References
NAR Library & Archives has already done the research for you. References (formerly Field Guides) offer links to articles, eBooks, websites, statistics, and more to provide a comprehensive overview of perspectives. EBSCO articles (E) are available only to NAR members and require the member's nar.realtor login.
Tips for Landlords
- Screen potential tenants using a written rental application
- Document the important facts of the agreement with a written lease
- Establish a fair system of setting, collecting, holding, and returning security deposits
- Stay on top of maintenance and make repairs when requested
- Provide secure premises
- Provide adequate notice before entering the rental space
- Disclose environmental hazards
- Choose and supervise your property manager carefully
- Purchase liability and other property insurance
- Try to resolve disputes with your tenants without lawyers and lawsuits
Source: Top Ten Tips for Landlords (NOLO, 2022)
Landlord Resources: A Complete Guide to Renting Out Property (Law Depot, Jul. 18, 2023)
This comprehensive guide for both commercial and residential landlords covers a landlord’s responsibilities, managing property and whether to hire a property manager, and federal laws that apply to landlords. In addition, users may customize and print essential documents such as rental/lease agreements and rental applications.
How to Become A Landlord - A Complete Guide (Clever Real Estate, Mar. 15, 2023)
Aimed at new landlords, this guide looks at the pros and cons of multifamily, single family, and short term rentals. It explains how to set rules, select tenants, and manage properties as a landlord.
Rental Property Tax Deductions (National Association of REALTORS®, December 22, 2022)
What rental property tax deductions can clients buying commercial or rental real estate take? Here's an overview of the main rental and investment property deductions.
Landlord Tenant Law (American Apartment Owners Association, Feb. 8, 2022)Landlord tenant laws are specific to each state. This collection of state-by-state laws covers current landlord tenant rules with links to learn more at state government websites.
Investing in Rental Property
How to Invest in Rental Property (Investopedia, Apr. 5, 2023)
In this detailed outline for new investors, learn how to secure a down payment, finance the investment, and obtain a mortgage on rental properties. You’ll also find information on calculating expenses, identifying good investment properties, and how to weigh the pros and cons of investing in rental real estate.
Build-for-rent is a Bet on the “New Normal” Housing Market (HousingWire, Jan. 9, 2023)
“The surge in build-for-rent single-family housing is coming at a time when there has been a sharp decline in overall in single-family home construction. NAHB attributes that decline to “stubbornly high construction costs (due to inflation), elevated interest rates and flagging demand,” which combined are “harming housing affordability.” Housing starts as of November 2022 were “down 32% since February, when mortgage rates began to rise,” NAHB reports.”
Rental Market Trends in the U.S. – Rent Growth Finally Slows (NerdWallet, Aug. 7, 2023)
"Prospective homeowners remain renters for longer as they face high demand and low inventory of existing homes, rising mortgage interest rates, as well as supply chain disruptions that have made it more expensive and difficult to construct new homes."
Considering Buying Your First Rental Property in 2023? Here’s What You Need to Know to Succeed (Entrepreneur, Apr. 20, 2023)
“Analysts and economists are monitoring the housing market, and many have predicted that a housing market correction has already begun or soon will. Today, the national housing market is up by only about 6% compared to March 2022, which is a relative slowdown in comparison to 15% a few months prior. Experts predict that house prices will continue to fall through 2023, with the markets that grew the fastest in the past year likely to see the starkest decreases (even up to 30% in overpriced cities).”
The Myth of Passive Real Estate Investing (Kiplinger, Jun. 6, 2022)
“Yes, real estate investing can be profitable, and after putting a lot of hard work in on the front end, it may be able to provide some passive income at some point in the future. But that is a very far cry from a guarantee, and it requires a significant amount of luck and skill to achieve that outcome.”
The Beginner’s Guide to Buying Your First Multifamily Property (BiggerPockets.com, Aug. 17, 2021)This in-depth guide covers the benefits of investing in multifamily properties, how to find and analyze them, financing for multifamily, and how to make an offer.
Property Management
Renter Motivations Revealed (Journal of Property Management, July/August 2023)
“The data shows that maintenance is likely the greatest driver of overall satisfaction. The largest difference between satisfied and unsatisfied renters came from the level of satisfaction with maintenance. Unsatisfied renters are far more likely to be unsatisfied with every aspect of how their property manager handles maintenance. Unsatisfied renters cite longer wait times, poor communication, and limited visibility into how maintenance is progressing.”
The Role of Technology in Modern Property Management (Forbes, May 31, 2023)
“Integrating self-service leasing alongside the shift toward increased automation in maintenance and complex accounting tasks has yet to spell the end for leasing staff. On the contrary, it is quite the opposite. Instead, automation assists in minimizing the time and resources needed for manual tasks, and with the increased capacity of staff, the focus can now be on improving the well-being of residents.”
A Guide: What Does A Property Manager Do? (Rocket Mortgage, Feb. 13, 2023)
This article explains a property manager’s responsibilities, details the fees involved in working with a property manager, and the weighs the pros and cons of hiring a property management company.
The Difference Between Property Management for Office vs. Industrial and Retail Properties (Aquila Commercial, Mar. 4, 2022)
“The property management services provided for different building types are usually similar. But, it’s important to know the differences so you know what to expect when you hire a property management team. In this article, we take a look at the typical differences in management between office, industrial, and retail properties.”
Useful Websites
Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM)
“The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) is an association of property and asset managers who have met strict criteria in the areas of education, experience and ethics. Founded in 1933, IREM’s mission is to educate real estate managers, certify their competence and professionalism, serve as an advocate on issues affecting the real estate management industry, and enhance its members’ professional competence so they can better identify and meet the needs of those who use their services.”
National Apartment Association
“NAA is the leading voice for the rental housing industry and as a trusted partner, valued connector and a powerful advocate, we are committed to serving 141 state, local and global affiliates, over 92,000 members and more than 11 million apartment homes globally.”
National Association of Residential Property Managers®
“The National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM®), founded in October 1988, provides a permanent trade organization for the residential property management industry. NARPM® continues to be the premier professional association of residential property managers, currently representing more than 6,000 members comprised of real estate agents, brokers, managers, and their employees.”
National Multi Housing Council
“NMHC is the place where the leaders of the apartment industry come together to guide their future success. With the industry’s most prominent and creative leaders at the helm, NMHC provides a forum for insight, advocacy and action that enable both members and the communities they build to thrive.”
Books, eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks.realtor.org
The following eBooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:
The Complete Guide to Buying and Selling Apartment Buildings (eBook)
Complete Landlord and Property Managers Legal Survival Kit (Audiobook, eBook)
Multi-Family Millions: How Anyone Can Reposition Apartments for Big Profits (eBook)
Opportunities in Property Management Careers (eBook)
Principles of Real Estate Management (eBook)
Property Management Kit for Dummies® (eBook)
Streetwise Landlording & Property Management (Audiobook, eBook)
What Every Landlord Needs to Know: Time and Money-Saving Solutions to Your Most Annoying Problems (eBook)
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
As a member benefit, the following resources and more are available for loan through the NAR Library. Items will be mailed directly to you or made available for pickup at the REALTOR® Building in Chicago.
The CompleteLandlord.com Ultimate Real Estate Investing Handbook (Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2009) HD 1382.5 L49
Buy It, Rent It, Profit! : Make Money as a Landlord in Any Real Estate Market (New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, 2009) HD 1394 C39
7 Secrets to Successful Apartment Leasing: Find Quality Renters, Fill Vacancies, and Maximize Your Rental Income (Chicago, IL: McGraw-Hill, 2006) HD 1384 C91
Every Landlord's Legal Guide (Berkeley, CA: Nolo, 2006) HD 1394 St4e
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