Investing in real estate can be a great way to earn interim cash flow and also build long-term wealth. While there are risks that are associated with buying an investment property, there are four things that you can do that will help ensure you're able to generate long-term cash flow and see an appreciation in your property value.

Choose Market Carefully

One of the biggest decisions that you will have to make is where you will buy your investment property. While investment properties in premier markets may cost more, it is normally worth the investment as they will continue to provide you with rental demand and should see an increase in value. If you are willing to take a risk, you should find a location that seems to be up and coming due to changes in employment statistics, public transit options, local amenities, or other factors that could lead to value creation.

Find Additional Revenue Sources

When you are looking to build long-term cash flow, you should also look for ways to improve your revenue sources. While you can try to raise rental rates, you will normally be capped based on market rates. However, you could find other ways to earn additional revenue by providing ancillary services. Some good options for ancillary services could include providing additional cleaning or laundry services for a fee. Another option would be to invest in capital improvements to make the property nicer, which could then allow for you to charge higher rates.

Negotiate Expenses

While most people focus on the revenue side of real estate investments, negotiating lower expenses can be just as profitable. Some of the best ways to reduce your expenses would be by negotiating with your vendors to receive a lower rate, appealing your property taxes, or shopping for a new home insurance policy. All of these could earn you more cash flow and improve your long-term return.

Use Debt to Your Advantage

While most people would consider taking out debt on any asset to be a bad idea or a risk, you can greatly increase your long term ROI by using real estate debt wisely. As you continue to see property value increases and pay down your initial loan, you could end up qualifying for a cash-out refinance. These loans can be a great option if you use the money wisely. Furthermore, you should always check current rates to see if you could qualify for a lower interest loan.

If you are interested in investing in real estate, contact us to learn more about how you could improve your long-term return and cash flow.