What is the first thing you need to know about investing in real estate?
456449
The 3 most important things in buying real estate are: Location, location and location.  It is the mantra of real estate investing.  Real Estate appreciates much better in an area where there will be growth in housing and business.  Older areas that are going decline may look cheap, but could get cheaper as time goes by.
266542
only invest in r.e. markets with which you are persoannly familiar ie:live there-otherwise choose a reit that invests in your area of interest.
790075
Rarely do prices in real estate drop.  Thats why they call it an investment.  The best time to buy is when interest rates are low.
426595
Try these method with confidence interval 95%:\n50% private own business / open your own business or joint venture\n30% realestate, stock, and bond\n20% insurance and bank\n\nthis may lower the risk of your investment. Bank in US has very low interest compared to other developing countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, etc. The interest rate may reach up to 14% per annum. if you like bank and or insurance, try to invest to developing countries. Low risk and better interest.\n\nSamething as realestate, in developing countries you can have very large properties from the same amount you spent in US and the value growth almost 2 times faster tahn US. You may shock what you get from your money in other developing countries. \n\nAbout opening new business, you better seek advise from your relatives and friend. I don't know anything about you and your desire. Sorry
489396
You need a business plan.  Investors and lenders will want to know how you intend to make money.  They will want to see all the details, from where you will be located, how much rent you will pay, how many employees you will have, how much will you pay them, how much will employee benefits and insurance cost, where will you get the raw materials for your widgets, how much will the raw materials cost, what are your projected sales, projected cost of goods sold, tax liabilities, interest expense, return on investement, marketing plan, etc.\n\nIf you can prepare a 5-year plan, working out all the details and showing that you know how you will make money and how much money based on projected sales, then people may have the confidence in you to invest.
1163039
Depending on the area that you live in, you can go into a real estate office and explain that you are looking at investing. Speak with friends and family members who you really trust because they maybe able to refer you to someone. They can give you some insight. Also when speaking with a realtor make for sure that they take the time to explain to you EVERYTHING. Once you sign the contract , there is no changing your mind. It is always good to speak with someone who has had many years in this field. There are so many people who have built homes and are turning around and selling them but, aren't experts in the field of real estate. That is only one area of it. Good luck and I hope that this helps
599470
I THINK THE BEST WAY IS TO HAVE YOUR OWN WEBSITE SHOWING PHOTOS OF THE REAL ESTATE YOU HAVE FOR SALE, GIVING ALL THE INFORMATION, WITH THE BEST DESCRIPTIONS YOU CAN GIVE REGARDING THE PROPERTY, PRICE, LOCATION, ETC. ALSO, I WOULD SUGGEST ADVERTISING IT IN THE NEW YORK TIMES. PUT YOUR WEBSITE ADDRESS, MAYBE  A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE REAL ESTATE OR LOCATION AT THE VERY LEAST, AND/OR A PHONE NUMBER.
1141616
get into real estate business. get details of properties of people who u think or kow will require and then get the sell it to them for commssion. u dont need much of an investment in this, just the time and efforts. even if you get one deal in 2 to 3 months it is good enough. try your luck and all the best
413869
"your first year in real estate" is good
19568
http://finance.yahoo.com/education/real_estate \n\nthat should help :)
1067100
I started many businesses for over 5 yrs now, internet and mailorder. I even owned real estate twice, from a Will Trust, and No Money Down Deal. Now, I sold the Will RE and I lost the RE from a bad broker deal, that went foreclosed.  Business is still going after many failures.  But here is my advice.  You can make real estate a good business with DD research and know that its better to buy RE and sit on it, instead of waiting to purchase later.  While it goes up in value, you can always borrow against it for future purchases or for a new business enitity.\n\nAfter my last failed RE deal.  I vowed to learn how to make the type of money from my business first, then I can buy what RE, multiple types...land, Mobile Homes, Condos, Farms, Family Res, etc. and make it worth my time, with much DD effort.  But whatever you decide, make sure it is your passion.  You would have to love doing it, and always fine tune it, to keep it growing.  Learn from your mistakes and never give up with your business.\n\nI have just crossed the path that I set my goal for, and that was to make in the range of $3-5k per month from the internet.  Now I am researching properties in certain areas that I would like to buy.  It took awhile, but I made that first goal successful. Now my next part is the RE of my choice.  It will become easier now, working with a RE management co. to take care of my RE needs as I purchase what I want to rent. So Good Luck and get your feet wet. I am sure you will do just fine.
732954
You ought to go into business for yourself. Create a real estate investment company or try your hand at brokerage.
481897
have knowledge. It also helps to join a professional association and take some real estate course and/or get your license.
522881
I know that in my town, I belong to a Real Estate investors group. SOme of us do fixer uppers and some provide loan money. Look in your local newspaper for meetings or groups.\nIt is always a good idea to build a network of people that invest in Real Estate.\n\nMy lenders will only loan if there is a 50% equity position and the loans are for about 12%, but if you are flipping them, the rate is somewhat irrelevant within reason.
1118954
you might want to get your real estate license first this will help you understand your local market better and the more you know the less risk you will have when making investment decisions. look at the city and state tax repossessed homes that will be a good place to start. i don't know where you live but if it is on the coast or the gulf this ship has sailed for a while but if you are in the middle somewhere you can still turn a profit. look for run down places that look deserted look for land on the out skirts if the good side of town this is a great place to invest for the long term.
716153
Am I missing the rest of this question?\n\nWell, either way there is a lot to know about this aspect of real estate.  Are you in foreclosure?  Do you want to invest in a foreclosure?  HMMMMmmmm.\n\nHere's another helpful site:\nforeclosure.com\n\nGood luck Mr. Mystery Foreclosure
832085
Congratulations on venturing out on your own!\n\n1st - don't quit your day job.  Try to get a job in the industry that you want to have your own business, and get out there and make contacts.  \n\n2nd - take a class in business management at the local community college.  And take a class in realestate investment (you may not be investing but you want to know the mindset of your clients - they invest in the property only to rent it out)\n\n3rd - keep tight financial records - including how much of your home you use for a home office, how much phone time, etc.  At the end of the year you can write this off - provided that you have obtained a business license.  I would consult a professional tax prep for this, and do not wait until the last minute.\n\n4th - don't skimp on advertising or promoting your company (I am not saying take out a full page full color advertisement - but do go for a higher end business card or brochure).  You want to look like you are already successful - bees don't flock to a flowerless plant.\n\n5th - understand that you will make mistakes, learn from them and go on.\n\nGood Luck!