Real estate investing can be an excellent way to build long-term wealth. However, like any investment, it does come with risks. Being aware of these risks and taking steps to mitigate them is key to being a successful real estate investor. This article will outline the main risks of real estate investing and provide tips on how to avoid or minimize them.
Market Risks
Market risks relate to factors that impact the overall real estate market and are outside of the investor’s control.
Falling Property Values
One of the biggest market risks is a broad decline in property values. This can occur during economic downturns or recessions when unemployment rises and consumer spending falls. With less demand for housing, property values tend to decrease.
For example, property values fell significantly during the 2008 financial crisis and subsequent recession. Home prices declined by 25-30% on average nationwide. Some local markets were hit even harder, with declines of 50% or more.
While falling property values impact all real estate investors, those utilizing high leverage are most at risk since they can end up owing more than their properties are worth.
To mitigate this risk, real estate investors should:
- Avoid becoming over-leveraged on properties
- Build up emergency savings and cash reserves
- Only invest what they can afford to lose
- Diversify across different markets and property types
Rising Interest Rates
Higher interest rates make it more expensive to borrow money to purchase investment properties. Monthly mortgage payments increase, which cuts into profit margins on rentals. If rates rise high enough, investors may no longer be able to find viable rental deals that generate cash flow.
Rising rates can also price some buyers out of the market, reducing housing demand. As demand falls, property values may decline.
Investors can mitigate interest rate risk by:
- Locking in low fixed-rate mortgages when possible
- Holding some properties free and clear without financing
- Keeping sufficient cash reserves to withstand periods of higher rates
- Investing in markets where rents can better absorb higher financing costs
Local Market Changes
Local economic and demographic shifts can significantly impact property values and demand. For example, if major employers leave or shut down in a city, unemployment is likely to rise. This reduces the pool of potential renters and buyers, lowering property values.
On the flip side, if a market is gentrifying with new development and an influx of higher-earning residents, property values may rise quickly. But this can also result in oversaturation and potentially, a market correction.
Investors should research markets thoroughly and diversify across multiple areas. Don’t invest too heavily in markets with; more uncertainty or volatility.
READ ALSO: 10 Negotiation Tips for Real Estate Purchase Contracts
Property Risks
Property risks relate specifically to the individual investment property.
Vacancies
One of the biggest risks is vacancies – having a rental sit empty without generating income. Typical vacancy rates range from 5-15% depending on the market and property type.
Prolonged vacancies can drain cash reserves and put investors in financial jeopardy, especially if they have high mortgage payments to cover.
To minimize vacancies, investors should:
- Price units competitively
- Provide quick maintenance to keep units updated and appealing
- Market rentals effectively through online listings and local brokers
- Build up a reserve fund to withstand periods of vacancies
Costly Repairs and Maintenance
Investment properties require regular repairs and maintenance. Things like leaky roofs, faulty HVAC systems, or appliance breakdowns can cost thousands of dollars to fix.
Unexpected major repairs can destroy profit margins. For example, completely replacing a central air conditioning unit can cost $5,000-$10,000.
To mitigate this risk, investors should:
- Inspect properties carefully before purchasing
- Factor in a maintenance budget and reserves for each rental
- Keep sufficient cash on hand for repairs
- Consider purchasing properties newer construction, which typically require fewer repairs
Problem Tenants
Even with thorough tenant screening, problem tenants can slip through. Tenants who damage properties, pay late, or skip rent entirely can lead to lost income and legal headaches for investors.
Strategies to avoid problem tenants include:
- Following consistent tenant screening procedures
- Requiring sufficient upfront security deposits
- Enforcing strict lease terms and late payment penalties
- Building relationships and communicating regularly with tenants
- Working with an experienced property management company
Lawsuits and Liability
Landlords face potential liability risks like premises accidents, discrimination claims, or negligence lawsuits. These legal issues can be extremely costly.
To mitigate liability, investors should:
- Purchase adequate landlord insurance with liability coverage
- Keep properties well-maintained and address safety concerns quickly
- Follow all federal, state, and local housing laws
- Use written leases with clear terms and waivers of liability
- Consult a real estate attorney when needed
READ ALSO: How to Start Investing in Real Estate With Little to No Money
Financial Risks
Financial risks relate to how real estate investments are financed and capitalized.
Excess Leverage
One of the biggest financial risks is becoming over-leveraged through too much debt. While leverage can magnify returns, it also magnifies losses if property values decrease.
If an investor owes more on a property than it’s worth, they may be forced to bring extra capital to close the gap. In extreme cases, over-leveraged properties end up in foreclosure.
Investors should aim to keep loan-to-value ratios below 80% and debt service coverage ratios above 1.0. Higher leverage than this significantly increases risk.
Lack of Liquidity
Real estate investing lacks liquidity compared to stocks, bonds, and other securities. It can be difficult to convert a property to cash quickly without taking a loss.
Illiquidity makes it tough to exit underperforming markets or investments. It also prevents investors from accessing their capital for other needs without selling off assets.
Investors should be cautious not to overcommit their capital to illiquid real estate assets. Maintaining an emergency fund in cash and more liquid investments is advised.
Negative Cash Flow
If rental income fails to exceed expenses like mortgage payments, taxes, and maintenance each month, the property operates at a loss. This negative cash flow will drain the investor’s reserves over time.
Carefully evaluating operating budgets and aiming for positive monthly cash flow is key to avoiding this scenario. Conservative financial projections are best when estimating income and expenses.
Lack of Diversification
Concentrating investments in just a handful of properties or markets is risky. Issues impacting one property or market can devastate the investor’s entire portfolio.
Diversifying across at least 10-20 properties in varied markets provides safety through diversification. No single market downturn or problem property can sink the investor’s entire net worth.
How to Mitigate Real Estate Investment Risks
While risks exist, prudent investors can take proactive steps to minimize these downsides and invest successfully. Here are some top tips for mitigating real estate risks:
Conduct thorough due diligence – Complete in-depth market research, run projected cash flow analyses, and inspect properties carefully before investing. Never invest blindly.
Operate conservatively – Make conservative financial projections, keep debt levels low, build reserves, and leave room for error in all analyses. Don’t take excess risk.
Work with trusted partners – Surround yourself with experienced real estate agents, lenders, property managers, and other professionals you can count on.
Get insured properly – Carry adequate landlord insurance, property insurance, and liability coverage. Consult a lawyer regarding entity structuring and asset protection.
Diversify your holdings – Build a portfolio across different markets, property types, rent price points, etc. Don’t concentrate too heavily in one area.
Start small – Don’t over-commit on your first few investments. Start with a smaller property or invest passively with a fund. Give yourself room to learn without taking excessive risks.
Keep reserves – Maintain an emergency fund with several months of operating expenses. Expect the unexpected costs and vacancies that accompany rentals.
Take a long-term view – Real estate investing is a long-term strategy. Don’t panic and sell at the first sign of a downturn. Be prepared to weather some storms.
To Recap
Real estate investing offers investors the potential for attractive long-term returns. However, it also comes with an array of risks that must be carefully managed. By understanding these risks, performing due diligence, operating conservatively, and utilizing proven risk reduction strategies, investors can build profitable real estate portfolios while minimizing their downside exposure.
The most successful real estate investors are cautious and calculated, not overly aggressive. They make objective decisions driven by data, experience, and prudent financial analysis. With education, discipline, and an eye towards risk management, real estate investors can continue to see properties as a smart asset class for their investment goals.
Frequently Asked Questions on Real Estate Investment Risks
What is the riskiest type of real estate investment?
Speculative investing, house flipping, and new construction tend to be riskier ventures in real estate. With speculative investing, investors buy properties in hopes of future price appreciation but often aren’t generating rental income. Flippers rely on short-term market timing to turn profits. And builders face risks like cost overruns, permitting delays, and selling new projects once they are completed. Overall, long-term rental investing tends to be one of the safer real estate investment strategies. Cash-flowing rentals with fixed-rate financing lower many risks for buy-and-hold investors.
What is the safest real estate investment strategy?
The safest real estate strategy involves purchasing reasonably priced rental properties in stable, established markets for the long-term. Maintaining low leverage, positive cash flow, proper insurance, and ample reserves also promotes safety. Conservative buying criteria and due diligence are key. Broad diversification across many small rental properties in varied markets also reduces risk through diversification. And passively investing in private real estate funds can provide an element of safety by relying on experienced managers.
How much risk is involved with real estate investing?
Real estate investing comes with moderate risk overall. There is certainly greater risk than keeping money in FDIC insured bank accounts, money market funds, or government bonds. But real estate is generally less volatile than investing in the stock market or speculative instruments like cryptocurrency. Historically, single-family home values have only declined nationally by 10-30% during economic downturns before recovering. And rental income can offset some of these market fluctuations, especially when costs and debt are kept low. So real estate can be riskier than more conservative options but remains lower risk relative to other growth asset classes.
Is real estate or stock market investing riskier?
Both real estate and stock market investing come with risk, but real estate is generally the less risky asset class historically. Individual stock values can plummet 50% or more overnight during crashes. Real estate tends to move more slowly, both on the appreciation and depreciation sides. Rental income also provides some downside buffers. And single-family homes are a tangible asset backing the investment, unlike stocks. However, stocks offer more liquidity in exchange for these additional risks. Overall, real estate tends to provide similar returns over the long run with less stomach-churning volatility.
How much of my portfolio should be in real estate?
Most financial advisors suggest limiting real estate to 20-35% of your overall net worth once you factor in your primary home equity. Investing 5-10% in REIT funds and private real estate funds provides solid exposure. And you can own rentals directly as well, though consider starting small. Owning the roof over your head eats up a big chunk of most people’s real estate allocation. So limit direct ownership to an amount you’re comfortable with relative to your total assets and debt. Conservative investors might cap real estate around 20%, while more aggressive investors may go up to 50%. But anything above that leaves you undiversified.
What is the #1 mistake real estate investors make?
Becoming emotionally driven and attached is one of the biggest mistakes newer real estate investors make. Falling in love with a rehab project, overpaying for a childhood home, or clinging to a lagging market out of loyalty are examples. The second you make emotional instead of data-driven decisions, you invite risk. Expert investors remain detached and objective, following the numbers and trends rather than their feelings to make calculated moves. Leave emotions aside, and always approach real estate investing with a business mindset.
In another related article, How Real Estate Agent Commissions Work: A Simple Breakdown
