Co-Founder & Head of Product

Staff Writer, Stacker

Head of People

Journalist, Stacker

Prepare your home for winter with Belong! Save money, stay cozy, and avoid costly surprises with expert maintenance and stress-free property management. Guaranteed Rent and resident placement in 21 days included!

Winter-Proof Your Home: Stay Cozy and Save Big!

Winter is right around the corner, and now’s the time to get your home ready for the colder months. Winterizing your home isn’t just about staying warm, it’s about saving money and avoiding those unexpected, costly surprises. Taking care of a few things ahead of time can make all the difference. Discover how we help our homeowners keep their homes prepared no matter the season!

Your roof is your home’s first shield against winter weather, so it’s crucial to ensure it’s ready to handle the season. We can help inspect for missing or damaged shingles, check for leaks or water damage, and clear out debris from gutters and downspouts to prevent blockages.

A safe roof and gutter setup isn’t just about avoiding costly repairs, it’s also a matter of safety. Proper maintenance can prevent dangerous icicles from forming and reduce the risk of snow sliding off the roof, which can cause injuries. A little prep now can protect both your home, and your family, ensuring a safer and stress-free winter.

Nobody wants to deal with a heating problem when it’s freezing outside, especially when repair services are overwhelmed with calls. Once the first cold sets in, countless homeowners will be lining up to get their heaters fixed, don’t be one of them. By scheduling preemptive maintenance now, you can avoid the rush and ensure your system is ready when you need it most.

At Belong that's what we are all about, we help keep your system running smoothly by replacing air filters, cleaning ducts, and even discussing programmable thermostats to help you save on energy bills while staying cozy. Getting ahead of the crowd means your residents will enjoy a worry-free winter with a heating system that’s ready to perform.

Frozen pipes are no fun, but the damage they can cause is even worse. When water freezes inside pipes, it expands, which can lead to cracks or even burst pipes. The resulting water damage can be extensive, affecting walls, flooring, and belongings, and repairs can be costly and time-consuming.

Luckily, frozen pipes are easy to avoid with a little prep. We can help:

Ensure everything is in top shape before temperatures drop

A little attention now can save you a lot of hassle and prevent serious damage down the road.

Did you know that small gaps around windows and doors can let all that cozy warmth escape? These tiny leaks force your heater to work harder, driving up your energy bills. We can help seal up cracks and apply weather-stripping and caulking to help your home stay toasty and energy-efficient, without the need for expensive replacements.

If your windows are newer, you may even have warranty coverage that allows for leaky seals to be repaired or replaced at no cost. Identifying these issues now ensures you can take advantage of such coverage while keeping your home warm and your energy bills low.

Every home is different, and Belong understands that. When you join that Belong network, if we spot anything else that needs attention, we’ll let you know right away. We’ll also provide a clear quote before starting any additional work so there are no surprises.

Winterizing your home is an investment that pays off in comfort and savings. By tackling these tasks now, you’ll avoid costly emergencies, keep your energy bills in check, and have happy residents. And yes, we at Belong ensure that your residents are equipped with all of the information they will need to have a cozy winter!

With us, your home is always in good hands. With Guaranteed Rent, and resident placements in an average of 21 days, we provide complete peace of mind to homeowners like you!

Winter Home Prep: Save Money, Stay Cozy, and Enjoy Stress-Free Management with Belong

Get Winter Ready With Belong!

Single-family homes have always been more than just property. For generations, they've been a path to wealth, security, and stability—a place where people raise families, build memories, and invest in their future. But when corporate giants step in, buying thousands of homes at once, they reshape the landscape, transforming these homes into profit-making rental properties instead.

"Keeping The American Dream Alive: Why Homes Belong to Families, Not Corporations"

"Keeping the American Dream Alive: Why Homes Belong to Families, Not Corporations"

In recent years, a new kind of “house hunter” has hit the market, and it’s not the family next door looking for a new place to call home. It’s corporations like BlackRock and State Street, big names in finance, quietly buying up single-family residences (SFRs) across the U.S., turning what should be homes for Americans, into high-yield investments. For many, this shift is turning the American Dream on its head, moving homeownership further out of reach for everyday people.

Single-family homes have always been more than just property. For generations, they've been a path to wealth, security, and stability; a place where people raise families, build memories, and invest in their future. But when corporate giants step in, buying thousands of homes at once, they reshape the landscape, transforming these homes into profit-making rental properties instead.

These corporate buyers have the kind of financial firepower that regular buyers can’t compete with, often paying in cash, outbidding families and first-time homebuyers who dream of owning a piece of the neighborhood. And as more single-family homes disappear into corporate hands, prices climb even higher, leaving those wanting to buy with fewer choices and steeper barriers. It’s a troubling trend that turns homes into commodities and communities into rental zones, one “investment” at a time.

For generations, owning a home has been a cornerstone of building personal and family wealth in the U.S. It’s how many people secure a stable future, put down roots, and pass something on to the next generation. But the increasing corporatization of the single-family home market means fewer people can achieve that. Instead of building equity, families are left paying rent, often to corporate landlords who are invested in maximizing returns rather than investing in the local community.

This trend isn’t just about housing. It’s about the values we place on homes, neighborhoods, and the lives we build in them. When a family wants to buy but can’t, due to sky-high prices driven by corporate cash, the result is more than financial. It impacts the stability of communities, making it harder for people to feel truly rooted and connected to their neighborhoods.

Belong’s Mission: Putting Homes Back In The Hands Of The People

At Belong, we believe that homes should belong to people, not portfolios. That’s why our mission is to help keep homes in the hands of families and individual homeowners—not financial giants. We’re here to help regular people access the benefits of homeownership by making leasing easier and creating pathways for more families to own homes over time.

Our approach is simple: empower homeowners to lease their properties responsibly, keeping homes accessible and within reach for those who need them. We’re passionate about preserving the American Dream, one home at a time, and ensuring communities aren’t transformed into investment playgrounds for the ultra-wealthy.

Here’s How We Can Protect The Future Of Homeownership

Belong isn’t just about property management. We’re about people management. We’re committed to making sure that homes stay homes; for individuals, for families, and for future generations. We’re focused on supporting neighborhoods where people know each other’s names, where families can put down roots, and where homes are places to live, not just assets on a balance sheet.

Together, we can build a future where homes stay with the people who live in them and where the American Dream remains within reach for everyone. At Belong, we’re committed to being part of that solution, keeping the “home” in homeownership, no corporations attached.

Disclaimer: We don’t enjoy using the word ‘landlord’. We prefer to refer to members in our network as homeowners and residents, not landlords and tenants, since we’re on a mission to upend and redefine the traditional landlord-tenant relationship. That said, this article is for homeowners taking the leap for the first time who are looking for answers with more common industry terms like ‘landlords’ and ‘tenants’, so in some instances we have had to stick to the old moniker for owners of rental homes. This article is not intended as financial advice.

Article about the rise in corporate ownership of single family homes. How this is bad for the country, and the American Dream as a whole

Keeping The American Dream Alive: Why Homes Belong to Families, Not Corporations"

Join The Homeownership Revolution!

Explore the challenges of vacant homes and missed rental income in our latest article, "The Curse of Vacant Homes and the Ghost of Missed Rental Payments." Learn how Belong can help eliminate costly vacancies and ensure steady rental income, giving you peace of mind year-round.

The Curse of Vacant Homes and the Ghost of Missed Rental Payments

As Halloween approaches, Belong invites you to gather around the metaphorical campfire for a spine-chilling story of vacant homes and ghoulish missed rental payments. While most tales of haunted houses involve eerie sounds and flickering lights, these haunted homes have a different kind of fright—empty hallways, missed rental income, and the creeping dread of lost revenue. Let’s dig into this tale of property purgatory, the “Curse of Vacancy.”

Chapter 1: The Phantom Of Missed Rent Payments

Imagine it: each month, like clockwork, you expect that reassuring deposit, the lifeblood of your property’s profitability. But when a home sits empty, the anticipated rent seems to fade like an apparition, disappearing into the abyss with each passing month. This is the “Ghost of Missed Payments”, the chilling effect of prolonged vacancies.

The phantom of missed rent is one of the most financially frightening aspects of property management. It's the specter that looms over every homeowner’s worst fears. Without a resident, the potential for revenue vanishes. And unlike those midnight bumps in the night, the loss of rental income is a very real nightmare that creeps closer and closer.

Chapter 2: The Curse Of An Unoccupied Home

Just as haunted houses stand alone on the hill, empty properties exude their own peculiar kind of loneliness. Unoccupied homes face a slew of risks that grow with each unclaimed day. Maintenance issues go unnoticed, lawns become overgrown, and the home may even attract real-life trespassers—not the ghostly kind, but the sort that leave behind a mess nonetheless. As days pass, vacancy takes a toll on the condition of the home itself, further compounding the financial hit of lost rent.

This is where Belong steps in to break the curse. Our “Guaranteed Time to Love” product ensures your home will find a resident within 45 days, or your home’s leasing fees are on us. No more sitting idle in vacancy purgatory, no more haunting fears of prolonged losses. With Belong, homeowners can say goodbye to the curse of vacancy and hello to peace of mind.

Chapter 3: Banish The Ghosts With Belong’s Expertise

At Belong, we’re experts in exorcizing vacancy and missed payments from your property’s future. Our team works tirelessly to find qualified residents who will make themselves at home quickly and responsibly. Our dedicated care and marketing efforts ensure that each home we manage is well-cared-for, occupied, and protected from the ghostly grip of vacancy.

So this Halloween season, leave the spooks and scares to the jack-o'-lanterns and spooky decorations. With Belong, your home is safe from the curse of vacancy and the shadow of missed payments. It’s our treat for you, with no tricks involved.

Happy Halloween from Belong! Let us handle the ghosts and goblins of property management while you enjoy the season, knowing your home is in good hands. 

Article about lost revenue incurred when a home is vacant, and how Belong can guarantee finding a renter within 45 days.

You own a home. We have someone to love it!

Is a rental home a good way to earn passive income? This quick guide answers 5 FAQs on earning passive income from a rental home and the US tax implications.

Your Guide To Earning Passive Income On A Rental Property

Earning money without the daily grind sounds pretty idyllic for most. This is the motivator behind passive income – earning money without doing a lot of work to achieve it. Of course, in finance, nothing is that straightforward. 

Passive income is a complex topic, particularly in property rentals where the market is always changing. While there are no hard and fast rules on how to earn passive income from a rental home, this quick FAQ guide will help decipher five big questions.

5 FAQs on earning passive income on a rental home

1. What is passive income in real estate?

In theory, passive income is money that you earn regularly, without doing too much actual work to get it. This shouldn’t be confused with things like owning shares or crypto – that is called “portfolio income”. Passive income is different. It’s an income-producing activity and you may do a little work to achieve it, but it’s different to the way you earn your wages or what’s known as ‘active’ income. 

In real estate, passive income examples include:

Rental income from a long-term or short-term rental, managed by you or a property manager



Returns from a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) that owns and manages properties on behalf of a group of investors



Renting out a spare room or an ADU to generate income

The type, hours of work, and method for managing your real estate investment will impact whether this is classed as passive or active income, which we will get into next. 

2. Is my rental income passive or active income? 

Whether your rental home generates passive or active income will depend on your individual circumstances. It’s always a good idea to speak to a financial advisor or accountant before making any financial decisions, as there is no one-size-fits-all answer here. 

For most long-term rental homeowners, your income will be considered ‘passive activity’ by the IRS. It means you can claim tax deductions for related expenses against this income, but any losses need to carry forward until you generate passive income or sell the home. 

There’s also what’s known as “active participation” in a rental home. The IRS takes into account that you spend time making major decisions about your home. Even if you outsource the heavy lifting to Belong, you could still qualify as the person appointing management of your home and approving residents and expenditures. 

If you’re found to actively take part in these decisions, you may be able to deduct up to $25,000 of your passive losses. There are income thresholds and caps on deductions here so you will need to speak to an accountant to determine if you qualify for this. 

If you’re self-managing the home, keep a close eye on the hours you work. If you spend more than 750 hours on your rental home or related businesses in a year, it’s likely the IRS considers you to be a ‘real estate professional’ for tax purposes. In this case, your income isn’t passive income. Same if you flip houses for profit, as this is an example of active income. 

3. Is renting out a home a good way to make money? 

It definitely can be. Rental homes have the potential to be a good investment and some people even manage to live off their passive rental income. But the truth is, no one can predict how much money they will ever make on any investment. Real estate, shares, and portfolios, crypto – for every reward comes risk. 

But Belong has a very different vision for the US housing market than the one that currently exists. One where homes are in the hands of real people, not corporations. Helping homeowners to achieve their financial goals through real estate and to help those who rent to find a sense of belonging in the houses they call home. 

This is why we’re focused on disrupting the way long-term renting works. For too long, both homeowners and their residents have been let down by property management companies. Renters are treated like second class citizens while the owners of rental homes are left frustrated by hidden fees and poor communication. It shouldn’t have to be this way. 

There are so many far-reaching benefits for both homeowners and the wider community when you opt to rent out a home on a long-term basis. Belong wants to bring back confidence to homeowners to choose this option to achieve financial freedom. And make sure you can do it without having to lift a finger.  

To do this, we partner with homeowners to determine financial goals. We guarantee rent and give you transparency over how your rental income is working to achieve them. We offer innovative financial solutions to spread the cost of expenses and keep your cash flow steady. And we put everything you need at your fingertips with an easy-to-use app.  

Discover Belong: Get great residents and guaranteed rent paid like clockwork. We’ll determine how to achieve your financial goals and then set out to help you achieve them through passive income. Learn more on our homeowners page. 

4. What is the tax rate on passive rental income? 

How you are taxed, along with any deductions and benefits you’re entitled to, varies depending on how your property is treated on the rental market and how much time you spend in the home.

For this example, let’s say the home is a long-term rental and residents live there full-time on a 12 month lease. Any income earned is reportable on your tax return and you will be able to deduct expenses based on the percentage of days in the year that the home was rented out. 

Rental income tax works on your marginal tax bracket. As the United States uses a progressive tax system, your tax rate will increase as your income grows, ranging between 10% and 37%. 

You can also lower your tax burden or the amount of money you will owe at the end of the year by claiming certain deductions on your tax return. Rental properties attract many strategies that can help lower your tax liability, so good record keeping is essential. Don’t forget that federal income tax isn’t the only thing to consider when owning a rental home. There’s also property taxes, state taxes, capital gains, maybe even estate taxes for an inherited home. It’s all dependent on your personal finances and situation which is why it’s best to speak to a financial or tax advisor. 

Read More: 2024 Federal Tax Brackets on Rental Income: A Guide for Rental Home Owners

5. Is an inherited home considered passive income? 

If the home you inherit is rented, that income will be considered your passive income and can be financially beneficial.  

Besides enjoying passive income, the IRS will consider the value of the home on its current market value, known as a "stepped up basis." This means that when it comes to capital gains tax if/when you do sell the home, the appreciation will be based on the value that you inherited it at. This is a big difference to if you were to buy an investment property for yourself, where appreciation will be based on what you paid for the home. You can learn more about the tax considerations for inherited homes here. 

Reach your financial goals with guaranteed rent

Belong is simplifying the rental experience and helping more homeowners reach their financial goals through real estate. Tell us about your rental home now to get started.

You can also visit our homeowner's page to learn more about how our modern, tech-enabled services are helping people ditch property management in cities across the US including Austin, San Antonio, Tampa, Raleigh/Durham, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Miami and more. 



Disclaimer: It’s important to consult with a professional and consider your personal financial situation, local microeconomic factors and other risk factors before choosing to invest in real estate. This article should not be considered financial or legal advice.

Tyler Infelise

Harrison Kelly

Melanie Kershaw

Dom Difurio

Flora Fiorillo

Lauren Slagter

Harrison Kelly

Melanie Kershaw

Dom Difurio

Flora Fiorillo

Lauren Slagter