Hard Money Facts

Here are some key red flags to keep in mind before signing that lease and turning over your property.

When you’ve successfully launched your first rental investment—maybe you've renovated the place and stayed within budget, tenants are secured, and you have consistent cash flow coming in—it can feel like you’ve cracked the code. Passive income, long-term equity growth, and tax advantages are just a few of the reasons smart investors look to investing in rental properties in the first place. But the real momentum starts when you go from one or two properties to building a full-scale portfolio.

So, how do you scale strategically and what should you keep in mind as you grow? We've outlined a few smart strategies to help you build your rental empire, one property at a time.

As the new year approaches, it's the perfect time to set fresh goals and shape your investment strategies for success in 2025. Real estate investment properties offer exceptional opportunities to build wealth, but maximizing returns requires a thoughtful plan. Here are some key steps to help guide your investment property strategies and make 2025 your most profitable year yet. 

Rental properties continue to be a popular investment option, offering the potential for steady passive income and long-term financial security. However, success in this area requires careful planning, knowledge of the market, and a clear investment strategy. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or new to real estate, we've outlined four of the most important things to consider when investing in rental properties today.

As you trade those shorts and tanks for sweaters and fireside blankets, try not to get too cozy—motivated real estate investors know that this chilly season can offer a hotbed of opportunities. From less competition to potential tax deferment, we're outlining some compelling reasons why winter might just be the perfect time to get your next project underway.

As we move further into 2024, the real estate market continues to evolve, with suburban areas emerging as prime spots for rental property investments. The pandemic’s lasting impact on work-life dynamics has driven many families and professionals to seek more space and a better quality of life outside urban centers. For real estate investors, this shift presents a golden opportunity. Let’s explore some of the hottest suburban markets for rental properties in 2024.

Rising interest rates and inflation shouldn’t deter you from acquiring long-term rental properties.

In the current market, it can be difficult to determine whether now is the right time to acquire long-term rental properties. Interest rates are still on the rise. According to Bank Rate, the current average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage is 7.04%, up 12 basis points since September 30, 2022. While inflation appears to be leveling out on some fronts, the buying power of average American families cannot withstand the high cost of money today. This is forcing many Americans to step back and assess the feasibility of buying a home right now.

So, why is it still the right time for the SFR investor to acquire long-term single-family rental properties?

UNLOCKING THE VALUE OF SFR INVESTMENTS

When it comes to investing in single-family real estate (SFR), the best investors are focused, disciplined and strategic. In this article, we’ll explore the merits of two different investment strategies:

• Strategy 1: Fix and Flip (buy, rehab, sell)
• Strategy 2. Fix and Hold (buy, rehab, rent)

On the surface, these investment strategies seem quite simple, almost colloquial to the conversations held at almost every cocktail party or backyard BBQ. Who doesn’t have a friend or family member who told them the story of a house they bought low, sold high, and took the profit to the bank?

By that same token, with the maturity of the SFR asset class over the past decade, who hasn’t heard of the BRRR method—the Rich-Dad-Poor-Dad approach to wealth creation via real estate? Or, knows someone in their circle with a small portfolio of rental houses that provides passive income on the side. The investment in housing as a side hustle or full-time profession seems almost as old as the American Dream of home ownership.

But investing in single-family real estate is not as easy as the newest HGTV show would have you believe. As stated earlier, it requires focus, discipline, and strategy. And the best SFR investors combine the art of the flip with the science of the rental as they walk toward the finish line of wealth creation. If all we have is time and money, let’s explore how we can best utilize both for ultimate success in this game, otherwise known as single-family rental investments.

Demand for affordable single-family homes is (still) astronomical! If you're a seasoned rehab professional, you know that between sky-high prices and bidding wars, getting your hands on an affordable rehab has been challenging. The good news is that once you get a property under contract, your margins for profit are strong – short term and long term. But, given market conditions, now may be the right time to go long on single-family rental properties to build wealth over time. With interest rates rising, the cost of a mortgage may force prospective buyers to keep renting. And given the stark reality of inflationary pressures in this market, investors can use single-family real estate investment to hedge inflation while building wealth over time.