What is the primary reason for success most people have that seems to elude unsuccessful people? Goal setting is the primary reason for success. Lack of proper planning is the number one reason for failure. Proper goal setting involves setting a business plan in place for your life. Too many people this doesn’t sound fun or sounds tedious. In practice though, goal setters have more time freedom, more money, and more success in all areas of their lives than those who don’t. Well it’s no different with real estate investing.

Real Estate Investing must be treated as a business and it requires planning that anyone can do. Much like an airplane pilot who goes through a pre-flight checklist, the real estate investor must go through many steps for every real estate deal. You must market to find the deal, do your research on the property to establish a value, have your contracts ready, make your offer, schedule a closing, have title work done, prepare your financing, get property insurance, etc. The reason the doers make money is because so many people aren’t ready to make money. Real estate investing seems like pie in the sky until you put your plan down on paper and it starts to crystallize. The planning process itself should give you renewed energy.

Before I daily setup my plan I didn’t want to get out of bed each day, but now I get up ready to work on knocking out my plan every day. Set your plan up into baby steps that you can review and knock out every single day. Your daily plan must include marketing to get motivated sellers to contact you. Regardless of the deals you have in the works, if your marketing stops, you will go through long dry spells. Even with consistent marketing you will have periods with few leads and periods where you are just swamped with sellers offering you great deals.

Constant daily review of your goals is critical. This is why so many suggest taping your goals on your bathroom mirror so you see it when you wake up and again before you go to bed. You can even buy giant poster sized post it notes that you can write your goals on and stick them on your wall. Reviewing your goals before going to sleep at night causes your brain to dream about your goals and program them into memory. So put your goals down on paper and start putting your real estate investing plan into action.

Finding the right rental property is certainly one of the keys to succeeding with investment rental property. Below is a guide to help you get started in finding the right property that will help you to generate additional income.

First, consider whether you want to look for rental property on your own or whether you wish to use a broker to assist you in the process. There are certainly many advantages to working with a reputable broker when you are looking for investment property. In many cases, brokers may know of properties which have just come on the market and which may not have been noticed by others yet. A broker is also usually well versed about the local neighborhood, which can be important if you are not from that area.
Before you actually begin looking at prospective properties, make sure that you have gone through your finances and have them in order. Ideally, you should check your credit report several months before you plan to make a purchase in order to be certain that there are not any inaccuracies which could prevent you from obtaining a mortgage for the purchase of your investment property. Be sure to check with all three credit reporting bureaus, not just one, to get a clear picture of your credit standing. Assuring that your credit is in order can also help you to obtain a more favorable interest rate.

It is also important to do your research about the local market so that you do not overpay for the property you ultimately purchase. When you do purchase a piece of investment property, you need to make sure that the deal you strike allows sufficient room for a profit margin just in case there are times when you do not have a full occupancy.

Carefully consider both the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing a property that could be labeled as a fixer-upper. While you very well may be able to purchase the property for less money than other properties, you may very well find that you have purchased a money pit. In the event that a lot of major repairs and renovations are required, this can equate to a large investment of both time and money. In this case, it would be better to pay more for a property that requires less attention.

Before you purchase any property, take the time to have it inspected. Even if you have inspected the property on your own, you should still have a professional go over the property to be certain that the electrical wiring meets code, there is no lead in the paint and that overall, the property is safe. An inspection can sometimes turn up problems which you might not notice but which could ultimately cost thousands of dollars to correct. You will typically be required to pay for the inspection; however, it is a wise investment that could save you quite a bit of time and money.

Take the time as well to research the local real estate market and the neighborhood. Check with the local police department to find out whether the area is safe and if you will need to provide any additional security. Drop by city hall to determine whether there are any plans for the local area that could potentially lower the value of the property. Research the real estate market in the area to find out the condition of prices. If prices have gone down recently, this could be an indication that rents will also be low. On the other hand, if home prices in the area are high, this could indicate the area is in demand that you may be able to charger higher rents.

Finally, do not make the mistake of ’settling’ for a property simply because you are in a rush to invest in rental property. This could result in an investment that will require you to spend more time and/or money than you originally planned and detract from your profit margin.

An example of creative real estate investment? When I was young, I had a job that paid $3.40 an hour, and I somehow saved enough to buy my first piece of real estate - 2 acres near where I lived. It cost $3,500.

I spent a few hours removing brush, outlined a driveway with logs, and hand painted a sign. Two weeks after I bought it I sold the land for $4,750, with $250 down, $100 per month, at 11% interest. With the capital gain, my annual return on investment was over 20%. This was my first real estate investment.

Creative Real Estate Investment - The Key

I bought the land cheap, because the seller needed fast cash. I solved his problem. I sold the land higher than the market value because the buyer needed easy terms. Second problem solved. Solving problems is the key to  creative real estate investment.

Cell phone companies, radio stations, police departments and others need hill tops for their towers. The problem is that they can’t tie up their capital buying them. One creative investor found a way to solve their problem.

He got six month options on hill top properties for a few hundred dollars. Then, when he found those who needed them, he would get a long term lease signed. They built the tower themselves, of course. With a lease in hand, it was easy to get financing to exercise the option and buy the properties. He invested a few hundred dollars to create years of income.

Trees are needed by lumber mills. A friend of mine solved this problem by letting a company cut half the trees on his small property. They paid $4,500, and I couldn’t see the difference when they were done. The property was worth as much the day after the cut as the day before. My friend lived there, but a creative investor could buy property like his, sell half the trees, maybe clay or gravel too, and then re-sell the land.

To solve problems, you have to figure out what they are. Do people need easy terms? Cleared lots? Lumber? Better access to a piece of property? Smaller pieces of land? Condos instead of apartments? The list could go on. Just remember that solving problems is the key to creative real estate investment.

Many people are wondering what real estate investing is all about. Even if you’re a small real estate investor, you will still have high earning potential. If you compare the earning potential in the real estate business to other types of investments, the value of real estate properties don’t decrease in terms of value. If you want to secure your future and perhaps build your very own retirement portfolio, you should consider real estate investing.

Here are smart tips for you to become a small real estate investor:

1. Try to find a mortgage broker. There are many mortgage brokers out there. Some are successful in their chosen profession but there are also those who are not that knowledgeable. You should try to compare several mortgage brokers in your area. Talk to them and see that they can share to you. You can learn so much from their past experiences, whether failure or success.

2. Don’t just get rid of your investment properties without considering the consequences of such decision. You can resell some investment properties to other real estate investors. Why don’t you try to purchase a certain property which is also attractive to your fellow investors? If you purchase a property that doesn’t meet your expectations, needs, or wants, you may end up doing a lot of work or it may turn into a long term real estate investment. You can get high commissions if you purchase properties that are also of much interest to others.

3. Before you make any purchase, you should first research about its potential earning properties.  For example, you’re purchasing a property that you plan to rent out. Sustainability is a key factor in choosing among rental properties. Try to check if the rental property requires minimal upkeep and if it’s in firm condition. Location is another key factor because the property should be situated near service providers and retailers. What is the area’s average income? You should choose an area where average rent is high because a low-rent area will also give you low income.

4. Do you have your own home? If you want to become a successful real estate investor, you should have your own home. By purchasing your very own property, you will learn about the purchase process. You will also become familiar with the market and property entities.

5. Distribute flyers if you plan to purchase properties. You can start in your own neighborhood or you can also do this in other places where you plan to purchase your real estate investment properties. Business cards are also very important. This is an excellent way to let home sellers know that you’re looking for properties. You will also be able to choose among several properties which meet your predetermined criteria.

6. If you plan to get rental properties, why not actually live there? By doing so, you can enjoy low-cost living because you’re earning income at the same time. You will also have higher deductions and not only that, you can stay current on the maintenance.

7. Find your own personal attorney. Get an attorney who is experienced in the real estate business.

Consider the following tips and soon you can become a smart real estate investor. Real estate investing is for everybody but since very few people become successful in it, you should learn about the many facets of the industry.

Real estate investing for beginners was never an easy task. There are numerous companies that sell properties for those who are just starting but the big question will depend on how trustworthy these companies are to help you sort out your goods. Can you entrust these companies with your money and pray that they won’t leave you bankrupt? If you are a beginner, here are five important tips you can follow. These tips will help you figuring out what to do and what to look for when considering the purchase of a specific property from individuals or companies.

Tip 1 – Background check
One of the most important things to look out for in a company is to check if they have a good background record.  Many of these companies sprung up just years ago therefore it is quite difficult to determine their status. However, not because certain companies are new in the industry doesn’t mean that it will hinder your attempt. Research on their status, search for testimonials, talk to those who have successfully made business with the company and ask of their performance. Above all, you have to check if the company’s financially sound and stable. You can asses for general information of the company through the web and other resources.

Tip 2 – Expect for Positive Cash Flow
There are companies involved in selling that are good in selling something that is already there. You have to keep an eye on companies like these. You have to know if the property being sold to you will bring profit each month or will it be just another headache. You have to demand concrete proof from the company. Don’t easily agree and sign on that contract just because of the promises of sales talk. Do your own research of the company and not ask for the person’s opinion about it. It is of utmost importance that your decision will depend on the diligence that you invest.

Tip 3 - Asses the area
Before agreeing on the deal, make sure that the area you are about to purchase is a good property. As a beginner, you have to stick to the areas that have good reputation. Areas that have the best reputations are those that don’t financially stack up and rents don’t cover the mortgage. Therefore you have to go with the properties having a very convenient site and figures just don’t stack up. You have to be very careful with individuals and companies wanting to sell properties in specific locations that aren’t fit for “safe” living. Some of these areas have histories of crime, death, drugs, etc. These properties are fine but for beginners, these pose risks. At the meantime, you have to say a big “NO” with these kinds of offers until you have fully developed yourself in estimating your experiences.

Tip 4 – Property affordability
Don’t just say yes because you loved the property, it’s unwise. You have to consider first if it’s affordable. There are companies who specialize in making people want to buy their offer, especially for the beginners. Some companies or individuals will deceive you into thinking that what you are purchasing has no strings attached but then again you will finally realize that you have paid for a nice piece of property that you cannot afford.

Companies and some individuals have their way of luring beginners into a false bargain. Be particular with your decisions. Sometimes, these wonderful real estate investing offers can turn out into worst case scenarios.