HomeBlogHome SellingTips for the First Time Real Estate Investor in Weldon Spring, MO Share on Like what you see? Share with a friend. Tips for the First Time Real Estate Investor in Weldon Spring, MO Chris Kirshenboim | September 18, 2020 Last updated August 10, 2026 Buying a first rental in St. Charles County is less about finding a bargain than about not being surprised. A first time real estate investor is usually hurt by carrying costs and repair estimates, not by overpaying on day one. Five things are worth settling before an offer goes in. Know the numbers on the actual street rather than the county average, because rents and values in this metro shift block by block. Get the sewer lateral scoped and the roof aged on anything built before 1980, since those two items account for most of the expensive surprises around here. Underwrite vacancy and turnover at honest rates instead of assuming twelve months of rent every year. Read the lease and meet the occupant before closing, as an inherited tenant is a term of the deal whether or not the contract says so. And hold a reserve that covers a furnace and a month of vacancy at the same time. The new investor tips that survive contact with a real property are the boring ones. Here is what buyers get wrong in St. Louis, and here is how partnerships get structured in Missouri. If you already own a rental in Weldon Spring and the tenants have worn you down, how we buy houses covers selling it occupied, on your own timeline. So as professional homebuyers in Missouri, we have put together 5 tips to help the first time real estate investor make their first investment! Tip #1: Do Your Own Research In Missouri, And Never, Ever Stop Do your own research. Don't rely on agents or real estate professionals to provide you with everything you need to know. Ask questions, and take in as much information as possible. From the minute you decide you want to invest, and throughout your entire investing journey, continue learning and researching. Learn the areas, trends, property specifics, and any other information you can get your hands on. Educate yourself continuously and surround yourself with like-minded individuals who share a common goal. Find people who are doing similar things and share experiences and stories. Find a mentor and learn as much as you can from people who have been there before. Learn from the professionals and share stories. Tip #2: Set Up And Structure Yourself Properly In Weldon Spring Even after doing all the research in the world, you will want to enlist some help from the professionals to ensure you have structured everything property. Build a team of quality people you can count on. This should include a lawyer, tax accountant, real estate attorneys, agents, and someone at the bank you can work closely with. Forming these relationships early will help you in the long run. You will be more adequately prepared to deal with new and challenging situations if you have the right people on your team. Tip #3: Know Your Options In Weldon Spring, MO There are many options when it comes to starting your real estate portfolio. You don't have to stick to single and multi-family rentals. You could consider leasing a commercial property to local businesses, renting land to people to use recreationally, or even think about investing in mobile homes. Many people make a lot of money by pursuing investments that are off the beaten path. You can also look into REIT's, or other investment groups. You will have to be able to pull your weight, but working with experienced investors is an excellent way to learn the ropes. Tip #4: Make Sure It's Right For You In Weldon Spring, Missouri Before you dive in, make sure that what you're investing in, really makes sense for you. Let's say you've heard about all the money to be found in foreclosures. Before you purchase, ask yourself, do you really understand what goes into rehabbing a home? Can you fix drywall, replace windows and copper pipes? If you have never done it before, you might want to reconsider making a fixer-upper your first investment. If you are investing in a rental property, will you be doing the work, or will you be hiring a property manager? You will need to hammer out all of these details before you can be sure you are making a good investment. Tip #5: Calculate Your Margins In MO You will want to accurately be able to calculate your returns and expenses. Be realistic, not hopeful. There are many methods for calculating these numbers. The 1% rule states the property should bring in 1% of the final sale price each month. The 50% rule states that about 50% of your profits will go towards property expenses, other than your mortgage. Set realistic expectations and goals so you can see great returns as a first time real estate investor! Sell My House In Weldon Spring, MO All investments come with risk. No matter what generation you are in, or who you are working with, it is always best to consult a financial planner or advisor for your big investment decisions. At Chris Buys Homes in St. Louis, we would love to help you buy a property or sell your house in St. Louis! As investors and local Missouri home buyers ourselves, we are here to help however we can! Are You Interested In Investing In The Weldon Spring, MO Area? Send Us A Message Or Call Us Today! (314) 334-1481 FAQs Frequently Asked Questions What is a realistic vacancy assumption for a St. Charles County rental? + Budgeting one month of lost rent per year plus turnover costs is a safer planning figure than the full occupancy most spreadsheets start with by default. Do I still need an inspection if the plan is to renovate anyway? + Yes. The point is not the cosmetic list but the structure, the sewer lateral and the roof, which are the items that change whether the numbers work at all. Can I sell a rental in Weldon Spring with a tenant still in it? + Yes. A direct sale can close with the lease and the occupant in place, so there is no need to wait out a term or ask anyone to leave.
