When Investment Properties Attack
After the heady days of the housing bubble, many Americans have found themselves renting out recently acquired properties. But being an accidental landlord can have a pricey dark side.
After the heady days of the housing bubble, many Americans have found themselves renting out recently acquired properties. But being an accidental landlord can have a pricey dark side.
Andy Buman has been financially responsible, and invested wisely in two rental properties and a home of his own in the Omaha, Neb., area. His small real estate empire is doing well, and he has saved an extra $20,000. His question for DailyFinance's Laura Rowley: Which loan should he apply it to for the best return?
It's simple supply and demand: More people are looking to rent apartments than are buying homes and moving out of them. The result: Rising rents, fewer concessions, and more competition for good apartments. If you're in the rental market -- and more than a third of Americans are -- what can you do?
The economy may be looking up, but for many of us, budgets are still tight. But if you're a homeowner wishing for a way to pump up your finances, you may be overlooking your greatest asset -- your home. There are plenty of unconventional ways to make money by renting out a portion of your property.
In today's shaky real estate market, more and more homeowners are becoming landlords, often as an unexpected necessity. Whether you're renting out your old house, an investment property or even a single room, being the landlord means tax breaks -- and you should take every one you can.











