Investing in property is still one of the most popular ways to safeguard your financial future. Often seen as more reliable than stocks and shares, building a property portfolio can help you to grow your funds with reduced risk. 

Of course, any type of investment needs careful consideration. If you’re a first-time property investor, you’ll want to do your research and understand the market before you jump in. Before you start, take a look at these top tips for investing in property….

Identify your goals

Property can generate short-term income and long-term gains, or both! Before you start viewing properties, however, it’s important to consider what type of investment you want to make. Buying a property, fixing it up and selling it can generate a lump-sum in a relatively short period of time, but you’ll need to finance renovating the property. Alternatively, buying a rental property could generate both short and long-term income, providing it’s occupied. 

Deciding what type of portfolio you want to cultivate will help you to narrow down your options when it comes to buying a property. Furthermore, once you know what your objectives are, you will be able to calculate your potential budgets and profits with more accuracy. 

Set a budget

Knowing how much you’ve got to invest is crucial, regardless of what investment you’re going to make. When setting an investment budget, it’s important to be realistic. Although property can be easy to sell in a good market, this isn’t always the case. Determining how much you can afford to invest over a set period of time and plan for all eventualities. By having a contingency plan in place, you can manage your finances appropriately and give yourself peace of mind. 

Property markets are often cyclical, so a dip in property values will normally be rectified, providing you can wait for the market to recover.

Get to know your realtor

As a property investor, you’re going to be spending a lot of time communicating with your realtor. Choosing a reputable real estate agent who caters to investors, such as Holowesko Realty, will ensure you get the service and support you need. Great investment opportunities are much easier to come by if you have a good working relationship with your real estate agent. 

What’s more – the right realtor will take a pro-active approach to meeting your investment criteria. By building a good professional network, you can ensure that you are the first to hear about potential investment opportunities. 

Preserve your own wealth

People rarely invest their own money, even if they can afford to do so! Instead, they rely on loans, mortgages and other investors to finance their investors. Before you consider putting your savings into property, explore all available financing options and see which suits you the best. 

Understanding Property Investment

Investing in property sounds like an easy way to make money but this isn’t necessarily the case. Successful property investments require knowledge of the market, the local area, and the industry. By researching the sector and your understanding of how investment works, you can give yourself the knowledge base and the confidence you need to build your portfolio.