How real estate compares to other investments & challenges
There are many ways to invest your hard-earned money; real estate, stocks, bonds, CDs or even gold. Also, it’s all too easy to be rude to an “earnings investment.” The burden of putting your money in someone’s hands is not an easy task.
When does one investment opportunity become more attractive than another? Perhaps most importantly, how do you know if a particular investment should be avoided? Researching real estate and other investments can help you decide which options are right for you.
How real estate compares to other investments
Each investment has its advantages and disadvantages. This compares real estate with other popular forms of investment.
Real Estate Vs Stocks
Real estate is less volatile than stocks whose value rises or falls faster. However, there is real estate that is less liquid than stocks: It is easier to sell your stocks and get money than it is to invest in real estate.
Real estate vs bonds
Bonds are one of the safest investments. You do not usually lose money by investing in it. But their benefits are usually small. By investing in real estate, you have the opportunity to earn more, but you also risk losing more money.
Real Estate vs CD
Investing in CDs is similar to investing in bonds: It is one of the safest investments and you rarely lose money by investing in it. As with bonds, however, your income is often less than you would earn if you invested in real estate.
Real Estate Vs mutual funds
Mutual funds are a long-term investment. If you invest long enough in mutual funds, their value will generally increase, although an increase in value is not guaranteed. Like stocks, investing in mutual funds is easier than investing in real estate.
However, investing in real estate can offset an economic downturn that can reduce the value of mutual funds.
Real estate investment challenges
While investing in real estate can be very rewarding, it can also come with challenges and risks.
Liquidity
Real estate is not a liquid investment. If you are investing your money in a single family home, condominium or commercial property, you need to sell that property or whatever you now own to get the money.
Other investments, such as stocks and bonds, are much more liquid. Selling shares is easy for your money.
Primary capital
You also need more money to invest in real estate. Residential and commercial real estate are not cheap. You may need to apply for a mortgage to buy this property. Investing in mutual funds, CDs and stocks requires much less start-up capital.
Time
Investing in real estate usually does not provide a quick return. Yes, you can pay for commercial or residential tenants. However, these payments often only cover the cost of obtaining repayments on mortgages or other investment properties.
Big profits come when you sell a property for more than you paid for. But to achieve this goal, it usually takes several years for the value of the property to increase.
Location
Location is very important when investing in real estate. Your property will hardly be valued unless it is in a society where property prices are rising. That means you have to do a lot of research to find the right investment property in the right place.
Profit by investing in real estate
Now that you know the ins and outs of real estate investing, are you ready to buy your first investment property?
Investing in commercial real estate, an apartment building or a single family home can be very rewarding if you do the necessary research. Whether you are still in doubt about buying or buying a home, or are ready to apply and buy, investing in real estate can increase your income.
