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Celia Moore, 1031 Exchanges Done Right Since 1991. (Equity Advantage, Incorporated)

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Ambassador
2,684,009
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

    What kind of real estate investing?   Residential rental property?  Options?  Flipping?  Condo conversion?  Land development?  Strip mall rentals?  Commercial leases?  REIT?  There are lots of choices out there.  Narrow it down, learn everything you can, then get started.

   Some caveats:   

          Whatever you think it will cost, be assured that it will go over budget.  Plan accordingly.

          However long you think it will take (to build, develop, repair, see an ROI), double that number.

          No matter how smart you may be (or think you may be), run it past an attorney, and see a CPA.  Unintended legal and tax consequences can wreak havoc on your plans.

 

Feb 09, 2021 02:24 PM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Do not accept cash tips from clients ... 

I wish you all the best, much success, and happiness. 

Feb 09, 2021 02:53 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,163
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

The general rule? Anything you hold onto and maintain will appreciate. Short term allow 5 years to recapture funds or make money. Long term is subjective, lucrative and can be used to trade-up or keep and rent out. 

If flipping, determine your rate of return and time on investment. Risk is a wild card and for first time out investors, a savvy person is a must! Buy low sell high is not a myth. Property management is an art. What lots of agents do is buy potentials, rent them out and keep that up for years. Over ten-twenty years, your properties are positive cash flows, appreciated and it gets better when they are free and clear. Exceeds pensions, social security for retirement income but requires ongoing management and maintenace investments all deductible. Now if you like all this, you are not alone. Its the doing of it that remains...shall we say....challenging? However all doable. Caveat: Watch the greed, impatience and your own ignorance

Feb 09, 2021 01:17 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

First of all, 

I would recommend researching the subject.  It may not be for you, or it may be the perfect thing for you.  I would also speak to your trusted financial advisor, CPA, etc to seek their advice.  Knowledge is power.  A

Feb 09, 2021 12:46 PM
Rainmaker
1,197,072
Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

Lots of good stuff here even for an old agent.  the bottom line is to never stop learning.  hang on for a interesting ride.  

Feb 09, 2021 02:39 PM
Rainmaker
953,617
Pete Xavier
Investments to Luxury - Pacific Palisades, CA
Outstanding Agent Referrals-Nationwide

Diversify!

(There are many tips, that's just my one big tip.)

My best investment was building a really nice residual income (non real estate).

Feb 09, 2021 02:11 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

IF it is real estate you intend to hold, the best advise I received for beginning is 'Stay in your lane."
What that means is buy real estate you are familiar with. That typically means buying something very similar to what you are living in. 
However without more information any adivse may be misalinged with your purpose, ability or experience.
Be aware, what you can do as a licensened real estate agent and what you can do as an investor differ greatly.
Knowing exactly what your investor business plan entails is going to direct the best path forward.
Finally, taking a shot into the darkenss, learn how to calculate values for acuiring property and for your seller. Learn how to submit for use and zoning changes. It is this disipline that creates investor value.  My last experince was to acquire for 300k, get the use changed, and the commerial buyer in the wings offers 800K.  Who do you think keeps the difference?

Feb 09, 2021 12:56 PM
Rainmaker
2,182,502
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

It’s a Marathon not a Sprint !

Feb 10, 2021 04:37 AM
Ambassador
5,229,945
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

While you may be purchasing as an investment (to hold onto), never forget about resale.

You never know when you may need to sell your investment property and you want it to serve you well, regardless of how long you've owned it.

Feb 09, 2021 08:38 PM
Rainmaker
693,775
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

I was late to real estat investing.  I had watched so many bad experiences that my dad had in the rental business that is scared me off.  He finally convinced me that I was just seeing a small portion of the business.  He was right.  Buy the right properties at the right price and good things happen.

My other big tip for real estate.  Find the right brokerage.

Feb 10, 2021 05:46 AM
Rainmaker
2,241,022
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Start early, read read read like the wheels on the bus go round and round and ask questions to folks who actually invest.

Feb 10, 2021 03:46 AM
Ambassador
3,125,663
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Do your research, be motivated to take it on, continue to learn and grow! 

Feb 09, 2021 06:33 PM
Ambassador
6,393,154
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Been investing for 30 years, the lessons would fill volumes.

Develop systems

Budget time daily to education.

Build a team of highly competent professionals to help

always be filling the pipeline.

Feb 09, 2021 06:32 PM
Rainer
289,607
Byron K . Jones
Coatesville, PA
List Today - Sold Tomorrow!

Dont Listen to the Naysayers....stay focused on the goal

Feb 09, 2021 03:39 PM
Rainmaker
1,543,634
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

It's a business not a job, it can be a great career, but it's not your life;

set boundaries and respect them and then your clients will too!

The Work/Life balancing success is found in the boundaries you set & keep.

Feb 09, 2021 03:20 PM
Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

🎯Time 🎯the 🎯market.🎯
You make your money not when you sell, but when you buy.
Don't worry about letting a deal go if it doesn't make sense. This is not a place for your emotions. Do the math.
And overestimate your costs.

Feb 10, 2021 01:27 PM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

No matter how you approach your target always FOLLOW UP and if they're unresponsive FOLLOW UP again. After that keep trying and always have some tidbit of relative information for them to keep the door of communication open as long as you can.

Feb 10, 2021 01:18 PM
Rainmaker
5,216,387
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Loaded question! As an individual investor? As managing partner of an investment group? Size of individual targets. Type of property? Desired length of holding period?

Feb 10, 2021 04:50 AM