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.
What to do When You Discover an Old Oil Tank Leak on Recently Purchased Property
What can you do when you discover an old oil tank leak on your recently purchased property? Your options may be limited, especially with the title company. Q: I bought an investment property located on the edge of a river. Apparently, years ago, a nearby oil tank leaked. The tank was not disclosed in the [...]
Where is the Safest City in America?
Where is the safest city in America? On the east coast, in a smaller metropolitan area with lower home prices, a boon for home buyers and investors. After comparing more than 180 cities across 39 key indicators of safety (like assaults per capita and road quality), WalletHub determined that Columbia, MD is the safest city [...]
Making the Most Out of the Sale of an Underwater Investment Property
Making the most out of the sale of an underwater investment property can be difficult, especially in a competitive housing market. Here’s how to get started. Q: I bought a home as an investment for $450,000 with several partners back in 2006. We intended to buy it, knock it down and redevelop the property. That [...]
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 [...]
Flipping Homes in Retirement
A home flipping and construction expert wrote in to weigh in on a recent article on flipping homes in retirement. See what he has to say about this real estate retirement trend! Q: I read your column “Flipping homes in retirement.” I flipped two homes decades ago, and the last one in 1993. I didn't [...]
Flipping Homes in Retirement: How to Get Started
Thinking about flipping homes in retirement? Here’s how to get started to with your first real estate investment and make sure you put your best foot forward. Q: I read your columns regularly. My wife and I currently live in the Northern Virginia area and will be retiring soon. We plan to move to Raleigh, [...]
Huge Surge in Funding for Real Estate Technology
A huge surge in venture capital funding for real estate technology means digital innovation is on its way and begs the question, what kind of projects are being funded? Venture capital funding for real estate technology ballooned from $1.8 billion in 2015 to $12.6 billion in 2017. According to the annual report from RE:Tech, a [...]
Rental Market Conditions and Rare Investment Opportunities
Rental market conditions, like vacancy rates in luxury rentals and scarce affordable housing, prompted state and local governments to offer incentives for developers focused on lower end properties, creating a rare investment opportunity. The recent State of the Nation’s Housing report illuminated rising vacancy in luxury rental units and a shortage of affordable rental housing [...]
Top 5 Threats to Real Estate in 2017 (Part I of II)
Wondering what threats await real estate this year (and in the future)? Scott Muldavin, Chair of the Counselors of Real Estate (CRE), ran down his annual list at this year's National Association of Real Estate Editors (NAREE) conference, in Denver. This story features the first 5 threats to real estate. Real Estate Threat #1 - [...]
Is the Tiny House Trend a Good Investment?
Is the tiny house trend a good investment? Benefits and concerns to weigh before investing in the tiny house real estate trend. Is the Tiny House Trend a Good Investment? Open floor plans, urban areas and cool color palettes are still trending, according to a recent report from Fixr, a remodeling, installation, and repair project [...]