways that you can generally improve the appeal of your rental property. Do you have up-to-date appliances? Do you need to repaint any areas of the home or replace the flooring? Perhaps a kitchen and/or bathroom remodel could help you draw tenants. Evaluate the overall aesthetic and function of the property, and determine what changes are worth making. Consider the Coronavirus Pandemic Lastly, there are a few considerations that need to be made during the pandemic. You will need to make sure your property is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before tenants visit or move in. Also, utilize virtual tours, video chat, virtual open house events, and other technological means of showing your home and interviewing potential tenants to reduce the risks of spreading the virus. Moreover, a lot of tenants are having trouble making ends meet right now, which as CNBC points out, could present problems with rent payments. Nonetheless, as long as you understand the risks and come up with a plan for how to work with tenants in such a situation, you shouldn’t let that prevent you from renting out your home. Turning your home into a long-term rental is a great way to boost your income and investment portfolio. Just be sure to consider all the factors involved (both general and coronavirus-specific) to make sure it’s right for you. In no time, you could be renting out your home and raking in the cash!
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 Any new undertaking is bound to prompt questions, especially when it involves a large sum of money. As you dive into your first investment property, you’re probably wondering how to select a promising property, how to attract future renters, and what your responsibilities will be. Read on as we explore all this in detail! What Makes for a Promising Property? There are many things that contribute to how profitable an investment property is. Topping the list is location. For example, when you look at the available data, Virginia offers a profitable rental market, both for short- and long-term rental properties. The vacation rental market and the residential market both reflect a strong history, with the price-to-rent ratio teetering on the top edge favorability for renters. That means residential renters will find it more desirable to rent than buy when they examine their finances. Beyond the numbers, the property itself should offer desirability to renters. Residential renters will look carefully at things like the suburb, available storage, and neutral decor. Evolve notes vacationers, on the other hand, search for things like a useful kitchen, wifi availability, parking, and pet-friendliness. In both cases, eye appeal will always be important, and better renters will be willing to pay more for an aesthetically pleasing environment. How Do You Attract Renters? Once you settle on a property, you’ll want to ensure it both attracts quality renters and is reasonably easy to maintain. For a vacation rental, this might mean including classic and well-made furniture, ample lighting, and a touch of luxury. For both vacation and residential properties, it should include upgrades like refreshed cabinetry, newly painted walls, low-maintenance (but well-maintained) landscaping, and hardwood floors. Selections like these will spark interest from renters while ensuring your upkeep is minimal. For example, hardwood floors will stand up far better to renter wear and tear than carpet, and they are in high demand these days. Even if renters ding it up, the average cost to refinish hardwood comes in at $3 to $8 per square foot, which is unlikely to be needed very often. On the other hand, carpet would most likely require replacement more frequently, and would look worn as soon as the first grape juice gets spilled. Per Carpet Captain, you can expect the lowest end carpet to run $1 per square foot. Of course, once your property is all prettied up, you need to get the word out about what a great location it’s in, and how beautiful and comfortable it is. BiggerPockets points out that since everyone is shopping online these days, professional photos are a must for effective property marketing. Your online listing should include all the pertinent details, such as space, amenities, parking, and pet-friendliness, and you might consider some incentives to draw your initial clientele. A bonus night or free month can make your place all the more tantalizing to prospective renters.
What Are Your Responsibilities? As a property owner, your responsibilities center around providing a functional and safe living space. That means when things break, it falls to you to ensure they get repaired in a timely manner. The more responsive you are to requests, the better chance you have of getting and keeping quality renters, too. This means late-night calls, bills from repairmen, and so forth. Some property owners elect to pass the daily grind to a property management company. These professional services can tackle everything from properly screening tenants to hiring maintenance work while you enjoy passive income. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay a property management agency between 8 and 12 percent of the monthly rent. It’s normal to have a lot of questions buzzing through your mind when you are investing a large sum of money. Take things slowly and do it the right way. That’s the primary secret in ensuring a favorable outcome with your first investment property. |
AuthorPeter writes for his local magazine, Country Zest & Style, as its Wine Editor. He also enjoys writing blogs on interesting and pertinent real estate matters, so please follow! Archives
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