One of the basic principles of real estate investment lies in this fact: everyone needs a place to live. But there are other reasons why real estate is a great investment choice:
1. Appreciation
Appreciation is the increase in your property’s value over time. History has proven that over an extended period of time, the value of real estate continues to rise. That doesn’t mean recessions won’t occur. The real estate market is cyclical, and market ups and downs are natural. However, in the vast majority of markets, the value of real estate does grow over the long term.
2. Hedge Against Inflation
Inflation is the rate at which the general cost of goods and services rises. As inflation rises, prices go up. So the money you have in your bank account is essentially worthless because your purchasing power has decreased. Luckily, real estate prices also rise when inflation increases. That means any money you have invested in real estate will rise with (or often exceed) the rate of inflation.
3. Cash Flow
One of the big benefits of investing in real estate over the stock market is its ability to provide a monthly cash flow. If you choose to rent out your investment property to a tenant, you can expect to receive a rent payment each month. If you’ve invested wisely, the rent should cover your debt (i.e. mortgage payment), as well as any repairs and maintenance that are needed. Ideally, you will have some additional cash left over each month to supplement your income.
4. Leverage
Leverage is the use of borrowed capital to increase the potential return of an investment. That means you can put a small amount down, take out a mortgage to finance the remainder of your investment, and profit on the entire combined value. That’s the power of leverage!
5. Tax Advantages
One of the top reasons to invest in real estate is the tax benefit. There are many ways a real estate investment can save you money each year on taxes. Be sure to consult a tax professional, but if structured correctly, the profits you earn on your real estate investments can be largely shielded from liability. Just another reason to choose real estate as your preferred investment vehicle.
|