First investment? Here are some property tips

FALLBROOK – Considering your first investment property? When done right, it can offer steady cash flow and financial security. It says a lot as to why successful entrepreneurs and investors like to acquire property as part of their investment portfolio. Keep these in mind as you purchase:

Research the real estate market

• Property values. Know what the actual values are in your area, not just general property value estimates in the media or online. Your local real estate agent can help you get this type of information and more.

• Market rents. You will need to know what the rental prices are in the area you're eyeing if you are planning on buying a rental property to have a grasp on the property's income potential.

• Don't overpay. If you intend for the property to be a profitable investment, you must buy at below-market prices. This will be critical with whatever real estate strategy you choose. Look into properties in areas that have a high potential for appreciation in value and high demand for rentals.

Pick a Strategy

With the information you gathered, now it's time to choose a mode of attack:

• Buying for income. This means renting out a property to produce a stable monthly income. The property will have to be acquired at a price low enough that the rent will more than cover the basic house payment.

• Fix and flip. This often involves purchasing a property that is in not-so-good condition and needs a significant amount of repairs and then selling it as quickly as possible. These types are well below market price and you'll have to be capable of giving a reasonable estimate of the cost to fix the property before buying it. If you are able to buy it and fix it for less than what you can sell it for, you can make a large amount of money fast.

• Buy at a discount and flip. You may come across a property you can buy for a very low price, that you are able to sell shortly afterward at a substantial profit. For that to happen, you'll have to be well aware of market values in your area to take advantage of a low price.

• Buy-and-hold. Similar to the stock market, you want to make smart purchases, then hold onto the property for a number of years to earn. This will not only require buying a property at below-market prices, but you'll also have to be sure you will be able to keep it for many years at a profit. That means it will need profitable cash flow from collecting rent. A good rule of thumb is to purchase a property that you can earn 1% of the purchase price through rent each month.

• Collect interest on loans. Not as commonly practiced as the others, this means investing your money by holding a note. It's like you're the bank lending the money.

• Residential vs. Commercial. People usually start with single-family residential real estate because it's easier and needs less funding. Once you get the hang of it and know the state laws and rules that go with residential real estate, then you can start exploring commercial real estate. If you have a lot of capital to begin with, then you could consider jumping right into commercial properties, but the learning curve is steeper.

Determine your budget and secure financing

Determine how much you can afford to spend on the property, and don't forget to factor in additional costs like property taxes, insurance, repairs, and maintenance. Speaking with a lender will help you know a realistic figure for your capital.

Slowly set aside small amounts. While it does take some money to get started, it may not take as much as you may think. Now, you can actually buy a house with zero money down and get the seller to pay for your closing costs: the cost of escrow, title, etc.

Some, however, may need to save; talk to your lender to find out how much you need. Believe it or not, there may be options for downpayments of 3.5%, 5%, and even 0% down! When you speak with the lender, then you can figure out the following: do I need to save money? How much? And you can make a plan for doing that.

If you're investing in a property for rent, consider hiring a property manager.

A property manager to take care of day-to-day tasks like maintenance, rent collection, and tenant screening. This will free up your time to focus on other investments and endeavors.

Build a team of professionals

To help you make informed decisions and manage your property effectively, here are the key people you need in your real estate business:

· Real estate agent/broker

· Property manager

· Lender

· Insurance agent

· Accountant

· Real estate attorney

It's almost impossible to be a successful real estate investor on your own, especially if you're just starting out. Our property management team at Broadpoint Properties can handle most of these jobs and we can refer you to the best people we know to handle the rest that are outside our expertise.

Start making offers and closing deals

Making an offer costs $0. If you saw a potential property that looks like a good deal, make an offer on it before it's off the market. Get advice from your team of pros, but the final say is still from you about whether something is a good deal or not.

To be successful in real estate investing, it requires a full understanding of what it is you're getting into, the right expectation and attitude, and a willingness to do the work. You can always rely on a good Realtor and teammate like Broadpoint Properties to help guide you through the process of real estate purchase and property management.

This article first appeared on Broadpoint Properties' website, https://servingsandiegocounty.com.

Submitted by Elisabeth Hartig Lentulo, broker associate, who can be reached at 760-532-1057, [email protected] or http://www.ehlentulo.com. CalBRE #01904564