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Do you invest in real estate?

By
Real Estate Agent with Natasa Glamoclija

I was always wondering why people buy real estate only when prices are high, but when they want to buy some clothing, they hurry to buy merchandize after season. Why buyers are so afraid to buy during a buyer's market?

To sell the house in buyer's market, seller must offer a bargain price or they will see the effect similar to trying to sell Christmas decor in January.

Now it is time to buy and hold properties, build portfolio. People say: If you do not know what to do, follow the leader.

Real estate investors are looking for properties from distressed sellers in historically high appreciating areas, at a minimum of 30% discount. Those properties are in move in ready condition. They also target properties with some potential or that are in need of major repair. After renovation, they increase the value. Because of the risk involved, they look here for properties with minimum 40% discount. They will cover monthly expenses and wait with resale 3-5 years. The best strategy is to buy the cheapest home in the best location you can afford, or stay close to the best areas.

If you want to play safe, it is best to buy average homes, in best school districts, because in the economic downturn, people with higher income will move down, and in the economic upturn, people with lower income will move up.

Some people, even they bought the property as a long-term investment, want to know the appreciation of their property right after purchase, which is similar to the child who is checking his growth every day. If the property is rented and covers all monthly expenses, don't worry about the appreciation at the moment.

To identify quickly if some property is income producing, or not, use the 1% rule. For example: if the price of the property is $100,000, monthly rent should be not less than $1000. If it is $1200, even better.

Are you ready to invest in real estate now?

Joshua & Kathy Schmidt
ERA Henley Real Estate - Cabot, AR

Natasa,

     I think you make some great points, but that isn't the whole of it.  I don't think it is so much that people don't want to invest right now, I think it is a lot of them can't.  Extra income is hard to come by with the economy the way it is.  Higher prices on general merchandise, gas, food, etc. is taking a lot of peoples extra income that they could be saving for down payments.  If money is tight already, do you think people are willing to venture out and take a risk at having an extra mortgage payment if they can't rent/flip a house they purchased.  I know now is the best time to buy, you know that, but the regular consumer is seeing the doom and gloom from the national media and that has more power behind it than anything you or I can say.  Just the way things are right now.

Sep 17, 2008 04:07 AM
James Engel
Keller Williams Realty Beverly Hills - Beverly Hills, CA
KW Beverly Hills

I agree that it is the season to invest and not only for clients but also for agents too. every agent should at least by one unit for themselves all this inventory would be gone

Sep 17, 2008 04:15 AM
Dinah Lee Griffey
Windermere Peninsula Properties - Allyn, WA
Managing Broker Windermere Peninsula Properties

If I had the money I would invest. I wish I had saved a little so I could have participated in this market. It will all come around again, and next time I will be ready!

Sep 17, 2008 04:18 AM
Mike Wong
Keller Williams Realty Southwest - Sugar Land, TX
Realtor: Commercial, Residential, Leasing, Invest

I strongly believe in investing in real estate because I have witnessed and been a part of the fairy tale wealth it has created. I have the credentials and history, so many follow my advice and different strategies. I love investing in real estate and this is the perfect time.

Sep 17, 2008 04:28 AM
Carey Pott
January Financial - Foothill Ranch, CA

I have to agree with Joshua and Kathy. I'm not buying real estate right now, not because I'm scared, but because this foggy economy isn't doing my bank account any favors and I can't afford to put more debt on the books. The key is being well-prepared enough to have cash saved for when the market is in a downturn.

Sep 17, 2008 04:50 AM
Natasa Glamoclija
Natasa Glamoclija - Brookfield, IL

I can understand people who are struggling to survive and do not think about investing in real estate now .I am more thinking of those  who are still renters and prefer to pay landlord's mortgage then their own, those who are looking to buy their first or second home (and have income and downpayment) but are still waiting, or those who invest in risky stocks with possibility to lose everything in one day. I also wish we Realtors are more prone to make money in real estate by investing in it, not just by selling someone else's real estate.

Even now I remember one my friend, who lost her job, saying: "Count me in. I do not have nothing to lose now." People are more afraid to lose the money they do not even have, then the money they have. Let me explain: when you buy a house, you usually get the money from the bank (not yours). People, who have money to pay the house with their own cash, are not so afraid to lose their own money and buy properties. Strange, isn't it?

Sep 17, 2008 04:55 AM
Li Read
Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC
Caring expertise...knowledge for you!

Excellent post!     another reason to be encouraging nervous buyers to "act now".   

Sep 17, 2008 06:05 AM
TIM MONCRIEF
Tim Monciref - Austin, TX
Over 2,000 homes sold…..

The market will dictate whether the 1% rule is a reality......  The market being the town, the community, the lease market, and the home market.  If I could get 1% homes in our market I would buy them left and right.  The reality of our current market for heavily discounted homes, we can not get 1%. .8% is a high number in our market.  Obviously this will change with time....

Sep 17, 2008 07:36 AM