Things To Consider Before Investing In The Chicago Condo Rentals Market

By Pamela Wilson


Real estate has for long been used as a secure form of investment by those looking to hedge their funds against uncertainty. The boom is also attributed to the fact that most banks are quick to finance individuals looking to own homes. This article takes an exploratory look at the condominium market. It expounds on the options that an investor has when it comes to making money out of Chicago condo rentals.

Purchasing a condominium and getting good returns from leasing it out is something that should jolt the interest of the everyday investor. Nevertheless, there are certain aspects that determine if what one buys is a good investment or simply a cathedral in the desert. To be on the safe side, it is imperative that an investor looks at the financial projections before committing himself to purchasing property.

The most basic aspects you must analyze include maintenance expenditure, taxes and insurance fees against the annual rental revenue you expect to get. Such costs should be regarded as unavoidable liabilities as they water down profit. Other expenses you should include in your financial projections include advertising fees and the cost of procuring legal assistance during evictions. A tenant has just as much protection as a landlord under US law.

If finances are not a problem and you simply intend to buy your property in cash, you should enjoy a smooth sailing during ownership. On the contrary, one who opts to buy using a mortgage is bound to encounter many challenges thereafter. For one, there is the interest charged on the mortgage to bear in mind. Nevertheless, most financial institutions offer standardized rates when calculating their interest.

An investor using a mortgage basically has to calculate how long it will take to repay it based on the projected income of the rental. If the income will be too little to service the loan within the shortest time possible, it may be a bad investment. Interest rates appreciate as one takes longer to service a mortgage.

You should only go for a mortgage if you can finance between 25 to 50 percent of it upfront. This way, you get to enjoy a lower repayment obligation and service it altogether in a shorter time frame. The most important thing to remember when investing using a loan is if your projected cash flow is positive, the investment is a good one.

Before you pay for your condo, find out if your ownership will come with occasional monetary obligations. For instance, some require one to regularly part with assessment and association charges. Assessment fees are often geared towards financing certain services in common sections of the property. Such services include renovations on the exterior, parking lot, hallways, lobby, garage and landscaping.

The last aspect to consider is location. The property ought to be situated somewhere with great rental demand. Luckily, Chicago has got no shortage of clientele. There are plenty of students studying in the local tertiary institutions and folks in the employment sector. As long as you take your time doing research before deciding what to buy, everything should play out in your favor.




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