- Choose the market & time to invest wisely
For successful real estate investing, it’s more important to understand your local market than just what’s going on across the country. Investment success will be most influenced by factors in the particular real estate market you choose. A general rule of thumb for success in real estate investing is to avoid overheating markets. Some real estate investors in this market may brag about their property’s appreciation or rising rates, but you risk buying and losing money.
The real estate market moves in cycles due to the desire for economic profit, and every real estate market is at a different stage of its housing cycle. Therefore, it would be best to find markets in the expansion phase – where sales and prices are increasing, affordability is good, construction is low, and capital investment is rising.
To become successful in real estate investing, you should also focus on the property’s position in the market. You need to invest in neighbourhoods that are densely populated, growing and have basic amenities nearby.
All great neighbourhoods have this in common:
- Low crime rate
- Good school
- Surrounding Parks and Recreational Destinations
- Access to medical care
- Family-friendly
- Access to public transport
- Access to shopping malls and restaurants
- Good walking ability
All of this translates into a high demand for housing. If the housing supply meets the housing demand, real estate investors should not miss the opportunity because input house prices are still affordable.
- Buy low
Real estate investing can be compared to investing in a stock. The return on investment is based on how cheaply you bought the commodity. First, however, you have to look at the return on investment. For example, you can buy a cheap cottage in an unsafe neighbourhood for a small amount, but you won’t get much out of it either.
- Understand costs right from the start
If you’re new to real estate investing, it’s essential to understand your upfront costs. It’s not just the cost of the real estate and the broker’s commission. You’ll need to pay for repairs, and too many newcomers to real estate don’t know how to accurately estimate how much it will cost to repair cracked foundations or fix electrical problems.
I don’t think you can solve the problem by working over the weekend to add a little paint. Most do-it-yourself work reduces the value of a home, and trying to fix someone’s electrical and plumbing problems can put it off sale unless you already have the ability. Do work like this. Others have no budget for closing costs, insurance or utility costs and end up losing money on a failed transaction.
- Understand the market
Understanding the market is one of the best ways to avoid investing in real estate. Understanding your real estate market will help you value investment properties. Know how much the typical home in a community is worth per square foot and the rent you can charge for a given investment property. Renovate the property in ways that make it more attractive to prospective buyers.
For example, never reduce the number of bedrooms in a family community. Nor should you downsize the closet or shrink the main bathroom to fit a hot tub that a few in the area will appreciate. Do not separate an excellent yard to put in a pool if the demand for it is not much. Choose the best real estate markets.
- Risk management when investing in real estate
There are several ways you can manage the risk in real estate investing. First, don’t go deep into debt. When buying an investment property, aim for at least 10% off. Twenty per cent is better because it eliminates private mortgage insurance and generally offers a lower interest rate on loans. Second, maintain a large cash reserve. You will minimize the risk of selling an asset at a quick loss if you have the cash to hold the investment before it is sold.
With a more significant cash reserve, you can also pay unexpected repair bills before your house can be on the market. Running to a loan company for $500 million to fix a property is possible, but it comes with a high-interest rate that eats into your profit margin. Proper risk management can significantly improve your chances of real estate investment success.
- Best Match – Not “Best.”
A common mistake in real estate investing is trying to develop the best property in the area. You can try renovating the working area house and turning it into a luxury home. But you can’t sell it for the price you would get in a high-end place, which will cost you money. Over-building is wasteful. Enjoy the “best fit” features, not trying to turn an office building into the most fanciful or elite product.
First, fix everything that’s broken or damaged. Then make small changes that stand out but don’t cost much. Two-tone paint instead of one is a good example. Soap dispensers and trash cans are more convenient than the others. Skip the Corian or granite countertops, top-of-the-line appliances, or expensive decor.
- Maximize Real Estate Value
Find ways to maximize the value of the real estate, generating more returns for the same investment property. It may involve leasing a corner to the bank to install an ATM. You can give a small commission to rent out the lobby space, generating rental income from what can’t be added to the business’s cash flow. In an apartment complex, you can look for value-added services. For example, offer a service to pick up trash from someone’s door to a trash can for a monthly fee.
Or add a guide or security guard to the building. You can now charge a higher rent for a more attractive property. Instead of buying a home, fixing it, and selling it to homebuyers, fill it up to tenants. Once a tenant has moved in with a lease, start looking for a buyer. That is called a turnkey project, and your house can quickly sell to a new investor looking to jump into real estate investing without difficulty.
- Understand the rules and regulations of real estate investment
Please don’t turn your basement into a second rental until you know it’s allowed. Do not convert the first floor of a building into commercial space if local zoning laws prohibit it. Be careful about food service business rules before you replace the vending machine rest area with a small sandwich shop. It’s a good idea to learn about license requirements before you begin.
- Consider non-traditional real estate investments
Remember that real estate doesn’t necessarily mean an equal choice between investing in single-family homes and apartment buildings. You can invest in office buildings, storage unit complexes, industrial spaces and warehouses. All of these generate rental income. In the case of offices and industrial buildings, you can reduce overall costs with a triple lease, where the tenant buys basic insurance and pays property and maintenance taxes. Your investment will then yield steady cash flow with few out-of-pocket expenses.
I hope the article is helpful to you. For real estate advice, sign up here and contact us at (+84) 948 230 033 or email: [email protected]. The Homebase team will get back to you and provide more details as soon as possible.
