Real estate investment is a broad field with several benefits and opportunities for newbies and professionals alike. Regardless of how much time you have in your hands, there is space for you in real estate investment. This exciting niche gives you a chance to earn passively and actively.

You could get started with real estate investment with little or no experience. However, as easy as real estate investment is, you could get it wrong without the right guide. Our ABCs of real estate investment will show you how to get started and the essentials you need to pay attention to.

Step by Step Guide to Real Estate Investment

Getting started with real estate investment does not require you to get extra certifications and degrees. With a good real estate investment guide, you can begin to ace your game right from your first real estate investment. This article presents you with the best real estate guide you’d ever find. In the next few minutes, you would be learning top tips that would help you invest in real estate like a pro.

1. Know Your Financial Stage

Several people get into the real estate market to improve their finances and achieve financial independence. This is certainly a great plan. However, you could get hurt if you do not exercise due diligence before getting started with real estate investment.

Like several other investment plans, there are different types of real estate investment strategies. While some are bound to sound more attractive than others, you should never make a choice without first of all, making thorough research on these strategies.

To be candid, research on the different types of real estate investment strategies is not the first step to real estate investment. Your first task before proceeding with real estate investment should be to know your financial capacity. How much do you have at your disposal and for how long can you part with it?

Your answers to questions like these are crucial in guidance your choice of a real estate investment strategy.

2. Choose a Real Estate Investment Strategy

There are several real estate investment strategies you could choose from. Some of the most common real estate strategies include:

a. Flip and Sell

b. Hard Money Lending

c. Real Estate Investment Trusts

d. BRRR Strategy

e. Wholesaling

We have an explicit blog on the best real estate investment strategies. You could get intrinsic details on these strategies by following this link.

3. Pick a Target Market

This part is a critical part of your real estate investment. Your choice of target market determines your failure or success in real estate investment. The best target market for you could be influenced by several factors. One of these factors is how active you intend to be in the real estate market.

For an active real estate investor, your target market should be close to where you stay. The proximity of your real estate investment gives you an opportunity for intimate knowledge of the market. Additionally, it helps your effectiveness and efficiency in real estate investment.

If it's your first time in real estate investment, you should consider the economy and growth potential of the environment before purchasing. The growth potential of the vicinity property is located plays a significant role in the appreciation of your property.

Decide Your Investment Criteria

Your investment criteria are one of the most important documents you need when considering real estate investment. It serves as a guide that helps you spot investments to pursue and those you need to forego. Your investment criteria should contain two major items: the target property and the target terms.

The target property dictates the kind of property you should invest in. It should contain details about your preferred real estate niche and details about the property type you would love. If you intend to get buildings, you need to be specific about the type of buildings you want to invest in. Would you prefer a duplex or a story building? Would you prefer a flat or a bungalow? All these essential details should be in your investment criteria.

The target terms talk about your idea figures. How much are you willing to invest? What is the baseline price you can pour into real estate? What is the maximum amount you want to invest in real estate? All of these terms should be included in your real estate investment criteria.

Select a Funding Plan

Now that you have mapped out the essential details, you need to come up with a funding plan. If you would be obtaining a loan, now is the time to analyze the financial institution you would work with. Evaluate the interest rates and choose the best available rate.

If you would be saving up for a property, map out a saving strategy. Choose a saving duration and map out the percentages you would pay up with. Some investors often sell a property to get another. If you fall into this category, it is essential to start the process for the sale of your property.

Connect with potential buyers, publicize the available land, gather the land documents and start the funding process. If you are in real estate for business purposes, you could get a real estate investment plan template here.

Property Selection and Closing of Deals

Good real estate investment deals do not come cheap, you need to do the work. Now is the time to analyze the properties that match your investment criteria. Most likely, more than one property would fall into this category.

Observe the different deals, confirm the authenticity of land ownership and start the process of ownership. Confirming the authenticity of land/property ownership is not something you can do in a day. Sometimes, it might span weeks. However, it is always worth the wait. Rushing off to get a property without verifying the ownership would make you get scammed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Real Estate

Who Can Invest in Real Estate?

Anyone can invest in real estate. In recent times, investing in real estate has become so easy that even people with little money can get into the industry. There are several real estate investment strategies and you could easily find one that suits your personality and investment goals.

How Much Do I Need to Buy an Apartment?

The amount you need to purchase a property is not a fixed price. Property pricing depends on a lot of factors. One such factor is the age of the apartment. A recently completed apartment will cost more than an old building. The reason is not far-fetched. A new building will contain upgraded furnishings and fittings. Additionally, the demand for such buildings is usually higher. Hence, causing the owner to take advantage of the market.

Another factor that could influence the pricing of an apartment is the location of the apartment. An apartment in an urban, industrialized area will cost more than an apartment in a rural area. Often, the influx of people into urban areas is usually higher than the influx of people into rural areas. Consequently, owners of apartments in urban areas have a wide range of choices in terms of buyers. As a result of this, such apartments could be costly.

In some situations, you could get an apartment at a price that is cheaper than the regular market value. This scenario tends to play out when you meet with a motivated seller. Motivated sellers are sellers who are in a ready state. Oftentimes, they don't care much about the price because it is a distressed sale.

How Much Do I Need For Down Payment?

A down payment for real estate investment does not have a fixed price. In some cases, you may be asked to pay 20-50% of the property cost. However, in other cases, you may need to pay upfront.

The down payment could also be influenced by the kind of property you are investing in. The down payment for bare land is cheaper than the down payment for developed property.

When Is the Right Time For Real Estate Investment?

When you have the money! Real estate investment is quite different from other types of investment plans. Unlike other plans, you can invest in real estate at whatever time you like. The price is not easily influenced by economic factors and inflation. This particularly makes investing in real estate a safe way to protect your money from inflation.

Furthermore, real estate investment is now easier than it used to be, so you do not need to save huge amounts for you to get started. There are now several real estate investment plans that make it easier for you to start real estate at the level you are. You could read our guide on how to invest in real estate with little or no money.

Are Real Estate Commissions Negotiable?

Definitely. Typically, agents request a commission of 3 or 5%. However, you could reduce it if you feel the fee is higher than your budget. However, in such a situation, your negotiation should be done at the early stage of your interaction with them. Most of the time, agents who are getting started do not mind working at a reduced price. So you could easily use that to your advantage.

Conclusion

Real estate investment is a rewarding investment plan with lots of benefits. The field has several strategies and can be easily accessed by everyone. This article provides you with a step-by-step real estate investment guide that will help you get it right from the beginning.