May 30

Author: Kris Koonar

Real estate investment is the most rewarding investment if handled properly. Day by day the demand for property is increasing and so are the prices of property, as well as rent. However, a person needs to have common sense and complete knowledge about real estate investment before he plunges in. The would be investor should aim at gaining a complete understanding of residential real estate investing analysis and also a formula that would help in determining the price to be quoted, while purchasing a property.

Understanding about real estate investment analysis is not very difficult. The most important point that the investor should keep in mind is that the analysis procedure will vary depending on the type of property. Let us concentrate exclusively on one property type, residential single and duplex family properties that are purchased for rehabilitating and wholesale purposes.

The very first step of real estate investment analysis is to ascertain the fair market value of the property, once all the repairs and other miscellaneous work is over. To do it more accurately, the investor can ask an established realtor to run a comparable sales report for him. Before taking in the report for a final decision, ensure that the properties with which your property is compared are truly comparable on all accounts. The properties should also be in the same neighborhood, with almost the same type of construction and construction period.

The next step in investment analysis is to determine the complete cost of all the needed repairs; to make the property fit enough to be brought into retail condition. The investor should be aware of what is going to be the total repair cost, including the cost of materials, labor and other holding costs. Once both, the after repair market value and the repair cost is determined, the next step is to subtract the latter from the former. The amount after subtraction is known as the property current market value.

The best thing about the real estate investment analysis procedure is that once you are armed with the property current market value, completing other real estate investment analysis is no big deal and it can be done within no time. From the current market value of the property, you can deduct 20,000 or 30% whichever is lower and you arrive at a final offer price.

To make the above-mentioned real estate investing analysis easier, let us consider an example. Suppose the property that you are planning to invest is a single family home located in a mid-priced neighborhood. After looking at all the comparables the realtor has informed you about, you come to a conclusion that the after repair value of the property should be around $150,000. After further taking stock of the current situation the house, you estimate the repairs needed at $30,000, including the cost of materials, labor and holding costs.

May 29

Author: Casey Yew

Regardless of what real estate investment you have, you’ll find that the location of investment real estate matters regardless of the type of investment it falls into. When you first start researching, you’ll find that real estate in some locations is in demand and in other areas, nothing is selling and nothing is able to be rented out. The fact is the location is crucial in making your real estate investment strategy a successful one.

Long-Term Investments/Rentals
If the property you are considering purchasing is a rental unit, you will want to make certain the property is in a location that is considered to be desirable. What makes an area desirable? It depends upon the type of property. If it is for commercial use, you will want to make certain the property is located in an area where a certain type of business is more apt to rent. For example, if you have a property that is more suited for retail and it is located five-miles outside of town on a back road, you are less likely to be able to rent the property for its highest and best use. If the property, however, is located on a main street, it makes the property much more desirable.

If it is a housing rental, you will again want to make sure the property is in a desirable location. If you find the property is located next door to a warehouse that works twenty-four/seven, you may find tenants are less likely to stay with all the noise nearby. Housing rentals located in a desirable location should be part of your real estate investment strategy.

Short-Term Investments
Short-term investments can also play a major role in your real estate investment strategy. This would be when you purchase a property and resell just a short time later. This can be a very profitable venture for many and some investors see as much as a $10,000 to $20,000 profit on properties they’ve invested less than $50,000. However, when you are planning on short-term investments as part of your real estate investment strategy, you must make sure you do the proper research.

Knowing the real estate market in the area is a crucial part of your strategy. The key is to “flip” these properties quickly and if you choose a location where real estate is not selling quickly, you may end up losing money on the deal. By choosing a desirable location, you’ll find that properties may be increasing in value rapidly due to the sales volume in the area. This will help you increase your profit when you sell.

As part of your short-term real estate investment strategy, you will also want to make sure you do repairs and renovations as quickly as possible and as cheaply as possible. This will help you to maximize the return on your property as the repairs and renovations will instantly help the property to appreciate in value.

What you will find in your real estate investment strategy is that there are no specific rules to what makes a great investment. There are a lot of factors involved, including the financing details, rental history, and what is currently listed on the market. However, in order to maximize your profits, your real estate investment strategy should include determining whether or not the location is satisfactory and profitable to invest in.