Most people associate “single-family home” with the word “real estate” but you and I know a different world, don’t we? The field of real estate investment has a dazzling number of options to specialize with.
For a new real estate investor, deciding on a real estate investing niche can be a bit overwhelming. Should you invest in raw land? Apartment buildings? Student or senior housing? Condos and town homes? How about specializing in self-storage or industrial? You might even consider investing in oil & gas (yes, that’s also a real estate investing niche!).
Where to start?
Where are you?
You start with what you know and where you are. Do you live in a college town? Does your town get seasonal traffic? Are you near a beach or lake? Are you close to an industrial area? Maybe you live in a commuter town. Just by living near this feature you are more familiar with the ebb and flow of this niche.
What do you know?
Sit down and focus on what you know about this area. What does the local industry need? How is this area shrinking or growing? What do people want when they come to the area? What does local or state government plan for the area? Are there any big building projects underway?
You’ll become knowledgeable about your area with some internet research and a few phone calls. Use my free real estate market checklist as a guide.
Get educated in a specific real estate investing niche
After narrowing down what your area offers it is time to get educated in that real estate niche. Get on the ground floor and talk to your market. For example, if you live near a college town, then find out how much local housing costs for students. Talk to some students. What are they looking for in housing? Is it a washer and dryer? Maybe they want proximity to classes? Discover what they really want.
Everyone, of course, has different needs, but there will be a common thread among the population you speak to. Now you want to give the population, your market, what they want.
That’s your niche!
Read, watch and listen
Depending on how much experience you have in real estate, you would be wise to read a few books and blogs. How-to real estate investing books, videos and articles will help you narrow down the type of real estate to buy. They can also help you raise funds and become familiar with what is important to know in local real estate transactions. My free Fast Start to Real Estate Investing Program is an excellent place to begin.
Real estate investing podcasts are another goldmine of information for learning about real estate investing. The time you spend getting educated will help you avoid costly mistakes in the future.
Find a mentor within your real estate niche
Another prudent step would be to find a real estate investing mentor. Reading books and listening to podcasts are excellent tools but you don’t know what you don’t know, right? That’s the fear that usually stops people from becoming real estate investors.
People have coaches and teachers to guide them through uncertain waters in every stage of life. Sometimes you need a mentor to give you the practical, insider’s guide to the industry. Other times mentors are important to keep you true to your goals and dreams. Together, you can plot a practical, achievable plan for your real estate dreams.
Find the voice of a real estate professional you enjoy and reach out to that person.
Time to take action
Finding your real estate investing niche takes education and action but you don’t have to take that journey alone. There are guides and resources all along the way that will make you feel like we are in this adventure together!
Related Articles
Free Multifamily Real Estate Investing Resources
Be Smart About Hot New Trends in Real Estate Investing
4 Steps to Get You Started in Real Estate Investing
Latest posts by Theresa Bradley-Banta (see all)
- Multifamily Common Areas Maintenance & Management Tips - March 31, 2020
- 8 Tenant Gift Ideas That Will Boost Your Bottom Line - November 11, 2019
- Need a Package Delivery System at Your Multifamily Rental Property? - October 28, 2019
