Property investment, like other forms of investments, can result in great profit or losses. As a first-timer, take great care to minimize your losses during your learning curve. Below are some of the pieces of advice to help you venture into property investment. 

Avail Adequate Funds

Invest in real estate when you have the investment money ready. You shouldn't struggle too much to raise the money, because you will still have expenses after the purchase. You will still need money for property maintenance, taxes, and insurance, among other expenses.

Don't rely on the rental income for all of these expenses. It might take some time for you to get tenants. Unexpected emergencies (such as natural disasters) may also leave your property uninhabitable for some time.

Buy Distressed Properties

Ideally, you need to buy low-cost properties that are structurally sound. Most properties that fit this description are distressed properties. Examples include property sales by divorced couples, relocating owners, or those who want to avoid foreclosure. Avoid fixer-uppers as a first-time investor, unless you have handled a fixer-upper before. Fixer-uppers tend to require more work (and hence resources) than is usually visible at first.

Watch Out for Looming Demand

You can make a large profit if you can identify an area with looming demand and get in ahead of other investors. An example is if a major company wants to venture into the area. Another example is if a college is expanding to an area. The construction of transport infrastructures, such as a highway or airport, can also open up an area.

Prepare for Management

Managing a rental property is more involving than most people know. There will be bills to pay, tenant disputes to settle, repairs to make, and emergencies to respond to. You will have a hard time managing your property if you have another day job. Make plans to hire professional property managers if you can't dedicate adequate time for the property.

Don't Wait for Perfection

Lastly, you shouldn't wait for everything to fall perfectly into place before taking the plunge. There is no perfect time, in the literal meaning of the phrase, to get in the real estate industry. There will always one or two things amiss every time you want to invest in a property. The responsibility is on you to weigh every relevant factor and decide whether to invest.

Hopefully, you will have a great run with your property investment business. Don't forget to involve a home buying agent in all of your property purchases.