The Rental Roof Blog
Only the good stuff. Never fluff.
Nov/Dec RIA Roundup: Rental Property Maintenance Costs, Avoiding Estate Taxes, & Mocha Mousse
What is the TRUE cost of maintaining rental properties? Plus the latest REI news & insights, and an essay about health “care”.
October RIA Roundup: How to Make Rentals Passive, Mr. Money Mustache on the Economy, & Voting
How passive are rental properties, really? Plus the latest REI news & insights, and an essay about the voting process.
September RIA Roundup: Buying vs. Renting, Interest Rate Cuts, & The Common Good
Is buying or renting your primary residence the better financial choice? Plus the latest REI news & insights, and an essay about how business and government both have a role in promoting the common good.
August RIA Roundup: Cash Flow vs Appreciation, $1M Starter Homes, & Playing the Long Game
Cash Flow vs Appreciation is one of the oldest debates in real estate. But which will actually make you more money? Plus the latest REI news & insights, and an essay about playing the long game, in investing and in life.
July RIA Roundup: Build-to-Rent, Record Heat, & Why I Love the Olympics
Build-to-Rent is growing fast. Should you be adding build-to-rent properties to your rental portfolio? Plus a latest REI news & insights, and an essay about why I love the Olympics.
June RIA Roundup: Home Insurance Chaos, Interest Rate Cuts, & A Big Move
The home insurance industry is facing a reckoning. What will it mean for rental property investors? Plus a latest REI news & insights, and an essay about moving -- to a new city, and into a new stage of life.
May RIA Roundup: Institutional Investors, Build-to-Rent, & Economic Facts vs. Fiction
Are hedge funds buying up all the houses and driving up home prices? Plus the latest REI news & insights, and why Americans have their economic facts all wrong.
March/April RIA Roundup: Section 8, Realtor Fees, & The Real Risks of AI
A close look at Section 8, and the coming changes to realtor fees. Plus the latest REI news & insights, and an essay about how Jon Stewart got the risks of AI all wrong.
February RIA Roundup: How Did the Pandemic Impact Rental Markets?
How did the pandemic impact home prices and rental rates in popular rental markets? Plus a latest REI news & insights, and an essay about cooperation -- in real estate, and in global affairs.
January RIA Roundup: 2023 Year in Review
A review of the seven key themes that drove the biggest news in 2023. Plus a latest REI news & insights, and an essay about the artifice of online gurus.
December RIA Roundup: How Far Will Mortgage Rates Fall?
After a relentless climb, mortgage rates have recently been falling rapidly. Will mortgage rates keep falling? Plus the latest REI news & insights, and a reflection the deep value of relationships.
November RIA Roundup: The Real Estate Brokerage Conspiracy
A discussion of the successful lawsuit against the National Association of Realtors and other brokerages that could change how real estate is bought and sold. Plus a latest REI news & insights, and an essay about the ethics of rental properties.
October RIA Roundup: Buying vs. Renting
A look at the age-old question: is it better to buy or rent? Plus the latest REI news and insights, and an essay about the power of habits.
September RIA Roundup: The Incredible Growing Home
Homes have been growing in size for decades -- but is that trend reversing? Plus the latest REI news and insights, and an essay about our obsession with staying busy.
Single Family vs Multi Family: Pros and Cons for Rental Property Investors
If you’re perplexed by all the plexes (duplex, triplex, quadplex), worry not! Learn about all the pros and cons of single family vs multi family, so you can decide which strategy works best for you.
August RIA Roundup: The Mortgage Lock-In Effect
How higher mortgage rates are locking sellers in place, which is supporting home prices despite falling demand. Plus the latest REI news and insights, and an essay about work vs. life.
June/July RIA Roundup: The Commercial Crash
Lead Story: The Commercial Crash
Portfolio Updates
In Other News…
Final Thoughts: Luck
May RIA Roundup: The Recession That Never Comes
Lead Story: The Recession That Never Comes
Portfolio Updates
In Other News…
Final Thoughts: Epidemic
March/April RIA Roundup: Are Home Prices Headed Up Again?
Lead Story: Are Home Prices Headed Up Again?
Portfolio Updates
In Other News…
Final Thoughts: Consequences
February RIA Roundup: The Housing Shortage
Lead Story: The Housing Shortage
Portfolio Updates
In Other News…
Final Thoughts: War
