Rental properties are far from inexpensive investments. Between purchasing, maintaining and managing your first rental, you’re likely to expend a fair amount of capital. And given how much money you’ll be putting into this investment, it’s only natural that you’d want to see healthy returns. While getting the most out of your first rental property can present some challenges, it should be well within the abilities of any investor who isn’t afraid of a little work.
Educate Yourself on the Market
If you have little to no knowledge of the real estate market, it’s strongly recommended that you seek advice from seasoned investors. So, if you have any friends, family members, coworkers or neighbors who have found success through real estate investments, don’t hesitate to get in touch and explain your situation. First-time investors whose social circles are bereft of real estate gurus are urged to reach out to knowledgeable real estate investment companies. Experienced pros will be able to educate you on the basics of location research, the tenets of profitable properties and a bevy of other important subjects. For example, if you’ve been wondering, “Is it a good time to invest in real estate?,” they’ll be more than happy to address this question in detail.
Look for Properties in Profitable Locales
To help ensure the success of your first rental property investment, you’ll need to seek out properties in profitable locales. After all, it should as no surprise that rentals found in areas with ample demand for housing tend to be more profitable than rentals in areas where housing demand is virtually nonexistent. With this in mind, never commit to purchasing a rental property without first researching its location.
In the course of your research, make sure to take a close look at an area’s population size, local economy, property values and rental rates. All of this info should provide you with a clear picture of how in-demand an area is and how much you stand to profit from investing in a local rental. So, no matter how in love you are with a property, you should never forgo proper location research.
Ensure That You’re Aware of Any Outstanding Problems
Investing in a rental property that’s brimming with outstanding issues can prove intensely frustrating and financially ruinous – especially if you don’t become aware of said issues until after the sale has been finalized. In the interest of preventing such an unfortunate outcome, insist on having any rental you’re thinking about purchasing thoroughly inspected by a certified professional. This will ensure that you know exactly what you’ll be getting should you follow through with a purchase.
Furthermore, the benefits of a formal property inspection don’t stop there. If an inspection turns up problems that you – and possibly even the seller – had not been aware of, you’ll be in a good position to request a price reduction that reflects the cost of fixing those issues. Additionally, depending on the scale of certain issues and the financial burden of addressing them, an inspection may show you that a property is an unwise use of your resources.
Make Sure to Screen All Prospective Renters
No matter how nice your first rental is or how profitable an area it’s located in, tenants who can’t – or won’t – pay rent can dramatically diminish your monthly profits. To limit your chances of ending up with such tenants, you’ll need to screen everyone who submits a rental application. Among other things, a good screening process entails taking a close look at an applicant’s employment situation, confirming that they make enough to comfortably afford rent and getting in touch with any references they list. Should you lack the time to personally screen every applicant, consider working with a dedicated screening service.
It’s easy to see why so many rental property investors are determined to generate the highest possible ROI. Considering how much capital goes into the average rental property, it’s only natural that they’d strive for favorable returns. While success is never a guarantee in such endeavors, there are numerous steps investors can take to minimize their chances of disappointment. So, if you’re determined to get the most out of your first rental property, put the pointers discussed above to practical use.
