Real estate investing entails the buying, holding, possession, management, rental or sale of real estate as a whole for profit. Development of real estate as a part of an overall real estate investment plan is normally understood to be a separate sub-specialty of real estate investment known as real estate flipping. Flipping refers to purchasing a below market value property with the objective of turning it around to make a profit by selling it in a hot housing market. This is often referred to as a distressed investment.
Real estate flipping occurs when an investor buys a below market or distressed real estate property with the intention to flip it for a profit within a relatively short period of time. The flip is usually done by first purchasing a property for which there are no or low sales opportunities. The flip then goes on to locate a buyer for the property, and finally sells the property to the buyer for a profit (usually much more than what he paid for the property). If the flip resulted in no sales, or low sales, the investor may keep the property and market it for rent, eventually recouping all of his investment. However, if the flip resulted in sales, the investor uses some of his or her profits to further develop the property, making it a better place and increasing its value. Real estate investors may also hire professionals to manage the property for them, such as real estate agents.
There are many ways that real estate investors may use their money to improve their real estate investment portfolio. One way is by utilizing their money to buy a property, fix it up to sell it later, rent it out, or use it to finance projects that create future streams of income. Investors can also use their money to purchase tangible assets, such as land, residential and commercial real estate, residential real estate assets, office buildings, warehouses, vacant land, buildings that are considering improvementable, and personal and business assets. As a real estate investor, you have a choice of which type of asset you wish to invest in. Regardless of what type of asset you choose, you can be assured that your financial future will not only be secure but also greatly enhanced through real estate investment.