Buying rental properties, or investment properties, generally speaking, in the right location for the right place materializes into wealth and a long-term real estate business. It starts with one investment property to turn real estate investing into a full-time career. But, it is up to you whether you want to take up real estate investing as a full-time job or part-time side gig. Both methods work and can be financially rewarding nevertheless.
There is no overnight secret recipe for success, it takes work and dedication to build a successful business and be equipped to find the right investment opportunities to grow your returns and make money down the line.
To make money in real estate investing:
- Have a business plan.
- Seek professional advice.
- Figure out your finances.
- Study real estate.
- Learn from other experienced investors.
- Always ask questions.
- Never stop learning.
Savvy investors adapt their tactics as per the real estate market, the big economic picture, and their long-term business vision. They see the big picture and have the right forethought to invest for big rewards long term, and not solely focus on short-term rewards.
Related: Looking for Residential Homes to Invest in? Here’s How to Find the Best Ones
Making Money with Investment Properties
1. Invest for long-term rewards
Investing in real estate is not simmply a cash flow business; on the contrary, it is building a capital appreciation business for big long-term rewards. The buy and hold real estate strategy is the epitome of ‘buying and holding’ real estate for financial gains down the line. You might be bootstrapped for cash if you decide to invest in negative gearing properties or long-term real estate strategies, so make sure you have a plan to generate fast cash flow to keep your real estate business afloat. One way to mitigate this illiquidity in real estate is to invest in a fix and flip and/or lease your investment property to tenants to generate short-term cash flow returns.
2. Invest in positive cash flow properties
To reiterate, savvy investors invest for long-term financial perks, but at the same time they invest in positive cash flow properties to fund their business and build wealth in long term. As previously mentioned, choosing the right tenants can mitigate the risk of financial loss or, worse, foreclosures. Real estate is about capital appreciation, although cash flow is necessary to pay your bills and keep your real estate business afloat.
Related: What Is Cash Flow and How Does It Let Real Estate Investors Make Money?
3. Location does matter
In real estate investing, buy investment properties in favorable locations and for the right price. The best scenario is buying investment properties under market value in hot real estate markets. Having the right location gives investors the leverage to choose the right tenants, generate positive cash flow returns, pay off their mortgage payments, and use their equity to buy more investment properties. Use Mashvisor heat map tool to find the best real estate opportunities across the US in an instant.
4. The right timing to buy and sell is crucial
The real estate market is cyclical and never constant, so make sure you amend your real estate strategy respective to the cycle and housing market conditions. For example, if the housing market is in a downward spiral, it is not wise to sell real estate. In other words, you cannot accumulate capital growth when the prices are falling, but it is wise to buy below market value before prices go up.
5. Learn the art of persuasion
Successful real estate investors always have the upper hand in the negotiation process. They master the skill of getting a better bargain price on a house, setting higher rent, or asking for better mortgage rates on a loan. All in all, developing your communications skills and emotional intelligence will set you apart from other investors and multiply your returns.
6. There is no profit quota in real estate investing
The sky’s the limit in real estate investing. Unlike the 9-to-5 job, real estate investors do not have a cap on how much they can be making in this business. Do not only stick to traditional real estate investing, but also use creative real estate methods to multiply your returns and accumulate wealth.
7. Manage your taxes
Choose to invest in places with lower or no property tax and take advantage of the tax perks in real estate investing to maximize capital growth.
8. Diversification is the antidote of risk management
In other words, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Diversify your real estate portfolio to mitigate major losses and financial hiccups in a downturn market. Having multiple investment properties not only builds wealth but also keeps the risk of financial loss at a minimum.
9. Choose your tenants diligently
Take your time in choosing the right tenants for your investment properties. Screen your potential tenants by running background checks and asking for references. Remember, good tenants pay down your mortgage payments, while a bad tenant only burns a hole in your pocket.
10. Do your due diligence
Doing your due diligence simply means to run real estate market analysis and conduct thorough research and assessment before closing the deal on a house. Number crunching is necessary to guarantee a profitable real estate investment. Check out Mashvisor investment property calculator to estimate the ROI and overall net gains.
When it comes to finding investment properties for the biggest profit margins and rewards, real estate investors analyze the macro conditions, study the housing market, and figure out the best real estate strategy aligned with the macro and micro conditions.
Related: Buying Rental Property Is Easy with Our Guide
Conclusion
Buying investment properties in the right location, in favorable conditions, and at the right price is a key formula for making money in real estate. Remember, real estate cycles are full of upswings and downturns, so stay up to date with market trends to reap the highest rewards and make smart investment decisions given real-time market trends. Our final advice to you is think big, plan long term, and start small.
If you liked this post, head over to Mashvisor blog for more real-time news, advice, and tips to grow your real estate business.