5 Things to Consider With Real Estate Investment Properties

There is more to buying real estate property than living in it. Many people buying it as a long-term investment may find that now is a good time to make a purchase. There are many things to consider when buying real estate for sale, but one factor that greatly impacts the selection is how it will be used. If the new property owner plans to spend any time in it or use it as a rental property, this could be a determining factor as to what type of property to buy. When it is to be used as a rental property, these are some deciding factors that may affect the choice of real estate.

Location

Location is perhaps the most important factor to consider. An attractive area with low crime and many conveniences is prime real estate. Property with a view of the ocean, mountains, a lake or any other notable feature is always more desirable than one without. If the area is far away from where the investor lives, consideration should be given to how often they will need to go there and oversee any issues or problems.

Size

A larger property typically brings in a higher rent payment. The more people the place can accommodate, the more it is likely worth as a rental. The number of bedrooms and bathrooms is critical to how high a rent can be charged. Whether the property has a yard is another issue.

Zoning

Determine whether the property is meant to be used as residential, vacation or commercial real estate. If the zoning needs do not fit the intended purpose, find out what it will take to change that. This is very easy to change in some locales, and quite impossible in others.

Condition

The existing condition of the property may impact how quickly it can be used as a rental. If the buildings are in good condition with modern electricity and utilities, the property is probably closer to move-in ready condition than something that requires work. Although the price may be lower for a fixer-upper, it will take longer to begin earning income from it.

Assistance

One way to make sure that the property will be a sound investment is to do a thorough inspection of the property before deciding to move forward with it. Contact a professional real estate agent to assist in searching for appropriate property. Be sure that the agent is familiar with the area. This person should be able to give the potential investor some good tips on what is available and how feasible it is to turn the property into a rental.