Category Archives: Investing

Buying Investment Property – What is a “Good” deal?

Let’s look at a tried and true way to measure rental property investment returns and what we as buyers should be looking for in our purchases. Total investment returns in real estate are really comprised of two pieces: operating positive cash flows and long-term appreciation. In today’s world, even though it probably will come, we […]

Property Insurance – The Basics on Insuring Your Property

When you own real estate – whether an investment or a personal residence – you should procure the proper type and dollar value of insurance needed for your property. Unfortunately, many people don’t understand the basics of how insurance coverage works, and many individuals just want to spend “as little as possible” on insurance. The […]

Moving Into A New Place? One To-Do You Should Never Ignore.

Of all the expenses to consider when preparing to move into a new apartment, is renter’s insurance should be at the top of the list. This necessary, yet inexpensive purchase will protect you and your possessions while you’re living in your new home. Apartment insurance is easy to acquire and will promise you peace and security when […]

How To Finance A Rental Property In Today’s Market

Interest rates are still at historic lows and property values continue to be depressed. However, recent actions of the Fed and growing seller demand appear to be forcing an increase in both. Those trends might not be reversing any time soon, so now might be the right time to invest in another rental property. A […]

Rental advice: As rents rise, what’s a renter to do?

Here’s hoping you found a nice rental last year and locked in a low rate, one that can stick for, oh, about three years. That’s because — and we’re so sorry to report this — the rental market has once again shifted in favor of landlords, with little sign it’s going to swing back any […]

Rising Rents in San Francisco

City Hall must address rising rents EDITORIAL Another flurry of public concern over rising rents in San Francisco — driven by one-bedroom apartments listed for almost $4,000, a well-attended forum on gentrification in the Mission, fresh residential and commercial evictions, and a poll showing 63 percent think the city is building too much luxury housing — […]

Cap Rate Formula | What Is Cap Rate?

  How do you know what a commercial income property is worth? How do you know that you can get your desired return on your investment? Is there a way to calculate the maximum you can pay for an investment and still achieve your investment goals? This article will answer these questions and more about valuing income […]

A Crash Course in Tax and Investment Property

One way or another, Uncle Sam is going to get his cut. Count on it. And so will your state and local governments. That said, there are certain things you can do as a real estate investor to help manage your tax bill, and maximize your after-tax return on your investment. In order to do […]

DETERMINING RENTAL RATE

There are many factors to consider when determining a rental rate.  You want to make sure you don’t charge too much or you’re likely to be sitting with vacant units.  And on the flip side if you charge too little, you’re leaving profits on the table. MARKET RATE To determine your rental rate you want […]

Rising Demand For Aparments

by Diana Olick Despite recovery in the single-family housing market, demand for apartments continues to surge. Just 4 percent of U.S. apartments nationwide were vacant in the second quarter of this year, according to a new report from Reis. That pushed rents up 3 percent from a year ago. “The simple fact that vacancy continues […]