You’ve probably heard that investment properties can provide a stream of passive income. While that may sound like easy money, there’s actually a lot of work involved in property investments. Before diving in headfirst, find out what you should do below.

Consider the Work Involved

Owning an investment property takes just as much work, if not more, than having your own home. If you choose to rent out the property, you’re responsible for covering just about everything a landlord covers when they rent out an apartment. If you aren’t prepared, the amount of work can quickly overwhelm you.

For that reason, many investors choose to hire a professional management company. A good company will offer local support whenever you need it, in addition to handling every aspect of running the property. By outsourcing your management, you don’t have to worry about routine home maintenance and dealing with tenants.

Beef Up Your Savings

If you currently have your own mortgage, then you already know how expensive it is to own a home. Even though you hope your investment property will generate some extra income, there are still a lot of expenses.

To start, you have to make a substantial down payment. Lenders usually want at least 25 percent down, which is a lot more than the standard 5 percent minimum for primary residences. So if you’re buying a second home in White Plains, you could easily have to put down more than $100,000 with home sales averaging $462,000 in the area.

If you have the cash needed to buy a home outright, you won’t need to worry about financing the purchase. However, there are still operating expenses. It’s a good idea to build a strong financial cushion to cover things such as routine maintenance and unexpected repairs. Having a good budget and a strong understanding of your cash flow is critical.

Start Small

It’s all too easy to bite off more than you can chew with your first investment property. For example, buying a home that needs major repairs can seriously hamper your ability to make money quickly.

There’s no rule against buying a fixer-upper for your first investment, but you have to think about how long it will take to get the home move-in ready. According to the House Flipping Academy, it can take three months to fix cosmetic repairs throughout the whole house, and up to one year to do a complete renovation. Consider the fact that you’ll be missing out on any potential rental income for that period of time. When you’re just starting out, it might be better to get a home that only needs one or two updates.

Choose a Property Wisely

When picking a home, be sure to think about your long-term goals. Will you hold onto it until you can sell it for profit? Or will you rent it out to families or vacationers? There are pros and cons to each decision. A residential rental property will need to be located in a neighborhood that attracts families or young professionals. A vacation property, on the other hand, should be in an area where people are going to actually want to book short-term rentals.

If you’re thinking about getting a vacation property, be aware that some cities are cracking down on the short-term rental industry. Always check local regulations before making a decision. And keep in mind that laws may change, potentially killing your idea for a successful short-term rental property.

If done right, property investment can be incredibly profitable whether you choose to rent out the home or sell it for profit at a later date. By having enough financial cushion, having a management plan in place, and choosing a property with a lot of potential, you’ll greatly improve your chances of success.