Thanks to popular reality shows, many Americans think that real estate investing is all about purchasing properties and renting them to tenants for long-term income streams. While there is nothing wrong with that, it’s not the only way to earn passive income from real estate. In fact, there are several other strategies to consider that require less hands-on involvement and more investment capital. Passive Real Estate Investing can be an effective way to build a portfolio of income-generating assets to help you achieve your financial goals.
Purchasing single-family rental homes and partnering with property management companies to handle tenant and maintenance issues is one of the most common ways for individuals to generate passive income from real estate. This strategy allows investors to collect rental income while gaining equity from the appreciation of property values. However, this type of investment can also be highly labor-intensive. If you have a busy schedule, it may be difficult to devote the time and energy needed to manage a rental property.
Another way to generate passive income from real estate is by investing in a self-storage REIT (real estate investment trust). These trusts buy and operate income-generating storage units that are then leased to customers. In addition to receiving rental income, these REITs pay out at least 90 percent of their taxable income as dividends to shareholders each year. This makes them an attractive option for investors who want to receive consistent cash flow from a passive investment.
Real estate crowdfunding platforms offer a new, beginner-friendly way to invest in real estate. These platforms pool money from individual investors to purchase and finance residential or commercial real estate. Investors can then earn both rental income and equity from the appreciation of property prices and the eventual sale of the property. These investments are more passive than buying and selling an actual property, but they still require some active involvement such as researching potential projects, analyzing offering memorandums and reviewing quarterly and annual financial reports.
Private equity real estate opportunities with a sponsor have the added benefit of an experienced team scouring the market for investment properties that can provide the best return on investment. These sponsors often have years of experience in the industry and can find, negotiate, and structure deals that maximize potential returns while minimizing risk.
Lastly, you can invest in a property through a hard money lending company. These lenders provide the capital needed to cover the down payment and renovation expenses for a fix and flip project, but they do not take an active role in managing the project. This is a great option for individuals who have the cash to fund a renovation project but lack the time or resources to manage it themselves.
No matter which passive investment strategy you choose, it is important to track your investments and make sure that they are performing as expected. A tool like Mint can help you keep track of all your investments in one place, making it easier to identify which ones are working and which need improvement.