So one of the first things to note when purchasing your first single-family rental home is to establish clearly defined end goals. Before starting your property search, you can take some time to find out what attributes you are searching for in your investment property. For instance, you can be seeking properties in a certain area, with a specific number of bedrooms, or minimum square footage. By knowing the specifics, you can refine your search criteria and locate potential properties faster.
In addition to knowing what attributes you are seeking for in a property, it is important to be financially prepared to purchase an investment property. Industry experts suggest that you pay off your personal debt and save for a down payment before beginning your property search. Reduced personal debt will help you to be eligible for more favorable loan rates, since almost all mortgage loans for an investment property will require a 20% down payment. Financing in advance is another crucial step, but stay alert for high-interest loans or mortgage products that seem a little too good to be true. By prequalifying with a reputable mortgage lender, you will be ready to seize the investment opportunities as they arrive. By making financial readiness a priority, you can more confidently buy that rental property when the time comes.
After these important preliminary steps have been taken, the search for the right property begins. The essential thing to consider during your search is that you will run a series of numbers on each prospective property, including your margins, operating expenses, and expected return. A lot of new investors make grave errors here.
New investors often fail to consider all of the expenses related to purchasing and preparing the rental property for lease, as well as ongoing property management, maintenance, and vacancy costs. Industry experts suggest a margin goal of 10% and a 6% return in your first year means that you have a profitable investment.
It is necessary to keep in mind that an investment property is just that, an investment. It is not a smart idea to get attached to a particular property or allow emotions to guide your decisions. Likewise, the property you buy is not necessarily a property that you would ever live in yourself. For your first investment, industry experts recommend opting for low-cost properties in high-demand areas. But avoid fixer-uppers, unless you are a highly qualified specialist in home remodeling or know a quality contractor who will do the work for less than the going rate. Your first single-family rental property should be seen as the first phase towards a long and profitable investment career, or perhaps an end in itself. You need to stay on track and keep your investment properties in the black.
If you’ve found your perfect investment property, make sure you find the right Mars property management team. Communicate with Real Property Management Three Rivers at 724-804-8254 now.