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.
Should I Outsource To A Property Management Company?
Should I outsource to a property management company? A lot of hard work goes into being a landlord, sometimes it's smarter to outsource property management. Q: I am planning to buy a four-plex and I was planning on using an on-call handyman instead of property management which is typically expensive. Since this is my first [...]
Be Cautious of Risk When Flipping Unfamiliar Property
Even investors experienced in flipping homes should be careful of new kinds of risk that come with flipping unfamiliar property. Q: Here's my dilemma. I've been buying tax foreclosed building lots and flipping them for over a decade. Because I get them at a steep discount, I also sell them at a steep discount. As [...]
What’s the Best Way to Manage a Family Owned Property?
With a family-owned property, the rules can get complicated. Here’s what you need to know. Q: Eight members, cousins and siblings, currently share ownership in a summer cottage in Maine. Our current rules have worked fine for over 80 years but as the family ownership expands, things will ultimately get more difficult. We are considering [...]
Managing Investment Property Gained in Divorce
After gaining an investment property from a divorce, this reader asks whether it's better to sell the house or continue to rent it to cover expenses. Q: I got divorced last year and from the divorce, I got a house in California. The value of the house is about $600,000. I owe about $250,000 on [...]
Avoiding Capital Gains Tax When Selling Investment Property
Navigating capital gains tax on the sale of an investment property can be complicated. Consult a tax professional to fully understand your options and their consequences. Q: We bought a rental property (it’s a condo) in 2005 for $80,000. We rented it out until 2016. Our daughter moved into this condo last year after she [...]
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 - [...]
Should I Use My Retirement Savings To Invest In Real Estate?
With banks and bonds paying next to nothing in the way of interest on savings, more retirees are wondering if they should use their retirement savings to invest in real estate. These seniors are wondering if they should use their $1 million in retirement savings to invest in an income-producing property. There are some risks, [...]
4 Things Real Estate Investors Should Know at Tax Time
4 things real estate investors should know at tax time. Insights from a principal federal tax analyst on potential tax breaks for real estate investors. Real estate investors often have a lot of questions once tax time rolls around — especially if they're new to the game. That's because while there are a number of [...]
Buying Rental Property: Costs to Consider
If you have the financial means, buying rental property may sound like an easy way to make extra income: purchase a house, rent it out, and relax as the profits roll in each month. Unfortunately, many would-be investors go into the home rental process without preparing a budget or fully understanding all the costs involved. [...]
Ep. 31: Invest in the Market or Buy a Home?
Ready for a positive sign about how home buyers are financing their homes? And does it make sense to liquidate a stock market investment in order to make a down payment on a home? Get answers to these questions by listening to this week’s episode of the Ilyce Glink Show. You can click the audio [...]