Whether you’re looking for a career change or you just want a way to supplement your current income, there are few better ways to do it than by diving into the exciting and lucrative world of investment. Though for a lot of people, it can be difficult even to know where to start.
A lot of people assume that you have to have huge amounts of money to spare right from the start or to be well versed in endless amounts of complex financial jargon.
But that’s no longer the case. The internet has made it easier than ever to get started as an investor. That being said, that doesn’t mean there aren’t important considerations to make. Here are some important things that you need to consider before making your first investment.
Can you handle it on your own?
You should figure out as early as possible just how much you can actually handle on your own.
Investing may be easier than it’s ever been before, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t come with its fair share of challenges. You can find a great deal of information online to help make sense of it all, but sometimes it’s a good idea to get some professional help.
There are plenty of commercial real estate brokers who can help you figure out where to put your money and translate some of the more complicated elements into plain English.
So if you don’t know your asset allocation from your investment-grade credit tenants, then it might be a good idea to reach out to a professional for some support.
Personally, I recommend maintaining a 60:40 ratio of debts and equity. If you are financially stable to take more risks, then only you should increase the ratio of equity.
Where do you want your money to go?
Possibly the most important step is figuring out what it is that you actually want to invest in.
There are hundreds, maybe even thousands, of different options available to you, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. The main things that you need to consider are the risk, reward, initial cost, and the amount of time you’ll need to commit to it.
If you’re looking to use investment as a way to supplement your own income, then you’re probably not going to want to get involved with very high-intensity investments that prevent you from having any time for anything else. Likewise, if you’re new to the world of investment, then it’s probably a good idea to look into some smaller, low-risk investments to start with.
How much money do you have?
Before you decide that your future lies in real estate and property development, it’s probably a good idea to figure out how much money you’re able to invest in the first place. If you have the kind of capital to allow for it – or are able to obtain bridging loans to cover the cost of purchasing the property – then real estate can be a fantastic investment. However, if you’re starting from slightly more limited means, then there are plenty of investments that don’t require a particularly large initial payment. From bonds to penny stocks, there are plenty of options available to those who want to turn a profit without putting down their life savings.
Investment might seem like a scary prospect at first, but the truth is that it’s often far simpler than you might initially expect. All you have to explore the surrounding opportunities. It’s just a matter of being willing to actually put the work in if you want to see genuine returns.
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