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Courses in this Department


Want to Invest in Real Estate?

How to Hire a Realtor

What's the Key to Locking in a Mortgage?

How to Improve Your Credit

Watch out for Mortgage Fraud

Need a Buyer-Broker?

Insure Your Home & Save Money

Avoid Trouble on Your Kids Mortgage

Downward Direction for Down Payments

How to Hire a Contractor

Save Money by Canceling Your PMI

Drop Your PMI Payments

Who's Watching your Deposit Money?

Remodeling Value: Your Best Investments

More Than One Way to Pay for Remodeling

File Early for Tax Refund

Types of Loans Available for the Self-Employed

Top Five Homeowner Tax Saving Ideas


 

Want to Invest in Real Estate?

Tired of the stock market? Now may be the time to invest in real estate. But financial experts caution against pulling out of stocks and investing lock, stock and barrel in real estate. It's no way to make a quick buck. But real estate can help you diversify your finances.

Rental property represents a totally different kind of investment. It's easy to buy or liquidate stocks with a quick call. But selling or purchasing a home can take months. And it can be expensive. The most viable rental home has three to four bedrooms and two baths. Such homes typically sell for $150,000 and up in the major metropolitan areas.

Experts say to invest for the long-term, with the idea that you'll own for 20 years or more. If you want liquid assets, maintain stocks and bonds. But the cash flow, appreciation, and tax benefits of rental property can be substantial, so long as your rent is sufficient to cover the mortgage and provide additional cash flow. That's quite possible with interest rates staying reasonable. The other advantage is you get to control the asset, more so than a mutual fund. Purchasing the right home in the right neighborhood could yield substantial returns over your initial investment.

How do you identify the best single family rental home? Follow these ten basic principles.

1 - Choose a community that promises future growth.

2 - Choose a home in a moderate price range.

3 - Invest enough money up front to achieve positive cash flow.

4 - Never purchase property on a busy street.

5 - Get an independent home inspection, roof inspection and termite inspection.

6 - Buy a standard tract home or moderately customized home on a standard lot.

7 - Research the community to assess its overall economic future.

8 - Choose a three to four bedroom home.

9 - Pick a home with a garage, that's a true garage, not a converted one.

10 - Avoid handyman specials or anything that requires more than cosmetic repairs.