Investors accounted for what’s likely a record 23 percent of all home sales last year, according to the National Association of Realtors’ “2005 National Association of Realtors Profile of Second-Home Buyers.”

Prior to buying a investment property it is wise to buy a house for yourself first. Buying a home will not only put a roof over your head, but teach you the true cost of property ownership beyond the monthly mortgage payment, give you a primer on financing, school you on how location and changing market conditions affect property values, give you the angle on tax and other home owning benefits, help you learn about property. There are many small real estate niche markets out there and you want to do your research to ensure you are investing in the right market.

After you invest in real estate, a big part about profiting from it is making sure that the financing is in place. Real estate is not like operating a retail store where you buy something wholesale for $10 and sell it for $20. Financing your investment is a crucial part of your investment strategy and most of your decisions will be based on the time frame of your investment. Whether you are planning to hang on to your investment for long term returns or are in for the quick flip will determine the type and rate of mortgage you will be obtaining.

If you truly have a long-term horizon with a rental property investment, you can rest easier knowing that someone else is paying more of the interest and principal each month than you. As part of your investment strategy you can sit back and allow the principle to be paid down on your mortgage and watch your equity increase. There are some good tax benefits to a rental property which you can utilize to increase your profits. Ask your accountant how to set up your property for the greatest benefit.

Learn your investment market. One market’s bubble could be one investor’s boom and another investor’s bust. A home in one market could give you vacation rental income in a half year sufficient to cover the cost of principal, interest, taxes, insurance, home owner association dues, upkeep and other costs, but not appreciate, while another home in another market won’t bring you enough rent to cover your expenses but appreciate more than enough to make up for it over the long term. The variables are endless.

After investing in some rental properties you may realize you do not have adequate time to actually maintain and look after the day to day issues involved in managing rental properties. Ask some rental property investors who they use for property managers and be prepared to ask them some tough questions. Here is a sample list of questions:
1. What are your management fees (% of rents, new tenant fees, lease renewal, etc)?
2. What services does that fee cover?
3. What does your company charge for other services(evictions, finding new tenants, lease-options exercised)?
4. Is the maintenance you use in-house, or just a contractor frequently used? Do they charge by the hour, or the job? How much?
5. Do you manage properties in the (area you own property) area? If so, how many?
6. How many property managers do you have?
7. How many units does each manage on average?
8. How long has your company been in business?
9. What is the average length you’ve managed the client’s properties for?
10. Do you manage any lease-options/rent-to-own properties? (if you have any or plan on having any)
11. What info do you provide the owner with on a monthly basis? What do you need the owner to do on a monthly basis? How many phone calls to the owner per month on average?
12. How do you advertise and market the properties?
13. Could you email me references right now? (Make sure you call their references

Want to find Angus Real Estate Agents, then visit www.angusrealestateagents.info site. Shopping for Innisfil Professional Real Estate Agents then visit www.innifilrealestateagents.info site.