Green Residential
You aren’t in the business of buying and managing rental properties because it’s fun. In fact, you take on a lot of risk and deal with too many problems to be in it for some sort of service project. You do what you do because you want to generate some income. But before you go raising rent in an effort to increase income, consider the big picture. … [Read More]
Buying a new house is exciting, and most homeowners have at least some idea of what they’re looking for. You might have a picture of a two-story home with a certain style, and a specific number of bedrooms or bathrooms, but have you given much thought to the type of neighborhood you want to live in?
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Savvy real estate investors don’t just buy properties. No, the best investors develop a diversified portfolio that can withstand market fluctuations and provide multiple income streams. For Houston area landlords, this includes investing in workforce housing.
In Houston, the short-term rental market caters to a number of different populations, but historically there’s been a significant emphasis on snowbirds – largely older individuals who live in the South during the winter months. However, as Houston continues to become more popular as a hub of industry and business, there’s also more interest in short-term properties catering to professionals. These visitors may spend a few weeks to a few months at a time in the area for business purposes, but their movements are less predictable than that of snowbirds.
Are you struggling to communicate with your tenants? If so, you’re not alone. Many Texas landlords have a hard time getting tenants to call them back and report necessary repairs. When a tenant violates their lease agreement, there are confrontations and heated arguments.
Nobody wakes up one morning and suddenly decide they’re going to buy a house. Most of us require weeks and months of preparation to put ourselves in a position where we can follow through on such a vital financial decision.
As more states expand access to medical and even recreational marijuana, landlords are faced with a new question: do they have to permit marijuana use in their properties? On the recreational front, the question is fairly simple; just as landlords can ban cigarette smoking, they can also ban marijuana. When it comes to medical marijuana, however, the issue is not as clear.
Houston is one of the most important rental markets in the United States, with the third-highest number of apartments of any American city – but all isn’t well for the city’s tenants. In a recent study performed by the University of Texas School of Law, researchers determined that about 40% of Houston apartments were built between 1960 and 1979, a time period marked by lower safety standards. These conditions were made worse by Hurricane Harvey, which severely damaged about 43,000 units throughout the city. Taken together, a substantial portion of Houston’s apartment stock is in poor condition and may not be safe for their residents.
Are you a Houston homeowner considering selling your house? If so, now is the time to act. That’s because, according to experts, home prices are likely at their peak right now, and prices will begin to fall in 2020 with an expected recession. This recession is likely to hit during Q1, after initial predictions that said it would hit in late 2019, and job numbers will fall when it does finally arrive. Wait too long and you’ll be stuck with a house that won’t sell, or at least you’ll have to take a much lower price than you would if you sold now.
Even if you own a lovely home and have taken care of it for years, there’s no guarantee it’s going to sell in the timeframe you want. If you’re struggling to get any offers in the first few months of your listing, it may be a sign that something’s wrong.
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