For people that want to rent out their property, two things are crucial: to rent fast for their asking price and to have a great tenant who will stay for an extended period. You will have to make potential tenants feel amazing in your property to achieve both of these goals. As all great results usually involve some hard work, it is understandable that you will need to make specific efforts to achieve what you want. It is well known that staging homes yield fantastic outcomes both with tenants without any of their furniture and those that want to rent an empty property. In the following text, 7 staging tips for your rental property will wow your tenant candidates.
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​1. Your rental property must be clean and clutter-free 
No one wants to live in a filthy home with numerous unnecessary objects. Also, everything that looks like a lot of work throws off potential renters. Besides, untidiness inspires mistrust in many people, so your first step towards successful staging and renting is the good old cleaning. If you want to be efficient, don’t rush into it without a plan. Get the cleaning supplies first and clean each area at a time to be energy-efficient. 
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Too many objects that haven’t got much of a purpose must go. If your rental property is full of items that make the space too personal and crowded, you should do a thorough decluttering. Do you find it hard to part with your stuff and do not know where to put them? A potential solution for you would be to rent a storage unit. In any case, clean your property and remove what is unnecessary, leaving only the essentials. That will get you a blank canvas for the actual staging. 

2. Observe the home as a whole
One of the staging tips for your rental property you should always have in mind is that you are dealing with a whole and not rooms of which each comes from its own story. The human mind likes harmony; all else makes it uncomfortable. Once you select the style, stick to it throughout the house. One of the experts from  Spyder Moving, with extensive experience, says the interior designers working on his clients’ houses advised people to observe open doors as paintings. You wouldn’t put a painting that doesn’t match the room, would you? And the doors to adjoining rooms are usually open very often, so try to make the view through them fit the surroundings.
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 3. One of the staging tips for your rental property is to be mostly neutral
When it comes to taste, it's impossible to please everyone. What you might consider stylish, your future tenant might deem awful. The safest choice is to remain as neutral as possible. This refers to colors as well as furniture style. Neutral shades do not cause energetic, emotional reactions, so most people feel ok with them. For a bit of a twist, introduce the occasional pop of bold colors. To appeal to a larger number of viewers, restrict those to details that one can easily replace in case the potential renters hate them.
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When viewing a place, people like to imagine how their life would be in it. They even sometimes consider where they would put their stuff and make it more of their own. Therefore, do not add too many personal touches, leave it more devoid of personality and let them personalize it in their mind. You might want to give them advice on decorating a rental apartment and creating an even stronger connection to your rental property.  ​

4. Add details that invoke a sense of luxury
Do you remember the little details in the hotel rooms that made you feel pampered? They are not significant investments, but they make a great impression. You can do that, too, when you are staging your rental property. For example, you could get good quality towels and robes of the same color as the bath and arrange them just like in hotels. Also, high-end soaps are not as expensive, but everyone likes to see them. How about a collection of slippers in the same shade dominant in the home? That will wow the visitors right at the entrance. Apart from placing matching dishcloths in the kitchen, you could get a set of dishes that includes coffee cups. Finally, people love good bedding sets, so get high-quality ones. This will make your property more attractive to renters, and it won’t cost you too much.

5. Designate each room for a specific purpose and make it practical
Since you are staging a home and not showing it as an empty property, ensure each room’s purpose is clear. Any confusion that comes to people’s minds about what that particular room is for will make it redundant in their heads. That is not what you want; you want them to think the entire space your property consists of is necessary. So, put only bedroom furniture into bedrooms, and make kids’ rooms child-oriented. All will be clear in your potential clients’ heads, and your property will look better.

6. Don’t forget the curb appeal and the balcony
Don’t neglect the outside of your property. If there’s a yard that requires landscaping, make sure you have brought it to perfection. Again, people prefer to move into a home that does not immediately need work. When it comes to landscaping design, keep it simple so the tenants think it is effortless to care for it. The balcony is another matter, and it deserves attention just like all other rooms in the house, if not more. This is a place people like to chill, so try to make it cozy.  ​

7. Make sure your rental property smells and sounds fantastic
Let’s put it this way: your rental property is like a lady that is going on a date. Yes, it should be pretty, but it should also smell nice and sound fantastic. There are many air fragrances out there that will make your home smell divine, and everyone that comes to see it will fall in love immediately. As for the sounds, soothing music on TV or the stereo system will do. Everyone will be instantly transported into some relaxing scene in a movie and will want to stay there longer. ​

Final thoughts
As you can see, with these staging tips for your rental property, you will find perfect tenants that will be ecstatic to have found the home of their dreams. Just put in some effort, and it will turn out to be worth your while. You will be making someone’s life better and achieving your renting goal. Now that’s what I call a perfect end of the day. 

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Homesteads throughout Nevada have a lot of potential opportunities. The state’s primary cash crop is alfalfa hay. However, various other crops also grow well where irrigated, despite Nevada’s arid climate. These include potatoes, barley, winter and spring wheat, corn, oats, onions, garlic and honey. Raising livestock, however, is the primary way homesteaders and farmers can sustain themselves. 

But what if you wanted to go beyond personal sustainability and create an income from your family homestead? The good news is that this is possible with a little hard work and determination. Clark Real Estate shares some insights.

Legally Set Yourself Up for Business

​It isn't enough to want to create an income; you'll need to set yourself up for business legally. You may consider forming a limited liability company, which allows for several advantages when compared to other business types. Although you could use a lawyer, they come with a hefty price tag. Consider saving money by filing yourself or using a formation service. Each region has its own rules regarding the formation of a limited liability company, so be sure to research the regulations in your area before moving forward. 

Secure Funding for Expansion and Marketing

There are a few options for funding your business. For example, you could take out a business loan, borrow from your personal savings, or ask for help from friends and family. If you plan on getting a loan, make sure your credit history is in order. However, one of the best ways to secure funding for your new agricultural business is through grants. Finding a grant you qualify for can be challenging and take time, but it's well worth it.
A few tips to help you on your grant-funding journey include:

• Seek grants earmarked specifically for your industry
• Prepare a high-quality grant application
• Have a fully developed business plan ahead of time

Market to Attract Customers

Marketing your products to customers is crucial. It doesn't matter how great your local, organic honey or grass-fed beef is if nobody knows it exists. Take time developing a marketing strategy with a high return on investment (ROI) that doesn't stretch your resources too thin.
If you're adding images to your marketing materials or communicating with a designer, consider compressing your JPG files to make them easier to email. However, be wary of compressors that degrade the quality of your files. Instead, use a JPG-to-PDF converter that will preserve your image's quality and allow you to convert several at once.

Outsource Relevant Tasks to Save Time

Numerous small businesses have turned to outsourcing certain tasks. It can be more affordable than hiring a part or full-time employee in some situations. Running a homestead and selling your agricultural products is a very hands-on business that doesn't seem to leave much room for remote workers.

However, there are several tasks you could outsource. For example, you could outsource your website design, marketing, and content creation. You could even hire a virtual personal assistant to help organize and handle your online business. You can find freelancers for these positions on sites like Upwork and Freelancer.

You Can Create an Income From Your Homestead

​If you want to go beyond self-sustainability and create an income from your homestead, it's possible. You just have to take the necessary steps to market your agricultural products and legally set yourself up for business.

If you’re searching for a homestead property in the Reno area, reach out to the professionals at Clark Real Estate for all your real estate needs today!

Buying an investment property in Nevada is a financially wise decision. And not only because it's a valuable asset that can provide you with a significant passive income. On top of that, it can be a stress-free occupation. You can run a rental business any way that suits you. However, to ensure everything goes smoothly, it's better to choose the location carefully. Both local and long-distance landlords face different challenges and enjoy different benefits. Before you decide, it's best to consider both options. With that in mind, we've decided to examine both possibilities and help you make the right choice. So, local vs. long-distance investing: which is better for Nevada landlords?
How to make the right decision?
Firstly, before you start searching for the right property, you need to ask yourself a few questions. Knowing the answers will help you make up your mind and make a sound decision. So, ask yourself the following questions:

• What are your overall financial goals?
• Are you interested in cash flow, appreciation, or both?
• Are you planning to self-manage, or would you rather hire a property management company?

Decide on your financial goals
So, what are your financial goals? Do you want to get out of debt, gain independence, or accumulate wealth? To answer this question, you need to first assess your current finances. Then visualize where you want to be in the next five, ten, or twenty years. Knowing this will help you focus your investing in the right direction.

Choose the right market
Next, you need to decide on the right market. For example, you might want to have a high rent-to-value ratio. In that case, you should choose a cash-flow market that will provide you with valuable income. Or, if generating the cash flow isn't your priority, you might want to choose a market with a potential for long-term appreciation. Lastly, hybrid markets offer a mix of both options. Of course, what you decide on depends on your long-term goals.
Self-management or using property management?
To determine your real estate strategy, you need to answer this question. Maintaining the property and dealing with tenants can be pretty overwhelming at times. From the potential renovation of the property to tenants losing their keys for the n-th time, self-managing demands a lot of effort and work.
 
However, some landowners prefer to be in charge and gladly take on these responsibilities. If that is the case with you, there is no dilemma. In local vs. long-distance, local investment property is a clear winner.
 
On the other hand, if you'd rather hire a third party to manage your property, both options may work for you. In that case, the key is to find an experienced property management company you can rely on. Whether you choose a local or long-distance property, you'll be able to save both time and effort while they manage your rental business for you.

Local investment property
Now, let's have a closer look at what you can expect from buying a local investment property.
Familiarity with the market
The first and most obvious advantage is that you're more likely to be familiar with the market when you're investing locally. Every local market is unique, and knowing little flows and trends can help you invest in the right property. You'll know all the local attractions and amenities that are likely to attract tenants. However, doing proper research is still a must.
You'll have more control
This is crucial for many landlords in the local vs. long-distance dilemma. While it's not impossible to manage your property long-distance by yourself, it's certainly more demanding. On the other hand, you can choose a more hands-on approach as a local landlord. For example, you can meet with your tenants when necessary, show your property in person, and perform an inspection of the property.
You can hire local contractors when necessary
When you delve into investing in real estate, you're bound to need contractors at some point. Whether you want to remodel that fixer-upper or need some repairs, finding the right contractors locally is much more manageable. Firstly, you can choose them yourself and ensure they're suitable for the task. Secondly, they're less likely to try and take advantage of your absence.

Long-distance investment property
However, long-distance investments also come with their own set of advantages and drawbacks. Let's have a proper look.
A wider range of investment opportunities
Depending on where you live, your local market might not be able to offer you what you want. What if you need cash flow but live in an appreciation market? On the other hand, if you don't limit yourself, you can opt for a more profitable market with a higher return on investment.
 
If you find the right property in other parts of Nevada, you might even want to relocate there! If the business proves very lucrative, this might be an excellent idea. However, if you want to live nearby, ensure you plan your long-distance relocation with care. From packing your belongings to hiring trustworthy movers - many tasks will require your attention!
Use a property management company
Of course, you can do this on a local level, too. However, limiting yourself may lead to losing some excellent opportunities. And if you plan to hire property managers in either case, a long-distance investment can be a better choice. There are many reasons to hire property managers! Although it may seem a more expensive option at first, it can save you money in the long run. Especially if you don't have a lot of experience - they'll ensure your tenants are satisfied and your property in good condition.
You can use your property for a variety of purposes
While your goal is mainly to rent your property to tenants, you can also use it as a vacation home in between. Or, your kids can use it when they start college - no accommodation worries! And lastly, you might choose to relocate or retire there someday.
The bottom line
As you may see, there are many things landlords should consider when it comes to local vs. long-distance investing. Both options come with their unique advantages and issues. However, once you know your long-term goals and preferences, you'll be able to make the right choice.
Meta description: Buying the right investment property is not an easy task. Find out which is better for landlords - local vs. long-distance investing!

Hiring a professional to manage your investment property can take a considerable burden off your shoulders. You can still collect a profit from the rent without having to deal with the tenants or their issues. However, for things to run smoothly, it’s still important that you get along with the person managing your property. In this article, we will explain how to build a positive relationship with your property manager.

It’s very important to talk about and accurately define your expectations upfront so that there are no misunderstandings. In every human interaction, it’s very common for people to have unspoken expectations or take something for granted. However, when entering a professional relationship, it can be a huge mistake to leave any important topics unaddressed.

​Try to get everything in writing. The basis of any professional relationship is a signed contract. A legal document can help you outline the duties and responsibilities of the involved parties. The contract with your property manager will detail the fees you are obliged to pay the manager, as well as the exact services they will be providing for your Reno investment property. After the paperwork is out of the way, you can continue to build a positive relationship with your property manager, as neither of you will have to worry about the legal aspect of your professional interaction.

​Some landlords don’t want to deal with their property at all, and that’s probably the main reason they hired a property manager in the first place. On the other hand, there are landlords who want to have a hands-on approach and constantly be kept in the loop about what’s going on with their property. While discussing how communication will function, you can also agree on how it will happen – are you going to talk over the phone or just through emails.

It’s easy to build a positive relationship with your property manager when things are going fine. When there is no stress on the horizon, people generally tend to be relaxed, happy, and accommodating. However, in order to keep the relationship with your property manager functioning, you also need to have a protocol for dealing with stressful situations. Have a plan for dealing with:

• Emergencies. Be precise about what constitutes an emergency and which decisions the property manager can make independently.
  
• Reporting damage. How will they assess the damage, and how detailed should their report be? Will you need pictures of the resulting damage, and what will you compare them to?
  
• Repairs. Some minor repairs can be handled without your input, but ask the property manager to report repairs over a certain sum.
  
• Contacting you on weekends and holidays. Talk about exceptions when they should call you, even if it’s on the weekend, and what they should do if they can’t reach you. For example, when you are on an extended weekend in Las Vegas and are unable to answer the phone.

Even before you start looking for a property manager, you should go through a brainstorming process. First of all, try to think of what your deal-breakers are and what you will instantly say no to. Meet the property manager in person and see if you like their attitude and overall demeanor. You can ask them for their references and about their previous experience. Get a property manager who has a good reputation and comes with a recommendation.
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Inquire about their management style and how they handle various issues that can occur. Think up possible problematic scenarios and ask the property manager what they would do in that situation. The best way to build a positive relationship with your property manager is to find someone you think you’d like to work with.

​It’s common to hire someone to manage your Reno property if you aren’t living there yourself. If you are the owner of a remote property, it will probably be difficult for you to visit and inspect it often. Therefore, it’s essential to build a positive relationship with your property manager that is based on trust. On the other hand, you could choose to relocate to be closer to your investment property. For example, if you currently live in Vegas, you could leave Las Vegas for good and move to Reno. This way, you could live nearby and easily handle any emergencies with your property.

Although you are paying the property manager for their services, and your relationship is on a professional basis – it’s still okay to ask your property manager a few personal questions and learn their story. For starters, it’s the polite thing to do. Consequently, if business is all you ever talk about, building a positive relationship with your property manager will be tough. You can also congratulate them when they manage to quickly resolve a problematic situation. After all, giving credit where credit is due is normal for any professional relationship, so why would you treat your property manager any different?

While most folks are enjoying an increase in take home pay as a result of the TCJA (Tax Cuts and Jobs Act), understanding how the Act affects mortgage interest deductions is important. The legislation includes an increase of the standard deduction, which eliminates the need to claim the mortgage interest deduction at all for many tax payers. However, if your deductions exceed the standard amount ($12,000 for individuals and $24,000 for married couples filing jointly), you should be knowledgeable on what is allowable under the new rule. Here is a summary:

1. If your home loan was originated prior to January 1, 2018, and the loan was taken out to acquire, construct or substantially improve the home, the interest is still deductible.

2. Interest paid on Home Equity Loans are no longer deductible regardless of the origination date.

3. Interest on a mortgage taken out to refinance a previous loan will not be deductible.

4. The maximum mortgage amount allowed to deduct interest is $750,000.

5. If more than one house is owned and financed (for example; a lake home, ski home, country cabin, etc) only two can be used as mortgage interest deductions. So, if you have a primary residence with a mortgage and a second home with a mortgage and a third home with a mortgage, you can only count two of the properties as eligible for interest deduction. The properties selected can change from year to year which allows a home owner to choose the home loan with the highest interest rate to deduct.

While this is not a comprehensive list of the changes, it should help in making a decision on whether to refinance or to purchase. There are different methods available for calculating the allowable deduction and it is advisable to consult a tax professional for specific advice regarding this issue.

Mortgage interest rates are on the rise. After enjoying a long break from higher rates, home buyers and homeowners are realizing the impact of even small changes in interest rates. True, rates are far from what could be considered high. (As a comparison, consider mortgage rates in 1982-83 being over 16%.)

Currently, every $1,000 of financing a 30 year mortgage costs only about $5 per month. Here's what that means: If your budget allows for a monthly mortgage payment of $1,000 (not counting escrows for property taxes or insurance, PMI or HOA dues) that equates to a $200,000 loan.  If interest rates continue to rise as experts predict, even a 1% increase in rates reduces that $1,000 monthly payment to about $178,000 in financing. That's a difference of about 11% less buying power!  That could mean the difference between the home of your dreams and one you will settle for.

History shows that housing market activity actually goes up when rates increase.  The reason? Buyers realize they may miss out on getting the house they want with the payment they can afford. That results in a higher number of buyers looking at the same time. This drives up prices as more homes are sold with multiple offers.

There are some steps borrowers can take to improve their situation in a rising interest rate market:
1. Get pre-approved by a lender with competitive rates and a reputation of being able to move a loan from purchase to closing in a timely manner.
2. Pull together all the information your lender will need before you get together with them. This will include:

•   2 years of income tax returns with all schedules.
•   W-2's from the last two years.
•   3 months of bank statements.
•   A recent pay stub from your employment.
•   A recent statement from any retirement account or investment portfolio you may have.
•   Award letters, if any income is from Social Security or pension benefits.

3. A list of all your monthly debt obligations such as auto loans, credit card payments, student loans, etc.
4. Be prepared to address any negative items that may be on your credit history.

Having these items in advance will speed up the approval process significantly and give you an advantage in being able to move quickly when the right house becomes available.
Finally, discuss "locking" the interest rate with your lender. In a rising rate market, it is critical to understand the lender's policy to lock in a rate to protect you from changes that could occur prior to the closing of your loan. Typically interest rates cannot be locked until you have a purchase agreement signed by all parties and you have confidence in the closing date as well as having resolved any contingencies such as house inspections.

While rates are rising, it's still an excellent time to invest in real estate. Taking advantage of today's rates will make you look like a genius in the future and you will have locked in a stable payment for a long time to come.