Investing in real estate has always been a different beast in comparison to other kinds of investments. After all, real estate is tangible. Real. You can own it, walk through it, see it. It’s not theoretical, it’s concrete.
That, among other reasons, is why so many people have chosen real estate as their source for passive income throughout the years. But is it still true? Through recessions, housing bubbles and market crashes, does real estate still hold up?
Well, it looks like it does.
The Number One Long-Term Investment
Gallup researchers have reported that for the second year in a row, real estate trumps other options as the best long term investment out there to the American public — leading at 31% — above gold, stocks, savings accounts and bonds.
The research points out that:
“The percentages of Americans choosing real estate and stocks are steady this year compared with 2014. This follows three years, from 2011 to 2014, of increasing partiality toward both investments as the housing and stock markets recovered and gold’s appeal waned. The public’s preference for gold fell five percentage points in the past year, bringing its overall decline since 2011 to 15 points, the largest shift seen among the five investments tracked.”
As the real estate market continues to see recovery nationwide and home prices bounce back, it’s likely that real estate investment will remain at the top of the pack as one of the best ways to prepare for retirement.
So why aren’t more people investing?
Investing in Real Estate is a Big Job
Unlike other investments, investing in real estate is a business and can easily become a full time job. It takes a lot of hard work, knowledge and dedication to truly succeed. While real estate is hailed as an excellent investment, it certainly isn’t for everyone.
Thankfully, there’s a wide array of option for those looking to invest — from different types of property to wildly varied strategies.
Invest without the Hassle
One strategy available to investors is turnkey real estate investment. You should know by now that that’s what we do! Turnkey investment companies take care of things like property management and finding tenants so that your time investing in real estate is as passive as possible. While some investors love the nitty-gritty of land lording or flipping homes, turnkey real estate investing is a great option for those looking to maximize their investments without having to take on a second career as an investor.
Despite public opinion, however, we must remember that no investment is a sure thing. Markets can change, properties may not appreciate, and unexpected circumstances can turn positive cash flow into negative cash flow.
As investors, we must always pay mind to ensure that we’re making wise, informed decisions in our investment careers.
Do you think real estate is the number one investment out there? Share your viewpoint in the comments.
