Retirement Planning with Investment Properties

All around us, people are getting rich off real estate, buying at just the right time and reselling at higher values or by using tenant rent money to pay off an existing mortgage. Are investment properties a good idea? Or is the market in a downward spiral?

As with anything, there's no one-size-fits-all solution, but getting information is the first step to assessing whether or not investment properties will be included in your supplemental retirement plan.

Pros of owning investment properties are obvious. Hypothetically speaking, imagine owning a six-plex in a slow-changing, yet prosperous part of Atlanta where you charged each tenant $1,000. Your monthly mortgage for the building might be $3,000 but you'll still have that extra $3,000 cushion each month.

Another benefit of property investments is the generous tax kickback you may receive. If you delight in getting your lump sum tax return at the end of the year, then perhaps investing and selling properties when you need that quick chunk of cash is right for you.

Also, there's no penalty for opting out early or age regulations regarding when you can start using your earnings. You don't have to be rich or super business savvy to add property ownership into your retirement planning agenda. It's been dubbed "the equal opportunity wealth builder."

Cons of investment properties include the no guarantee risk. It's also not a feasible option for everyone because of high transaction prices. Not everyone has thousands of dollars saved to make a substantial down payment.

Vacancies, bad tenants, maintenance costs and property oversupply are a few of the disadvantages. Like any investment, there are many factors beyond your control that could affect your income. For better guarantees, 401ks or IRAs should be included in your financial retirement planning.

Your success in real estate investment properties will depend largely on when and where you buy. Money Magazine reported the most growth in Panama City, Florida and Washington state -- cities like Olympia, Spokane and Mount Vernon.

Slow-changing but profitable markets exist in Atlanta, Providence and Albuquerque. First time investors will want to avoid ex-boomtowns like Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Las Vegas, where exorbitantly high prices make the market unsustainable.

While downtown real estate can be profitable, it's not advised for people who are simply retirement planning for some supplemental income.

Since the average American moves every five to six years, and twelve million houses are sold each year, why not capitalize on this trend when retirement planning? It doesn't necessarily take a rich person to invest and profit.

If you're looking to downsize your home after your family moves out and earn some extra spending money, investment properties may be the right supplemental retirement plan for you!

By Mike Selvon

Browse to Mike Selvon portal to find out more about investment properties for your retirement planning. We greatly appreciate your feedback at our retirement planning blog.

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