Author: josh

Turning your home into a rental property can create a steady source of income, but success starts well before your listing goes live. Whether you’re renting out a home in Austin, TX, or a vacation rental in Myrtle Beach, SC, taking the time to prepare your home, understand your responsibilities, and create a positive renter experience can help you attract qualified tenants and protect your investment. The process of setting up a rental property involves more than cleaning the house and posting photos online. From making the property move-in ready to setting the right rental price and creating a clear…

You’ve read the books. You’ve listened to the podcasts. But you still don’t feel “ready” to invest in real estate. You’re not alone! This is one of the most common rookie struggles, and today, we’re showing you how to break free from analysis paralysis and finally get in the game!Welcome to another Rookie Reply! We’re back with three questions from the BiggerPockets Forums that, together, map the whole path from inaction to actually closing on your first deal. An experienced property manager wants to buy their own rental property but doesn’t know where to start, while another investor needs help…

We’ve reached the midway point of 2026, and with six months of housing market data to pull from, one thing is clear: the headlines don’t match reality.The media is full of economic uncertainty, global conflict, and even housing crash predictions. But the actual data points to something else entirely.The 2026 housing market? It’s surprisingly stable. No, there isn’t a ton of activity. Interest rates remain elevated. We’re still in the “Great Stall.” But things are more predictable. And that’s all investors need to make informed decisions.Not to mention, there’s a third factor—a silver lining—that not nearly enough real estate investors…

➡️ Did someone forward you this email? If you would like to receive this information directly, every morning before the markets open in New York, sign up here. ONE BIG THINGAI is costing Big Tech more money than it earns—and Wall Street hates it Alphabet made history on Wednesday, booking its most profitable quarter in corporate history—$112 billion in profit, the first 12-figure quarterly profit in history. Revenues in Google’s cloud computing business, the core of the company, soared 82%.  So why did investors punish Alphabet, sending its shares down nearly 7%, the worst day since tariffs? Because for the first…

You’ve weighed your options and decided an HOA community best fits your lifestyle and needs – enjoying access to perks like maintained grounds, pool facilities, and hassle-free exterior maintenance. But with every community operating differently, how do you pick the right one for you? Whether you’re searching for a home in Austin, TX, Phoenix, AZ, or Tampa, FL, this Redfin guide will walk you through the essential steps for vetting an HOA community so you can move in with complete peace of mind. 1. Review the core governing documents (CC&Rs and Bylaws) When vetting an HOA, your first priority should…

Renting an apartment or house comes with plenty of upfront costs, but your monthly rent isn’t always the full picture. If you’re not prepared for utility fees or other unexpected charges, the true cost of renting can add up quickly. Understanding these often-overlooked expenses can help you budget more confidently and avoid surprises after you sign the lease. Whether you’re renting an apartment in Scottsdale, AZ or a house in Nantucket, MA, this guide covers the most common hidden costs of renting so you know what to expect before signing the lease. Ready to budget with confidence? Let’s get started.…

Dave:Americans on average think they need $1.2 million to retire, which might seem reasonable at first, but there is a scary part here. Most people aren’t going to get anywhere close to that number. Over half of Americans expect to retire with less than $500,000 and many of them far less than that. But here’s the other thing that you need to pay attention to. Even though $1.2 million sounds like a lot, if you actually do the math, that may not buy the life you’d expect it to because almost no one accounts for the two things that quietly…

The U.S.-Iran war is not going fantastically well for either side. President Trump has been unable to conduct the negotiations he had hoped for and reach a final deal over the Strait of Hormuz. And Iran’s military infrastructure—and a great deal of its economic infrastructure—have been reduced to rubble.Looming over the conflict is a timeline both sides are aware of: The midterms.For Trump, that means the Middle East conflict needs to reach a palatable point for voters before November. For Iran, it means making life difficult for the Oval Office and waiting out the president in the hopes he will…

If you’re in the process of fixing up your home, you may be wondering if it’s worth using replacement or new construction windows. As is true with much in life, the answer depends. Whether you’re replacing windows before selling or doing a larger home renovation, it’s best to weigh the pros and cons of each option before making a decision. To help you determine which option is right for your project, we asked the experts to share their insights on considerations homeowners should know. In this article: Overview Replacement windowsNew construction windows UsesExisting frames are in good condition, updating appearance,…

In This Article According to the media and average Americans, landlords are all rich, lazy leeches growing fat off of honest workers.  It’s an easy narrative to spin. Too bad the numbers prove it’s not true in the slightest.  Most landlords actually lose money. I did, back when I still bought properties directly.  Here’s why so many landlords quit—and a few alternative ways to invest for the same cash flow, appreciation, and tax benefits without all the headaches and costs.  Average Landlord Size What’s the most common portfolio size among landlords?  To hear the media tell it, you’d think those…