How to Make Your First Successful Residential Property Investment

A lot of people are making real money with their residential property investment portfolios.

While the concept can be daunting to new investors, the key to making money is simple.

And who doesn’t want to make money?!

You may already know just how simple it is, but if you haven’t, here is a quick guide along with some helpful tips.

A lot more than luck is required to make good investments of any kind. Really, with any investment the more you know the better you’ll do. With that in mind, you can study up on the basics of residential property investment. Nothing is more valuable than money, and the best way to protect and increase yours is with a solid strategy.

If you’ve done your homework and are ready to take the next step, then that means you’re going to be viewing a lot of residential investment properties. The number one mistake first-time investors make is buying into the hype of so-called hot properties, and overseas properties are all the hype right now. Sure, having the ocean in your backyard sounds nice, but that’s for tourists not for property investors.

For some new investors, the prospect of making their first residential property investment is overwhelmingly exciting while others feel only anxiety or fear. Both feelings are normal but letting your excitement override your good sense can prevent you from making the best investments, and letting fear hold you back can keep you from ever getting started.

Begin by considering the following questions:

· What are you really looking to accomplish?
· What type of long-term goals have you set?
· What are your expectations?
· What type of finance options do you have available?

Is Income or Capital growth, more important to you? Or perhaps both?

When buying and selling investment property, each investor will have their own goals and strategies. Regardless, many still fall for typical sales lines and enticing new deal offers over and over again. The best advice for new investors would be to start by determining and focussing on their investment property strategy goals. The following four basic options to property investments are:
1. Flipping Property - In order to profit from the sale.
2. Buying Development Land.
3. Invest in “Income Generating Property” in the “Buy-to-Let” and “Commercial Property” markets.
4. Invest in Property Development Companies.

Once you have decided which investment property strategy is best for your specific situation and goals keep the following business factors in mind: Consulting with most Professionals may seem like a good idea. Just remember that you should see your solicitor for legal advice, your bank manager for financial advice, your accountant for tax advice and your local real estate agent for actual property investment advice and also for any tips on where to find some of the better investments. Use professionals specifically in their areas of expertise only.

Lastly, beware of the media and incorrect and often misleading information. Stay on top of the property market by following top sources only.