What are the keys to success in real estate investing in declining property markets?
The economy appears to be in great shape and the Fed even held on hiking interest rates again, for now. Yet, there appears to be more data and signs of softness in the property market showing up. All real estate is local, and weakness in Manhattan prices, San Francisco rents or swelling inventory and longer days on market in the south may not immediately impact where you are investing. These trends could change with the economy, or a new rush into real estate if tech and stocks crash. Yet, every real estate investor and CEO had better have a plan in advance to weather any declining market activity.
Here are the most critical factors to plan so that you are never caught out when the market fluctuates.
Marketing
When the market contracts many instinctively feel they should pull back on every penny and bunker down. Unfortunately, this it usually counterproductive and just speeds up their demise. You’ve got to keep marketing to keep the leads and deals and income coming in. In fact, this is when you should have an additional marketing budget to pick up the pace and scoop up market share while others drop the ball.
Profit Margins
This is the time to fine tune profitability. Don’t make the classic mistake of burning customers by giving less and trying to charge more. Instead, look for ways to operate more efficiently, optimize debt and cash flow, trim unnecessary overhead, and use smart leverage. Those with the best profit margins will have the most staying power, and most flexibility.
Income
This is the time to establish multiple income and revenue streams. This is especially true for rental property owners and fix and flippers. It’s time to diversify, and make sure you have a variety of income sources which can keep your overall finances resilient and consistent. This probably includes monetizing your online assets and real estate wholesaling. Wholesaling is an ideal strategy for a declining market. You can get in out and paid, can build in plenty of price cushion and can use 100% leverage by tapping into the best transaction funding sources.
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