Real Estate
Benzinga

What’s the Safest Way to Start Real Estate Investing?

July 16, 2025
03:51 PM
7 min read
AI Enhanced
financeinvestmentmoneywealthstocksfinancialreal estatemarket cycles

Key Takeaways

The post What’s the Safest Way to Start Real Estate Investing? by Sarah Edwards appeared first on Benzinga. Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this. Buying property has long been a foundati...

Article Overview

Quick insights and key information

Reading Time

7 min read

Estimated completion

Category

real estate

Article classification

Published

July 16, 2025

03:51 PM

Source

Benzinga

Original publisher

Key Topics
financeinvestmentmoneywealthstocksfinancialreal estatemarket cycles

Buying perty has long been a foundational way to build wealth across generations

This analysis suggests that re will always be risks, however, so it’s understandable that you might be looking for the safest way to get into real estate, amid market uncertainty

To help you get started, we’ll give you the five safest ways to invest in real estate along with some strategies that new investors can use to manage risks

Furthermore, Table of ContentsWhat Makes an Investment “Safe. ”5 Safest Ways to Start Real Estate 1

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)See All 10 ItemsWhat Makes an Investment “Safe. ”If you’re looking for the safest way to get into real estate, first you need to understand what makes an investment safe and how it applies to buying perty

However, Safe investments maintain your principal, which is the initial capital you invest, while generating returns, although they may be modest, in today's financial world

Safe investments also have low volatility, or stable price movement, and high liquidity, meaning you can convert your investment asset into cash quickly

Nevertheless, Of all the ways you can invest, putting your money in perty is considered one of the safest

Meanwhile, For starters, it’s a tangible asset, offering a level of security you won’t find with many other assets because of real estate’s intrinsic value

However, And historically, the value of real estate has risen over time

Meanwhile, Real estate can also generate passive income

Meanwhile, However, real estate does not come without its risks (quite telling)

Perty prices can rise and fall, although less frequently than with other assets stocks

Real estate also comes with low liquidity

On the other hand, The average time to sell a in the U (quite telling)

Is nearly three months, which can require more patience

However, Still, for more cautious investors, the advantage goes to low-risk real estate investments that potentially der appreciation over time and vide lower returns than assets that can der higher returns but at higher risks

However, And with the right market re and due diligence, you can lower that risk even further. 5 Safest Ways to Start Real Estate If you’re ready to get going, consider these beginner real estate strategies as five of the safest ways to kick off your perty

Furthermore, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)Real estate investment trusts (REITs) may be considered the safest real estate investment

REITs are companies that operate, own, or finance income-generating residential or commercial perties

Furthermore, The evidence shows y typically invest in a diversified basket of holdings, which can help spread risk

Additionally, You can buy s of a REIT, a stock, and receive quarterly or annual dividends without physically owning or having to manage the real estate, in this volatile climate

In fact, publicly traded REITs are required by law to pay out 90% of fits to holders

At the same time, Real Estate Crowdfunding PlatformsReal estate crowdfunding platforms can help simplify real estate for beginners, in light of current trends

Online platforms offer real estate crowdfunding (where your involvement in a perty is hands-off) and fractional ownership (where involvement can vary, but the perty is typically fessionally managed)

Online platforms vet perties and allow you to invest in jects or perties you might not be able to afford otherwise

In contrast, Crowdfunding real estate pools money from many investors, sometimes as little as $100

With fractional ownership, you buy a of a perty at much lower upfront capital for a rental or vacation

House HackingWith house hacking, you can use a low down-payment gram to purchase a multi-family house, such as a duplex or triplex, in one unit and rent out the other units, in today's market environment

The rent you collect for the other units can cover your mortgage and other perty expenses or der a fit

Additionally, Meanwhile, you gain equity in the perty and potential appreciation (an important development)

Turnkey Rental pertiesIf you’re new to real estate and have a buy-and-hold strategy, a turnkey rental perty may be the right choice

Conversely, Turnkey perties are typically fully renovated and ready for renting

At the same time, For you, that means the perty can generate cash flow right away

Nevertheless, Turnkey perties are also often fessionally managed, requiring little effort on your part to prepare or maintain the perty

Meanwhile, Partnering With Experienced InvestorsHaving a mentor is a great way to start (remarkable data)

Imagine learning the ins and outs of real estate from an experienced partner while earning returns on your perties

Nevertheless, As a beginner, you also the cost of the capital investment and the risks with others, so you’re not out on your own

Moreover, These partnerships are often called real estate syndications or investment groups and are headed by a sponsor who uses their experience to find and vet perties and handle their day-to-day operations (an important development)

However, Strategies to Reduce Risk as a New InvestorWhile real estate may be safer than other investments, it’s not without risks, in today's market environment

Consider these tips on how to manage and mitigate them:Start small and diversify: As someone new to the game, be patient, start small, learn the ropes and diversify wisely, considering recent developments

Run the numbers: Get a understanding of the financial metrics you need to evaluate investments such as net operating income (NOI), capitalization rate (cap rate), cash-on-cash return and vacancy rate

Understand the local market: Thoroughly analyze your market, evaluating employment and population growth, housing prices and up-and-coming neighborhoods

Choose the right financing structure: The loan you choose for your investments will impact your fits and goals

Additionally, Typical investor loans include hard money loans, private money loans or traditional loans

Work with trusted fessionals: A team of real estate fessionals can help you make informed decisions to be successful

Moreover, Team members include an agent, mortgage broker, lender, inspector, contractor and perty manager, considering recent developments

Furthermore, Final Thoughts: Why Real Estate Appeals to Cautious InvestorsIf you’re a cautious investor, you now know some of the safest ways to get into real estate and why it holds a reputation as a stable, long-term way to make money (this bears monitoring)

Furthermore, While turning a fit isn’t guaranteed, real estate returns, un stock returns, can be easier to predict

With little correlation to the stock and bond, real estate is a tangible asset that can duce recurring income through rent, hold the potential to appreciate and diversify your investment portfolio

Consider using our pointers to start your journey

Frequently Asked QuestionsQWhat’s the safest real estate investment for beginners

AThe safest investment depends on your risk tolerance, available time, financial circumstances and goals (which is quite significant)

Your choice may also come down to how hands-on you want to be, amid market uncertainty

For example, you could manage a single-family for higher potential returns but greater oversight (hands-on) or buy s of a REIT that holds income-ducing perties and pays a dividend, but typically offers lower returns (hands-off)

Additionally, QIs buying a rental perty safe for beginners

ABuying an investment perty comes with potential risks, but as a beginner, you can increase your chances of success through a cautious apach and thoroughly preparing and understanding the risks (tenant issues, vacancies, unexpected repairs, management challenges, financial issues and market volatility)

On the other hand, QCan I invest in real estate with little money

AYou can deploy any one of several strategies to begin in real estate with little capital, including using the money of others — lenders, partners or sellers — to leverage deals

From wholesaling to house hacking to crowdfunding, careful re can lead you to the option that works best for you.