Investment 101: 4 Ways in Getting Your Money’s Worth in Philippine Real Estate Investment

“Real estate investing even on a very small scale, remains a tried and true means of building an individual’s cash flow and wealth.” –Robert Kiyosaki

As it has been famously said, the best investment on earth is earth and landlords are the only investors capable of growing wealth in their sleep. With this in consideration, it is no surprise that real estate remains to be one of those investments in life which would guarantee you a semblance of security. However, novices would find the prospect of home investment daunting most especially if they do not know what to expect.

When you are shelling out your life’s savings or years and years’ worth of income, a modicum of fear is normal—expected even. But, this little frisson of fear should not deter you from making a useful investment. What you can do instead is to arm yourself with knowledge as to how to truly get your money’s worth when you are investing. Here are a few practical tips to assist you with that.

1. Do plan your financial goals

Have a realistic view of your expectations on your prospective investments. What kind of pecuniary goals do you have? Have a good understanding of what your goals are and make sure each of your investments is a step towards achieving them. Once you have a clear picture of what you do want, then you may proceed.

2. Do look at a lot of properties

When you are spending quite a fraction of your life’s savings, it is imperative that you have a myriad of options to choose from. Do not simply settle on the first property you see, venture out and do not buy properties simply for their aesthetic appeal. Be thorough in your scrutiny and make sure you do want the property to save yourself from buyer’s remorse later on.

3. Do not procrastinate in commencing an investment program just because you are waiting for a unicorn deal.

Ideally, before buying real estate, most of us would already know what we are looking for. But regardless of whether this may be a house and lot in Angeles or a condominium unit in Amaialand, one should not keep on waiting around the bush for that best (albeit, nonexistent in most cases) deal. Do not let your choices be dictated by the belief that you might just find a better deal right around the corner if you wait. This can backfire because you might just let a great deal slip in your efforts of finding an “even better” deal. Execute on a realistic deal that meets most of your criteria than hold out for a nonexistent one.

4. Do a thorough financial analysis

Before signing a deal, it is important to have a lot of alternatives in order to determine which one is the most financially sound. Never buy property which at a higher price than offered or on less attractive terms than what your analysis yielded. Do your research and ask the assistance of an expert and lastly, be wary of sellers that try to overestimate the value of their properties through an estimated data.