Real estate investments offer an excellent passive income source, but they may not be suitable for everyone.
If you are new to real estate investing, there are various methods of earning passive income. The key is selecting a business model that works for both you and your objectives.
Rental Property
Rental property can be an excellent way to generate passive income from real estate investments. However, it’s essential to be aware of the numerous costs that come with owning a rental property.
Managing your own residential property can be a time-consuming and complex task. It involves finding and screening tenants, collecting rent, attending to repairs, and making sure all laws regarding landlord-tenant relationships are followed.
Financing your rental property comes with additional costs, such as mortgage payments and insurance. Furthermore, you’ll need to set aside funds for maintenance and improvements.
No matter if you opt for a single family home or an apartment complex, rental properties offer both cash flow and appreciation in the long term. They’re reliable sources of passive income which can be used for building up retirement funds and paying off any mortgages you may have.
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
If you’re searching for passive income, investing in real estate may be a wise investment choice. However, investing requires extensive research and careful consideration before taking the plunge.
One way to invest in real estate for passive income is through Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). These companies own a portfolio of commercial properties and distribute their profits as dividends to shareholders.
REITs offer investors a convenient way to invest in property without purchasing individual units, but they also carry risks. They are particularly susceptible to interest rate changes, real estate market sensitivity and capital losses.
Fortunately, investors have several ways to invest in REITs. These include Real Estate Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), private real estate equity funds and real estate crowdfunding platforms.
Commercial Properties
Commercial properties can be an excellent way to generate passive income from real estate investments. Examples include apartment buildings, office complexes, industrial warehouses and retail shopping centers.
Commercial property typically requires a higher initial investment than residential properties, but can generate significant and repeatable cash flows in the long run. This is because commercial property generates monthly rent payments from tenants and can increase in value when economic conditions improve.
One way to generate passive income from commercial property is by owning land underneath a building and leasing it out to its owner. Ground leases offer lower risk and predictable passive income, but usually come with significant up-front costs when purchasing the land.
Another way to generate passive income from commercial property is through real estate investment trusts (REITs). REITs are companies that own a portfolio of commercial real estate properties and receive depreciation tax benefits and dividend income for their investors.
Mixed-Use Developments
If you’re seeking passive income, investing in real estate with mixed-use features could be the ideal strategy. These properties appeal to investors due to their diverse tenant mix and high demand.
A mixed-use development is a structure or community that contains residential, commercial and retail uses in one building. Alternatively, it could be an “horizontal” development where several buildings on the same site each serve a distinct purpose such as providing accommodation alongside playing facilities, shops and parking.
Mixed-use properties have long been a trend, but their appeal has grown over time as people increasingly opt to live in urban areas. This trend is particularly prevalent among millennials who appreciate living close to the city and prefer walking or taking public transportation for transportation around.
