Is Real Estate Investing Safe? (2024)

Is owning real estate a risky investment? In the past decade, real estate has ranked as the top investment pick for the majority (35%) of Americans, according to Gallup’s annual Economy and Personal Finance survey. That puts real estate ahead of stocks and mutual funds (21%), savings accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs) (17%), gold (16%), and bonds (8%) as the most favored investment.

It may be the top investment pick, but is real estate investing really safe? Just like any investment, real estate investing has risks, and property owners can lose money. Here are seven real estate investment risks to watch out for when you’re thinking about buying an investment property.

Key Takeaways

  • Owning real estate consistently ranks in the top place among Americans as the best investment opportunity.
  • 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.
  • Other risks to consider are the lack of liquidity, hidden structural problems, and the unpredictable nature of the real estate market.
  • Here, we detail seven such risks.

1. The Real Estate Market Can Be Unpredictable

Real estate has proven resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching all-time highs in many locations. Still, leading up to the 2008 Great Recession, many investors (wrongly) believed that the real estate market could only move in one direction: up. The basic assumption was that if you bought a property today, you could sell it for a lot more later on.

While real estate values do tend to rise over time, the real estate market is unpredictable—and your investment could depreciate. Supply and demand, the economy, demographics, interest rates, government policies, and unforeseen events all play a role in real estate trends, including prices and rental rates. You can lower the risk of getting caught on the wrong side of a trend through careful research, due diligence, and monitoring of your real estate holdings.

2. Choosing a Bad Location

Location should always be your first consideration when buying an investment property. After all, you can’t move a house to a more desirable neighborhood—nor can you move a retail building out of an abandoned strip mall.

Location ultimately drives the factors that determine your ability to make a profit—the demand for rental properties, types of properties that are in the highest demand, tenant pool, rental rates, and the potential for appreciation. In general, the best location is the one that will generate the highest return on investment (ROI). However, you have to do some research to find the best locations.

3. Negative Cash Flows

Cash flows on a real estate investment refer to the money that’s left over after paying all expenses, taxes, insurance, and mortgage payments. Negative cash flows happen when the money coming in is less than the money going out—meaning that you’re losing money.

Some common reasons for negative cash flows include:

  • High vacancy rates
  • Too costly maintenance
  • High financing costs on loans
  • Not charging enough rent
  • Not using the best rental strategy

The best way to reduce the risk of negative cash flow is to do your homework before buying. Take the time to accurately (and realistically) calculate your anticipated income and expenses—and do your due diligence to make sure that the property is in a good location.

4. High Vacancy Rates

Whether you own a single-family house or an office building, you need to fill those units with tenants to generate rental income. Unfortunately, there’s always the risk of a high vacancy rate in real estate investing. High vacancies are especially risky if you count on rental income to pay for the property’s mortgage, insurance, property taxes, maintenance, and the like.

The primary way to avoid the risk of high vacancy rates is to buy an investment property with high demand, in (you guessed it) a good location. You can also lower your vacancy risk if you:

  • Price your rental rates within the market range for the area
  • Advertise, market, and promote your property, being mindful of where your target tenant might look for property information (e.g., traditional methods? online?)
  • Start looking for new tenants as soon as a current one gives notice that they are moving out
  • Make sure your property is clean, tidy, and well-maintained
  • Offer incentives and rewards to keep tenants happy
  • List your property with a real estate professional
  • Develop a reputation for being nice and renting quality properties (think: Airbnb reviews)

5. Problem Tenants

To avoid vacancy risk, you want to keep your investment properties filled with tenants. But that can create another risk: problem tenants. A bad tenant can end up being more of a financial drain (and a headache) than having no tenant at all. Common problems with tenants include those who:

  • Don’t pay on time—or don’t pay at all (which could lead to a lengthy/costly eviction process)
  • Trash the property
  • Don’t report maintenance issues until it’s too late
  • Host extra roommates (humans or animals)
  • Ignore their tenant responsibilities

While it’s impossible to eliminate the risk of having a problem tenant, you can protect yourself by implementing a thorough tenant screening process. Be sure to run a credit check and criminal background check on every applicant. Also, contact each applicant’s previous landlords to look for red flags like late payments, property damage, and evictions.

It’s also recommended that you investigate a potential tenant’s work history. Make sure they have a steady salary that can reasonably cover rent and living expenses. It’s also a good idea to pay attention to scattered work history. An applicant who bounces from job to job may have trouble paying the rent and may be more likely to relocate in the middle of a lease.

Be sure that you and your investment properties are adequately insured against losses and liability.

6. Hidden Structural Problems

One sure way to lose money on an investment is to underestimate the costs of repairs and maintenance. For a typical single-family home, for example, you could be looking at as much as $12,000 to repair a foundation or $16,000 to fix the siding. Structural repairs, or remediation for mold or asbestos, could easily cost tens of thousands of dollars for commercial buildings.

Thankfully, you can lower this risk if you thoroughly inspect the property before you buy it. Don’t skimp on hiring a qualified and reputable property inspector, contractor, mold inspector, and pest control specialist to “look under the hood” and uncover any hidden problems. If a problem is discovered, find out how much it will cost to fix and either work that cost into your deal or walk away if it would prevent you from making a reasonable profit.

7. Lack of Liquidity

If you own stocks, it’s easy to sell them if you need money or just want to cash out. That’s not usually the case with real estate investments. Because of the lack of liquidity, you could end up selling below market or at a loss if you need to unload your property quickly.

While there’s not much you can do to lower this risk, there are ways to tap into your property’s equity if you need cash. For example, you can take out a home equity loan (for residential rental properties), do a cash-out-refinance—or, for commercial properties, take out a commercial equity loan or equity line of credit.

What are some ways to diversify real estate investing?

Diversification is often the best way to reduce risks. Since directly owning several properties may be out of many investors’ budgets, buying shares in real estate investment trusts (REITs) can provide broad exposure to geographically dispersed properties of different types (e.g., residential, commercial, etc.).

How can one minimize the risks of being a landlord?

There are several ways to keep your property costs down over the long run, including paying attention to regular maintenance and upkeep. Relatively small expenses today can save you from large costs down the road. To minimize the chances of problem tenants, run a credit report and check on tenants’ references, including asking their prior landlords how they were as tenants. Finally, choose a good location that will be less likely to either witness crime or have low occupancy rates.

How high can a landlord raise rent?

A landlord is allowed to increase the rent depending on local and state laws, and pursuant to language that exists in the lease. In places without rent controls, there may be no legal limit to how high the rent can be increased.

The Bottom Line

Real estate has traditionally been considered a sound investment, and savvy investors can enjoy a passive income, excellent returns, tax advantages, diversification, and the opportunity to build wealth. Just as with other types of investments, however, real estate investing can be risky.

You can limit your risks by doing your due diligence and conducting a thorough real estate market and rental property analysis. Also, be sure to hire pros to inspect the property, screen potential tenants, and learn everything you can about the real estate market.

Keep in mind that there are plenty of ways to invest in real estate without owning, financing, and operating physical properties. Options include REITs, real estate stocks, real estate crowdfunding, and real estate partnerships.

You also might consider investing in yourself by learning a new skill or getting a new license. Many real estate investors, for example, become licensed real estate agents or brokers—not necessarily to work as one, but to take advantage of the benefits, such as multiple listing service (MLS) access, networking, and the commissions earned on sales and rentals.

Mortgage lending discrimination is illegal. If you think that you’ve been discriminated against based on race, religion, sex, marital status, use of public assistance, national origin, disability, or age, there are steps that you can take. One such step is to file a report with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Is Real Estate Investing Safe? (2024)

FAQs

Is Real Estate Investing Safe? ›

Just as with other types of investments, however, real estate investing can be risky. You can limit your risks by doing your due diligence and conducting a thorough real estate market and rental property analysis.

Is real estate considered a safe investment? ›

Just as with other types of investments, however, real estate investing can be risky. You can limit your risks by doing your due diligence and conducting a thorough real estate market and rental property analysis.

Why is real estate one of the safest investments? ›

Real estate markets are relatively stable

While the real estate market is also subject to some volatility, it is significantly less than in the case of stocks. This means that there is less risk associated with investing in real estate, which makes this type of investment safer.

How effective is real estate investing? ›

On its own, real estate offers cash flow, tax breaks, equity building, competitive risk-adjusted returns, and a hedge against inflation. Real estate can also enhance a portfolio by lowering volatility through diversification, whether you invest in physical properties or REITs.

What is one major problem with investing in real estate? ›

Potential for Negative Cash Flow Risk: Like many other investments, real estate has the potential to create losses. Whenever you complete a deal with less money than you started with, you've created negative cash flow. And too much negative cash flow can leave you broke.

Is real estate the safest asset? ›

The lowest risk and highest return that real estate offers make it one of the most preferred investment options globally. Many investors strive to invest in real estate in order to hedge against inflation and at times to expand their property portfolio as a diversifier.

Is real estate a safer investment than stocks? ›

While stocks are a well-known investment option, not everyone knows that buying real estate is also considered an investment. Under the right circ*mstances, real estate can be an alternative to stocks, offering lower risk, yielding better returns, and providing greater diversification.

Is real estate the most stable investment? ›

There could be much more said about why investing in real estate is not only a safe hedge, but also an excellent one too. It's one of the soundest and most stable assets to have, as is shown in the growth and returns year after year from major portfolios.

Why is real estate less risky? ›

The risk of putting your own money to invest can also be minimized as real estate offers multiple financing options. Investors can finance their real estate purchases by applying for a loan. You can then cover the loan amount and repairs cost by selling the property at a profitable price.

What percentage of real estate investors fail? ›

I still find this hard to believe. 95% of would be real estate investors never buy a single house.

Do most millionaires invest in real estate? ›

Some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world have built their wealth through real estate. In fact, it's estimated that 90% of all millionaires invest in some form of real estate. There are several reasons for this, but in today's article, we'll share seven reasons why millionaires invest in real estate.

Is it smart to invest all your money in real estate? ›

Real estate has proven itself a worthy investment that provides cash flow and appreciation over time. Whether you're an aggressive or conservative investor, it's a great way to diversify your portfolio and can pay off in the short-term and long-term.

Is investing in real estate a good idea in 2023? ›

Despite what some may think, 2023 is still a good year to invest in real estate, thanks to advantages like long-term appreciation, steady rental income, and the opportunity to hedge against inflation. Mortgage rates are expected to decline, but the housing market is likely to remain competitive due to low supply.

What are the five negatives of real estate investment? ›

Disadvantages of Real Estate Investing
  • Real Estate Investing is a Long Grind. ...
  • Real Estate Income Can Be Variable. ...
  • Real Estate Requires Maintenance. ...
  • Real Estate is Impacted by Rent Control. ...
  • Real Estate Requires Your Time. ...
  • Real Estate Transaction Costs are High. ...
  • Real Estate Income is Subject to Taxation.
Jun 4, 2023

Can real estate investment go wrong? ›

To be sure, there's a lot that can go wrong when you invest in real estate. You can overpay for a property, buy in the wrong area, use the wrong lender or loan product, or overestimate the rent you're likely to receive, just to name a few. The list of mistakes is far too long to discuss every possibility here.

What are three common mistakes of investing? ›

Chasing performance, fear of missing out, and focusing on the negatives are three common mistakes many investors may make. History shows investors who overreact to near-term market events typically end up doing worse than if they stuck to their long-term plan.

What is the greatest disadvantage of real estate investments? ›

Real estate investments tend to have high transactional costs, especially in legal and brokerage fees. The process of acquiring a new property is also very long and tedious with lots of legal formalities. Another disadvantage of property investments is that they are not easy to liquidate.

What are the four investments which is considered the safest? ›

For example, certificates of deposit (CDs), money market accounts, municipal bonds and Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) are among the safest types of investments.

Is real estate the best long term investment? ›

Gallup found more Americans identified real estate as the best long-term investment compared to other types of assets. Gold jumped in popularity this year with 26% of respondents identifying it as the best long-term investment, up from 15% in 2022. Just 4% voted for crypto, down from 8% in 2022.

What is the average return on real estate vs stocks? ›

Is real estate or stocks more profitable? Investments in real estate have historically earned 3% to 4% per year on average; contrasted to investments in stock market indexes earning approximately 10% annually over the long-term.

What is the best way to invest 50000? ›

Property investment is likely the best way to invest 50k. It would help if you spoke to a financial advisor before deciding to invest money. A savings account is the safest way to invest 50k. You need to know your risk tolerance before deciding where to invest 50k.

Is real estate riskier than bonds? ›

Equities and real estate generally subject investors to more risks than do bonds and money markets. They also provide the chance for better returns, requiring investors to perform a cost-benefit analysis to determine where their money is best held.

Is real estate the best way to get rich? ›

Real estate is one of the best investments you can make because you can earn double-digit returns with the right deal. Once you find the right deal, you'll have a superior asset compared to stocks and other alternative investments.

Is real estate the best way to build wealth? ›

Residential real estate is unlikely to offer investors a higher return than a well-diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, and alternative investments. Real estate's status as an illiquid bulk holding limits investor flexibility, and high transaction costs make a long investment horizon necessary.

What type of real estate has the highest return? ›

Commercial real estate is known to yield higher returns than residential real estate. If you can afford to manage a commercial space, it can prove lucrative over time, depending on your area. The value of commercial real estate is determined in part by how much revenue it generates.

Why do people fail in real estate investing? ›

Failing to Focus on the Market and Not Staying Educated

In real estate investment, timing is essential, and failing to take the time to study and analyze the market can be a mistake that ends up losing you time and money.

Do most people fail in real estate? ›

Being a successful real estate agent is easier said than done. After all, there's a reason 87% of real estate agents fail. However, knowing the mistakes these realtors make, such as failing to follow up with clients or not having adequate funding, can help you prepare and grow a successful real estate business.

What is the biggest threat to the real estate industry? ›

Inflation and interest rates.

“An economic slowdown is underway, and the greatest recession risk to real estate is whether rising unemployment and lower household income cuts demand for residential and commercial property,” the CRE report finds.

Why 90% of millionaires invest in real estate? ›

Federal tax benefits

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.

What percent of millionaires are from real estate? ›

What Do Millionaires Invest In? 40% of an average millionaire's assets consist of real estate. That's partly because real estate can be a great investment and partly because US property values are very high. Many millionaires have a significant percentage of their wealth tied up in their primary residence.

Do 90% of investors lose money? ›

Based on several brokers' studies, as many as 90% of traders are estimated to lose money in the markets. This can be an even higher failure rate if you look at day traders, forex traders, or options traders.

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.

Where do the rich invest their money? ›

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.

Is it better to have money in stocks or real estate? ›

Volatility. Although stock market returns generally outperform real estate investments by a significant amount over the long run, investors have to pay a price in the form of volatility. Whereas housing prices may decline by double digits in a terrible year, the stock market can decline by 10% in a matter of days.

What is the 70% rule in real estate investing? ›

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. The ARV of a property is the amount a home could sell for after flippers renovate it.

How much of your wealth should be in real estate? ›

The decision of how much real estate to own in your portfolio is personal. If you're looking for a rule of thumb, adding 5% to 10% to your portfolio is a reasonable range. However, the best approach is to discuss with your financial advisor how adding real estate would best advance your goals.

What time of year is best to invest in real estate? ›

Buying A House In The Fall

Outside of winter, a fall purchase can be ideal for cash-strapped home buyers. Once summer ends, sellers get more motivated. They usually lower their prices and provide an opportunity to get a deal. As is the case with winter, there's also less inventory during the fall.

Is real estate a good investment for retirement? ›

Real estate can be an asset class with high returns. It also usually offers a hedge against inflation. Since real estate has historically been inversely correlated with conventional assets, it can be a good way to diversify your investments away from the stock market.

Is real estate a good investment during inflation? ›

Economic factors, such as inflation, have a direct impact on the real estate market. As with other goods and services, real estate prices may rise alongside inflation. This is due to the fact that real estate is commonly considered a safe and stable investment that can be used to combat the effects of inflation.

Is it smart to rent or buy? ›

Buying a house gives you ownership, privacy and home equity, but the expensive repairs, taxes, interest and insurance can really get you. Renting a home or apartment is lower maintenance and gives you more flexibility to move. But you may have to deal with rent increases, loud neighbors or a grumpy landlord.

How to fail in real estate investing? ›

  1. Failing to Make a Plan. The first thing to do is make a plan. ...
  2. Skimping on Research. ...
  3. Doing Everything on Your Own. ...
  4. Forgetting Real Estate Is Local. ...
  5. Overlooking Tenants' Needs. ...
  6. Getting Poor Financing. ...
  7. Overpaying. ...
  8. Underestimating Expenses.

What is the best option to invest money? ›

Best Investment Options in India
  1. Direct Equity – Stocks. Direct equity stocks are one of the best investment options for aggressive investors. ...
  2. Equity Mutual Funds. ...
  3. Equity Debt Funds. ...
  4. National Pension Scheme (NPS) ...
  5. Public Provident Fund (PPF) ...
  6. Bank Fixed Deposit. ...
  7. Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) ...
  8. Unit Linked Insurance Plans.

What is the 1 rule in real estate investing? ›

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.

Is investing in real estate always a good idea? ›

The benefits of investing in real estate include passive income, stable cash flow, tax advantages, diversification, and leverage. Real estate investment trusts (REITs) offer a way to invest in real estate without having to own, operate, or finance properties.

What are the two riskiest investments? ›

While the product names and descriptions can often change, examples of high-risk investments include: Cryptoassets (also known as cryptos) Mini-bonds (sometimes called high interest return bonds) Land banking.

What investments should I avoid? ›

13 Toxic Investments You Should Avoid
  • Subprime Mortgages. ...
  • Annuities. ...
  • Penny Stocks. ...
  • High-Yield Bonds. ...
  • Private Placements. ...
  • Traditional Savings Accounts at Major Banks. ...
  • The Investment Your Neighbor Just Doubled His Money On. ...
  • The Lottery.
Jun 1, 2023

What's the biggest risk of investing? ›

What are market risks? The fear of price fluctuations may be the one risk that keeps most would-be investors from actually investing. The prices for securities, commodities and investment fund shares are all affected by price fluctuations.

Is real estate a risky asset class? ›

Equities and real estate generally subject investors to more risks than do bonds and money markets. They also provide the chance for better returns, requiring investors to perform a cost-benefit analysis to determine where their money is best held.

Is real estate a high risk industry? ›

There is a financial risk of real estate business operation. Uncertain property climates, the high-value transactions, and its propensity to attract scammers all play into that evaluation.

Is real estate a good investment in 2023? ›

In my opinion, real estate is one intelligent option to consider in 2023, as it often has excellent returns, tax advantages and provides diversification even in the face of a challenging economic climate. Real estate also has the potential to compound your investment.

Is investing in real estate high risk? ›

Compared to other investment types, like stocks, annuities, and cryptocurrencies, real estate is widely considered to be a low-risk investment.

What is the safest investment with the highest return? ›

High-quality bonds and fixed-indexed annuities are often considered the safest investments with the highest returns. However, there are many different types of bond funds and annuities, each with risks and rewards. For example, government bonds are generally more stable than corporate bonds based on past performance.

What is the safest asset in the world? ›

The safest assets are known as risk-free assets, such as sovereign debt instruments issued by governments of developed countries.

Why do most real estate investors fail? ›

Failing to Focus on the Market and Not Staying Educated

In real estate investment, timing is essential, and failing to take the time to study and analyze the market can be a mistake that ends up losing you time and money.

What is the failure rate for real estate investing? ›

I still find this hard to believe. 95% of would be real estate investors never buy a single house.

What are the risks of real estate in 2023? ›

Continued inflation, overall higher interest rates, a potential recession and geopolitical tensions will force 30-year and 15-year mortgage rates up throughout 2023, and will bring the two rates closer together as short-term risks rise,” says Dennis Shirshikov of real estate website Awning.com.

Can you lose money investing in real estate? ›

Losing money when investing in commercial real estate syndications is uncommon but possible. You could invest with a bad or untrustworthy operator, invest in a bad deal, or invest in a bad market.

Why buying real estate in 2023 could be a wise investment? ›

Despite what some may think, 2023 is still a good year to invest in real estate, thanks to advantages like long-term appreciation, steady rental income, and the opportunity to hedge against inflation. Mortgage rates are expected to decline, but the housing market is likely to remain competitive due to low supply.

Is real estate or stock market a better investment? ›

If you're looking for a long-term investment, real estate may be the better option. There are no guarantees, but real estate tends to appreciate in value over time. If you're looking for a more passive investment, stocks may be the way to go.

Is the end of 2023 a good time to buy a house? ›

The combination of persistent buyer demand and low inventory has driven property prices up. There are fewer sellers, so prospective buyers need to contend with higher housing prices. As such, if you buy a home in 2023, you're likely to pay a premium.

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