After recently concluding the sale of my last investment property, I find myself reflecting on my experiences in real estate. I plan to share valuable insights and highlight what I would do differently if given another chance.
My situation is not unique: I had a good earnings potential but also faced a high cost of living. I wanted to diversify my investments and started exploring feasible options. After several failed attempts and dedicating months to research, I decided to invest in a city in the Midwest.
I traveled there, teamed up with a property manager and a realtor, and ended up purchasing two duplexes, feeling exhilarated at the prospect of building my real estate portfolio.
I meticulously calculated the finances, convinced that the rental income would easily outstrip the expenses.
However, reality caught up with me.
There were relentless issues with the properties, big and small, and every maintenance visit drained my funds by $200-300. We faced two evictions across four units, incurring significant turnovers each time. Despite optimistic projections, I often only collected a portion of the rent I anticipated.
What happens when promised income from two properties isn’t realized? It leads to risk and uncertainty surrounding my financial stability. I found it difficult to sustain my investments when they were meant to be profitable. I realized I lacked the risk tolerance necessary to handle the stress that comes with property debts. Although I had aspirations to purchase one rental annually, I soon understood that each acquisition added to my financial burdens if tenants failed to pay.
Ultimately, I sold my first property after an eviction and disposed of the most recent one after an unsettling dream about a severe market downturn.
Key takeaways:
- Avoid out-of-state investments without established personal connections to property management. I remain unsure if I was misled or just unfortunate with my tenants, but I suspect it was a mixed bag.
- Secure separate professionals for property management, real estate, and legal advice to ensure accountability.
- Know your own risk tolerance; I maintain a safety net to alleviate financial pressure. Investments shouldn’t interfere with your peace of mind.
- Clarify the exit process with your property manager before finalizing any agreements.
- If you wish to keep your investment private from family, consider establishing an LLC, as unsolicited inquiries can happen despite your intentions.
In conclusion, I reluctantly label myself as a failed investor. While property value appreciation allowed me to break even on one unit and gain a modest profit from another, the overall journey was exhausting and costly in terms of time and resources. I hope my story serves as a cautionary tale for others.
