We all want to make money, right? And, if possible, we want to do so without having to do too much labor.
We also want to do something that involves the excitement of risk and the need to use our brains. That’s why so many of us are into investing!
But some people may not be too interested in the traditional methods of investment. We want to try something a little different. By stepping away from the beaten track, we can often find the greatest treasures in the region. But when you’re looking into what we call alternative investments, we need to remember that these also come with risks.
We need to approach these with the same degree of care and planning that we would for any other investment.
Here’s a quick guide to alternative investments for all you would like to try something new!
The usual suspects
So how we define an alternative investment in the first place? Alternative to what, exactly? Basically, in the investment world, there are three “traditional” types of assets that investors look into.
These are stocks, bonds, and cold, hard cash. People like to define these are the “safer” investment types, though this isn’t always true. Remember to take things on a case-by-case basis.
Private equity investments
One of the first terms you may hear when you look into alternative investment is private equity investment. All three of those words sound sexy and profitable, but what do they actually mean?
The whole practice hit the spotlight a few years ago after the lackluster presidential candidate Mitt Romney really hit the scene. Much was made of how much of his extraordinary fortune had been made in private equity.
Private equity is high-risk and potentially very high-return. But it’s not simple, nor does any profit come as quickly as it might do with other investments. You need to research it carefully. Keep in mind that it’s something people who are already rich tend to look into. (Remember: Mitt Romney could invest a lot because he received millions directly from daddy.)
Exclusive real estate opportunities
One of the safer ways of stepping into alternative investment is through real estate. Most people who buy real estate are looking for a place to stay, of course. But the art of getting into real estate for commercial reasons is always on the rise.
It’s deemed one of the safer options because real estate is often on the rise when it comes to price. That, of course, means profits are usually on the rise. By working with a buy to let agency, you can get access to some of the more exclusive opportunities if you want to look at something different.
Understanding your risk tolerance
As I mentioned earlier, alternative investing tends to be high-risk. It usually involves you having to put down much more capital than with the traditional forms of investment.
This is perfect for some people, of course. But if you want to get into this game, you need to have a plan. The most important thing you can do in these initial stages is assess your risk tolerance.
Good luck!
