The 22 million U.S. jobs lost brought by the pandemic only proves that no nine-to-five job offers security. The end of the COVID-19 pandemic is still unknown, so protecting the income and securing its flow must be on top of everyone’s priorities.
Those people who are still employed are fortunate. But, this does not mean they can be complacent with what they have now. Everything is uncertain, especially at present, including their active income aka jobs.
Now that this particular stream of active income is at large risk, why not create a passive income to safeguard the livelihood of your household?
In contrast to active income, passive income is the money earned without exerting daily effort to maintain it. Examples are selling eBooks, affiliate marketing, podcasting, and real estate. People who invest in these make a one-time effort and then earn from it for the rest of their lives—that is how passive income works.
Among the many types of passive income, real estate still is on top of the list this 2021. Here is why:
1. It keeps an investor afloat during an economic recession
People would want to invest in real estate for a stable cash flow through rental income.
Depending on the location of the property, the investor may earn a substantial amount to secure property managing expenses and earn him higher cash flow.
Areas that are high in demand, such as cities with colleges or many business establishments, tend to increase income. If an investor scores such locations, a steady flow of income is certain.
Most investors would not settle for only one property at once, which is a great thing. Diversifying investments reduce the risks of losses and increase positive cash flow.
Those who want to acquire another real estate property but still have an existing loan might help consider mortgage refinancing. This is a process of paying off the current loan and replacing it with a new one that has more favorable terms. Why do it? It will secure the best mortgage interest rate and shorten the term of the loan.
With real estate, cash flow only accelerates over time while paying down the mortgage. This means real estate investors can secure a stable cash flow in succession—giving the investor income protection in case of an economic downturn.
2. It can be leveraged to build wealth
The reason real estate remains to be one of the best investments a person can have this 2021 is because of leverage.
In a nutshell, leverage is the process of borrowing capital to increase the return on investment. If used properly, it can be an excellent way to build wealth.
Take advantage of real estate leverage to acquire more properties—through a mortgage—that will generate more income.
Having to manage multiple properties at once may sound a little scary, but it can be done with the right strategy. Once the mortgage is successful, find the right tenants who will cover the monthly mortgage payments then the investor can wait for the return of their investment. That is it. Analyzing this setup, the investor did not really invest any money, but they will reap benefits.
An investor can build wealth using money he does not have but can use because of leverage.
3. Its value increases over time
They say great things come to those who wait. This is true in real estate. If an investor is in it for the long run, they may earn way more from the value of their property.
The value of a property only appreciates over time—making the rental fees rise and the sale price increase with each passing year. Whether an investor will put their property out for sale or rent, they can make a substantial profit or higher cash flow.
Real estate is a long-term investment plan. This means those who cannot wait for decades for the return of their investments must not invest in real estate.
The bottom line
Investing in real estate—come hell or high water—can be the best way to protect and boost an income. The fact that it is inflation-proof makes it the perfect retirement plan. This investment—if managed properly—is something anyone can rely on. It can offer a steady flow of income, it can be diversified through leveraging, and profit loss is almost impossible because its value only appreciates.
But all of these are only possible with the right strategy. So keep educating yourself to build knowledge about the business of real estate.