Investing in Real Estate Series — Week 5

Have you ever thought about owning an investment property? Then this series is for you! I’m covering everything to know when it comes to investing in real estate, including the different options out there and how to make it happen.

You’ll also get a complete rundown on why investing in a rental property can boost your finances, the tax benefits, plus what you need to know about being a landlord, how you can best flip the right property for a profit, an investment strategy for move-up homeowners, and how you can save money when it comes time to sell an investment property.

This week you’ll learn my two favorite real estate investing strategies. I hope they give you some ideas about how you could invest in real estate too.  

I hope you’ve been enjoying this investing in real estate series. One of the reasons I became a real estate agent is because I believe in the wealth-building power real estate can provide.  

Of course, it’s a smart idea to diversify your investment portfolio and you should speak with a certified financial planner about how to do that.  

But, when it comes to real estate, there are many different ways you could invest and today, I want to share my favorite.  

I’ve made all sorts of real estate investments over the last twenty years and my investment strategy has changed as my financial situation and personal life has changed too.  

I’ve bought properties at auction without seeing them, which is extremely risky and not something I recommend for most people.  

I’ve bought properties that no one else wanted to buy because they needed so much work—thank goodness for my amazing contractors and all the ideas I got from Pinterest!  

But, today, I’m happy to share not just one, but my TWO favorite ways to invest in real estate.  

Buying A Vacation Property

Do you love heading to the beach every summer? Do the mountains call you every winter that you find yourself flocking to a certain ski town every chance you get?  

Well, then you might want to consider buying a property out of town where YOU like to go and renting it out when you aren’t there.

What I’m suggesting is NOT a second home, but essentially a vacation rental property that you rent out to others most of the time. You get to use a few weeks and weekends a year too.  

Nowadays with short term rental apps like VRBO, Air B and B and even longer term “corporate” rental companies like Zeus and Sonder, short term rentals can be a smart option for how you invest in real estate. 

What I love about investing in a vacation property is not only can you potentially get a substantial return on your investment, but you can also enjoy the property too!

Make money and have a fun vacation? Yes please! 

There are some tax advantages to having a vacation property be an investment property rather than a second home. Be sure to talk to a trustworthy accountant who can explain the difference and the rules. If you need a trustworthy CPA, email me and I can give you a few recommendations. 

Moving and Keeping Your Current Home As A Rental Property

If I had to pick just ONE real estate investment, this would be it. This is the investment strategy that I’ve used the most over the last few years.  

Here’s how it works:

As our life changes, so must our homes. The days of buying one home and owning it forever are gone.  

So, when it comes time to move, keep the home you have as a rental property and then move on to your next home. 

At first glance, you might be thinking, “Don’t I need the money from my current home to buy my next home?”  

Maybe, but maybe not. When you are ready to move from your current home, it’s time to talk to your team of advisors—me, your loan officer and financial planner. Together we can look at your financial situation and the financing options available to you and provide our expert recommendation.  

You may have more options than you think and it’s worth exploring. 

Here’s why it’s such a smart strategy:

When we buy a home we are intending to move into, not only do lenders require less down, but the interest rate is lower than if you were to buy an investment property you’ll never live in.  

So, you’ll save on both the downpayment and the interest rate when you buy a home you plan on moving into and then when it’s time to move, keeping it and turning it into a rental.  

While it’s a rental, you get the standard benefits of having an investment property—tax advantages, someone else paying down your mortgage and equity gain.  

A word of caution—there are lender rules about how long you must reside in a property and your intentions when you buy it. Don’t commit loan fraud by saying you are intending to live in a property for a long time to come if that’s not your intention. I’m suggesting that you buy a home with every intention of living there and loving it for years to come, but when it is time to move—5 or 10 years from now, look into how you can keep it, rent it and move on to your next home all at the same time. 

If you or anyone you know has been thinking about wanting to invest in real estate, I’d love to help. There are so many different ways to add real estate to your investment portfolio depending on your goals and financial situation. Schedule a time to talk here and let’s make it happen.