David Koch explains why it is essential for all rental property investors
A FEW years of stellar returns has convinced many people that investing in property is a sure thing. Just buy a reasonable place in a suburb close to a capital city, then sit back and watch capital gains accumulate or so the thinking goes.
But before you start counting your money, we should warn you that being a property investor may not be all its cracked up to be.
Not only is it foolish to believe that prices will always appreciate, but any number of issues can spring up and turn your goldmine into a sinkhole.
Here are a few things to be aware of before jumping into the property market with both feet.
Expect the unexpected (expenses)
Before investing in property, the vast majority of people sit down and do their sums to work out whether they can actually afford it.
But at the end of the day, its difficult to account for all of the unexpected expenses that inevitably pop up.
Whether thats fixing a leaky roof, the oven giving up or landlords insurance premiums increasing, the unexpected costs of owning an investment property can quickly add up.
Expect unexpected expenses when buying property such as a leaky roof.Source: News Limited
Top tenants are hard to find
The dream for property investors is to find a long-term tenant willing to pay a reasonable rent and treat the property well while living there.
Of course, sometimes the dream is just that a dream.
In some cases, you may have to accept a lower rent to fill the property, tenants might move out unexpectedly or cause damage, intentional or otherwise.
In slower markets, your property may sit empty for an extended period of time, meaning that youll need to stump up for the entire mortgage yourself.
Your time is money
Managing a property and dealing with the potential issues weve just outlined is a very time-consuming process.
Of course, its possible to pay other people to help you with many of these tasks, but thats another expense that will eat into your overall return.
You can pay someone to manage your property but it is another expense.
Property isnt a sure bet
Last week we wrote about the potential headwinds for property prices.
These include higher borrowing costs as interest rates rise, banks tightening their lending standards, an increased supply of housing coming onto the market and a slowdown in China.
And when you consider the fact that property prices in many of our capital cities are at record highs, its more important than ever to think carefully about what you expect to achieve through your investment over the long-term and where we are in the property cycle.
Property can go down in value, as it is currently in some capital cities, as well as up.
Negative gearing means making a loss
Remember, despite the generous tax breaks you receive, negative gearing is not a guarantee of making money.
In fact, negatively gearing a property means youre making an ongoing cash loss on the investment. So to make sense as an investment strategy, a loss-making property must appreciate in value over time to cover these losses.
And when you take into account the price headwinds weve just outlined, theres no guarantee this will happen.
Its more important than ever to think carefully about what you expect to achieve through your investment over the long-term and where we are in the property cycle.Source: Supplied
How to make it work
Of course, its not all doom and gloom: property can be a great long-term investment when approached sensibly.
Its secure, tangible, offers great tax benefits and can produce a fairly stable income. However, before investing in any property its important to do your research.
Consider the risks outlined above, factor in a rate rise of at least two per cent into your repayment calculations to make sure you dont borrow more than you can afford, and look for a reasonably priced property in an area that you believe has strong potential for capital growth and is attractive to tenants.
And if you do plan on managing it all yourself, be prepared for some hard work.
Good luck!
http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNGl9JcwouW-MGIDXdFK2ICz68JrEg&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52778918411943&ei=CUHcVZiGJdG5aLHOgtAH&url=http://www.news.com.au/finance/money/property-investing-is-not-a-guarantee-to-making-money/story-e6frfmdr-1227469791971
caseuxbnjjxrgn Community Member 
|
|
