Questions for those buying Single Family homes as rentals...

[Zach Matson]

I'm a builder and investor in Boise, ID. I'm currently designing my next builds, and want to make sure they are the most appealing and can make financial sense to investors. So, I have a few questions for those of you still buying single family homes as rentals. 

1. How are you analyzing your deal and what is your goal when you are buying a SF home? Is it cashflow still(and how much?), or more for long term benefits and try to break even? 
2. What is your strategy for renting... is it LT, MT, ST, rent by the room, or something else? 

3.  How do you value new construction as opposed to an older home that may look nice, but still older? Do you take into account that you shouldn't have any mainenance for at least 10 years or not really? 

4. Is there anything that you have really wished you could find in homes that you don't see often that would increase your return or lower your expenses? 

5. When you see a listing, does it help when the remarks are tailored toward investors? Such as ease of maintenance, durability, return on investment, etc?

6. Is there any other suggestions you have for me to adapt to the current market? 

Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

A few of my ideas so far, that I'm starting to implement...

1. On houses that have small yards I have done artificial(but real looking, they've come a long way) grass. People have mixed feelings but it seems that investors love it at least. 

2. My most recent floorplan has private bathrooms attached to each bedroom. This only increases my cost by maybe 5k(added a bathroom), but seems like it will be much more marketable as a rental. But, this did eliminate a family room upstairs, so the only living space is on the main floor. 

3. HUGE primary en-suite with walk in showers and soaker tubs. 

4. Model my homes and design after $1M+ dollar homes, but they are in more up-and-coming neighborhoods. 
            - So basically they are the nicest homes in the neighborhood, but the neighborhoods are very much improving around them. 

5. I use upper mid-level finishes. Better than builder grade but not top of the line like on the high end custom homes. The result is a very upscale feel compared to other comparable price points typically. I.E. Good quality LVP flooring, Upper mid level appliances, energy efficient furnaces and tankless water heaters, semi-custom and now custom cabinets, quartz counters, and each home is professionally designed.