Investing in property has been a well-known alternative to investing in stocks or bonds. One of the great benefits if you invest in property is that many investors are mortgage holders themselves. This gives them a sort of expertise in the asset already.
It’s also a good alternative to investments like annuities. That’s because you do not need to hold real etstate until a specific time to receive your principle back. This is another one of the benefits of investing in property.
So, the decision to invest in property may be right for you. However, how do you know the right time for real estate investing? Is there a specific season?
Here are 5 tips you need to know when it comes to investing in property
5 Tips to Help You Invest in Property
1. Understand the Current Real Estate Market
The first thing that you need to think about when investing in property is the current state of the real estate market. You will have trouble getting tenants living in your property or making a profit in a ghost town. It is as simple as that.
People often fear that the house they are investing in has become impossible to sell due to some negative event that happened in that area or town. But, that does not necessarily make a property impossible to sell.
Most likely, there will be some desire for housing in any given real estate market. It may take time and patience. As well as a willingness to negotiate price. But if you stick it out you will likely find tenants. Meanwhile, If you need to sell a house fast, there are plenty of methods to get the best possible price in a short amount of time.
2. Understanding the Finances of Investing in Property
Another thought that makes people fret about investing in property is this question: “Will I actually make a profit from this?” People also wonder how much they will be able to earn from the appreciation in value in addition to any rental income they receive.
Both are great questions to ask. And here’s a hard truth: when it comes to selling a house, you will likely not get full market value. There are a variety of reasons for this: fees, external events and the economy, haggling and negotiations, supply and demand.
But that doesn’t mean your investment won’t be profitable or worth it in the end. You are going to need to sit down and do your research and perform calculations to make sure you can turn a reasonable return on your investment in the end.
3. Consume Media to Understand the Market
A major market event like Brexit in Great Britain or the current coronavirus situation in America can cause real estate prices to tumble.
You need to consume news and read about your real estate market to make wise and educated decisions about how to invest in property in that area. Or if you should at all.
By doing this, you will put yourself in the best possible position to decide whether you are making a smart investment decision. As real estate can be a big investment, you don’t want to make major mistakes that could have been easily avoided with the right information.
4. Seasonality
People often wonder about market timing when it comes to investing in property. They often ask, “is there a specific year or month that people prefer to purchase or rent homes?”
And the answer may surprise you. Some studies have shown that around 80% of people prefer to purchase or rent a home in summer rather than winter.
And other studies show that people often prefer to buy or rent towards the end of the week. There’s even some evidence to support the theory that people prefer to purchase around midday. Right after lunch!
There is sometimes a peculiar psychology to real estate investing or renting. This makes seasonality an important factor to consider when trying to maximize the value of a sale or purchase.
5. Consider Your Resources When Deciding to Invest in Property
Maybe the most important question to ask yourself is, “Can I truly afford to do this?” You need more than just the downpayment of the property. You are going to need enough money to furnish and decorate it, to keep up with maintenance, to pay related bills and expenses before you have tenants.
All of these costs tend to add up. And in he end, some people may find the property in question is simply unaffordable. And if you try to do it anyway, you may end up in some hot water with a terrible investment.
Make sure to run the numbers thoroughly and be honest with yourself. It’s better to walk away from a bad investment than to make the purchase and find out after.
Concluding Thoughts on Investing in Property
Potentially, it can always be the right time to invest in property. And by using the tips in this article, you will hopefully make the best investment decision for yourself.
Of course, when building wealth, real estate and rental income is just one way of generating passive income. And you’ll want to build a diversified portfolio that includes other assets like stocks, bonds cash and even gold or silver.
But in the end, real estate investing can be a rewarding way to go about building wealth. Many have enjoyed the ability to receive this passive income while being able to give tenants a great place to live. And that’s a wonderful feeling if you do decide to invest in property.