Real estate investing 101

Real estate investing can be a lucrative and rewarding endeavour for those willing to put in the time and effort - even if the outlook for property prices in the short term is highly uncertain. 

Real estate has long been considered a sound investment because of the potential for value appreciation and the ability to generate rental income. 

Whether you are looking to purchase your first rental property or expand your existing portfolio, there are a few key things to keep in mind when investing in real estate. 

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In this article, we will explore some of the basics of real estate investing, including how to find the right property, financing options, and tips for managing your investment.

Real estate investing 101: finding the right property  

Finding the right property is crucial when investing in real estate. Start by identifying the type of property you want to invest in, such as a single-family home, multi-unit property, or commercial property. 

Research the local market and look for areas with high demand for rental properties. Consider factors such as location, amenities, and potential for appreciation in value. 

Work with a real estate agent specializing in investment properties to help you find the best options to meet your specific investment goals. Remember, patience and due diligence are key when it comes to finding the right property for your real estate investment.

Set a budget and income targets  

Setting a budget for your real estate investments is essential in ensuring a successful investment. Start by evaluating your current financial situation and determining how much you can realistically afford to invest. Consider factors such as your income, expenses, and other financial obligations. 

It's essential to clearly understand your financial limitations before you begin your search for a property. Once you have a budget, work with a real estate agent to identify properties that fit your price range and investment goals. 

Remember, staying within your budget is important to avoid overextending yourself financially. 

It's also vital to have a plan detailing how much you want to make from the investment, as this will help you set your borrowing aims and help you focus your search. 

Without an income target, you could quickly become overwhelmed by the opportunities on offer and make mistakes. The best real estate investors set out a plan and stick to it, which is probably one of the most essential lessons for investing in the property market. 

Real estate investing: Find the right market  

Finding the right tenant is essential if you’re planning to put your property on the rental market. Once again, this process should start before you begin looking. you should put a plan in place to know who you are looking for and the sort of income requirements they need. 

At this stage, you can also figure out if you are going to make enough money from renting your property or if it's worth doing shorter-term lets using a platform such as Airbnb.  This might be preferable if you have larger income targets to hit. 

If you do the sums when you are looking for potential tenants and decide it's not worth the time or the effort for the money involved, it might just be worth developing the property and trying to sell it for a Higher capital return. The benefit of this approach is that it generates an instant return in cash, so you don't have to worry about exposure to tenants or long-term economic trends. 

Diversification 

Any investor will tell you diversification is one of the most important parts of managing money, and that comes with any asset, whether it be real estate, stocks or bonds. 

It's particularly important with real estate because of the amount of money involved. Unless you are a multimillionaire, it will be very challenging to build an extensive diversified portfolio of properties -  say 10 or more different homes. 

Most people will start with just one property, putting a large percentage of their assets into this one home. If this were another asset, such as an equity, most investors and Investment advisors would call you mad for putting the majority of your wealth into one asset. 

So, why should you do it with property? If this asset becomes a liability due to falling property values or a nightmare tenant, how would you feel about having so much wealth tied up in one asset? 

Real estate investing should be viewed the same as any other type of investing. It requires a plan, a commonsense approach, and investors need to consider diversification.