How to Rent Out Your House and Buy Another

Stephanie Danielson

Have you outgrown your current home, or do you find yourself in a position needing to move and buy a new home?  Many persons in this situation are keeping their current property, renting it out, and buying another. 




Becoming a landlord certainly isn't for everyone. However, having tenants who pay enough rent to cover your mortgage, increase your equity and possibly give you extra monthly income can be a fantastic investment--for now and when you retire.  Keeping your old home as an investment property is one of the easiest ways to become a landlord.  Securing a mortgage for a second home is just like the process you went through to buy your first home. Approval depends on your income, savings, down payment, credit rating, and debt-to-income ratios.  Buying a second home that you plan to live in doesn't require you to pay a higher down payment or have a certain amount of equity in your existing home; you simply have to prove that you can afford two mortgages.   


Before you start shopping for a second home, I've listed 6 important tips to verify you're ready to own a rental property. 


Tip #1:  Review Your Existing Mortgage


Some mortgages don't allow you to convert your residence into an investment property without paying a penalty or refinancing into a more expensive, non-owner occupied loan.  Once you switch your insurance from a homeowner's policy to a landlord or commercial policy, the lender will definitely know that you're not living there anymore. So read your mortgage or call the lender to make sure that you understand what's allowed.


Tip #2:  Research the Rent


Never assume you know how much rent you can get for your home. In some areas, the going rent is less than what it costs to own a home. So consult with your local property manager about actual rents that investors are getting for homes similar to yours.


Tip #3:  Estimate the Ownership Cost


Once you know how much rent you could charge for your home, subtract your carrying costs. These include all the expenses of owning and managing an investment property--not just your mortgage payment.  Get an estimate on a landlord's insurance policy because bad tenants can destroy your home and be a huge liability if something goes wrong.  Add up the cost of this insurance and your property taxes--plus, you may need to cover the cost of homeowner's association dues, yard work, pest control, and utilities.  Use an Investment Property Calculator to make sure owning a rental would be profitable for you.


Tip #4:  Factor in Vacancies


In addition to a rental property's known expenses, always factor in the unknown by using a 10% annual vacancy rate. For example, if you charge rent of $1,000 a month or $12,000 a year, have at least $1,200 ($12,000 x 10%) set aside. That's the minimum cash cushion you should keep on hand to be prepared for unexpected repairs or a tenant who disappears in the middle of the night.


Tip #5:  Consider Using a Property Manager


I always recommend that you budget enough to hire an experienced property manager. They charge about 8% to 10% of the rent, but can pay for themselves by getting you the best rental price and saving you time.  A good property manager will screen tenants, execute leases, get estimates for repairs, and take annoying late-night emergency maintenance calls and much more.  If you decide to manage a rental property yourself, you'll need to understand landlord and tenant laws for the state where your rental property is located.


Tip #6:  Get a Mortgage Preapproval


It's never too early to meet with a lender for a free consultation about whether you can afford to buy a new home and keep the old one as a rental. Always get a mortgage pre-approval before you start shopping for your first or second home.  Lenders can provide you with a pre-approval letter after they review and verify your financial information.  This will indicate the maximum amount you can borrow for a certain period of time.  Once you confirm that you can turn your home into a rental, have a realistic expectation of its annual cost, and get your mortgage preapproval to buy a second home, you're on your way to becoming a real estate investor!



Did you know that Acuity Group provides Full Service Property Management Services?  Listed below is a brief summary of our services:


  • A free rental evaluation to help you maximize your earning potential.
  • An effective and comprehensive marketing plan to get your rental in front of the right audience
  • Tenant screenings to ensure that we find a reliable, optimal match for your rental
  • Management of the finances and contracts involved in the rental
  • Ongoing management services including; rent collection, emergency service, maintenance, and tax reporting.


It is our goal to help you grow your investment and see the best possible returns from your property!


If you are thinking of buying, selling, renting your home, or leasing real estate this year we’d love to hear from you! Working with experienced professionals can boost your profits!

 

Acuity Group

564 Dodge Ave. Suite A

Elk River, MN 55330

763-633-3535

www.ACGProperty.com

                                     
 OUR SPECIALTIES:  Residential & Commercial Seller and Buyer Services, Senior Real Estate Specialist, Association Management Services, Property Management Services, Residential Rentals, Residential and Commercial Investment Property Specialists, New Construction, Listing & Marketing Specialists, CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Experts), Short Sale Specialists, REO/Bank Owned Sales. Golf Course Properties, Waterfront Property, Acreage and Farms, Vacant Land, Condos and Townhomes, Industrial/Manufacturing/Retail Properties, Association-Maintained Properties, Senior Housing, Luxury Homes, Vacation and Secondary Housing.

 

Serving the following Minnesota Counties: Sherburne, Anoka, Wright, Hennepin and portions of Mille Lacs and Isanti Counties


Contact Us

By Stephanie Danielson June 30, 2025
Housing Inventory Is Up and More Sellers Are Willing to Negotiate!
By Stephanie Danielson May 30, 2023
You’re probably feeling the impact of high inflation every day as prices have gone up on groceries, gas, and more. If you’re a renter, you’re likely experiencing it a lot as your rent continues to rise. Between all of those elevated costs and uncertainty about a potential recession, you may be wondering if it still makes sense to buy a home today. The short answer is – it does. Here’s why.
By Stephanie Danielson February 20, 2023
Once you’ve made up your mind to downsize your living conditions, it is time to develop a step -by-step plan so your transition moves along smoothly. Check out these 10 tips to get started in the right direction!
By Stephanie Danielson December 6, 2022
When we say ‘commercial real estate, simplified’ we mean it. Buying, selling, or leasing commercial property can feel stressful and even overwhelming. You want to know that you have an experienced and trusted Commercial Real Estate Brokerage on your side, working to help you achieve your goals! Serving Elk River, MN and surrounding communities since 2008.
By Stephanie Danielson November 17, 2022
If you are behind on your mortgage payments or your mortgage is out of balance with your budget, and you want to avoid foreclosure, you need to know your alternatives, and quickly take action!
By Stephanie Danielson August 18, 2022
 Whether you’ve just retired or you’re thinking about retirement, you may be considering your options and trying to picture a whole new stage of your life. And you’re not alone. Research from the Retirement Industry Trust Association (RITA) shows 10,000 Baby Boomers reach the typical retirement age (65) every day, and only 47% of the people in that generation have already retired.
By Stephanie Danielson November 4, 2020
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, median rent continues to rise. With today’s low mortgage rates, there’s great opportunity for current renters to make a move into homeownership that stretches each dollar a little bit further. While the best timeline to buy a home is different for everyone, the question remains: Should I continue renting or is it time for me to buy? The answer depends on your current situation and your future plans, so here are some thoughts to help you decide if you’re ready to own a home of your own. 1. Rent Will Continue to Increase This is one of the top reasons why renters decide to move because in most cases, rent will continue increasing each year. As noted above, the U.S. Census Bureau recently released its quarterly homeownership report, and as the graph below shows, median rent is climbing year after year. When you own a home, you’ll lock in your monthly payment for the life of your loan, creating consistency and predictability in your payments. 2. Freedom to Customize This is a big decision-making point for many people who want to be able to paint, renovate, and make home upgrades. In many cases, landlords determine all of these selections and prefer you do not alter them as a renter. As a homeowner, you have the freedom to decorate and personalize your home to truly make it your own. 3. Privacy When renting, your landlord has access to your space in case of an emergency. If you own your home, however, you’re the one to decide who can come inside. Given today’s health concerns around the pandemic, this may be a growing priority for you. 4. Flexibility for Relocation If you’re renting, it may be easier to move quickly should you have a job transfer or simply decide it’s time for a change. When you’re a homeowner and need to sell your house, this might take a little more time. Today, however, with the housing market’s low inventory, this may no longer be the case. Homes are selling at a record-breaking pace, so you may have more flexibility than you think. 5. Building Equity When you pay your rent, your landlord earns the equity the property gains. If you own your home, the benefits of your investment go directly toward your net worth. This is savings you’ll be able to use in the future for things like sending children to college, starting a new business, buying a bigger home, or simply downsizing to save for retirement. 6. Tax Advantages When you own your home, there are additional advantages that work in your favor as well. You can deduct things like your property taxes and mortgage interest (Always make sure you check with your accountant to see which tax-deductible benefits apply to your situation). When you rent, however, the tax benefits are directed to your landlord. Bottom Line It’s up to you to decide if you’d prefer to rent or buy, and it’s different for every person. If you’d like to learn more about the pros and cons of each, as well as resources to help you along the way, let’s connect to discuss your options. This way, you can make a confident and informed decision with a trusted expert on your side. If you are thinking of buying, selling, renting your home, or leasing real estate this year we’d love to hear from you! Working with experienced professionals can boost your profits! Acuity Group 564 Dodge Ave. Suite A Elk River, MN 55330 763-633-3535 www.ACGProperty.com OUR SPECIALTIES: Residential & Commercial Seller and Buyer Services, Property Management & Residential Rentals, Association Management, Residential and Commercial Investment Property Specialists, New Construction, Listing & Marketing Specialists, CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Experts), Short Sale Specialists, REO/Bank Owned Sales. Golf course properties, water front properties, acreage & hobby farms, vacant land, condos & townhomes, industrial/manufacturing/retail properties, association maintained properties, senior housing, luxury homes, vacation & secondary housing. Serving the following Minnesota Counties: Sherburne, Anoka, Wright, Hennepin and portions of Mille Lacs and Isanti Counties
By Stephanie Danielson, Broker August 22, 2020
If you've owned investment/rental property, and have attempted rental property management on your own, you know what a demanding and time consuming task it can be. The endless details, unexpected time involvement and potential legal issues can really take a toll on a rental property owner. Have you ever considered hiring a rental property manager to take over the day to day operations of your rental investment? Take a look at the numerous property management services that Acuity Group can offer you! About Us: Acuity Group is a full service Property Management brokerage, located in Elk River, Minnesota. We specialize in the leasing and management of residential rental properties. We've successfully managed hundreds of metro area rental homes since we opened our doors in 2008. Our tried and true systems provide our landlords more freedom, peace of mind and profitability! • Acuity Group manages residential rental properties within a 20 mile radius from Elk River, MN. • Our portfolio of properties range from single family homes, to townhomes & condominiums. • We screen and lease our Owners' properties to qualified tenants that meet our Occupancy Criteria guidelines. • We consistently monitor and inspect our Owners' properties to ensure the highest level of maintenance. • We are well versed in and practice according to local and federal law. • Our Property Management staff has criminal background clearance and follows strict written company policy. Our Property Management Services: Pre-Rent Services: • Comparable Rental Market Evaluation • Comparison: Sell vs Rent • Rental Exit Strategy Advising • Investment Strategy Advising • Rental Preparation and Staging Advising • Rental Safety Standard Advising • Property Insurance Review Rental Marketing Services: • Individual Property Marketing Plan with Online Entry to Multiple, Proven Websites • Featured Rental Listing in Acuity Group's Website (consistently places high in online search results) • Social Networking Exposure to Multiple Sites • Lock Box Installation • Property Sign Installation (if desired by Owner) • Property Showings to Pre-screened Tenant Prospects Tenant Screening/Placement Services: • Tenant/s Credit and Background Check (performed using the sophisticated CIC Reporting Residential Scoring System) • Employment Verification • Tenant Rental History Verification • Negotiation of Rental Terms • Preparation of Lease & Contract Addenda (heavy emphasis on Property Owner rights including added protection clauses) • Security Deposit Trust Account Management Property Management & Maintenance Services: • Emergency Service • Online ACH Tenant Rent Collection & Landlord Deposit • Property Inspections • Maintenance Management • Tax filing: 1099 to Landlord and CRP to Tenant • Initiation of Unlawful Detainer Proceedings Hiring Acuity Group to manage your rental property keeps your profits high and vacancies low! Contact us to schedule a free Rental Property Analysis today! Acuity Group Real Estate Professionals 564 Dodge Ave Suite A Elk River MN 55330 Office: 763-633-3535 www.ACGProperty.com OUR SPECIALTIES: Residential & Commercial Seller and Buyer Services, Property Management & Residential Rentals, Association Management, Residential and Commercial Investment Property Specialists, New Construction, Listing & Marketing Specialists, CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Experts), Short Sale Specialists, REO/Bank Owned Sales. Golf course properties, water front properties, acreage & hobby farms, vacant land, condos & townhomes, industrial/manufacturing/retail properties, association maintained properties, senior housing, luxury homes, vacation & secondary housing. Serving the following Minnesota Counties: Sherburne, Anoka, Wright, Hennepin and portions of Mille Lacs and Isanti Counties
By Stephanie Danielson, Broker August 4, 2020
Acuity Group's experienced Realtors® and dedicated support staff take pride in a job well done. Together, we stay focused to meet all of our clients’ real estate needs. Acuity Group excels in providing old-fashioned customer service, paying attention to even the smallest details, which explains why the majority of our business comes from past and current customer referrals! List of Services: • Single Family Home Sales & Leases • Commercial Property Sales & Leases • Property Management • Association Management • New Construction • Short Sales • Investment Property Why Choose Us? • We are honest, loyal & accountable professionals. • We implement proven & successful marketing strategies. • We possess excellent contract knowledge & negotiation skills. • Our entire team is attentive to our customers’ needs. • Our greatest referral source is from satisfied customers. • We are a trusted, reputable, local business and member of the Elk River Chamber of Commerce. • Our staff and agents are up to date on the latest real estate trends and industry issues and continually strive to acquire additional education and training. • We are well versed in, and practice according to, the Minnesota Landlord/Tenant and Federal Fair Housing Laws. • All personnel have criminal background clearance and follow strict written company policies. • Our staff are trained to protect your confidentiality. Your information is never released to anyone without your written consent. Full Service, Full Confidence, and Full Satisfaction! Acuity Group is Ready and Able to Assist with ALL of Your Real Estate Needs! If you are thinking of buying, selling, renting out your property, or leasing real estate this year we’d love to hear from you! Working with experienced professionals can boost your profits! Acuity Group 564 Dodge Ave. Suite A Elk River, MN 55330 763-633-3535 www.acgproperty.com OUR SPECIALTIES: Residential & Commercial Sales & Leases, Property Management, Residential Rentals, Association Management, Residential and Commercial Investment Property Specialists, New Construction, Listing & Marketing Specialists, CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Experts), Short Sale Specialists, REO/Bank Owned Sales. Golf course properties, water front properties, acreage & hobby farms, vacant land, condos & townhomes, industrial/manufacturing, commercial retail properties, association maintained properties, senior housing, luxury homes, vacation & secondary housing. Serving the following Minnesota Counties: Sherburne, Anoka, Wright, Hennepin and portions of Mille Lacs and Isanti Counties.