Real estate investments should not be approached lightly. Considering how much capital is required to purchase an investment property, regret is the last thing you want to be feeling in the aftermath of such an acquisition. As such, all real estate investors are urged to do their homework before committing to large purchases. A lack of thoroughness in the pre-purchase stage is practically guaranteed to come back and haunt you down the line, so before getting started on any paperwork, take care to consider the following tips.
Reach Out to Seasoned Experts
Anyone investing in real estate for the first time can greatly benefit from the expertise of seasoned investors here. So, if you have any family members, friends or general acquaintances who have found success in real estate, now would be a good time to pick up the phone. Alternatively, if no one in your regular circle has relevant investment experience, consider getting in touch with a highly-rated real estate investment company. In addition to walking you through the basics of real estate investing, the right company will be able to answer any questions you may have regarding the tenets of a favorable location, current investment trends and what happens to real estate during inflation.
Consider the Benefits of Crowdfunding
It’s easy to see why some fledgling investors are afraid of purchasing properties by themselves. After all, buying an investment property requires a tremendous amount of capital, and if a property fails to generate the desired returns, its owner stands to lose quite a bit. So, if you’re eager to invest in real estate but aren’t sold on the idea of being the sole investor, real estate crowdfunding is an option worth considering.
As the name suggests, real estate crowdfunding involves purchasing properties with other investors. Furthermore, these properties are often located by people who specialize in seeking out profitable real estate investments, thus providing investors with an additional layer of security. Of course, going the crowdfunding route means getting a smaller share of the profits than you would if you were the sole investor. Still, investors with limited capital and an aversion to risks should give crowdfunding some serious thought.
Understand How Much Work a Property Requires
If you’re looking to rent out an investment property and use it to generate passive income, it’s imperative that you understand how much work this will entail before committing to purchase. For example, if you’re interested in purchasing an apartment or condo complex with dozens – or even hundreds – of units, make sure you have a solid understanding of monthly maintenance costs, general upkeep and how many staff members you’ll need to hire. If a property contains a large number of units, you may have no choice but to hire knowledgeable full-time maintenance personnel. Additionally, if you’re not interested in turning property ownership/management into your primary occupation, you’ll need to enlist the aid of an experienced property manager, who will act as your proxy.
Stepping into the role of landlord unprepared is liable to leave you feeling frustrated, overwhelmed and emotionally drained. So, in the interest of keeping things manageable, make sure you’re crystal-clear on your new responsibilities before taking on this type of commitment.
Insist on Having the Property Inspected
Purchasing an investment property that hasn’t undergone a professional inspection is liable to result in a host of unpleasant surprises well after the sale has been finalized. So, regardless of how well-maintained a prospective investment property appears to be, make sure the seller knows that your willingness to purchase the property is contingent upon the results of an inspection from a certified home inspector. This will ensure that you’re fully aware of any outstanding problems with the property and enable you to make an informed investment decision. Furthermore, in many cases, property owners are unable to buy the best home insurance without a professional inspection.
If regret is your primary emotion in the wake of a real estate investment, it stands to reason that sufficient thought was not put into said investment. Although smart real estate investments can pay off in a big way, not all investment opportunities are going to generate massive profits. In fact, some are liable to bleed your finances dry. To help ensure that you’re fully satisfied with your first real estate investment, put the advice outlined above to practical use.
