Pros and Cons of Purchasing A Fixer-Upper Property

Whether you’re just starting out in real estate investing or you’re looking to build your portfolio, investing in a fixer-upper could be something you’re considering. Like most things in investing, fixer-uppers can come with many benefits but also many risks.

Let’s dive into a few pros and cons of purchasing a fixer-upper property so you can make an informed decision on whether this is the best option for you as an investor.

Pro #1: Lower Purchase Price

Fixer-upper homes tend to have lower purchase prices because the sellers understand the home will need some work prior to moving in. Even though you will need/want to put additional money into the property for repairs, initially, you’ll have a lower purchase price and a lower down payment than you would have if you purchased a property that’s more move-in ready.

Pro #2: Ability To Customize

Sometimes fixer-uppers will need to be gutted entirely, giving you the option to customize the property and make it exactly what you want. This gives you the ability to really think about what features matter most to your renters and make sure they’re included in your property. Renters like to see updated kitchens and bathrooms, so adding new countertops, cabinetry, and even a fresh coat of paint will go a long way.

Con #1: Expensive Repairs

Fixer-upper homes often come with a lot of repairs, which can get costly. It can be easy to get carried away and go over budget when it comes to making repairs and making the property what you want it to be. 

Con #2: Unexpected Surprises 

Even if you have a home inspection completed, there will sometimes be unexpected issues along the way. These issues can lead to even more expensive repairs and a longer time period for repairs to be completed, which can affect your timeline. 

Purchasing a fixer-upper property is a great option for adding more to your portfolio. If you have any questions about fixer-upper properties, reach out to us! We would love to provide our expertise and help in any way we can! 

Benefits of Buying An Investment Property Before Your First Home

Purchasing your first home is an exhilarating moment and a huge life milestone, but with all the excitement comes the financial side. Homes are expensive and require monthly mortgage payments, property taxes, unexpected repairs, home updates, and more. 

Many people consider purchasing an investment property before buying their first home to help with their financial commitment. Let’s dive into a few benefits below.

Cash Flow

The biggest benefit to buying an investment property before your first home is the monthly cash flow they provide. Purchasing an investment property and finding tenants to rent it out can provide a steady stream of income that can help you save up for future investments, like your first home. 

Build Equity

Another huge benefit is building equity. Investment properties allow you to get your foot in the door and build equity until you can afford to purchase a home in the neighborhood you want. As a property owner, you can eventually leverage enough cash for the home you want and have more opportunities for mortgage loans. 

Tax Benefits

Owning a rental property also comes with many tax benefits. One of the biggest tax deductibles for property owners is interest, including on your mortgage loan or if you use a credit card. 

Other tax benefits include:

  • Operating expenses
  • Cost of repair
  • Use of personal property
  • Travel expenses
  • Legal services

Increase Your Wealth

While real estate investments can require a lot of dedication and patience to be successful, they can increase your overall wealth. Real estate investments appreciate over time, which is excellent for your future wealth when you sell the home.

If you have any questions about purchasing an investment property before your first home, reach out to us! We are always here to help.

Summer Maintenance Tips For Your Investment Property

Summertime is just around the corner! Summer is usually the time of year when people are looking to move into a new property or renew their existing lease agreement, making it the perfect time to schedule annual inspections and handle any issues or repairs.

Here are some tips to prepare your investment property for the summer.

Inspect HVAC System

The last thing you need as a landlord in the summer is your tenants complaining the air conditioner is broken on the hottest day of the year. Do yourself a favor and have your HVAC system inspected by checking the filters and cleaning out the coils. If you don’t consistently maintain your HVAC system, it can start to lose efficiency, making utility bills higher than usual. 

Clean Out Dryer Vents

If you have a laundry room in-unit or in the building, having the dryer vents cleaned out is a good idea. If our tenants notice their clothes take a little longer to dry or are hotter to the touch when removed from the dryer, these are signs to have the dryer vents cleaned. This tends to be forgotten, but it doesn’t take long to do and can prevent dryer fires, saving you time and money down the road.

Tend To The Yard

Make sure your curb appeal looks its best by sprucing up the landscaping and taking care of the lawn. Take time to mow the lawn, remove overgrown weeds, and trim back bushes. In addition to lawn maintenance, you might want to have the sidewalks and patios power washed so they’re nice and clean for your tenants. This is important to do throughout the year, but more important now when tenants will be spending more time outside.

Handle Repairs 

Minor repairs like chipping paint or broken handrails are important to handle now, so everything is fixed for new or existing tenants. If you have multiple properties, do a walkthrough to ensure nothing has gone unnoticed and everything is in working order for summer.

Once these summer maintenance tips are handled, you can enjoy your summer! If you have any questions or need recommendations on preparing your properties for summer, reach out to us! We are always here to help!

How To Make Your Rental Property Stand Out

When advertising your Round Rock rental property, you want to make sure it stands out against other local rental properties. Each day your property sits empty is money out of your pocket. Here are a few tips to make sure it gets rented out quickly.

Curb Appeal

When prospective tenants are looking for rentals, they are looking online. The first pictures they see are of the exterior of the home, so you’ll want to make sure it looks nice. Make sure the weeds are pulled, the lawn is well-manicured, and trash cans are put away. You don’t need to go overboard, but small things will make a big difference. 

Staging

It’s hard to envision where the furniture will go and what the property will look like if it’s vacant – so consider staging the home to help tenants get a better idea. Avoid bringing in any personal items, but items to make the property feel more inviting that can help tenants imagine what it’s like to live there are helpful.

Repairs and Updates

Take care of your rental properties and make repairs and updates as needed. Even when you don’t have a tenant living in the property, make sure to clean regularly and make sure everything is in working condition. 

Know Your Competition

There are many rental properties in Greater Austin, and we want prospective tenants to choose yours. So make sure you do your research and know what else is out there. You can use this information to point out what’s special about your property compared to others in the area. 

 

At the end of the day, focus on what makes your property special against all others in the area. Keep it simple and do what you can to make it shine. If you have any questions or need recommendations, reach out to us!

 

DIY Fouls: 4 of the Worst DIY Mistakes Homeowners Can Make on Investment Properties

While it may seem like a good idea to save a buck and perform investment property repairs yourself, DIY repair projects don’t always pay off, and things can get ugly rather quickly. Stay away from these common DIY mistakes that homeowners make, and leave them to the licensed repair professionals.

#1 Drywall Repairs. An extra coat of paint is no biggie, but if your investment property’s walls are in need of drywall repairs from things like cracking around windows (generally speaking, if you can stick a coin in it, there’s a problem), settling around door frames, or holes in the wall, it’s tricky to get it right on your own. Enlist the help of a drywall professional who has the tools and experience to repair the issue correctly.

#2 HVAC Repairs. Your investment property’s heating and air conditioning systems are complex, and they’re often connected to gas and electrical lines. Making a small mistake can jeopardize the system and lead to costly repairs. Hire a licensed HVAC technician to correct any problems.

#3 Electrical Repairs. Installing a ceiling fan or a simple light fixture isn’t usually a big deal. However, when you start dealing with circuitry and breaker boxes in your investment property, the potential of seriously injuring yourself or starting a fire increases dramatically. Electricians are up-to-date on all the recent code requirements, and they have the advantage of working with electrical systems daily. It may seem like a good idea to go it alone, but don’t fall prey to this DIY mistake.

#4 Plumbing Repairs. Incorrectly repair a plumbing issue, and you’ll find yourself in a lot of hot water, no pun intended. While a leaky toilet in your investment property may appear easy to fix, the problem can escalate, or there may be more to the issue than meets the eye. Because water damage is serious and expensive to fix, start at the right place, right from the beginning: hire a licensed plumber.

While it may be exciting to put on your DIY cape when it comes to your investment property, resist the urge–at least on these four important items. Spending the extra money to have a licensed repair professional evaluate the issue prevents DIY mistakes from turning into costly DIY problems.

Have a real estate or investment property question? Reach out to me anytime.