Mistakes To Avoid When Investing In Residential Real Estate For Rental Purposes
When you decide to diversify your investment portfolio or your income streams, rental investments are definitely a profitable venture to consider. Rental prices tend to stay stable even when the rest of the economic market is more volatile. And, you could easily build an income stream that could last for many years into the future. However, investing in residential real estate does not come without certain risks if you are new to this kind of investing.
Many newcomers to the idea make mistakes along the way that cost them valuable profits. Take a look at a few of the most common mistakes to avoid when you plan to purchase residential properties to rent.
Mistake: Not using the right type of financing.
The type of financing you choose with residential real estate investment can make a difference in the profitability of the property. For example, if the property is financed by a standard mortgage company, you may be required to make a substantial down payment just to make the purchase. If the down payment takes up too much of your disposable income, you could face years of collecting rent payments before you ever see a profit.
Mistake: Not working with a skilled adviser before making an offer.
As a first-time investor, it is always a good idea to work directly with a real estate investment adviser. These professionals usually have a great deal of experience, which means they can help with things like:
- Pointing out properties that work well for rental purposes
- Finding properties at a price point that leaves room for the most profit
- Evaluating a property for soundness and function before making a reasonable offer
- Assessing neighborhood demographics to determine what kind of rental costs you could charge
Mistake: Not looking at the property from a property management perspective.
Once you own a residential home or apartment building, many things become your responsibility. You will be left to handle maintenance, marketing vacancy, collecting payments, and more. For a new investor that is not familiar with the time and effort involved, it is easy to get overwhelmed with certain types of properties. For example, you may be fully capable of managing a duplex with two tenants, but managing a collection of condos can require a substantial amount of time and effort. As you shop for the best investment properties, be sure to consider what the property will need from you to remain profitable.
Contact a local real estate service to learn more.