I am amazed at how many "Investors" have purchased Charlotte Real Estate and have over paid for investment property. Many Charlotte Real Estate Investors purchased homes purely on speculation that the values were going to increase. They based their analysis (assuming they did one) on the facts that from 2005 and early 2007 the prices were very strong. What contributed to the rise in housing prices? Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes in the Florida and the Gulf created an exodus from those regions. In addition the higher costs of taxes, insurance and HOA fees further strained this declining market (more people leaving than moving in). Florida was poised to make huge gains over the next decade as baby boomers retired. 2005 changed this and now the baby boomers relocated to the Carolinas.
As real buyers entered our market the panicked Florida investors also jumped in as did others since the Carolinas were the new "Florida". There was a problem with this investment strategy: we did not have the rental population for investors! Charlotte still has a lot of room to grow and housing is relatively inexpensive. The new housing continued to place downward pressure on housing prices and rental prices.
Charlotte Property Investors purchased homes where they paid for people to stay in their homes (the portion of the mortgage that the rental market would not support). Purchasing rental property with negative cash flow is very high risk. Also this is Charlotte. Your renter is typically one of two types of people: one that relocated and WILL leave your home in a year and the other is a career renter and has selected your place for a reason. This is likely not the person you had hoped to attract.
Scenario one has you paying the relocation renter a portion of your mortgage every month in hopes that other investors did not watch the same national TV shows as you and the property values are going to increase in a year so you continue donating money to your tenant and eating at least another mortgage payment every year when the person purchases their own home.
The other scenario is a life long renter and the care that he does not concern himself with with your home. You are the rich guy with 2 homes in their mind.
Ultimately, the TV shows created many investors and these investors jumped in. They are losing a huge fortune with this strategy.
For now on, only purchase a rental home if there is enough cash to pay the mortgage. This payment must cover all of the expenses related to the rental property. Do not feel you are the only one that watched those shows. Purchase Charlotte NC Homes for Sale for your personal new home and you will be delighted that you have.