The Types and shades of real estate investments to watch out for in 2009

I hope you know that there are a lot of real estate investment types available? If you don’t, I guess that must be why I am writing this article particularly because the new year offers an opportunity to start on a clean slate.

The idea of real estate and property is much more than just finding a home. There are categories of homes and business properties as well as divisions in the types of real estate that are available to others. If you want to make a different type of investment in something that you know you can make a profit out of, then knowing the different types of real estate investments can help.

Real estate investments begin with two major types; business and residential.

Each of these has specific guidelines set with them which will make a difference in the functions of the real estate. After you have determined what type of real estate you will be looking at, you can divide up what is available to you.

If you are looking at pure residential areas, then the real estate will be divided by the size of the home.

Typically, this will be known as a single family or multi-family home. If you are looking at a multi-family unit, you can expect to have neighbors sharing the same wall as you, such as block of flats or Terrace apartments.

A single family home will be completely independent and will usually be shaped differently because the neighbors can’t cross the yard.

Business real estate is also divided into several categories. These will also often be referred to as commercial properties, and will range from office buildings to manufacturing sites.

The difference between a business building and a residential building is that it will change the approach towards regulations. Most likely, there will be zoning rules and the lease will have different divisions for things such as taxes and insurance.

If you are in the right area, you might have the opportunity to have both a commercial and residential area in one. Things such as land investments or areas that have been zoned for commercial purposes may have these types of regulations. The bulk of the major streets on Victoria Island were just converted to commercial.

With this, you can also consider renting a property. If you want to have a business from home or want to expand into a business, this might be something to consider.

The investment that you decide to make can be more than your home. It can also be something that will bring you back profit for the investment.

If you are interested in finding a space that is much more than cozy, than knowing the different types of real estate to invest in is the place to begin.

There are different types of real estate, and different ways to invest in them. Which way is best is for you to decide, according to your particular needs. Here are a few ways to consider, with their advantages and disadvantages.

1. Rental houses. Advantages: One of the easier ways to get started, and good long term return on investment. Disadvantages: Being a landlord isn’t much fun, and you typically wait a long time for the big pay-off (sales).

2. Rent-to-own houses. Advantages: When you buy, then sell on a rent-to-own arrangement, you get higher rent, and the buyer is usually responsible for maintenance. Disadvantages: The bookkeeping is tricky, and most tenants don’t complete the purchase (this can be an advantage too, but it does mean more work for you). Although this is not common yet in Nigeria, it is worth the effort to know it exist because it could be one of the possibilities for 2009.

3. Low income rentals. Advantages: The same as with any rentals, but with lower positive cash flow. Disadvantages: The same as with other rentals, but with more repairs and tenant problems.

4. Buy-Renovate-Sell. This is what the Americans call Fixer-uppers. Advantages: A quick return on your investment and it can be more creative work. Disadvantages: Higher risk (many unpredictables).

5. Buy for cash, sell for terms. Advantages: You get a high rate of return by paying cash to get a good price, and selling on easy terms to get a high price AND high interest. Disadvantages: You tie up your capital for a long time.

6. Buy land, split it and sell it. Advantages: It is simpler than most real estate investments, with the possibility of great profits. Disadvantages: It can take a long time, and you have expenses. Also, if it’s not well structured there may be no cash flow while you wait.

7. Boarding houses. Advantages: You can get a lot more cash flow renting a house by the room, especially in a tertiary institution town. Disadvantages: Property management is very demanding, you can get a lot more headaches renting a house by the room, especially with student tenants.

8. Commercial real estate. Advantages: Long term triple-net leases mean little management and high returns. Disadvantages: Tough market to break into, and you can lose income on vacant storefronts for a year at a time.

9. Buy, live in it, and sell. Advantages: The new tax law means you can fix it up, and sell for a big tax-free profit after two years, then start the process again. Disadvantages: You have to move a lot.

10. Speculation. Advantages: Buying in the path of growth and holding until values rise can yield large profits, especially if you buy low to start. Disadvantages: Prices aren’t that predictable, you have expenses with no income while you’re waiting, and transaction costs can eat much of the profits.

The list above is not exhaustive but a fair representation of the types of real estate investments you can look out for in 2009.

I wish you the very best. Happy New Year!