Like many other properties, buying a vacation rental can have both risks and rewards. From the risk of not earning enough to meet the expenses to the reward of generating handsome revenue, there are endless possibilities for a vacation rental homeowner. Before investing in a vacation rental property, there are many expenses that are associated which should be crunched carefully to get the right cost estimates. For instance, if you are looking to invest in vacation rentals on South Padre Island, there might be property management fees associated that are charged to the homeowner as a means to cover the cost of running a specific property by the management services. Hence you should know how to calculate property management fees as well as make a list of unexpected expenses that you might run into before investing. Same as with timeshare ownership, you should also know its annual maintenance fees and what is the average cost to get out of a timeshare.
When you think of investing in a vacation rental, you might naturally think about all the potential revenue that you might tap but not the hidden expenses that you could potentially run into. While there are many ways to make a vacation rental profitable, there are also various costs associated with this type of property that you should take into account (whether or not it’s going to pay off) before making a sizable investment. From the cost of your loan and mortgage, utility bills, and insurance policy to the occasional repair work and routine home maintenance, in this article, let us learn to budget as the potential homeowner of a vacation rental.
Cost Of Owning A Vacation Rental As A Homeowner:
- Property Management Fees: While the market rate is between 25 and 30 percent of the rental price, the property management fees charged by vacation rental home management businesses vary. They differ depending on the property’s location and the firm itself. They might range from 10% to 50%. The sort of property is also determined by the charge and the quantity of work that you want them to undertake. While this is only a concept, all costs should be discussed with the firm before getting to work with them. It is likely that vacation home property managers are aware of the costs that apply to them.
- Taxes: You will very certainly have to pay taxes on your vacation rental revenue. This varies greatly by state, county, or area. To prevent a surprise in April, speak with a tax adviser ahead of time to see how this may affect your year-end finances. There are also additional taxes to consider, such as income tax, sales tax, and lodging tax. You may be able to recoup some of your vacation rental company expenditures, so consult with an accountant to see what you may deduct and consider that into your budget.
- Decor and Furnishing: Apart from these charges, don’t forget about the costs of furnishing your rental home. A bedroom or dining room set, as well as outdoor furniture, can easily come down to several thousand dollars. Vacation rental linens withstand a lot of wear and tear. Your visitors use them often, and your cleaning crew washes them between each stay. Moreover, if you host a large number of short-term rental visitors each year, these linens and furnishings will wear out faster. To avoid getting a shock, budget for these things from the start.
- Home Maintenance: A rental vacation home, like any other property, requires maintenance. The work and resources necessary to maintain your home may rapidly add up. Experts often advise putting aside 1% of the entire purchase price of the house for home upkeep each year. Key elements such as appliances, lighting and plumbing fixtures, or the HVAC system might sometimes need to be repaired or replaced in your rental property. Since items that need to be repaired often fail suddenly, you may not have the time or capacity to search around for the lowest price on a service provider or contractor.
- Security: Since you may not visit or be there as often as you would at your main place, it’s a good idea to tighten up the security at your second home. This includes purchasing and installing technology such as a video doorbell and outdoor cameras, as well as a centrally controlled house alarm system. Although the cost of equipment varies, expert installation services might come at a high price. 24×7 monitoring services sometimes demand a monthly or yearly subscription that may amount to many hundreds of dollars per year.
Licensing Requirements: If you make a large amount of rental revenue from your house, the revenue department will see it as more than a side project- it’s a legit business. And you will almost certainly need a license from your county, municipal, or state government to operate your business. Contact them to learn what they need and how much it will cost.