6 Common Mistakes of Landlords

Traditional investments are delivering low returns, and home prices are at bargain levels. Is it time to consider buying some rental housing?  Investing in real estate right now can be surprisingly profitable, if everything goes well. Rents are climbing in many areas, and more properties may be coming on the market.  Before you start scouring for deals, keep in mind that owning rental properties is time-consuming, expensive and fraught with challenges. Many investors lose money. You will want to avoid falling into one of these common traps.

Confusing a Cheap Deal with a Good Deal

It is true that you can buy some homes for ridiculously low prices — but that doesn’t mean you can rent them out. Homes in deserted subdivisions aren’t any more appealing to renters than they are to buyers. The same is true for less attractive properties or those in less desirable school districts.

Overlooking Key Costs

Knowing the potential rent isn’t enough. Before you buy a property, you should also factor in closing costs of 3% to 6%, the costs to fix up the place and maintain it, and your holding costs. Then add the profit you expect to make — and more closing costs, if you intend to turn around and sell it. Only then can you figure out what you can afford to pay.

Forgetting that Time is Money

In real estate,time is your biggest enemy. You lose money when your property is empty, whether you are painting it or are between tenants. You also lose if you buy in the fall and can’t replace the roof until spring. You may be better off accepting a lower rent than waiting for a higher-paying tenant.

Thinking You Will Sit Back and Watch the Rent Roll In

When you become a landlord, you become a rent collector. Just like homeowners who can’t pay the mortgage, tenants lose their jobs and stop paying the rent. Evicting them can take several weeks, and some steal appliances or other property. Reports find that once or twice a month, a tenant removes a home’s copper tubing on the way out the door to sell the copper for its meltdown value. You will need to screen prospective tenants carefully, or pay someone to do it for you.

Underestimating Repair Costs

As with all homes, you will be making lots of repairs. You may find wood rot or mold when you remove that cracked bathtub. Carpet in rental homes typically must be replaced every five years, and you may have to repaint after every tenant. It is suggested to set aside six months of expenses so that you will have money if a major repair is needed.

Owning a Rental is the Same as Owning a Home

You might put up with flaws that a renter wouldn’t tolerate. In addition, many states and communities have strict and complex laws for landlords, even if you own only one property. A property manager can handle most of the headaches, but you should expect to pay one up to a month of rent for finding and screening tenants — and up to 10% of the monthly rent for management fees.

From MSN Real Estate