Investing in Real Estate – What is a “Good Deal?”
Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Zillow. Buying Investment Property – What is a “Good” deal?...
View ArticleSmart Investing – A Tale of Two Townhomes
At the height of the real estate boom, some people purchased rental homes without looking at whether the rental income was enough to cover all the expenses — including the mortgage — and provide...
View ArticleTips for Choosing Your Rental
The rental market has become more competitive than ever with former homeowners joining long-term renters in the search for a new rental home or apartment. But in the rush to find a place to call home,...
View ArticleInvesting 101: Estimating Rental Property Expenses
If you are considering buying rental properties, you should already know how to analyze an investment by penciling out your real estate deal. Within that analysis, one of the critical tasks is...
View ArticleShould You Add Real Estate to Your Investment Portfolio?
As the national real estate market is in the news each week, and there is talk everywhere about cheap foreclosures, short sales and other incredible opportunities and deals, you might wonder whether...
View ArticleIs a Second Home a Good Investment?
You may believe that a second home can be a great place to vacation and retire, that you can earn some equity over time and that it’s a good deal because property is a physical asset that can’t go...
View ArticleInvesting? 6 Types of Properties to Pursue
If you’re interested in improving your lot in life — no pun intended — by becoming a property mogul and investing your hard-earned capital into income-producing properties, there are some general...
View ArticleFirst Steps for First-Time Landlords
So you’ve got a property under contract, and you’re excited that you are going to become a landlord. While it can be a financially and personally rewarding investment, there are lots of things to do in...
View ArticleWhy Prize Investment Properties Are No Prize
Here’s a little real estate investing secret that few rental property investors know: The fancier and more prize location of a property, the worse the cash flow. In fact, most “prize” properties are...
View ArticleIs Land a Good Investment?
If you bought land in California in the 1970s, you’d probably opine that land is a good investment. If you bought it in 2006, and now it’s worth a fraction of what you paid, your opinion would probably...
View ArticleIs a Personal Residence an Investment?
If you’re going to use your hard-earned money to buy a home, you might wonder if that home is an investment. And without doubt, for the vast majority of buyers, a home is an investment. However, just...
View Article5 Smart Moves a First-Time Buyer Should Consider
As a first-time real estate buyer, you probably have no idea how the overall purchasing process works or how to make sure you’re making a smart decision to purchase. And you’ll probably be very...
View ArticleReal Estate Investing: Single Family Home vs. Condo
If you’re considering getting into the landlord game, you might wonder whether it’s best to buy a single family home or a condominium. Many people say to stay away from condominiums because of all the...
View ArticleCan a Landlord Force Tenants to Have Renter’s Insurance?
More and more landlords these days are requiring renters to have a renter’s insurance policy in place during their tenancy. There are a lot of benefits to both the landlord and the renter as a result...
View ArticleRental Property Investing 101
Want to be a rental property owner? Here’s some good and bad news for you. The bad news is that contrary to all the TV shows about flipping houses and people making money, or turn-key hassle-free...
View ArticleTips for Avoiding Rental Property Disasters
If you plan to be a landlord, you should know that owning and managing property is hard work and can be very stressful. All kinds of issues can occur, taking up your time, energy and effort, and...
View ArticleTax Savings: Rental Property Depreciation Explained
One reason you might be thinking about investing in rental properties is because you think you’ll save money on federal income taxes. While this may be true, you really need to fully understand how...
View ArticleWhat’s the Best Way to Earn Wealth in Real Estate?
The prospect of buying inexpensive properties, making cosmetic improvements and flipping those homes back onto the market for a hefty profit causes many people to ponder becoming real estate investors....
View ArticleReal Estate Q&A: Revocable Trusts and Wrap-Around Mortgages
Each month, San Diego State University lecturer and Zillow Blog contributor Leonard Baron answers two questions from readers regarding buying, selling and investing. Have a question? Send it to...
View ArticleLiving With Your Tenants: Tips for Renting Out Extra Space in Your Home
In these tough financial times, many people are seeing an opportunity to help pay the mortgage by renting out an extra room in their homes. Generally there are no city rules stopping people from doing...
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