Green Residential
When you purchase a home, you have to deal with a lot, so when someone mentions the possibility of home warranty protection, you might feel confused. You already have to purchase homeowner’s insurance; why would you need the extra protection of a warranty?… [Read More]
Being a landlord is essentially a customer service job under a different name. You’re providing services in the form of a place to live, while your tenants pay you in the form of rent. Just as retail stores don’t want to lose a good customer, you don’t want to lose a good tenant at the end of a lease…. [Read More]
One of the more interesting aspects of being a homeowner is that you’re simultaneously focused on two different priorities. First off, you want to enjoy your home. So you choose a style you like, perform small renovations, and invest in home improvements that fit your lifestyle. But secondly, you’re focused on the next buyer. Any time you do something to your house or see something in your neighborhood, you’re thinking about how it will influence the resale value of your home…. [Read More]
When you have a vacancy at your property, you’ll be tempted to fill it as soon as possible. But in most cases, it’s better to carefully screen your tenants, so you can be sure you fill the property with a candidate who will pay you consistently, on time, and preferably for as long a period as possible…. [Read More]
Many people want to become a landlord because they view it as a somewhat hands-off position. You can hypothetically buy a property, find a tenant, and sit back while you collect rent payments and only respond to issues as needed…. [Read More]
Once you buy a property, there are a few things you won’t be able to change (or change easily). You can’t change the location of the property, or improve the school district, or reduce the crime rates. But there are many updates you can make to the property—sometimes exceedingly simple ones—that will attract more tenants and keep them happier over the next several months and years…. [Read More]
Much like the prices in the stock market, the prices of properties in a given neighborhood can cycle up or down, based on external variables. Hypothetically, you can use these swings to your advantage—especially if you’re considering buying a new home or selling your old one…. [Read More]
Although lease agreements, rent collection, property maintenance, and cash flow tend to get the most attention in landlording circles, it’s a grave mistake to overlook the importance of property marketing. Without a marketing strategy, you’ll find it difficult to stand out in a crowded market that offers plenty of inventory…. [Read More]
Buying a home and taking out a mortgage have essentially become synonymous over the years. Almost everyone takes out a loan to purchase a house, but that doesn’t mean you have to.
It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to buy a house with cash, and, regardless of your income, you might actually be able to do this in the future…. [Read More]