Real estate is a popular investment option for people looking to build wealth. It typically appreciates over time and is a leading indicator of a country’s economy. It can be a rewarding career for some and a difficult one for others. But, whether you are a newbie or an experienced investor, there are many ways to get into the business.
How to Get Into Real Estate
The first step is to determine whether or not real estate investing is right for you. You should consider your budget, your time constraints, and how much risk you are willing to take on.
Depending on your goals, you can choose to work with an individual real estate agent or start your own real estate business. Regardless of which route you take, you will need to get licensed.
To get licensed, you will need to pass a comprehensive exam and pass a pre-licensing course. This can take a significant amount of time and money, so be sure to set aside time for the process.
Once you are licensed, you can use your knowledge of the real estate market to assist clients in buying and selling their properties. You can also help them avoid common mistakes and find the best deals on homes.
If you don’t have a lot of cash to invest, you can buy low-risk properties using a home equity line of credit (HELOC). HELOCs allow you to borrow against the value of your property and are available at most banks.
Another popular way to get into real estate is by renting out your own property. While this is considered a passive activity for tax purposes, it can be challenging to manage and requires regular maintenance. You should be prepared for problems like appliances breaking or roofs leaking. It’s important to have a fully-funded emergency fund to cover these potential issues.
There are several types of rental properties, including single-family houses, multi-family apartments and commercial buildings. These types of properties are more prone to vacancies and require more attention than residential properties. They can be more profitable if you are careful with your selections and hire professional help for maintenance, repairs and renovations.
You can also try investing in a real estate investment trust or a real estate limited partnership. These are a good choice for beginners, as they usually offer a large portfolio of properties and are less risky than investing in a single property.
Alternatively, you can become a landlord and rent out your own property. This is a great way to learn about owning and managing a real estate portfolio and will give you a sense of what it’s like to be an owner.
The best part about becoming a landlord is that you can invest in properties with little or no money up front. You can start by renting out a space above your garage or an extra bedroom in your home for a few nights at a time to get an idea of how much profit you could make from a property.
