October, 2020 | POSITION REALTY

Covid-19 has ambushed economies all over the world, with leaders and businesses desperately trying to find a healthy balance between protecting people and protecting the economy. So many industries have been left in an unpredictable state, including the real estate market. Let’s have a look at 3 important things you should know before taking the leap and investing in real estate.

1. Compared To Other Industries, Real Estate Is a Relatively Safe Investment
Historically, real estate has been a reliable investment. Whilst the pandemic has created a sense of instability, residential real estate continues to function in a relatively normal manner. In the worst case scenario that the value of the property you invest in depreciates, you still have a physical asset to your name. If you’re looking to get into commercial property, that’s a whole other story. The market has been shaken dramatically with people working from home and e-commerce developing exponentially, leaving many commercial real estate owners in a difficult position. Of course there are exceptions, for example companies who have benefitted from the pandemic as they were hit with a huge demand for their products. Many of these companies are now looking for industrial space to stabilise their supply chain. This would be an option for investment and you can get great value for money through commercial property auctions, yet overall, it seems residential real estate is the safest investment in the industry.

2. Select The Best Possible Location
When investing in a property, whether that be to renovate and sell or to rent out, choosing a location with sustainable demand is essential in order to make a reasonable return on your investment. With the financial uncertainty that comes with a pandemic of this scale, people are looking for the best possible value for money and they want to be sure that if they are taking a substantial financial risk, it will fulfil all of their needs. If you’re looking at investing in a flat, the younger generation are looking for amenities when they are renting, so there are a few things you should look out for. Local bars and restaurants, gyms and proximity to public transport, to name a few. If you’re looking for a suburban property with the hopes of targeting a family, aim for areas close to large parks, countryside public footpaths, good schools and supermarkets. Consider who you are wanting to target and what they will be looking for before making the important decision of where to invest.

3. Prepare For Substantial Upfront Costs
For the first time in a long time, many mortgage lenders are demanding 15-20% deposits as a result of Covid-19. If you are a cash buyer, this won’t be a concern, but if you are relying on taking out a mortgage for your investment, then this could be important. The economic fallout that has loomed as a result of the pandemic led low-deposit mortgage deals to crumble, leaving people who had saved a 10% deposit extremely disgruntled. The current financial uncertainty in the UK also led lenders to be even more selective on who they offer mortgages to. If you are in a position to offer a high deposit straight away, then you will be in a strong position. These substantial upfront costs could be a deal breaker for some investors, so this is something to consider before starting the process, and definitely something to research in depth.

Summary
To summarise, residential real estate seems to be the safest investment at the minute. With the financial difficulties facing many potential buyers and renters, make sure you select a property in a great location that people can’t refuse. Finally, if you’re relying on a mortgage for your investment, consider the substantial upfront costs involved.

Position Realty
Office: 480-213-5251

Homeownership. It shifts so many things. If you’re coming from an apartment, you may experience conveniences like direct-access garages and walls that aren’t shared for the first time. If you’ve been renting a home, you will probably feel a new sense of security and peace of mind once the mortgage is in our name. Not to mention the itch to repaint, re-imagine, and redo at least a few dozen things.

Want to know just how becoming a homeowner can change your life? Read on.

1. Financial Security
“The largest measurable financial benefit to homeownership is price appreciation,” said Investopedia. “Price appreciation helps build home equity.” Added Real Estate ABC: “The principle you pay on the mortgage is like putting money in the bank, in the form of equity.”

2. Peace of mind
If you worry every time your lease comes up for renewal, those days are gladly over. Unless you refinance or take cash out once you have enough equity, your house payment is your house payment.

3. Pride of ownership
The feeling you get when you come home to your place – the place you scrimped and saved for and the place that represents a lifelong dream – well, there’s just no substitute.

4. Stake in your neighborhood
Pride of ownership extends to the homes and area around your house as well. Whether or not you move to a neighborhood with a homeowner’s association, buying a house will undoubtedly make you more invested in what’s going on around you. And that can mean increased property values if neighbors band together for common improvements.

5. Increased interest in HGTV. And DIY channel. And weekends at Home Depot.
Don’t be surprised if you start quoting Drew and Jonathan Scott or using terms like “mitered corners” and “refaced cabinets.” Which is good news, because the changes you make to your home won’t just mean greater enjoyment while you live there, but also potentially greater profit when you go to sell.

“Home ownership means you have free rein in the aesthetics of the home. When renting, you do not have the advantage of changing your environment to please you,” said Real Estate ABC. “You may be able to paint a room, but need to repaint back to the original color scheme when you move. Owning your own home means you can do whatever you please to make your environment both personalized and, in the process, add value to the home.”

6. Your honey do list may increase
But so will your satisfaction.

7. Tax breaks
“The second largest financial benefit of owning a home is tax savings,” said Investopedia. “The biggest of these is the ability to deduct the annual interest paid on a mortgage from income. Private mortgage insurance may also be a write off, on addition to fees paid at closing. If you have paid points, either discount or origination, you can deduct these as well.”

8. Expert knowledge of interest rates, neighborhood home prices, and area sales trends
When you’re in the process of buying and after you close escrow, you’re more likely to be tuned into what’s going on in the market and in your neighborhood. This can help you to make smart decisions about updates, upgrades, and refinancing, and can also make you a trusted resource among your friends who want to buy.

9. More financial responsibility in other parts of your life
With a home to take care of, you may be more clued in to other long-term investments and less wiling to spend frivolously.

Position Realty
Office: 480-213-5251

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Monthly Archives: October 2020

3 Things to Know About Investing In Real Estate During A Pandemic

9 Ways Becoming A Homeowner Can Change Your Life