You spend way too much time on Instagram (and TikTok and Pinterest and…), and guess what—your potential short-term rental guests do too. Why miss an opportunity to get in front of them when they’re dreaming about their next getaway? Why miss an opportunity to remarket to your past guests by reminding them how awesome your place was? Don’t leave your fate up to the Airbnb algorithm alone. Take matters into your own hands and start building out and developing your own organic audience. While you d...
Nov 25, 2023•7 min•Ep. 1137
Although filling out IRS tax forms each year isn’t any fun, it is a necessary part of real estate investing. Thankfully, the tax forms for rental properties aren’t complicated. If you are investing as a member of a partnership or as an S corporation, you will need to report your earnings on Form 8825. Making sure you fill out Form 8825 correctly is vitally important. Accurate financial reporting is required and could help you determine if you qualify for certain tax deductions. Learn more about ...
Nov 24, 2023•12 min•Ep. 1136
Wondering how to find good real estate deals? Let us count the ways! We’ve come up with 30 different methods to find real estate deals in today’s competitive real estate market. As a real estate investor, you’re probably familiar with some of these tips, but we promise many are new on your radar! Those great real estate deals are out there, allowing you to build wealth if you know where to look! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 23, 2023•18 min•Ep. 1135
An assumable mortgage is when a home buyer takes over the seller’s existing mortgage. When assuming a mortgage, the same terms and conditions from the seller’s mortgage are transferred to the buyer. A mortgage loan assumption means the buyer does not have to apply for their own mortgage. Instead, they “assume” the original mortgage’s interest rate, repayment period, and remaining balance. An assumable loan has pros and cons for buyers and sellers. Therefore, knowing how assumable mortgages work ...
Nov 22, 2023•16 min•Ep. 1134
The home appraisal is a big part of the home buying process, especially if you need a mortgage loan. Lenders require appraisals to ensure the home is worth enough money to lend to investors to purchase the home. Since investment properties are riskier for lenders, they use the expertise of a licensed appraiser to determine the home’s value. Home appraisals may feel like another obstacle to investing in properties. Still, they help you make the right decision about investing in real estate and en...
Nov 21, 2023•18 min•Ep. 1133
Real estate investing, if done right, can create endless opportunities. Real estate is an awesome income producer with the right investment and jumpstarts your way to complete financial freedom. Many real estate investors become successful through the process of learning. For a beginner investor, the learning experience is often hands-on, like shadowing someone in the field or learning through courses or books. Even seasoned investors will continue to educate themselves throughout their careers ...
Nov 20, 2023•19 min•Ep. 1132
The Washington, D.C. metropolitan area has one of the strongest real estate markets in the United States. With a large population, high incomes, and a well-diversified labor market, D.C. has a strong foundation for sustained economic growth. And, because the D.C. area is comprised of more than just the capital city and includes parts of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, there are several sub-markets for real estate investors to consider. Let’s go over the most important information you need...
Nov 19, 2023•9 min•Ep. 1131
Throughout the past year, this series of articles has comprehensively covered DSCR loans. We have discussed how to get the best rate and terms, how to use advanced strategies to maximize return, and a long list of FAQs (part 1 and part 2). Also published was a guide on the full list of documents needed for a DSCR loan and a helpful glossary of terms for navigating the private lending process. We explored specific real estate investing strategies and how DSCR loans stack up when investing in shor...
Nov 18, 2023•13 min•Ep. 1130
The tiny homes market is predicted to grow by a staggering $3.57 billion between 2022 and 2026, according to a Global Tiny Homes Market report. While trends like the off-grid and tiny house movement may have caused some to dismiss tiny houses, their popularity among investors is increasing for many reasons. Tiny houses are more accessible to investors with limited capital because they offer a lower upfront investment than traditional houses. Also, the surge in demand for unique, affordable, and ...
Nov 17, 2023•14 min•Ep. 1129
Navigating the world of financing rental properties can be overwhelming for even experienced real estate investors. There are tons of terms, phrases, and acronyms that can cause confusion, and real estate finance is also notorious for misnomers and multiple terms that all mean the same thing. To help investors master the world of DSCR loans and know how to effectively communicate and work with rental property lenders, here is a helpful glossary of terms you need to know to understand investment ...
Nov 16, 2023•15 min•Ep. 1128
When you have a limited amount of money coming in each paycheck, it can be very easy to have conflicting financial goals, such as: Achieving financial independence. Paying off real estate (such as an investment property or personal home). Asking “Should I pay off my mortgage?” and not knowing the answer is a problem many homeowners face. For many, it’s a difficult choice because the right answer is different for everyone. Decisions are extremely individualized to your specific financial situatio...
Nov 15, 2023•16 min•Ep. 1127
How often do you ask the big questions of life? Why am I here? What was I put on the planet to do? Who ate the Outback leftovers that I clearly marked in the company fridge? Semi-boneless ham—does it have a bone or not? This article deals with some weighty life and investing issues. I came across this nifty chart from Visual Capitalist that got me thinking about the different phases of a real estate investor’s life. Let’s summarize the chart first, then we’ll see how we could apply this to real ...
Nov 14, 2023•12 min•Ep. 1126
From inflation to interest rate hikes to low inventory and elevated prices, today’s market can give some real estate investors pause. Industry volatility can set off emotional reactions in investors who haven’t fortified themselves against the ups and downs of the market. Navigating these fluctuations takes knowledge, patience, peer support, and the right set of tools to keep cash flow under control and your head above water. We spoke with three investing experts about their strategies for build...
Nov 13, 2023•14 min•Ep. 1225
Tulsa, Oklahoma, is an exciting real estate market featuring strong population growth, job growth, and cash flow potential. The area has an excellent economic climate to support great investing returns well into the future. Here, we’ll cover the following: Home Prices Rent Trends Population, Labor Market, and Income Cash Flow Potential Winning Investment Strategies Let’s get started. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 12, 2023•8 min•Ep. 1124
As we pass the midpoint of 2023, it’s a good time to take a look at what’s happened in the housing market so far this year and consider what could happen in the second half of the year. The big headline from housing so far has been the resilience of home prices. Even as mortgage rates have hung around 7% and sales volume has dropped about 50% from June 2021 to June 2023, prices are somewhere between flat and -3% YoY, depending on who you ask. No matter what data you look at, so far, the calls of...
Nov 11, 2023•10 min•Ep. 1123
Short-term rentals continue to be one of the hottest areas of real estate investing in 2023. Despite some market volatility, slow down, and saturation in some areas, smart, professional short-term rental investors continue to thrive, expand, and scale. What separates the successful STR investors from those facing a personal portfolio “Airbnbust”? It’s simple: Investors who succeed with short-term rentals are those who approach the business professionally—lining up all the moving pieces for succe...
Nov 10, 2023•15 min•Ep. 1122
If you’re new to real estate investing, you may feel overwhelmed and wonder how to determine which properties to buy. Optimally, you’d like to get a handle on which investments will be the most profitable before jumping in—and you can—by understanding how to calculate cap rate. Calculating the market cap rate, or capitalization rate, is hands down the best place to begin, especially for real estate investors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 09, 2023•11 min•Ep. 1121
If you’re new to real estate investing, you may feel overwhelmed and wonder how to determine which properties to buy. Optimally, you’d like to get a handle on which investments will be the most profitable before jumping in—and you can—by understanding how to calculate cap rate. Calculating the market cap rate, or capitalization rate, is hands down the best place to begin, especially for real estate investors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 08, 2023•13 min•Ep. 1120
One of the easiest ways to establish a consistent income stream is by improving lease renewal rates among your tenants. Doing so can help you avoid turnover costs that quickly add up and help you retain tenants you’ve enjoyed renting to. There are various ways to find and keep great tenants, but we outlined the top six ways to increase lease renewal rates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 07, 2023•8 min•Ep. 1119
Capital expenditure (CapEx) is a common term for many businesses and real estate investors. Understanding CapEx and how it’s calculated is important for knowing how much rent to charge each month to ensure long-term profitability. It can help you prepare for future maintenance expenses, and it’s also used by lenders when evaluating your business for a loan. What Is Capital Expenditure? Capital expenditure refers to money used by businesses to buy, upgrade, and maintain long-term physical assets....
Nov 06, 2023•16 min•Ep. 1118
A real estate attorney is required at closing in many states. Even if your state doesn’t demand that a real estate lawyer appear, having a legal professional representing your interests is usually a good idea. When you’re investing in real estate, finding the right lawyer is essential. Your real estate attorney assists you in navigating every aspect of the process. If legal issues arise in real estate transactions, you have someone who knows real estate laws fighting for you. Learn more about yo...
Nov 05, 2023•10 min•Ep. 1117
In the first half of 2023, only 14 of every 1,000 U.S. homes changed hands. That’s down from 19 out of every 1,000 during the same period in 2019 and represents the lowest share in at least a decade. Needless to say, the housing market is experiencing a slowdown, leaving some prospective investors uncertain whether now is a good time to get into real estate. However, with the right strategy, you can make money in any market. In this article, we’ll explore factors to consider before investing in ...
Nov 04, 2023•11 min•Ep. 1116
The loan-to-value (LTV) ratio is a key metric mortgage lenders use to assess their risk of lending you money. Most lenders use the LTV ratio, credit score, debt-to-income ratio, interest rate, and property value when processing your mortgage application. The loan-to-value ratio affects the amount of down payment the lender requires. Simply put—the lower your LTV ratio, the better your chance of getting finance approved at a competitive rate. This article is a complete guide to understanding LTV ...
Nov 03, 2023•14 min•Ep. 1115
For some of us, the most fun part of the real estate journey is actually furnishing and decorating your STRproperties (Okay, the revenue part is pretty great, too). But purchasing a house worth of furniture in a matter of days or weeks can be overwhelming for anyone. There are certainly services you can employ to help you, including your property manager, but this task is also definitely something you can tackle yourself. Here’s what to consider as you get started. Learn more about your ad choic...
Nov 02, 2023•7 min•Ep. 1114
When investors set out to find a new investment, they’ll likely come across an HOA property. Unless you know exactly what an HOA property entails, you may be left asking yourself, “Should I invest in a property with an HOA?” Investing in a homeowners association property requires significant effort because of the many oversights and restrictions. It’s a challenge, but it has benefits if you’re willing to do the work. From fees to rental restrictions, we’ll dive into what to expect when investing...
Nov 01, 2023•13 min•Ep. 1113
When it comes to investing in real estate, securing the right type of financing plays a crucial role in any successful transaction. This principle holds even more truth for investors aspiring to venture into the short-term rental space—a burgeoning sector in today’s real estate industry. The available options for financing are varied, encompassing traditional loans, hard money loans, or even loans sourced from personal connections. However, in this comprehensive guide, our focus shifts toward an...
Oct 31, 2023•15 min•Ep. 1112
When you’re self-managing short-term rentals (STRs), you will eventually need a system. Maybe you can get away with chatting with your guests directly in the native VRBO interface with one or two doors, but as soon as you scale much beyond that, you’ll need to bring in a little help from apps or sites designed to address every stage in the STR rental journey. And there are a lot to choose from out there. We asked three experienced STR investors and property managers—people who have basically tes...
Oct 30, 2023•14 min•Ep. 1111
Buying a house with an LLC has many benefits for real estate investors. When the limited liability company owns the property, you can access tax benefits and asset protection. You may also find it easier to partner with other investors. However, setting up an LLC can be complicated, and you may struggle to secure a mortgage loan. Are you a first-time real estate investor looking to buy your first investment property? Or do you already own multiple properties and wonder if you should transfer pro...
Oct 29, 2023•17 min•Ep. 1110
The BRRRR method of real estate investing continues to be one of the most-used strategies in 2023. With interest rates elevated yet property values remaining resilient, finding cash flow with a reasonable down payment is an incredible challenge. However, the BRRRR strategy (buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat) makes sense for a lot of investors, as value can be created through forced appreciation (renovations) and capital recycled through cash-out refinances. With rates high and competition fier...
Oct 28, 2023•15 min•Ep. 1109
It might be expensive to buy, but rental prices are also rising across the U.S. While some might think it might be better to rent than own, in some cases, that’s not always the case. Inflation has drastically impacted rental prices, which rose 6.2% year over year in 2022, according to a study by WalletHub. But some areas in the U.S. are better to rent in than other areas. WalletHub’s latest report on the 2023 Best & Worst Places to Rent in America found that many of the best places to rent are i...
Oct 27, 2023•7 min