6 Skills Every Real Estate Investor Must Master To grow your wealth with real estate investing, you need to master several skills, but these six skills are crucial for your success.
By Xavier PRETERIT Edited by Chelsea Brown
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More and more people are becoming interested in investing in real estate because of the many advantages offered by this type of investment. Property is one of the most popular safe havens, especially in times of crisis. But investing in real estate cannot be done in just any way, especially for the investors who aim for success. To invest properly and grow your wealth, you need to master several skills, but the six main ones are those that follow:
Related: Learn How to Confidently Invest in Real Estate
1. Know the market
Knowledge of the real estate market is essential for investing in an intelligent way. This includes the trends in the prices and the trend of the market: Is it a seller's or a buyer's market? Is a bubble forming? Some people invest in real estate in order to follow the trend — because people around them have started to invest. Others have been tempted because they have heard a friend telling them that investing in such and such city is a guaranteed return, without knowing much about the market. These people, of course, may succeed by chance, but most of the time this is not the case. The market evolves, and it changes according to the economic and social context. The most successful real estate investors study the market in order to know exactly when to invest. This allows them to invest safely and also ensure a return on their investment.
2. Know how to recognize a property with a high potential
To avoid wasting their time, property investors need to know how to distinguish a property with high potential from an ordinary one. This skill can be acquired with experience, and it allows them to avoid missing an opportunity when they detect the ideal property. Thanks to their many visits, professional investors know how to spot a profitable property at a glance. What may not seem interesting to the average person may have great potential for these professional investors. They rely on a number of techniques in order to enhance the value of an unattractive property at first glance and make it irresistible to future tenants or buyers. It is only by thinking outside the box that you can find the best possible deal. It's important to invest some time into learning how to tell which properties have high potential and which ones don't.
3. Know how to negotiate
Negotiation is an essential skill for any real estate investor to master. It comes into play at several levels. It first comes into play at the level of the seller in order to negotiate the purchase price and the conditions of the sale. Then it comes into play at the level of the financing organization (the banker or the broker), in order to obtain the best loan conditions. Negotiation also comes into play with the contractor, when some renovation or construction work is involved and with the tenant if it is a rental investment. Note that a negotiation is not an imposition. It is a process in which the investor takes into account the various interests of the other party and seeks a compromise that would be a win-win situation for both parties. Without going through the negotiation process, it is very difficult to find a good deal in real estate.
Related: 5 Tips for New Investors Who Want to Make Money With Real Estate
4. Know to set limits
Limits are important to maintain focus on your investment. Professional investors remember that they are their best asset. It can be very tempting to try to do everything yourself in order to save a few dollars or to invest in properties that don't fit your profile. But real estate investors need to learn to focus on their strengths in order to make their investment pay off. Aren't the few dollars saved actually a loss in terms of time spent on the job? At some point, investors must resign themselves to delegating some of the work. Likewise, the opportunities can multiply to the point of wanting to invest in every property that comes along. But the best property investors must learn to focus on their goal and also to say "no" to certain properties that may distract them from this objective.
5. Know how to work with your network
The success of real estate investors depends in part on the quality of their network. Investing in real estate is not something that is done alone. The investors rely on the help of real estate agents, bankers, brokers, notaries, contractors, tax lawyers, accountants and other professionals in the field. This network helps everything move forward more quickly. A network is built, but it is also maintained. Real estate investors need to master the relational skills which allow them to work on good terms with their network. For example, calling your real estate agent from time to time shows them your motivation to take action.
6. Have a long-term outlook
Real estate investors need to keep their emotions in check when it comes to making a purchase. They have to keep in mind that they are investing to increase their wealth and to make money at the same time. Even if a real estate deal looks tempting, it is necessary to analyze it thoroughly before making a purchase. Buying just because your instinct has dictated that a property is a crush is never a good idea. This is why professional investors start with a precise strategy and an action plan in order to properly set up their investment projects. In this way, it is easier for them to stick to their initial plan and not to spread themselves too thin.
Related: 4 Undeniable Truths You Should Know Before Investing in Real Estate
While the world of real estate investing is exciting, it's incredibly important to develop your skills and put in the time and research required to make smart investments. To get started, keep up with the market, learn how to recognize high-potential properties, learn how to negotiate, set limits, develop a solid network, and have a long-term outlook. These skills are crucial for your success in real estate investment.
