Real Estate

How to Become a Landlord: A Career Guide

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Are you trying to learn how to become a landlord? Do you want to make money through a rental property?

Owning rental property and being a landlord isn’t as easy as some people believe it is, but it can be very rewarding if done right. However, if you’re thinking about becoming a landlord, you need to know what you’re in for and follow a few steps to get started.

In this career guide, we’ll tell you how to become a landlord.

  1. Buy the Right Property

The first step to becoming a landlord is to buy a great rental property.

Choosing the right property is the key to having a great time as a landlord and for making good profits, so you’ll want to be sure to choose carefully. Make sure that you evaluate all of the aspects of your choice such as how much it will cost you each month and year and what you may be able to rent it out for. 

You’ll want to avoid choosing a property that needs a lot of repairs or that is out of your budget.

  1. Look For Financing

When buying a rental property, you’ll need to find a way to pay for it.

Getting a second property or investment property will be a bit different from getting your very first mortgage, so you’ll need to keep this in mind when looking for financing. There are various options to consider.

Fortunately, many lenders offer financing options specifically for investment properties. Conventional loans can work well, but you’ll likely need a higher down payment and a better credit score to get started than with a standard mortgage. You may also want to consider home equity loans or home equity line of credit (HELOC) options as well.

  1. Save Up For Unexpected Expenses

When becoming a landlord, you need to be clear about the potential costs of the property once you own it. There are various expenses that can come up that you’ll need to handle if necessary.

Maintenance and repair costs can be significant and you’ll also need to pay property and rental income tax as well. You may also need to deal with other fees for owning a rental property as well.

Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay expenses if the property is vacant as well. If you’re unable to find a tenant for some amount of time, you’ll still need to handle mortgage payments, utilities, property taxes, and fees. You’ll need to pay to market your property as well.

Be sure that you set aside money for these various expenses and plan ahead. You’ll also want to ensure that you get landlord insurance to cover accidents, sudden loss, and liability. 

  1. Learn About Landlord-Tenant Laws

If you’re becoming a landlord, it’s crucial that you fully understand landlord-tenant laws in your area. These laws will vary from state to state and will affect the way that you manage your property and deal with tenants. If you’re in Tennessee, you’ll want to be sure to know these laws, for example.

It’s important to create strong leases and to understand what your responsibilities and liabilities are when operating a property. It’s a good idea to speak with a lawyer when becoming a landlord to be sure that you understand all of the applicable laws and regulations where you live. 

  1. Prepare Your Property

Once you own a rental property, you’ll want to make sure that it’s ready for a tenant.

You should be sure that your property is in good condition and that it is as clean as possible. You should also ensure that it’s up to code and that you have installed all necessary smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Also, make sure that the electrical system has been checked thoroughly by a professional. You’ll also want to make any repairs that are necessary to ensure that the property is livable.

If you don’t prepare your place thoroughly, then you may get complaints or may not be able to find high-quality tenants for the property.

  1. Create a Marketing Plan

Tenants won’t find your property on their own, so you’ll need to put some effort and money into finding them.

You’ll need to list your property in order to find qualified tenants that will be reliable. You can use online sites such as Zillow, Trulia, or Craigslist to post your rental listing and to attract tenants.

Be sure that you think about the quality of prospective tenants carefully. You’ll want to screen tenants to make sure that they’ll be a good fit and that they’ll be likely to pay rent on time. Creating a thorough rental application and getting credit and background checks can be helpful for this. 

  1. Manage and Maintain Your Property

Once your tenants have moved into your rental property, your job isn’t over. You’ll still need to make sure to maintain the property well and should ensure that your tenants have their needs met. You should be prepared for possible maintenance and repair tasks that may come up over time such as air conditioner repairs, pest control, and more.

It may be worth hiring contractors to handle repairs instead of doing all of the work yourself. However, you’ll want to pay attention to how much you’re spending and earning with the rental property to ensure it’s not cutting into your profits.

To have the easiest time managing properties, you may also want to consider hiring a property manager.

Learning How to Become a Landlord With These Tips

If you’re trying to learn how to become a landlord, be sure that you follow the steps above. Becoming a landlord can be well worth it, but you need to make sure that you do it in a smart way and take it one step at a time.

Need more real estate tips and strategies? Read through our blog now to find more useful real estate articles and guides.

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