The real estate market has dropped out. Prices are falling around your ears. So does this mean that you should get out of property investing? No this is actually a great opportunity to increase your portfolio. When you are buy real estate it does not really matter where the market is, unless you are considering selling in the short term. If you are holding long term then you have to accept the market fluctuations if you can buy during a low period of a cycle that is the "golden hour" in real estate...but sometimes it is hard to find that hour on your watch.
When the real estate market is experiencing a downturn it is the best time to buy. Just check the foreclosure lists and auctions. You can pick and choose and buy normally below market value. However, keep an eye on your monthly bottom line. In other words make sure your rental income (from your new investment) equals or exceeds your outgoing including mortgage repayments. If you have other income you may be able to stand an extra $100 or more per month to top up the mortgage but try to avoid it. You will sleep far better at night knowing that the mortgage payments are taken care of.
If the property market is rising you can be confident that the value of your investment is increasing. That is where your profit is and you should be able to sell if necessary. However, that was a few years ago when the market was more positive but now the reality is that the market has dropped and you need to be able to hold long term without any worries. It may take a few years before we hit healthy real estate selling conditions again, let alone a property boom.
Meanwhile, concentrate on positive gearing and steadily increasing returns. This is a long term game and always has been. Look at property investing from a business perspective and do the sums before you buy. You need a decent return on investment and you need the rental return to cover or nearly cover the mortgage expenditure.
Having said all that, there is no getting away from the fact that with good research and due diligence the down and depressed market presents serious investors with the best opportunities to build a portfolio of profitable properties for long term gains.
When the real estate market is experiencing a downturn it is the best time to buy. Just check the foreclosure lists and auctions. You can pick and choose and buy normally below market value. However, keep an eye on your monthly bottom line. In other words make sure your rental income (from your new investment) equals or exceeds your outgoing including mortgage repayments. If you have other income you may be able to stand an extra $100 or more per month to top up the mortgage but try to avoid it. You will sleep far better at night knowing that the mortgage payments are taken care of.
If the property market is rising you can be confident that the value of your investment is increasing. That is where your profit is and you should be able to sell if necessary. However, that was a few years ago when the market was more positive but now the reality is that the market has dropped and you need to be able to hold long term without any worries. It may take a few years before we hit healthy real estate selling conditions again, let alone a property boom.
Meanwhile, concentrate on positive gearing and steadily increasing returns. This is a long term game and always has been. Look at property investing from a business perspective and do the sums before you buy. You need a decent return on investment and you need the rental return to cover or nearly cover the mortgage expenditure.
Having said all that, there is no getting away from the fact that with good research and due diligence the down and depressed market presents serious investors with the best opportunities to build a portfolio of profitable properties for long term gains.
About the Author:
Doc Schmyz has done real estate deals all over the US. His free website shares Real estate investing information for all over the US. Find real estate information by state
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