Real estate investment is an excellent way to store and build wealth, especially for first-time investors. It offers many investment options with different advantages and requirements. Beginners looking for a steady passive income source prefer investing in rental properties. If you’re leaning in that direction, you may wonder what property to invest in. This article reviews the top four rental properties real estate beginners can easily invest in for good returns.
Multifamily Property
A multi-family property is a residential property containing more than one separate housing unit, such as duplexes and apartment complexes. Multifamily properties are easy to finance and have less complexity in management. This low entry barrier makes them suitable for real estate beginners.
It also offers the investor a higher and more steady cash flow. Young investors are encouraged by quick and simple returns. The prospect of multiple tenants paying rentals at different times, all year round, makes this property type appealing to new investors. Multifamily property investment also provides them a simple way to diversify their portfolio with a single property, especially when backed by multifamily property insurance, which safeguards the asset and supports long-term profitability.
Self-Storage Units
Self-storage units are another excellent asset class for new real estate investors. The barrier to entry here is also very low. The total cost of owning and running self-storage units is generally lower than other real estate assets.
It also assures a steady income stream, as these storage units are in very high demand. Veteran investors consider self-storage units recession-resistant since household bundling is more widespread during recession, accelerating the demand for these storage facilities.
Maintaining and managing these properties is much easier. Unlike residential properties that require several utilities, self-storage mainly requires lighting and reliable security. Housing laws also favor self-storage owners, making it a lower-risk investment. In some states, you can lock out tenants and even sell their goods if they don’t pay after some days (usually 57 days).
Commercial Properties
Commercial properties like shops and office spaces are also good assets for beginners to invest in. While these properties can be more capital-intensive, they offer a higher profit potential for the investors. These properties also offer an inflation hedge for investors. As prices of goods and services increase, rentals also increase, ensuring that investors continue to get good value for their money. In addition, there is less competition for commercial real estate properties, keeping your properties in constant demand.
Condominiums
Condos are one of the most lucrative rental investment properties. They are often located in desirable areas, keeping them in continuous demand. Condominiums have good income and personal use potential.
These properties usually come with shared amenities like gyms and pools, simplifying maintenance and reducing management costs. A new investor can explore any popular form of condo management to reduce managerial burden and optimize income. Condominiums appreciate well over time, especially when situated in a prime location, making them a good long-term investment for wealth-building and passive income.
Conclusion
Rental properties provide affordable investment options, with low management requirements and a steady cash flow. If you’re considering investing in a rental property, consider getting multifamily properties, self-storage units, commercial properties, or condominiums.
About the Author

Ryan Nelson
I’m an investor, real estate developer, and property manager with hands-on experience in all types of real estate from single family homes up to hundreds of thousands of square feet of commercial real estate. RentalRealEstate is my mission to create the ultimate real estate investor platform for expert resources, reviews and tools. Learn more about my story.