The Coronavirus pandemic has brought about numerous changes. One of these is record low mortgage rates – and because of that, the U.S. housing market has been on the rise. In fact, as of mid-August (2020), sales of existing homes jumped by roughly 30%, following a three-month slump, and leading to a seller’s market. Housing [...]
Florida is a great place to own rental property. For those who are on either of the coasts, both short and long-term rentals can be quite lucrative with snowbirds and families seeking a warm climate and the sound of the ocean waves. The central part of the state is also a filled with opportunity for [...]
With the 2020 hurricane season squarely upon us, most homeowners and tenants alike are concerned about making preparations and staying safe. One of the most common methods for keeping windows and doors in-tact is the installation of hurricane shutters. These shutters – which are typically affixed to the outside of a structure – are used [...]
With the recent spike in Coronavirus cases, expanding your rental real estate business may not be the first thing on your mind these days. But for investors who are in a position to do so, there could be some added perks based on the provisions of the CARES Act legislation. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and [...]
One of a rental property owners worst fears is incurring damage and/or vandalism on an investment when a home or unit is unoccupied. There are any number of risks that could be incurred on a vacant property – such as burglary, storm damage, or fire – and sometimes these can go undetected for a much [...]
While many residential real estate investors place a key focus on generating income, it is just as important – if not more – to increase the value of your property(ies). One reason for this is so that you can ultimately increase the amount of rent that you charge. But there can other nice benefits, too, [...]
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we work and live, possibly far into the distant future – and because of that, both homes and businesses will need to either adapt or face an uncertain road ahead. With that in mind, how can residential rental property investors appeal to potential new tenants, and keep current [...]
With the roller coaster stock market movements over the past several months, it is not uncommon to see daily – or even hourly – up and down swings in the three- and four-digit range. So, if you have any equity and/or other market-related holdings, you may be worried about how these unpredictable stock market shifts [...]
Most rental property investors have two common goals – to attain passive monthly income and to build equity so that they can eventually sell at a profit. But unfortunately, many of these same investors pay much more tax than they have to, which can end up “costing” a great deal of money over time. In [...]
As most residential investment property owners know, it is typically much easier to keep your current tenant(s) in place than it is to go out and find new ones. So, if your renters have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, it is possible that they may have trouble with their rent payments going forward. In [...]
As we continue to move through our “new normal,” it is clear that many types of business transactions will take place online going forward. This includes how we advertise investment property for potential new tenants. But with so many sites available on the Internet, how can you narrow down the best ones? Here are three [...]
As we continue to grapple with our “new normal” during the COVID-19 outbreak, there are many areas of life where things that we once took for granted have now morphed into much more detailed processes. Take, for instance, stopping by the grocery store to pick up a loaf of bread and (hopefully) a few rolls [...]
The COVID-19 virus has affected the way we work, shop, and learn - and even the way we live – not just in the U.S., but around the globe. Yet, there are many people who might still be in transition now and require a new place to call home. With that in mind, is now [...]
While most of the country is staying home to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 (coronavirus), others need to continue conducting business as usual – and this includes rental property owners and landlords. So, how can you safely show rental property in Florida to prospective tenants during these challenging times, while still maintaining social [...]
Life as we know it has changed drastically over just the past few weeks due to the Coronavirus. While this pandemic has had an impact on our personal lives – such as steering clear of most public places and practicing social distances – it has also affected the income of rental property owners in Florida. [...]
If you own rental property in Orlando and/or the surrounding Central Florida area, you’ve likely made a very good choice in terms of your investment. That’s because – in addition to the roller coaster stock market, where you could essentially lose thousands of dollars every day – a recent report from the landlord-software TurboTenant found [...]
While purchasing a personal residence and an investment property are both considered sizable financial transactions, the way you go about funding them can differ – in some cases, significantly. So, how can you find the right lender for your rental / investment property purchases? Certainly, one option is to check with a bank or other [...]
Sometimes, even tenants with the best of intentions must vacate a property before their lease is up. When this is the case, there are a couple of things that could happen. One is that you must market the unit or property for lease again, in hopes of finding another tenant quickly. Another is that the former [...]
For many Central Florida real estate investors, the either / or between investing in single family or multi-family properties can be a challenge. One reason for this is because, like many other things in life, there can be pros and cons to both. But going in with a full understanding of the advantages and the [...]
If you’ve been contemplating the purchase of a (or another) rental property in Orlando, you might be wondering whether a single family house or condo will be your better money-maker. The good news is that either answer could be right – depending on what you’re looking for in an investment. For instance, condominiums are typically [...]
One way that many real estate investors are making things easier on themselves is by using various technologies. Just like in most other industries, the right technology can help to save both time and money. As the owner of residential rental property, you’re likely well aware that the way you manage your investment(s) has a [...]
Making your Orlando rental property stand out can be somewhat difficult with a plethora of other options available to renters. So, just like any other item or service that’s trying to gain the attention of purchasers, you’ll need to make your offering different. One way to do that is by sprucing up the kitchen with [...]
While the goal of many investment property owners is to generate a “passive” stream of rental income (as well as to garner several attractive tax-related benefits), the process can be easier in states that are considered to be “landlord friendly.” The good news is that Florida is one of those states! One of the top reasons [...]
Although rental property can provide you with a steady – and passive – income stream, there may come a time that you decide to sell, move on and pursue other investment opportunities, or even to just simplify your life. But before you put up the For Sale sign, it is important to determine whether or [...]
With the 2008 economic downturn still fresh on most peoples’ minds, there has been talk lately about another recession that could be heading our way. If it comes to fruition, what can it mean for rental property owners? With the possibility of lowering interest rates in the future (in a recession), it could mean that [...]
With the fall season quickly approaching, many investment property owners have concerns about finding good tenants for their vacancies. Similar to the process of selling a home in the fall and winter months, renters can be harder to find – especially those who have children that are just beginning a new school year (and don’t [...]
As a real estate investor, it’s likely that you’re already familiar with the many favorable tax-related benefits that owning rental property can have. Depreciation, expenses, and even the mortgage interest can offer some nice deduction opportunities each year at tax time. But what happens when you’re in the market to sell your current rental units and [...]
One of a rental property owner’s worst fears is having a vacant unit that requires ongoing carrying costs. In fact, the longer a property sits empty, the more expensive it can get both from a monetary standpoint, as well as the likelihood of vandalism. Even worse than a vacant unit, though, is filling a property [...]
Even if your rental properties hold the best of tenants, real estate investors are never fully immune from lawsuits – even ones that may be frivolous. So, it is important that you protect yourself…just in case. One way to do so is to own your real estate investments through a Limited Liability Company, or LLC. [...]
If you’ve found an ideal property that can be used as a rental, one of the most difficult components of the purchase process is finding the money to get the deal done. This is particularly the case if you already own other properties and could present a higher financial risk to a more traditional lender. [...]
Insurance is oftentimes considered a financial “necessary evil.” That’s because even though no one likes to pay any type of insurance premiums, when the time comes to file a claim, the benefits that are received are a welcome relief. So, as an investment property owner in Florida, are your tenants required to purchase renters insurance? In [...]
One of the last things that an investment property owner wants is an empty unit that isn’t producing any incoming cash flow. That’s because, every day that goes by, revenue is being lost. So, how can you make your rental property stand out and be more attractive so that potential tenants not only notice it, but [...]
If you’ve owned rental property for any length of time, then it’s likely that you’ve received at least one call from a tenant, informing you that the air conditioner is on the fritz, the dryer is only blowing cold air, and / or the refrigerator isn’t keeping food cold. While these types of calls can be [...]
As another hurricane season is upon us in Central Florida, it’s time to think about how to prepare your Orlando rental properties, both physically and financially, to best minimize damage. During this time, which officially begins on June 1st and ends on November 30th, the formation of tropical cyclones in the Northern Hemisphere is more [...]
One of the worst situations that a real estate investor can have is paying expenses on an empty unit, without receiving any incoming cash flow. So, getting the word out to potential tenants can be crucial for generating income from the rental property. While there are a number of ways to advertise available rental property, [...]
With another hurricane season right around the corner, it’s important to prepare your rental properties in Florida from potential damage that could occur. Each year, May 15th through November 30th are considered the peak dates for hurricanes to take place along both the Atlantic seaboard and the Gulf Coast. While you certainly can’t prevent hurricane [...]
Any type of real property should be insured against potential damages. This is particularly the case in areas like Central Florida where the likelihood of natural disasters like hurricanes exists. But, while you can protect yourself and your investment with property insurance, what about the personal items of your tenants? This is where renter’s insurance [...]