Drug activity in rental property will affect the neighborhood. You need to report the issue. Tenant illegal activity can lead to eviction. Q: If you are thinking of investing as part of a slumlord real estate investment group, please don't. The neighbors will pray for your painful demise. We have the misfortune of living next [...]
Thinking of buying a vacation rental home? Does it make financial sense for your family to use the home, or to use it as an investment? Q: I am trying to figure out if the numbers would make sense for my wife and me to buy a vacation rental house near our home in Atlanta. [...]
There are a million reasons why tenants may choose not to purchase renters insurance, but it’s coverage that is worth considering—even if you don’t own anything that you consider overly expensive or valuable. In many cases, renters insurance will cover more than just the contents of your apartment. Scenario #1: Injuries to a guest in [...]
Buying a house after retirement can be a good or bad idea. Deciding if it's better to rent or buy a house after retirement requires careful planning. Q: I am a 66-year old single female. I currently rent a home for $875 per month (low for this area because I have been in this location [...]
Thinking about becoming a landlord? Renting out your home with a small VA loan has its benefits, but think hard about becoming a landlord. Q: I am 51 years old and married without kids. Together, we earn around $100,000. I have a Veteran’s Administration (VA) mortgage with about $38,000 left on the loan. We also [...]
The housing market crash has left many homeowners stuck in their homes, unable to sell or relocate. Without any equity and an underwater mortgage, these homeowners have been desperately searching for relief. Recently, several companies have been seen advertising what seems like a potential lifesaver for these folks. If you are stuck in your home, but want or [...]
Deciding to rent your home instead of selling it is not an easy decision, particularly if you were not planning on becoming a real estate investor in the first place. Homeowners often make this choice when they have their backs against a wall—they cannot sell, but they also cannot stay. If you find yourself stuck [...]
Is the U.S. shifting from a nation of homeowners (and aspiring homeowners) to a nation of long-term renters? It may depend on your perspective of homeownership. Homeownership has been trending down, while renters are snapping up vacant properties. In fact, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, homeownership may be at its lowest rate since the [...]
Do you have noise issues with rotten neighbors? How to deal with neighbor issues in a homeowner's association. Q: I borrowed your book for first-time home buyers from the library a few years ago. I need to read it again and this time I’ll buy it. But in the meantime, I’m hoping you can answer [...]
