As the year begins to wrap up, aspiring real estate investors are wondering how to find investment properties for sale in the new year. How exactly can investors find a good investment property? There are plenty of methods out there- which ones should you try?
Your Investment Property Search Method Matters…A LOT
Before we get into the various ways to find investment property, we need to emphasize the significance of finding houses for sale. Finding investment properties, and by extension finding a location to invest in, is the most important part of investing in real estate. Real estate investors, both experienced and novice, thus need to focus a lot of their time, energy, and money on efficiently and effectively searching for real estate investment properties. As mentioned previously, there are many ways to find properties. Your job is to figure out which ones work for your strategy and market of choice. You may have to implement more than 1 at the same time in order to find the best income properties. In this blog, we’ve compiled the top 8 ways to find investment properties for sale.
The 8 Best Ways to Find Investment Properties for Sale
1. Search for Local Advertisements and Print Media
Many might believe that the process of how to find investment properties for sale requires an immense number of technicalities. Oftentimes, however, real estate investors can find residential investment properties for sale by simply driving down the road. “For Sale” signs are just one of many ways investors can learn about where to find investment properties in local areas. Local advertisements and media, including newspapers, magazines, brochures, and printed ads are excellent sources to find single-family and multi-family investment properties for sale.
2. Participate in Open Houses
Another popular method of finding investment properties for sale, particularly when it comes to real estate investing for beginners, is through open houses. A real estate open house is when a property seller allows potential buyers to view the property for sale.
Open houses are beneficial in multiple ways. Being able to directly and quickly be in face-to-face contact with the seller allows the prospective buyers to view the property firsthand and ask any questions related to the property. New real estate investors are able to get their feet wet with the real estate process as well.
3. Look for Foreclosed Investment Properties
Searching for foreclosed homes is another answer to “how to find investment properties for sale”. Foreclosed homes are investment properties in which a real estate investor or homeowner has failed to pay the property’s mortgage in time. The property is then seized by the bank and may be sold in a foreclosure auction. If the property does not sell during the auction, the bank will then attempt to sell the property as quickly as possible. In an effort to be free from the property, the bank may sell the property below its fair market value. This allows interested buyers to purchase cheap investment properties for sale.
You can find foreclosed homes in the Mashvisor Property Marketplace.
4. Learn About Properties for Sale Through Auctions
While you may choose to buy a foreclosure directly from the bank, auctions are another helpful source to find investment properties for sale. Even when an auction is not a foreclosure auction, the real estate investment for sale in question is typically held at a discount price. A possible downside of auctions, however, is that cash is more involved in these real estate transactions. It may be the sole financing option in some transactions, but this will differ on a case by case basis.
There are a variety of sources for finding real estate auctions. Sheriff sale auctions, private auction companies, and online auction websites (such as Auction.com) are the most commonly used by real estate investors.
5. Hire a Real Estate Agent
Professionals are always helpful in any business. When looking to find investment properties for sale, a real estate agent is the professional investors need. A real estate agent is an experienced and qualified expert who is tasked with looking for investment properties. Real estate agents also use their tools and connections to find the ideal investment property for their clients.
However, it is vital to remember that different real estate agents are experts in different types of real estate. Some agents are qualified for searching for homes where their clients intend to live. Others are better suited for looking for properties to be used as rentals.
To search for a real estate agent, check out Realtor.com, the official website of the National Association of Realtors, and Mashvisor’s list of licensed real estate agents.
Related: 11 Ways to Find a Residential Real Estate Agent for Buying Investment Property
6. Network with Other Real Estate Investors and Wholesalers
Real estate investors should always network with real estate professionals when trying to find investment properties for sale. By networking with investors, you can learn about potential opportunities to find real estate investment deals. Real estate wholesalers are another superb source of real estate investment properties for sale since they are directly involved in selling investment property.
7. Visit Real Estate Websites
The Internet, of course, dominates the modern form of communication, news, and yes, property search. It is extraordinarily helpful when learning how to find investment property. Many real estate websites function as a kind of Google dedicated to looking for investment properties. These real estate search engines use traditional and predictive analytical data to find investment properties for sale. Along with conducting an investment property search, the best of these websites estimate the return on investment, rental income, and other aspects of rental properties. Popular real estate websites include Zillow, Trulia, LoopNet, Realtor, PropertyShark, and of course, Mashvisor.
8. Use Mashvisor!
By far, the best way to find investment properties for sale is to use Mashvisor. With Mashvisor’s investment property calculator, real estate investors can find investment properties anywhere in the US housing market. Mashvisor’s calculator estimates rental income and return on investment averages. Mashvisor also provides these figures, and many others, for Airbnb rental properties. To learn more about Mashvisor’s investment calculator, click here!
Related: Mashvisor: The Best Rental Property Calculator You Could Ask For
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