Are you thinking about investing in your first rental property? It’s a big step. But with careful research and some time and effort, it can be a great way to generate a passive income.
There’s a lot to consider before you start your journey to becoming a real estate mogul. In this article, we’ve put together a list of some important information that can help you on your road to building your real estate empire.
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Is a real estate investment the right fit for you?
Great risks can yield great rewards. But consider the risks of an investment property: securing a mortgage, maintaining a budget for operating costs, securing reliable tenants who will pay their rent on time and securing a maintenance fund— just a few of the important issues to think about.
Many aspiring investors think that they will begin making a profit from their investment right away. That rarely happens. Operating costs that are too high, a heavy mortgage, vacancies that you have to cover— these can seriously eat away at your profits and leave you with next to nothing— and that’s before you deal with marketing, property taxes and other bills. All of these issues can seriously derail you if you fail to plan for them in advance. But if managed carefully, an investment property can net considerable financial rewards over time.
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Your Financial Situation
Can you secure the mortgage necessary to purchase an investment property? Do you carry a high debt load? Both of these questions need careful consideration before proceeding.
Lenders typically like to see a debt-to-income ratio of less than 36%. An investment property does not qualify for mortgage insurance so the amount needed for a down payment is higher than when purchasing a family home (20% for investment properties vs 5-10% for family homes). You also need to consider closing costs and emergency funds.
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Property Management
Are you prepared to manage your investment property on a day-to-day basis? If your goal is to buy it and forget it, you need to consider a property management company. They will deal with the daily management of your property including finding and vetting potential tenants, collecting the rent, and handling any maintenance issues that come up.
One additional benefit of using a property management company is the freedom to purchase a property anywhere the law allows and take advantage of markets where the financial rewards are greatest.
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Location, Location, Location
In the case of an investment property, “where” is often more important than “what”. For example, the hottest place to purchase an investment property in Canada right now is in Guelph, Ontario. You want your property to be where the people are. A beautiful vacation home, in a place no one visits, will not be a successful investment but a fixer-upper in an urban center will probably recoup your renovation costs and make you a tidy profit. Do your research before you settle on a location.
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The 1% Rule
What Is the One Percent Rule?
Simply put, it means that the monthly rent earned from an investment property should be no less than 1% of the price of the property. This will ensure that you at least break even. A good rule of thumb is to never get a mortgage where the monthly payment is more than the amount received from your monthly rent. It’s best if the mortgage is less than that one-percent.
There are lots of other things to think about before purchasing an investment property. Research is key to success, and hopefully, this list will provide you with a good starting point.
Have you considered an investment property? Let us know in the comments.
