When you invest in real estate, you have to have a long term vision and patience. Unlike buying stock which can be readily purchased and sold, investing in real estate does not afford a quick sale. While it is true that in years past, people were able to flip properties and make fast money in real estate, for most real estate investors the idea is to buy and hold real estate. Some investors in real estate will benefit from federal income tax breaks and other investors in real estate can hold a piece of property and later sell it and buy other property while deferring the payment of any federal income taxes until the real estate is cashed out. Real estate is not a liquid investment and you may need to consider a long term strategy or option even if you are considering a shorter term investment in real estate. Read our articles on investing in real estate and learn about problem tenants and how to handle them. Learn about finding the right team to help you navigate the world of real estate investing. And, finally, learn about how to structure your investments, insure your real estate investments and minimize your federal income taxes.
Are Zombie Foreclosures a Smart Investment?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_okLABk-rBo Zombie foreclosures are lingering on in many real estate markets, and many buyers are wondering, are they a smart investment? Zombie foreclosures are homes that were vacated by the owners after the foreclosure process began. During the foreclosure process, which can take up to several years, these properties may have gotten [...]
3 Quick Tips to Make a Smart Real Estate Investment
Here are three quick tips on making a smart real estate investment. Look for properties where you can build in value. I published a story on my MoneyWatch blog about properties you can purchase for $40,000, or about the price of a luxury car. These homes aren’t necessarily in move-in condition, but they’re not falling [...]
Five Predictions for Real Estate in 2015
In 2015, the U.S. housing market will take another step toward what might be considered “normal.” In fact, Rick Sharga, executive vice president of real estate marketplace Auction.com, says this year will be “a ‘status quo’ ‘kind of year,” bringing slow but steady growth and an uptick in housing construction in the form of new, [...]
Using Crowdfunding to Invest in Real Estate
Crowdfunding websites such as Kickstarter and IndieGoGo have made crowdfunding a popular way for anyone with a project, a financial goal, and an Internet connection to collect money from a pool of online backers. With crowdfunding, entrepreneurs can raise money for their project or venture using the Internet to source funds from a large number [...]
What to Look For When Buying an Investment Property
There’s nothing new about buying a house and renting it out to make some extra income, but the flood of foreclosures that began in 2007 sparked fresh interest in purchasing rental real estate for investment. Today, millions of individual investors, as well as huge Wall Street hedge funds, have invested billions of dollars into purchasing [...]
3 Ways to Take Advantage of Low Interest Rates
Mortgage rates have found their way down to the lowest point of the year. Last week, they hit 4.10 percent for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) and 3.23 percent for a 15-year. Last year at this time, they were 4.58 percent and 3.6 percent respectively, according to the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. It’s [...]
How to Invest in Real Estate Internationally
Investing in overseas real estate is a strong draw right now. You can buy real estate in prime locations along the beach with stunning natural views or in cultural meccas in foreign countries for much less than in the United States. Some international markets are experiencing rapid growth, so there’s a stronger chance of a return [...]
How to Become a DIY Investor
Becoming a DIY investor isn't as easy as painting your kitchen or rigging up a new light fixture--but it's not impossible, especially with a little training. It can be difficult to translate financial news into a stock portfolio. You can watch CNBC all day long and still not have a clue how to buy and [...]
The 2 Biggest Mistakes Real Estate Investors Make
Every real estate investor makes mistakes, myself included. But you learn from them and ultimately build experience for the next time. On my radio show this week, I asked Brandon Turner, the vice president of marketing and communications at BiggerPockets.com, a real estate investing social network, about some of the biggest mistakes investors make. “The [...]
4 Steps to Get Started in Real Estate Investing
We have all thought about getting started in real estate investing. Admit it; you’ve rented an apartment from a landlord who owns the property practically as a hobby, or you’ve seen those TV shows where they flip properties and turn a profit and thought, “I could do that.” Well, you can get started in real [...]