No, you don’t have to be The Donaldto make good money investing in real estate—but if you’re not throwing around billions of dollars, don’t expect to blazon your name on any high-rises, either.
Aside from the malls, office buildings, or ultraluxe residences preferred by the 1% of the 1%, there are plenty of opportunities that are more realistic for the rest of us.Here’s a look at some of the most commonoptions for a rookie to invest in real estate, along with the pros and cons of each.
1. Vacation homes
You might yearn for a cottagenear the beach or a cabin in the woods, but fear you can’t afford it. Well, maybe you can swing it—and make some money at the same time—by renting it out when you’re not there. Sounds good, right?
Pros: Renting out the property can offset the cost of maintaining a second home. Plus, sites such as Airbnb, VRBO, and Vacasa have made it a snap to market your property to would-be vacationers.
Cons: While your vacation home may well turn out to be a moneymaker, you’ll have to shell out a fair amount upfront. Income, down payment, and credit score requirements are often higher when financing a second home, and you may face higher interest rates as well, so be sure to research that carefully.
And as far as taxes go, it matters how often you rent out the home: lessthan two weeks per year, the income you earn is tax-free; more often than that, you’ll have to pay income taxes on the rent. But if so, you will be able to write off related expenses.
Finally, you’ll have to be OKwith strangers living in your home and using your stuff—andfactor in the costs associated with that.
“Your maintenance costs will include not only the walls of your property, but the maintenance of your personal property as well,” says Josh Dorkin, founder and CEO of real estate investing site BiggerPockets.com.
2. In-law suites
Some homes come with an in-law suite or detached apartment, but it’s often not a huge investment to build a unit above a garage or convert a finished basem*nt (as law permits) to include its own entrance, bathroom, and kitchen area for a tenant.
Pros: It’s easier to manage the property because of its proximity to your living space. There’s not much additional maintenance; you’ve got to mow your own lawn anyway. Plus, you can write off the costs of maintaining the unit on your taxes.
Cons: You’ll be living in very close quarters with your tenants.
“They’re basically a glorified roommate,” says Jason Hartman, founder of Platinum Properties Investor Network.The rent that you can collect on such units is less than what you’d get on other types of properties. You may run into zoning issuesin some communities that don’t allow you to take in tenants, so get a certificate of occupancy before you set up shop.
3. Single-family homes
Whether it’s a condo or a stand-alonehouse, this type of investment is generally pricierthanthe options mentioned above. But the rewards may be worth it:Many investors who scooped up single-family homes during the housing bust are making big profits renting them out to folks who’d rather rent than buy but still want the lifestyle afforded by living in a house.
Pros:“There is always demand for single-family homes,” says Bruce Ailion, an Atlanta-based Realtor® and attorney. Appreciation typically outpaces that of other investment properties, and it’s also easier to find a buyer (you can sell to either an owner-occupant or an investor) if you decide you no longer want to own the property.
Cons: In addition to facing ahigher cost to purchase, you’ll berelying on a single revenue stream. This means if your tenant moves out, youhaveto have enough cash to cover costs until you find a new tenant. That said, tenants in single-family homes tend to stay put, so you may not be scrambling as much as you might think.
4. Small apartment buildings
If youhavea sizable pileof cash to invest,why not pour it into amultifamily building? Places with four or fewer units can be purchased withtraditional financing, andthey’re a good option for folks who plan onliving in one unitand renting out the others.
Pros: Multiple-unit buildings provide multiple revenue streams, so if one apartment goes vacant, you can rely on rent from the others to help offset costs while you look for a new tenant.
Cons: We hope you’re handy with a wrench:Each of the revenue streams is attached to a tenant, so expect double or triple the number of calls about leaky toilets or heatingissues. Also, if the tenants have issues with each, they’re going to expect you to play mediator. If you’re wondering if you have what it takes, check out“Do You Really Want to Be a Landlord?”
