11 Ways to Make Money with Real Estate

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Real estate is often touted as the way to make money, and with good reason; investing in property and working within the real estate industry can help you to bring in the big bucks if you take the time to get to know the industry and make all of the right moves. Not only that, but there are lots of different ways to earn a living with real estate, so whatever your skills and preferences may be, there is probably a lucrative real estate avenue, or two, for you to explore.

That being the case, let's look at some of the best ways there are to make money in real estate right now:

1. Flip It Like You Mean It
House flipping: the real estate equivalent of finding an old guitar in a pawn shop, polishing it up, and selling it as a rare collectible. You buy a property that's seen better days, give it the makeover of a lifetime (think HGTV on steroids), and sell it for a tidy profit. It's not for the faint-hearted or those with a phobia of overrunning budgets, but get it right, and you'll be laughing all the way to the bank.

2. The Art of Being a Landlord
Becoming a landlord is a classic way to earn money from property and one that can still very much be lucrative today. This one's all about playing the long game—buying property and renting it out for a steady stream of income. Sure, dealing with tenants can sometimes feel like herding cats, but nail your tenant screening, and you'll be sipping piña coladas on your yacht in no time.

3. Vacation Rentals
If being a traditional landlord sounds too vanilla, spice things up with vacation rentals. Thanks to platforms like Airbnb, you can turn your property into a temporary haven for wanderlust-stricken travelers. It's a bit like running a boutique hotel, minus the stuffy concierges and overpriced minibars. With the right location and some Instagram-worthy decor, you could be raking in more dough than a baker with insomnia.

4. Real Estate Syndication
Not got the capital to go solo? No problem. If you look at how the syndication process works, you will see that it's kind of like forming a rock band where everyone brings their own instrument (i.e., money) and you make beautiful music together (i.e., invest in property). A syndicator (the band manager) pools funds from multiple investors to buy or develop real estate. You get a share of the profits without having to deal with the nitty-gritty. It's hands-off investing with the potential for handsomely high returns.

5. Wholesaling
Ever heard of wholesaling? It's the real estate world's middleman gig. You find a distressed property, put it under contract, and then sell that contract to an investor for a fee. It's like being a talent scout for rundown properties, without ever having to swing a hammer or unclog a toilet. Your profit is the difference between your contract price and the sale price. Quick, clean, and no renovations required.

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6. Commercial Real Estate: Go Big or Go Home
Feeling ambitious? Dip your toes into the commercial real estate pool. We're talking office buildings, retail spaces, and industrial complexes—the big leagues. This is where the real money is, but it's also where the big risks play. Get it right, and you'll be the kingpin of the commercial world, collecting rent from businesses like a mob boss demanding protection money (but, you know, legal).

7. Rent-to-Own
Picture this: a lease agreement that's like a layaway plan for homeownership. That's rent-to-own for you. You lease a property with the option to buy it before the lease expires. It's like dating a house before putting a ring on it, giving you time to fall in love with the property (or run for the hills) while locking in today's purchase price. It's a win-win for those not quite ready to commit but wanting to dip their toes into homeownership.

8. Storage Units
In the world of real estate investment options, storage units are often not considered as much as they should be. You see,  investing in storage units can be surprisingly lucrative, given people's never-ending need to stash their stuff. Low overhead, steady demand, and the potential for passive income make storage units an attractive investment. Plus, storage tenants don't call you at 2 a.m. to fix a leaky faucet.

9. REITs: Real Estate Investment Without the Hassles
For those who love the idea of investing in real estate but hate the idea of actually dealing with physical properties, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are your VIP ticket. REITs are companies that own, operate, or finance income-generating real estate. Investing in a REIT is like buying stock in a property portfolio, offering dividends and the potential for capital appreciation. It's real estate investing with a stock market twist—perfect for those who prefer to keep their hands clean and their investments diversified.

10. Land Flipping
Buying underpriced land and selling it at a profit might sound like the Wild West, but it's a viable strategy in today's market. Whether you're selling to developers eager to build the next big thing or to individuals dreaming of their own slice of heaven, land flipping is about spotting potential in raw earth. It requires a keen eye for value and a bit of patience, but the payoff can be as vast as the horizon.

11. Crowdfunding
Last but certainly not least, let's talk about crowdfunding, the democracy of real estate investing. Platforms like Fundrise or RealtyMogul allow you to invest in high-quality real estate projects with just a few clicks of a button. It's like Kickstarter for properties, where you can invest small amounts in big projects and watch your money grow. No suits, no meetings, just pure, unadulterated investing from the comfort of your couch.

As you can see, no matter how much money you have to invest, or what your particular skills and series are, it is totally possible for you to make bank with real estate, so what's stopping you?