How to Buy Investment Property - SmartAsset

For conservative investors, the stock market holds huge risks. If that’s you, maybe you stick to high-yield savings accounts or low-cost index funds or ETFs. However, investors willing to take a bigger risk may invest in properties. Here’s how to buy an investment property and potentially increase passive income. You can also work with a financial advisor to help you prepare financially to invest in the real estate projects you desire.

Types of Investment Properties

There are many different types of investment properties to choose from, each with its own unique opportunity. You could invest in commercial real estate, rental properties and real estate investment trusts. Investors typically invest in real estate in one of these three ways:

Buying and renting: You could buy a single-family home as a second home and rent it out. You could also buy a multi-unit property and rent out individual units. In either case, you’re responsible for maintenance, repairs, collecting deposits, and handling background checks for tenants. If you buy the property in a desirable location, you could earn enough in rent payments to cover your mortgage and more. But you could also spend more time than you realize managing your new property.
House-flipping: This involves buying a home, often distressed and cheap, fixing it up and selling it for a profit. Many real estate investors are house flippers. But if you pay too much, your renovations take too long to complete, or you incur an unexpected expense, you could end up losing money.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs): If you can’t scoop up individual properties, you might want to consider REITs. These companies own many properties that bring in an income. As a result, they let people invest in many different properties. Different REITs focus on different sectors, like apartments, healthcare facilities, and business complexes. Investors without a lot of experience or capital can still put money into REITs.

How to Fund an Investment Property

how to buy an investment property Most investment properties require a lot of capital and it can be hard to invest if you don’t have a lot of money. When buying a home to live in for the foreseeable future, you can find loans requiring a 3.5% down payment or less. When you buy an investment property, traditional financing and conventional loans require a 20% down payment, or more.

You’ll also want to budget for the right project. For instance, if you’re planning to flip a house, estimate how long it’ll take to complete renovations and repairs. Also, figure out how much it’ll cost. Consider covering a few extra months of expenses beyond your original timeline. Over-estimating your time and money in case of unexpected expenses can be wise. If a repair takes longer than you thought or if a pipe breaks during renovations, it won’t sink your budget.

If you’re planning to buy your space for rentals, make sure you have enough money to finance unexpected repairs involving tenants. For instance, if a washing machine breaks or there’s a leak, a contingency fund can help fix it.

In terms of the type of funding that you can get, it is pretty similar to buying a house for yourself. You can get a long-term loan that is secured by the real estate itself after you put up the 20%+ down payment. There are also investment-specific investors who work with investors looking to flip homes as they are used to working with real estate that can shift in value fairly quickly. They may also help you get money for needed repairs. You probably shouldn’t fund REIT investments with a loan, though, as the returns are all you would have to repay the funds.

Credit Needed for Real Estate Investment Loans

If you want to build up your buying power, a solid credit score can get you there. A very good or excellent FICO score typically starts around 740.

If you don’t have stellar credit, you can still take out a loan for investment property. However, it could mean higher interest rates or different loan terms than you’d like. Cleaning up your credit may secure better loan terms. Consider making all minimum payments on time every month. Try to lower your credit use to 30% or less, though under 10% is ideal.

If possible, pay off any outstanding debt that inflates your debt-to-income ratio. The lower your DTI, the better you’ll look to lenders.

Consider Potential Losses

The reward for investing in properties could be lucrative. Some investors that start real estate investing as a side hustle make it a full-time job. However, you may lose money. money. You might buy a home for more than you originally planned. Also, you. may put more money into renovations that take took longer to complete. Or your property could sit on the market for six months to a year. Each of those scenarios loses money.

The longer your home stays up for sale, the more you’re paying in monthly mortgage payments, insurance and other related costs. Even with a big reward comes potential loss. It’s important to keep that in mind, and in your budget, as you consider investment properties.

The Bottom Line

Anyone can invest in real estate properties in a variety of ways. The returns are going to depend on a number of things such as location, purchasing price and what you’re doing with the property. Real estate, though, has traditionally been a stable investment if you’re able to fund the project and sustain it during any real estate drops in value.

Investment Property Tips

Before considering how to buy an investment property, make sure your finances are lined up. You might need to enlist the help of a financial advisor to make sure you’re on the right track. Finding the right financial advisor that fits your needs doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
If you’re figuring out how to buy an investment property to rent out, you’re also taking on a new gig as a landlord. You might feel good about collecting rent checks every month, but be prepared to handle the unexpected. If you’re not managing the property yourself, you’ll have to hire someone to do it for you. If you are managing it yourself, you might need to devote more time and resources than you originally planned. With renovations, building codes, inspections and ongoing maintenance, being a landlord could be your new full-time job. Before you buy your new property, make sure you’re ready for it.