Jay Mattlin, Real Estate Broker with Key Realty

There's no arguing there's costs associated with owning a home. But the adverse is also true; there are also definite costs associated with NOT owning a home.

The benefits of buying vs. renting has always been a hotly debated topic, with most people believing that — at least in the short term — renting is more cost effective. But most people don't consider the hidden costs of not owning a home and sinking all of your money into your rental.

Here are four sneaky ways that not owning a home will cost you:

1. Your pricing is never guaranteed

When you own a home, there are no surprises when it comes to your monthly housing costs. Once you lock in your mortgage, your payment will remain constant throughout the length of your loan (unless you decide to refinance in the future). The stability of having a mortgage gives you the peace of mind of knowing what to expect each month — and not having to worry about unpleasant surprises that completely thr...

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So. You've purchased an investment property and you aren't sure what to do next. Find tenants right? Well, if you own investment rental properties – residential or commercial – I think your first stop should be to hire a good property manager. And I'm not just saying that because I AM a Property Manager. Here are several reasons to hire a Property Manager.

More Money. Who Doesn't Like More Money?

Many landlords scoff at hiring a Property Manager because of the cost but over time, a Property Manager can actually bring you MORE money.

Having a property manager will mean your property will receive better care. With constant inspections and maintenance, your property will continue to look good over time and will attract higher quality tenants which then results in higher rent collection, less maintenance issues, and tenants that stay longer.

A Property Manager Knows the Law

In housing, there are a lot of laws. The American...

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The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development released new guidelines on emotional support animals and how it relates to Fair Housing on January 28, 2020.

It is not uncommon now for landlords to choose to employ a no pet policy in their rental properties. As a property manager for private landlords, it is a question I now ask with each new property – do you allow pets? The answers typically vary – they will allow cats but not dogs or will allow dogs but not cats. Sometimes they'll allow small animals confined to a cage but not cats or dogs. It is truly up to them. If they do allow pets, I typically employ a pet fee and additional monthly rent to help balance out the cost of repairs should they be needed when the tenants leave.

In speaking with many potential tenants though, it seems that private landlords do not understand the law when it comes to therapy animals, emotional support animals, and service animals.

According to the United St...

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Real estate agents see pet doors all the time. But more often than not they're put into doors that go outside, or maybe to the basement. So, Tampa agent Kristen Brown and her buyer clients were pretty surprised when they saw one that looked like it went into a closet in the middle of a house they were touring...

Where in the world did this lead to? The basement? Only one way to find out...

When they opened up the bottom part of the door they found a purrfectly private place for a litter box. Not only does it give the cat a little privacy, but it hides the litter box from sight. And the vinyl tiles on the floor and wall help make keeping it clean a cinch.

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Is January the new April? When it comes to the real estate market, experts say yes.

Regardless of whether that famous groundhog sees his shadow, a recent article on CNBC suggests spring will arrive early this year—at least when it comes to the housing market. In fact, some are speculating that January may very well be the new April.

What's causing this already-busy buying season to kick off ahead of schedule? Low inventory and rising home prices are spurring house hunters to come out of hibernation months before they previously would have.

With that in mind, whether you're buying or selling, or both, it's time to get moving. The following checklists will help you prepare yourself or home property so don't get left behind!

Getting Ready To Sell

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