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Thursday, 8/28/2008 Real
Estate Strategies
Flipping
Real Estate - Turning a quick profit is the benefit. Buy below market
due to needed repairs, the home is smaller than comparables in the
same neighborhood, or other problems that can be corrected to increase
value. Then perform the repairs yourself or with help from qualified
contractors. Don't overdo it - remember you are trying to make a
profit. It's very easy to overbuild and not get a good return for the
investment.
Rental
property - Use rental fees to cover the mortgage instead of your own
funds. The trick is in finding good tenants that will take care of the
property. Be sure to check regulations in your area concerning
security deposits and right of eviction. It is important to know where
you stand in case a tenant has to be sent packing. It will do you
little good to invest time and money in rental property, only to have
a bad tenant damaging the building while the "powers that be" block
efforts to remove them.
Real
Estate Team
Find a
good tax advisor - Investment property can lower your total tax bill
if handled properly. It makes no sense to pay more taxes than you are
required by law to pay. Work with someone that knows the ins and outs
of real estate investing and pay special attention to record keeping
requirements.
Have a
good mortgage banker - Find someone knowledgeable about programs,
underwriting, and finances. You will need their help in your
transactions.
Local
realtors - The best deals are found by word of mouth. Start off by
talking to several real estate professionals and let them know you are
interest in purchasing real estate for resale. They will be glad to
help because they stand to benefit from the sales commissions. If you
are going to sell the property yourself, be sure to offer some type of
payment for leads that result in a closing. Do it by the book -
research the regulations in your area concerning compensation to real
estate agents before jumping in.
Insurance
- Make sure you are fully covered for all contingencies. And not just
on the building, but personal liability is very important. A good
insurance agent can steer you in the right direction.
The Right
Price
Study the
market - This is key to any real estate investment program. Look at
final sales prices for comparable properties in the same area. This is
where your real estate professional can be a tremendous help. You need
to know what the resale value will be after additions and/or repairs.
How fast are homes selling in the area? Are amenities such as
shopping, entertainment, and schools close by? What about noise,
traffic congestion, and other distractions? These will all have an
impact on the selling price.
Work your
contacts for deals - Houses that have been on the market for a while,
or sellers that must move within a short time frame offer good
opportunities for purchase deals.
The Right
House
Location,
Location, Location - This is the number one rule in real estate.
Location is everything. The neighborhood must be appealing in order to
generate sufficient interest in your property. Very low crime rate,
short drive times, good schools, peace and quiet, etc. All of these
will have a dramatic impact on your success. |