Resources for Landlords and Real Estate Investors


Which Locations Make the Best Rental Investments?

Congratulations! You have decided to invest in a rental property. So, where do you go from there? How do you know which location is best? Let’s talk.  There isn’t a magic formula. Neither is the answer the same for every investor. On the other hand, there are key issues to consider. Here are six essentials.  Does the neighborhood primarily consist …

Investing in Out-of-State Rental Properties: Yay or Nay?

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 …

Preparing Your Investment Property for Rent – Inside and Out

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 …

Rentals America is a proud CarbonFree Corporate Partner of Carbonfund.org

Book Review: Building Wealth One House at a Time by John W. Schaub

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 …

Safe Harbors and Your Rental Property Tax Deductions

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 …