Property is an increasingly valuable asset no matter where you live, making real estate investment more popular than ever. While it can be a big commitment, investing in real estate is quite accessible and affordable depending on the level of involvement you are interested in. It doesn’t require being an expert in the stock market, but there are many real estate investment opportunities available.
Here are some of the simplest ways to invest in real estate today:
Buying and owning property is one of the best investments you can make. The more time and energy you spend in improving and upgrading that property over time, the more potential value you can add to it. In some highly desirable areas, even just simple upkeep of your property can be enough to keep its value climbing. If you own your home, investing can benefit you in the short term just as much as in the long term: by upgrading your living space, you’re improving your own quality of life and adding value. Renovation, replacement and updating of key features in the home are popular ways to invest.
Owning rental property will generate income and give you a great asset to maintain and develop. If you have great DIY skills and will manage tenants, rental investment can be incredibly lucrative and easy. One very common way to generate rental income is by purchasing a multi-unit property and living in one unit yourself. By renting out the others, you can easily cover your own bills and create extra pocket money for yourself. This also means you are close by if any issues arise — if you own the property, it’s your responsibility, even if somebody else is living in it. Therefore, a willingness to do maintenance work yourself is crucial, otherwise you might spend all of your would-be profits hiring outside help when something needs fixing or updating.
Flipping a house means purchasing a low-value property and improving it intending to sell at a profit. It’s a shorter-term strategy, which requires all the upgrades to be done quickly and within budget. When successful, flipping can be incredibly profitable. However, it requires significant knowledge of the real estate market and considerable capital to to cover any losses if you can’t sell the property quickly enough. Working with a real estate agent or anybody with industry savvy is key to making flipping homes a worthy investment.
For people who want to invest with no handiwork, investing through an online real estate investment platform might be a good fit. These online platforms connect investors to companies or specific projects so that individuals can pool their money to invest in larger commercial or residential deals all over the world. Compared to purchasing a property, it requires less startup capital, but you’ll only be buying a portion of the profits. This can be a risky but easy way to invest, especially since you can diversify your investments across multiple properties or projects no matter where they are.
Investing in real estate is unique because it provides many different ways to participate. However, as with any investment, make sure you carefully consider the risks involved in order to determine which type is right for you.
I am a real estate broker, property manager, and investor, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. To each client, I bring close to a decade of experience in real estate, first as a real estate investor, then manager, and now love to share my experience and knowledge with property buyers and sellers as a real estate broker. Since attending the University of Michigan in 2005, I have lived in Ann Arbor ever since. My exceptional knowledge of the market as an investor and property manager provides a unique perspective and competitive advantage to my clients for selling and buying both residential and investment properties.
I have successfully managed investment properties in Ypsilanti and Kalamazoo and have conducted real estate transactions throughout southeast Michigan. Whether clients are looking for their first home, vacation homes, or the home of their dreams, I will be able to stay on top of the process, remove obstacles and make the real estate deals as pleasurable as possible. I enjoy working with people and finding ways to share a laugh or two in the process. I take pride in being available to my clients and being responsive to their needs.
In addition to my residential property expertise, and my multicultural background, I am capable of working with international investors and home buyers to make their international property purchases smoother and trouble-free. If you are interested in the acquisition of investment homes for your children while they attend the University of Michigan, as a property manager, investor, and broker, I will be able to help you make that reality come true.
I graduated from the University of Michigan and own and operate several businesses in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. In addition to my real estate experience, I am also a technology enthusiast and am always on the hunt to use technology and media to enhance the buying and selling experience.
If you are looking to make your first home purchase, or are trying to sell your home, give me a call and I can guide you through the services that I can offer you to help you start along the journey. I take great pride in my work and it would be an honor for me to represent you and your needs.
Yours truly, Vincent Zhang