A successful way of doing this is by using data systematically. Many successful rental real estate investors use the Automated Valuation Method to estimate current home values. Algorithms created by Zillow calculates the “suggested price” of properties in an area. The good news is that you don’t have to be a real estate giant to leverage the data they offer to the public. There are platforms like Trulia and Realtor that regularly create and share data like individual property histories, neighborhood trends, and a lot more. There are also tools like mortgage payment calculators that can help you be more efficient in number-crunching.
Foreclosure reports are also a good source of data. Aside from getting good information about property values in an area or individual houses, foreclosure reports also let you look at market patterns. If there is a sudden spike of foreclosures in a recent report, that could be a sign of economic trouble.
Foreclosure reports can also help you identify emerging growing markets that could lead to accelerated appreciation as the market strengthens. It is important to keep in mind, though, that foreclosure reports typically give you a picture of past market conditions. Although the information can be valuable, it isn’t always where you can find current market data.
With the limitations of foreclosure reports, it is important that you have a wide range of sources in your data collection process to refer to. Along with government sources like the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Department of Labor, you should also keep a close eye on local newspapers, county registers, and similar data sources. Individually, these sources give you a piece of the picture, which you can put together to see the bigger image.
With all that data, you can narrow your search for specific areas or property types. Otherwise, you could end up wasting time searching for properties that will not give solid profits or are in declining markets.
Data gathered from websites, reports, the MLS, and local sources help shortlist potential properties for further analysis. This strategy lets you use data as a tactical tool to move your investing ventures the way big investors do. At the end of the day, you may realize that leveraging data correctly will help you achieve more than just your goals.
To save you time, Real Property Management Greater Milwaukee offers a free market rent analysis to get you started on your investment journey. Contact us online or call us at 262-309-6961.