As prepared by Neil Uttamsingh, based on his experience as a real estate investor and in no particular order.
1) Status

I have seen some people invest in real estate, and continue to invest in real estate over many years, in order to ’show off’.  They invest because they feel that the more properties they have, the more other people will be impressed.

2) Fear of Poverty

People invest in real estate because they are afraid of poverty.  They might be afraid that if they do not invest in real estate, that they will end up in a difficult financial situation down the road.  As a result, because they are afraid of poverty, this gives them the motivation to pull the trigger and invest in real estate.

3) Increased Net Worth

People invest in real estate because they want to increase their net worth.  Said differently, people invest in real estate because they want to become ‘rich’.

4)  They are opposed to the financial markets

I have seen some people that hate investing in the financial markets.  As a result, investing their money in real estate is the only other option for them. It is either real estate, or stuffing their money underneath their mattress.

5) People want to buy things

Some people are motivated to invest in real estate because they want to purchase material things.  The cash flow provided through real estate investment allows people to buy the things that they want.

6)  They want to go on vacation

Some real estate investors that I know are motivated to invest in real estate, because it allows them to go on regular vacations.  They use the cash flow, or the appreciation from properties to pay for their trips and vacations.

7)  Trying to find a sense of self worth

Some people do not know what their purpose is in life.  They feel that they have no direction, or no guidance.  As a result, I have seen some people invest in real estate, and obtain direction through these actions.  They have become more focused and they feel that they have a purpose in life.

8 ) A sense of competition

Some real estate investors have a competitive nature.  They invest in real estate, and try to acquire as many properties as they can, as a personal challenge.

9) Follow the crowd

People invest in real estate because they see others doing it.  They watch from a distance and come to the conclusion that it cannot be too difficult to do.  As a result, they jump feet first into the real estate investing game by watching others and just by simply following the crowd.