EVICTION WEBINAR
Mike Stout and a guest panel of property experts discuss and answer your questions about the current state of evictions and the latest moratoriums.
CONVERTING YOUR HOME INTO A RENTAL? ASK THESE 3 QUESTIONS FIRST
Are you ready to move but not quite ready to sell your home? Whether you’re nervous to sell due to the pandemic or eager for a passive income opportunity, converting your home into a rental property can be a smart decision, especially if you use Screening Guy’s screening services to ensure you get the best tenants. However, it’s not always a sure thing. These are three big questions to ask yourself before deciding to become a landlord.
The Screening Guy offers resources to help landlords and property managers ensure they get quality tenants and avoid potential liability. In addition to using our site to find information on landlord-tenant laws, we recommend using True and Verified and the National Tenant Network to find high-quality renters. To learn more about our services, email ScreeningGuy@gmail.com or complete this form.
DO YOU WANT TO BE A LANDLORD?
This is the most important question to ask before making your home a rental property. If you’re not up for the responsibilities of landlordship — or can’t afford them — no amount of passive income will make owning a rental property worthwhile. That includes marketing the property, vetting tenants, handling maintenance and repairs, and upgrading the home. Routine maintenance could include everything from landscaping to HVAC repair to having the gutters cleaned.
There is one alternative for property owners who don’t want the responsibility of landlording: hiring a property management company. Professional property management can make your rental income truly passive by handling landlord duties on your behalf. But first, you need to make sure your property’s rental income potential is enough to cover the mortgage and property management fees.
WILL MARKET RENT COVER THE EXPENSES?
Passive income is a major draw for homeowners entering the rental marketplace. But are you sure your rental property will generate a profit?
If you own a paid-off home or bought years ago when prices were low, market rate rent may be more than enough to cover expenses and generate income. However, many first-time landlords are caught off guard by the high costs of managing a property. In addition to the mortgage, taxes, and insurance, landlords need to factor maintenance expenses, marketing and management fees, and vacancy rates into their calculations.
Research the local rental market to understand rent prices, vacancy rates, and which areas are popular with renters. If prices are low or the demand isn’t there, you may opt to sell instead. Luckily, there are things you can do to get a great price for your home even in a slow market.
WHAT ARE THE TAX RAMIFICATIONS?
While operating a rental can be costly, landlords get to deduct most expenses including mortgage interest, taxes, insurance, repairs, and depreciation. These deductions offset costs, but keep in mind that you may pay more in insurance and property taxes as an investment owner.
If you sell a rental property within three years of its conversion, you may be able to claim the principal residence gain exclusion, too. However, this tax perk only applies to properties that were used as a primary residence for two of the five years before a sale.
Tax rules for rental properties are complicated, especially when the property was originally used as a primary residence. To understand the tax ramifications of converting your home, read this guide and talk to your tax professional.
You may also want to consider forming an LLC to limit your liability and protect your assets. You can hire an attorney to create an LLC, but you can save by using a formation service.
TIPS FOR RENTING YOUR HOME DURING COVID-19
You’ve decided to take the plunge and rent your home. But now what? Navigating the rental market can be confusing during the coronavirus pandemic. Use these tips to get your property rented quickly and safely:
● Craft a strong listing. High-quality images and a well-written description help your listing stand out and minimize calls from renters who aren’t the right fit.
● Offer video tours. Want to limit in-person tours? Offer walkthroughs via FaceTime or Zoom and limit tours to serious renters only.
● Go paperless. Online background checks and document-sharing tools let landlords screen and sign tenants remotely during the pandemic.
● Offer shorter lease terms. In light of current economic uncertainty, some renters may be willing to pay more for a flexible lease agreement.
If you decide becoming a landlord isn’t for you, don’t wait to sell. Due to low housing inventory, it’s still a seller’s market. However, that could change depending on the course of the pandemic. Rather than trying to time the market, make the move that’s right for you right now.
Image via Unsplash
Article by: Ted James ted@tedknowsmoney.com
HOW TO ACQUIRE AND ESTABLISH A RENTAL PROPERTY
Purchasing a second home to rent out can be a great passive investment idea: You buy a house, your renters pay off your second mortgage and you’ll have supplemental income from your tenants’ rent payments. An investment property is real estate that you buy with the intention of earning investment returns through rental income, flipping the home and/or through resale in the future.
Data released by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2017 shows that 47 percent of rentals were owned by individual investors, and rental properties can generate 31 percent of the average landlord’s annual income.
Article Written By Bankrate Staff
Image Credit by https://www.pexels.com/@pixabay
NCLA CHALLENGES UNLAWFUL CDC ORDER THAT LEAVES LANDLORDS POWERLESS TO EVICT DELINQUENT TENANTS
Washington, DC (September 8, 2020) – Today the New Civil Liberties Alliance, a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights group, filed a complaint and request for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia challenging the authority of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to impose a nationwide “eviction moratorium.” In an unprecedented overreach, CDC issued a “Temporary Halt in Residential Evictions to Prevent Further Spread of COVID-19” order, effective September 4, 2020, “to temporarily halt residential evictions to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.”
LEANING RESOURCES FOR THOSE LOOKING TO SELL THEIR HOME DURING THE PANDEMIC
Are you selling your home amid this global pandemic? First of all, good for you! While it may come with its challenges, you shouldn’t postpone your hopes of selling. After all, no one really knows how long the effects of the pandemic will last.
By sticking with your plan and staying committed to the sale, you can keep moving forward with your life rather than allowing the pandemic to control your destiny. Of course, in order to do that, you will need to make some adjustments to your strategy and take some extra precautions—particularly when it comes to cleaning your home. And these resources are here to help you get started:
Cleaning Before a Showing
Giving your home a deep clean is critical prior to a showing:
● Keep your cleaning supply arsenal well-stocked so you can maintain a germ-free home.
● You should be vigilant about cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces.
● Furthermore, stock up on essential cleaning supplies like distilled white vinegar, surface scrubs, and Magic Erasers.
Cleaning After a Showing
Cleaning your home after each showing is just as important as cleaning it before.
● When cleaning after a showing, be sure to wear quality rubber gloves, and dispose of them once you’re done cleaning.
● Make sure your home is well ventilated as you clean; opening windows and turning on ceiling fans to air out the space.
● If you want to save time and energy while adding a layer of protection for your household, consider hiring a cleaning service.
Other Precautions to Consider
Along with cleaning, consider additional precautions that you can take to achieve a safe and effective showing.
● To reduce risks of exposure, consider utilizing virtual tours and drive-thru closings to sell your home.
● If you must show your home in person, provide visitors with hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes or spray.
● Ask visitors to remove their shoes or wear booties upon entering the home.
● Finally, turn and leave on lights before and during each showing so visitors don’t have to touch any light switches.
It might be challenging, but you can sell your home right now. Just be sure to make the necessary adjustments to your strategy and keep your home clean and sanitary throughout the process. And remember that getting a sale that you’re happy with will be worth all the time and effort you put in!
Written by Jackie Waters
STATES WHERE YOU ARE MOST LIKELY TO GET YOUR IDENTITY STOLEN
In 2019, the FTC received 650,572 identity theft reports—about 198 per 100,000 residents. These numbers represent an astonishing 46 percent increase since 2018 and nearly a 100 percent increase over the past five years. Coinciding with the rise in identity theft reports is an increase in data breaches—incidents in which an individual’s name and private or confidential information is exposed.