How Do I Invest in Property While Still Being in College?
Table of Contents
1. How Do I Invest in Property While Still Being in College: Educate Yourself
2. Start Small
3. Explore Financing Options
4. Network
5. Conduct Thorough Due Diligence
6. The Best Real Estate Investment for Accredited Investors: Multifamily Syndication
7. Why Invest in Multifamily Syndication?
8. Work With BAM Capital for the Best Multifamily Real Estate Syndication Deals
How to Start Investing in Real Estate While Still in School
College students who invest in real estate can enjoy several advantages. For example, it can help them accumulate long-term wealth through property appreciation and rental income. By starting early, they can reap the benefits of real estate sooner and potentially build substantial equity by the time they graduate.
Investing in real estate teaches valuable financial management skills. It fosters a sense of responsibility that can guide many other aspects of their life. Real estate investing offers a hands-on learning experience about property management, market trends, and investment strategies, which can be invaluable for future endeavors.
Owning real estate can even provide financial stability and a sense of security, as property tends to be a relatively stable investment compared to other asset classes.
Of course, this is not something you can just jump into without preparation. But if done correctly, college students can use real estate to lay a solid foundation for financial independence and future success. By gaining knowledge and using effective strategies, entering the real estate market can become a more fulfilling experience. [1]
With the right approach and mindset, it’s entirely possible to start building your real estate portfolio early on. This is what we are going to discuss here today.
How Do I Invest in Property While Still Being in College: Educate Yourself
Investing in a real estate property while still in college requires a solid foundation of knowledge and some strategic planning.
Begin by immersing yourself in real estate education through books, online courses, and seminars. Familiarize yourself with key concepts like property valuation, market analysis, financing options, and legal considerations. [2]
If you start building a network of seasoned investors and professionals early on, you can gain mentorship opportunities and plenty of valuable insights.
College students may even consider gaining hands-on experience through internships or part-time jobs with real estate firms or property management companies. By actively learning about real estate and seeking practical experiences, you can build the skills and confidence you need to navigate the complexities of property investment.
When looking at investment properties, make sure you analyze where you are putting your money, understanding the risks and return potential. Investors must get comfortable with the outcomes they may be presented with. [2]
Basically, you need to do your homework and learn all about what’s out there so you don’t end up investing in something you don’t understand. Though it will be difficult at first, this will pay off over time. [2]
Start Small
As a college student, your financial resources might be limited, so it’s essential to start small. While investing in a real estate property can be a savvy move, you still need to manage your resources wisely.
Consider investing in a residential property like a condominium or a small apartment that you can afford with your savings or by leveraging financing options such as a mortgage. There are quite a few low-cost real estate investments out there that are possible to acquire with a limited budget. [3]
Do your research on affordable options such as small rental properties in your area. Look for properties with potential for appreciation or rental income. Consider pooling resources with family or friends to make the initial investment more manageable.
Starting small allows you to gain valuable experience and build a solid foundation for future ventures in the real estate market.
Explore Financing Options
As a college student looking to invest in real estate, it is important to carefully consider your financing options.
Since most students are on a tight budget, they should consider the various financing options that are available such as student loans and scholarships. Student loans, for instance, can be used to invest in an IRA or Roth IRA whether you get an interest-free or subsidized loan. You can then defer the tax burden until after graduation. [3]
Some financial institutions offer loans with flexible repayment terms or low interest rates for students, allowing them to leverage their academic status for favorable financing.
Also look into various government programs or initiatives that are aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs or real estate investors. You may even find grants that are specifically tailored for real estate investments.
There are several avenues that can help give you access to capital without the need for extensive personal funds. Just be sure to thoroughly research and understand the terms, risks, and responsibilities associated with each financing option so that you can make informed decisions.
Network
Networking is crucial in real estate investing. Aside from doing your research and gathering information on the internet, you can also learn a lot from friends, family members, financial advisors, and other real estate investors. Ask them what they are investing in and how they are doing so. [2]
Another approach is to leverage your existing connections within your college community. Start by engaging with professors, alumni, and fellow students who may have experience or knowledge in real estate.
Attending networking events, joining relevant clubs or organizations, and participating in internships or mentorship programs can provide valuable insights and connections.
Additionally, consider seeking guidance from professionals in the field, such as real estate agents, investors, or property managers. Building a strong network not only opens doors to potential investment opportunities but also offers valuable guidance and support that can go a long way when you are balancing real estate investing with your academic commitments.
Conduct Thorough Due Diligence
Any experienced real estate investor will tell you that you need to conduct thorough due diligence before investing into any type of property. It’s not enough to just identify investment opportunities. You must also assess the potential risks and rewards of each investment. You need to ensure that the investment opportunity aligns with your budget and investment goals.
Conduct a thorough financial analysis to assess the feasibility of the investment, including evaluating rental income potential, property condition, potential for appreciation, and associated expenses such as taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs.
Even as a college student, you need to familiarize yourself with the legal and regulatory aspects of real estate investment. This will help ensure compliance and mitigate potential liabilities. Building a strong understanding of the market and investment fundamentals will empower you to make smart investment decisions.
At the end of the day, while venturing into property investment can be exciting, remember that your primary focus should be on your college education. Balancing academics with real estate endeavors requires discipline and time management. Ensure that your investment activities don’t interfere with your studies and academic responsibilities.
The Best Real Estate Investment for Accredited Investors: Multifamily Syndication
One type of real estate investment that may not be available to the average college student is real estate syndication. This is an investment strategy that is only available to accredited investors. Accredited investors are those who have the financial resources and investing knowledge needed to invest in unregistered securities. However, like other successful real estate investors, who may not want to run a real estate empire forever, students can eventually hand over the keys to BAM Capital like Dave did.
For accredited investors, real estate syndication is one of the best ways to add real estate to their investment portfolio because it is a truly passive investment. While most investment properties can generate a steady cash flow passively, they still require proper management. Owning a real estate property such as an apartment community will typically require you to be a landlord. However, through syndication, accredited investors can avoid that hassle. Click the link, to learn more about the structure of multifamily syndication.
Real estate syndication involves multiple investors pooling their resources together to acquire a single real estate property. This can be done with any type of real estate property. But because of the strong, consistent cash flow generated by multifamily properties, multifamily syndication is the most popular among investors. [4]
This deal is arranged by a syndicator or a sponsor, who serves as the general partner (GP) in the deal. Their job is to create and execute the business plan from start to finish. They will locate the investment property, conduct their due diligence, secure the loan, look for accredited investors to participate in the deal, and then handle property management once the deal is in place. [4]
The syndicator takes on most of the responsibilities in the syndication deal, while investors take on a more passive role. In fact, accredited investors simply supply the capital needed to acquire the multifamily property. As limited partners (LPs) they also have to pay certain fees to get the syndication deal going. But beyond that, they have little further liabilities. This is what makes it a passive investment in real estate.
Unlike traditional real estate investments, investors do not have to worry about handling tenants, dealing with emergencies, and collecting rent. The syndicator will handle the property’s daily operations.
In exchange for their investment, LPs earn a share of the property’s cash flow. This may be distributed on a monthly or quarterly basis. Make sure to evaluate each deal carefully because not all deals work the same way.
Depending on the deal structure, investors may also earn a share of the equity upon resale. Again, every deal is different. Do your due diligence and learn about the profit split and other details of the syndication deal through the private placement memorandum (PPM) or syndication agreement. Everything you need to know will be detailed there. [4]
Why Invest in Multifamily Syndication?
Aside from being a passive investment in real estate, multifamily syndication offers several benefits for investors.
Multifamily properties like apartment communities and condominiums are associated with strong and stable cash flow. They are generally unaffected by vacancies, unlike single-family properties, because there are multiple units generating income. This makes it a safer investment option.
However, multifamily properties are also large and expensive. This means they are difficult to acquire for a lone investor and even more difficult to manage. Even high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) may think twice about purchasing a large multifamily property on their own because it is risky. But multifamily syndication makes it more accessible.
Through syndication, you can invest in larger real estate deals without having to purchase an entire building on your own.
Multifamily syndication offers the benefits of owning real estate but with much fewer drawbacks. Since the syndicator handles most of it, this investment does not require you to spend a significant amount of time on property management. You can focus your time and energy on other priorities. Investors can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of their investment.
Just keep in mind that syndication deals still require a significant amount of capital upfront. This is why most of these deals are exclusive to accredited investors. Investors should also be comfortable with a bit of illiquidity because these deals tend to last for several years.
Work With BAM Capital for the Best Multifamily Real Estate Syndication Deals
Because multifamily syndication is a passive investment, the syndicator will be making most of the decisions in the deal. Some investors may not be comfortable with taking the backseat when it comes to their real estate investments. However, if you are looking for a safe and hands-free investment in real estate, multifamily syndication may be the best way to add a multifamily property to your portfolio.
The key is to work with a syndicator you trust.
Work with BAM Capital if you want a syndicator with a track record for consistency and excellence.
BAM Capital is an Indianapolis-based syndicator with an award-winning strategy that creates forced appreciation while mitigating investor risk. Accredited investors love BAM Capital because it prioritizes high-quality multifamily real estate properties that are Class A, A-, and B++, specifically those that have in-place cash flow and proven upside potential. [5]
BAM Capital is a leader in its industry. In fact, BAM Capital now has over $700 million AUM and 5,000+ units. It is also a vertically integrated company, meaning it can guide you through every step of the syndication process: from acquiring the properties to renovating and managing them. [5]
No investment is without risk. Make sure to consult your investment advisor or speak to a BAM Capital investment team member before making any financial decisions.
For accredited investors who want to enjoy passive income and all the other benefits of being in multifamily syndication, schedule a call with BAM Capital and invest today.
Sources:
[2]: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/05/how-to-start-investing-while-youre-still-in-college.html
[3]:https://www.billy.com/blog/the-complete-guide-to-investing-in-real-estate-as-a-college-student
[4]: https://multifamilyrefinance.com/apartment-investing-blog/multifamily-syndication#important
