Tips for Increasing Real Estate Wealth
Posted Friday, October 10, 2014If you want to make the most of your home as an asset, I have one word for you: patience.
If we’ve learned anything over the last few years in the real estate market, it’s that get-rich-quick schemes can just as easily turn out to be get-poor-quick scenarios. We are very much back to the good old days of seeing real estate as a long-term investment. And as a long-term investment, it continues to be a solid one.
Here are a few other tips on how to make the most of your largest asset:
- Go long – It bears repeating: long-term ownership is the key. Build equity, allow the property to appreciate and minimize the costs that come with buying and selling property.
- Buyer beware – Before you even enter into the world of homeownership, think about how well that home really fits your budget and lifestyle. If meeting the mortgage payment every month leaves you sweaty with anxiety, the property’s price tag is really beyond your reach. You want to have positive cash flow so you can cover those unexpected expenses that always crop up with a home.
- Ensure your home is insured – You do not want to discover after the big storm that the tree in your roof is entirely your financial problem. Talk to an insurance agent you trust and make sure you have appropriate coverage for flood, fire and other issues.
- Snap up low rates – With mortgage interest rates as low as they are right now, refinancing your home can be a smart financial move. Long-term, 30 year mortgages can mean a reasonable monthly payment that you can meet more easily. Check out your situation with a reputable mortgage professional.
Buying a house can be an immensely satisfying investment in your future, both financially and personally. But it’s not one to be undertaken impulsively. Think through all the possibilities before taking the plunge.
If you are considering selling your home or buying a new one, I can help. Give me a call or email me today.