Having more money can certainly make life much easier. Few people would disagree that their lives could be improved if they had more income. Although money isn’t everything, it is necessary to pay the bills, go to school, rent or own a home, raise children, pay for insurance, and enjoy all that life has to offer.
For many, their primary job is not enough to provide the lifestyle they want. Perhaps you are making enough money to make ends meet, but you are worried about retirement or want to bring in additional income to finance travel plans. This is when smart investing becomes an important skill set.
The key to investing wisely is diversification. The more assets you own in different sectors, the less risk there is from unpredictable markets. One of the most reliable forms of investing is in the real estate sector. Let’s dive into why real estate investing is crucial for a diverse portfolio.
Property Appreciation
Owning property comes with a lot of responsibility, but it has some significant perks. One of those advantages is that property tends to increase in value over time so long as it is properly maintained. This is a process known as appreciation. Many other investment assets can rise and fall in value depending on the strength of the market they are attached to. Even if you invest just a little money in real estate, the property that you own or partially own is likely to increase in value as time goes on, resulting in minimal returns. Of course, that just represents the floor of the profits that can be made from smart real estate investing.
Diversity of Options
Within the realm of real estate investing, there is plenty of opportunity for diversification. Your property assets do not all have to be single-family homes that you rent or commercial properties with business tenants. You could start small by putting some money into a real estate investment trust (REIT) where others do the heavy lifting for you to buy properties while you enjoy the payouts. You can take out a HELOC and turn part of the property you live on into an Airbnb. With the right preparation for your Airbnb, it can become a consistent stream of income. If you want to go big, then you can buy a vacation home to rent out or build a portfolio of multiple rental properties. Some people like to flip houses for profit, buying them when they are low and selling them for a much higher price after some serious upgrades.
Scalability
Real estate investing also makes scalability possible. Say you start out with one investment property. You collect rental payments each month and earn a decent profit on them. After you have saved up for a while from that property, you could earn enough for another down payment on a second rental property. The more properties you own, the more income streams you have. Scalability also allows you to take advantage of different markets. For example, New York is a prime location for real estate investors looking to scale up their operations. States like North Carolina and Florida are ideal for short-term rental properties. If you are seeking new commercial opportunities, Atlanta, GA, and Nashville, TN are on the up and up for this sector. Scaling up your investment portfolio in real estate can lead to much larger income streams.
Active Participation in Investments
Some investment strategies involve little work other than research. Day traders simply need to know what trends are happening to profit from their transactions. If you own stocks, you must either let a financial expert manage them or stay knowledgeable about where they stand. In real estate investing, you can choose to be much more involved with the assets you own. For example, if you own an Airbnb property, you can manage the property yourself. If not, you will need to hire a property manager. If you flip houses, then you can save money on labor by doing lots of the upgrade work with your own hands. Although there are hands-off options, such as REITs, you can invest in a sector that lets you get your hands dirty.
Real Estate Can Strengthen A Diverse Financial Portfolio
Whether you are worried about your long-term future or you simply want more financial freedom today, investing is the key to earning more money. The real estate sector offers many opportunities to take advantage of natural property appreciation, diversify your assets with various options, scale your portfolio for greater income, and become actively involved in your assets. Whether you start small with REITs or buy entire rental complexes with large-scale loans, real estate can be the solution your financial portfolio needs for greater wealth generation.