Thursday 23 June 2011

Two Times a Charm: Strategies for Second Property Investments

By Adam Ciboch


Mostly because homes are being sold for much cheaper than they were even just five years ago, this is a great time to invest in a second property for additional income. So you can earn some money in the process, the trick is finding an affordable way to do it. If you invest wisely and know what to do with the property once you've obtained it, purchasing a second home can be a boon to your financial mark-up. Keep reading.

First, think about what you're going to use the second property for. Is it a vacation home for you and your family? That's a great way to use a second property, but it likely won't net you much additional income. If, on the other hand, you're considering renting it out to tenants, you might just be able to get your new tenants to pay the monthly mortgage on the property for you. Presumably, the home will appreciate over time, and you can later sell it for more.

You could also look into renovating the property as a personal project. Buying a fixer-upper and subsequently renovating it and selling it for more than you paid could also potentially net you a decent amount of money. It's possible the costs of renovation might come out to be too much to make much of a profit upon resale, however, so home buyer beware. If we don't see an economic upswing soon, your costs of renovation might be higher than what you'll actually get as a sale price for the house.

You also have to consider financing. Where does the second property investment money come from anyway? Money doesn't grow on trees, and most people can't claim to have enough to just pay for a second home upfront. Many people use the common method of financing the second home with the equity in their first. This is called a home equity loan. You could also consider a rental property loan, although most places that lend want proof that you'll be able to make enough money to make the monthly mortgage payments.

Ultimately, it just comes down to doing your research. If you want to invest in a second property, there are multiple ways to make money and to finance your purchase. Make sure you know all of them so you can narrow down the right option for you in the end.




About the Author:



No comments: