This post was originally published on mortgages.com. Many second homeowners find themselves wanting, or needing, to rent out their second home. If you haven’t been a landlord before, and this is part of your plan, you’ll want to make your home as inviting and as renter-proof as possible. This list should get you started! First things first: Make sure you’re complying with all local and federal laws when it comes to renting out your place. Your second home will be designated as an investment property for tax purposes. There may also be local laws about how your place is rented. For example, some municipalities have rules about how many non-related people can live in a home, usually so a neighborhood doesn’t get overrun with student apartments. Decide if you’ll be using a property manager or going the DIY route. There are costs associated with hiring a property manager, but there are also costs [...]