Risks In Property Investment And How To Mitigate Them
Many people think investing in real estate is a good idea, and for a good reason. You are able to accrue a tidy profit over time. However, there are still risks involved, and these should be highlighted before you take the plunge in investing. By making smart choices, you will be able to eliminate many of the problems before they begin to arise.
Below are some of the risks you will face if you are considering investing in real estate, and strategies you can take to help you overcome them.
Risk 1: You buy in the wrong location
Location is everything when it comes to real estate. Buying something in the wrong area will cause you financial difficulty. Whether you are buying something to rent or fixing something up to sell at a profit, you need to buy property in an area where people are going to want to move to. For starters, is the land around the property safe? You will need to consider contaminated land remediation if there is any chance of pollution around the property. Then think about the neighborhood. If there is a high crime rate, or there are no local amenities nearby, are people going to want to live there? Do your research, check that the land is safe with the property developer, and walk around the area before you decide to buy.
Risk 2: You struggle to find good tenants
When investing to rent, you don’t want your property to stand vacant for long, as you won’t be able to receive any income from your investment. However, you don’t want to rent your property to the first person who comes along, either. You need to take out background checks on potential tenants or hire a rental manager who will take on board the screening process on your behalf. You can instruct the rental company to only allow those people with a good history of paying rent on time. You can also do yourself a favor by only investing in a location where you are likely to encourage reputable tenants. Avoiding areas of crime is a start. For further protection, take out landlord’s insurance, which will help compensate you against bad tenants.
Risk 3: You invest in a money pit
You are investing to make money, not lose it, so you need to make wise choices at the beginning. A property with structural damage should be avoided, so ensure you employ a building inspector or an architect to give you advice before buying. For peace of mind, you might consider purchasing a new property, as these should have already passed inspection before being put on the market. However, if your budget can only stretch to an older property, ensure you take out the right insurance to cover you for any unexpected costs after purchase.
Bottom line
As the saying goes, ‘a wise man built his house upon a rock.’ Investing in real estate is a risk, but if you do your research and speak to the experts, you are more likely to invest in something with a good foundation, literally and metaphorically.