Real estate has become a great means of building wealth. Buying an investment property from a list of Balmain rental properties is an excellent way to earn money, especially in 2022. However, similar to any business venture, it’s essential to first know what you’re getting yourself into, especially if it’s about your finances.
Today, let’s explore the basics of rental properties and a few strategies you can use to build your income this year.
Table of Contents
Effective ways to invest in rental properties
Always conduct your research
Before getting any Balmain apartments for rent, it’s best to perform some thorough research in your area. First, observe the nearby rental units available to get an idea of how much you can charge in rent. Remember that when it comes to figuring out the rental price, the location and size will affect how much you can charge.
Another factor that you need to consider is the laws that centre around being a landlord. For instance, in the Australian Capital Territory, landlords don’t have the right to evict a tenant during a fixed-term agreement unless the tenant breached the contract terms.
Determine what you can afford
If you’re planning to apply for a mortgage, using a mortgage calculator can immensely help you determine potential costs and should help you identify what mortgage program to take.
You should realize early on how much you can genuinely afford. Sit back for a while and determine how much your monthly income is, your savings, and how much time you’re willing to spend to manage and maintain your rental property. Then, compute everything and see if you have more than enough funds and time to manage a rental property.
Look for a property
Once you’ve established your budget, you’ll find it easier to search for a property for your investment. Find an investment situated in the right location. The last thing that you would want to happen is to get stuck with a rental property in a community that’s slowly declining instead of picking up steam. That’s why you should search in areas with a growing population and a planned revitalization program that can translate to potential investment growth.
When looking for a property, you can also start your search in areas with low property taxes. Also, consider looking for a particular location near a hospital or other amenities, such as malls, parks and restaurants.
Save for lump-sum payments
Saving for lump-sum payments is another way to save money as you earn from your rental property. Making lump-sum payments can help you shorten your mortgage so you can eventually save on interest.
There are many ways to help you hasten the process of saving. Aside from keeping your tax refunds stashed in your bank account, you can also put away your bonus or incentive and then save it. It may appear like it’s a small amount, but keeping your extra money can help you save even more in the long run.
Choose the right mortgage
If you don’t have the funds to pay the rental property in full, you need to secure a mortgage to purchase it. Remember that government-backed loans are only applicable for residential property. So, it would help if you find other mortgage plans that’ll fit your needs.
When applying for a loan, you should know the application requirements and make sure to satisfy them. However, the kind of mortgage you will qualify for may still depend on your credit score and your capacity to pay. Therefore, be sure that these areas have been assessed before applying for a loan.
Know your legal obligations
As an aspiring rental owner, it’s highly advisable to search about the landlord-tenant laws in your area. Understanding the tenant’s rights and obligations as an owner is crucial, especially when dealing with deposits and lease requirements.
Knowing your legal obligations is also important in understanding the eviction rules and even fair housing. This reduces the chances of acquiring any legal hassles.
Check the operating expenses
Preparing for various expenses is a must when running a rental property. In addition to the costs for maintaining both its exterior and interior, it will be best if you also think about emergency expenses that might come along the way. For instance, unexpected repairs from a hurricane or even destroyed pipes from the kitchen can be pretty expensive, particularly when dealing with extensive repair.
Start your advertisements
One way to increase your rental property’s revenue is by finding the right marketing avenue to advertise your property. You can use real estate database websites to make it easier for potential tenants to find your space. In doing so, be sure to put your contact details in every post so that interested parties can quickly contact you.
Once you receive a couple of applications, check every possible tenant’s details carefully. You’ll want to wait for a few more applications to come in before making any decisions. Aside from running credit checks, reaching out to their previous landlords is also an excellent way to check on your potential tenant.
The Bottomline
Running a rental property has its pros and cons. This makes setting realistic expectations crucial so you’ll know what to do or which path to take.
Like any other investment, rental properties won’t produce significant revenue immediately. Therefore, conducting extensive research before you sign any deals is important. You can also consider working with experienced partners and real estate experts, especially if it’s your first rental property.