It seems as though people are always raving about the promise of real estate investing, making it appear as though it’s a no-lose opportunity. There is a risk to it, and many people do lose a great deal, which makes it on-par with other types of investing. There are a few ways, however, to lower those risks and prepare yourself for a more successful real estate investing experience. Learn About Real Estate It’s unwise to jump into any investment without preparation, yet too many people do just that with their first real estate investment. While you may be eager to get started, doing so without first learning about real estate and the markets almost guarantees you a bad experience. Pick up a few books, attend seminars and conferences, and participate in online workshops. Keep learning until your knowledge parallels your passion. Trust Your Intuition The knowledge you amass will be a good start, but it will only take you so far. One reason there will always be an element of risk in real estate investing is that you have to predict how each market will perform in the future. If you hone your intuitive skills, you may learn how to identify up and coming neighborhoods. In time, the experience will also help you identify the signs of an area on a decline. These talents, once you develop them, will help you boost your chances for success. There’s No Such Thing as a Safe Bet From the moment you buy an investment property, you begin losing money. First, the property is sitting vacant, which means you’re not earning anything. Second, your expenses will instantly start to build. From property taxes and insurance to repairs and renovations, you’ll have to continue putting money into the property before you can even list it for sale or lease. This means your risking those funds on the chance that the property will earn you a profit quickly. This isn’t a situation for the timid. If you don’t have the guts to take this kind of chance, perhaps you’re better suited for other types of investing. Ultimately, you have to trust your instincts to know if you’re ready to launch a real estate investing career. As long as you leverage your finances carefully and take your time to choose wise investments, you can have a positive investing experience. Getting through that first investment will teach you how to apply the principles you have learned and provide you with the expertise to make your next project that much more successful. This article was originally published at RobertHagaman.net