Easiest way to get 2nd rental property (for my situation)

Easiest way to get 2nd rental property (for my situation)

Homeowner · Granbury, TX · Member since 2013 · 49 posts · 7 votes

Background first

I financed my first house 12 years ago. It is a 3 bedroom and 2 bathroom house and is a little over 1000 square feet. It has the biggest back yard in the whole development. Good neighborhood. It is across from the local high school. 2-5 minutes from everything in town. I paid about $57,000 for it if I remember correct. I am currently at a 7.59% interest rate. I know that's high, but I was 19 at the time. I currently owe about $45,000. I spent $15,000 last summer fixing up the inside (new tile throughout the house, new trim, new paint, new kitchen, etc). I put on a new metal roof about 2 months ago. Most of the houses in the neighborhood are being priced at $90-100,000. I know one recently sold in the $80's. So, people may not be getting $90-100,000.

My house payment/insurance/taxes are right at $600 per month. I am renting it out for $800 per month.

Now my real question.

Is my best bet to get another rental the beginning of next year to refinance this house (hopefully at a much lower interest rate) for $10-15,000 more than I owe (if possible) and use that money plus money I have in savings to put down on a new property?

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  • Real Estate Investor · Englewood, CO · Member since 2013 · 988 posts · 258 votes
    13y

    @Brandon Holtzinger,

    You have left out critically important information that must be considered in order to come close to providing you with options for your specific case.

    It would be wise to seek advice from a licensed professional tax and financial planner to make sure your considerations best fit your present status, strategy, and future plans - including building an estate. You are young and right now is the best time to make a life plan. Do you have children or have plans for children? This would be included in your estate plan.

    It is one thing to make money; it is a completely different strategy to building wealth and a solid estate.

  • Real Estate Investor · Central, TX · Member since 2012 · 479 posts · 165 votes
    13y

    I did something similar a few years ago.

    First off, where are you living right now and how long have you been renting your house out?

    If you can show that you have been leasing your house for the last 12-24 months, you can probably qualify for a new primary residence mortgage with as little as 3.5% down and the best rate too. You could then turn the newly acquired house into a rental after a short time..

    I did this and then refi'd my rental and saved over $300/month and did not have to put down 20%.

  • Dallas, TX · Member since 2011 · 308 posts · 59 votes
    13y

    Have you thought about selling? It's a great seller's market now and if it's been < 3 years since you moved out you can sell tax free.

  • Homeowner · Granbury, TX · Member since 2013 · 49 posts · 7 votes
    13y

    @Ryan R. @Ryan R. @Tom Goans

    I dont want to sell. I want it to be a rent house for as long as possible.

    My girlfriend and I decided to take the plunge and move in together so we are both living in her house. It is financed too, but her house payment/taxes/insurance total $300 per month. She has an interest free loan for her house. (special circumstances made that possible).

    I have only been renting my house out since the beginning of the month.

    We do have kids and our goals are to eventually have 15-20 rent houses to provide passive income for our future.

    We both have full time jobs that we dont plan on leaving any time soon that provide steady income.

  • Real Estate Investor · Central, TX · Member since 2012 · 479 posts · 165 votes
    13y

    You can still get another loan, but you will have to qualify (make enough money) for your current rental and your new house without factoring in the income generated by your rental.

    Go talk to some lenders in your town and see what they require; some are more willing to work with you than others.

  • Homeowner · Granbury, TX · Member since 2013 · 49 posts · 7 votes
    13y

    @Ryan R.

    Is the reason I will have to qualify w/o rental income from the first house because I have not had it rented long enough for it to qualify as income?

  • Real Estate Investor · Central, TX · Member since 2012 · 479 posts · 165 votes
    13y

    Yes. They want to see that you can effectively manage the asset and produce income.

    Being such a small note though, I don't see why you shouldn't qualify for both, unless your income is low or you have a lot of other debt.

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