In 2017, upwards of 75 percent of independent rental property owners in the U.S. reportedly worked another job on top of being a landlord. That means the overwhelming majority of landlords are attempting to juggle more than they can handle at times. However, there are organizational and strategic concepts that can maximize efficiency and profitability. Consider the following tips that bring property management tasks under three basic headings: organization, automation and outsourcing. Organization Matters One of the things that tends to overwhelm landlords is thinking about the rental … [Read More...]
The drama of home and garden TV shows may be fun to watch, but no matter what you think, reality shows are not at all like real life. If you think it's easy to buy a house that needs updating and turn it quickly for substantial profit, you might want to think again. That doesn't necessarily mean, though, that you should shy away from the idea of buying a "fixer-upper" -- just that you should approach such a home purchase with eyes wide open. Here are some valuable tips: Buying a house that needs cosmetic updates can make financial sense, particularly if you're handy with a … [Read More...]
Last week's economic reports included readings on Case-Shiller home prices, pending home sales and construction spending. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were released, along with monthly labor-related reports on job creation and the national unemployment rate. Case-Shiller: Home Prices Maintain Rapid Growth S&P Case-Shiller home price indices for March showed home prices continued to grow at blazing rates. Seattle, Washington held on to first place with a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 13.00 percent; Las Vegas, Nevada reported 12.40 percent growth in home … [Read More...]
Buying a property out of foreclosure can be a very smart move, financially. But it can also be complicated, expensive, and stressful. Here are 5 things to keep in mind before you take a first step in that direction: Cash Or Preapproval Required Buying a house that has been returned to the lender through foreclosure means dealing with bureaucracy rather than with a motivated seller. Large lenders are notorious for taking their time to approve a contract, even if the offer is for the exact amount specified. Then there's the paperwork, which can seem endless. Most lenders require that … [Read More...]
While a kitchen herb garden or pot-grown tomatoes may be commonplace in both suburban backyards and on urban condo patios, an increasingly large number of homeowners look to backyard farming as a way to relieve some of the stresses of modern life. Other benefits include cutting grocery bills, living a more sustainable life, and teaching children about food. The New Food Landscape Do new trends signal a return to simpler times, or are they a pushback against higher food prices and loss of control over the food supply? Is it a lasting change that will spread across the … [Read More...]
When buying a home, there are certain steps a buyer should go through before the home sale is official. First the buyer makes the offer, then the offer is accepted. Next the buyer schedules the inspection and home appraisal. Finally, everyone is ready for closing. It’s easy to overlook the impact of some of these steps, but when it comes to a mortgage, the home appraisal is actually quite important. Banks want to see that they are lending money for an investment that is worthwhile, so that appraisal is a crucial step to getting financing. Here is what buyers need to know about how the … [Read More...]
