Real Estate Investing Dangers – Warning!

Unfortunately, many investors get very excited about the notion of becoming extremely wealthy through real estate investing in a specific market. They assume because they live in the city, they know the market well, where they assume that real estate investing – like using techniques known as “house flipping - is a simple procedure that anyone can do and get incredible amounts of money for. Unfortunately, some real estate investors move from another successful job or business into real estate investing and make a number of mistakes that can cost them dearly. This leads investors into multiple foreclosures, and even bankruptcy.

A recent article in the San Francisco Chronicle points out that speculators who enter the market hoping for real estate investing miracles with no real plan for profitability have contributed to the Bay Area's subprime loan woes. In many cases, these investors bought properties casually and without careful forethought, buying frequently and often with no money down. They were speculating that the prices would continue to rise, giving them an instant classic. However, when the markets began to drag and the prices went downward, keeping up with mortgages on multiple properties and dealing with properties that have no buyers resulted in foreclosures.

As the San Francisco Chronicle article points out, a key problem for real estate investors is lack of solid real estate investing knowledge. Many investors assumed that they knew what they were doing or assumed that multiple properties without the capital to back them was acceptable. When the market was good, even investors with less investment savvy made money. When the market started to struggle, however, these investors did not have the real know-how to make their real estate investing business work.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the other problem that many of these investors encountered occurred because they tried to succeed on their own. Many of these investors simply snapped up properties on their own when the market was good, without developing a good business team or network. Successful investors – those who are still house flipping for good profits in a difficult economy – have teams and networks that help them. You should, too.

Others can help you find the best real estate investing bargains, financing, renovation materials, and more – everything you need to make your real estate business a success story.

One place where teams are important is at the buying stage, for example.

Every property you buy must be carefully looked over by a professional you trust. Just because the property is at a bargain price, that does not make it a bargain. That's why you should have an assessor look over the property to tell you the true market value of the home, and you should have an inspector look the property over for hidden problems such as buried oil tanks, asbestos, lead paint, and other common problems that are not apparent even to the experienced real estate professional.

Although the San Francisco Chronicle article does not mention it, some savvy investors do question the role television plays in misinforming new investors. Current reality shows sometimes make flipping seem very easy. Smart investors know that real estate investment is simply not what you see in television. Like any business, real estate investing takes know-how, research, and work.

If you're determined to make a fortune investing in real estate by flipping or buying distressed properties and reselling them a profit, the first step often begins with choosing the right type of property. While television shows may suggest that the real work and the real profitability comes after the initial purchase, when bathrooms can be cleaned out, yards can be redone, and living rooms can be redecorated, the reality is that successful real estate buys begin with a bargain. You simply will not make as much money on a real estate deal if you pay too much for the house up front.

House flipping begins not with selling for a profit, but with buying for a profit. This is called “value investing”, and anyone looking to begin investing in real estate to make lots of money and create monstrous wealth should keep this in mind.

After all, the more money you can save on a quality home in a good neighborhood, the more profit you stand to make eventually. In fact, if you buy the right property you may not need to put up with the hassle of renovating, upgrading, and otherwise making over a home. An investor or even homebuyer may be willing to buy a property from you as is after you've found a great deal. You can literally make tens of thousands of dollars on the deal without putting a sent into the property itself.