LLBUS 161 - Investing in Real Estate

Think it's too late to get in on real estate investing? Not if you have a clear vision of the market, your goals, and your time frame. Real estate investment opportunities range from your personal home to duplex/fourplexes, apartment buildings, recreational or commercial properties, raw land, purchased mortgages, and portfolio stock. We'll discuss each of these opportunities, then look at investment options such as 'hands on' via sole proprietor or partnership and 'hands off' via limited partnership or stock. We'll also explore alternative strategies including buying and holding, buying wholesale (distressed sales, foreclosures, bank repos and short sales), and selling retail. Finally, we'll talk about the appropriate use of leverage and what's needed to get started. Our focus will be cost/benefit comparisons; guest lecturers will present some topics. We suggest you supplement this course with 'Rental Properties: Opportunity or Headache' (LLBUS 149).