"Real estate provides the highest returns, the greatest values, and the least risk." – Armstrong Williams

Many aspiring investors frequently ask, “What’s the best way to get started in real estate?” Rest assured, there are multiple paths to begin your journey, and you're not alone if you haven't taken the plunge yet. This guide will help you navigate the initial steps by self-assessing your current status, identifying your goals, and finding the best starting point for you.

What We’ll Cover:

• Get a Bird’s-eye View of Your Current Situation

• Determine Your Why

• Decide How Hands-on You Want to Be

• Assess Your Risk Tolerance

• Determine the Amount You Want to Invest

• Decide Which Type of Real Estate Investor You Are

Step 1: Get a Bird’s-eye View of Your Current Situation

Before investing any money, you must have a clear understanding of your life stage, financial background, and future plans.

Answering these questions will help you gauge your risk tolerance, investment strategy, and desired timeframe for returns.

Step 2: Determine Your Why

There are countless ways to get involved in real estate investing, from house hacking to mobile home parks, syndications, Airbnb’s, and corporate housing.

It’s crucial to identify your personal reasons for investing—your WHY. Understand your financial goals and what you want out of investing.

Clearly defining your goals will help you stay focused and avoid jumping from one opportunity to another.

Step 3: Decide How Hands-on You Want to Be

If you’ve ever watched HGTV shows where they transform dilapidated houses into beautiful homes, you might be intrigued by the hands-on aspect of real estate investing.

If you enjoy physical work and the satisfaction of transforming properties, you might be a hands-on investor. However, if the idea of dealing with old toilets and crawl spaces makes you cringe, consider passive investment options.

This decision is crucial, so consider your current situation, your why, the time you have available, and your financial goals.

Step 4: Assess Your Risk Tolerance

All investments come with risks. High-risk investments offer higher potential rewards, while low-risk investments typically provide lower returns.

For example, a new construction high-rise in a transitioning area may be riskier, while an existing apartment building with tenants might be safer. Real estate investments involve physical assets and tenants, and there are ways to mitigate risk, but total loss is always a possibility.

If potential losses make you uneasy, start with smaller investments to gain experience and confidence. Your initial returns will come in the form of knowledge and education, eventually leading to financial gains as you grow your capital.

Step 5: Determine Your Investment Amount

With a clear understanding of your life situation, goals, and risk tolerance, you can decide how much money to invest.

It’s essential to start with a modest amount you’re comfortable not accessing for about five years. Ensure your current living expenses are covered, you have emergency savings, and you have additional plans for income and expenses for at least six months.

When reviewing investment deals, consider the exit strategies in case you need to access your money sooner than expected.

Step 6: Decide Which Type of Real Estate Investor You Are

This is the fun part. Based on your evaluation, you can determine the types of investments that best fit your lifestyle and goals.

You likely fall into one of these groups:

• Lots of Money / Little Time / Hands-off Investor

• Little Money / Little Time / Hands-off Investor

• Little Money / Plenty of Time / Hands-on Investor

• Lots of Money / Plenty of Time / Hands-on Investor

For example, hands-on investors with plenty of time might pursue Fix and Flips, wholesales, or house-hacks. Hands-off investors with limited time might prefer commercial real estate syndications or crowdfunding sites.

Conclusion

Real estate investing is an exciting endeavor, but it can also be overwhelming. There are many ways to begin, and by answering the questions in each step, you can determine your personalized approach.

Investing in real estate can start with just a few hundred or thousand dollars, allowing you to learn and build your knowledge and capital over time. Don’t be afraid to fail; even the most successful investors have lost money at some point but succeeded by persevering.

Read more about the different investor types and the best opportunities for each in Part 2 of this guide: Your Personalized Path to Real Estate Investing: Part 2

With determination and careful planning, you can start your journey in real estate investing and achieve your financial goals.