Hands On Real Estate Investing

We have a standing appointment every Saturday with our Real Estate Broker. We are always looking for below-market real estate properties, preferably foreclosures. When we drive into a neighborhood, we look for “curb appeal.” How do we identify “curb appeal?”

1. Is the neighborhood clean? (e.g., no trash on the ground)
2. Is the street well-maintained (e.g., no potholes)
3. Are the sidewalks and curbs well-maintained?
4. Are the yards well-maintained?
5. Are the homes well maintained? (e.g., painted exterior)
6. Is there attractive landscaping (e.g., trees, shrubs, flowers)?

We recently looked at a 3 bedroom 1.5 bath townhouse. When we drove into the neighborhood, this is what we saw:

Curb Appeal Increases Real Estate Market Value! This #neighborhood lacks #curbappeal . Why? The #firelane #firelanes #curb needs #painting. It is the first thing you see when you drive into the #development. Curb Appeal can affect #realestate market value negatively or positively. When #realestateinvestors buy #investmentproperty #investmentproperties #realestateinvestment #realestateinvestments check the surrounding #neighborhoods! #realestateinvesting #realestatetips #realestateadvice #rental #rentals #rentalproperty #realestatelife #handsonrealestateinvesting

A post shared by handsonrealestateinvesting (@handsonrealestateinvesting) on Apr 16, 2017 at 5:04pm PDT

When we met our Real Estate Broker inside the townhouse, it was gorgeous!

Chasing Foreclosures ! A Former Fixer Upper! #fixerupper #fixerupperstyle #fixerupperinspired #fixerupperhgtv #stepdown into #livingroom #freshpaint #newcarpet #foreclosure #foreclosures #realestateinvestors #realestatelife #realestateinvestor #realestate #realestateinvesting #realestatephotos #realestateagent #realestateinvestment #realestateinvestments #realestatebusiness #youtube #youtuber #youtubechannel

A post shared by handsonrealestateinvesting (@handsonrealestateinvesting) on Dec 11, 2016 at 12:26pm PST

An investor bought it as a foreclosure and fixed it up. The investor purchased it for $110,000 and a few months later listed it for $184,900.

Chasing Foreclosures! A Former Fixer Upper! #livingroom #livingroomdecor #freshpaint #newcarpet #stepdown into living room #foreclosure #foreclosures #realestateinvestments #realestateinvestment #realestatephotos #realestateinvesting #realestate #realestateinvestor #realestatelife #realestateinvestors #youtube #youtuber #youtubechannel #realestatebusiness

A post shared by handsonrealestateinvesting (@handsonrealestateinvesting) on Dec 11, 2016 at 12:18pm PST

It took 6 months to sell the house. The average days on market is only 45 days. The reason it took so long to sell the property is the lack of curb appeal! The townhouse eventually sold to another investor for $178,000. It is now being rented out for $1,600 per month.

Chasing Foreclosures! A Former Fixer Upper! #diningroom #diningroomdecor #frenchdoors #frenchdoor #lightingfixture #lightingfixtures #freshpaint #newcarpet #walkout #walkouts #realestate #foreclosure #foreclosures #fixerupper #fixerupperstyle #realestateinvestor #realestateinvestingtips #realestateinvesting #realestatephotos #realestateinvestment #realestateinvestments #youtube #youtuber #youtubechannel #realestatebusiness

A post shared by handsonrealestateinvesting (@handsonrealestateinvesting) on Dec 11, 2016 at 12:10pm PST

To get maximum long-term appreciation, the new owner should work with the HOA to:

1. Paint the curbs
2. Repair the sidewalks
3. Improve landscaping
4. Paint and repair fencing

These steps will help improve the appearance of the neighborhood, and increase market value! It will also make the townhouse easier to rent, and increase rental income.

To improve curb appeal, cut the lawn!

Curb Appeal Increases Real Estate Market Value! #curbappeal starts with a #freshcut #freshlycut #green #lawn #lawncare A beautiful lawn welcomes prospective #homebuyers #homebuyer #homebuying to your #home #house #houses #homeforsale #houseforsale #propertyforsale #realestateadvice #realestatetips #realestateinvesting #realestate #realestateagent #realestatesales #realestatephotography #realestatebroker #realestateagents #realestatesales #handsonrealestateinvesting #youtube #youtuber #youtubechannel #youtubers

A post shared by handsonrealestateinvesting (@handsonrealestateinvesting) on Apr 20, 2017 at 10:41am PDT

Trim shrubs to improve curb appeal!

Curb Appeal Increases Real Estate Market Value! The next step to #curbappeal is neatly #trimmed #Shrub #Shrubs #shrubbery hugging your #home #homes #house #houses & #landscape #landscaping #landscapes. Shrubs soften hard lines & help define #property #boundary #boundaries. #realestate #realestatetips #realestatesales #realestatephotography #realestateadvice #realestateagent #realestateagents #realestatelife #propertyvalue #marketvalue #realestateinvestor #realestatepics #handsonrealestateinvesting #youtubers #youtubechannel

A post shared by handsonrealestateinvesting (@handsonrealestateinvesting) on Apr 26, 2017 at 4:54pm PDT

Stone wall and landscaping maximize curb appeal for this single family home!

Curb Appeal Increases Real Estate Market Value! Beautiful #greenlawn #greenlawns #lawn & #landscaping maximize the #curbappeal for #realestate #residentialrealestate #residential #realestatepics #realestatephotography #realestatephotos #realestatephoto #landscape #landscapephotography #landscapedesign #landscapearchitecture #landscapes #landscapestyles #landscapelovers #landscaper #landscapers Learn more about the effect of curb appeal at #handsonrealestateinvesting #youtube #youtuber #youtubers #youtubechannel

A post shared by handsonrealestateinvesting (@handsonrealestateinvesting) on May 11, 2017 at 5:13am PDT

When beginner real estate investors are looking for a good rental property, keep an eye on the curb appeal. Curb appeal is an indicator of how your prospective neighbors feel about the appearance of the neighborhood. When you buy an investment property, you are not just buying the home, you are buying the neighborhood! As real estate investors, we want to be able to sell at a nice profit in the future! If you have any tips for finding a good rental property, please share your real estate tip by joining us at Hands On Real Estate Investing!

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The opinions expressed herein are solely those of the Author/WebMaster. Before taking any action, please consult your real estate, financial, and legal advisors.