Profitable Rental Property

Profitable Rental Property

Are you looking to purchase a residential rental property? The idea can be daunting for a first-time investor. Real estate is a tough business and the field is peppered with land mines that can obliterate your returns. Here are the most important things to consider while shopping for an income property.

1. Neighborhood

The neighborhood in which you buy will determine the types of tenants you attract and your vacancy rate. If you buy near a university, the chances are that students will dominate your pool of potential tenants and you will struggle to fill vacancies every summer. Also be aware that some towns attempt to discourage rental conversions by imposing exorbitant permit fees and piling on the red tape.

2. Property Taxes

Property taxes are likely to vary widely across your target area, and you want to be aware of how much you will be losing to them. High property taxes are not always a bad thing in a great neighborhood that attracts long-term tenants, but there are lousy places with high taxes, too. The municipality's assessment office will have all the tax information on file, or you can talk to homeowners in the community. It is also wise to find out if property tax increases are likely in the near future. A town in financial distress may hike taxes far beyond what a landlord can realistically charge in rent.

3. Schools

If you're dealing with family-sized homes, consider the quality of the local schools. Although you will be mostly concerned about the monthly cash flow, the overall value of your rental property comes into play when you eventually sell it. If there are no good schools nearby, it can affect the value of your investment.

4. Future Development

The municipal planning department will have information on new development that is coming or has been zoned into the area. If there is a lot of construction going on, it is probably a good growth area. Watch out for new developments that could hurt the price of surrounding properties. Additional new housing could also compete with your property.

5. Average Rents

Rental income will be your bread-and-butter, so you need to know what the average rent in the area is. Make sure any property you consider will bear enough rent to cover your mortgage payment, taxes, and other expenses

6. Natural Disasters

Insurance is another expense that you will have to subtract from your returns, so you need to know just how much it's going to cost you. If an area is prone to earthquakes or flooding, coverage costs can eat away at your rental income.

Need more help understanding the rental property? Just leave us a comment with what you would like to know. Our Nimmadhi experts are always here to help.