Buying a home strictly for investment purposes is different than buying a primary residence. But either way, house shopping can be fun.
Whether you’re envisioning that kitchen where you’ll host holiday dinners or dreaming of stylishly rehabbing a basement to turn a quick profit, looking for property can be exhilarating.
However, that’s where the similarities end. The best properties to live in don’t always translate to the best to invest in, and vice versa.
Looking for an investment property is a lot like looking for a diamond in the rough. You want it to look good, but not so good that the price is inflated, and also not so bad that it needs a ton of work.
Most real estate search engines show you prettier homes rather than fixer-uppers. So you may have to look beyond the popular search methods. In addition to the internet, try good old-fashioned networking and drive-bys.
Networking within the industry lets you find out about homes that haven’t been listed for sale yet. The more people within your investment network who know what you’re looking for, the more eyes and ears you’ll have on the ground. This includes everyone from real estate agents and property managers to private lenders and even fellow investors.
Leisurely but strategic neighborhood drives can also go a long way. Fill up the gas tank, pick the neighborhood you’re thinking about investing in, and hit the road. Homes that show some signs of distress or neglect will often be the best deals. Think piled up newspapers, lawn debris, and an exterior that begs for a little TLC.
Other ways to find a good investment property include sites like Craigslist, Auction.com, and LoopNet (for small multifamily properties). While each of these sites are a good start to finding investment properties, they can serve different purposes.
If you’re looking for discounted homes that are bank-owned or have been foreclosed, Auction.com is your place. The site offers more than 30,000 distressed listings for investors to bid on. You can find these properties by using search filters to narrow your results by location, property type and even condition.
While Craigslist may not be the first website that comes to mind when you’re thinking of buying a home, it can be a good way to search for a for-sale-by-owner property. Many buyers list on Craigslist to avoid paying real estate agent fees, which could mean their asking prices area a bit more competitive. Buyers usually list the same property details and photos you’d find on more traditional real estate websites.
LoopNet is good when you’re looking to invest in small buildings with multiple units. The site allows you to filter the results by property use and one of the choices is investment properties. You can then filter the results by location, price, number of units and age of building. LoopNet’s purpose is to showcase commercial property listings for sale.
