What is 'leverage' in real estate investment?

LEVERAGE: Using BORROWED MONEY (financing) to control a larger asset and amplify the potential return on the investor's actual cash invested. EXAMPLE: With $50,000 cash, an investor could buy one $50,000 property outright, OR use it as a 20% down payment to control a $250,000 property (borrowing $200,000); if the property appreciates 10% ($25,000), the return on the $50,000 invested is 50% (vs 10% on an all-cash purchase) — leverage amplifies gains; POSITIVE LEVERAGE: When the return on the property exceeds the cost of borrowing; NEGATIVE LEVERAGE: When borrowing costs exceed returns (amplifies losses); RISK: Leverage amplifies BOTH gains AND losses; high leverage increases risk (if values fall or income drops, the investor still owes the debt); 'highly leveraged' means a large proportion of borrowed money; leverage is a fundamental real estate investment concept — using financing to control more property and amplify returns on invested capital, with correspondingly higher risk; this is important investment knowledge for brokers tested on the national exam.