THE BEST FINANCIAL INVESTMENT FOR NEWBIES
Awesome! You found biggerpockets and an encouraging community of people. Ready to start investing financially in real estate? Young and enthusiastic? Here are two secrets:
*** People who control their finances will always succeed over people who do not control their finances.
*** Debt is a tool that will bring you down unless you have it under complete control.
Read these again. Say them out loud.
Given points one and two, here are the best real estate investments for newbies:
1. Save up 3 months of living expenses in cash in a savings account and don't touch it. Ever. This is for emergencies. You lose your job. You are terribly injured and can't work. Don't touch this money.
2. Pay off all of your credit card debt. Are you a slick transferor of outstanding balances? You always pay your minimum? This kind of debt is the worst. It's expensive and it looks terrible on your credit report. Credit card companies exist profitably for people who do not control their finances. (See point 1).
3. Pay off your car loan. Sell that fancy car you have. Drive a 10 year old beater. Low insurance. Maybe a nice Camry with a dented fender. A teal Kia.
4. Pay off all of your student loan debt. Really? You have a low rate? You can defer it? It will hold you back from borrowing money intelligently. "Oh that's just old college debt." That's fine if you want people to treat you like an old college kid when you want to borrow money.
5. Save up a 30% down payment when you want to make a 20% down investment. If you become a real estate investor, you will have unforeseen expenses and you need to be prepared to absorb them. You need to have extra money in the bank. Your emergency fund is not extra money for a plumbing repair.
6. Know you credit score and keep it over 700. Go to
and fill out your information. Is your score over 700? Do you have items up for collection? PAY THEM OFF. No one who is going to lend you money will care that your cousin stole your cell phone 3 years ago and he actually owes the $185 to Verizon. NO ONE CARES. JUST PAY THE BILLS OFF OR GET THEM CLEARED FROM YOUR RECORD.
Wait a minute, none of these are really Real Estate Investments!
But they are. Until you have your financial act in order, you shouldn't be working to put a dollar in real estate, you should improve your personal financial situation.
Then think about where to invest in real estate.