BiggerPockets Daily

If you’ve ever dipped your toes into the world of personal finance, chances are you’ve heard of Dave Ramsey. He’s a household name in the realm of financial advice, known for his no-nonsense approach to getting out of debt and building wealth. One of the cornerstones of Ramsey’s philosophy is cutting expenses to the bone, often focusing on small, everyday luxuries like coffee and dining out. While slashing these expenses can certainly free up some cash in the short term, I’m here to tell you that it’s not the path to true wealth.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Real estate and franchising are two popular investment options offering significant financial returns. Both allow you to earn passive income, enjoy tax benefits, and benefit from regular cash flow. However, a real estate franchise and real estate investing each have pros and cons to consider. If you are considering investing in the housing market, which business model is best for you? Long-term wealth through property appreciation and regular rental income that real estate offers? Or the opportunity to own a tried-and-tested business model with instant brand recognition? We’ll discuss whether investing in real estate or starting a franchise is best for your financial goals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Real estate investors accounted for 26.1% of low-priced home purchases in the U.S. during the fourth quarter of 2023, a record-high share, according to a new report from Redfin. Investors bought only 13.6% of mid-priced homes and 15.9% of high-priced homes sold during the same period.  Redfin defined low-priced homes as falling into the bottom third of local sales prices. The median price investors paid for homes in the fourth quarter was $453,271, above the national median, according to Redfin data. That may be due to an increase in investor home purchases in several California cities, where many expensive homes fall into the low-priced tier relative to local prices.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2024 will be a crucial year for the U.S. economy, particularly around what the Fed will do with interest rates. But for the Fed to lower rates, they have to see signs of slowing growth. What reliable signs are there that the economy is moving in either the recessionary or the growth direction? There has to be a better way to tell than using the Super Bowl Indicator (it doesn’t work, folks).  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disability benefits provide important lifelines to those who are unable to work due to various medical conditions. Although your ability to work while on disability will be limited, you may still be able to earn income from certain passive investments. Whether flipping houses while on disability will affect your benefits depends on your degree of involvement in your properties. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Investing in forest land can be a great way to diversify your portfolio. Because tree growth doesn’t rely on economic factors, consistent biological growth can create more stable returns than other financial investments. When you invest in forestry, you invest in a lower-risk asset that provides environmental benefits. This is often opposite what’s true for residential and commercial land, which is more prone to market disruptions and other market risks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yes, many pundits are still warning about a recession in 2024.  Here’s one example. Richard Duncan did a Macro Watch fourth-quarter update. He pointed out that between 1952 and 2009, all nine times total credit (adjusted for inflation) grew by less than 2%, and the economy went into a recession.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week, Realtor.com published another version of its ‘‘magic number’’ forecast. The number in question is the mortgage rate number low enough to ‘‘unfreeze’’ the real estate market.  We know that the market has been in something of a gridlock for over a year now: Home prices are very high and keep rising. Mortgage rates are high and aren’t showing much of a downward trend. There aren’t enough homes to go around, especially those that are remotely affordable. Something has to give.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I moved around a lot when I was younger. And I’m not talking from state to state or city to city—I moved a few doors down from wherever I was living. I never knew why, and frankly, I never asked my parents. All I knew was that I was with my family, so I went wherever they went. It wasn’t until years later that I realized my parents were fixers and flippers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s headlines cover the erosion of landlord rights as squatters racked up a series of victories in recent months, culminating in the arrest of a landlord in New York City who attempted to evict a person living in her vacant home without a right to. We’ll also cover why recession predictions are always wrong, and if they even matter to real estate investors in particular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In simple terms, a mobile home—also known as a manufactured home—is a dwelling built in a factory. While these homes are used as primary residences by many, they can also make for a good investment.  So, Are Mobile Homes a Good Investment for Rental Property? Yes, mobile homes can be a good investment for rental property when approached correctly.  While there’s no defined strategy for success, key considerations include understanding the unique market demand for mobile homes, analyzing location benefits, assessing the condition and age of the mobile home, and understanding the legal and zoning regulations that apply. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Real estate investors seem to be taking it from all sides these days. Not only are interest rates, property taxes, and construction costs up significantly from a few years ago, but more and more legislation is being passed to make investing in and managing real estate more difficult, arduous, and expensive.  And, of course, it should come as no surprise that most of this legislation will not only hurt real estate investors but will make the problems that need solving all the worse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re looking to break into real estate investing but need to figure out what it takes, consider house hacking. You might wonder, though: Is house hacking legal? Is House Hacking Legal? House hacking is legal when you do it right. For example, renting a spare room in a single-family home or a unit in a multifamily home is legal.  However, renting a garage space not meant for living isn’t considered legal. Follow your city’s zoning laws, and house hacking can be legal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes to maximizing profit on your investment property, you’ve likely considered quite a few rental strategies. If long-term doesn’t pencil out, you could always consider revenue from medium-term or short-term tenants if your market supports it. But there is another successful, profitable rental strategy you should add to your arsenal: renting your property “by the room.” Also referred to as a boarding or rooming house strategy, renting by room is not a new concept. But these kinds of arrangements are not as common as they were at the turn of the 20th century. Renting by room fills an important market gap, though, creating opportunities for renters who may not be able to afford an entire apartment on their own in a time of extreme housing shortages. In aggregate, you also stand to make a ton more money than if you just housed a single tenant.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the ever-shifting world of real estate, you find yourself at a crossroads: Do you buy now or wait for more favorable market conditions?  The housing market witnessed unprecedented shifts during the pandemic, with home prices soaring and mortgage rates experiencing volatility in 2022 and 2023 due to the Federal Reserve’s attempts to curb inflation through rate hikes. The combination of these two situations leaves aspiring investors grappling with the decision of whether to lock in stable leverage today or wait for “the next cycle.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re a real estate investor in 2024 or planning to be, your list of investment property criteria probably has the qualifier ‘‘affordable’’ right at the top. And you’re certainly not alone.  The latest Redfin investor home purchases report shows that investors snapped up 26.1% of low-priced homes sold in the U.S. during the fourth quarter of 2023. That’s the largest share of such purchases ever recorded, up from 24% in the fourth quarter of 2022.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are plenty of different financing options to consider when you’re ready to invest in real estate. You can leverage your own funds, for example, or receive loans from established organizations or private lenders. There are even options to partner up with someone with the funds to help you carry out your vision. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In recent years, a sizeable amount of criticism has been leveled against what many see as endless sprawl and “lifeless” suburbia that surrounds many American cities. In fact, it happens so often that I’m actually a bit surprised that while the difficulty and opportunity of rural investing comes up fairly often, there isn’t a large amount of discussion regarding the merits and challenges of urban versus suburban investing (although there is certainly some in the BiggerPockets forums). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The year-round sunshine, the convenience of direct flights, the incredible food and culture—there’s a lot to love about Puerto Rico. As an American citizen, all the same rules apply for buying investment property in this balmy, seaside U.S. territory as they do on the mainland.  The Market Details According to short-term rental tracking company AirDNA, it should come as no surprise that Puerto Rico is a booming and profitable short-term rental market. The capital city of San Juan gets AirDNA’s top score of 100, with average occupancy rates of over 60%, average nightly rates of over $200, and average annual revenue of over $45,000 (up almost 10% YOY).  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The year 2024 can feel like a confusing space to inhabit for rookie investors. You have the cash, you have the plan, and you’ve done your research. There remains one big issue: Interest rates that are currently much higher than the historically low rates we had pre-2022.  If you’ve done your research into investment financing, you know that investors pay even higher mortgage interest than regular homebuyers (typically between 0.75% and 1.5% higher). Right now, that is a daunting prospect, with regular mortgage rates still hovering just under 7%.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are plenty of hedge funds investing in real estate in 2024. As an investor, you can learn a lot about the real estate market—including where to invest—by closely following these hedge funds and their performance.  Now, let’s examine the hedge funds investing in real estate this year (and likely beyond). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine one day living in a luxurious, spacious house with everything you could possibly want in life. Now contrast that with red and blue lights filling your home, with officers yelling and sirens blaring. Then, envision a SWAT team ripping you away from your parents.  Although it seems far-fetched, this actually happened.  By all accounts, John was living a charmed “trust fund” life, but that was quickly all taken away from him. At age 10, that left John Mansor a ward of the state—orphaned and alone, with only his brother, David, alongside him. He’s spent the last 15-plus years climbing back to the top. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As insurance premiums climb, property owners need to grasp how economic conditions and natural disasters affect the insurance market. These insights provide practical guidance for real estate investors navigating a dynamic, unpredictable market.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Love it or hate it, the financial independence, retire early (FIRE) movement has changed the conversation around financial planning. And any change that provokes new discussion and a fresh perspective is a good change—even if you ultimately side with the traditionalists.  Today, I’ll convince you that you don’t actually need or even want to retire early. You want the freedom, flexibility, and intentionally designed life that financial independence offers.  The best part? You don’t even need to reach financial independence to achieve all that. Open your mind for a fresh way to look at FIRE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a winter slump, the real estate market is starting to look a little brighter in time for spring. More homes are entering the market, and buyers are starting to consider buying again after staying on the sidelines, according to the latest numbers from Redfin.   For the four weeks ending March 3, new listings were up 13%, the biggest increase in three years. That uptick helped bring the total number of homes for sale up 1.7%, marking the first time in eight months that supply has increased. Meanwhile, asking prices had their smallest increase in two months, with around 5.5% of home sellers dropping their asking price. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Poor air quality has been in the headlines about U.S. climate change, especially on the West Coast and in Southern states. Increasingly devastating wildfires are becoming a sad fact of life in California, Texas, and Arizona, with many states added to the list of those impacted or at high risk of fire damage each year.  But one specific wildfire-related factor is affecting the West more than in any other region in the country: smoke pollution. According to recent research from First Street Foundation, the West now has nearly double the maroon air days than it did 20 years ago. The maroon classification is the worst air quality grade there is, defined as ‘‘hazardous’’ to the general population by the EPA.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When people start investing in residential real estate, one of the biggest mistakes is neglecting the importance of solid property management.  We’ve said it before: Your property management team is your first line of defense. They are the best tool for maximizing your property’s performance and value. Without them, even a good investment can turn sour.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) announced Friday that it finally reached a settlement with the various homeowner groups that had been suing the trade group since 2019. The NAR will pay $418 million in damages and end some of its practices, including the language around commission sharing. https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/national-association-of-realtors-to-pay-418-million-and-remove-commission-standards-as-part-of-settlement  https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/the-housing-shortage-will-get-worse-in-2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s that time of year when you’re either super happy that your team made it to the big game, or you’re frustrated with your team’s performance throughout the season (such as my Panthers) or still recovering from a playoff blowout (I’m talking to you, Cowboy fans). Or you could be an Eagles fan and question your existence after what’s happened over the last 365 days (much to my delight). At any rate, life goes on, and only one team can win the trophy. What we do have more control over, though, is where we place our money in real estate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if we told you that you could use a credit card to pay the mortgages on your investment properties? And that you could earn points while doing so, which you could then use for free travel, down payments, or even for improving your ROIs? This is what the Bilt Rewards Mastercard could soon allow you to do. (We promise this isn’t an ad.) Bilt recently announced that the company raised an additional $200 million from investors, putting the company’s valuation at an impressive $3.1 billion. Bilt said in a recent statement that the fresh investment money ‘‘will fuel further expansion of the Bilt Rewards Alliance across multifamily, single-family, and student housing sectors nationwide.’’ More specifically, the company ‘‘plans to venture into mortgage payment rewards.’’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The multifamily and commercial real estate crash is in full swing. As much as $2.7 trillion in wealth has been wiped out with a historic surge in cap rates and plummeting asset values in the commercial real estate world, with multifamily and office leading the charge with estimated 30% and 35% peak-to-trough declines in asset value and even larger percentage declines in equity value. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The multifamily and commercial real estate crash is in full swing. As much as $2.7 trillion in wealth has been wiped out with a historic surge in cap rates and plummeting asset values in the commercial real estate world, with multifamily and office leading the charge with estimated 30% and 35% peak-to-trough declines in asset value and even larger percentage declines in equity value. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The multifamily and commercial real estate crash is in full swing. As much as $2.7 trillion in wealth has been wiped out with a historic surge in cap rates and plummeting asset values in the commercial real estate world, with multifamily and office leading the charge with estimated 30% and 35% peak-to-trough declines in asset value and even larger percentage declines in equity value. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The significance of earning passive income in today’s economy cannot be emphasized enough. Steady, reliable passive income serves as a cornerstone for achieving financial independence, offering a multitude of avenues for growth and prosperity.  A plethora of new passive income generation opportunities offered by innovative digital platforms have emerged in recent years. From real estate short notes to high-end art, the landscape is ripe with prospects waiting to be explored. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Choosing a real estate investment strategy can be challenging. There are risks no matter what avenue you choose, but understanding all options, including a ground lease, is important. A ground lease can be a good option for landlords or property owners who want prime locations, but not understanding what a ground lease is and how it works can be detrimental. We’ve broken down everything there is to know about the ground lease and what landlords and tenants must consider. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rental properties have been one of the largest real estate industry sectors to be hit by the increase in interest rates. Investor purchases of single-family homes tumbled 29% in 2023, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing data from Parcl Labs, a real estate data and analytics firm. Realtor.com concurred that last year saw the largest annual drop in investor buying activity in at least 20 years.  However, for those who can buy with cash or hold their nerve (and pay the mortgage) during the current cycle, now is an ideal time to strike a deal with sellers stranded by high rates. When rates eventually fall, investors will flood back to the market and prices will increase, allowing intrepid investors to refinance, looking like financial geniuses.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the beginning of 2023, we reported on the advent of #Airbnbust, a term coined by Amy Nixon and amplified by vacation property operators on social media to describe falling revenues per host due to a rapid increase in the supply of rental homes. Last July, we also dug into conflicting data that sparked a viral debate on whether the short-term rental market was crashing or reverting to normal.  Did the trending term correspond to an industry-wide shift in vacation rental performance that would put most rental property owners out of business? Or did it merely reflect the sentiment of eager, inexperienced hosts who fully expected the rapid growth in demand and average daily rates (ADRs) to keep pace without any impact to the supply side? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve been paying attention to news in the real estate sector, you will know that new construction has faced many challenges since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. From rising prices of construction materials to labor shortages and, most recently, high mortgage interest rates, the homebuilding industry has had more than its fair share of hard knocks. Indeed, homebuilder confidence dropped for three consecutive months in 2023.  And yet one of the most respected, successful investors out there invested in three big construction companies last year. Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway disclosed investments in D.R. Horton, Lennar, and NVR, with a total investment of $814 million. And that’s against Berkshire’s overall wait-and-see approach.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pittsburgh-based investor and house flipper John Walker of Turnkey Investment Properties and his business partner, Jim Auten, usually have around 10 flips on the go at any time. When rates were low, and business was booming, that number doubled. However, high rates and low inventory have seen many of their fellow flippers exit the market.  “It’s a case of the last man standing right now,” Walker says. According to recent Bank of America research, it’s a scenario played out across the country, with sellers staying put for fear of sacrificing a low mortgage interest rate. About 80% of outstanding U.S. mortgages are at interest rates below 5%. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the ever-changing landscape of the sharing economy, the concept of home sharing has undergone significant transformations. With the rise of short-term rental platforms like Airbnb, travelers and hosts alike embraced the idea of unique, short-term stays. However, the question that now looms large is whether the Airbnb dream is dead. While challenges persist, the evolution of the industry tells a different story—one of adaptation and innovation. Real estate investors, in particular, are exploring new avenues, with a growing interest in mid-term rentals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I often hear new investors ask: “What types of properties are the best? “What should I look for when evaluating rental properties?”  They are starting at the wrong point. As with any major venture, real estate investing starts with clarifying your goal. And every investment decision you make must align with your goals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new report from Redfin finds that 26% of investor purchases in Q4 2023 were in “low-cost” properties, up significantly from previous years. The increase comes as housing prices remain elevated and mortgage rates stay locked around the 7% range. Meanwhile, a new bill has entered committee in Congress, where senators are deliberating whether to set on track a new law that would tax real estate investors at a graduated rate on every new property that they purchase. We’ll cover both of these stories and why investors must pay close attention to this bill. https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/how-the-affordable-housing-and-homeownership-protection-act-will-impact-investors  https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/highest-share-of-investors-on-record-are-buying-low-value-homes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“You’re making too much money.” That’s what echoed in Missouri native Ryan Haywood’s ears after his boss decided to slash his commissions—a “sales haircut,” as it’s bitterly known in the industry.  This notion of being penalized for success was perplexing for Ryan. Out of all the downsides of his job—the after-hours calls from his boss that he was expected to answer, dealing with poor management, and working up to 80 hours a week—this pay cut was the last straw. He didn’t realize it at the time, but this setback was about to unveil a path that would lead his family toward the future that Ryan and his wife Megan had dreamt about. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As everyone knows by now, rising interest rates and low supply have been the most significant factors shaping the real estate market since 2022.  The Federal Reserve began raising key interest rates in March 2022 in response to skyrocketing inflation. Following the pandemic-era sharp rises in the cost of materials and products across several industries, inflation in the immediate aftermath shot to its highest levels in 40 years. To tackle these high inflation rates, the Fed raised rates 11 times between March 2022 and July 2023, from almost zero to 5.5%.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should you aim for diversification in your real estate investments? What about your stock investments? Oddly enough, many real estate investors never bother to ask that question. They just assume that all real estate investments require a lot of money and that each niche requires so much skill that you can only master one. They’re wrong on both counts, and it adds risk to their investment portfolio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

House hacking is often one of the first strategies that many new real estate investors use because it’s a simple way to live for free while your renters cover your mortgage payments. House hacking involves buying a single-family or multifamily property and renting out the units or rooms you aren’t occupying. If you are considering dipping your toes into real estate investing with this strategy, it’s important to consider the tax implications so you will know how much profit to report. Underreporting rental income on your taxes could cause problems for you later if you are audited. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Flipping houses can be extraordinarily profitable, which is one of the reasons why it’s a popular real estate investment strategy. You go in with a competitive bid, invest some funds making repairs and sprucing up the place, and then sell. It’s rewarding, and when done well, it can be extremely lucrative.  And while many people know about the potential expenses and risks that come with the actual acquisition, remodeling, and sale of house flipping, some investors are surprised to learn about the taxes involved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. real estate market appears indestructible, with home prices nationwide continuing to increase. The latest report from analytics company CoreLogic shows impressive growth of 5.2% year over year in November 2023. It’s not an anomaly, either—home prices grew 4.7% year over year in October 2023. CoreLogic’s projection is a steady home price growth throughout 2024, forecasting a 2.5% year-over-year increase in November 2024 compared to November 2023.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Real estate offers plenty of strategies to avoid taxes. However, many require you to jump through hoops, hire third parties to help you, and otherwise make your life harder.  This is why I use the “lazy 1031 exchange” strategy: no hoops, no hassles, no hiring custodians.  But before explaining what a “lazy 1031” is, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page about how standard 1031 exchanges work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Commercial real estate has had a few rough years, and it seems like things won’t be getting better anytime soon. The sector is set for a potential rise in defaults, as higher interest rates have increased the costs of refinancing.  And with $2.8 trillion due between now and 2028, more landlords could be feeling the crunch. According to data firm Trepp, commercial debt maturities are expected to balloon in the next few years. While many loans were extended or refinanced, the clock is slowly ticking for the CRE sector as those extensions are coming due.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a recent CNBC article, it was revealed that more than half of Americans earning over $100,000 a year live paycheck to paycheck. This eye-opening statistic highlights a fundamental truth: The road to wealth isn’t solely about income but depends significantly on transforming financial habits.  In this guide, we’ll debunk the oppressive notion of budgeting, offering a transformative process to fix money leaks, cultivate strategic spending habits, and execute consistently for financial improvement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Running a rental business comes with its fair share of headaches, but one upside is that just about every rental activity associated with buying, maintaining, and operating a rental property is tax-deductible. We’ll walk through a checklist so you remember to keep track of your actual expenses and get the maximum tax benefit.  At the end of the day, the logic is that you should only have to pay taxes on your profits, which is your rental income minus all of your expenses. That’s the number that will be entered on Schedule E when you file your taxes.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's headlines cover the growing trend of investors switching their strategies from short-term rentals to medium-term rentals as Airbnb shows signs of instability and growing competition on the platform that’s eating away at occupancy rates and overall profits. We’ll also talk about the multifamily real estate market, which has faced a $1.2 trillion loss in valuations since its peak. We’ll cover the full story on multifamily and how the market got to this point, plus the silver linings that could make sense for the right investor to deploy their capital. https://www.furnishedfinder.com/stats Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve been on TikTok recently—and perhaps even if you haven’t—you may have heard about the viral new concept of a ‘‘silent depression’’ that’s apparently overwhelming younger people in the U.S.  No, we’re not talking about the country’s mental health crisis. We’re talking about what a few TIkTokers are referring to as the dire economic reality facing ordinary people trying to make ends meet.  The term ‘‘silent’’ refers to the fact that, on the surface, the U.S. economy is doing well. We are not in a recession; unemployment rates are low. And yet, people struggle to afford the basics more than they did in the past. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drawing from my background in regulatory compliance for global financial institutions, I have developed an appreciation for the intent of regulations that strive to safeguard public interests.  Regulations are not limited to finance—as you may be aware, short-term rental (STR) laws are a hot topic. As cities aim to refine STR laws to suit their unique community needs, the landscape and laws continue to evolve.  In this article, I will share my experiences and offer actionable advice for navigating these changing regulatory environments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before discussing how to calculate the number of properties needed to replace your current income, understand that retirement is not a one-time event. Retirement requires rental income that will enable you to maintain your current standard of living for the rest of your life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Much recent news in real estate has centered on home prices, which appear to still be rising. But what about the profits from home sales?  The latest Year-End U.S. Home Sales Report from ATTOM paints a less rosy picture of what’s going on in the real estate market. In fact, it’s showing that home sales profits dropped for the first time in a decade in 2023. So what are the figures, and what do they mean for investors? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Got kids? Then, eventually, you’ll (most likely) also have college bills. And spoiler alert: They will be big.  While it’s certainly not a parental requirement, footing the college bill (or any part of it) and allowing your kids to graduate debt-free is an enormous gift—one of the biggest you can give your children. Conventional savings vehicles, like 529s, are amazing tax-free-withdrawal vehicles, but they’re not the only way to get to the finish line. You can also use your real investing superpower to build the college trove, and you don’t need to have started saving in utero (although that always helps) Here are two ways to fund college with real estate, whether you’re starting early or a little later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Choosing between commercial and residential real estate is a big decision for investors. If you choose the wrong strategy, you could be in over your head and potentially lose money.  We’ve created an investing in commercial real estate for beginners guide to help you understand what it means to invest in commercial real estate and what it requires. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With house flipping activity remaining high across the country, many investors are wrestling with this question: Is house flipping ethical? There are two sides to the argument, both of which we detail here.  The Quick Basics of House Flipping There is more to house flipping than what you see on television. It takes money, knowledge, and expertise to flip a home for a profit.  What is house flipping? House flipping involves purchasing real estate at a low price, renovating or refurbishing it, and then selling it for a profit. This process typically aims to complete these steps quickly to maximize return on investment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As an investor, you have many options when it comes to where you put your money. Day after day, whether you are driving to work or watching your favorite reality TV show, you’ll see advertisements telling you to invest in gold, stocks, digital currency, mutual funds, etc.  And because of those ads, people have become familiar with those types of investments. But very few people are familiar with trust deed investing, although it’s a form of investing as old as money itself.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As part of its goal to increase affordable mortgage access for homebuyers in the United States, Fannie Mae announced in December that it would accept attorney-opinion letters (AOLs) in place of title insurance with more mortgages. While AOLs have been allowed by the government-sponsored enterprise on select mortgages since 2022, the decision expands eligible mortgages to include condo units and properties with homeowners association (HOA) restrictions, potentially assisting more first-time homebuyers with the high costs of homeownership by trimming about $1,000 off their mortgage closing costs.  The Community Home Lenders of America expressed support for the alternative as a way to tackle homeownership affordability challenges. But the American Land Title Association (ALTA), the nation’s largest title insurance trade organization, has consistently pushed back against attempts to allow title insurance alternatives, citing gaps in protection for homeowners and lenders.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Goals provide us with direction and purpose, acting as the foundation for every significant endeavor. Your goals should be written down, but they don’t need to be lengthy or complex.  How to Get Started You can start with just the following items: Current situation: What is your current or anticipated financial capacity within a reasonable time frame? Get preapproved for an investor loan to determine your accessible credit limit. Financial end goal: Typically, this refers to an income goal, like earning $10,000 a month in today’s dollars. Time frame: The less time you have to reach your goal, the more initial capital and credit you will require. However, goals by themselves are not enough. Goals without an action plan are merely daydreams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you searching for your next big wealth-building strategy? Looking for ways to strengthen your portfolio? If so, it may be time to add passive investments to your portfolio if you haven’t already, specifically through turnkey.  Turnkey real estate is an increasingly popular option with a range of benefits, making it an appealing choice for individuals seeking passive income and long-term wealth accumulation. Typically speaking, a turnkey property is fully renovated and ready for immediate rental or occupancy, often managed by a property management company, either affiliated with your turnkey partner or a trusted third-party vendor.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite recent challenges in the commercial real estate space, one area has become surprisingly popular among institutional investors: retail. As demand for office space has declined, retail seems to have picked up, despite a tumultuous 2023. According to the Wall Street Journal, private investors snagged $1 billion more in retail assets than they sold in the third quarter of last year.  Predictions for retail over the coming year are strong, with many expecting retail to be a bright spot in an otherwise lackluster CRE space.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cash-out refinancing is pretty common in real estate investing. An investor will cash in on the equity they have on an existing property and then use those funds toward a down payment on their next property. Rinse and repeat. That complicated process may soon be unnecessary thanks to a new fintech company. Downpayments, a Miami-based financial tech startup, has come up with a way for investors to tap their existing property equity to buy new properties—no refinancing required. Here’s how it works and what investors need to know about it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been nearly four years since COVID-19 burst onto the global stage. We’ve returned to normal, but “normal” just doesn’t mean what it used to.   Domestically, Americans are feeling worn out. Social tensions are high and have been for a couple of decades. Conservatives and the right wing waste no time in blaming it on the commander-in-chief. Meanwhile, the left repeatedly insists not enough is being done by the government, pointing to healthcare, education, and housing as some of the issues where further intervention is needed. However, both parties largely fail to grasp the full scope of the issue, including its root cause: money, and specifically, global money. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 70% rule in real estate can be helpful when comparing properties and making a final determination on which one is the best investment. Understanding the ins and outs of this rule is imperative to using it to your advantage.  What Is the 70% Rule? The 70% rule is a formula commonly used by real estate investors as a barometer when purchasing distressed properties for a profit. The formula calculates the maximum amount to pay for a given property once two key factors—the after-repair value (ARV) and estimated repair costs (ERC)—are considered. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ATTOM’s Year-End 2023 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report shows that foreclosure activity increased last year from 2022 levels, but is this a cause for concern for investors?  The ATTOM report shows that foreclosure filings, which include default notices, auctions, and repossessions, stood at 357,062, up 10% from 2022 and 136% from 2021. These figures look much less alarming, however, when set in the context of pre-pandemic foreclosure levels. Foreclosure activity in 2023 was still 28% lower than it had been in 2019 and down a massive 88% from its peak in financial crisis-ravaged 2010.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In my previous article, we delved into the essential elements of development zoning. We explored key zoning designations such as R or C, critical parameters including setbacks, FAR, and building heights, strategies for enhancing density via affordable housing, the role of neighborhood ordinances, and the distinctions between by-right and discretionary review processes. In this article, we’ll delve into the crucial task of determining the development zoning for your project—an essential step to undertake before acquiring any development project. Mastering the intricacies of development zoning necessitates a strategic methodology, and we’ll unveil three pivotal strategies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’ve encountered the question “Should I buy or hold?” on several websites for several years. All I have seen are opinions such as “only hold a property for X years.” Here, I propose a simple process for deciding whether to sell or hold. First, what should you base your decision on? That’s simple: your investment goal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Buffalo, New York, will be 2024’s hottest housing market, according to a recent analysis by Zillow. While you may mainly know Buffalo as the place that regularly gets snowed in during the winter, it turns out that the city’s current combination of affordable homes, a thriving job market, and a multibillion-dollar federal regeneration project has produced market conditions every real estate investor should note.  Zillow’s report uses several metrics to determine which housing markets are currently on the rise. In a nutshell, it looks at two of the most powerful draws for new residents—affordable home prices and the number of new jobs—and then zooms in on how these favorable conditions translate into moving patterns. Once it’s clear that people are actively moving to an area to buy homes and form households, you have yourself a perfect housing hot spot.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is important for Real Estate investors to know this week? Managing Editor of the BiggerPockets Blog, Matt Myre is here today to share the top 3 headlines that Real Estate investors need to know about to make better investing decisions. We’ll cover a House bill that was passed last week that could potentially bring back 100% bonus depreciation if made into law, the “Silent Depression” that TikTokers are battling with economists over, and what the SEC is proposing for new accredited investor minimum qualifications and what that impact could mean for real estate investors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A traditional home refinance involves replacing an existing mortgage with a new loan to secure better terms or a lower interest rate. This process can reduce monthly payments, change the loan duration, and/or provide access to home equity for other expenses or investments. What Is a No Closing Cost Refinance? A no closing cost refinance is a type of mortgage refinancing where the lender covers upfront closing costs in exchange for a slightly higher interest rate on the new loan.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Things are shaping up for homebuilders. In fact, one big name in the industry is projecting that 2024 will mark the “golden age” for homebuilding, thanks to falling mortgage rates and frozen existing home supply, among other factors. David O’Reilly, CEO of megalith developer Howard Hughes Corp., told CNBC last week, “We’re going to have the golden age of new home construction” in 2024, even calling the new home market “extraordinary” in its current form. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve been reading the BiggerPockets Blog for any length of time now, you’ll have noticed that the Midwest has often been named as one of the best places to invest in real estate right now. It offers reasonable home and rental prices and stable job markets in major cities. The result is a buoyant housing market that has so far avoided the post-pandemic slump seen in other areas. But what if we told you that, while all this is true, the Midwest is also the most at-risk area for flood damage over the next 20 years—with all the related consequences: abandoned communities, dropping house prices, and rising insurance costs that will make homes less attractive for both buyers and investors? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, 2023 has been another wild year in commercial real estate. The headlines continue to scream trouble for CRE. Many are getting increasingly fantastic.  Some friends are asking me, “So…I hear it’s pretty tough in commercial real estate right now. How are you doing?” You may have wondered the same thing.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’m really a pretty nice guy. I’ve met hundreds of you in person and spoken to a few thousand more prospects/investors by phone or on Zoom. So, hopefully, most of you agree.  But as I write this, I’m a bit miffed. You see, our Wellings Capital team is like family. We love and care for each other. So, I hate to see anyone on our team taken advantage of. But it feels like that’s what happened here.  Our team recently spent over five weeks heads-down on what should have been a straightforward preferred equity investment. I did the due diligence trip in the fall. It was a beautiful mobile home park, and we were eager to add it to our investment portfolio.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The commercial real estate market has been faced with headwinds for years, and 2024 may not be any different. With weak growth in the sector and a high interest rate environment that has pushed the cost of ownership to new heights, the CRE space is expected to continue falling in value this year. In fact, property values could fall another 10% after falling 11% last year, according to Capital Economics’ deputy chief property economist Kiran Raichura. He sees growth softening “as the industrial rent boom gives way to more ‘normal’ growth rates and apartment rents flatline,” he wrote.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The commercial real estate market has been faced with headwinds for years, and 2024 may not be any different. With weak growth in the sector and a high interest rate environment that has pushed the cost of ownership to new heights, the CRE space is expected to continue falling in value this year. In fact, property values could fall another 10% after falling 11% last year, according to Capital Economics’ deputy chief property economist Kiran Raichura. He sees growth softening “as the industrial rent boom gives way to more ‘normal’ growth rates and apartment rents flatline,” he wrote.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Investing in real estate can be a great way to generate wealth, but it isn’t for everyone. For one, the term ‘‘passive income’’ really does not describe real estate investing accurately.  Becoming an investor is a much more hands-on process than just buying a house and renting it out. All the maintenance and potential issues with tenants will become your responsibility. And if you want to grow your portfolio to multiple properties, the responsibilities will grow exponentially.  The time and effort required simply isn’t realistic for someone who already has a full-time job, for example, or existing family commitments. On the other hand, some people would like to invest in real estate but just don’t have the cash. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You’re undoubtedly wondering what the answer to this question is. I was, too. As a due diligence partner for over 800 investors, we think about risks all the time. Since our default is to say no, we probably think about risks more than most people do.  In The Road Less Stupid, author Keith Cunningham says (I’m paraphrasing):  Rookie investors: “How much can I make?” Seasoned investors: “How much can I lose?” Professional investors: “Can I afford to lose that much? We believe the best investors think about risk more than return.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Embarking on a ground-up development project may seem like a monumental task, but the opportunity to build something entirely new makes it one of the most exhilarating ventures in real estate. But, at the heart of any successful development analysis lies a thorough understanding of zoning. This guide will dissect the key facets, from general zoning classifications to intricate parameters such as height restrictions, setbacks, unit density, and the critical interplay of community incentives and neighborhood ordinances. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The vast majority of real estate investors get into the industry to pursue passive cash flow. Unfortunately, over the last several years, finding deals with strong cash flow has become a challenge. However, there are still plenty of markets in the U.S. that continue to offer cash flow potential.  Below, I provide what I believe to be the top 10 markets in the United States for cash flow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you considering listing your property on Airbnb? Understanding how much an Airbnb host can make before listing your property as a short-term rental (STR) is crucial. Factors affecting profitability include Airbnb fees, property maintenance, occupancy rates, and location. With fierce competition in the Airbnb rental market, understanding these factors is crucial for increasing your rental income potential.  Getting started as an Airbnb host can be a great way to earn passive income. While some hosts make substantial profits, regular rental income is not guaranteed. What can you do to run a successful vacation rental business on Airbnb? Here are nine key factors that can impact your income potential.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Redfin’s November rent report is out, showing that median rent prices declined by 2.1% year over year. This is the biggest decline since 2020, and renters nationwide will breathe a sigh of relief. Landlords and investors? Perhaps not so much, although there are regional variations that are worth exploring if you’re planning on investing in real estate in 2024.  Asking rent prices have been dropping steadily since May 2022, when the median U.S. rental price shot up to above $2,000 per month. At that point, rents were growing at a monstrous rate of 15% year over year as a result of the pandemic-induced scarcity of available rental homes.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Real estate investors have many opportunities to invest in real estate and potentially earn a profit. Sometimes, though, you want that guarantee that you’ll be able to sell the home and have an exit strategy. While there are very few guarantees in real estate, a rent-to-own contract may be just what you need. So what is rent-to-own, and how does it work? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2004, I was living in NYC when I decided to start a new career. To identify potential business opportunities, I thought about some of the more frustrating experiences I’d had. I quickly narrowed the list to buying investment properties. The problem was that all real estate agents could do was send me MLS data sheets for the properties I selected; no analytics, processes, or services. I had to do everything myself. This was time-consuming, and I made frustrating mistakes that cost me time and money to correct later.  So, there was a business opportunity. Now, I need to know where to create this business (not New York or New Jersey). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Borrowing a mortgage is a big responsibility. When you’re an investor, lenders take serious precautions to ensure you can afford it, but many borrowers still default. A mortgage default can greatly hurt your credit and future chances of purchasing real estate, even for your own use. So what is a mortgage default, and how does it work?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Knowing what to look for when buying a rental property will save you time and money while reducing stress. In this article, we outline seven considerations that you can’t afford to overlook. Consideration 1: Location Location, location, location is consideration No. 1 when buying a rental property.  Is the property close to amenities such as shopping? How about public transportation? What about local schools? Is the area safe? Is it family-friendly?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you buy a rental property, you do so with one goal in mind: to generate a positive return on investment (ROI). So, What Is a Good ROI on Rental Property? A good ROI on rental property typically ranges from 6% to 10%, although this can vary with location, property type, and market conditions. In some areas, ROIs over 12% are possible, while in expensive urban locations, a 4% to 6% ROI may still be favorable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every real estate investor wants to know if there’ll be a housing market downturn in 2024. But perhaps a better question to ask, now and always, is: “Which local markets are most at risk of a downturn?”  Regional variations consistently play a part in any housing market analysis or forecast. And now we have the most up-to-date Special Housing Risk Report from real estate data provider ATTOM.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For all the recent talk about a possible interest rate easing in 2024 and the low likelihood of a severe recession, people are still feeling pessimistic. The Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index for November is out, and it paints a general picture of low confidence among both homebuyers and home sellers.  As interest rates began to climb in 2022, consumer confidence in the housing market began to plummet, reaching their lowest levels by late 2022. Confidence stabilized somewhat in 2023 but quickly reached what Fannie Mae is calling a ‘‘low-level plateau.’’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all occasionally fall victim to fallacies—assumptions or beliefs that just aren’t true.  Consider a deceptively simple logic puzzle known as the Monty Hall problem: You’re presented with three doors, behind one of which is a prize, and you have to guess the door. Before revealing the answer, the game show host makes your life easier by eliminating one of the wrong answers and asks you if you want to change your guess. Should you change it? Most people shrug and say, “At that point, it’s 50/50, so I’d just keep my guess the same.” This is the wrong answer: You should switch your guess because the other door has two-thirds odds of being correct.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is important for Real Eatate investors to know this week? Managing Editor of the BiggerPockets Blog, Matt Myre is here today to share the top 3 headlines that Real Estate investors need to know about to make better investing decisions. We will cover the Top Cash flow markets in 2024, How Reitement through Real Estate has changed and why, and we will get into how the new Fannie Mae 5% downpayment really impacts investors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most homeowners bought their homes at mortgage rates that were lower than today’s, and that’s caused what’s known as the “lock-in effect.” Homeowners are hesitant to give up their cheap mortgages, which is suppressing available inventory. Low inventory has kept home prices from falling significantly, even as homebuyer demand fell due to rate hikes.  With mortgage rates down more than one percentage point since their peak in October, the housing market is starting to show signs of rebounding demand. But at what point will the lock-in effect break? And what will happen to housing prices if it does?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Low-cost properties are appealing because you can acquire and generate income with less initial capital. However, they are actually the most expensive way to achieve and maintain financial freedom. Here’s why. What Determines Prices and Rents? Real estate prices and rents are driven by supply and demand. When the number of sellers equals or exceeds the number of buyers consistently, property prices remain low. If prices do increase, the rise will be gradual. Furthermore, when prices are low, more people can afford to buy, leading to fewer renters. This results in stagnant or slowly increasing rents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inflation broadly impacts the overall economy, causing the prices of goods and services to rise. This can have rippling effects across various sectors, including the real estate market.  Real estate investors, homebuyers, and home sellers need to understand how inflation impacts the real estate market. This can help them make the best decisions when buying and selling real estate.  We’re here to explain what causes inflation, its impact on real estate, and how real estate investors can benefit even when inflation is high. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Owning a property doesn’t mean you automatically have rights to it. If someone can claim they’ve squatted on the property for many years and you did nothing about it, they may take possession of it with adverse possession laws. So what is adverse possession, and how do you avoid it?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices