7 Fastest Ways to Make Money in Real Estate (2024)

Whether you’re serious about investing or simply exploring different ways to make money, learning how to make money in real estate is an important skill that can come in handy at any point in your life.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, individual real estate investors account for 74.4% of rental properties in the United States. Real estate is one of the most common types of investments people make in their lifetime, as home prices generally tend to increase over time. In fact, Zillow reports home values in the United States have increased 19.2% since 2020, and predicts they will rise 13.6% in the next year.

With that being said, there are many different ways you can go about taking advantage of the real estate market. In general, it involves a lot of research on the market, understanding the closing process and any legal ramifications, and of course, having the money to put down to claim your slice of real estate.

That’s why we’re covering the top 7 ways to make money in real estate in detail. With this guide, you’ll have a thorough understanding of what it takes to make a profit off the real estate market.

7 Fastest Ways to Make Money in Real Estate (1)

1. Renovation Flipping

If you have even a remote interest in real estate, you’ve probably seen one or two HGTV shows on television that focus on flipping homes.

Thanks to the popularity of home renovation shows, the fix-and-flip culture has exploded into a massive boom in the traditional renovation flip market. While there can certainly be a lot of money to be made here, navigating these waters, in the beginning, can be tricky.

When you lack the knowledge or the experience, you could find yourself on the losing end if you don’t select the right home.

Our advice? Aim for the least attractive homes in the nicest neighborhoods. That’s where the real value is. It’s important to partner with a well-networked real estate agent who has a strong knowledge of the areas you’re targeting. Is this area up-and-coming? Is the home on the water? Is the neighborhood pricey?

You should also be doing backward math to understand your after-repair value, being sure to leave wiggle room for any unexpected setbacks in your renovation. When renovating, be sure to add features that are sure to increase the value of your home for a sure-fire way to make money in real estate.

2. Airbnb and Vacation Rentals

For those who want to invest in a property but still retain flexible access to their home, rentals can present a lucrative path to profits and one of the fastest ways to make money in real estate.

Not only can you make some side hustle income from vacation rentals, but you could potentially make a significant amount of money and build up a substantial passive income stream if you’re in a highly-trafficked tourist locale.

Places like San Diego and other tourist hotbeds are well known for having a high demand for these short-term rentals.

There are plenty of platforms you can use to promote your short-term rental property. List your home on websites like Airbnb and Vrbo. Be sure to take good photos and go above and beyond in making your guests’ experience a memorable and comfortable one. You can also hire a vacation rental company to help you manage your property and bring business.

3. Long-Term Rentals

More traditionally, long-term rentals are a common form of investment for homeowners. A long-term rental is typically 6 months or more – most commonly one year – and typically requires less upkeep on your day-to-day. Low inventory, excessive student loan debt, and the ever-growing millennial cohort create strong indicators for a strong and growing US rental market.

Your tenant signs a lease and is committed to paying monthly throughout the duration of the contract. This means you receive a stable flow of income for a set period of time, without having to worry much about the house unless it requires major repairs that the tenant is not responsible for per the terms of the contract.

4. Contract Flipping

One way that you can make money from real estate without having to put up very much capital or credit is to flip contracts. All you have to do is find a distressed seller and a motivated buyer, then bring them together.

While locating a distressed seller might seem difficult, Clothier has systemized the entire process for doing this. The trick with contract flipping is to identify the distressed seller and locate a ready-to-go buyer.

To do this, you have to be able to identify either vacant homes or homes that are behind on their mortgages. That’s the tricky part. You’re effectively trying to find distressed sellers, but homes that are already vacant are primed for an opportunity like this.

5. Lease to Buy

A rent-to-own agreement is exactly what he sounds like – in which you rent a home for a certain amount of time, with the option to buy it before the lease expires. Rent-to-own agreements consist of two parts: a standard lease agreement and an option to buy.

The former entails a contract between the renter and buyer who agree to rent the property for a specified period – typically a year.

The option to buy in a rent-to-own agreement means the buyer pays the seller a one-time, usually non-refundable upfront fee called the option fee, option money, or option consideration. This fee is what gives you the option to buy the house by some date in the future.

This is a great option for prospective homebuyers who may not have the big down payment or high credit score needed to buy just yet. It’s also one of the fastest ways to make money in real estate.

6. Commercial Property Rentals

Commercial real estate is one of the fastest ways to make money in real estate. This means flipping properties and developing them, adding value to properties in order to increase their net incomes through renovations and upgrades. You’ll also consult on projects that might take more seasoned real estate investors to see to fruition.

7. Buying Land

If you’re looking to earn a slice of the real estate pie, you can buy a piece of land located in a hot or up-and-coming area. From here, you can either hold onto the land until it gains value, or you can build a house on it and sell it for a profit.

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7 Fastest Ways to Make Money in Real Estate (2024)

FAQs

How can I make a lot of money fast in real estate? ›

  1. 7 Fastest Ways to Make Money in Real Estate. ...
  2. Renovation Flipping. ...
  3. Airbnb and Vacation Rentals. ...
  4. Long-Term Rentals. ...
  5. Contract Flipping. ...
  6. Lease to Buy. ...
  7. Commercial Property Rentals. ...
  8. Buying Land.

What are 4 ways you make money in real estate? ›

There are four main money making strategies for real estate investors: buy a property and wait for it to appreciate in value; rent out a property to tenants or businesses to generate cash flow; invest in residential properties; invest in real estate projects or find other work in the industry.

How to make $1,000,000 in real estate? ›

How To Make A Million Dollars In Real Estate
  1. Learn About Real Estate Investing.
  2. Establish Your Goals.
  3. Start Now, But Start Small.
  4. Write Offers For Affordable Deals.
  5. Generate Cash Flow.
  6. Start Growing Your Portfolio.
  7. Invest In Larger Properties.
  8. Continue Growing To 1 Million Dollars.

What are the three ways you can make money off of real estate? ›

8 Primary Strategies for Generating an Income From Real Estate
  • Long-Term Residential Rentals. ...
  • Lease Options. ...
  • Home-Renovation Flips. ...
  • Contract Flipping. ...
  • Short Sales. ...
  • Vacation Rentals. ...
  • Hard-Money Lending. ...
  • Commercial Real Estate.
May 24, 2019

What type of real estate makes the most money? ›

Commercial properties are considered one of the best types of real estate investments because of their potential for higher cash flow. If you decide to invest in a commercial property, you could enjoy these attractive benefits: Higher-income potential.

How do you become a multi millionaire in real estate? ›

8 Tips On How To Become A Real Estate Mogul or Millionaire
  1. Have a Good Business Plan. ...
  2. Find Sustainable Real Estate Markets. ...
  3. Narrow Down Your Scope. ...
  4. Build Your Real Estate Team. ...
  5. Acquire Your First Investment Real Estate. ...
  6. Step Back and Evaluate Your Investments. ...
  7. Step Back and Wait.
Mar 27, 2023

How can I be the most successful in real estate? ›

How to succeed as a real estate agent in 11 ways
  1. Improve communication skills. ...
  2. Partner with other local agents. ...
  3. Find a publicist. ...
  4. Host open-house events. ...
  5. Pitch a realty story to a news outlet. ...
  6. Use email marketing. ...
  7. Keep in contact with past clients. ...
  8. Create social media profiles.
Dec 19, 2022

What makes you successful in real estate? ›

A good real estate agent doesn't just sell properties—they sell themselves. It's important to show your real personality. People will respond to you if you have a great attitude, are personable and honest, have confidence in your abilities, and are interested in helping them and others.

How do real estate agents get so rich? ›

Real Estate Commission

Most real estate agents make money through commissions that are based on a percentage of a property's selling price, (Commission can also be flat fees, but that is much less common.) Agents work under real estate brokers, and the commissions are paid directly to the brokers.

How to invest $20 000 dollars in real estate? ›

Now, let's look at eight different ways to invest in real estate with only $20,000.
  1. #1. Low down payment purchase. ...
  2. #2. Seller carryback. ...
  3. #3. Fix-and-flip. ...
  4. #4. Wholesale real estate. ...
  5. #5. Rent-to-own. ...
  6. #6. Buy shares in single-family rental property. ...
  7. #7. Real estate crowdfunding. ...
  8. #8. Real estate ETFs and REITs.
Oct 7, 2021

Why real estate creates 90% of millionaires? ›

Because of the many tax benefits, real estate investors often end up paying less taxes overall even as they are bringing in more income. This is why many millionaires invest in real estate. Not only does it make you money, but it allows you to keep a lot more of the money you make.

How do you flip money in real estate? ›

The standard process for flipping a house involves buying a home or distressed property at a low purchase price, fixing it up and selling it for a higher amount. The goal for house flippers is to buy low and then sell high in order to boost their profit.

How to invest in real estate as a beginner? ›

Best ways to invest in real estate
  1. Buy REITs (real estate investment trusts) REITs allow you to invest in real estate without the physical real estate. ...
  2. Use an online real estate investing platform. ...
  3. Think about investing in rental properties. ...
  4. Consider flipping investment properties. ...
  5. Rent out a room.
Apr 14, 2023

What are the 3 L's of a millionaire real estate agent? ›

The 3 L's: Listings, Leads, and Leverage

The three key L's that are necessary for garnering long-term success include Listings, Leads, and Leverage.

Where do realtors make the most money? ›

The following are the 10 states where real estate agents earn, on average, the most money:
  • New York: $111,800 (average real estate agent salary)
  • Massachusetts: $84,180.
  • Connecticut: $79,780.
  • Alaska: $79,360.
  • Colorado: $76,850.
  • Utah: $75,170.
  • California: $74,140.
  • Texas: $72,830.
Jul 28, 2020

What is realtor salary? ›

What type of broker makes the most money? ›

There are a few types of Brokerage Professional jobs on ZipRecruiter in the Finance and Insurance industry, and within the Bank category. Some top paying Brokerage Professional roles include Stock Broker, Commodity Broker, and Associate Broker.

How many rental properties do I need to become a millionaire? ›

To become a real estate millionaire, you may have to own at least ten properties. If this is your goal, you need to accumulate rental properties with a total value of at least a million.

What investment makes the most millionaires? ›

Here are the six most popular places or investments that millionaires invest in.
  • Cash and Cash Equivalents. Many, and perhaps most, millionaires are frugal. ...
  • Real Estate. ...
  • Stocks and Stock Funds. ...
  • Private Equity and Hedge Funds. ...
  • Commodities. ...
  • Alternative Investments.

Can you wealthy as a real estate? ›

Can real estate make you rich? It can, but it's not a sure bet. The real estate market has boom and bust cycles, and real estate investors can lose money as well as make money.

Why am I not successful in real estate? ›

The most common mistakes that agents make is inadequate prospecting, failing to market properties in ways that lead to fast sales, and not following up with their contacts so that strong relationships result in returning clients.

Is it hard to be successful in real estate? ›

Earning a living selling real estate is hard work. You have to be organized in order to keep track of legal documents, meetings, and all the tasks that go into multiple listings. You may go without a paycheck for periods of time because the work is often commission-based. If you don't sell, you don't earn anything.

How do I become a successful real estate agent in my first year? ›

Grit - How to Survive Your First Year of Real Estate
  1. Get Your Mind Right. ...
  2. Choose Your Broker and Your Mentors Carefully. ...
  3. Create a First-Year Budget. ...
  4. Learn Everything You Can About Your Market. ...
  5. Find Your Niche. ...
  6. Set S.M.A.R.T. ...
  7. Create an Effective Routine. ...
  8. Prospect.

What are the three most important things in real estate? ›

The three most important factors when buying a home are location, location, and location. Too often I hear people talking about making decisions based on the home itself, instead of the location, and that is a mistake. What is it about the location that makes it so vital to real estate investing?

What are weaknesses in real estate? ›

Weaknesses of Real Estate Business. Difficult to Transfer Ownership. Not Liquid Asset. Huge Capital Required. Limited Supply.

What are the three most important things about real estate? ›

To achieve those goals, the three most important words in real estate are not Location, Location, Location, but Price, Condition, Availability.

Do most people get rich from real estate? ›

90% of all millionaires become so through owning real estate.” This famous quote from Andrew Carnegie, one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs of all time, is just as relevant today as it was more than a century ago. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world have built their wealth through real estate.

How much do top 1% realtors make? ›

Each real estate office sets its own standards for top producers, but it's safe to say that a top producer would have to sell at least one home per month to qualify. Top producers earn around $112,610 a year to start, according to the BLS. 1 Mega-stars could earn $500,000 per year and up.

Can a realtor become a billionaire? ›

Yes, you can become a billionaire with significant real estate holdings and investments. It is unlikely that you will reach billionaire status as a real estate agent. Some of the richest people in the world have achieved their wealth through real estate investments.

How to turn $25,000 into a million? ›

Based on an investment of $25,000 today, it'd take a return of 13.08% per year to transform into $1 million in 30 years. If you require a shorter time to grow your investments, you'll need a higher return to arrive at $1 million sooner.

How to turn 10k to 100K? ›

Here are the most effective ways to earn money and turn that 10K into 100K before you know it.
  1. Real estate investing. ...
  2. Product and website flipping. ...
  3. Invest in index funds. ...
  4. Invest in mutual funds or EFTs. ...
  5. Invest in dividend stocks. ...
  6. Peer-to-peer lending (P2P) ...
  7. Invest in cryptocurrencies. ...
  8. Buy an established business.

How to invest $150k in real estate? ›

Where To Invest $150k In Today's Real Estate Market
  1. Wholesaling properties.
  2. Fixing and flipping homes.
  3. Buying and holding rental properties.
  4. Investing in mortgage debt.
  5. Private money lending to other investors.
  6. Stocks, REITs and partnerships.

What do the rich invest in? ›

Knight Frank's 2023 "Wealth Report" details how ultra-high net worth individuals invest their money. Stocks and shares are the biggest individual contributors, with 26% of the average UHNWI's portfolio held in equities. About 5% of their portfolios goes to "investments of passion" like art, cars, and wine.

How many people get rich from real estate? ›

Only 3% of American millionaires received an inheritance of $1 million or above. Real estate makes up about 40% of a typical millionaire's net worth.

Why is there a 1% rule in real estate? ›

What Is The 1% Rule In Real Estate? The 1% rule of real estate investing measures the price of the investment property against the gross income it will generate. For a potential investment to pass the 1% rule, its monthly rent must be equal to or no less than 1% of the purchase price.

Why is house flipping illegal? ›

Property flipping is a common practice in real estate. It involves buying a property and then reselling it for more money. Usually, when someone flips a property, he or she makes repairs and improvements beforehand. It can become illegal if the person falsely represents the condition and value of the property.

Is real estate flipping easy? ›

Renovating and flipping houses is a time-consuming venture. It can take months to find and buy the right property. Once you own the house, you'll need to invest time to fix it up. If you have a day job, time spent on demolition and construction can translate into lost evenings and weekends.

Can you just buy a house and flip it? ›

House flipping is when a real estate investor buys houses and then sells them for a profit. In order for a house to be considered a flip, it must be bought with the intention of quickly reselling. The time between the purchase and the sale often ranges from a couple months up to a year.

Is it better to flip a house or rent it? ›

For short-term investors hoping to make money quickly, flipping and renting is probably the better option. However, if you need a regular income and have more time and money to invest, you could consider buying a rental property.

How to flip $1,000 legally? ›

How To Flip 1,000 Dollars
  1. Buy And Resell Clothing. One popular option for flipping 1,000 dollars is to buy clothing to then resell online. ...
  2. Buy & Sell Collectibles. ...
  3. Start An Online Business. ...
  4. Amazon FBA. ...
  5. Invest In Real Estate. ...
  6. Invest In Dividend-Paying Stocks & ETFs. ...
  7. Stake Crypto. ...
  8. Rent Out Assets.
Mar 14, 2023

How much money do I need to start flipping houses? ›

In the world of private money lending, the minimum amount of cash you need to flip a house really depends upon the size of the loan that you're looking for, as well as your income. For our smallest loan, we'd like to see between $12,000 and $15,000, or at least access to it.

How to invest in real estate with $1,000 dollars? ›

  1. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are one of the best ways to invest 1,000 dollars, and are beginner-friendly. ...
  2. Real Estate Crowdfunding. ...
  3. Real Estate Partnerships. ...
  4. Real Estate Wholesaling. ...
  5. Peer-To-Peer Microloans. ...
  6. Turnkey Rental Real Estate. ...
  7. Tax Liens. ...
  8. Hard Money Loans.

What is the easiest form of real estate investing? ›

REITs are undoubtedly the easiest form of real estate investing for beginners, making them an attractive option for beginner investors. REIT stands for "real estate investment trust".

How to really make money in real estate starting from scratch? ›

Here are six of the best ways for beginners to make money in real estate:
  1. Invest in single-family homes.
  2. House hacking.
  3. Invest in turnkey properties.
  4. Rent out properties on Airbnb.
  5. Manage real estate properties.
  6. Lend to investors.

What type of real estate has the most money? ›

Commercial properties are considered one of the best types of real estate investments because of their potential for higher cash flow. If you decide to invest in a commercial property, you could enjoy these attractive benefits: Higher-income potential.

What is the 3% rule in real estate? ›

Rule No. 3: The price of your home should be no more than 3x your annual gross income. This is a quick way to screen for homes in an affordable price range. It also takes into consideration down payment percentages and prevents you from stretching too much, even with a high down payment.

How fast can you start making money with real estate? ›

It can take about six months to start making money as a real estate agent. Everyone is different, but six months is around the time many agents make their first sale. To start making consistent money, you should plan for about a year. To make a profit, you should plan for up to 18 months.

How to earn passive income in real estate with $1,000 dollars? ›

  1. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are one of the best ways to invest 1,000 dollars, and are beginner-friendly. ...
  2. Real Estate Crowdfunding. ...
  3. Real Estate Partnerships. ...
  4. Real Estate Wholesaling. ...
  5. Peer-To-Peer Microloans. ...
  6. Turnkey Rental Real Estate. ...
  7. Tax Liens. ...
  8. Hard Money Loans.

How many real estate properties does it take to become a millionaire? ›

To become the second type, you have to become the first type of millionaire several times over. To become a real estate millionaire, you may have to own at least ten properties. If this is your goal, you need to accumulate rental properties with a total value of at least a million.

How can I make money when my real estate is slow? ›

Here are a few ideas: Rent out properties – This is a great way to generate income, even when the market is down. By renting out properties, you can still make money while waiting for the market to improve. Sell other services: If you're not selling homes, you can still sell your services.

Is it hard starting in real estate? ›

A real estate education will be challenging, especially if you don't have prior experience. The courses you take in a California real estate school are college-level, so there is a degree of difficulty, particularly for some students. Because everyone is different, everyone will have different experiences.

Can you make $1000000 a year in real estate? ›

To make one million dollars a year as a real estate agent you have to sell a lot of houses. However, how many houses you have to sell you depends on how expensive the houses you sell are. If your average sales price is one million dollars, you only have to sell 50 houses a year to make one million dollars a year.

Is 100k enough to start in real estate? ›

A single-family rental home is one step up in complexity. Because down payment requirements may be higher for properties bought purely for investment, the same $100,000 may be able to purchase a home worth approximately $333,000 assuming a 30% down payment.

How to make $500 a day passive income? ›

9 Passive Income Ideas – How I Make $500 per Day
  1. Rental Properties. Rental properties can provide a steady stream of passive income. ...
  2. Dividend Stocks. ...
  3. Peer-to-Peer Lending. ...
  4. Royalties. ...
  5. Affiliate Marketing. ...
  6. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) ...
  7. Create an Online Course. ...
  8. Create an App or Software.
Mar 20, 2023

How can I make $200 a day passive income? ›

Top 25 Ways to Make $200 a Day
  1. Take Online Surveys.
  2. Invest.
  3. Deliver food.
  4. Drive for Uber and Lyft.
  5. Freelance on Fiverr or Upwork.
  6. Pet Sit.
  7. Babysit.
  8. Be an Airbnb Host.

What do rich people invest in? ›

Ultra-wealthy individuals invest in such assets as private and commercial real estate, land, gold, and even artwork. Real estate continues to be a popular asset class in their portfolios to balance out the volatility of stocks.

How many houses do you need to sell to make $100 000? ›

How many houses does an agent have to sell to make $100,000 a year? If you are selling $100,000 houses and paying 40 percent of your commission to your broker you would have to sell over 50 houses a year to gross $100,000 a year. That is a lot of houses to sell, especially for a new agent.

Why do rich people buy real estate? ›

Investing in real estate can also provide you with positive cash flow. This is the money you have left over after paying your expenses, including your mortgage, property taxes, insurance, and more. If you have positive cash flow, you can use that money to reinvest in other properties or other areas!

How can I make money in real estate without a lot of money? ›

Here are 11 ways to invest in real estate with no money:
  1. Hard Money Lenders.
  2. Private Money Lenders.
  3. Wholesaling.
  4. Equity Partnerships.
  5. Home Equity.
  6. Option To Buy.
  7. Seller Financing.
  8. House Hacking.

What are the slowest times in real estate? ›

Sellers can net thousands of dollars more if they sell during the peak months of May, June and July versus the two slowest months of the year, October and December, according to a 2022 report by ATTOM Data Solutions.

What real estate appreciates the fastest? ›

Question: What type of property appreciates faster — condo, townhouse, or single-family? Answer: Since 2012, the data is clear — single-family homes appreciate the fastest, followed by townhouses/duplexes, and then condos. Since 2012, the average single-family home has appreciated 69% compared to 27% for condos.

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