Real estate is one of the better modes of investment you can subscribe too. You actually have something physical in exchange for you cash, which of course differs from stocks and indices where you money usually just disappears into the ether. You can see what you have bought, change it, make alterations. It is real. However this doesnt stop it being tricky, dangerous even. You can lose your money here, just like you could with stocks, and just as easy too. You need to be careful, do your research and know exactly what you are doing before moving into the real estate investment game. Beginners can find it hard, and that is only natural. The key to success is research. Do enough of this and you will find your investment is smooth sailing, with nothing new or sudden there to confuse you are sap your cash. Property prices are increasing all the time, so real estate still makes a brilliant investment opportunity and should form part of your overall portfolio. For your first investment you should stick to the area you know. It is harder than it sounds, but it makes sense because you know the areas. These following tips can get you started on the real estate ladder. You may have even considered some, which is great because you are thinking about real estate in the right way. Yet read on, because you could find something else worthwhile to help in your endeavours.

In the first instance you need to decide what kind of property developer you want to be. There are a few different ones, they arent all lumped under the same grouping. For instance, you can be the usual real estate magnate, buying houses, doing work on them and then selling them for a quick profit. Or you may want to invest in a Condominium, where you can then rent them out for a passive income. Or you could build your own properties, gaining planning permissions and building entire estates of homes to sell off at a huge profit. Some of these are entry level, others require a lot more money to get done, as well as experience and know how. As you can see, there are different types of investor, you need to choose which one best suits you and how to proceed. Most will be looking for the initial home to do up and sell on, that is how it all starts.

Once you have decided on your investment, you need to begin the research phase. For your first investment keep it local. You know the area and may even know something about house prices in the area. It will make a difference. You need to find prospective properties that have potential. However, before going ahead with the deal you need to be able to look at the area. Are there any building works going on that will lower the value of the house? What have other homes in the same area sold for recently? These are the kinds of things you need to look out for because they can catch you unawares and destroy your profit margins unless you are careful. You also need to check into who owns the land. See if you can buy the whole thing, you can sell it for more then too. Remember, there are other things that will help you sell the property so look for local amenities including shops, schools and leisure facilities. You need to know all there is to know about the surrounding area and so forth to ensure you make it a success.

Now you have the intended site, you need to work out what kinds of things you are going to do to the home to make it increase in value. There are many things, some smaller than others. To start off, a fresh lick of paint can go a far way. So can new carpet or wooden flooring. To get the higher kinds of profit though you need to look at other things, more invasive changes. The bathroom is a good place to start. New plumbing and a change in tiles and utilities can have a huge effect. So can the kitchen. Arranging the appliances in a new order, new tiling, cupboards, work board, etc. Getting the house rewired is also a safe bet, as it looking at the energy consumption. People in this day and age are more concerned over their carbon footprint, so install a new boiler that burns energy more efficiently. You can also install loft insulation and cavity wall insulation that can keep the home warmer, meaning they dont have to keep the heating on for longer periods of time, saving their wallet and the environment too. If the homes facade can be improved then go for it, first impressions are everything.

If you wanted to extend the home you need to remember that you must acquire planning permission. However, it is the best way of increasing a homes value. You can get a double extension, or keep it to a single extension, whatever you choose, it will surely add value. You can also look at other things like a conservatory, or an additional porch at the homes front. You can spend time in the garden too, but this is cosmetic, so dont spend too much time looking into it, instead just give the grass a mow and tidy it up, ensuring it looks decent enough when the viewings start to occur.

When all this is going on ensure you adhere to a clear cut budget. If you end up going over it could eat into your profits. You need to forge good relationships with the tradesmen who you work with. You will pay them, sure, but the better you get on the better deals you may be able to work out, including better prices. If you dont regulate your bottom line you may find yourself out of pocket when you come to sell the home. Draw up a budget on Excel or Word and make sure every little thing you spend is added on, this way you can keep track of it. If you arent good with numbers then look to your family and friends. Their proficiency with balance sheets and numbers can help you ensure your property investment is a success. Never be afraid to ask anyone for help.

Now you need to sell the home. You can go through an estate agent if you want but be prepared to pay fees. If you have your own site you can use that, meaning you and the buyer will no longer need to pay the fees. Be careful though and ensure everything is done correctly, including the right paperwork and so forth. You could get a lawyer to help you here. You need to market your property to sell it, again, use the area not just the home. What is good about it? Get the description written up good and never bite at the first offer, see what else comes forward, you could even get more than you bargained for if you hold your nerve and the bidders try to out do one another. The pictures you take of the rooms and the property should be great. In this day and age there are even virtual reality tours available, so you could buy into this and impress would be buyers. If you arent good with people it may be worth asking someone else to show them around, using their passions and people skills to sell the property in the best possible way.