There are many ways to invest in real estate, but inexperienced investors are often drawn to the most difficult, risky way to do it: DIY investing.

Investors might feel gunshy about buying because the real estate market seems like such a toss-up (especially with un-affordability and unpredictable reactions to slashed interest rates). Never feel pressured to buy properties if it goes against your risk tolerance. Still, though, investors should do something. It isn’t enough to twiddle our thumbs, even as passive investors.

Mortgage rates have already fallen at least a percentage point below their 2024 peak. Cuts are expected to continue through the end of the year and on into 2025. Many of us have been waiting for this – something that will finally jog the frozen real estate market and get us towards more palatable conditions.

Rental property turnover: the bane of an investor’s existence.

Insurance feels, in many ways, to be a necessary evil. Not only is insurance largely required, whether on a car or a property, but it can also seem like paying for nothing until you actually need it. And even then, many of us have experienced the headache of trying to make a claim and get a promised payout.

Could a construction boom be on the way for 2025? Some experts seem to think so. Our friends at Bigger Pockets are also discussing the possibility – foreseeing the lower rates will kickstart construction activity – if not in 2025, certainly within the next five years.

One of the biggest real estate investment fraud schemes in recent history has been exposed. Wells Real Estate Investment promised investors that their money would be used to buy, renovate, and develop commercial and residential properties across South Florida. Instead, they gambled $28 million of $58 million in investor funds on speculative options and futures trading.

Mortgage data from Freddie Mac suggests that, as inflation slows, interest rates will continue to slide back down. And no – we’re not going to see 3% rates any time soon – but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth your while to revisit your existing mortgages! But when should real estate investors look to refinance? And how do they know it’s the right time?

What made you immediately decide not to buy something you were considering? A bad review? A greater expense than anticipated? Unfortunately for us real estate investors, there are no reviews for potential properties. Thankfully, there are red flags that help us know when a real estate deal is less than ideal.

Turnkey investors have an advantage here – their turnkey partners have plenty of experience identifying and vetting ideal investment properties. But that doesn’t mean you’ll always go this route. Regardless of your investment strategy, it’s good to know what red flags to look for…if only so you can ask informed questions!

To our Floridian readers out there, fair warning: we’re about to pick on your state a little.