Leverage In Real Estate Investing

Definition of "Leverage in real estate investing"

Use of other people's money (OPM) in an attempt to maximize the return but at high risk. The use of leverage in real estate investing is a way to maximize yield on a small down payment. When building real estate wealth, leverage helps one grow fast without extreme risk. High-leveraged investing in real estate is particularly beneficial in a highly inflationary environment. The best scenario is when property values increase on their borrowed fund. Property values can also decrease such as that which occurred in California in the early 1990s. A risk is negative cash flow in which income from highly leveraged property may be inadequate to pay operating expenses, interest, and principal.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

Continuous beam on top of supporting walls, usually constructed of concrete and often having steel rods for additional strength placed within it. Supplies lateral support as well as ...

Legal contract with a property owner empowering a real estate agent in selling, leasing, or mortgaging the principal's property. A listing has a legal description of the property, is valid ...

Rights, interest, and benefits inherent in the ownership of real estate, as distinguished from personal property ...

Expenditures pay by the owner of house to keep and maintain it including real estate taxes, interest on a mortgage, repairs and maintenance, and capital additions (e.g., new roof, new ...

An individual for whom a court has awarded a financial judgment against a debtor. For example, a court award makes Smith a judgment creditor against Cole for $2,000. ...

A public area, or plaza with a series of walkways permitting pedestrians easy access to shops, stores and restaurants. Modern malls are often enclosed enabling all weather access. Malls are ...

Formal, written, unconditional promise to pay on demand or at a future date a definite sum of money. The person signing the note and promising to pay is called the maker of the note. The ...

Provision of the Internal Revenue Code applying to gains from the sale of personal property subject to depreciation. In most cases, the gains are at the capital gains tax rate limited to ...

Roof design having two different pitches. See also gambrel roof. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions