Over the last year and a half, interest rate hikes have curbed sales from their record pandemic highs. However, the Federal Reserve has signaled it’s ready to cut rates this year.

As we wait to see when those expected cuts come to fruition, you might want to turn your home into a rental property and draw some income while the market heats up.

It’s not for everybody, but if you decide to rent out your home, here are some things to consider:

Wear and tear: Tenants and pets can be hard on the home, especially on the carpet and paint. It’s a good idea to replace any carpet with tile or vinyl planks and avoid using flat paint on the walls.

A budget for repairs: As a landlord, you’ll need to budget for repairs, not only for when the tenant vacates but to be prepared in case the air conditioner goes out in the middle of a lease. Consider a home warranty plan. If you have nice landscaping or a pool in the backyard, you may want to hire someone to maintain them and include those costs in the rent amount.

Credit and background screening: To protect yourself, this is a must. The application alone is not enough to tell the worthiness of a prospective tenant. You want them to pay the rent every month — on time.

Hire a property manager: If you want to be a landlord minus the related responsibilities, hire an experienced professional to manage the marketing, screening of applicants and drafting of the lease documents. A property manager can provide expertise on tenant/landlord laws and keep you out of expensive tenant litigation.

Taxes: If the home is no longer your primary residence, you may have to pay higher property taxes. Moreover, when you sell, you may have to pay capital gains tax. Engage the services of an accountant with real estate experience to help you prepare for and avoid the pitfalls of tax time.

Property values: Playing the real estate market is a bit like the stock market. There is no guarantee they will consistently go up year after year. If prices fall, you lose equity, plus the rent values will also likely decrease.

Dayv Morgan is a Maricopa Realtor and owner of HomeSmart Premier.

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