3 Ways to Become a Real Estate Investor (2024)

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Co-authored byNathan Miller

Last Updated: May 18, 2023Approved

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   Learn about real estate investing. In order to invest in real estate successfully, you should research the subject thoroughly and be well-versed in how the market functions. There are multiple ways to invest in real estate, and you will need to evaluate your goals and finances to decide which option is best for you.^[1]

   • Read one book a month on real estate or on self-improvement.
   • Real estate is "an interest in land" (and anything permanently attached to land). This means that the real estate market is essentially about buying and selling land and buildings. There are two types of "interest" at work in real estate: ownership and leasehold. "Ownership interest" is taking full control of and responsibility for land and buildings, and "leasehold interest" is the granting of certain rights to a tenant in exchange for rent payment.^[2]
   • The most common form of real estate investing is purchasing ownership interest in a property and then earning money from rent paid by tenants.
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   Identify your tolerance for risk. There are two main markets when dealing in real estate. These are the private and public markets.^[3] Any investing is risky to some extent, but each market has its own level of risk.^[4]

   • Private real estate involves the purchase of an ownership interest in "real" (as opposed to "personal") property. You or a property manager would then operate that property and you would earn money on rent paid by tenants. This is a very direct way of investing in real estate because you, as the owner, are responsible for the property.
   • Public real estate involves purchasing shares of a publicly traded real estate company. Often these companies take the form of investment trusts. You buy shares on the market and are paid dividends as the trust collects rent and value from the multiple properties it owns. Because you only own shares in the company, you are not responsible for the real estate. This is a less direct approach to investing.
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   Decide between equity and debt. Both the public and private markets operate on equity and debt. As an investor you pick which of those you would like to invest in.

   • If you are investing in debt, you lend money to someone so that they can buy interest in a property. You earn money in the form of interest payments on a mortgage.^[5]
   • If you are investing in equity, then you are investing in ownership of the property. This means you are assuming all responsibilities for the operation of the land and buildings.^[6]
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   Choose the real estate sector you want to invest in. The four sectors are public equity, public debt, private equity, and private debt.^[7]

   • If you choose public equity, you will want to look at investment trusts. If you choose public debt, you should investigate mortgage securities, which are the debt equivalent of investment trusts, where various mortgages are bundled together to form a single investment.
   • If you select private equity, then you will most likely be purchasing residential or commercial property and acting as a landlord. If you choose private debt, you will invest in private mortgages.
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   Learn about real estate trading. This is a variation of private equity investing, also known as flipping.^[8] The goal is to purchase a property and then turn around and resell it at a higher price.

   • These investors try to resell their properties as quickly as possible to minimize their costs of ownership.
   • Most flippers will make no improvements to their properties, as they can be expensive and time-consuming. Instead, they bank on the market being favorable to them so that they can resell their unaltered property at a profit.
   • A longer-term flip will see the investor improving the property in an effort to increase its value on the market. This form of investment can be labor-intensive and involve significant expenditures. Many such investors will own only one property at a time.

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   Examine your portfolio. Investing in real estate is typically viewed as a portfolio enhancer, an investment that complements stocks and bonds. Used as part of a larger investment plan, it can add stability to your income.

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   Evaluate your assets. Real estate investment can require a significant amount of capital, even beyond the price of the purchase. Ask yourself if you can afford to keep your investment if the market turns bad.

   • Since real estate is a tangible property, it will require maintenance and upkeep. While this is normally covered by rent paid by tenants, there may be times when there are no tenants to occupy the property, meaning that the costs will fall to the owner.
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   Know that flipping a house can get expensive. If you decide to go into real estate trading, you have to be prepared for the worst. In the year that it might take you to renovate and sell, the market could take a dive and you'd be stuck with mortgage payments while you wait for it to sell.^[9]

   • Make sure that you have the capital to commit to a potentially long-term project.
   • Research the ins and outs of house flipping before getting involved so that you minimize unforeseen expenses.

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   Make a plan. Decide where and how you want to invest. Take your plan to an accountant or investment broker. Go over the plan with a financial planner. Make sure that everything is accounted for.^[10]

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   Learn to rely on other people. A good real estate investor will not hesitate to enlist the aid of other professionals in order to ensure that the entire process goes smoothly. The type of team you will need will vary depending on your investment.

   • You may need a mortgage broker, an accountant, a property manager, a real estate lawyer, a home inspector, and an insurance broker
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   Work with a good real estate agent. If you want to invest in real estate, you'll find it invaluable to use an agent experienced in the field of investment properties.

   • Find an agent who can help you shop for ideal investment properties. Interview several different agents before choosing one. Discuss your goals and your investment plans. A good agent can show you properties that fit your investment strategy.
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   Talk to mortgage brokers. Your real estate agent should be able to recommend lenders. Talk to your local banks and credit unions about mortgage financing.^[11]

   • Find out what the brokers, lenders, and banks can offer in terms of interest rates, closing costs and payment terms. Ask about your financing options and choose the mortgage that best fits your budget and investment strategy.

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