Four Pillars Of Real Estate Investing - Detailed Guide (2024)

Four Pillars Of Real Estate Investing - Detailed Guide (1)

Real Estate Investing For Beginners

December 7, 2022

A quick overview

The world of real estate investing is both exciting and intimidating for those who have yet to step foot into it. To take the mystery out of it, investors should start by learning as much as they can. We’ll take a look at the four pillars of real estate investing, to outline the benefits of this strategy and its wealth generating capacity.

Table of Contents

Real estate investing has long been known for its wealth generating capability. It has been a strong investing strategy for more millionaires than any other investing avenue. For some, real estate may seem like an intimidating industry to invest in. However, once investors have learnt about the industry, they can use this knowledge to reap the rewards.

To help investors understand real estate, Ariel Diaz has broken real estate investing down into 4 pillars, in his book “The Four Pillars of Real Estate”. He shares his decades of real estate investing knowledge and explains the fundamental ways that real estate can be used to generate wealth. We’ll outline 4 pillars of real estate investing, to help you begin your real estate journey from a place of knowledge.

What Are The 4 Pillars of Real Estate?

The 4 pillars of real estate are 4 aspects of real estate investing that contribute towards wealth generation. These pillars work together as puzzle pieces, to create one big well-oiled machine that can generate profit. The 4 pillars of real estate include: cash flow, appreciation, amortization and leverage, and tax benefits.

Four Pillars Of Real Estate Investing - Detailed Guide (3)

Pillar 1: Amortization and leverage

Acquiring debt is not usually something to encourage, however in the case of real estate investing, debt can in fact be a vehicle to building wealth.

Amortization is an important concept to understand when investing in real estate. Simply put, it is the process of spreading out the cost of a major purchase, such as a property, over time. This can be done in a number of ways, but the most common method is to make monthly payments on a loan, ie: debt.

As the loan is paid off, the amount of interest owed decreases first and then gradually the principal amount follows suit. This results in lower monthly payments over time, which can be helpful for cash flow purposes. It’s important to note that not all loans are amortized, so it’s something to keep in mind when considering financing options. When used correctly, amortization can be a valuable tool for real estate investors.

By adding a loan or mortgage to the deal, real estate investors can use leverage to turn inflation into a higher rate of return on a property. Using a loan means that investors also risk less of their own cash, and leverage allows them to enhance the property’s rate of return and the result of any appreciation the property may have had.

you probably know, real estate appreciates in value over time. This is an integral part of the success of real estate investing because investors can either buy and hold property while it appreciates, or the value can be increased through a number of strategies. Either way, at the end of it all, the property can be sold for more than it was bought, and investors will make a profit.

Buying and holding real estate is usually done by renting the property out, to pay for the mortgage while it’s owned by the investor. The property will increase in value over time, depending on the economic climate and the length of the holding period. So, a higher rent can be charged over time, and eventually the property can be sold for much more than it was bought.

Actively increasing a property’s value can be done by fixing and flipping houses, for example. This is the process of buying a property, doing repairs and renovations to increase its’ value and then selling it again for a profit. Either way, property appreciates in value and savvy real estate investors can make a large profit off this.

Four Pillars Of Real Estate Investing - Detailed Guide (4)

Pillar 3: Cash Flow

Cash flow refers to the income and expenses of a property. Owning an investment property comes with various operating expenses, such as utilities and the mortgage payment, that need to be covered by the income that the property is generating through rent. So, cash flow is an important part of real estate investing.

Over time, the amount made through income generation of a rental property adds up and begins to create a profit. If this profit is managed correctly and a positive cash flow is maintained, investors stand to begin generating good returns on their real estate investment. If you add in extra investment properties and their income generating potential from a positive cash flow, investors stand to make good money.

Pillar 4: Tax benefits

One of the biggest tax benefits of real estate investing is the ability to deduct depreciation. Depreciation is a non-cash expense that essentially allows investors to claim a deduction for the wear and tear on a property. This can lead to significant tax savings, especially for investors who own multiple properties and are on the hook for property taxes.

Another major tax benefit of real estate investing is the ability to deduct mortgage interest. This is a huge benefit, as it can significantly reduce taxable income. For example, if you have a $1,000,000 mortgage at 4% interest, you can deduct $40,000 per year in interest payments. This can easily make up for any other expenses associated with owning rental property.

Lastly, real estate investors can also take advantage of capital gains tax rates when they sell their properties. Capital gains taxes are much lower than ordinary income tax rates, so this can be a significant saving when you sell an investment property.

4 Pillars of Real Estate - Book Summary

In Ariel Diaz’s book “The Four Pillars of Real Estate”, he outlines the above-mentioned pillars, in order to help investors make sense of how to make a profit from investing in real estate. It’s not as complicated as it may seem and learning about these pillars can help investors truly understand real estate and how it can be a wealth generating vehicle.

In essence, Diaz elaborates on and simplifies the benefits of investing in real estate and brings awareness to the strategy to demystify it and make it accessible. At the outset, Diaz states that none of the information is new, but that the key is to learn the fundamentals first, and then be able to put them into practice effectively.

Four Pillars Of Real Estate Investing - Detailed Guide (5)

Additional Tips For Achieving Real Estate Success

Although there’s no blueprint for real estate investing success, there are some key elements that many successful investors follow. One of the most important is to develop a niche and become an expert in that area. This could mean focusing on a particular type of property, such as office buildings or apartments, or it could mean becoming familiar with a specific geographical market.

Another important strategy is to build a network of reliable partners, such as experienced lenders and contractors. These relationships can provide essential support during the ups and downs of the real estate market.

Finally, it’s important to have realistic expectations and a long-term vision for your investments. By doing this, you can increase your chances of achieving success in the exciting world of real estate investing.

Four Pillars Of Real Estate Investing - Detailed Guide (2024)

FAQs

What are the 4 pillars of real estate investing? ›

The 4 pillars of real estate include: cash flow, appreciation, amortization and leverage, and tax benefits.

What are the 4 pillars of prequalification? ›

4 Pillars of Prequalifying: Condition of the property 🏡 Timeline to sell ⌚️ Motivation to sell/ Problem 💣

How to do the 1 rule in real estate? ›

Calculating the 1% rule is simple. Just multiply the purchase price of the property by 1%. Even easier, move the comma in the purchase price to the left two spaces. The result should be the minimum you charge in monthly rent.

What are the 4 pillars of wealth creation? ›

The Four Pillars of Wealth Management
  • Managing finances and budgeting. The first, and arguably most important part of establishing a secure financial future is managing your income and assessing your spending habits. ...
  • Investment and Risk Management. ...
  • Planning for retirement. ...
  • Tax efficiency.
Jan 26, 2023

What is the 4 pillars rule? ›

The four pillars policy is an Australian Government policy to maintain the separation of the four largest banks in Australia by rejecting any merger or acquisition between the four major banks.

What are the four pillars of investing summary? ›

This down-to-earth book lays out in easy-to-understand prose the four essential topics that every investor must master: the relationship of risk and reward, the history of the market, the psychology of the investor and the market, and the folly of taking financial advice from investment salespeople.

What are the 4 pillars of mortgage? ›

Credit score, income, employment and down payment are the four pillars of the loan approval process. Your approval, interest rate and program will largely be based on a combination of these four items. That being said, these four are not the only factors that constitute loan approval.

What is prequalification questionnaire? ›

PQQ stands for “pre-qualification questionnaire”, and a PPQ is used to ascertain the suitability of a contractor or supplier. Suppliers will answer a list of questions based on the requirements of a company, and the company then uses this information to decide whether or not it will engage that supplier.

What's the difference between prequalification and preapproval? ›

The biggest difference between the two is that getting pre-qualified is typically a faster and less detailed process, while pre-approvals are more comprehensive and take longer. Getting a pre-qualification or pre-approval letter is generally not a guarantee that you will secure a loan from the lender.

What is the 50% rule in real estate? ›

Like many rules of real estate investing, the 50 percent rule isn't always accurate, but it can be a helpful way to estimate expenses for rental property. To use it, an investor takes the property's gross rent and multiplies it by 50 percent, providing the estimated monthly operating expenses. That sounds easy, right?

What is the 80% rule in real estate? ›

The 80% rule means that an insurer will only fully cover the cost of damage to a house if the owner has purchased insurance coverage equal to at least 80% of the house's total replacement value.

What is the 4-3-2-1 rule in real estate? ›

4-3-2-1 rule

The front quarter of the standard site receives 40% of the total value. The second quarter receives 30% of the total value. The third quarter receives 20% of the total value; and the rear quarter receives just 10% of the total value.

What are the 4 pillars of success? ›

The 4 Pillars of Success
  • Pillar #1: Hard Work. Every success is built on hard work. ...
  • Pillar #2: Persistence. Every success is built on persistence. ...
  • Pillar #3: Commitment to a Vision. Every success is built on a commitment to a vision. ...
  • Pillar #4: Belief in Self & Your Product.
Jan 31, 2023

What are the 4 pillars of successful business? ›

Just like Alisa's seven attributes, there are four key pillars that every business needs to master in order to reach its potential and succeed. Financial, customers, people and process.

Why are the 4 pillars important? ›

The Four Pillars provide a strong foundation for lifelong learning, which means that students can continue developing their skills throughout their lives. They help students learn to know themselves, their abilities and potential, how others learn and work together, and how to live respectfully in a changing world.

Why are the four pillars important? ›

The purpose of the four pillars is to identify a manager's strengths and where they can improve. The pillars are effective whether the manager oversees a small team of interns or manages an entire corporation.

Which are the 4 core characteristics of impact investment? ›

Characteristics of impact investing

These four characteristics are (1) Intentionality, (2) Evidence and Impact data in Investment Design, (3) Manage Impact Performance, and (4) Contribute to the growth of the industry.

What are the four pillars of investing chapters? ›

Each section of the book is then dedicated to investigating and detailing each of these pillars and they are: 1) Theory 2) History 3) Psychology and 4) Business.

What are the 4 C's of real estate? ›

Standards may differ from lender to lender, but there are four core components — the four C's — that lender will evaluate in determining whether they will make a loan: capacity, capital, collateral and credit.

What are the 5 P's in mortgage? ›

The 5 P's in real estate are an essential framework that can help property investors and managers succeed. These five elements are Plan, Process, People, Property, and Profit. Plan: The first P in real estate is Plan. Having a solid plan is critical for success in real estate.

Which is stronger prequalification or preapproval? ›

This means a preapproval is a stronger sign of what you can afford and adds more credibility to your offer than a prequalification. This will also allow you to show sellers a preapproval letter to demonstrate that your financial information has been verified and you can afford a mortgage.

How accurate is prequalification? ›

Prequalification tends to refer to less rigorous assessments, while a preapproval can require you to share more personal and financial information with a creditor. As a result, an offer based on a prequalification may be less accurate or certain than an offer based on a preapproval.

Does prequalification require a hard pull? ›

Prequalification is typically considered a soft inquiry, and it won't hurt your credit all on its own. In fact, it can be a helpful tool for lowering your risk of being rejected for a new credit card.

Can you be denied prequalification? ›

It's possible to be pre-approved for a mortgage, then denied during underwriting. Find out why this may happen and what you can do if it does. Buying a home is one of the largest purchases most people will ever make. Mortgage loans provide homebuyers with most of the money they need to complete the purchase.

Can you be denied after prequalification? ›

Yes, it's possible to have your loan application denied after getting preapproved for a mortgage. It doesn't seem fair, but the reason this is possible is because your loan has to go through the underwriting process before it's finalized.

Will I get approved if I prequalify? ›

When a credit card offer mentions that someone is pre-qualified or pre-approved, it typically means they've met the initial criteria required to become a cardholder. But they still need to apply and get approved. Think of these offers as invitations to start the actual application process.

What is Rule 70 in real estate? ›

The 70% rule can help flippers when they're scouring real estate listings for potential investment opportunities. Basically, the rule says real estate investors should pay no more than 70% of a property's after-repair value (ARV) minus the cost of the repairs necessary to renovate the home.

What is the 36 rule in real estate? ›

A household should spend a maximum of 28% of its gross monthly income on total housing expenses according to this rule, and no more than 36% on total debt service. This includes housing and other debt such as car loans and credit cards. Lenders often use this rule to assess whether to extend credit to borrowers.

What is 10 10 20 rule real estate? ›

When you're on this “high,” rather than tell your fellow agents about your success, tell the neighbors: 10 houses to the right of the listing, 10 houses to the left of the listing, and 20 houses across the street from the listing.

What is the 5 and 2 real estate rule? ›

The 2-out-of-five-year rule states that you must have both owned and lived in your home for a minimum of two out of the last five years before the date of sale. However, these two years don't have to be consecutive, and you don't have to live there on the date of the sale.

What is the 10 rule in real estate? ›

A good rule is that a 1% increase in interest rates will equal 10% less you are able to borrow but still keep your same monthly payment. It's said that when interest rates climb, every 1% increase in rate will decrease your buying power by 10%. The higher the interest rate, the higher your monthly payment.

What is the rule of 35 in the real estate? ›

By law, lenders can't underwrite the loan unless they can determine the borrower will be able to pay up the loan. The whole idea behind the 35-percent rule of thumb is this: a borrower can afford no more than 35% of its monthly take-home pay.

What is the 10 second rule in real estate? ›

As part of its REALTOR safety program, NAR trains its REALTORS to practice the “10-Second Rule.” It says one of the reasons REALTORS and agents end up in dangerous situations is because they are not paying attention. To counteract, they should take 10 seconds to observe and analyze their surroundings.

What is the 20 rule in real estate? ›

The rule, applicable in many financial, commercial, and social contexts, states that 80% of consequences come from 20% of causes. For example, many researchers have found that: 80% of real estate deals are closed by 20% of the real estate teams.

What is the 25 rule in real estate? ›

To calculate how much house you can afford, use the 25% rule—never spend more than 25% of your monthly take-home pay (after tax) on monthly mortgage payments.

What is 4 pillar of growth? ›

The 4 Pillars of Growth: Branding. Innovating. Disruption. Success.

What are the four pillars quotes? ›

The best way to succeed is to have a specific Intent, a clear Vision, a plan of Action, and the ability to maintain Clarity. Those are the Four Pillars of Success. It never fails!

What are the 5 P's in real estate? ›

These five elements are Plan, Process, People, Property, and Profit.
  • Plan: The first P in real estate is Plan. ...
  • Process: The second P in real estate is Process. ...
  • People: The third P in real estate is People. ...
  • Property: The fourth P in real estate is Property. ...
  • Profit: The final P in real estate is Profit.

What is the 5 rule in real estate investing? ›

Multiply the value of the home by 5%, then divide that number by 12 to get your breakeven point. If the monthly rent on a comparable home is below the breakeven point, it makes financial sense to rent. If the monthly rent is higher than the breakeven point, it makes financial sense to buy.

What are the four factors of value real estate? ›

The current and future importance consumers place on the four factors of value (Desire, Utility, Scarcity, and Effective Purchasing Power) represents Demand and Supply of the product or service. If you would like to learn more about Urban Statistic, you can look at our independent property valuations service here.

What are the 4 Ps in? ›

The 4 Ps of marketing—product, price, place and promotion—serve as a basic framework for assessing and adjusting your marketing strategy, and have long been thought of as the core of a marketing plan.

What are the three C's of real estate? ›

They evaluate credit and payment history, income and assets available for a down payment and categorize their findings as the Three C's: Capacity, Credit and Collateral.

What are the 4 P in direct selling? ›

The marketing mix, also known as the four P's of marketing, refers to the four key elements of a marketing strategy: product, price, place and promotion.

What is the 4 3 2 1 rule in real estate? ›

4-3-2-1 rule

The front quarter of the standard site receives 40% of the total value. The second quarter receives 30% of the total value. The third quarter receives 20% of the total value; and the rear quarter receives just 10% of the total value.

What are the 3 C's of investing? ›

Investors must know you, like you, and trust you before they will fund you. And they are looking for what I call the three Cs in a business founder: character, confidence, and coachability.

What are 4 of the major real estate risk concerns? ›

What Are the Major Risks in Real Estate Investing?
  • Major Risks in Real Estate. Identifying risk is a critical skill when investing. ...
  • Capital Risk. Capital risk is the loss of capital. ...
  • Debt. Debt financing is often used in real estate investing. ...
  • Liability. ...
  • Liquidity Risk. ...
  • Market Risk. ...
  • Over Leverage.
Jul 15, 2022

What are the four 4 types of risk associated with real estate? ›

Real estate investing can be lucrative, but it's important to understand the risks. Key risks include bad locations, negative cash flows, high vacancies, and problem tenants.

What are the 3 most important factors 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.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Pres. Carey Rath

Last Updated:

Views: 6217

Rating: 4 / 5 (61 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Pres. Carey Rath

Birthday: 1997-03-06

Address: 14955 Ledner Trail, East Rodrickfort, NE 85127-8369

Phone: +18682428114917

Job: National Technology Representative

Hobby: Sand art, Drama, Web surfing, Cycling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Leather crafting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Pres. Carey Rath, I am a faithful, funny, vast, joyous, lively, brave, glamorous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.