Owning real estate to build wealth is a tangible dream for many investors: They figure they can find a broker, buy a few properties, sit back and collect rents. Or perhaps they could flip properties for a quick profit. But the reality of owning rental properties and trying to sell them at a gain is far different from the dream. Being a landlord is much harder and riskier than it seems.

Many property investors start out thinking they can manage their own real estate investments, overlooking one simple fact: the skills that brought them wealth aren’t likely to bring them success in real estate. Being a banker, lawyer, doctor or other business owner gives them the funds to invest, but not necessarily the knowledge to make sound decisions about those investments — let alone the time and know-how to execute. As Bill Gates once said, “success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.”

Read more at Forbes.