Real estate investment has many examples of people who have made a fortune, but it has many risks associated with it, as does every other business.
Further, regardless of the type of property you purchase or whether you intend to resell or rent it, a substantial amount of money is required for investing in real estate.
Buying an investment property may seem exciting, but you need to make sure that it is the right step for you and your finances. Extra measures should be taken.
Do some research before purchasing real estate, as it can be a profitable way of building a financial portfolio.
Following are eight factors to consider when considering buying to ensure profit from your investment and investment property.
Choose The Property At The Right Place And At The Right Price
The first thing you need to know if you’re new to the real estate market is that most people listen to their hearts more than they think logically when buying a home, which is fine if this is the place where you intend to spend many years of your life. Be aware not to let your emotions influence your first investment property purchase.
Before any investment, you have to consider the price which should be negotiated to get the best deal possible; because when you buy a property for a lower price, you are more likely to make a higher profit.
Running thorough research before buying your first investment property is imperative, depending on your target clients. Be sure that the property is located in an area that will appeal to the type of clientele you are hoping to attract. This will ensure that it will achieve the returns you are looking for and appeal to the market.
You will find the most suitable property if you conduct proper research and use an analytical approach. This will be logically based on financial factors rather than depending on your preferences and likes. Investment is a matter of economics, not emotions.
Ensure The Cash Flow
It is imperative that you know the cash flow before you buy it.
Verify that all the costs of holding the property are included, including body corporate fees, rates, property management fees, and insurance. By working out the interest and estimating depreciation, you can estimate how much cash the property will generate.
If possible, check the corporate body records to see if you can find anything. You’ll grasp whether any significant repair work is planned.
Finding a property with better cash flow may be the best option if buying that property will strain your finances. Be sure to account for possible increases in interest rates and vacancies when doing your figures.
Cash flow reports provided by companies selling you properties should not be taken as gospel. Your accountant can always manipulate the figures, so have them reviewed by them.
What is your key to staying financially secure? Knowing your cash flow before you go for the purchase.
Before purchasing your first investment property, calculate how much money you already have and how much you can borrow. Estimate the cost of purchasing and renovating the home next. It would be best if you also considered the operating expenses. Finally, to get an estimate of your net profit, estimate the price you will list your property for and subtract the expenses. In reality, you may not even reach half of the projected profit, but this calculation is vital to keeping yourself in the black.
Find Out A Skilled And Experienced Property Manager
There are numerous benefits to hiring a professional property manager to handle your rental property, even when new to the investment property community. All skilled and experienced managers like Michael Teys know all the ins and outs of handling any problems that may show up because it is their job to deal with renters. They will also help you with background checks, organizing new tenants, and following up on late rent payments.
Understand The Dynamics Of The Market To Invest
Ask real estate agents about the other properties in the area – they can suggest to you which one is the best option to consider from others. To get inside information, always let competing agents know that you’re looking at another similar property. In case of any emergency consult with your trustworthy professionals, so they can help you out. Independent sources can get independent information about average rents, property values, demographics, and suburbs.
Local councils can also assist if you are interested in finding out the changes in your suburb. If a significant construction project is built on or near your property, you might find it challenging to get a tenant at the best price. This is because a planned byway could reduce traffic, increasing the value of your property faster than expected.
Select The Best Type Of Mortgage
Get sound advice on how to finance an investment property, it will help to make financial decisions. A surprising number of people spend way unnecessary time and effort researching mortgages trying to save some extra dollars a month instead of researching the local real estate market where much more significant gains can be made.
Although most investment property loan interest is tax-deductible, borrowing costs may not be deductible. Consult with an experienced financial advisor for assistance. You should always keep investment property and home loans separate to maximize your ongoing tax benefits and minimize your accounting costs.
Consider both options carefully before selecting a fixed rate or variable rate loan, depending on your financial condition. Although variable rates have cheaper options over time, choosing a fixed-rate loan at the right time can pay off. In addition to that, remember that interest rates tend to rise with property prices. Hence, increasing interest rates aren’t always bad news for property investors, as they’re likely to have benefited from capital gains.
You should set up your investment loans as Interest Only (rather than Principal and Interest) since this increases your tax effectiveness, particularly if you have a home loan, but make sure you factor in flexibility. Interest Only loans work well for investment properties because, with a Principal and Interest loan, your negative gearing benefit diminishes as you pay off your loan. An investment loan with an offset account or the option to pay interest in advance might also be worth considering.
Negative Gearing
Investors can benefit from negative gearing when a property investment generates more income than it costs. Your total revenue can be reduced by the cost of borrowing and maintaining a property. A tax benefit is only available if your other income is taxable in the first place. So, even though you are making a loss on the property, the loss can be used to reduce the amount of tax on your other income. However, do not buy an investment property for tax deductions alone.
Check The Age & Condition Of The Properties
Another major factor that determines a property’s value is its age. In general, a newer property will be more in demand since it does not require any significant real estate renovations or repairs. The condition of the structure is also crucial to property buyers. Older houses that are well-maintained appeal to buyers more than newer ones that need extensive renovations.
Take Long-term Action And Manage The Damage & Risks
Buying an investment property is not risk-free, just as with anything in real estate. Understanding those risks is crucial.
Consider these significant risks:
⦁ The rent you receive from tenants may not be as high as expected.
⦁ You may consider paying for costly repairs.
⦁ You may have to pay higher taxes.
⦁ There may be changes in the local economy.
⦁ There is a possibility that you will have bad tenants, resulting in repair costs and even eviction costs.
The risks should not be the only focus (if that were the case, no one would ever buy an investment property), but they should not be ignored either. Investing is never a sure thing; you need to make sure you have some flexibility built into your finances if something goes wrong.
Your next investment property can be one of the best investments you ever make. Make sure to work with an experienced advisor who can guide you through the process and assist you in devising the best possible purchase decision. To ensure that the investment you make is the right one, closely analyze all of the factors we have let you know in this article!
