For today’s rental real estate investors, opportunity comes in a wide sort of properties. If you’ve been thinking about whether to invest in multi-family or single-family rental homes, it’s important to note that there are both pros and cons for both. As a whole, investing in rental real estate offers strong long-term profitability and relatively low risk. Many Sandusky rental real estate investors specialize in one specific property type for a reason.
It takes time and effort to gain the knowledge essential to recognize when you’ve found a great property at the right price. However, if you need to make a choice or are looking to expand your real estate portfolio, first take a closer look at what both multi-family and single-family rentals have to offer.
When making a decision on a particular property type, there are many things you’ll have to figure out before even starting your property search. For instance, you will need to examine whether you will be able to arrange the financing you need, whether you have the right investment team on board, and which property best fits your particular business acumen and investing style.
So many investors begin by investing in single-family homes for a reason. Although they may not automatically be “easier” to buy, they can be less daunting for investors who are just starting. Arranging to finance a single-family residence is a fairly straightforward process that many investors are already familiar with. Plus, learning the ropes by managing just one property and one tenant can help new investors get up to speed without feeling overwhelmed. There is a lot to learn about buying and managing rental real estate, no matter which kind of property you choose.
On the other hand, investors can easily find out more about real estate investing by buying a multi-family property as a single-family rental. There will be more research required, and financing can occasionally be a challenge. But with multiple tenants, you can expect multiple streams of income to offset the higher expenses. While all multi-family properties can offer steady income and higher profits, the smaller multi-family properties, such as duplexes or triplexes, can hold great potential for rental property investors looking to branch out. Properties with four units or less can also be financed using conventional mortgages, making them more accessible in that way.
Several investors select the option to invest in single-family properties over multi-family properties due to the fact that they tend to have a more conventional appreciation and only some challenges. Under ordinary circumstances, both types of properties appreciate over time. But calculating expected appreciation on a multi-family property can be a bit more challenging than a single-family property.
The same is valid for property management, as well as leasing and tenant relations. The more tenants you have, the more time and effort it will take to communicate effectively with each one, conduct regular property evaluations, and complete regular property maintenance. If you hire a professional property manager, you may be able to get a reduced rate for a multi-family property. But the dollar amount you will end up paying will be higher since that percentage is usually based on the number of tenants you have, not your total rental income.
Lastly, it’s crucial to factor your exit strategy into your real estate investing decisions. When it comes time to sell your rental properties, single-family homes are easier to sell. This is because demand tends to be higher for single-family homes, and heightened competition means a better sales price for you. Through comparison, selling a multi-family property can take longer and be much more difficult to arrange, simply because you are limited to investors looking for multi-family properties. Because they are investors, they will be much more willing to pass your property by if it isn’t priced low enough to make it worth their investment dollars.
In the end, the type of property you choose to invest in is up to you. But now that you have a good understanding of the pros and cons, you can decide what best fits your investing goals.
Now that you’ve invested, are you getting the most out of your location properties? Look no further than the Real Property Management Clarity Team! Contact us online or call 567-200-2320 and ask our Sandusky property managers about our FREE market analysis.
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