Don’t buy into all the doom and gloom stories from the media. Learn how to profit from them. Many investors continue to be very successful in the real estate business by following the philosophy, Don’t be afraid to be a “purple snowflake.” So try these strategies. You can make a great deal of money in a down market if you stand out, show that you are unique, and most importantly, set yourself apart from your competition by being “a purple snowflake!”
Strategy #1: Ride the Downturn — Don’t Sell
Yes, don’t sell. Good times or bad, my advice is always to hold on to a property if you can. Your wealth will come from holding on to real estate, not selling it. How serious is the problem really? Let’s say the home you live in, your rental property, or the property you bought as a “fix and flip” goes down in value. Well, if you weren’t planning to sell right away, would it matter? Hang on until the market comes back. Look at the historical records of the property value where you live and that will reassure you. Realty-Trac or First American Data Solutions provides this data, or you can ask your local real estate professional for help. Historically, a real estate market will always come back.