You should take a good look at your house – not as you normally do, but as a burglar would. If you were a burglar, which home would you choose to rob, - a house with a shiny new car parked outside or one with a rusty vehicle? Anything which signals nice possessions and money will certainly catch the burglar’s eye.
People may complain about their noisy neighbours, but there’s no better way of stopping burglars than having watchful neighbours around. If a house is far away from others, or hidden from the road, it is more attractive to burglars, who think they can get in and out without being noticed. So a burglar alarm is a good idea. And remember, you may get privacy from tall hedge or a high wall- but so does a burglar.
Sean Stephen, who works with the Scottish prison service, believes that you’re more at risk if your house looks nice. "Window-boxes, nice curtains and beautiful painted walls all tell the burglar that you’re proud of your home and care about your possessions and are more likely to have nice things in your house," he says. He advises people to try to make their homes look as plain as possible and not to draw attention to any new things they have bought by leaving the empty boxes next to the dustbin.
People often leave a light on when they go out. But you must be sensitive and not leave light on in the hall as it never makes the burglars believe that you’re in. Have you ever heard of family enjoying an evening at home in the hall? Live it in the living room. An open window is also an open invitation to burglars. If you sometimes forget to shut and lock doors and windows, stick a note on the inside of the front door to remind you. And make sure any ladders are put away and not left outside where burglars can use them.
By leaving newspapers and letters sticking out of the letter-box, or full milk bottles on the doorstep, you’re giving burglars the green light to break into your home. Similarly, if you’re away from the house at regular times- out at work or doing the shopping- then your home is also in danger of being burgled. Ask a neighbour to keep an eye on your house at these times. It’s a good idea to take photos of your valuable possessions. By doing that, if you’re burgled, you’ll be able to identify stolen property, which could lead to the thief being put behind bars. It is also possible to label valuable items such as TVs and videos with your postcode. If they’re stolen, this will make them easier to find. One more good idea is to ask for a crime prevention officer to visit your home and identify weak points in its security.
To begin, find a house that is situated conveniently to local amenities. A home that is within a reasonable distance from the mall and area restaurants is an ideal real estate investment. Review local rental magazines to find out what the big buzz is in the market. If advertisers are repeatedly commenting on how their rentals are close to local golf courses and fitness centers, you may want to look for a home in similar locations.
Do some homework by reading the classifieds to find out what types of rental properties are popular in your area. Also review what the going rent rate is for all seasons of the year. You may also want to speak with a rental agent who handles a significant number of rental properties. This person can act as a consultant and give you information regarding what types of dwellings are popular rentals for both residential and vacation purposes.
If you want your rental property to be versatile, consider homes that are appropriate for all ages. Senior citizens often require a one-level living home so they don't have to maneuver stairs and risk a fall. The same goes for the entrance of the home. If there are stairs to climb to access the front door, this home might not be ideal for the elderly. This theory works with adults who have young children and don't want to risk deadly falls down stairs. Sometimes, in the eye of the renter, it can be easier to avoid a rental with stairs altogether and simply find a home that doesn't have any.
When shopping for a real estate investment, find one that is well maintained. Eye appealing homes are more likely to rent for a better price and quickly. If you do buy a piece of property that needs some TLC, be sure to do it right away so you will get a better return on your investment when renting it.
Find a home that doesn't have a history of sky-high utility bills. Always check your potential investment's utility costs. You don't want a home that is going to be expensive to heat or cool, this may shy away renters.
Ask for a homeowner's insurance quote. Be sure to disclose you plan to rent the property and ask the agent if he or she has any recommendations for landlords.
Verify with your accountant that your expectations of the rental property are valid. You want to make sure you have a realistic expectation of income from the property. Ask if your projected rent will cover projected maintenance fees plus the home's purchase price.
Before purchasing a home situated in a Home Owners Association, make sure they allow renters to reside in the neighborhood. Also request a copy of their rules and review them. If their rules are overbearing, your investment may be hard to rent.
Both Sharon White & Omar Johnson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.