Real Estate is a very very good investment. But there are too amny things attached to it. I am a serious real estate investor, and I feel I should share my views.
RE means investing in -
i) Land
ii) Flat
iii) Office/Shop
iv) Outside India.
On Land, I have no clue as I am scared of the deal (takeover). But other three I will elaborate
Flat/Apartment - Expected PE - 1%-3% Mumbai, 2%-6% elsewhere
Office/Shop - Expected PE - 4%-8% Mumbai, 6% - 10% elsewhere
Outside India (US) - Expected PE - 6%
Note, that in PE, P=CURRENT Price (Not price you purchased at). It INCLUDES 5%-9% stamp duty/VAT
E = Current Earnings (ie Current Market Rent minus taxes, Maintenance, etc)
Also note that Office Space rental attacts 10% service tax, falt rental does not. Also, Office space, though having better yield has the following problems -
i) Lot of vacancy. When a tenant moves out, it takes time to get another. This reduces your E from theoretical
ii) Buying and Office Space is invariable Black-Money intensive. Black Component is typically 50%
iii) Leveraging office space is expensive. Cost is Home loan rate + 7% (5% if you are prime borrower like Ambanis)
iv) Office space has collectible issues. The tenant is a bog business or small time guy. You need to chase him. Apartment tenants usually pay on time.
v) Office space attracts some "insurance payment" from local goondas in many places
Having said that, both apartment and office space in India command a deposit equal to a substantial sum. That deposit invested at 6% would give one additional months' rental, pre tax (invested in FD say at normat times, not currrent times)