Real estate investment isn't like any other kind of investment. Yes, at the core of all investments, there's money and risk involved. But the major difference is that in real estate investing, you are responsible for the work required to make a return on your investment. If you want to be successful in real estate investing, there are some key pieces of information you need to know. This information holds true no matter what area of investing you get involved with.

Unlike stocks or bonds, real estate investments can generate income through rent, can be leveraged to increase returns, and have the potential for appreciation in value over time. Additionally, real estate investment can also require a significant amount of time, effort, and capital to manage, maintain, and improve the property, especially when compared to other forms of investment like stocks or bonds.

Another unique aspect of real estate investment is that it can be done through different strategies like buy and hold, fix and flip, turnkey and vacation rental, each of them has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. As a result, real estate investing requires a different set of skills and knowledge than other forms of investing, and it may not be suitable for all investors.

Here are 3 Important Things Every Real Estate Investor Should Know

How to Locate Properties

Location is crucial in real estate investing. Properties in desirable areas are more likely to appreciate in value and be in high demand for renters or buyers. Properties are the lifeblood of real estate investing. Without them, there's no money to be gained. Your success hinges on your ability to find and evaluate properties. Not just any property, but solid investment opportunities, better known as “deals”.

Just because a property is up for sale doesn't mean it's a good real estate investment. You'll need to find out a lot more about each potential deal before you can say with certainty whether it's a good investment or not. For example, what condition is it in, how much work is required, what is the cash flow and return on investment, and what is attractive about the local area and economy? Cash flow is key to long-term success as a real estate investor. It is important to ensure that the income from a property is enough to cover expenses and generate a positive cash flow.

How to Negotiate Deals

Due diligence is essential when considering any real estate investment. This includes researching the property, the neighborhood, and market conditions, as well as understanding the financial and legal aspects of the investment. Once you start finding investment properties, you must be able to negotiate a deal that works in your favor. Otherwise, you'll make little or no profit, and in some cases, you might even incur a loss.

If you're not good at negotiating, take some time to read a few books on the subject. Once you learn core negotiating skills, you'll have the ability to go into a deal and work out the terms so everyone walks away happy, mostly yourself. If you're saving yourself time by working with a real estate investment firm, then the deal will have already been negotiated for you. This is a great way for novice investors to get started because it helps minimize risks while they learn the business.

As a real estate investor, negotiating deals can be a complex process, but there are a few important methods that can help you succeed:

1. Understand your market: Knowing the local real estate market circumstances, including previous sales and current listings, will help you determine the value of properties and the terms that buyers and sellers are likely to accept.
2. Be prepared: Bring to the bargaining table all the information necessary to make a compelling case for your position. This contains financial details, comparable sales, and any additional pertinent data.
3. Communicate effectively: Communicate clearly and directly with the other side. State your stance clearly and be open to listening to the opposing viewpoint.
4. Be flexible: Be flexible and willing to make concessions in order to reach an agreement that benefits both parties.
5. Use a specialist: Have a real estate attorney or agent who is familiar with the local market and laws assist you with negotiating and closing the deal.
6. Have a clear walk-away point: Know your bottom line and be prepared to walk away if the other party is unwilling to meet your terms.

Knowing Different Ways to Invest in Real Estate

In its simplest form, investing is all about putting money in and getting more money out. In real estate investing, there are quite a few ways to do this. Some investors like fix-and-flips, some like new and pre-construction, while others invest in distressed properties or foreclosures. It's best to decide the strategies you'd like to use early on.

Investing in fix-and-flip real estate involves buying a property that needs repairs or renovations, making those improvements, and then selling the property for a profit. Here are some steps to follow when investing in fix and flip real estate:

1. Research the market: Understand the local real estate market conditions, including recent sales, current listings, and what types of properties are in demand. This will help you identify the best properties to target for your fix and flip projects.

2. Find the right property: Look for properties that are priced below market value and need repairs or renovations. These properties are often found through real estate auctions, foreclosure sales, or by working with a real estate agent who specializes in fixer-uppers.

3. Create a budget and scope of work: Once you have identified a property, create a detailed budget and scope of work that outlines the repairs and renovations that need to be done. Be sure to factor in contingencies for unexpected expenses.

4. Secure financing: There are several options for financing a fix-and-flip project, including traditional mortgages, hard money loans, or private money loans. Be sure to choose the option that makes the most sense for your situation.

5. Hire a contractor: Hire a reputable contractor to do the repairs and renovations. Be sure to get detailed estimates and timelines, and be prepared to manage the project effectively.

6. Sell the property: Once the renovations are complete, list the property for sale. Be sure to price it competitively and market it effectively to attract buyers.

7. Close the sale: Once you have a buyer, work with a real estate attorney or agent to close the sale. Remember to pay the closing costs and pay off any outstanding loans.

8. Analyze the deal: After the sale, be sure to analyze the deal to understand what you did well and where you could improve for your next deal.

Investing in turnkey rental real estate involves buying a property that is already fully renovated, rented out to tenants, and managed by a professional property management company.  Here are some steps to follow when investing in turnkey rental real estate.

1. Research the market: Understand the local real estate market conditions, including recent sales, current listings, and what types of properties are in demand. This will help you identify the best markets for turnkey rental properties.

2. Find the right property: Look for properties that are fully renovated and already rented out to tenants, often called “turnkey” properties. These properties are typically found through real estate agents or turnkey property providers.

3. Analyze the cash flow: Before making an offer on a turnkey property, be sure to analyze the property's cash flow to ensure it will generate a positive cash flow. This includes estimating the monthly rent, vacancy rate, expenses, and other income.

4. Review the lease and tenant history: Review the lease agreements and tenant history to ensure that the property is generating a stable income and that the current tenants are paying their rent on time.

5. Secure financing: There are several options for financing turnkey rental properties, including traditional mortgages, cash, or private money loans. Be sure to choose the option that makes the most sense for your situation.

6. Hire a property management company: Hire a professional property management company that will take care of the day-to-day management of the property, including rent collection, maintenance, and tenant relations.

7. Close the sale: Once you have completed all the necessary due diligence, work with a real estate attorney or agent to close the sale.

8. Monitor the performance: After the sale, monitor the performance of the property by reviewing the statements of the property management company, and analyze the performance to understand if there are any areas you could improve.

By following these steps, you can invest in turnkey rental real estate with confidence, knowing that you have done your due diligence and that the property is generating a positive cash flow

Learn as much as you can about those strategies. The better you understand the strategy, the easier it will be to invest in real estate. There's a lot of information available in books, magazines, and on the internet. Use as much of it as you can to learn the skills you need to be successful in real estate investing. The sooner you learn these key skills, the sooner you can start making money in real estate investing.

When it comes to investing in residential real estate, there are only two basic types of property you can invest in – new construction and resale. Resale properties are more often than not purchased directly from the homeowner who has been living in it themselves or has been leasing it to tenants. They are typically not purchased from a builder or developer.

New construction properties are those that are purchased directly from the builder or developer who constructed the property. They are the owner and seller. They do not have a residence and have never lived in one before. In short, they are considered brand new. Investing in new construction real estate can provide a number of benefits to investors. They tend to appreciate value faster than older properties, as they are often built in growing areas and offer modern amenities.

Due to their modern amenities and energy-efficient features, new development might attract greater rentals than older residences. Buying a newly constructed home may also provide tax advantages, such as a reduced property tax rate for the first year and the option to claim mortgage interest and property tax deductions.

If your investment focus is on pre-foreclosure, foreclosure, bank-owned property (REOs), or probate sales then you are likely to be purchasing resale properties. Occasionally, however, REOs are new construction properties because the bank foreclosed on the builder or developer who built the property but could not sell it prior to the foreclosure.

Benefits of Investing in New Construction Real Estate

Here are some of the many benefits of investing in new construction real estate: 

Small Deposits

Builders will typically require a very small deposit to secure a contract for a newly built property. Upfront deposits can range from as little as $1,000 to as much as 10% of the purchase price. This is sometimes negotiable and is a major advantage for investors who prefer to minimize their out-of-pocket cash until the actual closing date.

This is true for both new construction and pre-construction real estate where the property is constructed after the acceptance of your purchase contract and deposit.

During real estate booms where there is higher than normal appreciation, a small builder deposit allows some investors to profit by “flipping” or assigning their purchase contract to other investors for a fee. This only makes sense when the second investor is benefiting from the property's equity through discounts and appreciation during construction. This however is not common in today’s market.

Low Maintenance and Repair

New construction properties require less maintenance and repairs than older properties, which can help to keep expenses low. Unlike resale property, new construction property comes with a builder’s warranty which is required by law. Typically, warranties cover materials and workmanship as well as all systems (electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, etc.) for up to two years.

There is also a 10-year warranty covering major structural elements such as the foundation and basement walls. Resale property rarely includes a home warranty unless one was purchased by the seller. However, these warranties carry limitations and are not as extensive as warranties on new construction real estate.

Additionally, resale property that has undergone renovations may not meet current-day building codes. They may be less energy efficient and contain hazardous building materials like asbestos or lead paint.

Growth and Emerging Markets

New construction can always be found in growth and emerging markets. As a real estate investor, this is where you want to invest to reduce your risk and maximize your long-term appreciation. Although you could also invest in resale property in these same growth markets, you would be giving up the other benefits outlined in this article.

As always, be sure to do your research and study the markets you're considering. Purchasing a new property in areas where employment, shopping, and other important amenities are a long commute away may put you too far ahead of the curve and dampen your investments rental prospects.

Appreciation

More than one real estate expert has concluded that, as a whole, new construction properties tend to appreciate at a faster pace than their resale counterparts. As new developments see an increase in residents, retail establishments, schools, and other amenities quickly pop up to service the growing population. This helps increase property values as more residents continue to move into the area adding to the demand and establishing the community.

Discounts and Instant Equity

There are situations where purchasing new construction from a builder in the early stages of development can provide you with early bird pricing or significant discounts. It is not uncommon to purchase property from a builder at 5% to as much as 20% below market value.

Why would the builder sell your property at a discount? One reason is to keep their sales up and debts low in order to be able to attract lender financing so they can build more property. Having buyers lined up to purchase the builder’s product reduces the lender's risk on loans they provide that builder.

Customization and Cost Control

If you are purchasing a pre-construction property you get the added benefit of being able to customize the property to suit your needs. An obvious benefit of buying pre-construction property is that you can choose many of the features such as flooring, cabinetry, lighting, plumbing, and fixtures. This is useful when you want to keep your costs down while making it as durable and appealing to future tenants as possible. You can even choose your lot location in most new subdivisions.

Newer Technology

New construction properties offer better construction and more advanced, longer-lasting building materials than resale properties. Insulation technology is far better than in years past providing better comfort and energy efficiency. Additionally, due to advances in heating and air conditioning systems, indoor air quality is far better.

Overall, newly constructed real estate is better suited as investment property than resale homes. They are simply more energy-efficient, healthier, and lower maintenance. They can be purchased in growth markets using small upfront deposits and often at below-market value. There are no surprises, and that translates into less worry and stress for you.

It's important to note that investing in new construction real estate comes with its own set of challenges, such as dealing with construction delays and unexpected costs. It may also necessitate more upfront capital, but the end result can be a high-demand property with a high return on investment.