How to Plan Your First Real Estate Investment (2024)

That being said, it isn’t easy money and you must prepare carefully before actually signing on the dotted line to buy your first investment property. Here is what you should do when setting up your operations.

Create A Business Plan

Although it may not seem like it at first glance, investing in real estate is essentially running your own business. You will need to treat it as such in order to be successful, and that includes drafting a business plan.

Your business plan should include key information such as the type of housing units you wish to purchase as well as your business model. For example, you have the option of flipping homes or functioning as the landlord of your owned properties.

about home equity lines • home equity loans • bank equity • qualify for financing

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Like other businesses, some kind of niche or specialty makes it much easier to market your properties and stand out from your competition.

Your business plan should also outline your regular operations, operating expenses and plans for growth. You will likely need a business plan if you plan to ask for commercial loans.

Gather A Network Of Professionals

Most real estate agents work with clients who are buying or selling properties for their own use. These agents are not as useful to a first-time real estate investor and you should seek to find an agent who works specifically with investors. An agent who has real estate investing experience of their own would be best.

Find an agent you like so you can work with them to manage your portfolio over a long time. Aside from a real estate agent, there are other professionals you should bring into your network as you get started investing.

Attorneys dealing in real estate sales and landlord-tenant laws are essential to help you purchase properties and draft up leases that will protect you from serious legal liability down the road. Qualified contractors will also be necessary.

Finally, you may choose to bring in a property manager to provide professional management services and handle many of the day-to-day matters of your property for you.

Get Insured

According to KBD Insurance, a company that does landlord insurance in Montreal, owning a rental property is a great way to build wealth. With that said, you will also need to carry insurance on your new properties.

You will be required to have insurance if you purchase the property with a mortgage or if it is otherwise required by your state. Even if insurance is not required, failing to carry it could be catastrophic, as you will have no protection if the property is damaged or destroyed in a disaster or a tenant injures themselves due to an issue you could have prevented.

Look into local providers near where you are purchasing properties to find solutions that will meet your needs, the needs of your tenants and the law. Another thing you will have to consider is your policy on renter’s insurance.

Your insurance as a landlord very rarely covers the belongings of your tenants, and many landlords either require tenants to carry renter’s insurance or strongly recommend it. Determine what your policy will be.

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Base Decisions On Cost-Benefit Analysis

You should not base your property purchasing decisions on emotion or any other factor you would normally consider when buying a property in which to live yourself. It needs to instead be based on hard data such as expected value appreciation, how much you will be able to charge for rent, how much it will cost to fix and maintain the property, and more.

Every decision regarding this property must be a business decision, driven by hard numbers, so you can turn a profit and ultimately be successful. For example, when looking for a house to buy and flip, you will need to consider the asking price in comparison to other properties in the area as well as how much money and work will need to go into the property before you can resell it. That information then needs to be compared to the expected resale price.

Much needs to be considered before you buy your first investment property. If you plan correctly, you are far less likely to run into problems that could put your business into trouble. Learn from mentors, other real estate investors, and other professionals as you begin this journey.

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How to Plan Your First Real Estate Investment (2024)

FAQs

What is the 4 3 2 1 rule in real estate? ›

Analyzing the 4-3-2-1 Rule in Real Estate

This rule outlines the ideal financial outcomes for a rental property. It suggests that for every rental property, investors should aim for a minimum of 4 properties to achieve financial stability, 3 of those properties should be debt-free, generating consistent income.

How a newbie can start investing in real estate? ›

How to invest in real estate: 5 steps
  • Buy REITs (real estate investment trusts) REITs allow you to invest in real estate without the physical real estate. ...
  • Use an online real estate investing platform. ...
  • Think about investing in rental properties. ...
  • Consider flipping investment properties. ...
  • Rent out a room.
May 10, 2024

What is the 1 rule for property investment? ›

The 1% rule of real estate investing measures the price of an investment property against the gross income it can generate. For a potential investment to pass the 1% rule, its monthly rent must equal at least 1% of the purchase price.

What is an important first step after deciding to invest in real estate? ›

Explanation: The important first step after deciding to invest in real estate is to determine how much you can afford. This involves assessing your financial situation, including your income, expenses, and savings. Researching the area is also a crucial step to ensure you make an informed investment decision.

What is the 80% rule in real estate? ›

In the realm of real estate investment, the 80/20 rule, or Pareto Principle, is a potent tool for maximizing returns. It posits that a small fraction of actions—typically around 20%—drives a disproportionately large portion of results, often around 80%.

What is the 50% rule in real estate? ›

The 50% rule or 50 rule in real estate says that half of the gross income generated by a rental property should be allocated to operating expenses when determining profitability. The rule is designed to help investors avoid the mistake of underestimating expenses and overestimating profits.

How much money do you need to invest in your first property? ›

How Big a Down Payment Do You Need to Buy Investment Property? Lenders typically have stricter guidelines when it comes to properties being purchased as rentals. Though you can buy a primary home with as little as 3% down, most borrowers need to put down 15% to 20% to buy a rental property.

How do beginners make money in real estate? ›

How To Make Money In Real Estate: A Guide For Beginners
  1. Leverage Appreciating Value. Most real estate appreciates over time. ...
  2. Buy And Hold Real Estate For Rent. ...
  3. Flip A House. ...
  4. Purchase Turnkey Properties. ...
  5. Invest In Real Estate. ...
  6. Make The Most Of Inflation. ...
  7. Refinance Your Mortgage.

How do I turn my first home into an investment property? ›

How to Convert Your Primary Residence into a Rental Property
  1. Brush Up on The Legalities. ...
  2. Prepare Your Property. ...
  3. Determine a Fair Rent Price. ...
  4. Swap Your Homeowners Insurance for Landlord Insurance. ...
  5. Market Your Property for Rent. ...
  6. Screen Potential Tenants. ...
  7. Choose How You Want to Manage Your Property. ...
  8. Plan for Proactive Maintenance.
Jul 28, 2023

What is the golden rule of real estate investing? ›

It was during this period that Corcoran developed what she calls her "golden rule" of real estate investing. This rule calls for investors to put 20% down on properties and then get tenants whose rent payments cover the mortgage.

What is the Brrrr method? ›

What is BRRRR, and what does it stand for? Letter by letter, BRRRR stands for “Buy, rehab, rent, refinance and repeat.” It's like flipping, but instead of selling the property after renovation, you rent it out with an eye on long-term appreciation.

What is a good rule of thumb for investment property? ›

According to the 1% rule, rental income should be equal to or greater than the purchase price. Take the purchase price of the property plus expenses for necessary repairs and times by 1% to determine whether rent to value ratios are healthy or not. Rental markets dictate rental values.

How to invest in real estate the basics? ›

One of the key ways investors can make money in real estate is to become a landlord of a rental property. Flippers try to buy undervalued real estate, fix it up, and sell it for a profit. Real estate investment trusts (REITs) provide indirect real estate exposure without the need to own, operate, or finance properties.

What kind of property should invest in first? ›

The first step in the process of buying an investment property is figuring out what type of property you want to purchase. Single-family homes typically require less low maintenance and may have higher appreciation potential, while multi-family homes offer the advantage of multiple income streams.

What is the first option to buy in real estate? ›

Sometimes referred to as a right of first opportunity or first right to purchase, this provision requires the owner to give the holder the first chance to buy a property after the owner decides to sell. Unlike the option to purchase, the holder cannot force the owner to sell.

What is the 4321 rule for appraisals? ›

4-3-2-1 Rule - Rule that states that the first 25% of depth represents 40% of the value; the second 25%, 30% of the values; the third 25%, 20% of the value; and the final 25%, 10% of the value.

What is the rule of 72 in real estate? ›

Just take the number 72 and divide it by the interest rate you hope to earn. That number gives you the approximate number of years it will take for your investment to double.

What is the 90 10 rule in real estate? ›

He explained how investors can leverage strengths in one area to complement others, fostering balanced and effective partnerships. Roger shared his 10/90 rule, balancing risk by investing 10% in higher-risk projects and 90% in stable, cash-flowing properties.

What is the 20 percent rule in real estate? ›

Typically, mortgage lenders want you to put 20 percent down on a home purchase because it lowers their lending risk. It's also a rule that most programs charge mortgage insurance if you put less than 20 percent down (though some loans avoid this).

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