An investment property is a real estate property purchased with the intention of earning a return on the investment either through rental income, the future resale of the property, or both. The property may be held by an individual investor, a group of investors, or a corporation.
An investment property can be a long-term endeavor or a short-term investment. With the latter, investors will often engage in flipping, where real estate is bought, remodeled or renovated, and sold at a profit within a short time frame.
The term investment property may also be used to describe other assets an investor purchases for the sake of future appreciation such as art, securities, land, or other collectibles.
Investment properties are those that are not used as a primary residence.
They generate some form of income—dividends, interest, rents, or even royalties—that fall outside the scope of the property owner's regular line of business. And the way in which an investment property is used has a significant impact on its value.