• There are many different things to look for when investing in real estate.real estate contract image by Keith Frith from Fotolia.com
  
  Due to the recent volatility in the real estate market, careful consideration and extensive research should be done before investing. Different types of real estate require different types of investment, but whether you are investing in residential or commercial real estate, location remains a key factor.
  
  

Location, Location, Location

• Location is considered one of the most important things to examine when buying a piece of real estate, as this will effect it's value over a longer period of time. Is the property in a bad part of town, that has a high crime rate but seems to be getting better? Or is it in an area where people vacation regularly? Look for societal factors which make this piece of property valuable five, ten or twenty years in the future. For commercial real estate locations, find places near burgeoning residential areas where people will want to work, shop and dine.
  
  

State of Property

• It's important to closely examine the state of the property which you are purchasing as an investment and see how much more money you will need to put into it. If you are simply buying land and waiting for someone to rent or buy it from you, then this is a location-based investment and will be long term, most likely. If you are buying a commercial building, check to see if serious maintenance is needed to the structure or other elements on the property, as this may effect how much you agree to initially pay for the property and what kind of maintenance you must do to move tenants in or rent to tenants. .
  
  

Paying Off Mortgage

• Before investing, consider how you are going to pay off the mortgage on the property while you wait for it to go up in price. The property and structure on it can be rented out to commercial businesses as offices or a store front. Or the property and structure can be made into a residential area, as apartments or condos. The rent you receive will go to paying off the mortgage, so make sure at the start that the money you receive will cover your mortage and expenses.