Is Now a Good Time to Invest in Real Estate?

A question I’m frequently asked is whether now is a good time to invest in real estate. It’s an interesting paradox. During the market downturn, many were selling their real estate, convinced it was a terrible time to invest. Just five short years later, the market has rebounded, resembling a bubble, and people are not eager to sell; instead, they are content with their investments. In such a scenario, I pose the question: When the market is at its peak, is it truly a favorable time to invest in real estate?

The answer:  “It’s always a good time to invest in real estate. It just depends on how you invest.”

If you’re asking yourself, “What do you mean? Isn’t there only one way to invest, and that’s to buy real estate?”  Then, let me explain.

Here are 7 ways to invest in real estate:

1. Buy Low – Sell Higher
2. Buy Low – Assign to Wholesaler – Sell to Fixer – Fix – Sell to End-Buyer
3. Buy Low – Fix – Sell to Wholesaler – Sell to End Buyer 
4. Buy Market Rate Over Time by paying the Seller on an Interest Bearing Financed Transaction (Trust Deed/Mortgage Secured)
5. Buy Performing Notes (Could be from Seller Financed Deals or from Banking Institutions)
6. Buy Non-Performing Notes (Could be from Banking Institutions selling their bad debt Trust Deed/Mortgages)
7. Invest in Other People’s Real Estate Investments and Collect Interest Earnings!

That’s the short-list!  There are tons of ways to invest in real estate!
Which takes the most amount of effort/time and management?
Which of these takes the least amount of effort?

Indeed, the 3rd model can be highly profitable in the short term, but it also demands the most time and effort from the investor, primarily due to the active involvement in property rehabilitation. While it may require more hands-on work and potentially incur higher income tax, the potential for substantial gains can make it a lucrative strategy. Ultimately, the choice of real estate investment model depends on individual goals, resources, and risk tolerance, and each approach has its own set of advantages and trade-offs.

Absolutely, the 7th model, which involves lending money to others for real estate deals, is a more passive form of real estate investment. As an investor, you provide the capital, and others take care of the actual work, such as purchasing, rehabbing, and selling the property. In return, you receive regular interest payments as per the loan agreement, making it a potentially hands-off way to invest in real estate.

This approach can be particularly attractive for investors looking to use their Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to earn interest by funding real estate transactions. With a properly structured agreement, the IRA becomes the beneficiary of the Trust Deed or Mortgage, enabling investors to grow their retirement funds through real estate investments. This relatively passive model offers a way to diversify and potentially grow your investments while minimizing direct involvement.

In the upcoming article, we will delve into the concept of accredited investors and its implications, as established by the US Congress in 2010. It’s a crucial topic for those looking to participate in various investment opportunities, including real estate. If you’re interested in learning more about investing in real estate or want to expand your knowledge, be sure to obtain the investor’s report. There’s a wealth of valuable information to explore, helping you make informed decisions and navigate the real estate investment landscape.

The accredited investor concept primarily serves the purpose of identifying individuals who possess the financial capacity to bear the economic risks associated with investing in unregistered securities. However, it’s important to note that the rules defining accredited investors underwent changes with the enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act. One significant change was the exclusion of a primary residence from the net worth test. Consequently, some individuals who qualified as accredited investors before July 20, 2010, may no longer meet the criteria to be considered accredited investors under the revised regulations.