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Key Insights for First-Time Rental Property Buyers

A young couple searching for their first property with a real estate agent. It’s exciting to own a single-family rental property for the first time in Shelby Township. However, there are dangers associated with this investment, as there are with any. There is a great deal of information you should have at your fingertips before making your first investment property purchase in Shelby Township. For example, you’ll need the answers to questions like: who do you want to rent to? What type of rental property will you focus on? How will you finance your purchase? This article will answer these and other questions you may have about buying your first rental property.

Define Your End Goal

Perhaps one of the first things to keep in mind when acquiring your first single-family rental home is to set clearly defined end goals. It’s important to know exactly what you’re looking for in an investment property before you start your property search. You can narrow your search by specifying criteria like location, minimum square footage, and number of bedrooms. You can even cater to a certain renter demographic, such as college students or retirees. Having more information allows you to more precisely define your search parameters and locate potential properties more quickly.

Prepare Your Finances

Apart from knowing what qualities you are looking for in a property, it is important to prepare financially before you purchase an investment property. Before starting your property search, professionals advise reducing personal debt and saving for a down payment. Reducing your personal debt can improve your loan rates, while nearly all mortgage loans for an investment property will demand a 20% down payment. Financing must be arranged in advance, but watch out for enticing offers for high-interest loans or mortgage products. If you get prequalified for a mortgage with a trustworthy lender, you can seize the investment opportunities as they arise. Putting together a solid financial plan can give you the peace of mind you need to invest in a rental property.

Crunch the Numbers

The search for the right property can now begin after these crucial first steps have been taken. One important thing to bear in mind during your search is that you should run a series of numbers on each potential property, such as your margins, operating expenses, and expected return. Many new investors make costly mistakes in this area.

New investors sometimes forget to include all of the expenses related to purchasing and preparing the rental property for lease, as well as ongoing property management, repairs, and vacancy costs. Based on industry experts, a margin goal of 10% and a 6% return in your first year implies that you have a profitable investment.

Stay Objective

It is best to bear in mind that an investment property is just that, an investment. It is not smart to develop a sentimental attachment to a particular property or let your feelings influence your selections. In addition, you may never actually reside in the property you purchase. For your first investment, industry experts recommend purchasing low-cost properties in high-demand areas. But unless you have extensive experience with home renovations or know a reliable contractor who would do the work for less than the prevailing rate, you should avoid fixer-uppers. Buying your first single-family rental property is only the beginning of what could be a long and profitable investment career. This will help you stay on track and ensure that your investment properties are profitable.

Design a Management Strategy

At last, keep in mind that buying a rental property is just the starting point. You’ll need to have a proactive management strategy in place to make sure that your investment pays return. This is where hiring a great property management company can be beneficial. As local market experts, property managers can assist in finding off-market investment properties, evaluating market circumstances, and setting rental rates, among other things. In fact, seasoned investors will tell you that working with the right property management company is crucial to your profitable rental property investing.

You should hire the best property management team if you find the ideal investment property in Shelby Township. Contact RPM Silverstone at 586-992-6419 today!

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