Many people are drawn to the property market because it has consistently delivered high returns over extended periods of time. As a matter of fact, investing in property has continuously performed well compared to other forms of investment. On top of that, investing in property has been and always will be one of the most popular methods for making money and accumulating wealth, especially in the UK.

If you're keen on investing in property, you don't need to buy anything lavish; it can be a small flat which you can rent out to make money. When you are able to accumulate enough funds, you can use your funds to purchase another property. Doing so allows you to add to your property portfolio and help you get going as a property investor.

Investing in property provides a sense of security. Compared to other investments like shares, property isn't as volatile. But like other investments it has certain drawbacks. One is when prices take a fall which could leave you in a negative equity position. Sometimes the option of investing in managed funds to buy a property becomes a better alternative since it provides several benefits for some people over investing in direct property.

When embarking on the road to becoming a successful property investor, be sure to take into account a couple of extremely important factors that will help you become successful in property investing.

* Have a long-term strategy. Determine your financial goals and make sure you stick with them. What are your reasons for investing in property? What do you want to attain and when? If you are clear with your objectives and the steps you are going to take to get there, you are more likely to reach your target. To be successful in this field, you have to be familiar with the cycle of the property market, the process involved in refinancing and have a clear exit strategy. All these factors are crucial to attaining your investment aspirations.

* Be sure that you purchase only tenantable property. Before you settle on a property, you have to understand the supply and demand factors as these will have significant effects on your investment. If the location you are interested in is full of rental property, you will find yourself in competition with several other buy to let investors. This could lead to lengthy void periods and a major decline in your rental income if the market is not large enough to soak up the supply.

* Buy below market value. Astute property investors know that the real profit is made when you buy a property and this can only be done by buying it below its market value. Have an independent valuation done by a reputable firm and then negotiate a discount off the declared value. Generally speaking you need to buy from distressed sellers who need a fast sale of their problem property to get the best prices.

Like many people say, a property investor "can't go wrong with bricks and mortar." This is because investing in property has always been considered a wise move most especially after house prices have shown a phenomenal increase over the past 10 years. Chosen in the right location and purchased at the right price, property can provide better returns than many other types of investment.