Should you rent or buy a house? Use the 'BURL' rule to avoid financial regret, says real estate investor (2024)

FAQs

What are 3 drawbacks to owning rental real estate? ›

The drawbacks of having rental properties include a lack of liquidity, the cost of upkeep, and the potential for difficult tenants and for the neighborhood's appeal to decline.

Renting a property is often referred to as throwing away money. That's because, unlike with a mortgage loan, renting doesn't help you build equity. Renting isn't necessarily the wrong move for everyone though.

#1: Vacancy Rates

The biggest and most common risk that real estate investors need to consider is high vacancy rates! Tenants will be the primary income source for all your rental properties. So, if you want them to make money, you need to keep your property occupied!

RentCafe chalked it up to a matter of “comfort and smart investing.” Owning a home can come with more than its fair share of maintenance and costly repairs and upkeep. Then there's the flexibility renting offers one to move from city to city for career opportunities.

Buying a house gives you ownership, privacy and home equity, but the expensive repairs, taxes, interest and insurance can really get you. Renting a home or apartment is lower maintenance and gives you more flexibility to move. But you may have to deal with rent increases, loud neighbors or a grumpy landlord.

Despite what some may think, 2023 is still a good year to invest in real estate, thanks to advantages like long-term appreciation, steady rental income, and the opportunity to hedge against inflation. Mortgage rates are expected to decline, but the housing market is likely to remain competitive due to low supply.

If you're only going to live in a place for only a year or two, renting makes more sense. However, if you're going to stay there for three years or more, then buying would be a good idea and it becomes a better idea the longer you stay.

Just because there's a recession doesn't necessarily mean rent prices go down. In fact, during the 2008 recession, it was the exact opposite. In the current rental market, we have seen the rate of increase in rental prices come down, but this only translates to lower rent prices if you're in select markets.

In the long run, owning a home is a good investment. When you rent, your money goes to your landlord, whereas when you put your money toward a home, you can see a return on your investment over time.

Protection Against Inflation

Owning a rental property is a safe investment and an even better asset that can make money during periods of high inflation. It gains value when inflation is high and creates cash flow from renting during any economic period.

What are 4 advantages of owning a small rental property? ›

The biggest potential benefits of owning a rental property include a hedge against inflation, rental income, equity, and having control of the investment. Drawbacks to consider before buying a rental property include a large down payment, dealing with tenants, and lack of liquidity.

If you have your financial house in order, especially as interest rates climb, rental properties can be a good long-term investment, Meyer says. A rental property should generate income monthly, even if it's just a few dollars at first. Do the math to make sure the property you're considering is right for you.

It's Cheaper To Rent If You Prefer Big City Life

According to an analysis by Realtor.com, in 45 of the 50 largest U.S. cities, renting is lower than buying a starter home. Despite rising costs, renting has become relatively more affordable than buying year-over-year.

The benefits of owning a home instead of renting offer buyers several tax advantages, the ability to grow equity, and of course a place to call your own. It's also a feel-good milestone that offers a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Less Expensive

LA property values have gone up for 12 consecutive years, and homeowners have an ever-increasing tax bill on their hands. These rising costs are part of the reason the majority of people living in LA are renters.

A major disadvantage of renting to own is that renters lose their down payment and other non-refundable charges if they decide not to purchase the home. Some sellers may even take advantage of renters by making it difficult or unappealing to purchase the home — with the goal of keeping the down payment.

In general, it's best to buy when you have your eye on the horizon and you're thinking long-term. Experts largely agree that you shouldn't own unless you plan on staying in the home for at least five years. That's because, thanks to their high start-up costs, houses don't usually make great short-term investments.

Homebuyer.com data analysis indicates that, for first-time home buyers, June 2023 is a good time to buy a house relative to later in the year. This article provides an unbiased look at current mortgage rates, housing market conditions, and market sentiment.

Generally, a good ROI for rental property is considered to be around 8 to 12% or higher. However, many investors aim for even higher returns. It's important to remember that ROI isn't the only factor to consider while evaluating the profitability of a rental property investment.

Are REITs better than rental property? ›

Perhaps the biggest advantage of buying REIT shares rather than rental properties is simplicity. REIT investing allows for sharing in value appreciation and rental income without being involved in the hassle of actually buying, managing and selling property. Diversification is another benefit.

Make no mistake; there are a TON of positives to owning rental property. However, don't jump into the rental property game without seeing that there are negatives and it can get very stressful. People often overlook things like times of vacancy, tenants who don't pay rent, and maintenance issues.

Key Takeaways

Real estate is a great asset to own when the economy is in freefall. A rental property typically acts as a natural hedge in a volatile market. People lose their jobs, earnings, and sometimes their homes when a great recession happens.

The lowest rental rates are usually found between October and April, particularly right after the December holiday season. Fewer people are interested in moving—the weather's bad, schools are in session, etc. So individuals renting between the months of December and March typically find the best rental bargains.

In general, prices tend to fall during a recession. This is because people are buying less, and businesses are selling less. However, some items may become more expensive during a recession. For example, food and gas prices may increase if there's an increase in demand or a decrease in supply.

The total house value should generally be no more than 3 to 5 times your total household income, depending on how much debt you currently have. If you are completely debt-free, congratulations—you can consider houses that are up to 5 times your total household income.

During a traditional recession, the Fed will usually lower interest rates. This creates an incentive for people to spend money and stimulate the economy. It also typically leads to more affordable mortgage rates, which leads to more opportunity for homebuyers.

Real estate agents suggest you stay in a house for 5 years to recoup costs and make a profit from selling. Before you put your house on the market, consider how your closing fees, realtor fees, interest payments and moving fees compare to the amount you have in equity.

The amount will depend on your specific situation, but a good rule of thumb is to aim for at least 10% profit after all expenses and taxes. While 10% is a good target, you may be able to make more depending on the property and the rental market.

Is it better to keep property or sell it? ›

Selling your home might be the better option if you need the money to pay for your next home, have no interest in being a landlord or stand to make a large profit. Renting it out might be a better choice if your move is temporary, you want the rental income or you expect home values to go up in your area.

Rental real estate can be a good source of retirement income. The relative inefficiency of the real estate market can produce bargains that offer strong returns. If you need to borrow to buy a rental property, do so before you retire. Choosing a good location is more important than finding the cheapest property.

What Types of Commercial Properties Are the Most Profitable? High-Tenant Properties – Typically, properties with a high number of tenants will give the best return on investment. These properties include RVs, self-storage, apartment complexes, and office spaces.

Like many rules of real estate investing, the 50 percent rule isn't always accurate, but it can be a helpful way to estimate expenses for rental property. To use it, an investor takes the property's gross rent and multiplies it by 50 percent, providing the estimated monthly operating expenses. That sounds easy, right?

Rental properties can be a great way to generate income, so long as your operating expenses aren't too high and your rent price is competitive. Rent payments, security deposits, move-in fees, and pet fees can also help cover your monthly expenses and leave money left over to save for future costs.

Real estate investments tend to have high transactional costs, especially in legal and brokerage fees. The process of acquiring a new property is also very long and tedious with lots of legal formalities. Another disadvantage of property investments is that they are not easy to liquidate.

What are the pros and cons of owning rental properties? ›

People invest in rental property for a number of reasons, such as to diversify an investment portfolio, generate rental income, and have more direct control over their investments. Potential drawbacks to owning a rental property include lack of liquidity, dealing with tenants, and deteriorating neighborhoods.

Liquidity

While buying a house gives you equity, renting increases your liquidity. Purchasing a home can take a toll on your finances, leaving you broke. You have to pay a substantial down payment and outrageous closing costs to become a homeowner.

Renting offers flexibility, predictable monthly expenses, and someone to handle repairs. Homeownership brings intangible benefits, such as a sense of stability and pride of ownership, along with the tangible ones of tax deductions and equity.

Unlike homeowners, renters have no maintenance costs or repair bills and they don't have to pay property taxes. Amenities that are generally free for renters aren't for homeowners, who have to pay for installation and maintenance.

Real estate investing can be lucrative, but it's important to understand the risks. Key risks include bad locations, negative cash flows, high vacancies, and problem tenants. Other risks to consider are the lack of liquidity, hidden structural problems, and the unpredictable nature of the real estate market.

Even after buying the property, you have to pay property tax, society maintenance, pay for repairs, etc. Moreover, if you have rented your property, there are chances of damage to the property, which is an added cost to you. All these expenses do not make real estate a good investment option.

Failing to Focus on the Market and Not Staying Educated

In real estate investment, timing is essential, and failing to take the time to study and analyze the market can be a mistake that ends up losing you time and money.

High Cost: The biggest disadvantage with real estate investment is the high capital requirement. To get started, you need to provide for down payments, EMIs, insurance, property taxes, stamp duty and so on.

While stocks are a well-known investment option, not everyone knows that buying real estate is also considered an investment. Under the right circ*mstances, real estate can be an alternative to stocks, offering lower risk, yielding better returns, and providing greater diversification.