Why You Should Consider Real Estate Investing In Your Twenties - Money Under 30 (2024)

If there were just one rule of successful investing it would be "start as young as you can." Although we frequently hear this advice as it pertains to the stock market, there are a lot of reasons to consider real estate investing in your twenties, too.

Real estate can be a great investment if you take the time to educate yourself about the process and the best ways to get great returns. However, most people who are interested in buying rental properties or real estate as an investment never do so. People who don’t take the time to learn about investing in rental properties are missing out on a great opportunity. I own 11 rental properties that bring in approximately $5,000 a month in cash flow after all my expenses, including mortgage payments.

One thing I would have done differently is investing in real estate much sooner. I bought my first rental property when I was 31 and I am now 35. The great thing about rentals is the longer you own them, the better investment they become. Plus, when you are young you have more flexibility in life, fewer commitments, and can take more risk. If you wait too long to start investing, family, work, and life make it hard to learn about and buy rental properties.

What’s Ahead:

Why rental properties are a great investment

I love comparing rental properties to the stock market, because the stock market is the investment vehicle we are all taught to use. Whether it is individual stocks, mutual funds, index funds, or REITs, we are told the best way to save and invest is to put our money in the market. The problem with investing in the stock market is we are depending solely on stocks to increase in value. Retirement calculators are based on the stock market. They make us guess when we will die to determine how much we should save. We run out of money if we live too long or save too much money if we die to soon.

Some peopleinvest in real estate for appreciation, but smart investors invest for cash flow.

Cash flow and real estate investing

Cash flow is the money you make from rental properties every month after all expenses are paid. The great thing about cash flow is it increases over time without ever eating away at your principal investment. It is like a stock where the dividend is so high that you never have to worry about the stock increasing in value to make great returns.

Cash flow will also increase over time because rents will go up with inflation while your mortgage payments stay the same. Eventually, you will pay off your loan and your cash flow will increase significantly.

On my rentals, I am seeing 20% cash on cash returns, which is not always easy to do, but possible depending on your location and amount of money you have to invest. Those returns do not include the tax advantages of rentals, equity pay down and possible appreciation which all increase your ROI. Here is a great article on how to calculate cash flow properly.

One way to make money on rental properties is to invest using sites like Roofstock. Roofstock is an online marketplace for real estate investing that charges half of the fees of traditional agents. The site makes it ridiculously easy to filter and search for properties in your price range.

Buying rental properties with little money down is easier when you are younger

Most banks will require an investor to put at least 20% down on a rental property.

That is a lot of money to most people, especially when you consider a property may need repairs, you have to pay closing costs and you want to have money in reserve in case something goes wrong. It can easily take 30% or more of the purchase price in cash to comfortably purchase a rental property.

If you buy a home as an owner occupant you can put no money down with certain loans (USDA, VA) and almost certainly buy a home with 5% down. You can’t rent out a home that you buy as an owner occupant right away, but you can rent it out after you have lived in the home a certain amount of time (usually one year).

There are some things to know about buying a multi-family property that you plan to live in. Most lenders require an owner occupant to live in a house for 12 months to satisfy the owner-occupancy requirement. That means you can buy a rental property as an owner-occupant, live there for 12 months and then rent the home out. If you are ambitious you can keep repeating this process every year although you will most likely only be able to use the no money down option once.

You can also buy a multifamily property that is between one and fourunits and live in one of the units to qualify as an owner occupant. After you have lived in the unit for 12 months, you can rent out the entire building and repeat the process.

When you are younger, it is much easier to move into a house that you want to make a rental property. When you have a family it is tough convincing your spouse and kids that you need to move every year and into a house that may not be up to their standards.

You can invest in real estate without buying property

One of the easiest ways to enter the real estate market is to do so as an investor. Today, there are many platforms that crowdsource the investment process. These platforms choose a group of expertly-vetted properties and have investors contribute to a collective pool, with each investor sharing in the reward.

Why You Should Consider Real Estate Investing In Your Twenties - Money Under 30 (2)

You don’t have to be an accredited investor with Fundrise, and you can get started on real estate investing with only $10. Fundrise loans money to commercial real estate buyers, then bundles those loans, offering them as investments through its platform.

DiversyFund is yet another investing platform that allows you to invest in real estate without purchasing a property. The company offers investment funds of private market assets including real estate, and investors can start with as little as $500. They also feature zero management fees and a commitment to helping investors of all income levels grow their wealth, making it a great option for investors in their twenties.

CrowdStreethas two major options for real estate investors: choose and manage your own portfolio or let their team of real estate investment experts do the work for you. Either way, you join other investors in funding commercial real estate projects, each of which is carefully vetted by market experts. Minimum investment requirements vary from one project to the next, but you can choose the opportunities that best fit your finances.

Streitwise is another excellent starter real estate investment opportunity.There’s only a $5,000 minimum for private real estate investments, and its most recent dividend was 8.4%. Note that Streitwise isn’t a crowdsourcing platform. Instead, you’re individually investing in a real estate investment trust (REIT), which operates similarly to a mutual fund by grouping investments together and having investors buy-in.What sets Streitwise apart is that it allows you to fund your investment using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Once you’ve signed up on the website, you can download the app to use on your iOS devices

This is a testimonial in partnership with Fundrise. We earn a commission from partner links on MoneyUnder30. All opinions are our own.

It takes time to get a great deal on rental properties that cash flow

It is not easy to find rental properties that will generate the returns I get, but I am not an aberration either. Many investors get higher returns than I do, but they have put in a lot of time and effort learning their market, learning about real estate, and learning about rental properties. The older you get, the less time you have with more job commitments, more family commitments, and more hobbies you discover. There is less time to learn about real estate, your market, and how to make money in this business the older you get (unless you get to retirement age).

I also fix and flip about 10-15 homes every year so I specialize in getting great deals on real estate. I buy most of my deals off the MLS even with rising prices and a lot of competition.

Here are a few tips on getting great deals:

  • I am a real estate agent, which helps me get great deals and lets me act very fast. I am not saying all investors should be agents, but it sure helps!
  • If you aren’t an agent spend a lot of time finding a great agent that will act fast for you and find you deals.
  • Spend time researching prices in your market and rental rates so you know what a good deal is.
  • Do not depend solely on a real estate agent to find you good deals. Many agents are not investors and won’t know what you are looking for.
  • Join a real estate investing club in your area to meet other investors and learn what they are buying and how.

The risks involved with buying rental property

There are definitely some risks and work involved with owning rental properties. The biggest mistake I see investors make is buying for appreciation with negative cash flow. It is great if my houses appreciates, but I love the cash flow. With cash flow, I have money in my pocket that I can use to buy more properties, invest somewhere else, or spend on something fun. If you have negative cash flow, there is a great chance things will end badly for the investor.

The problem with negative cash flow is most investors underestimate the money they will have to spend ontheir rental properties. There is also no guarantee prices will rise or when they will rise. Given enough time real estatewill probably appreciate, but itcould also go down in value before that happens. How long can you continue to pay money into a property every month? Eventually, people run out of money and are forced to sell, sometimes for less than they bought a property for. If you have positive cash flow, you won’t have to sell and you won’t want to sell, because it is putting money in your pocket.

Another issue that people forget about is maintenance. You have to budget for maintenance items every month. I figure 10% to 20% of my monthly rents will go to maintenance, depending on the age and condition of a property. If you don’t account for maintenance you may not make any money on your rentals.

On my rentals my average mortgage payments range from $400 to $600 including taxes and insurance and my rents range from $1,100 to $1,500 a month. After accounting for possible maintenance and vacancies my cash flow is about $500 a month.

It takes time to manage a rental property as well. You will have to find tenants, create a lease, account for expenses and income properly and make sure everyone pays on time. You could also hire a property manager to do all this for you for about 8% to 10% of the monthly rents, but you have to budget for that expense as well.

Conclusion

Rental properties can be an awesome investment that allows you to retire early. It is not a get rich quick scheme and it is not easy to do. Real estate investingtakes time, flexibility, and ambition to make it work well. The sooner you get started, the easier it will be and the better off you will be later in life.

Read more:

  • Why We Used Our $40,000 Windfall To Buy An Investment Property
  • A Tried And True Formula For Finding Profitable Rental Properties
Why You Should Consider Real Estate Investing In Your Twenties - Money Under 30 (2024)

FAQs

Why should you consider investing in rental properties when you are younger? ›

The great thing about rentals is the longer you own them, the better investment they become. Plus, when you are young you have more flexibility in life, fewer commitments, and can take more risk. If you wait too long to start investing, family, work, and life make it hard to learn about and buy rental properties.

Why you should start investing in your 20s? ›

Your 20s can be a great time to take on investment risk because you have a long time to make up for losses. Focusing on riskier assets, such as stocks, for long-term goals will likely make a lot of sense when you're in a position to start early.

What is the best age to invest in real estate? ›

For example, those who invest in their 20s and 30s will begin earning cash flow sooner than their peers. Over time, as they pay down the debt on those properties, they can either a) maximize cash flow on debt-free properties; or b) refinance those properties with new, long-term debt.

What should you consider when investing in real estate? ›

The adage "location, location, location" is still king and continues to be the most important factor for profitability in real estate investing. Proximity to amenities, green space, scenic views, and the neighborhood's status factor prominently into residential property valuations.

What are the benefits of buying a house in your 20s? ›

Benefits of buying a home in your 20s

Real estate wealth can be flexible, too: You could: Sell the home at a profit later on. Turn it into an income-earning rental property when you're ready to move up. Borrow against your home's value at low interest rates to generate cash.

Why is it better to start investing in your 20s than later in life? ›

Twenty-somethings have some definitive advantages over those who wait to begin investing, including time, the ability to weather increased risk, and opportunities to increase future wages. Even if you have to start small, it's in your advantage to start early!

Why your 20s are the most important? ›

Facts and figures aside, your 20s are the time in your life when you learn how to be an adult. You'll get a job, make friends, pay bills, take care of yourself, have relationships, and generally gain an understanding of what those previous two decades were trying to teach you about life.

What are the benefits of early investing? ›

Early Investing Helps You Develop Better Spending Patterns

And creating a budget is the ideal approach to changing your spending patterns since it allows you to track how much money you spend each month on things like food, utilities, rent, fun activities, etc.

How to invest in your 20s to be wealthy in your 30s? ›

Let us try to discuss some of them.
  1. Put an end to your procrastination. The youth's mistake is to believe that there is always enough time to do everything. ...
  2. Recognise that magic does not exist. ...
  3. Think of yourself as an investment. ...
  4. Make a financial plan. ...
  5. Reduce your debt. ...
  6. Take chances. ...
  7. Diversify.
Jul 23, 2022

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.

Does age matter in real estate? ›

Experienced real estate investors know that they need to care about property age because the market cares. Your ability to address what the market wants will be driven in part by your property's age.

Is it smart to buy land in your 20s? ›

One of the most significant reasons why you should invest in real estate in your 20s is because with real estate investing, the longer you own a property, the better the investment becomes. So, by starting in your twenties as opposed to in your thirties or forties, you will benefit greatly.

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.

What are the 3 most important things when looking to buy real estate? ›

What to Look for When Buying a House
  • Search for the right price.
  • Prioritize the location.
  • Think long term.
  • Assess property condition.
  • Don't focus on minor cosmetic details.
  • Stick with your must-haves.

What do you consider to be the best investment? ›

12 best investments right now
  • High-yield savings accounts.
  • Certificates of deposit (CDs)
  • Money market funds.
  • Government bonds.
  • Corporate bonds.
  • Mutual funds.
  • Index funds.
  • Exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
May 4, 2023

Is it better to rent or buy in your 20s? ›

Renting and buying both have their pros and cons for young professionals. Renting allows you to avoid certain costs, such as making repairs and upgrades, property taxes and homeowner's insurance, but depending on where you live, owning a home may be the more affordable option.

What percent of 25 year olds have a house? ›

Almost 30% of 25-year-olds own their own homes, a higher percentage than their parents at the same age.

Is 21 too early to buy a house? ›

There's no minimum age to buy a house. If you're ready and have a down payment, buying a house in your early 20s is a smart move.

Where should I be financially at 25? ›

Alice Rowen Hall, director of Rowen Homes, suggests that “individuals should aim to save at least 20% of their annual income by age 25.” For example, if someone is earning $60,000 per year, they should aim to have $12,000 saved by the age of 25.

Is 25 a good age to start investing? ›

Starting early is a major advantage.

In your 20s, and even your 30s, your biggest asset is time. Even when you're just investing in retirement savings, nothing can make up for the effect of compound interest. Also, if you lose money in the market, you'll have more time to make it back before you need it.

Is 25 too late to invest? ›

No matter how old you are, the best time to start investing was a while ago. But it's never too late to do something. Just make sure the decisions you make are the right ones for your age—your investment approach should age with you.

How can I improve my life in my 20s? ›

Find out what you should start (and stop) doing in your 20s to lay the foundation for lifelong success.
  1. Start writing down your goals. ...
  2. Start letting go of your ego. ...
  3. Start reading a lot. ...
  4. Stop trying to live someone else's life. ...
  5. Stop feeling bad about the past. ...
  6. Start showing loved ones you care. ...
  7. Start taking care of your health.
May 8, 2019

How do you spend your 20s wisely? ›

20 Things to Do in Your 20s
  1. Make a plan—but be willing to change. Setting goals is great. ...
  2. Make a budget and stick to it. ...
  3. Learn how to set boundaries. ...
  4. Take care of your mental health. ...
  5. Save up an emergency fund. ...
  6. Embrace the season you're in. ...
  7. Pay off all debt (especially student loans). ...
  8. Get out of your parents' house.
Mar 8, 2023

How do I find my purpose in my 20s? ›

So, keep on reading!
  1. Sit down, breathe & envision what your perfect life is like: ...
  2. Define your principles – what's really important? ...
  3. Get out there & do it: ...
  4. Embrace your failures and learn from mistakes: ...
  5. Accept change as a good thing: ...
  6. Always keep getting better: ...
  7. Create even more audacious goals:
Jun 30, 2020

What are 5 benefits to investing? ›

Benefits of Investing
  • Potential for long-term returns. While cash is undoubtedly safer than shares, it's unlikely to grow much, or find opportunities to grow, in the long run. ...
  • Outperform inflation. ...
  • Provide a regular income. ...
  • Tailor to your changing needs. ...
  • Invest to fit your financial circ*mstances.

Why investing is important at every age? ›

Setting aside money every month for investing will keep you from spending that money on unnecessary expenditures. Investing your money demonstrates a concern for the future and a discipline that could make a difference during your retirement years. Many people think investing is complicated, but it doesn't have to be.

How to invest in yourself in your 20s? ›

7 Ways To Invest In Yourself in Your 20s
  1. Your Education and Career Growth. One of the best ways to set yourself up for success in your finances and career is by investing in your education. ...
  2. Your Personal Learning. ...
  3. Your Future Personal Finances. ...
  4. Your Network. ...
  5. Your Health. ...
  6. A Mentor. ...
  7. Financial or Business-Related Risks.
Aug 26, 2022

How much should you invest in your twenties? ›

How much you should be saving in your 20s
AgeHow much to invest annually
20$2,250
22$2,660
24$3,150
26$3,700
4 more rows
Feb 24, 2023

How can I build wealth in my early 20s? ›

How to Grow Wealth as a Young Adult
  1. Start a Budget. Starting a budget is the foundation for creating wealth. ...
  2. Eliminate Debt. Many young adults carry debt with them, usually originating from school loans, car loans, or credit card purchases. ...
  3. Create a Plan. ...
  4. Start Investing Early. ...
  5. Consult a Financial Advisor. ...
  6. Closing.
Dec 22, 2022

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.

What are the pros and cons of real estate? ›

The Pros and Cons of a Real Estate Career
  • Pro #1. Achieving Freedom. ...
  • Pro #2. Feeling Responsible. ...
  • Pro #3. Being Respected. ...
  • Pro #4. Excitement. ...
  • Con #1. Having Nothing to Do. ...
  • Con #2. Doing the Wrong Things. ...
  • Con #3. Weird Working Hours. ...
  • Con #4. Irregular Income.

Is it better to save money or invest in real estate? ›

Real estate investment has undoubtedly proven to be the safest type of investment. Real estate is the first choice of almost every investor who saves. Residences, hotels, commercial properties, lands. All these real estate types bring profit to the investor if they are chosen correctly.

What is the youngest age for real estate? ›

Age: You must be 18 years of age or older to be issued a license. Residence: If you are not a California resident, see Out-of-State Applicants. Honesty: Applicants must be honest and truthful. Conviction of a crime may result in the denial of a license.

Is 28 too old to start real estate? ›

Starting over may sound like a daunting task, but you have to consider how your current employment situation is affecting you mentally and physically. You're never too old for a new beginning! You'll find that the real estate world is full of people who are willing to help you reach your goals.

What is the most common age to buy a house? ›

But is there a right age when these factors should be in place? And are these the factors Americans should consider when deciding to become a homeowner for the first time? In 2022, the average age of first-time homebuyers was 36, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). This is up from 33 in 2021.

Is it smarter to buy land or a house? ›

In general, you'll likely find it cheaper overall to buy an existing home, but that also depends on the market. A home loan is less risky than a land loan, and typically comes with a lower down payment and better interest rate.

Why is it smart to invest in land? ›

The land is always a profitable investment as you can make money off it quickly. You can either sell your land, use it to grow crops, use the land as boat storage, or lease it out. The highest and best use of land is an imperative factor that determines the value of your land.

Why is buying land a good investment? ›

Land is a tangible investment and an asset that keeps increasing in value over time. Land ownership provides the owner with financial security and contentment. It has been in high demand as it can generate passive income, offer opportunities to earn, and let investors double their money without high risks.

What are 3 benefits of real estate? ›

10 Reasons To Invest In Real Estate
  • Steady Cash Flow. Owning real estate is a way to boost your monthly income. ...
  • Great Returns. ...
  • Long-Term Security. ...
  • Tax Advantages. ...
  • Diversification. ...
  • Passive Income. ...
  • Ability To Leverage Funds. ...
  • Protection Against Inflation.

What makes you stand out in real estate? ›

Making a unique presence in your community with events, relevant virtual resources, and consistently great photography on your listings can make you really stand out as a real estate agent. Be sure to highlight unique features of your listings to curate experiences for your ideal buyers.

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 two disadvantages of owning a home? ›

Disadvantages of owning a home
  • Costs for home maintenance and repairs can impact savings quickly.
  • Moving into a home can be costly.
  • A longer commitment will be required vs. ...
  • Mortgage payments can be higher than rental payments.
  • Property taxes will cost you extra — over and above the expense of your mortgage.

What is the #1 feature to consider when buying a home? ›

1. The Location. They say the three most important things to think about when buying a home are location, location, location. You can change almost everything else, but you can't change your home's location.

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.
May 31, 2023

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.

How to invest with little money? ›

Six ways to invest with little money
  1. Drip-feed your cash into investments. You don't need to have a lump sum to start investing. ...
  2. Buy an index tracker. ...
  3. Use a robo-adviser. ...
  4. Mitigate your risk. ...
  5. Invest for the long-term. ...
  6. Open a high-yield savings account.

What are two things a good investment might do? ›

A good investment matches an investor's risk level and investment goal. It will also typically have a guaranteed return or a predictable outcome and be easy to buy and sell.

Is it better to take more investment risks when you re younger or when you re older? ›

A young investor is at an advantage. An investor's age affects how much risk they can take on. A young investor can seek out bigger returns by taking bigger risks. This is because if a young investor loses money, they have time to recover the losses through income generation.

Why should your investments be age appropriate? ›

Those who are younger can tolerate more risk, but they often have less income to invest. Those who near retirement may have more money to invest, but less time to recover from any losses. Asset allocation by age plays an important role in building a sound retirement investing strategy.

Does age matter in investment? ›

Your age dictates how much risk you're willing to take on in your investments. The general rule is that the younger you are, the more risk you're able to tolerate. The older you get, though, means you must cut back on the amount of risk in your portfolio.

What are the advantages to saving and investing at an early age as opposed to beginning alter in life? ›

Compound interest

Compound interest is likely the most significant benefit of investing early in retirement. Though there's no guaranteed set rate of return, when you start saving for retirement earlier, you'll end up with more money with a smaller capital investment than if you wait until later in your career.

How does age affect investment decisions? ›

Generally speaking, the younger you are, the riskier you may decide to make your investment portfolio. Earlier in life, many feel comfortable with a high-risk strategy because they won't be withdrawing for years — they have time to recover and recoup from any losses from incidents such as a sudden market downturn.

What are the benefits to investing in a low risk? ›

Advantages. These investments ensure that the investor's money is not at risk of resulting in losses. The volatility in these types of investments is usually lower than in highly risky investments. Overall, the balance in an individual's portfolio is maintained.

Is it normal to struggle financially in your 20s? ›

Most people, even in their mid-to-late 20s are still struggling to establish themselves. That can be hard to do if your job isn't paying you enough, you're struggling to make rent, have no savings, and are being crushed by debt.

Is it normal to buy a house at 20? ›

There's no minimum age to buy a house. If you're ready and have a down payment, buying a house in your early 20s is a smart move. If you want to buy a home young, start planning now and get in touch to let us know what you need. We also have a completely free education course available for all first-time homebuyers.

Why do Millennials prefer renting instead of buying? ›

RentCafe chalked it up to a matter of “comfort and smart investing.” Owning a home can come with more than its fair share of maintenance and costly repairs and upkeep. Then there's the flexibility renting offers one to move from city to city for career opportunities.

What age is too late to start investing? ›

No matter how old or young you are, it is never too late to start investing in the stock market. Investing now will allow you to take advantage of compounding returns sooner rather than later. This can make all the difference when it comes down to long-term financial goals such as retirement.

Is 22 a good age to start investing? ›

And only 26% of people start investing before the age of 25. But the math is simple: it's cheaper and easier to save for retirement in your 20s versus your 30s or later. Let me show you. If you start investing with just $3,600 per year at age 22, assuming an 8% average annual return, you'll have $1 million at age 62.

Where to invest in 20s? ›

Nevertheless, there are two simple ways investors in their 20s can start making investments early in life. The first of these is enrolling in the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) to start saving for retirement as soon as one starts earning. The other is to start a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) in a Mutual Fund.

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