We’ve all made mistakes as property investors. Whether it’s overpaying for a property, failing to do our due diligence, or not having an exit strategy, there are plenty of ways to make a bad investment. However, some mistakes are more costly than others. So, what are the biggest mistakes we’ve made as property investors?
1. Failing to do our homework
One of the most costly mistakes we have made is failing to properly research a property investment before making an offer. We didn’t put in the required amount of research before investing in the property, and it ended up being a big mistake.
We were tied into a property with a poor yield that could have easily been avoided if we had just taken the time to learn more about the market. In addition, we did not undertake necessary due diligence, so we overpaid for a property that didn’t fit our needs.
2. Not having an exit strategy
Another mistake that has cost us is not having an exit strategy. We didn’t have a plan for how and when we wanted to sell the property, leaving us feeling trapped with an investment for much longer than we had anticipated.
3. Blindly following advice
Finally, listening to the wrong advice lead us astray. While it’s important to seek out the counsel of experienced investors, we needed to be careful about who we take advice from. Whilst many guided us on a positive path, not everyone had our best interests at heart.
4. Why did we make these mistakes, and what could we have done differently?
Looking back, there are a few things we could have done differently. For starters, we should have been more selective about the properties we chose to invest in. We were too quick to jump on any deal that came our way, without doing our due diligence and research first. As a result, we ended up with several properties that made a nominal profit and were not worth the time invested.
We also should have been more realistic about the amount of work that was required to fix up properties. We thought we could do it all ourselves and just ended up putting in long hours with little to show for it. It would have been smarter to hire some help from the beginning and moved onto better projects sooner.
5. Are there any benefits to making mistakes as a property investor? If so, what are they?
Making mistakes is a part of life, and there are even some benefits to making them – especially when it comes to property investment. After all, property investment is a risky business, and mistakes can be costly. However, making mistakes can also provide valuable lessons that help to make future investments more successful.
Many experienced property investors have learned the most from their biggest mistakes. So, if you’re thinking of getting into property investment, don’t be afraid to make a few mistakes along the way. Just remember to learn from them!
6. How can you avoid making the same mistakes we did?
Firstly, do your research. Make sure you understand the market and the property you’re interested in before you make any decisions. Do your due diligence, and research the area and the potential rental market before committing to a purchase. You should also know what your goals are and how you’re going to achieve them.
Secondly, you need to have realistic expectations about returns. It is easy to see be swept into some of the success stories we see online. Keep in mind that even the best properties can take time to generate income, and be prepared for bumps in the road.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are plenty of experienced investors out there who would be happy to offer advice and guidance. Seek out the opinion of expert advice from those that know more about specific areas of property investment – just don’t be solely reliant on the advice.