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

Did you know real estate investing doesn’t only refer to single-family homes? When done right, investing in mobile homes can be a profitable way to add to your real estate portfolio. Check out everything you must know about mobile home investing to see if it’s right for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the years, a slew of reality TV shows that glamorize the real estate industry have popped up on networks like HGTV and Netflix. But just how realistic are they? To find out, we evaluated eight popular shows that may appeal to investors. While most are focused on redesign efforts and fail to consider the practical aspects of investing, a few offer realistic tips and relatable challenges that make them worth watching.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) offers an incredible mortgage program that makes homeownership more affordable. Eligible borrowers can expect no down payment or closing costs, attractive terms, and hand-holding throughout the entire process. Here’s everything you must know about the NACA mortgage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In March 2021, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said, “[T]hese one-time increases in prices are likely to have only transient effects on inflation.” From then on, “transitory inflation” became the phrase of the year in economics, with high hopes that once the initial supply chain shocks and government stimulus after the onset of the pandemic wore off, inflation would return to its regular scheduled programming and maybe even deflate. It turns out, however, that trillions of new dollars in stimulus and slashing interest rates to near-zero for a prolonged period of time did not make inflation “transitory.” Instead, it became a new chapter for the economy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new law has already taken effect, yet nobody is talking about it. And if you own real estate through an LLC or another entity, it already applies to you. This new law is the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). But what exactly is the CTA? And what does it require real estate investors to do? Let’s walk through these new requirements. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re heading into the new year, and the 2024 real estate forecast looks bright. With this promising prediction in mind, here is some in-depth analysis that will unveil the key trends and factors contributing to the positive outlook. If you’re navigating or learning to navigate the evolving landscape of real estate investment and homeownership, join us as we provide the strategic insights you’ll need on your journey.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the real estate landscape continues to evolve, landlords are faced with the challenge of adapting to the preferences and expectations of the emerging generation of renters: Generation Z. Born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, Gen Z is characterized by its tech-savvy nature, social consciousness, and desire for convenience.  To successfully navigate this changing demographic, landlords must embrace innovative strategies that cater to the unique needs and preferences of Gen Z renters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a homeowner, figuring out the best way to access your home equity can be a complicated process, full of complicated jargon, long processes, scary waits for appraisals, and potentially expensive hidden costs.  Here’s a look at the tradeoff between HELOCs and cash-out refinances—the two most common and popular ways to tap into your home equity while maintaining and keeping the ownership of your home.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2023, it’s been off to the races as everyone pondered: What will climb higher, faster—mortgage rates or home prices? Typically, the two work inversely and help offset one another, but in an unprecedented circumstance, both mortgage rates hit record highs as housing prices continued to swell. However, nearing the end of 2023, the race’s direction seems to be slowing and taking a turn, as mortgage rates have trended downwards and quickly.  This series of events begs the question: Will real estate still be a worthwhile, inflation-proof investment in 2024? Short of shaking our Magic 8 Ball, we’ll look at informative statistics and review what experts expect moving forward. That way, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about whether to invest in real estate in the coming year. (Spoiler alert: It’s looking good, and you’ll soon see why.)  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Airbnb’s 2023 Winter Release is making waves. Promising an improved, more satisfying guest experience for browsing listings and booking stays, the platform is also poised to shake up every host vying for visibility, bookings, and profitability.   The release includes several expected enhancements, plus a few surprises. Some features place the guest at center stage, designed to help consumers understand exactly what to expect before they book. Other tools are built to help hosts improve their listings and better manage their back-end businesses. All are billed by Airbnb as a win-win. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you buy or sell property, a deed transfer takes place. A deed is a legal document that proves you have ownership in a piece of property.  Sometimes, properties may not have a clear title or line of ownership. If a property has any issues with its title, an owner may choose to provide a quitclaim deed. These deeds are also referred to as quick claim deeds because the transfer of property can happen much faster using this type of deed.  This guide will explain everything you need to know about the quitclaim deed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Foreclosure” can be an ominous word in real estate, and the process can feel a little murky, since it varies from state to state. Savvy real estate investors should understand foreclosures in case they face foreclosure themselves or are interested in the investment opportunity foreclosed properties offer.  This guide will explain what is a foreclosure, steps you can take to prevent a foreclosure, and how foreclosed properties can be part of your real estate investing strategy.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The typical advice investors are given is that the fall-winter season is a great time to buy real estate. The narrative goes like this:  Families are done house hunting for the season because they don’t want to disrupt the school year. The homes that didn’t sell during peak season are likely to be discounted by increasingly nervous sellers.  Shrewd investors can get great deals on real estate.  Does this seasonal pattern really still apply to the current housing market?  If we dig a little deeper into what’s really going on with the post-pandemic real estate market, we’ll see that things have changed. Autumn and winter 2023 will look different for investors for a number of reasons, and this change is likely to be long-lasting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Exploring financial strategies in homeownership often leads to considering a cash-out refinance, among other options. This article sheds light on its potential advantages and pitfalls, helping you make well-informed decisions tailored to your financial objectives. What Is a Cash-Out Refinance? In real estate, refinancing is the process of replacing an existing mortgage with a brand-new one with more favorable terms.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you want to maximize real estate investment returns, diversify your portfolio, and build wealth? The secret is to use leverage in real estate investing.  Leverage is a valuable tool that uses other people’s money to buy property. This strategy allows you to find more lucrative investment opportunities while protecting your liquid assets. It gives you endless possibilities to purchase real estate with little or no money down.  Real estate investment is popular because of its potential for high returns. However, the concept of leverage can be tricky for new real estate investors to learn. And, like any investment strategy, leverage has its benefits and risks. Therefore, understanding how leverage works is key to making wise investment decisions. This article explains what leverage in real estate is and how you can use it to your advantage. This knowledge can help maximize return on investment (ROI) and achieve your financial goals. So, whether you’re a seasoned investor or just getting started, read on to gain a deeper understanding of the power of leverage in real estate.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Housing starts are one of the most crucial indicators for monitoring the nation’s economic health. Understanding the dynamics of housing starts is essential for real estate investors because it offers valuable insights into current market conditions, including how ready people are to buy, build, move, and more. This article delves into the world of housing starts, including their role in the economy, what economic factors influence them, how to monitor them, and their significance to the industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s no secret that housing has gotten extremely expensive in the United States, both in terms of buying and renting. Indeed, the same trend has taken place throughout the Western world. Housing affordability has become one of the greatest challenges facing governments worldwide. And it’s perfectly understandable that people find this issue important and want it addressed. To address the affordability of housing, many restrictions have been passed throughout the United States on landlords, most of which either won’t help or will actually make the problem worse. Unfortunately, one of the proposed solutions is one that has been proven to fail time and time again: rent control. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adding passive income sources to your investments is a key way to grow your wealth.  While investing directly in real estate is a great way to diversify your portfolio, passive investments are key to growing your wealth further. Two commonly compared options are real estate syndication vs. REIT. Understanding the two and their differences is important when deciding how to invest your capital. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I recently visited Machu Picchu, and a fellow hiker asked me what I do for work. I explained that I run a real estate investment club and that we pool small amounts of money to collectively buy fractional shares in large apartment complexes. She furrowed her brow and replied, “But why would I need to bother with all that private equity stuff? I’m already diversified into real estate with REITs in my brokerage account.”  I cringed at her use of the word “diversified.” Because for all the benefits of real estate investment trusts—and there are many—they don’t do the one thing that most investors think they do.  They don’t provide much diversification from your stock portfolio.  But I’m getting ahead of myself.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You can add renovation costs to a conventional mortgage, but only when you’re using a conventional cash-out refinance.  If you’re doing a cash-out refinance on an existing home, you can withdraw additional funds on top of your existing mortgage balance. This will give you a new conventional mortgage that replaces your existing one and allows you to access funds from your equity that can be used for renovations.  While you can add renovation costs to a conventional mortgage with a cash-out refinance, there are other options to consider that may be better suited to your needs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you have a home warranty? In the world of homeownership, some people want to have peace of mind regarding things like home repairs. Real estate investors can choose whether to carry a home warranty versus something like homeowner’s insurance, which is required. Whether you’re a new real estate investor or a seasoned one, understanding the ins and outs of home warranties can make all the difference in preserving your home’s value and minimizing unexpected expenses.  In this article, we’ll take a look at what exactly a home warranty is, the benefits, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Understanding how deeds work is vitally important for every real estate investor. There are several different kinds of deeds, and the type you get when you buy a property may affect whether you have recourse if there are any future claims. A clause in the deed may also limit what you can do with your property or require you to allow other property owners to cross your property to access theirs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has admitted that the short-term rental company is in over its head and needs “to get our house in order.” The company scaled very fast, very quickly, and did not build up its systems to match, he said.   “To use a precise metaphor, it’s kind of like we never fully built the foundation. Like, we had a house, and it had four pillars when we needed to have 10,” Chesky told Bloomberg. The platform recently rolled out several new features to patch up the cracks in its foundation, but will it be enough to keep the short-term rental site going? Or is it a signal of bigger changes to come for the industry that could trickle down to real estate investors?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Title insurance is one of the most important ways to protect your real estate investment, although deciding whether lender and owner policies are necessary can be challenging.  If you end up with a property with a defective title and don’t have title insurance, you risk losing the house and/or thousands of dollars, depending on the situation. We’ve uncovered the truth about title insurance and answered the question, “What is title insurance?” We’re here to help you understand the difference between lender’s and owner’s policies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve paid any attention to the news, it can seem like the world is turning upside down. The war in Ukraine still rages, Israel is now in a full-fledged conflict with Hamas, which is purportedly backed by Iran, and there’s tremendous economic uncertainty still putting investors on edge. While some of these events can feel like they are a world away, one in particular will be felt right here at home and may directly impact your real estate portfolio. And that event is the recent removal of Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Purchasing property is exciting, but it’s a legal process, too.  A major part of buying a property is taking title to the property. But house titles aren’t the legal document most people think they are. Keep reading to discover what is a house title. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a real estate investor, eminent domain is something you should know about. If you own property in an area that the government needs for a road expansion, fire station, railway, or something else that benefits the public, it may be legally taken from you, whether you want to sell or not. If you receive an eminent domain notice, however, you do have the right to due process. You may be able to contest the offer or demonstrate to the court that there are reasonable alternatives to the taking of your property. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The market may not be ideal, but according to a new survey, most real estate investors are feeling good about it as we hurtle toward 2024. RCN Capital’s fall investor sentiment survey shows that nearly three in four investors think market conditions are better or at least the same as this time last year. Another three-quarters believe the market will either improve or hold steady for the next six months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For many years, rental properties have been one of the best (and most popular) ways to generate passive income. However, before you go down this path, it’s important to understand the finer details of investing. The knowledge you collect upfront will improve the likelihood of a positive experience.  So are rental properties a good investment for you? Let’s find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices