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.

First a little story about buying investment property.

My wife and I stayed at a motel in Tucson for a week one winter. Our bill was for twice what it should have been, but since I already paid the correct amount in cash, I thought nothing of it. During our stay, we noticed that the lobby and swimming pool were unheated, and passed it off as frugality. A year later, however, when I read a news story about a new owner struggling to make the motel work, I realized what was really going on.

To prepare the motel for sale, the owner had been using the two most basic ways to inflate the appraised value: decrease expenses and increase reported income. Stopping repairs, turning down the heat, and quietly adding $100 in income to the books every day, might have increased the net income for the year by $45,000 more. With a .08 capitalization rate, that means the appraisal would come in $562,000 higher than it should have. Imagine the the poor guy who overpaid!

To avoid a mistake like this when buying investment property, you need to watch for tricks like these. You also need to understand the basics of appraising income property.

Valuation of income properties start with the capitalization rate, or “cap rate.” When investors in an area expect a return of 8% on assets, the cap rate is .08. The net income before debt service is divided by this to arrive at the value of a property. This is expleained further in another article, but the primary point to remember is that every dollar of extra income shown will increase the appraised value by $12.50 with a cap rate of .08 (Or, for example, by $10, if the cap rate is .10).

Avoid Dirty Tricks When Buying Investment Property

When sellers of income properties increase the net income by honest means, the property should sell for more. However, there are many dishonest ways, both legal and fraudulent, that are sometimes used. Sellers of houses may cover foundation cracks with plaster, but the tricks used by sellers of income properties aren’t about appearance. These tricks are about income and expenses.

One way income can be inflated, is by showing you the “pro forma,” or projected income, instead of the actual rents collected. Demand the actual figures, and check to see that none of the apartments listed as occupied are actually vacant. See if any of the income is from one time events, like the sale of something.

The income from vending machines is a gray area. Many smart investors subtract this from the net income before applying the cap rate, then add back the value of the machines themselves. For example, if laundry machines make $6,000, that would add $75,000 to the appraised value (.08 cap rate), if you included it. However, since they are easily replaceable, adding the $10,000 replacement cost instead makes more sense.

The other important tricks sellers play involve hiding expenses. These can include paying for repairs off the books, or just avoiding necessary repairs for a year. This can dramatically increase the net income, meaning you pay more for the property. It also means you have less income than expected, and deferred maintenance to catch up on.

Ask for an accounting of all expenditures. If a number in an expense category is suspicious, replace it with your own best guess. Then re-figure the net income.

Look at each of the following, verifying the figures as much as possible, and substituting your own guesses if they are too suspect: vacancy rates, advertising, cleaning, maintenance, repairs, management fees, supplies, taxes, insurance, utilities, commissions, legal fees and any other expenses. Do your homework, and avoid seller’s tricks when buying investment property.

A common mistake that most first time investors make is assuming that foreclosure investing is a simple way to invest money and make an easy quick return. The truth of the matter is like with any investment foreclosure investing requires proper research and preparation. Though foreclosure investing can play in an investors favor by providing substantial returns it can also back fire and leave an investor in the pits if he or she choose to enter the market uneducated and unprepared.

There are three main reasons a home will become foreclosed on:

The first reason is the ever rising rates in this drowning real estate market of modern time. Home Buyers find themselves in extremely difficult financial situations causing them to default on their loan arrangements and eventually they are forced to  foreclose on their property or properties.

The second reason is the Dissolution of Marriage. We all know that most couples separate due to financial distress in the marriage. One party moves out leaving they other suffering to meet the obligations of the expenses each month. Eventually, the resolution is lowering expenses, therefore foreclosing on property.  The third reason is the failing of a business venture. Yes, you read correctly. The failing of a business venture. This is usually a result of an investor unaware and unprepared.

The first step to take in getting started in foreclosure investing is obviously educating yourself. It is important to insure that the information you are studying is state specific. Of course, the laws and regulation in Real Estate changes per state. It would be unreliable to study information that does not pertain to the state in which you wish to begin your foreclosure investing venture.  Once an investor has become educated about the Real Estate market and foreclosure investing he or she is ready to move on to the next step locating a Foreclosure data provider. Real Estate Agents, Investors, Brokers all seek the assistance of Foreclosure data providers in order to get up to date listings of homes in the foreclosure process.

There are three primary key qualifications an investor should seek when choosing a Foreclosure data provider:  The first key is to insure that the information you receive from a Foreclosure data provider is first hand. This information should not be purchased from a third party. Your provider should be gathering this information independently.

The second key is being able to count on your provider. Your Foreclosure data provider should always be able to answer your questions and reply to demands in a timely manner.

The third key is not to choose a competing Foreclosure data provider. You don’t want to have to rely on your information with someone you are also competing with. In most cases, a competing Foreclosure data provider will give you the remainders of what is left after choosing the best for himself.

Now that an Investor has become educated and found a reliable Foreclosure data provider he or she is ready to begin working with home buyers whom are in foreclosure to stop foreclosure proceedings or to find suitable foreclosed property to invest in.

Nevertheless, foreclosure investing is a very big step. It will take time and effort but an educated investor is a smart investor.