What’s The Tea with 4D? 🍵

Hello tea time friends! It’s hard to believe that it is September. Already? Yes, indeed. And as such, I thought I would give you a little sneak peek into the latest in our little cabin build on the mountain. Or I as I like to call it, “My Humble Pie”. I have to tell you…this project is one for the books for numerous reason, none the least of which is how it is stretching my brain, physical strength and patience for learning something new. Who knew I would be learning how to be a part of a construction project at this age!

It got me to thinking about how easy it is to stick with what I know. When you have expertise in an area of life, it is certainly a draw to keep doing that thing. And who likes to be uncomfortable? Out of their element and wheelhouse? Many of us shy away from things that feel outside of our abilities. What I will say about this cabin experience is that it has forced me to step up on a lot of levels. And I think I am learning as much or more about myself as I am learning about how to build a home.

I am grateful for it all.

As far as the cabin itself, it is coming along! We finished the framing and just wrapped up sheeting the whole outside as well. I have been helping with stapling the sheets to the exterior and boy, let me tell you. I am pretty bad at it. LOL! I am not sure my attitude is helping much but I am sure trying to get the hang of it. Meanwhile, our son Jacob is in town and is helping Dave install the trusses. That is not a job for the faint of heart! I suspect that I will be faced with walking up on the top of the cabin to help with this in one way or another fairly soon so I am bracing myself for a new height (literally and figuratively).

Meanwhile, the land continues offering beauty. Whether it is the smell of rain on the earth, stars, birds and wildlife visiting us or the never-ending canvas of moving clouds, we are always treated to wonder by Mother Nature. I noticed these clouds the other day that reminded me of a soaring bird. I guess we are all spreading our wings in one way or another. <3

Thinking about your next steps in real estate? Let’s meet for coffee or tea to discuss your plans—my treat! 🧡

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Use the button below to pick a date and time that works for you. Once booked, I’ll reach out directly to confirm the details, and we’ll go from there.

Now is the time to focus on your real estate plans and turn them into reality. Let’s make it happen together! 🏘️

If your house is on the market but you haven’t gotten any offers you’re comfortable with, you may be wondering: what do I do if it doesn’t sell? And for a growing number of homeowners, that’s turning into a new dilemma: should I just rent it instead?

There’s a term for this in the industry, and it’s called an accidental landlord. Here’s how Yahoo Finance defines it:

Why This Is Happening More Often Right Now

And right now, the number of homeowners turning into accidental landlords is rising. Business Insider explains why:

Basically, sales have slowed down as buyers struggle with today’s affordability challenges. And that’s leaving some homeowners with listings that sit and go stale. And if they don't want to drop their price to try to appeal to buyers, they may rent instead.

But here’s the thing you need to remember if renting your house has crossed your mind. Becoming a landlord wasn’t your original plan, and there’s probably a reason for that. It comes with a lot more responsibility (and risk) than most people expect.

So, if you find yourself toying with that option, ask yourself these questions first:

1. Does Your House Have Potential as a Profitable Rental?

Just because you can rent it doesn’t mean you should. For example:

• Are you moving out of state? Managing maintenance from far away isn’t easy.

• Does the home need repairs before it’s rental-ready? And do you have the time or the funds for that?

• Is your neighborhood one that typically attracts renters, and would your house be profitable as one?

If any of those give you pause, it’s a sign selling might be the better move.

2. Are You Ready To Be a Landlord?

On paper, renting sounds like easy passive income. In reality, it often looks more like this:

• Midnight calls about clogged toilets or broken air conditioners

• Chasing down missed rent payments

• Damage you’ll have to fix between tenants

As Redfin notes:

3. Have You Thought Through the True Costs?

According to Bankrate, here are just a few of the hidden costs that come with renting out your home:

• A higher insurance premium (landlord insurance typically costs about 25% more)

• Management fees (if you use a property manager, they typically charge around 10% of the rent)

• Maintenance and advertising to find tenants

• Gaps between tenants, where you cover the mortgage without rental income coming in

All of that adds up, fast.

While renting can be a smart move for the right person with the right house, if you’re only considering it because your listing didn’t get traction, there may be a better solution: talking to your current agent and revisiting the pricing strategy on your house first.

With their advice you can rework your strategy, relaunch at the right price, and attract real buyers to make the sale happen.

Bottom Line

Before you decide to rent your house, make sure to carefully weigh the pros and cons of becoming a landlord. For some homeowners, the hassle (and the expense) may not be worth it. 

The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. Keeping Current Matters, Inc. does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein. Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision. Keeping Current Matters, Inc. will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on the information or opinions contained herein.