It
is not uncommon to notice that the vast majority of people would rather invest
their retirement savings in some combination of stocks and bonds, typically
through some kind of mutual funds. Despite the fact that this renders them a
great opportunity to diversify their sources of earnings or the so-called investment
portfolios, they are often shocked to discover the value of their investment has
tumbled whenever there is an unprecedented change in the market conditions. Investing
in real estate is no different, yet, the value of property acquired normally
increases every single year, particularly against the ever growing populations
where the land becomes scarce.
1. TO PRESERVE
CAPITAL
Obviously, the ultimate reason for investing in real estate is the preservation and the possible enhancement of the money invested. A real estate owner may build up additional money through reduction of mortgage debt. Generally, real estate owners have enjoyed rising property values over the years. Consequently, the equity or the value of money invested is preserved and increased by appreciation. This is precisely the reason behind why real estate investments are described as the investment which hedges against inflation. Although the problems associated with tenants are legendary, prevalent and endless, however, they often improve the properties that they occupy to enhance their living environment. As a result, the betterment of the property they make tend to increase the property’s value and is often left behind by the time when they move.
2. TO EARN
PROFITABILITY
Fundamentally
speaking, all investors in real estate have one ultimate purpose to put their
money in for the sake of gaining profitability. By definition, an investment of
any kind is a commitment of funds with the intention of preserving a "capital/equity/money" and
earning a profit. From the viewpoint of real estate investors, these profits
assume two forms. First, the income stream derived from the tenants’ rents
should generate one kind of profit. Second, the gross amount of rent should be
adequate to pay for all of the fixed and variable operating expenses of the
property with sufficient remaining to show a return on the investment. After all,
before committing to make any investment of real estate property, an investor
should analyze thoroughly the returns of investment from opportunities rather
than simply acquiring the assets.
3. TO ENJOY TAX
RELIEF
Unlike
any other form of investments, the income stemmed from the rental real estate
can be sheltered enormously to diminish the income tax liability and thus
enhancing the bottom-line return. Often, after all income from a rental
property is accumulated for the year, the expenses incurred to grow this income
will possibly be deducted. As these expenses include all operating costs such
as management fees, utility expenses, repairs, maintenance, advertising,
bookkeeping and so forth, the interest paid on existing real estate loans is
usually deductible as a consequence of the amount of depreciation. Hence, the
gross income derived from rentals is effectively reduced to a net amount that is
then subjected to the imposition of income taxes at the taxpayer’s pocket.