Resources for Landlords & Rental Property Investors

If you’ve spent any time on social media, you’re probably familiar with the concept of the “landlord special.” Often featured in the before part of before-and-after videos, they include things like generations of cheap carpeting laid on top of each other, door knobs and light switches covered in layers of white paint, walls repaired with plaster that no one ever bothered to come back and sand, kitchens that would seem dated on the The Brady Bunch, and so on. Rentals with these kinds of features are mocked as the pinnacle of cheap, depressing housing and it’s generally assumed that landlords who own them couldn’t care less.

Every quarter, we dig into Evernest’s internal leasing data and compare it with what’s happening across the broader rental market. By analyzing current trends, we aim to piece together the narrative behind the numbers to prepare for what lies ahead and, just one month into the year, the numbers have some pretty interesting stories to tell. 

Section 8 investing is one of the most polarizing topics in real estate. Some investors swear it’s the easiest money they’ve ever made; others say they’ll never touch it again. In reality, Section 8 is a lot like any other type of real estate investment. It’s not a magic solution, nor is it a guaranteed nightmare. Like most things in real estate, the outcome depends on how you buy, who you rent to, and what expectations you bring to the table. In this article, we’ll walk through the basics of Section 8 investing. Read on to find out what Section 8 is, common myths and misconceptions, what to know about approval periods and inspections, and the most important make-or-break factors in finding success.

The economics of rental houses can look simple on paper: buy a discounted property, renovate it, find a tenant, sign a lease, and voile–cash flow. However, trusting what they see on paper is exactly what gets new investors into trouble time and time again. Eventually all of them learn that potential pitfalls and unforeseen expenses are rarely reflected in the shiny numbers on a spreadsheet, but usually they do so the hard way. Experience is an expensive teacher and the mistakes investors make when they’re new to the game can cost them dearly. That’s why, in this post, we’re breaking down the top five rookie mistakes that we see investors make when buying rental properties. Read on so you can learn how to avoid them for free instead.