Value or location?

That’s just one question investors ask themselves before investing in the real estate market.

Demographic data, real estate trends and personal criteria are all important factors, but the most important thing is location.

First, you need to determine the type(s) of rental property you want to add to your portfolio. There is a range of property sizes and different sets of characteristics to choose from.

Next, have a defined budget. Property valuations change depending on location, size and features, so knowing your budget will help you know where to start your search for your desired investment property. There are going to be a variety of costs, too, including closing costs, operating costs and property taxes, among many others. Your goal is to make a profit, so consider overall costs and recurring expenses that align with your budget to preclude you from taking a loss.

What are your real estate investment goals and how long will it take to achieve them? These are more questions real estate investors should keep in mind before getting ahead of themselves.

The aforementioned factors are essential to help shape your real estate investing plan, which will serve as a guide for when you probe investment opportunities in different locations. Here’s what you need to know about which places offer the best real estate investment properties in 2021:

• Residential properties.
• Industrial properties.
• Commercial/retail properties.
• Vacant land.

Residential Properties

As people continue to work from home, they may find that they need more space as they continue to move out of cities and into the suburbs. With much of the workforce reducing their commute or eliminating it completely, the amenities of a city center may not be a sticking point for renters, making a suburban setting more appealing.

The ongoing pandemic has people looking for more outdoor space and home offices, says Moira Taylor, co-owner and CEO of Taylor Made Realty in Atlanta. “Investors should consider the suburbs of major metropolitan areas, as they’re an ideal investment and have seen an increase in buyer demand in places like Atlanta, New Jersey, San Francisco and other major city suburbs,” she says.

Taking note of these trends, real estate investors may turn to the suburbs for residential rental opportunities. An important question investors should ask themselves is: “Can I earn enough in rent to cover costs?” says Bill Walker, the chief operating officer for Kukun, a real estate data company based in Menlo Park, California.

“I like to do a complete analysis of all of the different costs that I expect to have from renting out the property with a good idea of what I’m going to earn in rental income,” Walker says.

If you have about 20% more in a monthly payment coming from rental income, you have a nice profit cushion, he says.

Places where you tend to find these opportunities are in the Midwest markets like Cleveland, Cincinnati, Kansas City or Dallas, Walker says.

Vacation rental properties are also residential investment properties to consider as a way to diversify your investment portfolio. A common risk associated with vacation rentals is the property doesn’t offer consistent year-round rental business. But Walker says that investors who choose a “four seasons of opportunity” property, where tenants can stay all year, could be an attractive investment that offers upside in both good and bad economic times.

He cites areas like the Pocono Mountains in northeastern Pennsylvania, Lake Tahoe in Nevada and California, the Outer Banks in North Carolina, Big Bear in California and the Eastern Shore in Maryland.

Regarding vacation rentals, Walker says, “Demand seems pretty stable in great economic environments and poor economic environments.” Even during the Great Recession when it would be challenging to sell properties, he says vacation rentals were staying afloat because people still wanted to take vacations enabling investors to keep their business going.

“During COVID-19 times, we’re finding that if it’s within driving distance of major cities or metro areas, people want a change of scenery in a place where they can go out even if it’s not in a way we think of traditionally,” Walker says.

Airbnb – the online vacation rental company making its initial public offering debut on Dec. 10 under the ticker ABNB – has been deeply impacted by the pandemic, but its business was able to quickly bounce back a couple months later. According to the company’s prospectus summary, as millions started to take domestic travel with the ability to work from home, guests ended up taking longer Airbnb stays. The need to travel even locally can be viewed as a resilient aspect of the vacation market and Airbnb’s business model.

Industrial Properties

Industrial rentals, which generally consist of large-scale properties used for storage, warehousing, manufacturing or distribution may be a thriving investment in the new year. The e-commerce boom that took effect this year, caused by people spending considerable time in their homes, is lining up to continue in 2021. This trend requires companies to house their products in real estate that facilitates easy distribution.

Industrial real estate has certain property characteristics. Eric Maribojoc, director of the Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship at George Mason’s School of Business, says, “These facilities will need to be close to population centers with easy access to major highways. They will need to be in neighborhoods that can tolerate a lot of truck traffic and with a workforce available for warehouse and fulfillment operations.”

Griffin Industrial Realty (GRIF) is an industrial real estate company that develops, owns and manages industrial facilities. GRIF properties tend to be located near major highways and densely populated markets. The company has its very own construction team, so they are experienced in the development and management of industrial projects.

Given the complexity of managing this type of real estate asset class, investors may be more comfortable investing in an industrial stock such as Public Storage (PSA), the world’s largest self-storage company, based in Glendale, California. PSA continues to develop more facilities and expand locations. As of Sept. 30, the company has opened new projects in Florida, Missouri, Minnesota and California, with the development of more facilities to come.

Commercial/Retail Properties

Real estate investors may have gotten spooked by the mass exodus from cities into the suburbs, thinking to take a step back from commercial real estate properties.

But Art Scutaro, executive vice president of project management at National Realty Investment Advisors in Secaucus, New Jersey, says, “When commercial real estate drops in value in major cities, that creates opportunity.”

He says now is the time to buy.

“I think major cities buying up real estate now will get a great deal in any major city,” he says.

But Scutaro points to the problem of not having cash flow from tenants to sustain the mortgage. This means that investors will need to be able to cover expenses until the market recovers.

If you’re holding cash, then you’re in a great position to buy up any type of commercial real estate in major cities, Scutaro says, including hotels, offices or retail spaces because you can negotiate the price down lower as people are desperate to sell.

Vacant Land

Investing in vacant land may be better suited for a more seasoned investor or real estate company that’s experienced with handling issues like permits, zoning restrictions and financing these types of projects. Industry professionals who have experience can easily deal with what may seem a major challenge to an individual investor. In this case, investing in a homebuilder or a real estate investment trust may be a better option as investors will gain exposure to the investment without the hassles associated with building large-scale properties.

Taylor says areas where the climate is warmer year-round are good investments when looking for vacant land opportunities.

“States like Florida have seen a surge of buyers since the onset of the pandemic which will continue to drive property values up as well as land value,” Taylor explains. “With families having to be home more, outdoor spaces are increasingly important and especially having access to them all year long in a warmer climate.”

For a balanced real estate investment, investors can consider Toll Brothers (TOL), a leading national builder of luxury homes in the real estate market. TOL has years of experience in the construction and management of new homes and rental communities. The company has mastered the home construction process and has built a solid reputation throughout its years in the business.

The pandemic put a dent in the construction business – with TOL’s home sale revenues down 2% in the first quarter, down 11% in the second quarter and down 7% in the third quarter, but TOL has the wherewithal to meet the challenges ahead. The latest quarter marked the highest third-quarter contracts in TOL’s history, according to a company report. TOL is a trusted and well-capitalized home builder, with a market cap of $6.2 billion. TOL stock is up about 20% year to date, with the current stock price around $45.

Takeaway

Real estate investing can be a rewarding long-term investment. Despite challenging market conditions, there are real estate investment opportunities in either residential single-family rental properties, multifamily commercial properties, industrial real estate as well as vacant land that you can consider in 2021.

Original Article  [Source: www.msn.com]

So many homes are selling that we could run out of new houses in months

Have you thought about moving amid the coronavirus pandemic?

Is your Instagram feed littered with captions reading “Surprise! We bought a house!” underneath photos of couples posing with sets of keys and whimsically colored front doors? Have you seen unbearably long lines for open houses in your own neighborhood?

If it seems like the hottest pandemic purchase is a home, well, it’s not just your hunch telling you that.

A shocking volume of homes are selling rapidly, according to recent data. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) released a report in late September finding that existing home sales had hit a 14-year high in August. Separately, Bloomberg reported that if homes continued to sell at that rate, the US would run out of new homes inventory in just over three months, the shortest such time frame in records dating all the way back to 1963.

It’s only been sinking since then.

In September, total housing inventory hit a new record low, of just 2.7 months supply, per the National Association of Realtors. In October, it sank even lower, to just 2.5 months.

As the fall progresses, builders have tried to remedy the shortfall, starting construction at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.42 million in September, a 1.9% increase from the previous month and an 11% increase year-over-year, per Census data.

Buying a home right now isn’t nearly as affordable as low mortgage rates promise, with low supply continually ratcheting home prices up. And it’s only going to become more expensive, potentially dashing future homeowners’ dreams.

Read Full Article [Source: www.businessinsider.com]

Shelter-at-home orders and other measures were put in place just before springtime this year, which is usually the best time of year for listing and selling homes. However, 2021 poses to be a much more stable year for real estate, according to Realtor.com.

Low inventory, a higher number of buyers than sellers, and historically low mortgage rates sent housing prices upwards quickly. It also made fall the hot time of year for sellers instead of the warmer months.

But 2021 should send things back to where they once were and continue pushing new trends that were emerging even before the pandemic.

Since mortgage rates of around 3% have become the norm, they don’t feel as exceptional and won’t entice buyers as they have in the recent past.

Realtor.com predicts home sales to come in at 7.0% above 2020, building momentum through the spring and continuing through the end of the year. Economic growth from coronavirus vaccines and more normal consumer spending will fuel this trend.

As for home prices, they’re still going up, but they’re slowing down. 2020 is looking to end 7.6% over 2019. But 2021 should only increase by around 5.7%. This will be aided by many millennials trading up and adding inventory to the market.

Speaking of inventory, 2020 saw half a million fewer homes on the market than the previous year. However, “newly listed homes” should be more numerous by the end of 2021. And we may even see an increase in inventory—a first since 2019.

The big trends to watch out for, however, are an increase in first-time buyers, people wanting at-home offices, and suburban migration.

Millennials make up the largest generation, and on their heels are the Gen-Zers who are entering their home-buying years. The older Millennials, those approaching 40, will be looking to trade up and purchase bigger homes to accommodate growing families. These two generations have been able to save money due to shelter-in-place orders and less going out in general, meaning they’ll have more money for down payments.

Remote work was already a growing trend before the pandemic forced more white-collar workers to stay in their homes. And it looks like many will continue to primarily work away from the office, adding to the appeal of the suburbs. Look for an increase in listings mentioning home office space or even close-to-home remote-working options, like coffee shops.

Since commutes have changed, so has the need to be downtown. More people are comfortable with the idea of commuting further if they have to than before, according to a summer survey.

Sellers will continue to have the upper hand throughout the entire year due to an accelerated buying process—thank you, lower inventory. But all in all, 2021 should feel more normal and predictable than 2020.

Read full article: [Source: www.dsnews.com]

1st Place Winner for Best Halloween Decorations

When Zachary Rowe, Executive Director for Friends Of Parkside, approached DAWGS to sponsor its Annual Parkside Halloween Party, the DAWGS team didn’t hesitate to help out. Friends of Parkside (FOP) is a non-profit, community-based organization located on Detroit’s east side, in The Villages of Parkside, a public housing community. The purpose of FOP is to promote solidarity and help build self-esteem for the youth in the complex, by providing educational and employment-related resources. 

DAWGS sponsored Parkside’s 2019 Halloween Party, but due to COVID-19, a 2020 traditional Halloween Party was not possible. The children of Parkside were disappointed, and it served as yet another reminder of the impact the pandemic is having on their young lives. In spite of COVID-19, FOP was able to provide the Parkside children with a safe, fun-filled Halloween experience. “I really appreciated Brandon’s quick response to our request. Without DAWGS’ support, the event would not have been possible”, Zachary Rowe said. 

The COVID-compliant Halloween celebration involved delivering treat bags filled with candy, chips, dental care products, books, and other fun items to approximately 200 children between the ages of 3 to 12. In addition, the Friends of Parkside organization held a Halloween costume contest for children and the best Halloween Decoration Contest for parents.

Despite the pandemic, the first FOP “Reverse Trick or Treat” celebration was a success. The children of Parkside and their parents were able to have a safe Halloween celebration.

Volatility surrounding the 2020 presidential election has helped push mortgage rates to their 12th record low this year, giving both homeowners and buyers a boost.

The average rate on the popular 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 2.78% for the week ending Nov. 5, down from 2.81% the previous week and 3.69% the same week one year ago, according to Freddie Mac.

“Interest rates dropped to another record low this week … because of uncertainty around the election results,” said George Ratiu, senior economist at realtor.com.

“In a volatile economic environment, where the number of Americans filing for initial unemployment just last week totaled an elevated 751,000, and with low returns due to the Federal Reserve’s quantitative easing, bond investors sought the relative safety of mortgage-backed securities.”

Mortgage rates follow loosely the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury.

Other mortgage products, including the 15-year fixed, FHA loans and jumbo mortgages, set new record lows for their average rates last week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, or MBA.

With rates now close to a full percentage point lower than they were a year ago, homeowners are rushing to refinance yet again, even as so many have already refinanced in the past year. Mortgage applications to refinance a home loan were over 80% higher last week compared with a year ago, according to the MBA.

Read full article [Source: www.cnbc.com]

Today’s real estate trends reflect the reality that, after months of quarantine, Americans who have not been economically impacted by the pandemic are looking at their homes and realizing that they want something bigger and better. “Everybody that ever wanted to do anything is doing it now,” says Stacey Oestreich, a saleswoman for Douglas Elliman in Westchester County, New York. “There has always been the holdback, but now they’re doing it. If they wanted to move out of state, they’re doing it. If they always wanted Mom to come live with them, they’re doing it.”

1. Location Independence

After months of remote work, buyers are cutting ties with the cities where they work, looking for more space and privacy in the suburbs, the country, and second-home destinations like South Lake Tahoe, Palm Beach, Hawaii, and the Hamptons. They are looking for larger homes, on large lots. Some are buying land when they can’t find what they want in a frenzied market. “They’re moving farther afield,” says Andrew Cogar, president of Historical Concepts. His architectural firm has seen an uptick in business in Maryland, the Carolinas, and Virginia. “Everyone is on Zoom. You can set up your base anywhere.”

2. A Multi-Purpose Sanctuary

As Americans work, study, and exercise at home, they are expecting much more from their homes. “People are digging into their homes in a way that we haven’t seen since the 1950s,” says designer Patrick Mele. “People want to make their homes as singular and interesting and particular to them as they can.” They want space to exercise, and not just on a Peloton bike in the bedroom but in a light-filled room that can rival that canceled SoulCycle membership. They want a dedicated home office, and probably two, with good lighting and an elegant backdrop for a Zoom call. “The pandemic reaction is all about being inside your bubble,” says Mala Sander, an associate broker with Corcoran in the Hamptons. “You are making your bubble as beautiful and accessible as possible.”

3. A Home, Not Just a Showpiece

Suzanne Kasler’s design clients are looking for spaces that are as comfortable as they are welcoming, with durable fabrics that will hold up to extra use. “Having a more comfortable and more accessible and more usable house is important because everybody is home and they need a place to go,” says Kasler. The home office, arguably the biggest “must-have” of the moment, needs to be functional, not just attractive, even if that means the printer is no longer hidden inside a cabinet. Homeowners are “not apologizing that it is a working office,” Cogar says. “Desk spaces get bigger, lighting gets better.”

4. Second Home, Primary Destination

The second home has taken on a central role for homeowners who retreated to theirs during the pandemic, and many homeowners are adding upgrades more typical of a primary residence, like more storage and expanded kitchen pantries. Those who didn’t own a second home before the pandemic are looking to buy one now, focusing on properties that could be used on a regular basis, with space for the children to study, and good wireless networks so the family can work, not just play.

Second-home markets are seeing a surge in buyers. “When I was a kid, I always said people come [here] to spend their money, not make it,” says Whitney McGurk, a sales associate at Brown Harris Stevens in Palm Beach, Florida. “Now they’re moving their businesses here” and staying longer.

5. Outdoor Expansion

Pandemic life has been one lived largely outdoors, so homes with ample outdoor space are selling fast. Homeowners want those spaces to be welcoming, with pools, cabanas, and outdoor living rooms with features like a fireplace, a television, a bathroom, and a kitchen with a pizza oven. Homeowners are also looking for quiet nooks so they can escape without ever leaving. Barn houses, sheds, garages, and carriage houses are being converted to artist studios, home offices, or classroom space for the children. Landscape architect Miranda Brooks says some of her clients are now living in the country full-time, experiencing their homes in a different way than before. As the world rapidly changes around them, she says, “They are sort of reimagining their lives.”

Article Source: [www.architecturaldigest.com]