How Eviction Diversion Programs Are Driving Rates (and Costs) Down

I wrote an article explaining why I am investing in real estate investment trusts (REITs) instead of rental properties. In short, REITs are still discounted, and I expect their lower valuations to result in higher returns in the coming years. Unfortunately, it would seem that many readers miss the point of investing in REITs due to misconceptions. I saw several people in the comment section claim that REITs should be less rewarding investments because:  - You don’t enjoy the benefits of leverage. - They are not tax-efficient. - You are paying managers instead of getting your hands dirty. But these statements are just plain wrong, and I am going to prove it.  Keep reading the article here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/8-reasons-for-why-reits-are-better-than-rentals Subscribe to the BiggerPockets Channel for the best real estate investing education online! Become a member of the BiggerPockets community of real estate investors - https://www.biggerpockets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Certain cities across the United States are emerging as economic powerhouses, creating ideal conditions for real estate investors.  I’ve published two previous articles on cities with growing tech hubs and high income increases, both of which are highly correlated with price appreciation. Keep reading the article here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/13-real-estate-hotspots-with-the-best-economies Subscribe to the BiggerPockets Channel for the best real estate investing education online! Become a member of the BiggerPockets community of real estate investors - https://www.biggerpockets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Affordable housing might be a priority for the government, but that doesn’t mean banks share the same view. According to a recent CoStar article, 11 federal home loan banks say that government pressure to fund their housing programs could threaten their stability. The Biden administration requires federal banks to contribute money through grants for affordable housing initiatives. According to a White House press release, the president proposed that “each Federal Home Loan Bank double its annual contribution to the Affordable Housing Program, which will raise an additional $3.79 billion for affordable housing over the next decade and assist nearly 380,0000 households.”  Keep reading the article here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/banks-face-pressure-from-government-to-fund-affordable-housing-projects Subscribe to the BiggerPockets Channel for the best real estate investing education online! Become a member of the BiggerPockets community of real estate investors - https://www.biggerpockets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If there’s a downside to investing in real estate, it’s dealing with nonpaying tenants. Many people prefer to put their money in the stock market because even with diligent screening, it’s inevitable that you’ll encounter tenants who fall behind on their rent. When that happens, your real estate becomes a massive headache. However, according to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, rent problems could be well on their way out. Keep reading the article here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/how-eviction-diversion-programs-are-driving-eviction-rates-down Subscribe to the BiggerPockets Channel for the best real estate investing education online! Become a member of the BiggerPockets community of real estate investors - https://www.biggerpockets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does this scenario sound familiar? “I distinctly remember a conversation I had with my boyfriend shortly after submitting an offer on my very first rental property. We were sitting at his son’s Little League baseball game, and my mind was wandering (if you’ve ever watched a Little League baseball game, you understand). I turned to my boyfriend and said, ‘What happens if they actually accept my offer on that property?’  The truth of the matter was, I was a 28-year-old with not even an ounce of rental property or landlording experience. All I knew was that I was over working a 9-to-5 W-2 job and thought that real estate investing could be my path out. Ever the black-and-white, straight-to-the-point kind of guy, my boyfriend responded with, ‘You’ll figure it out.’ Little did I know how true that statement would turn out to be.” That’s Amelia McGee, co-author of The Self-Managing Landlord with Grace Gudenkauf, explaining her anxiety and fear as a soon-to-be DIY landlord. Keep reading the article here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/pros-and-cons-of-being-a-self-managing-landlord Subscribe to the BiggerPockets Channel for the best real estate investing education online! Become a member of the BiggerPockets community of real estate investors - https://www.biggerpockets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Data privacy is an ever-increasing concern, particularly in finance, where sensitive information like personal and business bank statements, loans, credit information, driver’s licenses, and Social Security numbers are involved. Because of this, real estate is particularly vulnerable. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI), which allows more data to be transferred through apps and social media, further increases the need for robust laws and cybersecurity. Keep reading the article here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/data-privacy-is-a-looming-crisis-that-could-create-upheaval Subscribe to the BiggerPockets Channel for the best real estate investing education online! Become a member of the BiggerPockets community of real estate investors - https://www.biggerpockets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finding promising equity deals in today’s real estate market can feel like a needle in a haystack. Whether you’re an active or passive real estate investor, facing this challenge means it’s crucial to focus on making the most of your existing investments. By optimizing your current holdings, you can enhance their performance and ensure they align with your long-term goals—and put more money in your pocket along the way. Here’s a straightforward guide on how to do just that. Keep reading the article here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/optimizing-your-existing-properties-when-deals-are-hard-to-find Subscribe to the BiggerPockets Channel for the best real estate investing education online! Become a member of the BiggerPockets community of real estate investors - https://www.biggerpockets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you start them early enough, your investments can perform shocking feats of strength. They can even keep pace with the runaway cost of college tuition—which has more than doubled since 2000. The average cost of private college tuition and fees has reached $38,768, according to the Education Data Initiative, and you can expect that to keep skyrocketing between now and when your little one reaches college age.  Fortunately, real estate can help. Try these creative approaches to paying for your kids’ college education so you can stop worrying and start getting excited about your children’s university years.  Keep reading the article here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/creative-ways-to-pay-for-your-childrens-college-using-real-estate Subscribe to the BiggerPockets Channel for the best real estate investing education online! Become a member of the BiggerPockets community of real estate investors - https://www.biggerpockets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You have finally decided to enter the short-term rental (STR) market, and your biggest concern is a call from the local fire department stating that your house is ablaze or that your guest is suing you for a twisted ankle during their stay. Luckily, if you prepare with the proper insurance and care for your property, these types of situations can be managed. Listing your property on Airbnb can bring in extra income—and extra headaches if you are not covered properly. Don’t rely on your regular homeowner’s insurance since it won’t cover the unique risks involved. Before renting, review your policy and look into add-ons or endorsements.  In this article presented by Baselane, we’ll discuss the details of Airbnb’s limited insurance coverage and guide you through essential considerations like vandalism, theft, unpaid rentals, and guest injuries. We’ll also highlight the best insurance options tailored to Airbnb hosts so you can protect yourself from costly surprises and potential losses. Keep reading the article here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/what-kind-of-insurance-do-you-need-for-short-term-rentals Subscribe to the BiggerPockets Channel for the best real estate investing education online! Become a member of the BiggerPockets community of real estate investors - https://www.biggerpockets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Knowing how to price your rental property has been an issue since the dawn of time (or whenever the first rental was). Before the internet and modern technology, investors were driving around hoping to see a “for rent” sign and writing down (on paper) how much each place was going for.  Fast-forward to today, and calculating how much to set the rent for your property has changed dramatically. Let’s jump into how to correctly price your rental in today’s world from our friends at Baselane.  Keep reading the article here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/how-to-calculate-rent-for-any-property Subscribe to the BiggerPockets Channel for the best real estate investing education online! Become a member of the BiggerPockets community of real estate investors - https://www.biggerpockets.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices