Property Management Blog

Top Tips When Buying Investment Property in Richmond

System - Thursday, September 29, 2022
Property Management Blog

Are you considering making an investment property purchase in Richmond, VA? A real estate property investment carries a lot of income-generating potential that can serve the investor long into the future. 

Generating a monthly passive income and growing your wealth in the long term are desirable goals to work towards. An investment property is a great way to achieve these goals as long as the property is properly tended to. Investing your money in a Richmond property is worthwhile.

Investors need to invest time, effort, and resources into educating themselves on all the factors that come together to deliver a fruitful property investment. In this article, we here at KRS Holdings will go into the basics of purchasing an investment property in Richmond. Follow these recommendations to maximize the potential of your rental property purchase.

What Is the Richmond Real Estate Market Like?

The Richmond real estate market is attractive to investors for several reasons. With the growth that is projected to continue into the next decade, there is strong potential for a steady market for residential properties and other types of real estate. 

The city boasts of a low cost of living that is attractive to many residents as they seek to build a life for themselves and establish roots. This is a factor that has been attracting more people to the city. This steadily growing population is critical for real estate investors as it signals the capacity to appreciate property value and increase rental payments. 

Arial short of a neighborhood with green lawns

Additionally, the city has several great schools that are attractive to small families in the search for good educational opportunities for their children. There’s also no shortage of fun attractions, local events, delicious food, and shopping in the area.  

Top Tips for Real Estate Investments in Richmond

While preparing for your investment property venture in Richmond, there are several things to consider. These will guide your efforts in determining location, the type of property to invest in, and the timing of your investment.

Understand the Richmond Job Market

Understanding the job market in Richmond will help you determine what lifestyles people are looking for as well as how much they are willing to spend on housing. This will guide you in proper pricing to attract your ideal tenant. It will also help inform you on what amenities to include to make the property more inviting. The Richmond job market is considered healthier compared to other similarly sized metro areas. 

The prominent sectors in the city include education, health services, mining, construction, professional services, trade, transportation, and business services. The active economic scene is further evident in some big companies setting up bases in the city. These include CarMax, HCA Virginia Health System, Altria Group, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, and Bon Secours Richmond which have become major city employers. 

employees sitting around a conference table looking at a presenter

These factors come together to inform investors of the economic and financial capabilities of many individuals seeking housing. Real estate investors thus have many opportunities available to them.

Find Properties in Desirable Neighbourhoods

People will always look for a good neighborhood, that best matched their desired lifestyle, to move into. Richmond has more than a hundred neighborhoods that offer various lifestyles and communities for their residents. Some of the areas to consider in Richmond include Wakefield, Short Pump, and Tuckahoe. 

These places have their individual attractive qualities ranging from easy access to the beach, educational facilities, excellent shopping experiences, and local amenities. Property investors need to take some time to identify the needs of their target tenants and use them to identify a suitable neighborhood to invest in.

Study Crime and Safety Records

Tenants will always seek to live in safe areas that have little to no crime rates recorded. This is because a safe environment will ensure their general well-being and allow them to more fully enjoy the area they’re living in. You want to invest in a safe area that will be attractive to prospective tenants. 

Assess the area and look back into records to give yourself a clearer picture of what to expect from the specific area. Investors are more likely to generate profits and sustain tenants in the long run in safe areas. This in turn translates to a steady income.

Study the Area’s Property Values

Evaluating the market trends of property values will give the investor an idea of what to expect from their investment. An area reporting steadily rising property values is ideal as it signals price appreciation should the investor choose to sell the property at a future date. 

blue pen pointing to section of a bar graph

Richmond is considered very competitive and has recorded stable property value appreciation over time. This data is available for investors to study and with the help of professionals determine the long-term potential of that property.

Identify Richmond’s Top Schools

Identifying the city’s top schools will guide the investor in determining where to buy their investment property. This is because excellent schools attract families to that area. Richmond has public elementary, middle, and high schools, and institutions of higher learning such as the University of Richmond, Virginia State University, and Virginia Commonwealth University. 

This means that investors can target families, young professionals looking to establish roots, and students seeking higher education if they choose to invest in an area near an educational institution. 

In a Nutshell: Real Estate Investments in Richmond

The Richmond real estate market is attractive for investors. Factors that must be looked into before investment include the job market, neighborhood characteristics, property value trends, crime and safety records, and top schools. 

Make carefully assessing these factors you’ll be better able to make a wise investment that generates steady passive income. If you would like to help to invest in real estate or to manage your rentals, consider working with a trusted management company.

KRS Holdings is readily available to take investors through the ins and outs of growing and sustaining a property investment to generate steady income. Reach out to us today for a consultation on your current property needs!