Real Estate News & Investing Blog | GroundFloor

Using Leverage in Real Estate to Build Wealth

Written by Clinton Dugan | Apr 5, 2022 2:40:00 PM

Buying a rental property with leverage can be an excellent way to build wealth, but there are pitfalls that need attention. For example, using too much of your own money and not having enough equity in the home could result from borrowing against it - so make sure you know what it entails before signing on any dotted lines!

Leverage is a powerful tool in real estate that can be used to amplify your returns, but it comes at the risk of more debt and less favorable loan terms. If you are unsure about how much leverage will work for or against an investment strategy then stick with safer investments like cash flow properties instead!

In real estate, leverage is the use of debt along with a small amount of equity in order to make more money. This technique can be used by investors looking for higher returns on their investments and should not necessarily involve risk-taking behavior like gambling or speculation since there's still some chance that things could go wrong while using this strategy. Leveraging allows you to get back what was loaned out without having all your assets at stake if something goes awry!

When used correctly, leverage can be an incredible tool for building wealth. However, it is important to understand the risks involved before signing on any dotted lines. By being aware of potential pitfalls, you can make sure that your investment will be a success.

The power of real estate is in its leverage. Leverage can be used to increase your return on investment by purchasing assets with less money down payment or even paying off part-of a mortgage early, allowing you more freedom when it comes time for monthly payments

Leveraging real estate allows buyers like us who have limited finances access to higher profits without requiring huge sacrifices from other areas such as personal spending habits.

Here's an example, If you purchase a $200,000 house with 20% down ($40,000) and a 30-year mortgage at 4.5%, your monthly payment will be about $1,013 (not including taxes and insurance). Now let's say you find a similar house for sale but this time the seller is willing to do a "subject to" deal where they carry the mortgage and you just make the monthly payments. In this case, your down payment would be $0 and your monthly payment would be lower at $943 per month (not including taxes and insurance).

The main downside of leverage is that it can magnify losses as well as gains. So, if the property value falls or the rental income decreases, you will still be on the hook for the mortgage payments. This is why it's important to have a solid plan in place and to understand the risks involved before signing on any dotted lines!

When used correctly, leveraging can be an excellent way to build wealth.

Here is a formula to determine cash-on-cash return by subtracting the loan payments from the rental net income to equal cash flow:

Cash Flow = Net Income – Loan Payment

Then, divide the annual cash flow by your down payment:

Cash on Cash Return = Annual Pre-tax Cash Flow Flow                                                     

Investors use various metrics to measure return on investment - such as gross yield, cap rate and annualized percentage. One of these is cash-on-cash or net pretax income, after all, operating expenses are paid in order to calculate this number which equals your take from owning the property compared with what was invested into it (i e mortgage payments).

In short, buying a rental property with leverage can be a great way to build wealth. However, there are certain dangers that come along with it. Be sure to educate yourself on these risks before making any decisions. With the right knowledge, you can ensure that your investment will be a success.