When you invest in real estate, you have to have a long term vision and patience. Unlike buying stock which can be readily purchased and sold, investing in real estate does not afford a quick sale. While it is true that in years past, people were able to flip properties and make fast money in real estate, for most real estate investors the idea is to buy and hold real estate. Some investors in real estate will benefit from federal income tax breaks and other investors in real estate can hold a piece of property and later sell it and buy other property while deferring the payment of any federal income taxes until the real estate is cashed out. Real estate is not a liquid investment and you may need to consider a long term strategy or option even if you are considering a shorter term investment in real estate. Read our articles on investing in real estate and learn about problem tenants and how to handle them. Learn about finding the right team to help you navigate the world of real estate investing. And, finally, learn about how to structure your investments, insure your real estate investments and minimize your federal income taxes.
Vacant Homes and Empty Storefronts: Why so many?
Vacant Homes and Empty Storefronts: Why so many? Q: I’m curious. There are several vacant homes in my area. They look abandoned. They are or were beautiful, but year after year, they sit empty. Similarly, there are a number of empty storefronts in my area, all with substantially high, competitive rates. Why leave these storefronts [...]
Can you rent out a condo you own?
Can you rent out a condo you own? Q: I want to know if you can rent out a condo you own. I live in a four-unit condominium in Chicago. My understanding is that in a condominium building of this size, only one unit can hold a license for short term rentals. One owner already [...]
Is a Rental Property a Good Investment?
Is a rental property a good investment? This is what you need to know about buying, managing and maintaining a rental property. Q: I just finished reading your book, 100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask, cover to cover. I found the information fantastic and will be consulting the book often. Having had the [...]
Is the Housing Market Going to Crash in 2019?
Is the housing market going to crash in 2019? Bloomberg economists recently determined which housing market is most at risk of a housing bubble. Anyone who’s had an eye on real estate has been asking themselves this question: Is the housing market going to crash in 2019? The short answer: not likely. According to a [...]
Should I Buy a House Now or Wait Until 2020?
Should I buy a house now or wait until 2020? New research from JCHS shows a strong housing market, but not without its challenges for homebuyers. Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) delivered an in-depth analysis of America’s housing market in its State of the Nation’s Housing 2019 report. And for those of [...]
Which Housing Market is the Biggest Real Estate Bubble?
Which housing market is the biggest real estate bubble? Depends on how you measure, and we won’t really know for sure until it pops. But according to the new UBS Global Real Estate Bubble Index, Hong Kong faces the greatest risk of a housing bubble. Housing prices in the Hong Kong real estate market have [...]
Real Estate Investing: Single Family Homes Good Investment?
An investor asks about buying a real estate investment. The investor has calculated the return on investment for the real estate investment properties he's considering. But has he considered other real estate investment issues such as tenant demands and property maintenance? Taking those costs into account may change the investor's mind about buying a real estate investment.
Rental Property As Tax Liability
Homes used as rental property are considered investment property by the IRS. As an investment property, you can either pay the taxes owed upon sale of the property, or defer the payment of real estate taxes due upon the sale. If you choose to defer the taxes you owe, you'd utilize Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Include Appraiser In Real Estate Investment Team
Before you start investing in real estate, you should put together an expert team. Should you include an appraiser in your real estate investment team? Often a real estate appraiser's conclusion is the same as reached by real estate agents who create comparative market analyses.
Financing Options For Investment Property Owner
Financing options for owners of multiple investment properties are limited because of the amount of debt they usually possess. Traditional lenders are not comfortable with the high debt ratio, which limits the financing options they are willing give the owners of multiple investment properties. One of the financing options available to multiple investment property owners is working with commercial lenders.