The Big Picture On How To Buy A Fixer-Upper Fixer-uppers are properties that need a little TLC before being ready for occupancy or sale.  Buying fixer-uppers presents investors with several notable advantages, like the potential of a massive payday. However, the strategy also comes with its own set of risks, like losing on the investment.  Investors have several options for financing, including Fannie Mae, USDA, VA loans, and others like hard money and private money loans.  Disclaimer The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and sh ..read more

The Big Picture On The Real Estate Cycle: Understanding the real estate market cycle is an important guide for informed investment decisions.  Investors should focus on generating positive cash flow during recessions or uncertainties as a safer strategy, rather than relying on market appreciation. Using less leverage is recommended to minimize risk during market downturns, which allows investors to maintain stability and control over their investments.  Disclaimer The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as l ..read more

The Big Picture On The BRRRR Method: The BRRRR method (buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat) is an effective strategy used for building real estate portfolio rapidly.  Like with anything, the BRRRR method comes with its own set of risks and advantages. That said, there are only a handful of strategies that can build portfolio faster than BRRRR.  Certain subset of investors, like ones that aren’t necessarily stoked with real estate rehabilitation as an investment thesis, may be better off with other strategies.  Disclaimer The information provided on this website is for gener ..read more

The Big Picture On How To Find Properties Before They Hit The Market: Finding properties before they get listed on MLS can significantly benefit real estate investors. These properties are often cheaper, and the owners are more open to negotiation. Real estate investors can utilize several strategies to find properties before they hit the market. These include driving for dollars, building your network, contacting real estate agents, and staying updated on the news.  Make sure to scrutinize unlisted or expired properties to cover all your bases. Remember, good deals don’t just fall on ..read more

The Big Picture On The Cheapest Real Estate In The United States: West Virginia tops the list of where the cheapest real estate in the US can be found. Real estate investors have a lot of reasons why they should consider investing in cheap real estate, like getting into a market that lacks affordable housing, taking advantage of demand, and riding out the income and employment growth of the chosen area. There are risks with investing in cheap real estate in the US—otherwise known as the reasons why real estate is cheap there in the first place. Investors need to be vigilant about these ..read more

The Big Picture On Fair Housing Lawsuits: There’s a notable increase in fair housing lawsuits across the nation, reflecting heightened vigilance and readiness to challenge discriminatory practices within the housing sector through legal avenues. Recent legislative changes and regulatory adjustments significantly influence these trends. Changes in the legal framework, both at the federal and state levels, play a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of fair housing litigation. There’s a critical need for landlords and property managers to stay informed and compliant with fair housing laws. Fa ..read more

The Big Picture On CapEx For Landlords: Capital expenditures are significant investments for maintaining and improving your rental property’s long-term value.  Disregarding capex in your forecasting and budgeting can lead to some very ugly consequences, the chief of which is negative cash flow.  Landlords can employ several tactics to ensure that capex and even operational expenses don’t disrupt their cash flow.  Disclaimer The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or investment advic ..read more

The Big Picture On How Much To Charge For Rental Application Fees For Each State: Different states have different laws regarding rental application fee limits. Some states do not have limits, while others, like New York and California, have stated limits and other requirements. No limits don’t mean that landlords can charge what they want, though.  Landlords need to be aware of the proper way to charge reasonable rental application fees. Failing to do so may result in a complaint or a lawsuit.  Steps to avoid lawsuits and complaints include open communication and transparency, not ..read more

The Big Picture On Should You Rent To College Students: Renting properties to college students near universities is an attractive real estate investment.  Advantages of renting to college students include higher potential income, higher occupancy rates, co-signer safety nets, and potential property appreciation.  Disadvantages include inexperienced renters, a high likelihood of damages, annual turnovers, extended vacancies, and fierce competition. Landlords should maximize their investments and apply certain strategies to make sure they get the most out of their real estate rentals ..read more

The Big Picture On How To Invest In Real Estate With Self-Directed IRA: You can invest in almost any type of real estate by opening a self-directed IRA with a custodian. It’s much easier to invest in passive real estate investments (such as real estate syndications or crowdfunding investments) with an SDIRA than buying properties directly.  If you finance a rental property bought under an SDIRA, only part of the property qualifies for tax benefits.  Disclaimer The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal ..read more