Whether it was kings fighting wars and expanding their realm or modern-day millennial couples purchasing their dream house, there has always been a continual desire to acquire real estate. Prime real estate gives returns that are far higher than those of traditional investment options, and since its demand and worth never drop, investing in it may be a good decision.
Everyone wants to be a homeowner, and realising this dream may provide you with both material and emotional satisfaction. Due to the scarcity of land in cities around the country, purchasing even a modest flat may pay off through either rental income or sale.
Real estate investment is a method that may be enjoyable and profitable. Unlike stock and bond investors, prospective real estate owners can use leverage to buy a property by paying a portion of the whole cost upfront and then paying off the balance, plus interest, over time.
What qualities do successful real estate investments in India possess? A prudent investment has a good chance of succeeding or making money. If your investment has a high degree of risk, the possible benefit ought to be sufficient to balance the risk. However, nothing is certain, even if you choose investments that stand a reasonable probability of succeeding.
Here are a few ways that a typical retail investor, or even someone with access to sufficient funds, might invest in real estate in India and earn a return.
Table of Contents
Traditional Methods
The simplest way to invest in real estate in India is to buy an asset or lease it for a long time, then rent it to tenants—either residential or commercial.
Although the process is simple, it needs a sizable initial investment and recurring maintenance costs. Before renting, buying, or borrowing an item, be sure it’s not mired in legal wrangling.
For this type of property, you need not make the trip to a sub-registrar’s office. However, you will have to make a rental agreement that will have to be signed by the tenants. Furthermore, your returns on the investment will be determined by the monthly payments you get.
For commercial property, you must complete the required registrations at the sub-registrar’s office with two witnesses and adhere to the steps described there. Once the property has been registered, you may advertise it or let people know that it is available on the market. Before the recurring rent payments from the tenant become your passive stream of revenue from the property, the tenant must accept and sign the lease agreement.
Advantages of these traditional real estate investments include consistent income and appreciating real estate, money leveraged to its fullest potential, numerous tax-deductible expenses, etc.
Disadvantages include the fact that managing tenants could become tiresome, they also have the potential to damage the property, and there could be a decrease in revenue if and when the property is vacant for some time.
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
Real estate investment trusts, or REITs, are businesses that own and manage properties in order to make money. firms that manage portfolios of high-value real estate assets and mortgages are known as real estate investment trust firms. For instance, they receive payment for renting out houses. The rent that was successfully collected is subsequently distributed to the investors as revenue and dividends.
REITs often give investors the chance to own expensive real estate and give them the chance to receive dividend income, which will gradually increase their capital. Investors may take advantage of the chance to increase their wealth and produce income at the same time in this way.
This investment option allows both large and small investors to store their money and profit accordingly. Small investors could try to combine their funds with those of other investors to make a larger investment in significant commercial real estate projects. Data centres, infrastructure, healthcare facilities, housing complexes, and other properties are incorporated in REITs.
REITs are one of the most expensive investment options since they own and manage pricey real estate holdings. Investors that park their money in REITs are therefore individuals who have a lot of capital available. Large institutional investors, for instance, can profitably invest in various financial instruments, including insurance companies, endowments, bank trust departments, pension funds, etc.
Advantages of REITs
Consistent dividend income and capital growth: Over the long term, investing in REITs is claimed to offer large dividend income as well as consistent capital growth.
Option to Diversify: Given that the majority of REITs are routinely traded on the stock markets, investors have the chance to diversify their real estate holdings.
Liquidity: Since the majority of REITs trade on public stock exchanges, it is simple to buy and sell them, which increases their liquidity.
REITs Limitations
No tax advantages: REITs don’t provide much in the way of tax savings. One such example is the taxation of dividends received from REIT firms.
Risks related to the Market: One of the main risks connected with REITs is that they are subject to changes in the market. Due to this, investors with low-risk tolerance should consider this investment’s ability to generate returns in advance.
Low Growth Potential: For REITs, the likelihood of capital growth is quite low. It’s mostly because they give back up to 90% of their profits to the investors and only reinvest the remaining 10% in their business.
Must Read: What is Real Estate? Meaning, Types, Characteristics!
Real Estate Crowdfunding
Real-estate crowdfunding, sometimes referred to as property crowdfunding, is a method of raising capital for real estate initiatives by contacting a group of investors and requesting them to contribute a modest quantity of money to a project. Simply said, it’s a method of raising capital that lets modest real estate investors participate in significant projects.
Real estate crowdfunding is sometimes known as real estate peer-to-peer lending or project finance. Money is raised by using a crowdsourcing service on the internet. To get money for launching or expanding a real estate project, one party (the borrower) registers with a platform. In exchange for a high rate of return, a platform is utilised by a third party (the investor or lender) to make investments.
What Are the Advantages of Real Estate Crowdfunding?
Diversity of Holdings
The need to diversify one’s portfolio is typically one of the first things most investors acquire. By participating in the real estate market, real estate crowdfunding helps investors to diversify their portfolios.
Minimum Investment Needed
The wealthy and influential have always had access to real estate investing. A significant down payment, often exceeding six figures, was frequently necessary for an investment property.
Numerous Alternative Offers
Real estate crowdsourcing platforms provide a range of transactions, letting investors just assume the amount of risk they are comfortable with. Investors can choose between higher-risk, more volatile stock investments and lower-risk, lower-reward debt alternatives.
Crowdfunding for real estate has begun to gain traction in India as a result of the success of foreign businesses there. In India, where it is approved and regulated by the Reserve Bank of India, peer-to-peer lending is accepted. Due to the vast range of connections offered by modern technology, everyone in India may participate in real estate crowdfunding through their computers or mobile devices.
As a result, several fintech companies have emerged to offer an innovative real estate crowdfunding platform that aids developers in raising capital for significant real estate projects. The crowdfunding solutions are made to be user-friendly, transparent in their dealings, and capable of precisely tracking returns.
Real Estate Investment Groups
The best option for those who want to own a rental property but don’t want to handle the management problems is real estate investment groups (REIGs). One requires a capital reserve and financial resources in order to invest in REIGs.
REIGs are little mutual funds that choose to invest in real estate. In a typical real estate investment group, a company buys or builds a collection of apartments or condos, and then allows investors to purchase them through the company to join the group.
Self-contained living units can be held by a single investor in one or more units, but the company managing the investment group supervises all the units, takes care of maintenance, posts vacancies, and conducts tenant interviews. The business is compensated for carrying out these management responsibilities by receiving a percentage of the monthly charge.
The rent for each unit is typically bundled in a real estate investment group lease in order to guard against irregular vacancies, and the lease is typically in the name of the investor. This implies that you will still generate money even if your unit is empty. As long as the vacancy rate for the pooled units doesn’t drastically rise, there should be enough money to cover expenditures.
Advantages of Real Estate Investment Groups
To maximise returns, real estate investment firms diversify their holdings. Multiple investments can be made using pooled resources, frequently with higher returns.
The group’s investments can be sufficiently diversified to minimise risk and lower vitality when managed by qualified experts. The lack of restrictions on the kind of activities and business practices that REIGs can participate in is another advantage.
Disadvantages of Real Estate Investment Groups
Formal agreements in certain real estate investment organisations specify when and how members can access their funds. Therefore, someone who wants to leave the organisation might not be able to instantly reclaim their investment or portion of the earnings.
Additionally, REIGs frequently have bylaws that outline the rules and costs. These costs can add up, particularly when earnings are low or losses occur. Some organisations demand yearly or more frequent dues. Last but not least, the individuals who make the decisions have a significant impact on the group’s performance. The danger might outweigh the gain if untrained and inexperienced individuals are in charge.
Real Estate Industry in India – Things You Should Know!
The real estate industry calls for expertise, skill, organisation, networking, and tenacity. Having in-depth knowledge and constantly educating oneself is essential, but they frequently require more than just classroom instruction. A successful real estate investor understands the dangers, invests in an accountant, seeks assistance, and builds a network.
Plan Ahead
To set and accomplish short- and long-term goals, real estate investors must approach their operations with a business-professional mindset. Making a business plan is a smart idea since it helps investors see the broad picture and keeps their attention on the essential objectives rather than on any little obstacles.
Market Research
To assist investors in understanding a property’s rate, the majority of local governments give a guiding value. You may prevent getting conned into paying more for a property than it is worth by monitoring neighbourhood trends and the market rate. By examining market rates and identifying trends, you might estimate the earnings you might be able to anticipate in the future.
Make Connections
A professional network may provide opportunities and support that are helpful to both new and seasoned real estate investors. This sort of group, which may include a carefully selected mentor, business associates, customers, or contributors to a non-profit organisation, allows investors to push and support one another.
Spend Money on an Accountant
Taxes make up a sizable portion of an investor’s annual expenses. The current tax law could be complicated to understand, taking time away from the business at hand. A competent, respected accountant is hired by savvy real estate investors to manage the company’s records. Compared to the savings that a professional may offer to the company, the fees connected with the accountant may be insignificant.
Must Read: A Glossary of Real Estate Terms for Homebuyers
Final Thoughts
Contrary to the numerous advertisements that promise real estate investment as a simple road to wealth, it is a difficult industry that requires skill, strategy, and attention.
Additionally, since the focus of the company is on its clients and employees, investors stand to gain in the long term by conducting business ethically and with respect. While making quick money may be quite straightforward, building a long-term real estate investment firm takes talent, and work.
While real estate investing in India may be profitable, doing it alone can be challenging. Real estate investment groups give people the chance to engage in real estate without having to take on all the financial and commitment risk alone. If you want to join a real estate investing club, do extensive research first, then find the organisation that most nearly resembles your objectives. If you still want to venture out alone, be sure to lean on a good accountant who will help you document your investments.
