Life can seem a bit hard sometimes, we all go to work to earn our daily crust so we can provide for ourselves and our families and then through no fault of our own the prices in the super markets and at the petrol pumps shoot through the roof leaving us with less money to spend on the things we enjoy doing with our loved ones. We have to start to cut corners and make savings in our lives but still we have to go to work for the same pay but with much less to show for it at the end of the month. So what can we do to make changes to our life so we do not feel the financial pinch as much and changes that will enable us to live a more fulfilling life with our family?

The choices that we have to make in life are sometimes not as easy as we would like, it would be easy to choose to live your life like a hermit just because the cost of living has gone through the roof but what life would that offer you and your family? We all seem to opt for the easy option in life which generally does not do us any favors in the long run and cutting back on living life would be one of those decisions.

Why not look into the more difficult option that is available to most of us and look to move away from these shores and start a new life in a foreign country? Generally this is not going to be a spur of the moment decision to make but with a bit of planning and research it is possible to provide a great new life for your family in a foreign country with much less stress and strain as well as in most cases offering a better standard of living.

In many countries housing prices are not as inflated as they are here so you can generally get much more for your money and if you sell your home in this country it will usually provide you with money in the bank even after purchasing your new foreign home.

Most European countries offer a better education standard than we provide here, teaching children not only the same basic education but working more heavily on standards, morals and respect, three things which are rapidly disappearing from our society.

One country that is emerging as a new destination for people looking to relocate to a new country is Bulgaria, with its slower pace of life, less dense population and booming economy it could be the perfect place for you to move to in an attempt to get out of the rat race. Standards in all walks of life have improved hugely over the past 15 years with health care and education comparable with any country in Europe and a crime rate that would put many European countries to shame.

Bulgaria has spectacular mountain ranges that are ideal for skiing in the winter and over 350 kilometers of beautiful sandy beach and wonderful coastline, the beaches in Bulgaria are especially good as for most of the year they are totally deserted and free from tourists. Bulgarian beaches are of a very high standard and are usually spotlessly clean, as is the Black Sea that laps up to the Bulgarian beaches. You can still pick up a property bargain in Bulgaria and it is even possible to build your own home within a stones throw of the beach in Bulgaria for a very reasonable price.

So maybe it is worth thinking about, relocating the family to a sunnier land where the economy is in the ascendancy rather than looking like it will be in recession at any minute and where the education standards are as good if not better than at home. If providing a better way of life for you and your family is your main goal in life then maybe Bulgaria is the place for you.

Until a few years back, buying freehold property in Dubai was not possible for foreign nationals. Property boom in Dubai only ensued after some considerable changes were made to the emirate’s property laws. Currently, Dubai real estate sector is witnessing a rapid upward trend that’s expected to go even higher with the passage of time. Population of Dubai has grown manifold over the past few years given a sharp and growing increase in the number of expatriates. Both veteran and would-be investors across the globe are eying Dubai as the property investment paradise for a long time to come. Property for sale in Dubai has already succeeded in drawing the attention of foreign investors.

Investment in Dubai property, whether it’s buying property in Dubai for permanent relocation or business, or you simply want to cash in on the most popular investment trend in Dubai property i.e. buy-to-let, is very lucrative. The immense development Dubai continues to undergo with massive infrastructure projects reflects the exploding need for space for the country’s multiplying populace. Given these circumstances, the boom in Dubai property market doesn’t seem to slow down at any point in the foreseeable future. These upward trends of Dubai real estate make investment in Dubai property extremely risk-free for foreign nationals and they can choose to invest in Dubai even with their eyes closed.

Nearly all of the buyers of Dubai property find property resale and buy-to-let trend as the most attractive features of property ownership in Dubai. Some recent announcements point towards Dubai’s becoming a tourist hotspot in the near future with more recreation than ever. Newer entertainment and recreation projects are underway which have already drawn a great deal of international attention. The emirate, which is already termed as a playground in the desert, is soon to have more to offer to the world’s recreation seekers. This much international focus means an even stronger property market potential with returns that continue to shoot up.

To the benefit of investors, though not a positive sign for the buyers with no commercial intent, the demand for Dubai property, Dubai apartment, Dubai villas or any other type of property in Dubai by far outstrips the supply. This demand/supply disparity makes Dubai property investment an extremely attractive prospect for the foreign investors. As the experts of Dubai property forecast, the market is lucrative for the investors who already bought property in Dubai. But the market is not so friendly for those seeking rental property right now. If you’re one of those lucky enough people who have already secured property in Dubai, you’re likely to be reaping profits. But if you’re on the lookout for a decent rental accommodation in Dubai, you might have a hard time ahead as the prices are very high and are set to rise higher.

Experts speculate that the population of Dubai will be doubled in 2010. This will turn Dubai into one of the world’s hottest destinations for expatriates and holidaymakers alike and this just bodes so exceptionally well for property investors.

As we get older more and more of us grow unhappier with the state of the country that we live in, crime rates go up, taxes go up and education standards, health care and services get worse and for these reasons we start to question exactly what it is that we are doing still remaining in the country. It used to be that America was the land of opportunity but with the breaking down of many international borders and the development of the European Union many more countries are offering opportunities to people who want to offer themselves for work in their country. More and more people from the developed Northern European countries such as Scotland, England and Germany are looking to change their lifestyles and move to Southern European where the climate is better and the pace of life is much slower. In reality it always sounds wonderful to think of moving to a country where the sun always shines and the stress of life is minimal compared to your current levels but in reality is reality as good as the dream and how realistic is it to move abroad, lock, stock and barrel?

Moving abroad has never been as easy as it is nowadays, communication channels are better than ever before and the transport between countries has never been so good, especially with the growth of low cost airlines. But these are only two very small factors in moving abroad, as important as they are in your decision to move abroad there are bigger decisions that need to be made. Where to move to is a pretty big decision that needs some serious thought as you can imagine. Many of the Southern European countries such as Italy, France and Spain have been over run by foreigners trying to get a better life for themselves in the last few years as a result of this most of these countries have seen huge increases in the price of property leading many people to look elsewhere to set up home.

If you can afford the house prices in Italy, France or Spain then any of these countries may be your best option for relocating to but in reality many of the properties that were very affordable have now risen sky high, meaning that most normal families would still need to go out and work hard to bring a decent income back in to pay the mortgage, this defeats the object of moving abroad for an easier way of life if you still have to work hard. A cheaper option, even within these countries is to buy a plot of land and have a home built for you, this is approximately 40 – 50 per cent cheaper than buying a ready built home but you do have the added stress of arranging the build.

Although buying the land and building your house yourself is a cheaper alternative than buying a ready built home the price of land has also gone up compared to what it used to be and this can still price many people out of the market. One option that many people are now looking at is buying land in one of the developing European countries such as Turkey or Bulgaria. These countries are catching up fast with the rest of Europe as far as facilities for tourists and residents are concerned and therefore should not be dismissed out of hand as they may have been 10 – 15 years ago.

Bulgaria is a country with 378km of coastline and buying a piece of Bulgarian land on the coast to build a home is still relatively cheap. Most people who have the intention of moving out to Bulgaria when the building of their home on their Bulgarian land has been completed finance any building by re-mortgaging their family home and then when the building of their new Bulgarian home is completed selling their old family home. This usually provides a much bigger home for the family in Bulgaria as well as giving the family a fair amount of profit from the sale of the house.
Employment is easy to come by in Bulgaria especially as the economy is growing at a tremendous rate, most trades can be accommodated and there is always a need for English speaking workers in most banks and offices.

So there you have it, maybe that dream of moving abroad for a better standard of living for your family as well as a bit more sunshine on your bones is not so far fetched as you may have imagined. Buying a piece of Bulgarian land and constructing your own property may be much more affordable than you ever imagined.

Experts believe that real estate development and building will produce some $25 trillion in revenue between now and the year 2030. Most also agree that most of that revenue will be filtered into and through the top ten megapolitan areas in the United States. This amount of revenue will completely eclipse the building boom that followed World War II and means an unprecedented amount of growth and opportunity for the investor.

Megapolitan is defined as two or more existing metropolitan areas that have grown together to become one huge area and the community boundaries have become blurred. An example of one such area is from San Diego through Santa Barbara. When driving from San Diego you will pass through Oceanside, Newport Beach, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Thousand Oaks, Oxnard, Ventura and Santa Barbara. It is very difficult to tell when you leave one city and enter another. Robert Lang of Virginia Tech urban studies has theorized that two-thirds of the population will live in 10 of these Megapolitan areas by the year 2040.

Atlantic Seaboard - extends from Boston through New York, Philadelphia and Washington.

Gulf Cost Belt - Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Huston, New Orleans to Mobile.

I 85 Corridor - Birmingham, Atlanta, Charlotte, Raleigh to Durham.

Valley of the Sun - Phoenix to Tucson.

Southern - Florida Miami, Tampa to Orlando.

Southland - Los Angeles to Las Vegas.

Great Lakes Area Detroit, Chicago to Pittsburgh.

North California - San Francisco to Sacramento.

I 35 Corridor - San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Ardmore, Oklahoma City to Kansas City.

Cascadian - Eugene, Portland to Seattle.

Megapolitan Areas will have certain characteristics in common. They will combine at least two existing metropolitan areas together. Each will total more than 10 million residents by 2040. They will have similar physical environment. Have very good transportation and supporting infrastructure. Goods and services flows freely from one urban area to another. They will also require a large geographical area that is suitable for large scale regional planning.

It’s true that some of these megapolitan areas have been hit by economic troubles, but even CNN’s Money Magazine agrees that these areas are some of the best for real estate development and investment. Just why is that, and what should you look for when trying to protect your investment in these areas?

Being careful about the industries that are supporting these megapolitan areas is of course very important. Investing in areas that have relied on the automotive industry or manufacturing may not be wise. However, megapolitan areas of New York and Charlotte, North Carolina, have done very well in the past few years because their dominant industries of advertising, banking, and investing have better track records than these other industries that are not as reliable. Absolutely nothing is completely secure or 100% reliable when it comes to business and industry, but obviously one can use some common sense when it comes to investing in certain areas.

Megapolitan areas are typically more desirable for industry and new business because they already have a ready workforce and developed real estate. A company looking to build a large factory or set up an administrative office is probably not going to choose a desolate area, even though the real estate may be more affordable. There is no population in this immediate area to support their business by way of personnel, vendors, and sometimes even roads and available homes. This is one of the reasons that megapolitan areas seem to consistently and constantly appeal to established industries and companies and startup businesses as well.

If you’re looking for a solid real estate investment area, you may be attracted to more sparse areas because they are more affordable, but remember that sometimes you get what you pay for. Consider instead investing what you can in these already established megapolitan areas. By using some common sense and doing your homework, you’re sure to find that it’s the right choice.

If there is any good thing that has come out of the recent crisis in the mortgage industry in the U.S., it is that some people who have always had an interest in investing in real estate are now finding that dropping prices are making it possible for them to do that. Today, investing in commercial real estate, whether it’s residential properties to rent or office and industrial buildings, is quickly becoming a hot ticket item with some. Before you just jump in with both feet so to speak, consider the following tips and cautions.

First off, remember that unlike other investments you might make, commercial real estate is probably going to require quite a bit of your time and attention rather than just your investment dollars. If you’re considering taking advantage of the foreclosure crisis by purchasing homes to rent out, this means making sure they’re up to code, making needed repairs and remodels, finding tenants, collecting rent, taking care of ongoing repairs and maintenance, and so on. This is also true of office buildings or other commercial real estate. You need to manage tenants, take care of the property and hire landscapers and cleaners, and so on. Yes, you can hire someone to manage the property for you, but even so, there are many decisions that need to be made, invoices to approve, checks to sign, and wages to be paid. This means that no matter what, your investment in commercial real estate is going to be an investment of your time and energy, not just your money.

Another consideration you need to think about is whether or not your investment in any type of commercial real estate is going to be supported over time. When the economic situation in one area is so bad that there are vacancies in homes and office buildings, this means that there may not be enough populace in that area to support your investment. Sometimes buildings and homes are vacant for a reason! You need to seriously research the area in which you plan on investing; is the population growing or shrinking? What industry is in this area to support the population and your real estate investment? Are businesses coming into the area or leaving it? You need to do this research before you get caught up in the hype and excitement of rock bottom real estate prices.

Search the internet and read about real estate investment in Megapolitan Areas to determine if the area you are interested in has the growth potential you will need for a good return on your long term investment strategy. Perhaps you need information on Section 8 Housing. Again the internet is a great place to find information.

Yes, there have been those who have made a fortune in commercial real estate, but usually those millionaires are the exception to the rule. In reality, whether you’re thinking of purchasing or building new, commercial real estate is unlike any other industry or investment out there. It requires a lot of research, determination, and commitment to make a success of it; be sure you’re ready with all three of these before you invest your money in any venture.

If there is any positive aspect to the foreclosure crisis that has gripped the U.S. in the past few years, it is that anyone interested in investing in real estate should be able to find appropriate properties at bargain basement prices. Homes can be purchased from banks at far less than their actual value, and business properties are also as affordable. And a very good reason to consider investing in south Texas real estate is because this area is one of the few in the country that is expecting steady population growth over the next several years.

Affordable Residential Real Estate

Unlike other areas of the country that have experienced such a population growth, south Texas real estate has not seen the median price of their residential homes skyrocket in proportion to that growth. This raise in median home prices was seen in California, Florida, and other areas of job growth but has not been seen in areas of Texas. This means that real estate is very affordable and ripe for investment dollars.

Qualified Buyers

In some areas of the country, there are affordable homes and jobs but this doesn’t mean that those jobs are paying enough for people to buy those homes. When it comes to south Texas real estate, this just isn’t the case. According to the Texas Housing Affordability Index, a Texas family earning the statewide median income has 152% of the income required to qualify for financing on the median-priced home. Nationally, families have about 16% more than what is required. Nationally a median home value is 3.62 times the median household income, but in Texas, the median value is only 2.52. This means that not only is there affordable housing in south Texas real estate but plenty of customers that can easily afford those homes as well.

Other Jobs on the Way

When an area of the country experiences a population growth, this means that there is a resultant strain on the area’s infrastructure and resources, but there are tax dollars to correct this. This means jobs are then created to build and repair infrastructure and increase those resources. This means that as the real estate becomes more valuable, more support is needed and then created, which means more jobs and more valuable real estate created.

Some people purchase a vacation home now, intending to move there after retirement but you should remember that your life and your circumstances may be very different when you reach retirement age. When you’re at retirement age, your knees may not appreciate being in a “winter wonderland” when you have arthritis and poor circulation. In order to make your vacation home a proper investment for your retirement years, you need to be practical and realistic. Weather will be a major factor for you to consider when you reach retirement age. Purchasing a vacation home for your enjoyment now can be a great investment for families who are looking forward to a permanent residence upon retirement.

Anyone considering an investment in real estate should consider south Texas. The jobs and economy are headed there, the weather is beautiful, and everything is booming. While no one wants to make light of the housing crisis that’s affecting so many millions, this does mean that there are opportunities for others who want to park their investment dollars in a sure bet. And south Texas may be just the place they’re looking for!

Investing in real estate is one of the few ways for the average person to gain wealth. Can you become rich overnight? Not very likely. Real estate investing should be considered a long term strategy that can gain you tremendous amount of wealth over time but you must do your homework first. The majority of people that are getting into the real estate investing market are simply purchasing a home in an area that they are familiar with and then wonder why they are not rich after a couple of years.

Do a search on the internet for real estate investing and you will find hundreds of ways to get rich quick through real estate investing. And it’s true, if you are selling books, DVDs or real estate seminars you can become wealthy in a short period of time. If you are investing in real estate it is just not going to happen without the proper up front research.

There are three main points you must consider before purchasing your first property and they are location, location, location. This is a rather simplistic view of real estate investing but it has never been more true than today. Thousands of people are getting into the real estate market, and yet many of the foreclosures in the market today are from non owner occupied homes. This means that people that have purchased a vacation home or purchased a second home for investment purposes have gotten into financial trouble. This usually happens because they did not purchase that asset in the correct location at the correct time. So the question is, how do you find the correct location to invest?

Any locations can be the correct location to invest in real estate as long as the timing is right. There are four cycles of real estate investing and the cycles can run from 7 to 40 years depending the the intelligence of the local government. These cycles are Buyers Stage 1,
Buyers Stage 2, Sellers Stage 1 and Sellers Stage 2.

Buyers Stage 1 - strategy buy and hold.

1. Oversupply of properties on the market.

2. Prices and rents are falling.

3. You will see a spike in the properties time on the market.
4. Unemployment is at its highest.

5. New construction is overpriced and sales are stagnant.

6. Construction jobs are at an all time low.

7. Foreclosures are at its highest rate.

8. Investment properties are not being purchased or being purchased at a slow rate.

Buyers stage 1 is a declining market and you will need to shop around for a good investment because you do not know how low the market will go. If the local government is not taking action at this point then the market turnaround will be delayed and more care will be needed taken. Always purchase a new property with a lot of equity and a good cash flow to help minimize your risk.

Buyers Stage 2 - strategy buy and hold - also known as the Millionaire Maker.

1. No new construction.

2. Demand for housing is increasing sharply.

3. Properties time on market is decreasing.

4. Rents and Prices for property are at its lowest.

5. Foreclosures are starting to decrease.

6. Job growth is increasing.

7. Rehabbers are purchasing an increasing number of properties.

8. Fewer properties are getting on the market.

9. Demand for properties is increasing because buyers are able to qualify at the low prices.

Buyers stage 2 only happens after the local government is starting to attract new business into the area. For every one new job brought into the area three new jobs are created. These newly created jobs are the butchers, bakers and candlestick makers. In other words the support jobs that are needed to service the new people in the area. I believe that the most important thing to watch for in this market is the job growth rate. New people coming into the area will require housing which will drive up the price. Your local economic adviser counsel is a good place to look.

Sellers Stage 1 - strategy buy and sell quickly.

1. Demand for property is increasing.

2. The time on market for properties in decreasing.

3. Property taxes are on the rise.

4. Unemployment in decreasing.

Sellers stage 1 is a very risky time to be investing in property because you do not know how long before the sellers stage 2 will occur. Be sure you know the signs of the next phase so you can get out of the market at the best time.

Sellers Stage 2 - strategy sell, sell, sell.

1. Supply of properties has sharply increased.

2. Time on market is increasing.

3. Construction of new homes is increasing.

4. New job growth is slowing.

5. New real estate investors are jumping in.

6. First time home buyers are increasing.

One of the ways to watch for new construction of new homes is to check with the local building permits department. You will be able to pick up some good deal from the new first time real estate investors that jump in during the sellers stage 2 market. Always do your home work prior to investing in real estate.

Reasons for Investment in Indian Real Estate

Nowadays everybody wants to invest in Indian real estate due to its profitable returns. There is an upward swing seen in the real estate price values in the past few years. The easy availability and low interest rates of housing finance and increasing trend of nuclear families have created a demand for residential properties in India. Along with it, stock market gains and real estate policies by the government have favored the real estate sector by leaps and bounds. People are now able to buy flats easily with low interest rates on home loans and tax exemptions.

With rise in Indian economy and foreign companies setting their bases in India, there is a great demand of commercial projects too. Now every fortune 500 company is opening its operational base in India, thus creating a demand for corporate space. Since Indian Real estate investments are giving huge dividends so everybody wishes to make profit by investing here.

Scenario of Rental Property in India

Due to boom in the real estate sector in India, various Non-Resident Indians are taking interest in property investments with a hope for settling in their own native country in the future. Also, there are some NRIs who wish to make profits from Indian real estate by buying and selling the property or by giving it on rent and lease. These days there are different Internet sites, builders and real estate agents who assist the NRIs for property investments in India.

Some people are purchasing properties in India to lease out independent houses, such as plush bungalows and farmhouses to corporate or to lease out for vacations.

Real estate assistance

Various developers and builders assist the buyers in property selection and then in purchasing and property transaction processes also. They offer good residential options like luxury apartments and homes, condominiums, retirement homes, penthouses and villas. The developers also provide good deals in corporate office spaces and retail mall spaces. Along with it the real estate developers can give guidance on Indian Property Laws and finances during the entire property transaction process.

Nowadays builders and developers in India are building flats and apartments with luxury and in accordance with the buyer’s specifications. The apartment complexes come with special security measures and recreational facilities like party rooms, Spa, Sauna, swimming Pool, Gymnasium, Squash and Tennis Courts. These facilities have become a kind of craze and a lure for investors.

Having just visited Brazil for the first time I was amazed by how delightful both the country and the people are. It was a great experience enjoying the food, the South American music and dancing, and the lifestyle of the Brazilian countryside and beach resorts. I didn’t realise before that Brazil occupies roughly half the continent, and the climate has little seasonal variation since most of the country is located within the tropics. Holidays are a delight in Brazil, with its tropical climate, whether visitng the rainforests or sunbathing on the dozens of white sandy beaches such as Ponta Negra.

Tourism is the most important industry of Natal, and Brazil property for sale in Natal is in great demand. We found great value villas houses and apartments for both investors and residents, both new construction and resale properties, and were surprised at the bargain prices of the condos on the real estate market.

At current prices of properties, this can represent a great value investment for professional investors, where the sun shines all year round. Currency exchange is exceptionally favourable at the moment, making it cheap for foreigners to invest, and the cost of living can be as low as 30% of the cost in the UK/Europe.

Holiday travellers should bear in mind that your passport should be valid for at least three months after the date of your arrival in Brazil. If it will expire within three months of your departure from Brazil get a new one before setting out on your adventure. If your passport states that you are a British citizen you do not need a visa as a tourist if your stay will be less than three months.

If you have ever dreamed of owning a beachfront holiday home in Brazil, come and enjoy carnival time.

Real estate investing is not nearly as complicated, financially burdensome, or time consuming as you might think. In fact, It’s easy to add raw land, shopping centers, apartment complexes, and private homes to your portfolio without brokers, bankers, attorneys, and handymen on your payroll. Even better, the zero overhead approach allows you to blend your real estate investments into your securities portfolio for ease of management, income monitoring, diversification, and analysis.

I know you think that the entire real estate market is in a shambles, and that it is far too dangerous to get involved now, what with all the nasty uncertainty that has decimated property values. But where did the real damage take place, and why? Without having mega millions to work with, or a line of credit that goes around the block, you can have positions in various forms of Real Estate without accumulating debt, paying insurance, or leaving your PC— and you can get it done on the cheap!

All of the basic types of real estate are available through CEFs (Closed End Funds) and REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts), and both can be purchased in the same manner as any common stock. Additionally, you can own a piece of the action without the big commitment of time and resources. Finally, you can take advantage of changes in the real estate market cycle in precisely the same manner as you can deal with the volatility and fluctuations in the stock and fixed income securities markets.

CEFs and REITs are obviously safer investments than outright purchases of shopping plazas, condominiums, and private homes. They are also considerably less risky than owning the common stock of individual real estate companies. The size of the numbers may be less exciting, but the net income and capital gains potential are comparable on a percentage basis, and the turnover rate can be much more impressive. Both types of real estate based security belong in your investment portfolio— but in which asset allocation bucket?

I’ve always included REITs and real estate CEFs in the income bucket of my portfolios because their primary purpose is to generate cash flow. And, as with any interest rate expectation (IRE) sensitive security, I expect prices to fluctuate with changing conditions in several areas: IRE, credit market conditions, economic cycles, stock market cycles, etc. After a huge rally in any market, investors need to be more selective than they generally are. Common sense isn’t real common when it comes to investing.

All financial markets, all investment securities, and all economies are cyclical. Equities, real estate, gold, and pork bellies— it doesn’t matter. If you buy too high, you will only get lucky if you know how (not when) to sell, and if you have a plan for doing so. Up side selling disciplines are scarce in most investment strategies… pity, they work so well with bargain hunting during crashes.

The income bucket of the investment portfolio is different in both purpose and content from the equity side. Real estate is an important diversification tool that may add some pizzazz to an otherwise boring collection of securities. We don’t need to own the real estate to benefit from both the yields and the cycles. Unlike other fixed income assets (corporate, government, and municipal contracts), rents generally rise over the course of time. Mortgage interest is almost always higher than bonds provide, and we don’t need to be mortgagors or landlords to get a piece of the action.

The speculators whose properties became termite infested as the latest real estate bubble burst were owners of mortgaged properties that could neither be sold nor afforded. The other losers were lenders to unqualified property speculators and, of course, the wizards of Wall Street who regulators allowed to turn simple mortgage debt into multi-tiered financial quagmires. Every bursting bubble produces two things: pain and opportunity. When the going gets tough, the smart investor goes shopping.

There are dozens of REITs and managed income CEFs that are worthy of your confidence and attention. Some detailed analysis will reveal lower than normal prices for higher than usual yields based on monthly payouts that have not been reduced throughout the tailspin in the real estate and financial sectors. Read that again— monthly payments and higher yields throughout the downturn— hmmm.

Now don’t just run out and buy all of these things you can find, and stay far away from new issues for all of the usual reasons. Make sure that you look at a lot of REITs and even more CEFs of various kinds to get a feel for the levels of income they produce. Most of these securities are “leveraged” to a certain extent, which simply means that management may choose to borrow some of the money that they invest.

Leverage is not a four-letter word when used properly, and (in my opinion) it is more likely to help your results than it is to hurt them. But it’s always a good practice to stay within the normal income range, assuming that there is either a risk or a management reason for the highest and lowest yields, respectively. Be careful not to create a poorly diversified income portfolio. Bonds, Preferred Stocks, Royalty Trusts, etc, all deserve income bucket representation.

The major distinction between the two types of investing needs some re-emphasis. When purchasing stock in a real estate company (or any other company), your main objective should be to sell the stock for a reasonable profit as quickly as possible. You will then select some other stock and repeat the process. When purchasing a REIT or an income CEF, you are depending on the managers of these entities to generate income and capital gains that they pass on to you.

You buy these securities for the income, but always recognize that you have the bonus capability of selling your shares when they rise to an acceptable profit level. Similarly, be prepared to add to your holdings during market value downturns, thus increasing your income and reducing your cost per share at the same time. The benefits of this form of real estate investing vs. ownership of the properties themselves should be clear. It’s a whole lot easier than flipping properties.

So when it comes to Real Estate, think: no attorneys, no debt, and no maintenance equal no problem.