Author: alyssa priddy (6 articles found) - Clear Search

Housing Demand Above Pre-Pandemic Levels

Freedom First REIA, LTD

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If you’ve tried to buy a house during this time, you may be surprised at how quickly viable homes are being snatched up. Despite the pandemic, housing demand continues to rise. Some experts indicate it is 25% above pre-pandemic levels.

Homes are selling at higher prices in part due to new listings being down by an average of approximately 27.1% from a year ago, as Zillow reported. The following chart shows the decreased percentage of listings for key cities in each state. With more buyers than sellers, this low inventory has obviously maintained an optimal seller’s market.

While the quantity of stock is lower than last year, there are different predictions for how the second half of 2020 will pan out as well as the beginning of 2021. For buyers, there may still be heavy competition for a home, but the upside is the low mortgage r
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Joining Efforts to Protect Our Homes

Freedom First REIA, LTD

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There is no doubt a national crisis upon us when it comes to health, work and our homes. Millions of Americans are faced with joblessness amidst the current pandemic. With the loss of income and/or the loss of health, a domino effect has occurred and has impacted almost every area of our lives.

Currently we all are experiencing tension in the face of an uncertain future. Whether that be health, career or home, we all have something at stake. When it comes to the housing market, there are several points of impact, from the renter to the investor or landlord.

For landlords, renting out property is a means of revenue. For some, this is their only means of income. Renters and landlords are both facing dire circumstances from either side of the spectrum.

Thankfully, there are organizations getting involved and working hard to see that individuals on all sides are being represented. Under One Roof Coalition as well as FFREIA are  pushing forward to help both tenants and property owners. Through the National Apartment Association, we are asking Congress to help renters & property owners to recover from COVID-19 and the housing issues it’s caused.

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Student Housing Contracts & COVID-19: What will Happen?

Freedom First REIA, LTD

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Landlords that rent out their properties for off-campus housing may be facing a bind. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused world-wide disruption in countless ways, creating economic issues. The housing market is no exception.

When it comes to student loan housing, landlords face the present challenge ahead. Some college students have left to be with their families and others have lost their jobs that pay for rent. This causes a dilemma for landlords that house off-campus students across the nation.

While students are trying to get out of contracts early, this creates a situation for the landlord. How will landlords bridge the gap?

For landlords that count on the rent to pay the monthly mortgage on the rented property are in a tough spot.

There is certainly compassion for students and landlords stuck in this quandary. If students are released early from their contracts, landlords bear the financial brunt of  the truncated agreement. 

“As the student housing industry grapples with how to respond to the pandemic, there is much uncertainty with how this will impact markets and leasing velocity,” says Christian O’Lone, regional property manager with DMG Investments. As stated via stud
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Temporary Pause on Evictions and Foreclosures: Will it be Enough?

Freedom First REIA, LTD

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New York State, among other states, has taken action to halt evictions during the current pandemic. New York’s Chief Administrative, Judge Lawrence Malks, stated in a memo that starting Tuesday, eviction proceedings and pending eviction orders will be suspended statewide until further notice.

The White House also issued a press-release stating HUD, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae will suspend foreclosures to the end of April. If the health crisis continues at this level, that won’t be enough. 

That’s roughly one monthly mortgage payment for some mortgages. 

If evictions are postponed indefinitely, but mortgage lapse has a time limit until the end of next month, the gap is concerning. Landlords, rightly so, worry that if renters  are unable to pay longer term, then how will the property owner pay their lender? Small-scale proprietors making up the difference isn’t a solution, another adjustment will have to be made in the near future.

Are there additional actions that can be made in the longer interim? Comment below with any beneficial thoughts, opinions or solutions.

*Because of the fast-changing pace of information during this time, all details above
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Coronavirus & Investing: What's Your Opinion?

Freedom First REIA, LTD

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Is the spread of coronavirus cause for concern when it comes to investing in real estate?

Although we shouldn’t take this turn of events lightly, there is no need to be over-alarmed. Panicking disrupts versus constructively approaching the issue with a level head. As investors, it's important to have a beneficial conversation about the potential impact.

We want to hear from you, what are your thoughts and opinions? Please share in the comment section below.

Here are some resources to read and consider:

https://www.fool.com/millionacres/real-estate-market/articles/how-the-coronavirus-could-impact-the-american-real-estate-market/
https://www.curbed.com/2020/3/6/21163523/coronavirus-economic-impact-housing-market
https://azbigmedia.com/real-estate/the-coronavirus-impact-on-the-real-estate-industry/
https://www.kirklandreporter.com/business/real-estate-coronavirus-mortgage-rates-and-inventory/

 


Three Key Tips to Property Management: with Karl Weekes

Freedom First REIA, LTD

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Is property management easy? 

If you go into it blindly, you may end up learning some lessons the hard way. It helps to have a set of resources, tools and advice going into property management that others have learned along the way.

Karl Weekes has over 35 years of experience and lessons learned along the way. We won’t be sharing all of his advice today, but here are highlights to consider when investing and maintaining a property. Make sure to join us for the upcoming session on March 21st for more!

1. Attract Quality Tenants. 

One of the most important lessons is to learn how to attract and identify quality tenants. This aspect directly effects the income and expense side of the equation. Bad tenants could ruin you and wipe you out. This is key to maintaining sustainability in managing property.

Deals and all negotiations with tenants must be a win-win outcome to succeed. The art of listening is an important part to this equation.  Creative problem solving is very rewarding - go for it!

The tenant is the lifeline to financial success. In the upcoming session, we’ll talk more about how you can attract the right occupant.

2. Educate & Equip

Never undervalue the importance of education, networking and mentorship. Make sure you are educated on what you are getting into. This is essential.

You need to have the real numbers and put them in a cash flow analyzer before you start investing. Acquire your property the right way, with all of the information up front. Know answers to questions like “What is the vacancy rate?”; this varies by area. Find that out and know your market.

For longevity, make sure you have a team of people, this is not a solo act: a real estate agent, insurance consultant, attorney, skill set advisors, coach and contractors (just to name a few). There are so many different jobs when owning property, you need to know what it entails beforehand, whether you do it yourself or have someone you’ll hire to do it for you.

You thought you bought an Investment ?  Nope you bought a business and it’s not a hobby – treat it as such. This an active investment not a passive one – make sure you have the time and understanding that this is an “on the job training” and it’s a time involved endeavor!

There is so much to know and understand to succeed. and it changes DAILY - becoming a member to a group like FFREIA is a fast track to get there. the networking and educational opportunities are second to none.

3. Plan, Adapt & Adjust

If you are in it for the long haul -  establishing an "operating system" is  mandatory. What is an OS?  again a constant moving system - Process, procedures, forms, establish criteria etc.so that the system works for you and you are not a slave to your properties.

You want an automated process, especially when it comes to quantity.

Have a plan and system but be ready to adjust when the time comes. Learn to adapt and adjust - Managing properties is a moving target on a daily basis. Rules, codes, Market forces etc.. change literally in a daily basis. Change is inevitable. Deal with it!



All of these tips directly impact your income and expense side of the equation or the deal - whether its success for failure - you want to be on the SUCCESS side.

For more on property management, make sure to check out the Investor Academy conference with Karl Weekes. He’ll be diving into more content and will share his years of expertise and lessons learned.Meet like-minded investors and gain knowledge about long-term investment. Visit: ffreia.com for more details and to register.

Hope to see you there!