For adventurous investors with an eye for appreciation, real estate investments are often an attractive prospect. Whether you’re drawn to multifamily properties, flipping homes or developing a plot of land, real estate can bring strong returns for years if done well. However, part of the barrier to entering the real estate space is that it can be tough to come up with the initial capital to purchase the property and pay for any necessary renovations, constructions or other repairs. If you’re in a situation where you want to get into real estate but you’re not sure how you’ll be able to fund your potential ventures, here are some useful ideas that could help give you a jump start.

1. Improve Your Credit Score As Much As You Can

One of the factors that can have a huge impact on your final monthly payment is your credit score. Lenders look closely at your creditworthiness when weighing whether to give you mortgage approval, so focusing on upping your credit score can actually help minimize the amount you’ll end up paying back. For instance, those with excellent credit scores can generally access the lowest interest rates. Keep in mind, however, that you’ll also need some cash on hand, usually up to six months in reserves, to secure the best rates.

2. Consider Getting a Private Money Loan

If you’re not interested in applying for a conventional loan, consider other options, like a private money loan, instead. Private money loans usually come from individuals who are willing to take you on and invest in your real estate ideas. These individuals can be professional investors or simply family or friends who believe in you and your venture. This type of loan has a significant advantage in that it allows you to potentially access higher funding amounts from a trusted source.

3. Check Out Peer-to-Peer Lending

Another option for funding your venture is peer-to-peer lending, a relatively new lending type that stems from online culture. You can usually find peer-to-peer lenders on trusted crowdfunding websites, and may be able to get quick approval.

Getting into the real estate space can be a smart choice for the right investor, with the possibility of strong returns, appreciation and extra income for years, if not decades. Paying for the property in the first place, however, can often be a challenge to would-be investors, as is funding repairs, construction efforts and more. If you find yourself in this type of situation, consider using these helpful ideas to jump-start your real estate investments so you can start benefitting from owning property.