The business of real estate investing, contrary to many late night TV programs, can be very complicated.

It is in no way a get rich quick project. For many, real estate investing is just another failed career and it may not seem clear why. However, real estate is an actual business and requires the same amount of time, effort and energy as running any other type of business.

There is a common misconception that when the real estate market is doing well, anyone involved can make a small fortune. Sadly, real estate investing is much more complicated than that.

If you are considering a career in real estate investing, there are a few things that need to be taken into consideration that will help ensure your have a successful and profitable experience.

First, real estate requires a lot of time. If you already have a job and you are not willing to devote an additional 4 to 8 hours per week establishing your new business, real estate investing may not be for you.

This is not something that can be done “only when you feel like it” and be expected to yield profits. The market is always changing and growing, so every individual investor needs to stay on top what’s happening in their local area. You can do that buy talking to a few home sellers every week.

You will quickly learn how to deal with sellers, but you will also find out if buyers are plentiful or scarce in certain areas. That is valuable information that can put you far ahead of other investors.

Money is a huge consideration when deciding if real estate investing is right for you. One of the exciting aspects of real estate is that anyone can get started with very little cash. When you don’t have money or borrowing power you must make up for that with hard work and continuing education.

One of the most popular avenues to successes is rehabbing properties. The key is learning how to buy single family homes or small apartment complexes and renovate them to increase their value. That not only takes effort, but at least some cash.

Short term loans from friends or family often make this type of business very appealing. But don’t fool yourself. You must have the self-discipline to work night and weekends until your project is finished. It’s hard work, but if you have the proper determination you will be very well rewarded.

Business skills are also needed for real estate investing. Generally, investors stay personally involved in the business they create rather than leaving everything in the hands of other members of their team. You will be making investment decision, dealing with sellers, negotiating contracts and managing tenants. Of course, you might consider hiring someone to do much of this work for you, but the more people you hire the less money will go into your pocket.

Yes, you can start small and work your way to a real estate fortune if you are willing to learn at the school of hard knocks. Most people make the mistake of never getting started in real estate, because they never believe they have all the required knowledge.

Here’s a news flash! You will never know every thing there is to know about real estate investing. You must learn on the job and to do that you have to begin talking to people who have property for sale. Ask questions and listen. Do that often enough and you will soon be able to recognize a good deal when you stumble across it.

Every investor should build a library of real estate investing material. It is something you will refer to again and again over the years. Do a little hunting in used books stores and online at sites like AbeBooks.com, BookDepot.com and Alibris.com. Or the Websites that specialize in real estate investing information like CashFlowInstitute.com.

You will pay just a few dollars for the same information that would cost you thousands at a real estate guru’s seminar.

Promise yourself you will begin talking with home sellers this week! Begin by asking why they are selling, what they will do after selling and what their plans on for the sale proceeds?

Do that often enough and you will soon be able to recognize a profitable purchase when you find it. You will be on your way to real estate investing success.