If you have a financial advisor, you’re already ahead of the curve. Having someone in your corner to help you plan for retirement, manage your portfolio, and think through big financial decisions is a big advantage, and we’d never suggest otherwise.

That said, it’s worth sitting down with your advisor to talk through real estate investing. Not all financial advisors are well-versed, and if yours has limited experience with investment properties in particular, you could walk away with the wrong idea.

That’s no knock on advisors; it’s just the reality of a specialized field. Keep these things in mind as you talk to or select your financial advisor:

Real estate investors know how to get creative when it comes to money—that’s no secret! Now more than ever there are options available for real estate investors of all experience levels and financial means to get involved in investing. But sometimes, it’s hard to know what method is going to land you with the best returns.

It used to be difficult to compete in hot markets thanks to all-cash investors, but nowadays, it seems more investors are turning back to traditional financing and private money lending. So really, what’s the better option for buy-and-hold real estate investors?

Hopefully we’ll be able to shed some light on the subject.

All-Cash or Financing: Which Route for Acquiring Investment Properties?

Many of us are guilty of focusing a little too much on income. Granted, income is important. We have to have money to cover bills, needs and desires and offer life security for ourselves and families. No one is denying that security is very important to our overall wellbeing.

When it comes to their finances, it's no secret that people don't make decisions based on raw data alone. National and global events, investors' impression of a situation, emotions...all of these things and so much more go into the decisions people make when it comes to their money.  Because data and information can sometimes be fuzzy..., we need to surround ourselves with more than just one source of information.  We also need to consider that sometimes people let their own agendas influence the way they deliver information to their audience.  Sometimes sources of information don't really care about the truth or about data.  They care about how they can shape the data and the story to meet their own agenda.  Nothing is more dangerous for someone making a financial decision - especially in real estate - than a source with an agenda!