Have you ever had the dream of paying for your kids college? What about helping them get on their feet in the future, like buying them their first home! Sounds almost impossible right? It may be easier than you think!

Is Real Estate a Smart College Savings Plan?
We all know that college isn’t cheap, especially four-year universities. Unless your child is earning a major scholarship that covers everything, you have to be prepared to cover significant educational expenses. In most cases, we’re talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars. Putting a little money away in a savings account generally won’t suffice. You have to have a long term plan that invests your contributions for better growth potential. 529 plans offer nice tax advantages, but they are generally fairly conservative investment plans and the funds are limited to qualified educational expenses.

Benefits of Investment Properties
If it fits within your financial plan, investing in real estate is a great way to save for your children’s college expenses. Real estate is almost always one of the safest investments around and it can benefit you in multiple ways:
• Cash Flow—If your investment property is rented, you can earn supplemental income that you can then invest elsewhere (including a 529 plan ) to make even more money over time.
• Appreciation—If you buy property when your child is born, you’re looking at 18 years of appreciation. The value will likely go up during that time.

So What Can This Mean Long Term?
You have two options:
1. When your child or kids is/are ready to go to college, you can sell the property and use the profits to fund their education.
2. You can keep this investment property, continue to earn income and gift the home to them when they graduate college to set them up for their future.

Real Estate is a Great Long-Term Investment
Real estate is a more predictable and stable investment than stocks or even IRAs because it is a real, tangible asset that will always be in demand. At the same time, it is more aggressive than 529 plans or basic savings accounts. It is a good, dependable source of future income.

Real estate also offers multiple exit strategies (sell, refinance, pull out equity, investing earned income, etc.) and it’s generally a very solid investment. And, if your kid decides not to go to college, your money isn’t locked up in a 529 plan. You can just hold onto the property or sell/refinance it to help your child out in other ways. Maybe you even gift them the property when they are of age.

Hire a Property Manager
There is much more research available on this topic. But a great deal of knowledge will come from a property manager! At All County Property Management Group, we not only help renters find their next home but also property investors looking for an experienced property management company to take over the hard work of property management. We offer up-to-date listings to suit a variety of needs and budgets. In addition, our dedicated leasing staff works with you every step of the way so you can feel confident in your home choice. Plus our team handles all property management needs from maintenance, leasing documents, marketing and more! For more information or to see our available listings in your area, check us out today!

Summer is coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean all the fun summer activities and events in Fort Worth are completely over! Are you still looking for some weekend activities for yourself or your family? Look no further! All County has gathered a list of upcoming events for everyone to enjoy!

Events:

Cowtown Farmers Market Festival: August 13th
Veterans Park 8901 Clifford Street
White Settlement, TX
The festival will feature an array of locally grown fruits and vegetables from more than 20 area vendors, plus meats (including chicken, pork, beef, and eggs) from local ranchers. As well as artisan products—such as jams, jellies, seasonings, and even small-batch craft dog food. The event will also offer gardening information, activities for kids, and a cooking demo by urban farmers Steve and Ursula Nunez from Mind Your Garden.


Giddy Up and Go! Labor Day Weekend Stockyards Style: September 2nd
Fort Worth Stockyards 131 East Exchange Avenue
Fort Worth, Texas United States
The historic Fort Worth Stockyards will host the Giddy Up and Go! Labor Day Weekend Stockyards Style, complete with rodeos, live music, lawn games and great food and drink all weekend long. Check out any (or all!) of the three rodeos down at the Cowtown Coliseum and don’t miss live music performances


Movie Night in Burnett Plaza: September 16th
Burnett Park 800 Cherry Street
Fort Worth, Texas
Come and bring your lawn chair to a free movie night in Burnett Plaza! Enjoy a family night out with a movie under the stars!

Activities:
There are also many activities that you can choose to do while this Texas summer is still upon us, that don’t have scheduled days and times!

• Outdoor activities:
  Bike or walk the trinity river
  Paddle-board around panther island
  Golf at one of the many Fort Worth golf clubs
  
  
• Kid activities:
  Fort Worth Zoo
  Modern art museum of Fort Worth
  Fort worth botanical gardens
  
  
  
• Adult activities:
  Concerts at Billy bobs Texas
  Breweries and wineries

Why fort worth is the place to Live and/or Invest This Summer

• Population Growth
  North Texas has been witnessing a high population growth over the past decade. This trend is predicted to continue as more and more individuals are expected to make North Texas their home. “By one estimate, Fort Worth’s population is expected to be 1.2 million in 2030.”
  
  
• Great economy
  Fort Worth was recently ranked as No. 4 for best big cities with jobs. North Texas is home to a number of industry giants, ranging from Toyota, Boeing, State Farm, and more. These industries have continued to make significant investments in North Texas, which is bringing more and more working professionals to the area. Making Fort Worth a highly sought-after city to buy and rent!
  
  
• Reasonable real estate prices
  Although interest rates are slowly starting to creep up, people are still able to buy homes. In Texas, the costs of real estate are much more reasonable in comparison to the real estate markets in other parts of the country. North Texas investors are able to get bigger homes in Dallas/Fort Worth for the same price that they would pay for smaller properties elsewhere.
  
  
• Low cost of living
  “Fort Worth’s housing expenses are 5% lower, grocery prices are 7% lower and healthcare is 2% lower than the national average. Needless to say, the low cost of living is just another reason that is attracting more people to this North Texas city.”
  
  
• Central location
  One of the perks of living in Fort Worth is the central location. This makes it a great option for individuals who want the convenience and accessibility of working in a large city but prefer to reside or raise their families in a more laid-back and suburban environment. It’s also this reason that makes Fort Worth an excellent place to invest in real estate.

 

• Top-notch education
  Fort Worth is becoming an increasingly popular place to raise a family, which makes it a great place to invest in real estate. It is home to a number of top-notch educational institutions as well as universities

 

• Access to great activities
  As we saw above there is never a dual moment in Fort Worth! With the endless list of events and activities this will continue to be a city that draws in new renters and investors!

 

Time to Rent or Invest!
At All County Property Management Group, we not only help renters find their next home but also property investors looking for an experienced property management company to take over the hard work of property management. We offer up-to-date listings to suit a variety of needs and budgets. In addition, our dedicated leasing staff works with you every step of the way so you can feel confident in your home choice. Plus our team handles all property management needs from maintenance, leasing documents, marketing and more! For more information or to see our available listings in your area, check us out today!

Summer is the best time to get together with friends and family for some outdoor fun! Luckily, whether you own an investment property or live in a rental, there are several things you can do to create DIY outdoor living spaces to fit your perfect summer plans!

Outdoor living spaces can be extremely expensive to furnish and decorate. However, you don’t have to break the bank to make your outdoor space look cozy and inviting.
DIY means do-it-yourself, so that’s precisely what you’ll do to create your perfect outdoor living space.

Steps To Make That Happen
1. Location
2. Find the Right Furniture
3. Add an Entertainment Piece
4. Add Greenery
5. Choose Outdoor Lighting
6. Accessories


Location
First, plan out where you will place it. Likely this will be in the backyard. Then, have an idea of what you’re going to put there. For example, furniture, plants, a fireplace, an outdoor cooking station, etc. This may mean you will have to move things that are currently in the yard or need to clear out grass and trees. (If you are a renter doing this project, check with your property owner/ management company before digging up plants, grass and trees.)

Find the Right Furniture
Second, start buying on a budget! You will need to decide what kind of seating you want. For example do you want a place for lounging or enjoying a meal?
Unfortunately these bigger seating items can sometimes break the bank! It is smart to shop furniture sales. Often times stores such as Home Depot, Lowes, and At Home will have clearance furniture marked way down. Also watch for major holiday sales!

Add an Entertainment Piece
Third, Once you have furniture for your outdoor space, look for more items to tie it all together. For example, entertainment elements.

Every outdoor space needs an entertainment piece. After all, if you’re having people over to socialize or hang out, you’ll need something to entertain your guests. An entertainment piece could mean a television, fire pit, outdoor games, etc.  Once again shop sales for these items.

Add Greenery
Forth, add greenery to the space. This can be adding shrubs in the ground or just a simple artificial plant in a pot.
Check the time of the year you will be planting if you choose to go with live plants. Also the area you are living in will depend on the types of plants that will flourish.

For example, nothing ties together an outdoor spaces like gardens with beautiful plants and flowers. These days, vertical gardens are extremely popular. These can be a great option for privacy in a rental space.

Outdoor Lighting
Fifth, you will need to add lighting for a space you intend to use into the evening and not just during the day.

Outdoor lighting is a huge factor in making a comfortable seating area for family and friends. Luckily, you can get extremely inexpensive string lights from nearly anywhere.  You can quickly get creative with string lights and other outdoor lighting options.

For example, you can hang them from deck posts, ceilings, or other outdoor fixtures. Plus, you can easily take them down or move them when you’re done with them.

Accessories
Once you have all the main pieces of your DIY outdoor space, it’s time to accessorize! The most fun part that lets you bring in your own personal touch! These accessories can include an outdoor rug, blankets, decorative pillows, or table garnishes! While accessories aren’t completely necessary, they are a great way to make the outdoor space more comfortable and these items can be found for next to nothing!

Cost to Create a DIY Outdoor Living Space
Hiring contractors to fix up your backyard and make it beautiful can take time and cost a lot of money. However, when you opt for DIY outdoor living spaces, you can create backyards just as beautiful–and less expensive.

Whether you own a rental property or you’re renting, you can do several small, inexpensive things to personalize your space and bring it to life!

Here are some budget-friendly options to help you get your space started!

• Outdoor patio set for under $200
• Fire pit less than $50
• Best plants to grow in Fort Worth
• Outdoor lighting under $20

Hire a Property Management Company
Owning and managing every aspect of a rental property takes time, patience, and skill. If you have more than one rental property, it can get extremely overwhelming quite quickly! We can help!

At All County Property Management Group, we not only help renters find their next home but also property investors looking for an experienced property management company to take over the hard work of property management. We offer up-to-date listings to suit a variety of needs and budgets. In addition, our dedicated leasing staff works with you every step of the way so you can feel confident in your home choice. Plus our team handles all property management needs from maintenance, leasing documents, marketing and more! For more information or to see our available listings in your area, check us out today!

As many have seen in the recent months, finding housing in a competitive rental market is no easy task. With high demand and low supply houses do not stay on the market very long.  So you may be wondering how can tenants secure a lease when competition is so high? Keep reading as we go over some strategies to help secure a lease in a competitive rental market.

What Makes a Competitive Rental Market?
As we have seen, the DFW housing market is booming. Houses are going for above asking price, interest rates are climbing and with the number of people moving to Texas, the supply can’t keep up with the demand. The result of this is many people and families are wanting or needing to turn to renting due to lack of homes available or purchase prices being unattainable.

A competitive rental market primarily benefits landlords since renters are competing against each other to score a rental unit. That said, tenants who are competing for a rental home must work towards beating the competition. Now how do they do that?

How to Secure a Rental in This Market
Since you’re likely competing against several potential renters, it’s important to act fast! Renters need to utilize resources and learn how to stand out on a rental application.  Try these tips:

1. Use Technology to Find Properties
2. Have References Ready
3. Be Honest About Rental History
4. Have Money Ready to Go
5. Take Care of Your Credit
6. Prepare for Tenant Screening

Use Technology to Find Properties
Finding housing in paper ads or yard signs is not a practical approach. Instead, most rentals are listed online on various sites such as Apartments.com, Zillow, or on a property management company’s website or  social media pages! Searching the internet to find nearby housing is an excellent way to find deals quickly before another prospective tenant secures them.

Have References Ready
If you know that you’re looking for a new rental home, gather references before applying. Make sure your references are trustworthy and professional people such as your previous landlord or property management company. Also, make sure to add a full name, up-to-date phone number, and email address for your references. If you don’t have references or someone gives you a negative review this can disqualify you from the pool of potential renters.

Be Honest About Rental History
Your rental history is highly crucial for landlords to know. If you have been in a tight financial situation in the past and have struggled to make payments, it’s best to be truthful. Keep in mind that if you have a record of poor rental history, landlords may be hesitant in signing a lease with you. 

Have Money Ready to Go
If you are confident that you’re signing a lease on a property, you need to be prepared financially. After all, in a competitive market, you need to secure a deal before another prospective renter does first. Keep in mind that most landlords require a security deposit along with the first month’s rent, so save up enough to cover these costs. Having the money ready to go will also tell landlords that you have the funds necessary to live in the property.

Take Care of Your Credit
Before renting to you, a landlord or property manager will look at your creditworthiness. It could be a red flag if you have a history of late payments and significant amounts of current debt. Even though this may not be a make or break in the final decision, be sure to keep an eye on your credit score and do what you can to take care of any issues.

Prepare for Tenant Screening
Before you get a lease, landlords or property managers will typically ask you several questions about you, your rental history, and why you’re looking for a new place to live. Make sure to have honest and reasonable answers to these questions. For instance, if they ask about pets, let them know how many and what kind of pets you have.

What Do Landlords/ Property Managers Look For in a Good Tenant?
• Satisfactory Credit History- Landlords typically look for tenants with good history and low current debt.
• Background Check- Be informed of what is on your record.
• Good Attitude- When dealing with landlords and property management professionals, it’s important to be respectful and accommodating.
• Adequate Income-  Most landlords look for renters that make 3 times the monthly rent amount.
• Good Rental History and References- Your rental history can be a deciding factor between you and  another applicant.  

Are you looking for a rental property in DFW? Or do you need help finding quality renters for your property?

At All County Property Management Group, we help not only renters find their next home but also property investors looking for an experienced property management company to take over the hard work of property management. We offer up-to-date listings to suit a variety of needs and budgets. In addition, our dedicated leasing staff works with you every step of the way so you can feel confident in your home choice. Plus our team handles all property management needs from maintenance, leasing documents, marketing and more! For more information or to see our available listings in your area, check us out today!

Have you suddenly inherited a property? Now you have to decided what to do.  You have options! Read below to find out more.

What Happens If You Inherit a Property?
If you’re unsure what happens if you inherit a house, you have 3 options.

1. Live in the property. 
2. Sell the property.
3. Use the property as rental investment.

Before making a decision it’s important analyze the home to make an informed decision. A licensed Realtor can provide comparable market and rental analysis to give you data to examine to help decide if selling or renting is the best option.

Factors to Determine If It Would be a Good Rental
Not every property makes a good rental home. Unsuccessfully renting out a property can cost you more money than you would earn. That said, it’s crucial to check the following.

• The Property Meets Market Demands
• The Size, Type, and Condition of the Property
• Favorable Rental Rates
• Up-and-Coming Location

The Property Meets Market Demands
Most renters look for amenities like new appliances, modern upgrades, and a location near schools and job opportunities. Plus, a property in a desirable area can charge more competitive rates and experience less vacancy.

The Size, Type, and Condition of the Property
Additional factors to consider while determining whether or not a property would make a good rental are the property size, type, and condition. For example, is it a single-family home? How many bedrooms and bathrooms are included? Has the property been upgraded or remodeled recently?

Favorable Rental Rates
Researching the rental rates in the location of your property can also help determine if it would be a good decision to rent rather than sell. Most property owners set a goal to set rental rates that are worth at least 1% of the investment. For instance, if the property is worth $170,000, you could charge around $1,700 each month for rent.

Up-and-Coming Location
Clearly, location plays a huge role in the success of rental properties. As such, an up-and-coming property location is best. When you have real estate in up-and-coming locations, property owners can make strategic improvements and profit quickly.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Renting
Like any investment, there are some advantages and disadvantages to renting a property. 

Pros
• Property owners can earn a steady monthly rental income.
• You can set rental rates according to current market.
• Owners can hire a property manager to handle the hard work and day to day tasks for them.

Cons
• Maintaining a rental takes a lot of time, work, and patience.
• Your property may need renovations or work before turning it into a rental.
• Rentals can experience vacancies, which means you’re not bringing in any income.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Selling
Although selling it is a quick and easy there are still pros and cons to this option as well.

Pros
• You can make a large sum of money right away.
• There’s no need to fix up the property or handle tenant concerns.
• You have the opportunity to invest the money into something else.

Cons
• Completing a property sale can take a long time.
• Renting a property can be a more profitable long term investment.
• Selling an inherited home can be difficult, especially if you have attachments to the home.

Get Help Managing Your Rental Home
Whether you decide to sell or rent, both options pose pros and cons. However, we can help with all the cons of renting! At All County Property Management Group, we help property investors looking for an experienced property management company to take over the hard work and day to day tasks of property management. Our team handles everything from maintenance, leasing documents, marketing and much more! For more information check us out today.