The cost of real estate mistakes in investing can be pretty high, which is why it’s crucial to educate yourself as much as possible before getting into it. The best thing you can do for yourself is to learn from the mistakes of others.
This article will address some of the common real estate mistakes investors make, especially when first starting. Hopefully, you can consider these and try to avoid them at all costs.
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What are Common Real Estate Investing Mistakes?
A lot of real estate investors do incorrectly because they don’t have a day job that allows them to invest and grow their rental house business.
A lot of people want to jump into full-time real estate investing. You can certainly do that, but you need to create a day job that makes income that allows you to do all your investing. That way, you do not have to eat out of your business.
We see a lot of people get in trouble when they have to eat out of the cash flows of the business. Then, for the business, if something goes a little bit wrong, all of a sudden, they kind of get off track.
What we recommend is that you don’t quit your day job. Work during the day and invest on the nights and weekends. Or, have something that’s creating income as a day job that allows you to invest without having to eat out of your rental properties, particularly when you’re first getting started.
Failing to Make a Plan
You’ll come across many real estates investing commentary that encourages you to take the leap and jump right in. While there is value in being ambitious, you still need to make sure you are prepared.
Being prepared in real estate investing means having a plan and strategy in place. Luck isn’t enough to cut it and be successful in real estate investing. Always be prepared.
Failing to Learn the Basics of Real Estate Investing
Some people buy their first property, and even their second, without really knowing the basics of real estate investing. It may seem simple enough once you’ve been able to secure the funding, but it’s so much more than that.
Remember that knowledge is power, and you should always try to learn as much as you can from others around you.
Skimping on Research
Much like any large purchase, a significant amount of research should be done ahead of time. You should always ask tons of questions about the property, the investment, etc.
Some helpful questions to get you started might be:
- Are there any problem areas in the area?
- How much did the previous owners pay for the property, and when?
- Why is the current homeowner selling?
- What needs to be replaced in the home?
- What is new in the house?
- Are there any permitting issues in the home?
- Is the home in a flood zone?
- Is there any construction planned in the area?
Underestimating Expenses
Another common mistake amongst real estate investors, especially those just starting out, is underestimating their expenses. Aside from initial costs, there are a handful of additional upkeep costs that you must also budget for.
Some investors assume that the whole total monthly rent will be profit and forget about other things like lawn maintenance, pest control, etc.
Before you even bid on a rental property, it’s a good idea to write down a list of anticipated monthly costs. Look into the details of utility costs in the area, insurance rates, etc. Once you have a better idea of what your costs are, start looking at the local rent prices. Weigh the two to see if you can sort out a profitable figure while still staying in range with other options on the market.
Doing Everything on Your Own
Although it may not seem like it, real estate investing is very much a team sport. There are plenty of players that need to be involved in helping grow your success. Just to name a few, you’ll need:
- A real estate agent
- A mortgage broker
- A real estate investment coach
- A property manager
- A contractor
- An architect
- An interior designer
- A stager
- A real estate photographer
- A property inspector
- A tax accountant
- A lawyer
- And many more!
The goal is to build up a powerful team that can help you every step of the way. Too many real estate investors try to go at it alone to help minimize cost. What they don’t realize is they are significantly impacting their profit potential in doing so.
Overlooking Residents’ Needs
Searching for and purchasing a rental property is just the beginning of being a real estate investor. You always have to think with your residents in mind. As such, even when you are searching for an investment property, think about what market you want to provide.
For example, if you prefer residents that are families, you’ll want to find properties that are in good neighborhoods with low crime rates and highly rated schools.
Overpaying
Real estate investing is exciting. If you’ve made the decision to join in on the fun you need to be mindful of overpaying. Anxiousness to join into the game can often cause investors to overbid on properties.
Again, though, with the help of a well-equipped team, they can help advise you as to what good investment properties are and what prices you should be paying for them.
In Closing
Ideally, avoiding real estate mistakes as an investor is the best thing to do. Unfortunately, it’s easy for some of these considerations to get overlooked as a new investor.
Do your due diligence and be sure to do your homework, and arm yourself with a well-equipped team. The costs upfront might be more significant, but the profit potential will far outweigh these costs in the long run.
Want to learn more investor and landlord tips?
Whether you are an investment property owner, someone trying to sell your house, or looking to grow your portfolio, we have the information you need. Check out the Evernest YouTube channel today to learn the ins and outs of buying and managing your rental property.
Matthew is the CEO of Evernest. He is a student of the book Good to Great and is passionate about building the best property management company on the planet (and maybe even the universe if Elon Musk will hurry up). You can usually find Matthew at the baseball field with his son, at a dance recital with his daughter, or at his favorite restaurant with his wife, when he’s not in the office. And if you can’t find him in any of those places, it probably means he’s traveling.
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