The wonderful world of real estate investing is something that many people are interested in today. With the fall of the housing market, properties being foreclosed at a record rate, and everyone knowing someone that has gotten a great investment opportunity on a property it is no wonder that there are tons of newbies flooding the real estate market.
This isn’t a bad thing because the world of real estate investing can be a great place for beginners to get involved, get their feed wet, and actually make some money. However, it can also be a place where you rush into something that you don’t fully understand and lose your shirt in the process.
If you are one of the thousands of beginners that are considering entering the world of real estate investing, then you may want to consider some of the advice that we have for you today. You don’t have to take it all as the gospel, but there are a few things that you should understand.
Warning to Newbie Real Estate Investors
Growing up, you hear about how business is really cut throat and people will do anything and everything to make a buck. They will even sell their own mother for a profit. Well, I am not sure if they were talking about real business, but I am positive they are talking about the real estate investing scene.
Talk about cut throat, this place is no where for guppies and newbies to be swimming alone. If a seasoned investor or real estate professional smells fresh meet in a situation, they are going to string you out, take you for all you got, and pass your remains on to someone else for a taste or two. This may seem harsh to you, but we have seen it happen and the people go eat lunch afterwards never to think about the financial free fall they just put you in.
If you don’t understand real estate, then you have to be careful, maybe even reconsider because I have seen people purchase bad deals that were sold to them as “can’t miss investment opportunities”, pay thousands of dollars for information you can find on the Internet, or provide a down payment only to have the person walk away with their money. It is a brutal world out here and you have to be willing to protect yourself at all times.
Decide to start Investing in Real Estate
If you can deal with the above torture, then your skin might be thick enough for the world of real estate investments. Not only this, you might be perfect for it, but we always say if you are going to go into this business, then go in to be a shark, not a guppy. The only way to be a shark is to make a firm commitment to this business and not be standing on the gate. This is no place for second guessing. You have to be ready for any and everything.
Commit to learning investment strategies
There is no way you can swim with the sharks if you are not informed. This is actually what separates sharks from guppies, information. Please realize that just cause understand some terminology and the business, you don’t have to be an evil shark that is out to take peoples money and take advantage of guppies, but it does mark you as someone that can’t be pushed around. This is what you need if you are going to be in this business. These people don’t play and the better informed you are, the better chance you have of survival. Therefore, make sure you commit to learning as much about real estate investment strategies as possible and in as much detail as you can. There are wonderful resources out there, including the Invest With Passion online magazine.
Networking is the key to success in any business
Every business is a contact sport. And if you don’t know people, then you are playing by yourself, which is not going to cut it. How else will you learn about the great deals out there, pitfalls to avoid, and opportunities lurking under your feet if you are not out meeting, interacting, helping, and basically networking with people? That’s right, your not.
Therefore, don’t try to be a hermit in this business. Be sure to attend as many meetings, investment groups, teams, professionals as you can. This will not only help you commit to your business, learn more strategies, avoid the evil sharks, but it will help you build your business, investment portfolio, and chances of success.
At the end of the day, your work ethic, dedication, and knowledge will lead you to the success you will get in the world of real estate investing for beginners. We wish you the best and encourage you to visit our website for more information on all of the above.
What are your thoughts on REITs?
Would you recommend them to newer investors that are interested in learning about real estate, or no?
I think it will be time to get back in the REIT market around this time next year or in early 2012. The reason being is that the Commercial real estate market hasn’t really had it’s bubble burst yet. Yet there have been some struggle, bit I think more is to come. Therefore, I would hold off a bit as the REITs are still overvalued…in my opinion. Im not an expert in reits or the stock market, but just think the commercial market its self is in for another adjustment.
I agree that it is definitely important to learn a lot about businesses before you invest in them. I started investing in October 2008, right before the crash, and had to learn the hard way.
Join the band. There are a lot of people that learned the hard way, but hopefully they learned and will grow in teh future.