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Real estate investing is a topic that many people wonder about. The earning potential of a smart investor is extremely high, because unlike nearly every other type of investment, real estate does not typically decrease in value. When you are looking for a way to ensure your security for the future, or to build a retirement portfolio, real estate is a good vehicle to use. Here are some things that you might want to know about real estate investing'

- Work with a mortgage broker. When you are considering financing options for the purchase of your investment property, contact a mortgage broker to see if he can help you to find financing that is the most advantageous for you. Shop around, and talk to several different brokers to get a feel for experience and access.

- Don't pass over properties that you may be able to resell to other investors. Sometimes it is a good idea to purchase a property that is an excellent value simply because it is a property that is attractive to other investors. Keep in mind that when you purchase a property that is not what you are looking for or one that requires extensive work, it may end up being a long term investment. However, when someone who specializes in rehabbing comes along you are likely to make a substantial commission on the sale.

- Research potential properties before purchasing them. When buying a rental property, there are several key features that you should be looking for. The first is sustainability. Is the property in solid condition and is it going to stay that way with minimal upkeep? The second is the location. Yes, location is extremely important for most rental properties. You need to ensure that your tenants can get to where they need to go and that the property is near commonly used retailers and service providers. The third is the average income of the area. This is different from physical location, because you should keep in mind that a high rent area is definitely a better location than a low rent area. And, in high rent areas location is often less of a concern than in low rent areas.

- Start by purchasing a home of your own. If you are not already a homeowner, it is probably a good idea to purchase a home before you purchase an investment property. There are several reasons, but perhaps the most important is that you will learn the process of purchasing a property by actually buying one. It is not unusual for investors to turn their first home into their first investment property, because the property and the market become familiar entities.

- Let potential home sellers know you're looking to buy. One way to find hidden investment properties is to distribute flyers around a neighborhood in which you would like to buy. Consider having someone drop them door to door. A thousand flyers will only cost you around fifty dollars, and you never know who might give you a call to discuss or point you in the direction of a property. And, much like business cards, you never know who is going to see your contact information. This is an excellent outreach technique when you would like to get your name out there and to find properties that meet your criteria.

- Consider living in your own rental property. A good strategy to consider when you are looking to purchase an investment property is purchasing a multi-unit property and becoming an occupant. The advantages include low cost living, because the other rents coming in should cover a good portion of the mortgage payments, higher deductions at the end of the year and the ability to stay current on maintenance.

- Find a great attorney. Before you become involved in the purchase of an investment property, you should form a relationship with a real estate attorney who is familiar with situations similar to yours. This is especially true if you are attempting to purchase a property with non-conventional financing, because an attorney will help you to ensure that you are making good decisions in terms of your investment.

- Know exactly what you're getting in to. If you are considering purchasing a rental property with existing tenants, it is imperative that you have access to all tenant records prior to signing a purchase agreement. Otherwise, you may be inheriting another landlord's problem. Keep in mind that you will most likely not be able to increase the rent amounts after purchasing an occupied property for at least the duration of the existing lease.

Hopefully, the information presented here has given you new insight into the world of real estate investing. Our intention is that you can now take this information and put it into play in your own investment plan. Careful planning is the first step to financial freedom, and real estate is an excellent vehicle for carrying out the plan.