Identify rental properties that will be easy to maintain. Simply purchasing any old property is not wise. You should consider how much maintenance will be involved. Single story homes are easier to keep up than multi-unit properties, for instance. Finding Homes Below Market Value Don't take on more than you are able to handle.

Before you buy investment property in a neighborhood, find out if the city has anything planned for the areas surrounding this neighborhood. For example, you would not want to buy in an area if the city proposed to turn an area into landfill. If there are positive improvements on the horizon, this may be a good investment.

Remember that real estate investing is all about the numbers. When you're buying a home to live in, you may get emotional about the place, but there's no room for that in investing. You need to keep your eye on the data and make your decisions with your head, not your heart.

Patience is essential when you get started. It may take a longer time than you anticipated for your first deal in real estate to present itself. You may not see anything you are interested in or you may not be able to agree on the terms of a sale. Don't rush into anything. This is not a wise way to spend money. Wait until a better deal comes along.

Always get your properties inspected. Inspections are not a bad thing, and you shouldn't think of them as an annoying expense. Inspections can uncover serious issues that may not be immediately apparent. This can give you negotiating leverage or allow you to fix issues before someone else requests an inspection.