Rent prices are climbing faster than asking prices, and the gain in rent prices is seen in metros where asking prices are actually falling, according to a report from Trulia.
Nationwide, year-over-year rent prices were up 5.1% in October, while asking prices were up 2.9% during the same period including foreclosures.
Out of the top 25 rental markets in the United States, Houston led with a 16.5% yearly increase. Miami and Oakland took the next two spots with a 10% gain in rent prices.
As we continue to go through Morgan Stanley's “Housing 2.0: The New Rental Paradigm” we're more confident that 2012 will be a big year for real estate investors. For one, the financial services company boldly concludes, “…gross rents are historically attractive relative to current distressed prices. Adding to this attractiveness is the fact that multifamily data shows rents continuing to rise.”
This is a good indicator for real estate investments. Anyone who’s been active in the market clearly knows why rental properties have become precious assets among investors. And for the newbie, it isn’t that difficult to discover the logic here. A depressed housing market with very affordable properties means that demand for homes are down. This indicates that buyers opt to rent properties instead of buying a home. With this surge in rental demand, real estate investors are just as excited as everyone else who are poised to earn positive cash flows from their rental properties.
Setting the right rent can be one of the most difficult areas for many people who are investing in rental property. If your property rents out in no time, it could be an indication that you are not charging enough rent. On the other hand, if your property seems to take a long time to rent out, it could be a clear indication that your rent is too high. So, how do you go about setting a rental rate that is in line with the current market?
One of the best places to start is the local newspaper. It is imperative that you do some research to find out what rent prices are driving the local market. Location is the most important factor in determining rental rates. For example, a three bedroom, one bath home in one part of town may rent for $1,100 a month while a similar property on the opposite side of town may only be able to draw $900 per month.
