Category: Landlord Education

Did you know that owning out-of-state rental property is gaining in popularity among savvy investors? While it‘s more convenient to own real estate close to where you reside, investing in property located in various hotspots can increase investment profitability.   Tom Schneider shares four key reasons for purchasing an out-of-state rental property.   To invest in geographic areas where population and job growth are robust.  To diversify a rental property portfolio with markets that best …

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Inside  Pack your “inspection kit.” Include a small tub of spackling, putty knife, marker and labels, small, lightweight electrical item, notepad, and pen.  Go through and clean the rental – this is a fast clean to make repairs and maintenance easier. We’ll discuss a final professional cleaning later.  Complete a thorough examination –starting at the front door and …

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Summer is coming soon, and the heat is rising in the Southwest. Preparing now will save you much landlord stress later. Of course, high on the list is ensuring your AC is ready to beat the heat waves. Have your ductwork professionally cleaned. It not only improves airflow, which cuts down on utility costs, but …

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One of the essential principles to successful real estate investment is learning about it before jumping on board. You don’t dive into a pool without knowing the water depth. Neither should you dive into the rental property market without seeking expert advice.  There are, of course, multiple sources, but one that we highly recommend is the book Building Wealth One House at …

Continue reading “Book Review: Building Wealth One House at a Time by John W. Schaub”

When someone owns a business, they typically say their customers are their boss, and 5-star customer service is the key to company growth. The same principle applies when you are a landlord. The best way to engage and then retain great tenants, thereby keeping your investment producing cash flow, is to deliver top-notch customer service to your tenants. In …

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Building a portfolio of rental properties is a step toward financial security. However, it is not as simple as just buying one property, and then another, and another . . .  A well-developed portfolio begins with a specific financial goal and an organized plan to achieve it. For example, Zach has three children. The oldest one …

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The issue at hand– You have a chunk of money (perhaps you received an inheritance, an annuity matured, you sold an asset, etc.), or you have a monthly increase (a raise, a debt paid, a rental property mortgage paid off). The question– Should I pay down/off my home mortgage, pay off a current rental property mortgage, or invest in …

Continue reading “Pay Off Mortgage vs Investing in a Rental Property”

In previous articles, we discussed tax deductions for landlords and repairs vs. improvements. Today we‘ll offer insight into ‘safe harbors.‘ The IRS offers three variations, which can help landlords sidestep the “Is this a repair or an improvement issue.“   Safe harbor for small taxpayers  Safe harbor for routine maintenance  De Minimis safe harbor    Safe Harbor for Small Taxpayers (SHST)   The SHST permits …

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Maintaining your rental property is a given. From minor repairs to major renovations, these repairs and improvements can be deducted from your taxable income. The key is knowing the difference between a repair and an improvement. Repairs can be fully deducted in the year you experienced it. Improvements, however, must be depreciated over multiple years.   …

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The many benefits of owning rental properties are well known.  Unlike other investments, real estate has various avenues for profitability such as: monthly cash flow, property appreciation, equity growth from mortgage paydown, and the ability to use depreciation to reduce tax expenses.  ALL GOOD THINGS! Of course, it’s important to properly report income, expenses and …

Continue reading “Tax Time – Your Rental Property Meets April 15th”