Real Estate Investments: How to Be Profitable in 2024

Many people dream of making money in real estate, especially when it comes to resale properties. The question seems simple: buy, do some cosmetic repairs, sell… and make a profit. But is it really that simple? What are the pitfalls in this process? How do you choose the right property, avoid mistakes in renovations, and avoid falling into the trap of a price that is not saleable? In this article, we explain how you can make money from the difference, without losing money, but by growing your capital.

What is resale property and how does it work?

Reselling property is a process in which a buyer (flipper) acquires an object with the intention of selling it later. This can be a residential or commercial property. The key here is that you do not simply buy an item at a low price and quickly sell it for a higher price. Success here depends on many factors, from location to current market trends.

Real estate investors often look for properties below market value for a variety of reasons: they may be neglected apartments, properties with legal problems or simply properties that are seriously neglected and in need of major renovation.

What factors influence the success of a resale property?

There are a number of important aspects that always play a major role in whether a business is profitable:

1. Location is perhaps the most important factor. Even if an apartment or house is a significant investment, but it is located in a promising area with developing infrastructure, the demand for such properties will increase.
2. Condition: If major repairs need to be carried out on the property, the margin on such meters can be much higher, but the risks will also be considerable. It is important to be able to assess what type of intervention is needed: cosmetic or structural repairs. If the property only needs cosmetic work (replacing floors, painting walls), you will save considerably on the costs and can sell the property faster and with a higher profit. We should not forget the psychological factor either: many buyers pay attention to the appearance of the property. Even if you do not plan to make expensive repairs, you can still invest some time and money to make your apartment or house more attractive to a potential customer.

How to choose the right property for resale?

Buying an apartment for resale is one of the most important questions for a novice real estate investor. In order to carry out a successful purchase and sale transaction, it is necessary to understand which properties are worth acquiring and why.

Look at the cost per square meter. If the price is too low, this may indicate problems with the documents or the technical condition. It can cost you a lot of time and money to solve these problems. If the costs are too high, this can reduce future profits. The best option is to buy a property that is slightly cheaper than the market price, but where you do not have to invest too much in renovations.

How to increase your resale property profit

One of the best ways to increase the value of your home is to renovate it before selling. Replace the wallpaper with something more neutral and modern, update the bathroom, lay new linoleum or laminate, paint the walls.

It is also worth paying attention to the demonstration of the object. Good photos taken in natural light give the impression that an apartment or house is much more attractive than it actually is. By placing an ad on popular social media and using professional real estate services, you will attract more potential buyers.

Also, do not forget about the pricing strategy. If you price too high, you may not find a customer quickly. If you price too low, you may lose the difference. It is best to set an amount slightly higher than the market average, with the possibility of negotiating.

Risks in reselling real estate and how to avoid them

The process involves a number of risks that can lead to significant financial losses:

1. Mistakes in budget planning. If the costs of purchase, repair and sale are not calculated correctly, the project may prove unprofitable. It is important to draw up a detailed financial plan in advance that includes all possible expenses, such as taxes, fees, transportation costs and more.
2. The need for expensive repairs. When purchasing a property with a view to resale, it is important to carefully evaluate its condition. If you misjudge the necessary repair costs, additional costs may arise. To avoid this risk, we recommend hiring experienced specialists who can make a preliminary assessment of the condition of the property and prepare a detailed estimate for the repair.
3. Fluctuations in market prices. The real estate market is subject to change and buyers may experience falls in house prices, especially in economically unstable times. To minimize risk, it is important to study market trends and avoid getting caught in a bubble with high prices. Instead, you should focus on the long term.
4. Legal issues. Incomplete documentation, debts or legal disputes with previous owners are common problems in reselling real estate. To avoid these risks, make sure you review all property documents and consult a lawyer if necessary to identify potential problems.
5. It is not possible to sell the property quickly. In some cases, it takes a long time for a property to sell, which increases maintenance costs, taxes and other expenses.
   To minimize this risk, it is important to choose an item with good liquidity, present it properly and set up a marketing strategy to attract buyers.

How to Use Real Estate Investments to Generate a Stable Resale Income

As with any industry, it is important to develop a strategy that focuses on the long term and not on one-time deals:

1. To begin, it is advisable to build a real estate portfolio. This involves buying multiple properties and then reselling them. This spreads the risks.
2. If you want real estate investments to become a stable source of income, it is important to learn how to manage your time and budget. By being able to accurately plan repair schedules, keep track of all expenses and react quickly to changes in demand, you can minimize losses and make a profit, even in an unstable market.
3. Another important aspect is creating a personal brand. By building a reputation in a particular area or among potential buyers, you increase the chances of successful transactions.

Conclusion

Investing in real estate is not just a way to make money quickly, but a comprehensive process that requires attention, knowledge and a strategic approach. To minimize risk and maximize profits, it is important to evaluate properties properly, perform professional repairs, and also take into account market developments and legal nuances. Do not forget the importance of diversification and the importance of developing a long-term strategy to make the purchase and sale of real estate a sustainable source of income.

What is commercial real estate? It’s not just buildings and spaces. It’s a tool capable of generating a stable cash flow, building active capital, and ensuring long-term financial stability. Objects include office centers, retail spaces, warehouses, hotels, restaurants, business centers, production facilities, medical and sports facilities. The main feature is the use not for living, but exclusively for profit, whether it’s renting, resale, or conducting business.

Unlike residential properties, income from commercial assets depends on business activity in the region, transportation accessibility, infrastructure, and legal nuances of the lease agreement. For example, an office in Moscow City rents from 2,000 to 3,500 rubles per square meter, while a similar footage on the outskirts does not always exceed 800 rubles per square meter. Hence the approach – to calculate not by intuition, but through analytics, comparison, and forecasting.

What is commercial real estate: dynamics and trends of the segment

The commercial real estate segment is constantly transforming. Businesses change formats, tenants demand flexibility, and developers take into account the new reality. After the 2020 pandemic, there was an increased interest in flexible offices and mixed-use spaces. According to the analytical agency IRN for the year 2024, 42% of new deals in major cities were concluded precisely for flexible formats (clusters, coworking spaces, showrooms).

Retail real estate has also adapted: tenants focus on foot traffic, proximity to key attraction points (supermarkets, metro, hubs). For example, in St. Petersburg, the area for street retail on Nevsky Prospekt is rented out at a rate starting from 12,000 rubles per square meter per month, while in residential areas, this figure fluctuates within 2,500-4,000 rubles.

Profitability mathematics: precise calculations lead to stable earnings

To answer the question of what commercial real estate is and whether it is worth investing in such properties, it is important to understand how income is generated. The evaluation model includes:

1. Initial investments – purchase price, repairs, registration, insurance, legal services.
2. Ongoing expenses – utility payments, depreciation, taxes, maintenance, management company.
3. Income – rental income or one-time profit from sales.
4. Net profit – revenue minus all expenses.

For example, a cafe space of 120 square meters in the center of Kazan is sold for 14 million rubles. Repairs and equipment will require another approximately 2 million. The average rental rate in this area is 2,000 rubles per square meter. With full occupancy and stable tenants, the monthly revenue will be 240,000 rubles (before taxes and expenses). At current rates, the return on investment occurs after 6-7 years of operation.

Typology of commercial real estate: choosing based on purpose

There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Different formats are suitable for different strategies:

1. Street retail – high traffic, quick liquidity, short lease terms. Ideal for shops, cafes, showrooms.
2. Office spaces – long-term contracts, predictable income, low tenant turnover with a strategic location.
3. Warehouses and logistics complexes – especially in regions with active e-commerce (e.g., Moscow region, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk).
4. Hotel real estate – unstable but potentially high income in tourist centers with 60-70% occupancy.
5. Coworking spaces and hubs – recent trends, effective with the right marketing model.

Strengths and weaknesses of investments: what commercial real estate is without embellishments

Commercial real estate is a high-risk asset with high returns. The advantages lie in the ability to earn higher income than residential rentals and in longer-term contracts. However, challenges include sensitivity to the economy, dependence on tenant profiles, high initial costs, and maintenance expenses.

For example, a vacant store without a tenant does not bring a loss, but there are constant expenses for security, utilities, taxes. Conversely, successful leasing, even with deferred terms, pays off multiple times.

Calculation practice: how much does commercial real estate actually yield

Using a typical office space in a Class “B+” business center in Yekaterinburg as an example. Area – 180 square meters, purchase price – 15.5 million rubles. Average rental rate – 1,400 rubles per square meter. Gross income – 252,000 rubles per month. After deducting operating expenses, taxes, and management fees, around 170,000 rubles remain net. Thus, the annual income exceeds 2 million rubles, and the property pays off within 7.5 years.

The rate of return varies from 7% (Moscow, center) to 14-16% (outlying cities, “C” category properties). Residential real estate in similar conditions yields 3.5-5.5% annually, making commercial real estate an obvious favorite with the right choice of property.

Strategies: how to approach buying and management

The classic strategy defining what commercial real estate is, is “buy and lease.” Modern models involve a more flexible approach:

1. Renovation and reprofiling (e.g., from warehouse to food hall).
2. Purchasing during the construction phase at a reduced price with subsequent sale or leasing at market rates.
3. Long-term management involving a management company (especially relevant for hotels or large offices).
4. Investments in thematic spaces: sports, healthcare, children’s centers – particularly in densely populated residential areas.

A list of risks that should not be forgotten:

1. Risk of tenant absence due to market changes.
2. Fluctuations in rental rates during economic crises.
3. Need for capital investments every 5-7 years.
4. Losses from downtime and conflicts with tenants.
5. Inability to quickly liquidate the asset without discounting the price.

These risks are offset by sound legal support, liquidity assessment before purchase, and choosing a segment with stable demand.

What is commercial real estate: a sensible investment for a systematic approach

Investing in commercial real estate requires precision, an analytical approach, and an understanding of market specifics. It’s not a lottery but an engineering calculation. With the right choice, a sound management model, and a long-term strategy, such an asset can become not just a source of income but the foundation of an investment portfolio. The development of hybrid formats, increasing demand for quality spaces, and changing consumption patterns open up new opportunities for investors.