Ceri Austin 
Real estate can provide an effective means of diversifying investment portfolios. As a tangible asset, it acts as a hedge against riskier paper investments like stocks and cryptocurrency.
Before beginning to buy and sell real estate investments, it’s essential that you gain an understanding of industry terminology and network at networking events to build connections that will help you find deals suitable for your investment goals.
Residential
Residential real estate encompasses houses, apartments, condominiums and other forms of housing meant to house people. Investors commonly purchase such properties for use as primary or vacation residences or flipping them for profit to generate rental income streams. Value considerations of such real estate often hinge upon location, economic factors and demand conditions.
Many investors choose residential real estate investing for its consistent rental income stream, which can cover mortgage payments, insurance costs, maintenance expenses and even help protect against the unpredictable stock markets. It can even serve as an insurance against possible fluctuations.
Investors looking to invest in residential properties must be prepared for the challenge of maintaining their investments, which may involve fielding calls from tenants and dealing with issues like vacancies. Furthermore, this may require significant financial commitment – however there are new business platforms which enable consumers to invest without needing to become landlords themselves.
Commercial
Commercial real estate (CRE) encompasses an expansive spectrum of property types, from retail shops and offices to hotels, warehouses, assembly plants, quarries and theme parks. CRE generally boasts lower tenant turnover than residential real estate assets for more predictable cash flows.
CRE investments offer higher returns than stocks and bonds; however, it’s essential to carefully evaluate each deal’s risk/reward ratio before making your purchase decision.
Active investors looking to invest directly must possess the expertise and experience required for managing such an enormous capital commitment. Passive investors may use REITs or private equity firms as intermediary vehicles; however, these vehicles may reduce control over one’s CRE portfolio.
Rentals
Rental real estate provides investors with two potential returns: monthly income and property appreciation. They can maximize profits by renting to tenants whose rent exceeds costs associated with mortgage, property taxes, insurance and maintenance fees.
Real estate investment properties tend to focus on single-family residences; however, investors may also purchase multi-family and vacation rentals. These investments tend to require more work because the landlord must oversee each property individually between tenants.
Investors considering residential rental property investments should carefully consider why and for what reasons. It is crucial to gain an understanding of the local housing market, including whether home prices are increasing or decreasing – this information can assist with setting rent prices accordingly. Furthermore, investors must determine what services will be included or not with rent prices; electricity and heat bills might need to be added on separately as an expense for tenants.
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
REITs offer investors an easy and convenient way to add real estate exposure to their portfolios. REITs can be found on stock exchanges and purchased using brokers or trading platforms; many even provide stable dividend payments.
Some REITs specialize in specific property sectors, such as retail stores, apartment complexes or even health care facilities. Such REITs may be more susceptible to shifting consumer tastes and dynamics within an industry – for instance retail REITs may be affected by changes due to online shopping while strip mall REITs could experience effects due to shifting customer demographics.
REITs that specialize in mortgage-backed securities may be vulnerable to fluctuations in interest rates and mortgage default trends, so it is wise to analyze each REIT’s fundamentals using funds from operations (FFO), which does not include capital expenditures and depreciation expenses, for a complete analysis. Aim for high yielding FFO yields with competent management teams so as to avoid those which could struggle during economic downturns or when property markets experience extreme volatility.
