Smart Real Estate Investments: Lower College Costs with Rental Income

August 5, 2024

As your children prepare to head off to college, the cost of higher education can be a significant financial burden. 

Tuition, books, and living expenses add up quickly. However, there is a smart financial strategy that can help you mitigate some of these costs: investing in real estate. By purchasing a property for your college-bound child, you can reduce their housing expenses and potentially create a source of income by renting out extra rooms. Here’s how you can make this strategy work for you.

Why Invest in Real Estate for Your College Student?
  1. Cost Savings on Housing: College dorms and off-campus rentals can be expensive. By purchasing a property, you can eliminate or significantly reduce your child’s housing costs. Instead of paying rent to someone else, your mortgage payments will build equity in a property you own.
  2. Income Potential: By renting out extra rooms to other students, you can generate rental income to help cover mortgage payments and other property expenses. This approach can substantially lower your out-of-pocket costs and even turn a profit.
  3. Property Appreciation: Real estate generally appreciates over time. By the time your child graduates, the property could have increased in value, providing a return on your investment. This appreciation can be beneficial if you decide to sell the property after your child finishes college.
  4. Tax Benefits: Owning rental property can offer various tax advantages. You can deduct mortgage interest, property taxes, maintenance costs, and depreciation on your taxes, potentially reducing your taxable income.


Steps to Implement This Strategy
  1. Assess Your Financial Situation: Before diving into real estate investment, evaluate your financial situation. Ensure you have a good credit score, a stable income, and the ability to make a down payment. Consulting with a financial advisor or mortgage specialist can provide you with a clear picture of your affordability.
  2. Choose the Right Property: Look for properties in college towns with a strong rental market. Proximity to campus, safety, and amenities are crucial factors. A property with multiple bedrooms is ideal for renting out to roommates.
  3. Understand the Local Market: Research the local real estate market and rental rates. Understanding the demand for student housing will help you set competitive rental prices and ensure your property remains occupied.
  4. Secure Financing: Work with a mortgage lender to secure financing for your investment property. DNVR Lending offers various loan options that can be tailored to your needs, ensuring you get the best rates and terms.
  5. Property Management: Consider whether you’ll manage the property yourself or hire a property management company. Managing a rental property can be time-consuming, especially if you’re not local. A property management company can handle tenant screening, rent collection, and maintenance.
  6. Set Up a Lease Agreement: Draft a clear and comprehensive lease agreement. Include details about rent, due dates, maintenance responsibilities, and rules for living in the property. Ensure all roommates sign the lease to hold them accountable.
Conclusion

Investing in real estate can be a strategic way to reduce your child’s college expenses and potentially generate income. By providing housing for your student and their roommates, you can turn a significant expense into a financially beneficial venture. If you’re considering this approach, DNVR Lending can help you navigate the process and find the right mortgage solution. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you in making this smart investment for your family’s future.



DNVR Lending Blog

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The start of a new year naturally puts people into planning mode. Health goals. Career goals. Financial goals. But one area that often gets overlooked in January? Your mortgage strategy. At DNVR Lending, we see it every year. Borrowers who take time early in the year to review and prepare, without immediate pressure to buy or refinance, are the ones who move through the market with the most confidence later on. Here’s why January is one of the smartest times to review your mortgage plan. 1. Strategy Beats Speed—Especially Early in the Year January tends to be quieter in the housing market compared to the spring and summer rush. That slower pace creates something incredibly valuable: space to think clearly instead of reacting quickly. Instead of rushing into decisions when competition heats up, January allows you to: Review your long-term goals Understand your true buying power Explore different loan structures Identify areas to strengthen before making a move When the right opportunity appears later in the year, you’re prepared, not scrambling. 2. Your Mortgage Is More Than Just a Rate Many borrowers focus solely on interest rates, but a smart mortgage strategy involves much more than that. A strong plan also considers: Loan structure and term length Down payment options Available assistance programs or incentives Cash flow and long-term financial impact Timing based on your life and career goals January is an ideal time to look at these pieces together, without the pressure of an active transaction driving the conversation. 3. Financial Clarity Sets the Tone for the Year The beginning of the year is when many people take a closer look at income, expenses, savings, and debt. Reviewing your mortgage strategy alongside those financial check-ins helps everything align. Even if buying is a year or two away, understanding where you stand now can help you: Adjust savings strategies Improve credit positioning Set realistic price expectations Avoid surprises down the road Clarity early in the year often leads to better outcomes later. 4. Planning Early Creates Better Options Later Waiting until you “have to” think about a mortgage can limit your choices. Planning early expands them. When you review your mortgage strategy in January, you gain: More flexibility in timing More confidence in decision-making More control over your financial path It’s the difference between reacting to the market and navigating it intentionally. 5. You Don’t Need to Be Buying to Start the Conversation One of the biggest misconceptions about mortgage planning is that it only matters when you’re actively buying or refinancing. In reality, some of the most valuable conversations happen well before that point. January is simply a smart time to: Ask questions Review different scenarios Build a roadmap that fits your life, not just the market A Smarter Way to Start the Year A new year doesn’t require immediate action, but it does reward thoughtful preparation. Whether buying a home is months away or still just an idea, reviewing your mortgage strategy now puts you in a stronger position when the timing is right. If you’re thinking ahead this year, we’re here to help you plan not pressure. Because the best mortgage decisions aren’t rushed. They’re strategic.
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