Author: Brad Beckett

Cash flow…it’s the one thing every investor wants to maximize with their rental properties.  Too bad it’s not some big metaphorical spigot that can be opened up simply by turning a magic valve.  However, there are several successful ways to do this – some of which might just amaze you. The folks over Rental Housing Journal Online recently posted their free ebook “51 Ways to Increase Rental Property Cashflow” that explains how you can increase your rent every month.  One tip can even increase the monthly rent for a single-family home by $400! Maybe you bought in the right neighborhood,…

Housing-data powerhouse RealtyTrac recently released their first-ever Registered Criminal Offender Risk Index which shows that average home values and home equity were lower (while average foreclosure rates were higher)  in zip codes with a higher offender index than in those with a lower offender index. Interestingly,   The report also shows that average home price appreciation has been slightly stronger over the past year and five years in zip codes with a higher offender index than in zip codes with a lower offender index. “This new index provides concrete evidence that registered criminal offenders pose not only a potential safety risk…

The folks over at 1-800-Got-Junk? recently posted a handy decoder sheet for all those crazy codes we see on glass & plastic bottles, cardboard boxes and other materials we toss on a daily basis.  Believe it or not, those symbols actually convey some very important information about that materials composition. While many of the items we throw away are recyclable, they’re not always accepted by your local recycler.  So it’s a good idea to become familiar with what they will and will not accept.  In the meantime, the following chart is a good place to start place to start when…

According to new data released by the federal government, Housing starts for February 2016 were at 1.1 million, representing a 5.2% increase over January’s revised numbers AND 30.9% higher than February 2015.  Single families were 7.2% higher than January and multi-families were up 2.4% – which is 16.8% higher than one year ago. While starts were up from January’s numbers (the weather having played a large role) building permits declined for the 3rd month in a row BUT were still 6.3% higher than a year ago. Click here to read the full release.

A new study from the R Street Institute aims to score America’s 59 largest cities on their openness to short-term-rentals (STR’s) according to their regulatory, legal and tax-collection environment.  Using their “Roomscore,” grading system, the study assigns cities grades from A to F in multiple areas determining their friendliness or hostility to short term rentals. Of the 59 cities rated, the study found that Galveston and Savannah were the most friendly to STR listing services like Airbnb and Homeaway.  And, Atlanta, Denver and Oklahoma City were the least friendly to STR’s. “An overview of the legal frameworks that local jurisdictions…

As we approach this year’s tax deadline it’s worth taking a look at which states have the highest and lowest tax rates.  The folks over financial site WalletHub.com recently identified the states with the highest and lowest effective tax burdens correlating data across four types of taxation: Real Estate taxes, Vehicle Property Taxes, Income Taxes and Sales & Excise Taxes.  Data used to create these rankings were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Tax Foundation, the Federation of Tax Administrators, the American Petroleum Institute, the National Automobile Dealers Association, each state’s Department of Motor Vehicles and WalletHub research. Their…

The American Institute of Architects recently released their Home Design Trends Survey for 4q of 2015 which, among other things, found that investment in kitchens and bathrooms remains a top priority.   Kitchens specifically have reinforced their position as the center of the home with design considerations that accommodate multiple activities. “Many of the new kitchen features that were really growing in popularity a few years ago have leveled off, such as larger pantry space and double islands,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “Popularity in LED lighting and upper-end appliances continues to grow at a strong…

The total percentage of 2nd homes among the nation’s housing stock increased to 5.6% according to new analysis from the National Association of Home Builders.    According to data, the total number of 2nd homes in America reached 7.5 million in 2014, an increase of over half a million from when the survey was last done in 2009.  Interestingly the top 10 counties with the largest share of 2nd homes are mostly near tourist destinations…go figure! “It is worthwhile to understand the patterns of second homes because they could have a significant economic impact on local housing markets and thus have…

There’s a new real estate domain name in town….dot homes.  Real estate resource and marketing solutions provider Homes.com announced this week that the sunrise, or trademark period for the new “dot HOMES” or .Homes top-level domain is now open for eligible trademark holders with open registration beginning May 12th. “A .Homes domain name is available exclusively to businesses that provide products or services to the residential real estate community. This includes real estate agents, real estate brokers, mortgage professionals, property managers, builders, property appraisers, property inspectors, property insurance providers, multiple listing services and real estate associations. All domain name applicants…

Just what are the five habits of highly profitable home flippers?  Today’s infographic from RealtyTrac lays it out pretty well.  Happy Friday…