The financial freedom that comes with real estate investing can be tremendous when done right. Real estate investing can offer many benefits, including the potential for high returns, a stable income stream, and asset appreciation.

It can also be a long-term investment that allows you to diversify your existing portfolio and provide you with financial security in retirement.

The problem is that most new investors don’t know how or where to invest in real estate. There are so many different types of real estate investments, including residential properties, commercial properties, land, and many more, that it can be overwhelming for a beginner.

So, how do you get started in real estate investing? This article will explain exactly how you can start real estate investing in 2022.

What Are The Benefits Of Investing In Real Estate

Did you know that over Ninety percent of all millionaires have become so through owning real estate? That may sound crazy, but it’s true. Real estate investing offers many benefits that other investments simply can’t match.

Some of the most notable benefits include:

  1. A tangible asset: You can see and touch your investment, unlike stocks which are just numbers on a screen.
  2. Passive cash flow: With real estate, you can invest in properties that generate a consistent income stream each month. This can help diversify your existing investment portfolio and provide financial security in retirement.
  3. Investment opportunities: Another great benefit of real estate investing is the sheer number of investment options available. You can invest in residential properties, commercial properties, land, and more. Plus, many investors invest in real estate through a variety of different strategies, including flipping properties, renting out properties for income, and more.
  4. Leverage: You can control property worth much more than the amount of money you invest.
  5. Principal pay down: As you invest in real estate, you slowly build equity in your properties. This can help increase your net worth over time and give you more financial security.
  6. Steady income: Real estate investment properties can provide a steady stream of rental income that you can rely on to meet your financial obligations.
  7. Appreciation: Property values usually always increase as long as you invest in the right location. This can help you generate a large return on your investment when you sell.
  8. Tax advantages: The IRS allows real estate investors many tax breaks, such as the ability to write off depreciation, mortgage interest, depreciation, and capital gains exclusions. All of this helps reduce your tax burden.
  9. Cash out refinance: You can access the equity in your investment property through a cash out refinance and use that money for other investments.

Different Types of Real Estate Investments

Now that you know some of the benefits of investing in real estate let’s look at the different types of investments you can make and the pros and cons of each approach.

Residential Properties

The most common type of real estate investment is a residential property, such as a single-family home, condominium, or townhouse. These properties are usually easier to finance and generate income through renting.

You can even consider purchasing a home warranty plan for the rental property. Krupesh of Home Warranty Reviews says, “Home warranty for a rental property is one of the best ways to attract potential buyers.”

Moreover, the down payment needed for these properties is anywhere from 3.5% to 20% depending on the type of loan you get.

An FHA loan will require a 3.5% downpayment, while a conventional loan will require at least 5%.

However, suppose you’re looking to invest in a rental property. In that case, you’ll likely need to put down 20% to avoid paying Private Mortgage Insurance.

Pros:

Cons:

Commercial Properties

Commercial properties are any properties used for business purposes, such as office buildings, retail centers, industrial warehouses, etc. These types of properties can be more challenging to invest in due to their size and complexity. Still, they often generate significant returns with proper management.

Applying for a commercial bridge loan can significantly simplify things on the financial front and open doors for the easier realization of your real estate goals. It’ll provide you with a strategic financial tool to navigate the complexities of investing in commercial properties.

Pros:

Cons:

Land

Investing in land through land contracts is a great way to diversify your portfolio and invest for the long term. What are land contracts, you might ask?

A land contract refers to a written legal agreement utilized to facilitate the purchase of real estate properties, including but not limited to vacant lands, houses, and apartment buildings. Land is generally considered safer than real estate but can take longer to generate returns.

Pros:

Cons:

REITs

A REIT, or real estate investment trust, is a company that owns and operates income-producing real estate. REITs are required by law to distribute at least 90% of their taxable income to shareholders in the form of dividends. This makes them a great way to invest in real estate while also getting access to tax breaks and other benefits.

Pros:

Cons:

Join Crowdfunding Platforms

A crowdfunding platform is a passive investment similar to REITs. It is a popular option for small real estate investors. Instead of investing through corporations and trust, investors pool together money and look for interested real estate sponsors or developers.

Unlike REITs, you cannot sell these investments quickly. Your ability to sell them depends on some real estate market variables. However, by pooling together money with other investors, you can achieve handsome dividends on properties that you wouldn’t usually have access to as an individual.

Just keep in mind that it might be some time before an investor can start getting dividends from crowdfunded properties. That’s why you should commit to a long-term goal of at least a few years if you choose to go this route.

Pros:

Cons:

Invest in Vocational and Short-Term Rentals

Vacation rentals, also known as short-term rentals, are a type of real estate investment that allows you to rent out your property for short periods of time. This can be a great way to generate income from your real estate investments while also getting the opportunity to use the property yourself.

Pros:

Cons:

Join Real Estate Investment Groups

Real estate investment groups are a type of syndicate that allows you to invest in real estate with other investors. These groups are usually managed by a professional who finds and controls the properties on behalf of the group.

Pros:

Cons:

Purchasing and Flipping A Property

Purchasing a property and then flipping it, or selling it for a profit, is a type of real estate investment that can be very lucrative. However, it’s essential to understand the risks and opportunities involved before taking on this type of investment.

Pros:

Cons:

Real Estate Investing For Beginners: Platforms To Get Started

If you’re interested in getting started with real estate investing but don’t know where to start, there are a few platforms that can help.

Key Takeaways

There are many reasons why you should invest in real estate. For starters, real estate investing helps in achieving equity.

For example, when you pay your mortgage, most of that money goes toward paying down the property’s value. However, you’re simply paying the landlord’s mortgage when you’re renting.

Also, when you invest in rental properties, the income you get from the rental will help you pay the mortgage. You can start investing in maintenance, repairs, and other properties with your profit.

Real estate also offers you leverage since you can acquire real estate at a fraction of the full cost.

By paying a portion of the total price, you can still enjoy all the benefits of owning the property like rental income, property appreciation, build-up equity, and tax write-offs.

Suppose you don’t want to go through the process of actually acquiring a property.

In that case, you can invest in real estate through crowdfunding platforms like Fundrise and Realty Mogul for as low as a few thousand dollars.

There is no silver bullet strategy. None of these strategies are without risk. It takes time, ambition, and flexibility for any of these to work correctly.

However, if you’re interested in getting started with real estate investing, hopefully, this article has given you a better understanding of some of the different options available to you.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *