Real estate investment is a lucrative investment strategy that can diversify your portfolio. Real estate investing for beginners is an easy thing, as they can enter into the market smoothly just like buying a mutual fund. But, how to get started in real estate investing?
Over the past few years, investing in real estate has become increasingly popular due to massive demand for rental properties, the robust potential for huge returns, and low-interest rates. Unlike stock, potential real estate investors can use leverage for investing in property, paying a part of the total cost upfront and the remaining balance and interest over time.
But, the trouble is most novice investors are not aware of how to invest in real estate. Keep scrolling to learn real estate investments and how to get into real estate investing to earn money.
Real Estate Investing: Explained
If done right, real estate investing is a lucrative investment vehicle that helps investors diversify their existing investment portfolios. This additional income stream is an appealing method to secure your financial future.
One of the easiest ways for investors to make money through real estate is to become the landlord of a rental property. Home flippers who buy undervalued or distressed homes, fix them, and sell them at a higher price can also earn huge returns. The benefit is that most of the best real estate investments do not create hassles where you need to show up every time a tenant calls. Some of the basic reasons why more investors are now investing in real estate are:
- Helps generate rental income.
- Offers tax benefits.
- Gain profits from potential property value appreciation.
Types of Real Estate Investments
Real estate investors can be either active investors or passive investors. Active real estate investors often self-manage their rental properties without hiring any professional real estate agents. Meanwhile, passive real estate investors assign most property management work to third-party property managers. This includes:
- Investing in crowdfunding platforms.
- Handling day-to-day operations of rental properties.
- Share ownership of a REIT.
Furthermore, you will come across four types of real estate investments that investors can look into:
- Residential.
- Industrial.
- Commercial.
- Land.
Residential real estate – condominiums, single-family rental homes, and townhomes.
Industry real estate properties – warehouses, distribution centers, cold storage facilities, and R&D properties.
Commercial real estate – Office buildings, retail shopping centers, huge apartment complexes, mixed properties having commercial and residential spaces.
Land – Agricultural land, individual plots to build homes or rental apartments, and subdivided land.
How To Start Investing In Real Estate? Steps To Follow
If you’re eager to learn how to start real estate investing, follow the steps below.
- Save money and pay in cash:
As real estate investment is the most expensive asset class, you need to have sound financial health before you get started. For this, you will have to pay off all your high-interest debts and create significant savings.
While purchasing or renovating investment properties, it is always best to pay in cash to avoid getting into debt. You can keep all the profits earned by paying money in full and avoid repaying the mortgage loans to the lender.
- Diversify your portfolio:
To avoid risks by placing all your eggs in one basket, it’s best to diversify your real estate investments. By choosing the right strategy and doing an online search, you can figure out which investment vehicle to begin with.
If you’re planning to purchase physical property, you must carefully research the local real estate market or get in touch with a real estate agent. Whether you’re investing in commercial, residential, or industrial real estate, do plenty of research before making the investment decision.
- Invest in the local real estate market:
If you reside in one state, avoid purchasing investment properties in another. The reason is that if you live far away from your rental properties, you will find it hard to manage the property and respond to every beck and call of the tenants.
Also, suppose you’re planning to hand over the property management to a third-party property manager. In that case, you will be forced to blindly trust them, making it even more difficult in case of any discrepancies. Though it’s great to hire professional management services for the smooth running of the property, you as a property owner must always remain close and keep an eye on your investment.
- Hiring a real estate agent:
Getting a local real estate agent on board will reduce the stress and the hurdles you might encounter as a real estate investor. While purchasing a rental property, they will help you find a better deal, saving you a lot of money. These agents not only help in managing your properties but also handle all the financial dealings as well.
- Start small and close the deal:
If you’re new to the real estate investment world, investing in smaller real estate properties is best. For instance, renting a single-family rental property or single apartment would be great, to begin with.
Get in touch with other real estate investors to gain more insight into the market. Finally, find potential buyers and close the deal on your property quickly to gain good returns.
How To Invest In Real Estate With Little Money?
Investors make real estate investments mainly to generate profit through market value appreciation or rental income. Investing in the real estate market without any money is impossible, as funds must come from some source.
Not interested in parting with thousands of dollars to invest in real estate? To make real estate investments with little or no money, you must recognize and ride on other individuals’ financial sources. Some of the best ways to make real estate investments with little or no money are:
- Investing through lease options:
Using the lease option, the property owner can get high rental payments from the buyer in the form of a monthly or yearly premium. The rest of the rental fees will be directed to the property’s purchase price. This way, the investor can use the rental fees to make real estate investments.
- Real estate partnership:
A real estate partnership is a popular investment option for investors with little or no money. If the price tag of the property is too high, you can get into an equity partnership, where the equity partner helps finance the real estate investment.
- Hard Money Lenders
Hard money lending is the best funding option if you do not have sufficient funds to make real estate investments. Rather than getting loans from the banks, you can get money from private individuals or groups with lesser qualification requirements. Besides, private lenders are willing to support risky projects, and you will be able to secure the funds without delay.
Effective Ways To Invest In Real Estate
If you are interested in real estate investing, you will come across numerous ways to invest in the real estate market. By balancing your portfolio’s potential rewards and risks, here are some of the best ways to invest in real estate.
- Rental Properties
Rental properties work great for active investors who wish to do the renovation works and management of tenants on their own. Investors get to enjoy the regular income and an increase in profit when the property value appreciates. Using leverage, investors can also maximize capital.
But, you will have to save a substantial amount of capital from financing maintenance costs that arise due to property damage and mismanagement by tenants. Moreover, income generation reduces if there are any vacancies.
- House Flipping:
Investors with significant experience in the real estate market can venture into the house flipping business. It requires a good amount of capital and the ability to oversee all the renovation and repair works that need to be done.
Property flippers are always looking to purchase distressed or foreclosed properties, do the necessary work, and increase the intensity value to earn profit. This investment vehicle ties up capital only for a short period, and you enjoy quick returns.
How To Find Real Estate Investors In Your Area?
If you found the perfect rental property but do not have sufficient funds to finance it, you have two options: either borrowing the amount or finding investors to take part in the investment and share the profits.
If you know how to find investors for real estate in your area, you will be able to quickly build up and diversify your portfolio and earn huge returns. Even though investing with co-investors has drawbacks, it has numerous benefits. Some of the effective ways to find real estate investors in your locality include the following:
- Real estate investor networking:
To meet the right type of individuals, you need to list out your requirements, which include:
- The amount of money needed for investment.
- Whether the investors are interested in investing with a partner or not.
- Have experience or know-how in managing real estate business ventures.
You can submit these requirements onto angel network sites online and view the profiles of prospective investors. Some might be active investors, while some might be just casual with investing. So you must carefully analyze several networks before choosing an investment partner.
- Family and friends:
Most individuals have many family members, friends, and coworkers interested in getting involved in real estate investments. You can get in touch with them to be your investment partner. Connecting with the right real estate co-investor will change your business for the better.
- Crowdfunding platforms:
With the numerous property-based platforms available, some might be established while the rest are not. To avoid being scammed by fraudulent practices, you need to check the credentials and criteria of the real estate platform you choose. After you select the platform, your project will be marketed to the investors on the platform.
While the platform has a wide range of investors that provide capital, you don’t have to strive hard to find them. Fund availability is guaranteed, but the rate can be really high due to the stiff competition to attract investors.
Is Real Estate Investment The Right Choice For You?
Real estate investments have benefits and drawbacks, so they might not be feasible for everyone. If you wish to get started with real estate investments to increase your wealth, you need to get two people on board, a real estate investing professional and an experienced real estate agent.
While the agent analyzes the local market and procures great deals, the investing professional will advise you on which investment option to jump into based on your financial credibility.
Interested in investing in the real estate market? Before you leap, let’s take a peek at the benefits and drawbacks of real estate investing.
| Benefits | Drawbacks |
| Steady source of monthly income payments. | Due to leverage, even small price fluctuations can consume the entire investment. |
| Using leverage helps build long-term wealth. | Initial investments are not easy due to upfront costs. It’s best to save enough funds for down payment and cash flow shortages. |
| Low price moments and diversification of portfolio reduces risks due to volatility. | Personally handling rental properties and flipping houses can be time-consuming. |
Is Real Estate A Good Investment? Final Takeaway
Real estate investment has the potential to build wealth and create a steady income. Based on your financial stability, there are multiple ways to invest in the real estate market.
Real estate investments like real estate crowdfunding, getting involved in real estate investment trust, and real estate limited partnership investments do not require hands-on management, giving you significant free time. It also reduces the risk of investing in a major real estate project without proper expert guidance.
Meanwhile, direct investments like purchasing a rental property or home flipping are also profitable investment strategies. However, it’s advisable to familiarize yourself with the local real estate market and ensure you’re financially secure before choosing any of these investment real estate options.
Keep in mind real estate investment takes time to execute and pay off. If you’re considering real estate investing to diversify your portfolio, take it on as a long-term investment.
