The Benefits and Returns of Investing in Single Family Homes - Real Estate Investing Series

A deep dive into the benefits of investing in Single Family Rentals. Alex covers all the key element on the topic, from accretive leverage to appreciation, as well as a number of other key factors to help you get started with Single Family Homes.
Written by
Alex Blackwood
Published on
April 4, 2024

Key Takeaways of Investing in Single Family Rentals

  • Investing in Single Family Rentals provides a wealth of potential benefits including appreciation, monthly income, tax benefits, and accretive leverage
  • Because of the cash flowing nature of the asset, as an investor, you can receive return on investment through any sort of macroeconomic climate
  • REIT investing does not provide the same benefits of fractional real estate investing, like through mogul

Home Value and Appreciation in Real Estate

What is Appreciation?

Appreciation refers to the increase in the property's value over time, driven by factors such as market demand, neighborhood improvements, and overall economic conditions. This natural growth in your investment's worth not only boosts your equity—providing a significant return when you decide to sell—but also enhances your borrowing power and net worth.

Why it matters?

Firstly, it boosts your equity, the difference between your property's current market value and the remaining mortgage balance. More equity means more wealth and better financial health.

Secondly, appreciation can supercharge your investment returns beyond the regular rental income. When you decide to sell the property, a higher sale price translates into a heftier profit, making your initial investment all the more rewarding.

Monthly Income

What is it?

Monthly income from single-family rental investing is the rent money that tenants pay to live in your property. It's the bread and butter of your investment, providing a steady stream of cash that can cover the mortgage, property taxes, maintenance, and still potentially leave money in your pocket each month.

This consistent flow of income is attractive because it offers a tangible return on your investment that you can see hitting your bank account every month, acting as a counterbalance to the expenses and financial commitments associated with property ownership. In some properties, a strong rental yield drives the majority of your returns, like in our property the Roman, which has a targeted yield of 9.6% this year.

Why it matters?

Monthly income is crucial because it can turn an investment property into a source of passive income, supporting your lifestyle or funding further investments. It’s all about financial stability; a solid monthly income from rentals can cushion against market volatility, ensure the property pays for itself, and provide the investor with financial breathing room.

Essentially, it’s what makes the investment sustainable in the long term, enabling investors to weather downturns in the property market and enjoy the fruits of their investment in the form of regular, reliable income.

Rental Property Tax Deductions

What is it?

Tax benefits in single-family rental investing are like the financial world's version of hidden treasure, offering investors a range of deductions that can significantly reduce taxable income. These benefits can include deductions for mortgage interest, property taxes, operating expenses, depreciation, and repairs. 

Essentially, many of the costs you incur to run and maintain your property can be subtracted from your overall income, lowering the amount of money the IRS expects you to pay taxes on. This means that while you're collecting rent and hopefully watching your property appreciate in value, you're also saving money on taxes, making your investment even more profitable.

Why it matters?

By maximizing the use of these deductions, investors can significantly reduce their annual tax bill, thereby increasing their overall return on investment. This isn't just about saving money; it's about strategic financial planning that enhances the efficiency and profitability of your investment portfolio.

Effective use of tax benefits can make the difference between a good investment and a great one, providing an essential cushion that can help absorb the impact of vacancies, repairs, or other unexpected expenses. In short, understanding and utilizing tax benefits allows investors to keep more of their hard-earned money, reinvest it, or enjoy it as they see fit, making it a critical component of successful single-family rental investing.

If you were to look at real estate investing in a REIT vs. fractional ownership, you can see the direct tax benefits. Assume a property yields 10% and you had invested in it through a REIT, the 10% becomes 5% after taxes. REITs pass along the tax burden to you, the investor. Now, had you invested in the same property directly or with mogul, the 10% would be shielded from taxes, and for the purposes of reporting your income may have shown up as a passive loss to the IRS.

Accretive Leverage in Real Estate

What is it?

Accretive leverage in real estate refers to the strategic use of borrowed funds to amplify the potential returns on an investment property. 

Essentially, it's when you use a mortgage or other loans to purchase a property, aiming for the income from the property—after all expenses, including loan repayments—to exceed the cost of borrowing. This difference represents an increase in the investor's rate of return, beyond what would have been possible using only their own capital. 

Accretive leverage takes advantage of the principle that if the cost of borrowing is less than the return on investment, the excess return effectively boosts the investor’s earnings, making their investment dollars work harder and more efficiently.

Why it matters?

It’s all about the power of amplification. By using borrowed money wisely, investors can control a more valuable asset than they could otherwise afford, increasing the potential for higher income and appreciation gains. 

Accretive leverage matters because it can significantly enhance investment returns, making it a potent tool in the arsenal of savvy real estate investors. However, it's a double-edged sword; just as leverage can amplify returns, it can also magnify losses. 

Therefore, successful application of accretive leverage requires a careful balance, understanding the market, and managing risks wisely. When executed correctly, it enables investors to accelerate wealth creation, leveraging market conditions and financing to achieve their financial goals more efficiently.

The Bottom Line

Real estate has a full arsenal of potential returns to investors. While real estate investing seems daunting, platforms like mogul have made it so you can dip your toes in as you learn. A learn while you earn approach, if you will. There is no substitute to pure real estate investing, and so we provide exactly that, a pure real estate investment experience from the comfort of your own home. 

Stay up to date
The latest releases and tips, interesting articles, and exclusive AMA's in your inbox each week.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.