The following are tips for investing in real estate. Consult your financial advisor and/or CPA before applying any of these tips. These tips do not guarantee success, but instead are presented to you to assist you and to encourage you to seek professional advice.

Investing in real estate is not for everyone. Purchasing a rental property may be for you-especially in today's real estate market-if you're looking for a way to increase your personal wealth.

Of course we can't expect the sky-high appreciation rates of the late 1970s or mid-1980s. At that time a solid return was virtually guaranteed to real estate investors regardless of what they purchased. Today we are looking at a residential market in which a well-chosen, well-managed rental property of 1 to 4 units can be the "shining star" in an investor's portfolio.

What's happened? Today, investment sales are boosted by the availability of fairly priced-and even some under-valued-homes, outstanding low-payment interest rates, and a solid rental market. Once again, opportunistic investors are finding it much easier to get a great value, finance the purchase, and keep the property rented. Keep in mind that any opportunity has a downside risk. Real estate is complex, and each property is different. At the present time, experience shows rental property investors can benefit from an informed real estate professional who can find the right property-in the right location-with the right financing. The key to success today is doing your homework and making sure the numbers work in your favor.

. . . find the right property-
in the right location-
with the right financing.

If you've bought your own home, you have already realized the financial advantages of real estate ownership. The following gives a brief overview of the many ways you can profit from owning rental real estate today.

Investor tax incentives can be substantial. Some investors can use deductions from rental property to offset some of their wage income. Other investors, while not eligible for the offset, can avoid owing taxes on their rental income by showing adequate expenses and deductions. Even if rental payments do not cover the investor's expenses, tax breaks may actually make up the difference-or more.

As an investor, you can claim deductions for actual costs you incur for financing, managing, and operating the rental property. That means mortgage interest payments, real estate taxes, insurance, maintenance, repairs, property management fees (if any), travel, advertising, and utilities (if the tenant doesn't pay them). All of these expenses may be subtracted from your adjusted gross income when figuring your personal income taxes up to the amount of real estate income you receive.

Also, don't forget deductions for depreciation. The tax code assumes buildings and improvements "wear out" over time. These "losses" are deductible from income, regardless of the property's actual market value. Depreciation is a "non-cash" expense; that is, no actual payment needs to be made out of pocket. Although the government collects deferred taxes on the income sheltered by depreciation when you eventually sell, you've received "free" use of the money in the meantime. And if you do a tax-deferred exchange by purchasing a replacement property, you can defer taxes on the depreciation and on any profit. (Ask your tax advisor about Section 1031 of the U.S. Tax Code.)

Today you should buy investment property with economic soundness as your main guide.

A positive cash flow results when the rent you receive exceeds the total you pay for the mortgage, taxes, insurance, maintenance, and other carrying costs.

That's not as hard as it sounds. First, decide whether you need a positive cash flow before or after taxes. A pre-tax positive cash flow translates into current income, a goal of many retired investors and others with current expenses. Properties yielding a pre-tax positive cash flow are harder-but certainly not impossible-to find.

If this is your goal, you need to buy wisely. Not all properties will yield rental income which is high enough to cover expenses. Make sure you know how much rent to expect by researching rents for similar units nearby, the property's current rental fee, and date of the last rent increase. Keep in mind you may need to purchase with a large down payment to keep your mortgage payments smaller.

A positive after-tax cash flow can come from a negative pre-tax cash flow. Generally, the depreciation deduction makes the difference. If you meet the eligibility test, you'll be able to use the depreciation to shelter some of your taxable income and reduce your tax bill.

Second, you'll want to ensure your tenants make timely rental payments and take care of the property. Of course, a positive cash flow is impossible without rental income. A thorough credit, employment, and landlord check on applicants will help you find good renters. A strong lease, combined with a required security deposit, will help put you ahead.

Good management is the most effective way to enhance the value of your real estate. the best way is to convert the property to its most appropriate use. To realize the most profit, you will want to develop raw land or renovate an existing development.

When forecasting what will happen to your property (and the cash it might generate), consider first the recent past and what is currently happening. These are believed to be the most reliable indicators of the future.

As an investor, you magnify the return on your investment by borrowing a large part of the purchase price. That is, by limiting the amount of cash you invest, you make your cash go farther. Leverage means using borrowed money to increase equity. And equity-the difference between what the property is worth and the balance owed on the mortgage-is what's important when figuring whether your dollars are invested wisely.

Assume you bought a $100,000 rental property with a 30% down payment, and after several years the home is worth $135,000. The $35,000 return on your $30,000 investment is more than 10%. (Several factors will actually lower your profit, but to illustrate the principle of leverage we're keeping the numbers simple.) If you bought that same $100,000 property with all cash, the return on your investment would be 35%. Leverage puts other people's money to work for you.

Even at a modest rate of appreciation, real estate may well yield a higher return on the cash investment than some other financial investments, such as bonds or long-term CDs. Each mortgage principal payment you make is a payment to yourself. You build equity as your mortgage principal shrinks, even if your investment property doesn't change in value.

Although homes in different parts of town may appreciate at entirely different rates, the key is to have a knowledgeable professional to carefully guide you in your search. Review your expectations and think about how long you plan to hold your investment. When you reach your predetermined "equity target," it's time to sell or refinance-and perhaps use the cash you receive for other investment properties.

Don't sell the property when the time comes-swap it. Like-kind exchanges of property are almost always less expensive than sales and purchases because swaps allow you to defer taxes on profits. (NOTE: There is a move in Congress to change this, so be sure to check first. Consult your CPA and Financial Advisor)

There are nearly as many investment-hunting strategies as there are investors. Yet experience provides some universal truths that pay off.

1. Compare comparables-Fast-and-loose rules-of-thumb to estimate value, such as 6 or 8 times annual gross rent or 10 times net operating income or 100 times monthly rent, may not reflect an area's values. Use comparable sale prices of nearby properties to get the truest sense of market value. Do the same for area rents. A low price can be supported by a reasonable rent; remember, renters who can afford a high rent can afford to buy instead.

2. Tax laws-A good investment is a good investment before it's a good tax shelter. Tax laws change. The right property in the right place with the right financing and management will weather inevitable tax code changes.

3. Specialize-Start in a market segment you know. Whether you focus on fixer-uppers, foreclosures, starter homes, low-down payment properties, condominiums, or small apartment buildings, you'll benefit from experience by specializing in one aspect of investment real estate properties.

4. Run the numbers-Operating expenses from repairs and maintenance, loan payments, taxes, vacancy costs, and more will determine the difference between smooth sailing and a sinking ship. Up-front number crunching is your best strategy. Run before- and after-tax cash flow statements with confirmed figures.

5 . Determine last rent increase-If the rents were recently increased, our future income may be limited and, worse still, tenants might move. Check the date of last increase to know where you stand. Also, make sure the current tenant isn't on a short-term lease and living there simply to tempt the unsuspecting buyer. Examine existing leases and be sure to get tenants' security deposits from seller at closing.

6. Check tax assessment-A current assessment that will increase after your purchase-because it is old or doesn't include unrecorded improvements-could change your property tax expenses.

7. Investigate insurance-If seller's coverage is based on lower-than-current replacement value, your insurance cost may increase when you pay a higher purchase price.

8. Confirm utility costs-Ask the local utilities to verify recent utility expenses, especially if any of these costs are included in your tenant's rent.

9. Ask your accountant-Especially on the tax questions, as well as your basic investment analysis, be sure to get a second opinion from your tax advisor or CPA.

10. Inspect, inspect, inspect-Never buy a property sight unseen. Nothing replaces on-site inspection and nosing around the property like a blood hound. Hire professional inspectors for structural and mechanical system opinions.

Your best asset in choosing investment property-whether a rental property or a vacation home-is your Real Estate professional. A knowledgeable real estate agent can locate prospective properties, provide information and perform a market analysis, investigate local ordinances and regulations, and present your offer to the seller. The agent can also assist in finding the best available financing.

Remember, you'll also need the professional assistance of a real estate attorney, a tax advisor, and possibly a property manager.

Much of the U.S. household wealth is still tied up in our homes. Owner-occupied houses represent an estimated $7 billion in U.S. wealth.

You'll want to look for what's good-a good property in a good neighborhood with a good price and good financing. Your Real Estate agent has the hands-on experience to help you find what's good.

As an investor, you may start looking in or near your own neighborhood so you can "keep an eye" on the property. That doesn't mean, however, investors should look for the best home in the best neighborhood. You'll find rents often don't cover the higher mortgage payments. Look for a home in a neighborhood where renters want to rent, not particularly where you want to live.

Look for:

• a well-maintained neighborhood
• ready access to public transportation, highways
• a style of home that appeals to the most renters in that price range
• a property that fits comfortably into the neighborhood-the "typical" rather than the unusual
• a property that doesn't require a lot of maintenance or repairs, unless you're looking for a "fixer-upper"
• a property where you can afford the carrying costs in the event of a temporary vacancy-preferably an under-valued home listed by motivated sellers.

Consider the desirability of your location both now and in the coming year and the supply of property in the area.