Richmond doesn't have much in common with travel destinations like Bali, Rio de Janeiro and Santo Domingo, yet it recently found itself rubbing shoulders with these popular tourist meccas on Frommer's' list of Top Destinations for 2014. What's more, CNN Money ranked Richmond fourth on their list of the 10 Hottest Housing Markets for 2014. These accolades give proof to a fact that all Richmonders know well - it's a wonderful place to live, work and play!

Q2 2015 Richmond Rental Market Update

In Q2 2015, Richmond was the 13th-best housing market in the Southeastern U.S. to own rental properties in and 63rd-best in the country as a whole. Since Q1 2015, Richmond fell four spots in the Rental Ranking Report's regional rankings for the Southeastern U.S. and 17 spots in the national rankings.

Unfortunately, there was nothing even remotely impressive about the Richmond rental real estate market in Q2 2015. Richmond rental prices appreciated just 2.97 percent year-over-year in Q2 2015, an increase 40 percent less than the national average during that time period. Property value appreciation was equally as anemic; Richmond properties only appreciated an average of 2.87 percent year-over-year in Q2 2015, which was also about 40 percent less than the national average for that metric. The local vacancy rate (7.40 percent, about 10 percent more than the national average), median age of housing inventory (72 days, nine days more than the national average), and annual job growth rate (0.43 percent, the fourth-lowest job growth rate in the U.S. during Q2 2015) all further indicate that demand for Richmond housing isn't particularly strong.

Q1 2015 Richmond Rental Market Update

The Q1 2015 Rental Ranking Report found that Richmond is the ninth-best market in the Southeast and 46th-best in the U.S. (out of 75 total markets evaluated by our Rental Ranking reports) in terms of the returns it offers on rental real estate investment. It ranks slightly below the middle of the pack because it doesn't perform particularly well in any of the metrics used by our Rental Ranking Reports. Richmond performs best on our Tax & Insurance Cost Index, where relatively low homeowners insurance premiums and property taxes give Richmond a rank of 20th in the country on that index.

Richmond's capitalization rate is 6.71 percent, slightly below the national average of 7.18 percent. Home values in Richmond increased by 4.36 percent last year, significantly lower than the national average property value appreciation of 5.65 percent.

What data is this Rental Ranking Report based on?

To calculate the statistics found in the Q2 2015 Rental Ranking Report, All Property Management gathered data, including the most recent government housing and jobs data, for 75 metros across the United States. Specifically, we looked at home vacancy, capitalization, home value appreciation and job growth rates, changes in rental prices, and the average number of days properties have been on the market to determine which U.S. metros will give investors the highest returns on rental investments. Click here to learn more about the Rental Ranking metrics.

Should I invest in Richmond rental property?

There have been times in the past when rental real estate investment in Richmond has offered excellent returns, but right now it seems to be a rental market for those who are content with consistent and modest returns. This is okay, as many a fortune has been made in just this fashion. Richmond is a fine alternative for the Mid-Atlantic investor looking for lower prices and less regulation than what can be found in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.

Thinking about renting out a property in Richmond? Save time, avoid hassle and maximize your rental income by having a professional property management company operate your rental property for you. Click here to get a free quote from a local property manager or call 877-780-4510 to have the All Property Management staff get quotes for you.

All Property Management specializes in connecting rental property owners with professional property managers in communities across the United States. These property managers help set rental rates, advertise properties, screen and manage tenants, collect rent, manage vendor relationships and ensure compliance with local, state and federal housing regulations. They take the hassle and worry out of managing rental properties - all while maximizing rental property owners' rental incomes.