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Investing in real estate can be a profitable way to grow your wealth, but it isn’t without its challenges. The guide below from South Jersey Real Estate Investors Association will answer your questions about investing in real estate as a beginner.

The Perfect Investment Property
Investing in real estate can be a great way to earn passive income; however, not all properties are created equal. Ideally, you’ll want to look for properties that generate positive cash flow — so you can cover your mortgage payments with your rental income alone.

Financing Your Investment Property
Once you’ve chosen a rental property and made sure it’s a good investment, you'll need to think about how you’re going to pay for it. There are various ways to finance your investment property, including buying with cash, using all or part of your existing home as collateral, or taking out a loan from a bank or mortgage company. If you’re planning on taking out a mortgage, be sure to review PennyMac loans and rates to get an idea of how much you can afford to spend.

Finding Help With Managing or Renting
One of your biggest tasks as a landlord is overseeing your property and addressing any issues that come up — whether it's handling maintenance, dealing with tenant questions, or deciding when to raise rents. Unless you’re planning on managing your investment property your ... Read More…

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A Guide to Moving and Starting a Business

Moving into your new home and starting your own business can be very stressful, but there are ways to make the transition easier for you and everyone around you. Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, it’s crucial to get all the logistics of your move taken care of before you start a business in your new home office. Here are some helpful tips to make this transition as smooth as possible.

South Jersey Real Estate Investors Association offers real estate professionals and investors webinars and events to build their knowledge. Become a member!

Launching a Home-Based Business

If you're setting up shop at home, start with some basic tasks. If you have children in your home who are old enough to understand, explain that they should avoid bothering you as you're working. And if there's an area where you'll be working, consider soundproofing it so that other family members aren't disturbed by the noise coming from your office. Remember: You'll be living and working in this space, so take steps to make it ideal for both purposes.

Home Buying Considerations

When you’re buying a home that will also be your place of work, it’s important to consider how much space you need and whether any special features will make doing business easier. If you don’t know what features to look for, start by checking out other people's home offices. 

• Are they crammed with b ... Read More…

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Use Design To Increase Investment Property Value and Attract Tenants

Renting is on the rise in the U.S., which means landlords are in the perfect position to find new tenants. According to research, rented homes made up 34.7% of the market in 2020. Of course, other property owners are taking advantage of these higher numbers, which means your house needs to stand out. Fortunately, you can attract renters with the right design choices. Here are a few tips that can help make your property attractive to would-be renters.

Beautify the Outdoor Spaces
When updating your rental property's design, don't forget about outdoor spaces. A neat front lawn increases curb appeal, while a comfortable backyard helps renters envision living there. You can find plenty of ways to beautify a yard to great effect:
• Create a dining area
• Build a deck
• Install outdoor lighting
• Add a fire pit
• Plant flowers

It's a good idea to hire professionals to handle backyard landscaping rather than tackle these projects yourself, especially if construction is involved. As you consider contractors, make sure you shop around and look for deals to minimize costs. You should also read reviews and check with local associations for complaints.

Consider a Property Manager
Property management is a full-time job. If you decide to take it on yourself, you'll be solely responsible for the following:
• Scheduling repa ... Read More…

Renovating Your Older Forever Home

Maybe that old home you just bought isn’t quite as perfect as you would like, which isn’t surprising or unusual. From serious issues to more aesthetic problems, there are a whole host of fixes for older dream homes. It can be a bit stressful to figure out which repairs and projects to focus on first, and that’s why having this resource list brought to you by the professionals at the South Jersey Real Estate Investors Association can help you get started.

Start By Addressing Structural and Safety Issues

Some updates may not be urgent, but when it comes to problems that pose a risk to your safety or your home’s structure, repairs simply can’t wait.

• Bob Vila explains that structural issues that should take priority include foundation cracks or old pipes that need to be replaced.
• Address mold and asbestos ASAP, which can have serious health consequences and should only be removed by a licensed professional.
• Electrical repairs should also be completed by a pro to ensure your safety. 

Then Move Onto Projects That Will Provide Comfort

Once you’ve taken care of major repairs for your old home, you should think about working on updates that will keep your family happy and comfortable.

• Some older homes may lack central heat and air, but they can be added.
• Removing or replacing old shag carpets can keep your family from experiencing the discomforts of allergies, asthma, and other illn ... Read More…

When deciding to build a home, accessibility is not often the top must-have feature that comes to mind. However, accessible homes are not only aesthetically pleasing to the eye but also functional too. Therefore, if you are planning on building an accessible home, what are tips on how to go about it.

What is an accessible home?

If you're new to the concept or, conversely, have your heart set on building an accessible home, it might be helpful to first define what an accessible home is. Simply put, a home with easy accessibility is a home that is designed with simplicity in mind. Moreover, a home with easy accessibility makes moving in, through, and around the property easy to do.

Benefits of building an accessible home

Accessible homes are growing in popularity for obvious reasons. One of the main reasons many homeowners are starting to favor accessible homes is that they can meet your most basic living requirements efficiently. As an example, you won't usually find many steps to climb to get to certain areas in accessible homes. Another example may be having an additional guest bathroom on the main floor for when you have visitors around. Accessible homes are also beneficial (and often safer) for seniors to get around in, not to mention making your home more accessible to visitors with disabilities.

Popular features of accessible homes

When designing a floor plan for your new accessible home, here are some popular features you may want to consider incorporating into ... Read More…