How To Get Started In The Real Estate Business

Reintegrating into society can be tough for anyone in any situation. It’s something that many people struggle with from exiting jail or prison, returning from deployment, coming back from extended international work, and more. This time is filled with a lot of questions, but a big one is usually centered around work and income. One possible professional avenue you could explore is real estate.

If you are thinking of getting started in the real estate business, then you are probably wondering what your options are. Especially as the real estate industry has had more time in the spotlight on televisions and on podcasts, many people are wondering more and more about the basics of the industry. So is getting into real estate the right option for you? Well, there are a lot of different factors to consider, but if you’re thinking about getting into the industry and want some more information, keep reading! If you follow the tips below you can find the right opportunities and protect yourself from the downsides of the process:

Getting the Capital to Get Started

There are many ways to get the capital you need in order to get your real estate business off of the ground. You can ask your friends and family for a loan or you can try to get a loan from a credible lending company. Be aware that your credit score affects the interest rates for the loan, which Low VA Rates says are set on a daily basis by each individual bank or lender. If a personal loan isn’t for you, look into crowdfunding or find investors.

Shopping the Right Property

To get started in the industry, you’re probably going to want to start small with something cheaper. If you are looking to get a smaller or cheaper property or even a more expensive property, the first thing you need to do is have the right shopping strategy. Decide early on if you would rather do house flipping, commercial, or residential. The process and method for each of these are slightly different. You might be tempted to go the house flipping route since it’s been trending as of late. For example, Real Estate Elevated explains, “in the last few decades, flipping houses has become a popular way to earn money, both as supplemental income, and as a primary occupation.” However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t other options out there.

Getting training and apprenticing at a local real estate office can be a wonderful opportunity to get your foot in the door of the industry. You could also contact commercial investors and real estate experts and see if they will allow you to shadow them for a couple hours up to a couple days. This is great because it allows you to be more than just what it says on your resume or on your legal record. You are able to connect with people in the industry as a person, and be treated as such. This will also allow you to find areas that are under market value, so you can know the best locations to invest in.

Liability

There are a lot of contracts and legal issues associated with buying real estate. Which might cause you to start stressing, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Doing your research and knowing what problems usually come up is a great way to avoid early mistakes. All of that being said, the last thing you want is to have a legal battle on your hands. Make sure you consult a lawyer and have protections in place, so you aren’t putting your future at risk in any way with your real estate empire. This includes ensuring that your building is safe for the people who occupy it. If your building isn’t up to code, then people are more likely to get injured on the property—leading to personal injury lawsuits and workers comp claims. Hiring an experienced lawyer can also save you a lot of headache in the future as your business expands and things begin to get more complicated.

Marketing

No real estate mission is complete without the proper marketing. Once you have found the property you want, you need to keep up with marketing tactics. Leverage social media to get eyeballs on the property so you can flip it or rent it out. According to AdWeek, “69% of real estate professionals use Facebook because it works.” Even having the right kind of imagery helps in making the property seem more valuable so you can get better loans from the bank. Go through an address verification so that you can send newsletters to neighborhoods and other areas. Do all that you can to reach out to potential clients and others looking to buy or sell real estate.

Residential vs. Commercial

There is the age-old debate of residential vs. commercial. This is key because you need to know if you want to sell to businesses or consumers. Look at your past experience and sales record and make the choice that aligns with your personality.

Commercial real estate can be more high pressure, but higher reward sector. Residential, on the other hand, is a little more stable and consistent. No matter what choice you make, you need a specific timeline in mind. You don’t want to spend years flipping a house if you only have one buyer. On the other hand, a business property could take longer but make more money in one lump sum, or make more money over time. However, as explained by SmartAsset, “a steady cash flow doesn’t come without a price, however. Managing a commercial property investment typically isn’t a one-person show. You’ll likely need to hire a professional property manager to find and vet tenants, coordinate the signing of lease agreements and oversee matters on a day-to-day basis.”

Real estate can be one of the more difficult industries to get into. It can be a bit more accepting of those who have a criminal record, which is why it may be a good option for those who are in that or similar situations. If you feel like you’d do well in the field and you have the right mindset and tools when you start, you can increase your chances of success. Protect yourself, maximize your profits, and be smart about your options with the tips above. Then, you can relax as your passive income begins to mount up.

Here are a couple more articles about jobs, and work that might help you out in your journey:

• • How to Create a LinkedIn Profile That Says “Hire Me!”

• • Resume Tips for Job Search Success in 2018

• 3 Career Pivots You Can Make After Serving Time for a Conviction