A Beginner's Guide to Getting Started with Real Estate Investing

You've decided to take the plunge and invest in real estate. We've put together this overview as a beginner's guide to real estate investing. Your main goal is to make your money work for you today to have increased cash in the future. The money you make in the future is called your profit, or return on investment.

That profit (or return) must be enough to cover the cost of:

  • Maintenance
  • Insurance
  • Property tax

Real estate investment is rewarding and can pave the way for your financial independence, but you need to understand the underlying factors that control your experience.

In this article we will cover the following topics:

  • 4 reasons to invest in real estate
  • Tax advantages
  • “Active vs. Passive” investing
  • Asset protection

Beginner's Guide to Real Estate: 4 Reasons to Invest in Real Estate

Real estate is a smart investment to build wealth because of the following factors:

  • Cash flow
  • Long-term appreciation
  • Diversification of investment portfolio

Cash flow

Real estate investing generates consistent cash flow. Cash flow is the net amount of cash moving in and out of an investment. Cash received is inflow, and money spent is outflow.

The ability to generate consistent cash flow is an appealing feature of real estate investing. Some examples that generate positive cash flow:

Real estate investment is versatile and profitable. Are you ready to start your journey to financial independence? If so, check out our "7 Real Estate Investment Strategies" as the first step to establishing your real estate empire.

Long-term appreciation

The investment property makes money for you in two ways: rents from tenants and appreciation.

Appreciation occurs when the price of your property becomes more valuable. In the United States, the national appreciation average is about 3.5 percent per year. When the time comes to sell (also called divesting) the property, you earn a lump sum return on your investment.

The lump-sum payment from the sale coupled with the rental income over the life of your investment makes real estate investing a high-performing asset in your investment portfolio.

Diversification of investment portfolio

Real estate investing is an integral part of a balanced portfolio. The economic forces at play in the stock markets exist in a different market from real estate investing. As a result, the volatility of the stock market does not directly affect real estate investment.

When compared to stocks and bonds, real estate investing is:

  • More consistent
  • Less volatile
  • Resists forces of inflation

The graph highlights the relative stability of real estate investments since the end of WW2.

Real estate is a limited physical asset. As a result, the property holds value by being scarce. As population increases and real estate availability decreases, land's value appreciates. Refer to the S&P/Case-Shiller U.S National Home Price Index to see the rise in the value of median home prices.

As you get ready to dive into the world of real estate investing, you will need to adjust your mindset. Read our "Four Ways To Develop A Real Estate Investing Mindset" as the first step in generating wealth from real estate investment.

Beginner's Guide to Real Estate: Tax Advantages of Real Estate Investing

Real estate investments can create tax advantages for you. The tax amount you pay is impacted by a variety of elements:

  • Return on investment
  • Length of investment
  • Type of investment

Accordingly, it’s important to discuss tax responsibility with your tax advisor for each of your investments.

In general, rental income and capital gains will be taxed eventually. However, you have the following tax benefits available to you as a real estate investor:

  • Deductions for mortgage interest, property tax, maintenance, and repairs
  • Up to 20% pass-through deduction from 2018’s Tax Cuts and Job Act (#2)
  • Lower long-term capital gains tax rate 
  • Depreciation tax break
  • 1031 exchange (useful for mobile home real estate investing)

Beginner's Guide to Real Estate: Active v. Passive Investing

You have two options when real estate investing: active or passive.

Active real estate investment means that you directly own the real estate. The benefit of being an active investor is that you have more control over the property. The amount of power you wield also opens you up to more responsibility and risk. Active investments require time, effort, and expertise for continued success. Passive real estate investment means providing the capital (cash) and letting professional investors handle the money for you. Investors usually leverage a fund and let you have less responsibility. While passive investors surrender some control, they gain more flexibility via REITs, mutual funds, and various real estate opportunities. In addition, passive real estate investing requires less expertise, effort, and management.

Beginner's Guide to Real Estate: Asset Protection

No matter how you choose to invest in real estate, you will want to mitigate your risk. Are you ready to make sure your real estate investing business is protected? Start with our investor quiz, and we'll help you find ways to protect your assets.

Things You Should Know About Real Estate Investing

Now that we’ve covered the basics of real estate investing, you’re ready to progress to the next step. To recap, here are the major things to know about real estate investing as a beginner.

#1 Real estate investing is profitable and stable.

#2 There are tons of tax breaks for real estate investors.

#3 Active and Passive real estate investments are both viable options.

Real estate investing is hot right now. It might be the right time for you to jump in on the market. If so, read our guide, “How To Start Real Estate Investing in Your 30s”.


Last Updated: 
September 1, 2021

Scott Royal Smith is an asset protection attorney and long-time real estate investor. He's on a mission to help fellow investors free their time, protect their assets, and create lasting wealth.

Learn How To Achieve Total Asset Protection While Growing Your Professional Network

Ready to know more than your attorney? Join our community platform where you'll get immediate FREE access to all our best educational resources for real estate investors. Including 8 Masterclasses, group mentoring replays, and much, much more.

ACCESS THE ROYAL VAULT

SIGN UP FOR OUR EMAILS

Join thousands of real estate investors in all 50 states as they enjoy exclusive content, special promotions, and behind-the-scenes access to me and my guests. No spam, ever. Just great stuff!

SUBSCRIBE

COMMUNITY NETWORKING

POSTS BY CATEGORY

Do you have asset protection questions? We can help!

GET A PRICE


© 2023 - Royal Legal Solutions