I'm looking for either firsthand info, or some resources regarding this topic. Currently I own only one house, but in less than 3 years we'll be ready to move and purchase another. When I got this place, my initial thought was to fix'er up and sell for profit when I was ready to move...using the profit for a downpayment on the next place.
Well, lately since home values are dropping and people being foreclosed upon at record pace are needing places to rent...I've been kicking around the idea of keeping this current place and renting it out... using the equity to secure the loan on my next home. It seems to me I'd make alot more money selling this place in 30 years (most likely) than I would in 3... the house being something of a nest egg in that case.
The mortgage is low enough that I can afford payments on the place whether someone was renting it or not, but Im wondering about the other type of hassles involved in being a landlord. I assume there is another insurance to carry? Are there agencies which handle paperwork...writing leases, running credit checks, etc. so I don't have to deal with all that myself? What are some other pitfalls?
Well, lately since home values are dropping and people being foreclosed upon at record pace are needing places to rent...I've been kicking around the idea of keeping this current place and renting it out... using the equity to secure the loan on my next home. It seems to me I'd make alot more money selling this place in 30 years (most likely) than I would in 3... the house being something of a nest egg in that case.
The mortgage is low enough that I can afford payments on the place whether someone was renting it or not, but Im wondering about the other type of hassles involved in being a landlord. I assume there is another insurance to carry? Are there agencies which handle paperwork...writing leases, running credit checks, etc. so I don't have to deal with all that myself? What are some other pitfalls?