Investment real estate refers to property purchased with the primary goal of generating income for profit, rather than being used as a personal residence.
The investor, or owner, rents out the property to tenants directly or through a management company for short or long-term periods. In return the investor earns regular rental payments, which can be from residential rentals, such as houses, condos or apartments, or from commercial rentals which can be offices or retail spaces.
As the property increases in value over time, often used in growing markets (albeit there can be periods of decline) but overall property values do increase, and can then be sold at a profit.
Investors may be able to deduct expenses such as mortgage interest, property taxes, insurance, and depreciation adding to the value of ownership.
Investors can choose from a wide range of different types of investment property from residential homes, condos, duplexes, or apartments, to commercial offices, retail stores, or industrial buildings leased to businesses.
Also there are mixed-use properties combining residential and commercial elements as an option, plus land, with or without planning permission, that can be developed on or sold again for future real estate development.
