Active vs. Passive Real Estate Investing

Active and passive real estate investments both offer opportunities for income generation. But, each type comes with different strategies, work/time requirements, and risks. These differences may make one or the other a better fit for you and your family. Active real estate investment techniques include fix-and-flip houses or owning single-family rental homes, among others. Passive real estate investments are opportunities that pool money with other investors, which is then managed by professionals, and profits are split among stakeholders. CREI Partners focuses on offering passive investments into commercial multifamily property syndications, so we will be discussing that technique here. There are three main factors that differentiate active and passive real estate investing. The time required to manage the investments are dramatically different. Each offers different levels of risk. And, of course, each offers a different set of rewards, as well.

How much time will the investment require to manage?

With active real estate investment, there can be a heavy workload required. Managing contractors or doing the repair work yourself requires time invested to bring the home up to date. Once that process is completed, more time will be required to list the availability of the home, discuss the property with applicants, and complete all the paperwork. If you’re renting out the home, there are ongoing requirements such as managing repairs after damages or natural disasters, communicating with tenants, and starting the process again once the family moves on. Even if you’re using a property management company, these areas will need time and attention-sometimes on an emergency basis. This can add up to a full-time job on its own, on top of your already busy career. Passive investment into commercial multifamily real estate syndications, on the other hand, has a much lower time commitment. There may be some time needed at the beginning to research, network, and complete paperwork. However, on an ongoing basis, this option is more “set it and forget it.” Professional asset and property management are in place to take care of the renovation and day-to-day needs of the property, so you can get on with your busy life. The cash flow generated will arrive on a schedule, and then the property will be sold after 5-7 years generating an even higher return on investment.

Exactly how much is at risk?

All of us know that common story. Someone buys an investment home to flip or rent, but when they get into the property after closing, much more is wrong with the home’s systems than anticipated. The buyer ends up throwing money at the problem, hand over fist. But, as soon as one problem is taken care of, another pops up. Investing on your own in single-family homes or small multifamily properties can end up having a much higher cost than anticipated. Along with the cost of these repairs also comes lost income, which the investor had hoped to be generating much sooner in the process. Finally, heaven forbid the property ends up with tenants that need eviction or have caused thousands of dollars in damages to the property. Bottom line-much more is at risk in terms of both money and peace of mind than the initial investment. With passive investment into real estate syndications, your risk is limited to the amount of the initial investment. Even if the deal goes belly up, there is never risk to your personal assets or your family home. Because these syndications are professionally vetted and managed, they end up being a much more secure option for increasing wealth than the average active real estate investment.

What does the investor stand to gain with active and passive real estate investments?

With active real estate investment, the home may be rented out or sold to generate income. However, cash flow often starts after investment into renovation and bringing it up to date. Even after renovation, cash flow may be delayed. Rent received may need to be held for emergency reserve before it can be used to pay the mortgage on the home. If the home is sold outright, there are immediately more funds to invest in another deal or to take as profit. All of this is after immense amounts of time and work have gone into the investment along the way. As so frequently happens with investing-the riskier the deal, the more one may (or may not) gain in the end. Passive real estate investment syndications offer a less hair-raising ride. Before closing, some time and energy are invested alongside the money. However, after closing, professionals take over the day-to-day management. You get to continue with your merry life-not being distracted from your family or your career to managing the asset. Cash flow checks start arriving in your mailbox. Then, after the holding period, your original investment along with profits are deposited into your account. From the beginning, the business plan defines updating the property to maximize its value. Professional management also speeds up the stabilization process. With these two factors in place, the investment itself is more secure than most active real estate options.

Conclusion

It is easy to see that active and passive real estate investments offer many different experiences. Active investing is best if you like handling renovations, building relationships with tenants, and increasing income with sweat equity. If, however, you have a busy family and career that you want to prioritize while investing in opportunities that offer a more secure path to wealth building, passive real estate investment with us may be the answer.  

Additional Resources:

How to Mitigate Risk for both Passive and Active Investors with The Kitti Sisters How To Tell If Real Estate Syndications Are Right For You Are you a cash flow investor? Or are you an equity investor?