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Expanding Your REIT Portfolio: How to Choose a Vacation Home

A real estate investment trust (REIT) is an investment asset class with a remarkable return on investment. Other asset classes are commodities, currency, US equities, Bond, and the global markets. Each asset class is unique and best for particular situations. In this guide, you'll discover everything you need to know about REITs, including what they are, how to get started, and why you should consider expanding your REIT portfolio with properties such as a vacation home.


What Is a Real Estate Investment Trust?

A real estate investment trust is a regulated investment vehicle that facilitates collaborative real estate investing. REITs are companies that investors use to pull resources and invest together in real estate. 

REITs own large-scale real estate projects. However, the law doesn't permit them to sell the properties. Instead, a REIT can only buy or develop real estate properties as a part of an investment portfolio. REITs invest in real estate properties like offices, shopping malls, apartments, hotels, resorts, villas, and vacation homes, to mention a few. That being said, REITs present shareholders with an opportunity to earn from real estate properties without physically owning them.

Real estate investment trusts in the United States are regulated by the SEC and traded on security exchanges. However, for a REIT to be publicly traded, it has to be registered for that. Other REITs are registered by the regulatory body but aren't being traded.

This has an overall effect on the REITs because it affects the returns. A REIT traded publicly on the stock exchange is likely to generate more returns for investors than one that isn't. This is one of the aspects that affect the return on investment for real estate investment trusts.

Quality real estate property is the second most critical factor to consider. The REITs business is 100% based on the real estate property. Thus, investors will predominantly invest in REITs with remarkable properties and the potential to generate more returns.

What does this mean for REIT company decision-makers? If they want to make more for investors, they should acquire top-notch properties. So, if you're in this position, you should put your A-game on top when sourcing real estate properties to invest in. 

If you’re reading this, you might be thinking that it's time to add more properties to your REITs portfolio, such as a vacation home. Or, you're looking to get started in the business. What should you do to get the best vacation home property deals to invest in?

 

What to Consider When Buying a Family Vacation Home

Vacation homes are used by families mostly during major school breaks or special vacations. Whether you're buying one for your private use or a real estate investment trust, the same considerations apply. That being said, below are the factors to consider.

1. An Ideal Location

Location plays a vital role in real estate investing. It's advisable to choose an ideal location with a proven record to generate profits if you want the best return on investment from your family vacation homes.

The best location for vacation homes should be in cities, towns, or neighborhoods used as holiday destinations to widen your customer base. The right location favors 100% room occupancy rates, making it the sure-fire way to generate more profits from the investment. For example, many families frequent coastal areas during summer, raising the demand for vacation homes around these areas. Having several vacation homes near the beach around this time is a well-calculated investment strategy since it can generate a lot of real estate income.

Also, you want to ensure your ideal location has adequate infrastructure. These should include roads in good condition for easy access, reliable cellular, and internet network coverage for easy communication, and reliable, clean water and electricity supply. Accessibility to basic infrastructure gives you the bargaining power to charge higher rates. People value quality, so paying premium rates to book your vacation homes won't be a problem. 

Lastly, you want to pick a peaceful and quiet neighborhood, depending on your target audience's preference. Those who love quiet holiday destinations with zero to minimal partying will prefer holiday homes located in neighborhoods with minimal noise. However, some families love the hype and nightlife when on vacation. This target audience will appreciate holiday homes located in active and hyped neighborhoods. It's more important to know the customers you're planning to serve to present the right offers.

2.  Engaging the Right Professionals 

Engaging the right professional when buying a vacation home goes a long way and saves you from disappointments down the road. The main professionals to be involved in the purchase are a real estate agent and a real estate lawyer.

The real estate agent gives valuable tips and the best vacation home options you can consider. They can be helpful in many ways; however, these two suffice for examples. On the other end, a real estate lawyer will help you take care of the legal side of real estate investing. Not every urgent is worth working with. For the best outcomes, you only want to collaborate with a trusted agent. How do I know a trusted agent, you ask? The right urgent should meet the following descriptions.

  • Has adequate knowledge of the real estate market.
  • Is affiliated with at least one national real estate professional body.
  • Has a registered physical office.
  • Has a track record of projects completed successfully.
  • Has a practicing license. The last thing you want is to deal with fraud.
  • Has astounding communication skills and doesn't keep you in the dark.

Before we forget, these are the same qualities to consider when dealing with other professionals like real estate lawyers. Sticking to this plan will save you from frustrations and disappointments from projects that go south.

 

Wrapping Up

A real estate investment trust or REIT is a great way to invest in the real estate market since it benefits both active and passive investors. As an active investor, it's important to invest in the right type of real estate property such as a family vacation home. Working with a trusted real estate agent and real estate lawyer will make the process of diversifying your REIT portfolio smoother as you search for a new property. Lastly, knowing your target market will help you purchase high-quality properties with the most earning potential.

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