Real Estate Investments

Real estate investments come through a variety of different options. However, whether it is a vacation property, a first home, an early retirement house, or a rental property that you find appealing, real estate investments are all the rage, and are quickly becoming one of the safest investments available, especially in our less-than-perfect economy.

One of the most accessible investments for the average American is more common than most residents realize. A first home offers a lot of advantages over renting. Building up home equity, utilizing tax advantages, and appreciation in home value are only some of the things that make common homes into great investment opportunities. The best market to look for when buying a home is a stable one, with average rates of appreciation. A stable market will provide a safe investment a few years down the line.

Vacation properties or second homes provide an excellent investment opportunity for individuals with the extra income to spend on another property. However, vacation home buying is often fraught with mistakes when it comes to the investment value:

? It is a common error to believe that locations with extreme demand and skyrocketing rates of appreciation are the best for investment. Don't allow yourself to be fooled. Markets with unreasonable demand and unaffordable home prices like these will be unable to sustain this type of growth. Unstable markets run the risk of leveling out, or worse yet, crashing. Your best option is a stable market with average rates of appreciation, roughly around 5%.

? Buyers of vacation homes often pay above market value for the property. While this relates directly to the markets where vacation homes are most popular where the competition drives prices far above listing price, it is still something within the hands of the buyer. Choose an area with less of a seller's market, and never pay above market value if you hope to make an investment out of your property.

Buying a rental property is often a real estate investment for an entirely different reason. While most properties become an investment through the resale value, rental properties generate income for the owner during the period of ownership. The same guidelines apply as with buying other realty properties, but also remember that the best rental property owner is one with the time to invest. Experts warn that you should only buy a property when you are willing to put years into your new rental property. It is also important that you have extra funding when going into the deal. You will probably need to make renovations, updates, and repairs as time goes on.

Regardless of your reasons for deciding to purchase an investment property, the options are numerous, and opportunities are growing with time. Of course, it is important that any prospective buyer consult with a real estate professional, finding a qualified buyers agent can save an individual from making the costly errors often forgotten when purchasing a real estate investment property. Of course, the best reason to buy such a property is because you have the time and desire to enjoy, and the desire to make an average house into a great home.

Inside Real Estate in a network entirely devoted to real estate information. Our staff of nationwide writers has provided a library of over 25,000 real estate articles. Inside-Real-Estate covers several topics from the basic "how to's" of real estate to city specific real estate information.

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Juggling The Day With A Deal

Doing deals with sellers is why you went into lease... Read More

Understanding Real Estate Terminology

Purchasing a home can be a complicated and confusing process,... Read More

Why Real Estate Investment?

Why should you invest in real estate? Well, investing in... Read More

Property Investment Strategy: Securing Properties with Little or No Deposit

Property Investing often requires creative strategies to make it successful.... Read More

Real Estate Wealth Protection Through Short Sales

Is a sharp correction in store for the real estate... Read More

Buying a Home -- Is a Home Inspection a Good Idea?

To avoid "buying a pig in a poke," buyers have... Read More

Choosing An Estate Agent

With so many estate agencies vying for your business, choosing... Read More

Victorian. Modern. Colonial. What?s Your Architectural Style?

You are attracted to a home for more than its... Read More

Should You Buy a House or a Condo?

A big debate these days is whether or not to... Read More

Hurricane Katrina And The Impact On Real Estate Prices

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina's wide path of destruction,... Read More

Selling by Owner Tips

Do strangers scare or intimidate you? If you're planning to... Read More

Escrow From a California Homeowners Perspective

The Escrow ProcessBoth Buyer and Seller deserve the assurance that... Read More

Do You Want To Sell Your Rehabs Fast?

That's an obvious question ? we all do! So what... Read More

OPM - The Art of Leveraging

Equity lender, hard money lender, private investor or what ever... Read More

Should You Buy Real Estate Now

I have been seeing the market on fire for a... Read More

What is a Foreclosure?

A foreclosure is an action taken against a property owner... Read More

Interior Design Secrets for Selling Houses

New concepts in Interior Design Psychology are helping home sellers... Read More

Subdividing - But NOT Land!

Many people are familiar with the concept of sub-dividing a... Read More

The Real Estate Cycle

The real estate cycle, like the business cycle, refers to... Read More

Dont Sell It Yourself

Don't sell it yourself! Sometimes a "FSBO," or house "for... Read More

The Perils of the Property Ladder: Has Anyone Noticed the Silence?

There was a time when every conversation was focussed on... Read More

An Overview of Easements

Title insurance is generally associated with insuring a purchaser's or... Read More

Secrets of Making Money from Real Estate - Part 4

Analyzing and finding the right property deals:Firstly read my other... Read More

Real Estate Investing - Books,TV Infomercials, and Seminars

Real estate investing has become popularized today because of real... Read More

Safe, Scenic & Secure Sussex County Delaware

As I write this, there is a considerable concern about... Read More

Prepare Your Rental Property for Occupancy

Among your many responsibilities as a landlord, the law provides... Read More

Writing on the Wall - Are REITs a Better Investment for You?

When I was a young child I had many annoying... Read More

Investing In Commercial Property

Investing in commercial property is well beyond the financial means... Read More

5 Simple Steps to Sell Your House Fast!

The decision to sell your house wasn't made on the... Read More

Real Estate Investment - Why it is Big Business?

When examining the different asset classes, real estate is generally... Read More

Estate Planning

Estate planning can enable you to control your property while... Read More

Secrets of Making Money from Real Estate - Part 3

Great, now how do I actually INVEST in real estate?Investing... Read More

10 Frequently Asked Short Sale Questions

1. What happens to the seller's credit rating when they... Read More