Forbes: What Everyone Should Know Before Investing In Real Estate

Real estate is a tricky business with a lot of ins and outs that can be difficult to navigate. Getting informed is the key to battling information overload and fatigue. We wanted to know more about what first-time investors should consider when looking for properties to put money into.

We asked members of the Forbes Real Estate Council for their best tips for investors setting out after their first deal. Consider this advice if you’re in the market for your first property investment.

1. Don’t Speculate 

All too often, I see first-time real estate investors speculating on a home or condo with an eye toward a price appreciation. My advice is for a first investment property to be one that generates cash flow. A good, stable, middle-class rental property is an example. By doing so, the investor limits their risk in a downturn. True real estate wealth is based on cash flow. – Blake Plumley, Capital Pursuits LLC

2. Don’t Over-Improve Your First Flip 

Investors need to reexamine the “Why?” of their first investment. Who is your target demo and what are their limitations? If you are improving for the purpose of renting, choose a simpler and replaceable finish (butcherblock counters and subway tile). If you are buying to resell, look at what is working best in the neighborhood where you sell and use it as guidance. – Courtney Poulos, ACME Real Estate

3. Dig Deep 

Take your best three available deals and compare them. Be realistic in costs, your expected return and holding timeframe. If there are existing leases on the property, read each one and make sure there are no requirements for the landlord to reinvest down the road or other obligations. Check the areas and go to city departments and make sure there are not any road changes or new developments. – Jill Szymanski, Bar Louie

4. Find an Expert 

Take your time and really understand the market. You don’t have the buy near your location, but you do need a trusted advisor that is local. Be careful, and don’t blindly trust the numbers. Verify with an advisor who doesn’t have a stake in the deal. Find a good property manager who can give you an unbiased assessment of the rent and the property. – Noel Christopher, Renters Warehouse

5. Keep Your Eyes Open 

Do it, but be prepared for the unforeseen costs involved. Rehab or not, there will always be upkeep on the property; city, and possibly county, taxes (with the occasional re-assessment); capital gains taxes; etc. Real estate is a great investment, just be sure you’re prepared for what you’re getting into. – David Bolinger,Premier Sotheby’s International Realty

6. Carefully Screen Tenants

Your property will only be as successful as the rent-paying tenants who sign the lease. The only way to legally find a qualified tenant is to utilize tenant screening resources. A credit report gives you a look into a renter’s bill-paying habits, a criminal report sheds light on a renter’s rule-abiding behavior and an eviction history report show if a renter has a court record of an eviction. – Nathan Miller, Rentec Direct

7. Establish Your Budget 

Always establish the amount of money that you are willing to pay before looking and deciding on the best place to buy. Sticking to a budget is key for an investment, and it can be easy to get carried away with emotional or aesthetic attachments when looking at homes or picking out details for the renovations. If possible, when choosing an investment, select somewhere near where you live so that you can easily keep an eye out and work on the property. You will also be very in tune with what is happening in the neighborhood and local property trends. – Beatrice de Jong, Open Listings (YC W15)

8. Value Your Time

If you go buy-and-hold, make sure you’re properly forecasting all the costs of managing a property. Many first-timers only check that the rent will cover their mortgage. But don’t forget about vacancy and maintenance costs. You’ll also spend 200+ hours per year managing the home, so consider hiring a technology-enabled property manager if you value your time at anything more than minimum wage. – Chuck Hattemer, Onerent

9. Know Your Exit Strategy

Are you looking to hold the property and rent it for positive cash flow, or are you seeking to fix and flip for a quick profit? If renting, understand the rental market. If flipping, check your rehab estimates and your after repair value (ARV). Can you still profit if costs are higher or the sales price is not the full ARV, if you need to drop the price for the property to sell? – Alex Hemani, ALNA Companies

10. Start Small

My best advice to first-time real estate investors is to start small. Make sure the mortgage payment is one that you could pay on your own in the event that a tenant stops paying rent. Find a property that is easy to manage and has low operating costs. – Hillary Legrain, First Savings Mortgage Corporation

11. Don’t Skip the Education Step

The most common mistake I see new investors make is to jump into investing without taking the time to get educated about what the best strategy is for them. This can lead to bad investments, lower returns and much higher risk. Which resource do you have more of, time or money? This will help you determine which type of deals to do. – DC Fawcett, DC Fawcett – Virtual Real Estate Investing Club

12. Distinguish Between Income And Future Value

Many first-time investors learn terms like cash-on-cash and CAP rate and based on these current figures decide if an investment is worthwhile or not. It is important to distinguish between immediate income and future value. Many properties are located in transforming neighborhoods that are currently showcasing lower returns but offer higher future returns for your money. Pay attention to the area. – Mor Zucker, Team Denver Homes – Kentwood Real Estate

13. Learn The Market

The most important thing a new investor can do is learn the market they want to invest in. Do not rely on a real estate agent, lender or friend to tell you what a good deal is. You need to know market values better than anyone because getting a great deal is the biggest advantage of real estate.  – Mark Ferguson, Blue Steel Real Estate

14. Don’t Go it Alone

Without question, connect! Aspiring investors are well advised to tap into the expertise of others who have successfully executed the kinds of deals they want to do. There are a number of ways to do this. Of course, local REIA groups are an invaluable resource. The key is local. We all know that real estate is local so focus on people with knowledge of your market. Consider not only going to REIA, but also volunteering. Plus, tech makes it easier than ever to connect. The right mentor or mastermind group can also put you lightyears ahead. Soak up as much knowledge as possible and whenever you can, pay it forward and return the favor. – Ross Hamilton, Connected Investors

15. Base Your Decision On The Cost To Buy And Upgrade

When you’re choosing a property to fix up and rent or resell, focus on the three most important factors: the cost to buy, the cost of improvements and how much you can sell or rent for after you renovate. A mediocre home in an up-and-coming neighborhood has the most potential for profit. Make your decision based on the potential for profit, not based on the home you’d personally like to live in. – Bobby Montagne, Walnut Street Finance

16. Ask If It’s A Good Investment

For apartment investments, don’t confuse where you would want to live with where you should invest. Don’t confuse where you would live personally with where you should invest in apartments. – Lee Kiser, Kiser Group

17. Keep Your Emotions In Check

I guess the expected answer from me would be to analyze a ton of data, but I think it’s even more important that you stick to your principles and don’t overbid just to get your first deal done. All the analysis in the world is meaningless if you get in a bidding war. Know when to pass, and keep searching for the right deal to set you up for future success. – Marc Rutzen, Enodo Inc