First Investment and Rent Growth Decisions.

First Investment and Rent Growth Decisions.

Member since 2025 · 3 posts · 5 votes

Recently purchased a 2-bed 1-bath house that also included a detached insulated shop/garage for $78k and appraised for $105K. I have a potential long-term tenant whom I very much prefer to avoid any vacancy on my first deal. Since they are looking to sign a multi-year deal, I wouldn't mind keeping a slightly below-market rate in this example, I would use $800/month 

My question is, does anyone do a low yearly rental increase on long-term tenants (2%) as to keep up with property taxes or potential repairs, or does this complicate things, and should I just charge a rate I know that I would be happy with for 2+ years? 

Also, I plan on subdividing the property and selling the furnished garage, and using this to purchase a second property. Open to any thoughts on that as well. 

Thanks, also, this is in a small rural Iowa town. 

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  • Investor · Hendersonville, NC · Member since 2016 · 498 posts · 285 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Brett Robberts:

    Recently purchased a 2-bed 1-bath house that also included a detached insulated shop/garage for $78k and appraised for $105K. I have a potential long-term tenant whom I very much prefer to avoid any vacancy on my first deal. Since they are looking to sign a multi-year deal, I wouldn't mind keeping a slightly below-market rate in this example, I would use $800/month 

    My question is, does anyone do a low yearly rental increase on long-term tenants (2%) as to keep up with property taxes or potential repairs, or does this complicate things, and should I just charge a rate I know that I would be happy with for 2+ years? 

    Also, I plan on subdividing the property and selling the furnished garage, and using this to purchase a second property. Open to any thoughts on that as well. 

    Thanks, also, this is in a small rural Iowa town. 



    If your main goal is to lock in a solid first tenant and avoid vacancy, offering a slightly below-market rent for a longer lease sounds reasonable, especially if they're someone you trust. this is something a lot of folks do/have done. A 2% annual increase is pretty standard and usually not enough to scare off a good tenant, but it helps offset inflation and rising expenses. Just make sure it's in the lease upfront so there are no surprises.


    As for subdividing and selling the garage, that could be a smart move if there's real demand and it doesn’t limit future options for the main house. I would double-check zoning and local regulations before you go too far.




  • Lender · Sarasota FL · Member since 2025 · 27 posts · 6 votes
    1y

    @Dominic Mazzarella is right! I would also like to add we will probably not be seeing rising rents in the Sunbelt area for at least several years. So locking someone in is a good idea.

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