What's the biggest challenge of owning an investment property?

Insight

With tenant issues, repairs, and income shortfalls essentially tied at 28–29%, rental ownership isn't about one big risk, it's about several smaller ones working together. That's especially true for international or absentee owners, who can't manage any of it personally and need the right team in place.

What Most People Miss

The one option owners fear least, vacancy (at just 14%), is often the one quietly doing the most financial damage. A single empty month doesn't just cost that month's rent; it can wipe out the extra income gained from raising rent, or the money saved by postponing a repair. Next to the question "what could go wrong?” there’s also: "how fast could I re-rent this if or when my tenant leaves?"

The management side requires planning. Properties that are easy to rent at a competitive price are more likely to remain occupied, helping the investment perform as intended over time.

Header image courtesy of Patricia Bastidas. 1000 Brickell Plaza, #4609, Miami, FL. View property here.

^{Market data is sourced from third-party providers and reflects information available at the time of publication. Figures are subject to revision, errors, and omissions.}