A Quick and Easy Guide to Property Investment

Like most families, special needs families need to find ways to address their finances.  One of those methods is to invest in real estate.  There is a lot to consider when looking into real estate, and here are a few notes for your consideration…

Many people choose property investment as a way to generate passive income in addition to their full-time job, or as a means of becoming financially independent. You can own just one property, or you can build a portfolio of several. Whatever your goals and motivations, property investment can be an incredibly profitable source of income. 

Nevertheless, it is a complicated process, and there is a lot to know before you start. There are plenty of opportunities to generate a vast amount of income, but there are also common mistakes and setbacks that could land you in trouble. To help you understand what you’re getting into, here is a quick guide for investors buying their first property.

Know your goals

Why have you decided to invest in real estate? Do you intend to make it your primary source of income or just some passive income on the side? Are you planning to make money through renting it out or by reselling it after a period of capital appreciation? Having a clear idea of your goals and a strategy for reaching them will give you structure and guidance along the way and prevent you from making dire mistakes.

Research

As with any significant investment, it’s prudent to conduct extensive research to help you make the right decision when purchasing a property. Look into different areas and neighborhoods and determine what properties are likely to be most lucrative. Upcoming developments and areas with a young workforce are positive factors to take into account.

Assess your finances

Even if you have the money in the bank to make the initial down payment and cover all the repairs and renovations, that doesn’t necessarily mean you will be able to sustain your investment in the long term. Determine whether your property will generate positive cash flow throughout your ownership. Will the rental income outweigh the costs of upkeep, mortgage payments, and property taxes? If you’re not careful, you could find yourself at a loss.

Be prepared to work

Once you have secured your property, your work isn’t over. Whether you rent it out or not, you will have to provide regular maintenance and upkeep of your property. A poorly-managed apartment or house will struggle to attract tenants, and if you don’t do your due diligence as a landlord, your reputation could be at risk, not to mention the fact that you are shirking your legal obligations. If you merely intend to liquidize your assets at a later stage, keeping it in good condition from the offset will help you to retain and increase its value over time.

Investing in property is complicated, and you should always get advice from a professional before starting. Seeking guidance from a rental loans company such as Visio is an excellent place to start, as they offer a wealth of information on how to get started in property investment and other assets such as resources to become a partner broker of Visio. Always ensure you take the time to do your research before investing and start slow.

*this is a collaborative post

Ed Lives