Real Estate Archives

Buying Investment Real Estate to Help Balance Your Portfolio

by Monique Higginson | Mar 2, 2022 | Investment, Real Estate Tips

Every investor wants to diversify their investment portfolios more. Well, one of the best ways is to invest in real estate, which millionaires still say is the greatest investment around today.

However, there are right ways and wrong ways to generate rental income, so you need to optimize your investment strategy. Let’s talk about how to get the most out of your investment real estate property.

Choose The Right Market

The city and neighborhood where you purchase a home can make or break your investment. An area like Salt Lake City will have plenty of incoming people, as the population grew by over 58,000 people last year.

However, don’t stop there.

Ideally, you want to find a property in an area that’s less likely to go downhill. A neighborhood with access to public transportation that’s walkable to shops or downtown areas or near a good school will be the most beneficial.

Ask around to see what’s going on with the neighborhood and see if there are any red flags like crime, excessive noise, or too many people leaving.

Choose The Right Investment Real Estate Property

The building itself is the other factor that’s somewhat out of your control as a landlord. If it goes downhill, so does your investment.

Essentially, if you spend the money on a downpayment only to find you need to replace a boiler and roof within a couple of months, you could find yourself completely broke in no time.

For that reason, we always recommend searching diligently for a property that will last. The only time you have total control over the building is when you decide whether or not to purchase it, which brings us to our next point.

Search for real estate and always ask for as much information as possible related to the property’s history and surrounding area.

Choose The Right Realtor

Every realtor will tell you they can “do it all,” but you want to look for a realtor with experience in investment properties, as it’s very different from selling an ordinary home.

Find a real estate relocation agent who is upfront and honest with you about your earnings potential, current tenants, previous issues with the property, and everything else you need to know.

Choose The Right Tenants

Lastly, your tenants are the final piece of the puzzle in the “make it or break it” department. By choosing the right tenants, you’ll substantially limit your investment risks.

Essentially, the wrong tenant can do a lot of damage to your property or cause you unnecessary headaches. During the eviction moratorium, which is still in effect, there isn’t a lot you can do about it.

For that reason, do your diligence and find the right tenants for your property. One bad tenant is all it takes to ruin your income for the year.

Start Earning

Now that you know how to get the most out of your investment real estate property, there’s no time like the present to get started. The sooner you do, the sooner you can earn passive income.

Stay up to date with our latest real estate advice, and feel free to contact us with any questions!

Top 10 Fall Home Decor Hacks of 2021

by Monique Higginson | Oct 18, 2021 | Property Management, Real Estate Tips

It’s finally autumn, and with the changing of the seasons comes not only the warm delight of a pumpkin-spice latte but also a chance to try out some new seasonal home decor. If you’re looking to decorate your home on a budget, we have some excellent fall home decor hacks for you to try!

Make-Over Your Fireplace

Show your fireplace some love this season by sprucing up your mantel with fall foliage or some autumn-colored beads. You might also add some pumpkins in different shapes and sizes. Finally, don’t forget to add some firewood to your fireplace to give it a taste of the outdoors.

Chic Fall-Inspired Centerpieces For Your Dining Table

Love having flowers for your table? Try hollowing out a pumpkin and adding in a large tin can. You can use this as a vase for your flowers, making for a lovely fall centerpiece!

Find an old wooden box or crate and add some faux pumpkins and other sprigs of fall foliage and a few candles. It makes for a stylish and cozy fall centerpiece for your dining room table or even the coffee table in the living room when guests are over.

Dollar Store Foliage

Believe it or not, you can find some excellent fall decor materials at your local dollar store. You don’t have to go to a big craft store to find sprigs of fall leaves, berries, and floral picks. Instead, use them to make an autumn wreath for your door or to decorate the pumpkins on your doorstep.

Decorate Your Front Door

Your door is the first thing your guests will notice, so you want to make sure it’s decorated for the season. A fall wreath, some porch pumpkins, or some leaf garlands will help set the tone for your home when guests arrive.

Bring Out Your Copper Collection

Use copper pans and fall harvest vegetables for some stunning fall decoration ideas for your kitchen! Arrange them in the space above your cabinets for an easy fall transformation.

Preserve Your Pumkins

You can preserve your pumpkins in a bath of bleach and water. This will make them last longer since it inhibits bacterial growth so that you can display your real pumpkins for longer throughout the season.

Another hack for more miniature pumpkins is to preserve them in vaseline. Finally, avoid carving your pumpkins too early in the season, and opt for paint and glued decorations instead.

Create A Snack Bar Station

Speaking of your fireplace, it’s a great place to make s’mores! Set up a tray with marshmallows, mini wrapped chocolate bars, and graham crackers in mason jars with a few sets of sticks for a sweet snack station. No fireplace, no problem: you can make these on the stove, too.

Use Cozy Blankets in New Ways

We love using comfy blankets when the cool chill of fall rolls in, but did you know you can also use blankets for your decor? Adding them to your s’mores station or using them as a base for your pumpkin display adds a comforting layer to your decor.

Make Your Fall Home Decor Dreams Come True

We hope you’ve enjoyed these fall home decor hacks! Want some more tips on home decorations for fall? Contact us today, and we can help make your dream home a reality.

Steps for Transforming Your Home into a Rental Property

by Monique Higginson | Sep 21, 2021 | Real Estate Tips, Rental

Transform your home into rental property

Did you know it is estimated that there are around 43.3 million homes for rent in the US? As a result, many property owners realize that renting out their property is a great way to get a recurring income. But do you know how to get started?

Unfortunately, it is not as easy as you might think. Read on as we discuss the steps to transform your home into a rental property.

Why Transform Your Home Into a Rental Property?

This comes down to one factor, and that is a regular income from the rental itself. This can be used to go into savings, supplement your lifestyle or even pay off the mortgage. In addition, as the property appreciates, you stand to make a lot of money in the long term.

Start by Checking All the Permits

Having the right permits for rental properties is essential, as you don’t want to fall on the wrong side of the law. Many municipalities will have their own guidelines on this, so check them thoroughly. In addition, it may be worth speaking to a local property attorney regarding this.

Check Your HOA

If you are part of a homeowners association (HOA), they may have their own rules and regulations regarding rentals. Check in the documentation you got when buying the property, or speak with the members who run the association. This article may help you work out what you need to know about HOAs.

Research Taxes

Make sure you are filing the correct taxes from your home rental. Filing late or incorrectly can result in major penalties and fines.

Check the Mortgage

Your mortgage will contain an occupancy clause, which states it is your primary place of residence. This entitles you to lower interest rates and smaller down payments. However, if the bank finds out you are not living at the property and renting it out, they could cause problems, so check the legalities before going ahead.

Determine How You Will Manage the Property

Owning rental properties is very rewarding, but it is a lot of hard work. In fact, it is often easier if you have a lot of them and can do it full time instead of balancing them with a job. If you don’t want the hassle, consider hiring home rental companies to do it for you.

Home Renovations

Check the property to see if any major renovations are required and budget accordingly. This article on surviving a bathroom remodel can give you guidelines on one of the most tackled rooms in the home.

House and Landlord Insurance

Finally, protect yourself with the necessary insurance. Accidents are bound to happen, and you need to protect the home and yourself as the landlord.

Getting Started

Now you know the steps to transform your home into a rental property, you can begin earning extra income. Cover yourself legally, do your research, and make some renovations.

If you are thinking of buying, selling, or renting in the Salt Lake City area, Market Source Real Estate should be your first stop.

We even offer relocation services if you are new to the area. So contact us today and let us help you find your dream home.

How to Find the Right Tenant for Your Rental Property

by Monique Higginson | Sep 10, 2021 | Property Management, Real Estate Tips, Rental

Did you know, 16% of low-income tenants cannot pay the full amount of their rent every month? So how do you prevent problems such as this from happening? The key is to make sure you find the right tenant for a rental property.

Doing so takes careful planning and follow-through. Let’s take a look at what you need to do to make sure you find the perfect tenant for your properties.

Set Your Own Rental Criteria

Well-thought-out rental criteria are key to making sure your future tenants will be a good match. A common requirement is that the tenant has a gross income of at least three times the monthly rent. This ensures they have the income to pay the rent.

You should also make sure they have steady employment or a co-signer with steady and sufficient income to ensure that your tenant will continue to pay their rent. You may also want to consider a minimum credit score.

Setting lifestyle requirements for your rental properties is also a good idea, especially for your primary residence. For example, will you allow smoking and pets in the unit? Some landlords also find it helpful to have requirements based on possible criminal history.

Get To Know the Applicant at the Property Showing

Showing the property provides a great time for you to meet and get to know the applicant either in person or virtually. As a result, you can better understand who they are and how to work with them.

Try to pay attention to how they act. For instance, do they show up on time? Do they seem friendly and nice to work with? These types of characteristics can indicate that they may be a pleasant tenant.

Check the Tenant’s Rental History

A tenant’s rental history can indicate how they will be if they rent from you. You should reach out to their previous landlords to confirm that the tenant actually rented from them and paid the rent on time.

In addition, ask if they took good care of the property and left the unit clean and in good order when they moved out. You can also check if they were disruptive to any other neighbors.

Research the Tenant Credit Report and Run Background Check

A credit report can be a great tool to learn about the tenant’s payment and debt history. This can be an indicator if they will pay on time and be able to afford your rent.

You may choose to run a background check to see if the tenant has a criminal history. Just note that there are guidelines for using criminal background information if you are evaluating someone as a potential renter.

Use a Real Estate Agent

A real estate agent can make the process easier. Instead of going through each of these steps, an agent could take the lead on it. In addition, having a property manager or real estate agent can allow you to have a more hands-off approach to renting.

In addition, they can make it easier to ensure that you follow landlord-tenant law and don’t risk legal trouble by infringing on tenants’ rights.

Find the Perfect Tenant for Rental Properties

Finding the right tenant for rental properties can be an overwhelming process. First, you need to make sure you identify useful rental criteria and that your potential tenant meets them. However, a real estate agent can make finding a tenant and property management much easier.

Contact Market Source Real Estate to get started with your rental property today.

Best Places to Buy Vacation Property in Utah

by Monique Higginson | Sep 2, 2021 | Property Management, Real Estate Tips, Relocating to Salt Lake City

Whether you’re looking for a second home where you can spend family vacations or you want to expand your property portfolio, Utah is an excellent choice. With large cities, quaint towns, and breathtaking natural landscapes, Utah has it all.

So if you’re looking for vacation properties in Utah, what are the areas you should be browsing?

Keep reading as we review the top towns and cities in Utah that make great locations for buying vacation homes.

Logan

When discussing vacation properties in Utah, we couldn’t neglect Logan. The population of Logan is booming, making it an ideal time to invest in property there.

One of the biggest attractions is Utah State University. If you’re looking to rent out your vacation property, Logan is one of the most lucrative options on our list, as rental prices are particularly high.

Salt Lake City

Boasting the largest population in Utah, Salt Lake City makes a fantastic choice for your vacation property for many reasons. In addition to the great nightlife and restaurant scene, there’s also a wide variety of neighborhoods.

Some of our favorite areas of the city are the historic neighborhoods such as The Avenues and Capitol Hill. As you can imagine, the backdrop of the Oquirrh Mountains never gets old.

Park City

Next up on our list of great places in Utah is Park City. Situated about 30 miles east of Salt Lake City, Park City is home to some of the best skiing resorts in the country.

If you’re an avid skier and you find a beautiful vacation property for sale in Park City, this is surely too good of an opportunity to miss.

St. George

Another hotspot for vacation rental properties in Utah is St. George. Located in the southwest tip of the state, St. George is an exceptional choice for those who love the outdoors.

Near both state and national parks, not to mention the Grand Canyon, St. George makes perfect sense for those who love to hike and explore while on vacation.

Southern Utah

Last but not least, there are many great locations for buying rental properties in Southern Utah. With options such as Cedar City, Bluff, and Hurricane, this is where to go if you want to be near the jaw-dropping sandstone panoramas.

If you’re looking to rent out your second home, there are plenty of companies offering vacation property management services here.

Those Are Your Best Options for Vacation Properties in Utah

Having explored the top locations when looking for vacation properties in Utah, it’s time to take the next step. Consider which of these places speak to you and what you’re looking for from a vacation home, whether that’s the thriving scene of Salt Lake City or the stunning backdrop of St George.

If you’re looking to buy or sell a property in Utah, Market Source Real Estate has your back. Click here to contact us, and our expert realtor team will be honored to get to know you and your specific needs.

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