Finance Articles

Investment Property Part 2 of 2: What You Need to Know Before You Buy

Welcome to the second portion of a two-part series on investment property. In the first installment, "How Not to Become a Slumlord", we discussed a little of what it takes to own and operate a property as well as some of the do's and don'ts of the property management trade. In this second segment, we will be discussing some pre-investment principles that will help you maximize your ROI.

There are three basic principles of investment property that you should know before you buy an investment property in order to avoid overpaying:

Time

How long do you plan on owning the investment property? As with stocks and bonds, the value of your investment may change significantly during the time you own it. While most real estate will appreciate in value over time, there are frequent fluctuations in the short-term market. If you plan on selling your investment property after less than five years, be prepared to accept the investment risk inherent in a shorter time horizon. This is especially true if you bought your property in an overheated real estate market. If this is the case, you could find yourself losing money if the market has taken a temporary downturn, especially if you've had to make major repairs to the property.

If you plan on owning the property for the next twenty to twenty-five years, it's almost certain that your investment property will appreciate in value. There's also a good chance, however, that you'll have to make major repairs like replacing the roof, wiring system, or major appliances like a water heater or refrigerator. Of course, these repairs will be offset by the fact that you've had/will have twenty plus years to recoup the cost. If on the other hand, you're only planning on owning an investment property for the next five years, buying a "fixer up'er" can eat up all the profits you would have made during your shorter investment horizon.

Networking

If you want the best deal possible on an investment property, than there are some people you'll want to be friends with. City hall clerks and bank employees may know what properties will be available on foreclosure and when they will go on the market. Real estate agents usually know everything real estate related within their respective territory. Some prospective landlords even run ads in local newspapers.

Many individuals interested in entering the investment property market may even join local landlord or investment property owners organizations. These types of organizations hold regular meetings where you can get the inside scoop on what's for sale in your area. The National Real Estate Investors Association is an online organization that provides a wealth of information and resources to potential investment property owners.

Financial Preparation

Get your finances in order. The less debt you have when you walk into your local lending institution, the better loan you'll get. This is common sense, but it's even more true for those seeking financing for an investment property. This is because lenders know that people are much more likely to default on a rental property than on their own homes. This means that the bank will demand a larger down payment and higher interest rates that you may have expected. It's also a good idea to have some extra cash left over to make unforeseen repairs should they arise.

By wisely choosing an investment property time horizon, making contacts in the investment property community, and preparing proper financial means, your investment may become a significant means of supplementing retirement and other savings accounts.

Cameron Brown is an internet marketer specializing in ranking automation. For information on Investment Property, visit Security National Capital.

Other Article Sites

findabook.com  moneycd.info  a-mortgage.info   about-lemon-laws.info  aboutstudentloans.info
all-about-publishing.info  auctions-articles.info  bestcollege-university.com  bestispconnection.com
biblefolder.com  blogger-website.com  books-used.info  brokers-guide.info  buywindows.info  cable-dsl.info
career-miner.com  carpel-tunnel.info  cashinaflash.info  cashloanreviews.info  casinobell.com  chat-house.info
clearmycredit.info  collegeloantips.info  crones.info  depression-articles.info   dirnic.net  dishguides.info
divers-below.com  expodog.info   financewizz.com  fire-insurance.info  getgood.info  handleit.net   it-idea.info
health-supplies.info  hosting-right.com  insidealert.com  insurance-facts.info  jobs-employment.info
justgood.info  lookgold.net   lowcost-travel.info  money-source.info  myhostzone.info  numisblog.com
peoplesearchfinder.info  pr-articles.info  realeas.com   refinancing-guides.info  spyware-remove.info
telelot.info  the-law.info   toppaid.info  travel-deals.info  travelcorrect.com  wedding-guide-site.com
your-blog.info  your-credit.info

How To Make More Money Using Options In Online Investment
Learn how to make more money using options in online investment techniques. After all for years savvy investors have been using option trading strategies to increase their portfolio profits. Options are the key to financial freedom so you should learn how to trade them for yourself.

The Interest Only Mortgage
In recent years, interest only mortgages have soared in popularity. With housing prices skyrocketing, many potential buyers found that they could only afford to get into the house of their dreams by choosing an interest only mortgage. This situation is especially true in regions of California, and in the Northeastern United States, where housing prices are among the highest in the country.

Mortgage Insurance Provides a Replacement Income if You Lose Your Own
Mortgage insurance is a versatile payment protection product that would provide an income allowing you to cover your mortgage repayments You are able to take cover for a fixed sum each month and if you should lose your own income you would be able to fall back on your policy

Refinancing Mortgage Loan - Get The Lowest Interest Rate You Can When Refinancing
Refinancing can be a very simple process. You fill out a few applications, take the best offer and you're done.

Lights, Camera, Distribution? Film Investment Advice from the Pros
How Festival Letdowns Have Changed the Advice of Film Investment Gurus

Property Investment - Buying A Holiday Home in Cyprus
Cyprus is fast becoming a property hotspot for thousands of British holiday home hunters disillusioned with the overdeveloped and overpriced Costas. Famous for its spectacular beaches, a climate that gives more sunshine days than Spain and its rich and varied history, Cyprus offers a perfect mix of foreign and familiar.

Laying the Foundation for Automating Revenue Accounting: A Softrax Executive Webcast with Bearingpoint
Senior Financial Process Thought Leaders Share Practical Advice for Successful Revenue Automation Initiatives

A Bad Credit Mortgage May Be Just What The Doctor Ordered
A bad credit mortgage gives borrowers with a poor credit history the opportunity to not only buy a home or refinance their current mortgage but the best opportunity to raise their credit rating over time. In most instances, whenever you apply for any type of financial product like a mortgage, the lending institution will pull your credit report.

Forensic Accounting Certification
Forensic accounting. Sounds like something out of an episode of CSI meets the IRS, right? If you think so, then you?re probably not currently looking for forensic accounting certification, but if you are?or you find after this article that forensic accounting interests you?there are a few things that you need to know.

French Property Sales and Home Investment in France Set for Spectacular Growth
An award winning property investment company is predicting fantastic growth in the French property and real estate in France marketplace. Low mortgage rates and excellent capital growth have moved French Property to number 1 on the European Investment Property League Table.

New Book Finds Investment Opportunities in China's Energy Crisis
StockInterview debuts its new publication, "Investing in China's Energy Crisis."

Unsecured Business Loans- Finance Your Business
Do you want to start your own business, but just holding back because of the financial constraints? Or, do you need to pour some fresh investment in your business? Dont worry, because starting and running a business was never as easier. With unsecured business loans you get the right initiative, your business requires. Adequate finance and the ease to pay the loan back may fulfill the dream you have been savoring for long.

Buying Mortgage Leads - Three Things to Consider
The time comes for all mortgage brokers and loan officers to consider spending some of their hard earned money by testing the waters of mortgage leads.After all, leads are the name of the game.

Cheap Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance Can Only Be Found With A Specialist
Cheap mortgage payment protection insurance (MPPI) can be found but you do have to make the decision to buy it independently from a specialist provider. As the financial pages of the Press regularly highlight, cover that is offered alongside the mortgage at the time of borrowing can cost up to 40% more than had you looked at quotes with an independent provider.