My Smart Cousin

THE INVESTOR’S GUIDE TO BUYING MULTIPLE RENTAL PROPERTIES

Some people think that buying a rental property is only for the wealthy. But this couldn’t be further from the truth!  You don’t have to be wealthy to invest in real estate – you just need to be smart about it and follow through on your intentions. The first plank in your strategy is to Buy a house for the price of a car! If you focus on buying multiple low-cost, high-value rental properties, you can create a great stream of income for yourself. To start you on your investment journey, select an able coach who has traveled this road many times. MY SMART COUSIN, a Real Estate Investment Coach and investor who has bought dozens of houses for the price of a car, and in some cases, the price of a bicycle, specializes in guiding and directing investors and aspiring homeowners, particularly Black and Brown folks and women, in buying properties. Our coaches know how exciting and also unnerving taking your first crucial steps can be.  We help you develop and implement a plan that meets both your investment and financial independence goals by creating a roadmap with milestones and personalized guidance every step of the way. Building a portfolio that comprises multiple properties offers several benefits. It allows you to multiply your profits, and just as importantly, it enables you to build scale and stabilize your earnings through diversification. As with any venture, there are a few key things to keep in mind when making this type of investment. In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know before buying several rental properties. Whether you’re just starting or are looking to expand, read on for tips and advice! WHAT IS AN INVESTMENT PROPERTY, AND WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF OWNING ONE? An investment property is a real estate property— be it residential or commercial, or a vacant lot or move-in-ready house— that has been purchased to earn a return on the investment through rental income, the future resale of the property at an appreciated value, or both. Investment properties typically are not primary residences or second homes— although you are able to earn rental income from both— which can make it harder for investors to secure financing. However, investment properties can offer the opportunity to earn a return through both long-term rental leases and short-term ones.  Before selling an investment property, consult with a financial or tax advisor as selling an investment property might trigger capital gains taxes, depending on the sales price. beylikdüzü escort bayan, gaziantep escort, ataköy escort, esenyurt escort, seks hikayesi, kayseri escort, şişli escort, beylikdüzü escort, There are many benefits to owning an investment property, including the potential for appreciation, the ability to generate income, and the potential to make a profit when selling the property. However, there are also risks associated with investing in real estates, such as the possibility of declining property values, the risk of damage to the property, and the potential for tenant default. As with any investment, it is important to do your homework before making a purchase. HOW TO START PURCHASING MULTIPLE RENTAL PROPERTIES THE RIGHT WAY Buying multiple rental properties can be a great way to build wealth, but it takes careful planning and financing. Here are a few tips to get you started: ·  DEFINE YOUR PURPOSE: Your first and most important step is to determine your objectives for your multiple rental properties.  Defining your goals upfront will help you make investment decisions along the way. For instance, if your objective is to hold the properties long-term and sell them after 15 years or longer, then your investment criticaría for your properties will differ from those used for a buy and flip. Alternatively, if you’re seeking passive cash flow with an emphasis on don’t-lift-a-finger passive, then you’ll want to engage a property manager.  As the old saying goes, if you don’t know where you’re going, then any road will take you there.  Once you know what you want, it’ll be easier to map out a plan to get there. ·  FINANCING OPTIONS: You don’t need to have a ton of cash on hand to buy rental properties. There are several ways to finance your investment, such as taking out a loan or partnering with other investors. Leveraging someone else’s money can help you buy more property than you could on your own, and it can also help reduce your overall risk. ·  FIND A REALTOR WHO FOCUSES ON INVESTORS: Ready to start building your portfolio of rental properties? Talk to an investment-focused real estate agent in your area to get started. They can help you find investment properties that fit your budget and goals. They can also help you narrow in on the best way to finance your purchase. Taking the first step today will put you on the path to achieving your long-term goals. · FIND A MORTGAGE BROKER OR HARD MONEY LENDER: A mortgage broker or hard money lender who can lay out the steps to prequalify for financing can help you identify and secure funding early on. They can also assist you in finding the best loan products for your needs. ·  COLLATERAL: If you already own one or more rental properties, you can use them as collateral to finance the purchase of additional properties. This will allow you to leverage your existing investment and increase your return on investment. ·  CONSIDER A PARTNERSHIP: If you’re not ready to finance multiple properties on your own, consider partnering with another investor. This will allow you to pool your resources and reduce your risk. With careful planning and execution, buying multiple rental properties can be a great way to build wealth. However, it’s important to do your homework and understand the risks involved before making any decisions. TIPS FOR MANAGING YOUR RENTALS EFFECTIVELY As a landlord, you have a lot of responsibility. Not only do you need to make sure your property is well-maintained, but you also need to make sure you’re complying with municipal, county, state and federal regulations. Additionally, you need to be proactive about

WHAT ARE THE WAYS HOME BUYERS CAN AVOID CLOSING COSTS       

When you’re buying a home, the last thing you want to worry about is closing costs. But unless you’re paying in cash, they’re inevitably going to be part of your purchase price.  So how can you minimize them? Not everyone knows this, but you can Buy a house for the price of a car. At MY SMART COUSIN, we help investors and aspiring homeowners, particularly Black and Brown folks and women, scale their finances and build up wealth by investing in Real estate. As a Real Estate Investment Coach, we specialize in teaching you how to Buy a house for the price of a car and obtain the pride and momentum of starting your real estate investment business or fulfilling your dream of homeownership. Purchasing a house comes with many expenses, but there are ways to minimize the various costs, including closing costs. One often-overlooked way is to negotiate the price of the house down to effectively cover the fees. Another is to investigate programs in your city, county, or state that provide grants and mortgage buydowns that cover the closing costs for first-time homeowners. Let’s continue reading to learn more!  WHAT ARE REAL ESTATE CLOSING COSTS? The fees that one pays to the mortgage lender for originating and providing the mortgage are termed closing costs. When you buy a new home, there are many costs involved in the closing process. These include paying your mortgage lender’s fee for structuring and financing your mortgage, taxes on property deeds that will be recorded when it changes hands at the end of the purchase agreement period (also known as “due-on Sale”), appraisal fees for the property, and title search fees which help ensure that the title is properly recorded and any liens against it are identified and satisfied. Your local government may charge additional fees such as for a certificate of occupancy, or if architectural or engineering modifications will be made. When it comes right down to it, it’s hard to say precisely what real estate closing costs include or exclude because there is no standardization. The fees you pay your lender will depend on many factors including your lender’s profit targets and how strong or slow demand is. That said, generally, closing costs include the following: ·      Home appraisal fee ·      Loan origination fee ·      Application fee ·      Credit report fee ·      Title search fee ·      Lender’s title insurance ·      Owner’s title insurance ·      Monitoring fees ·     Tax monitoring fee and tax status research fee ·      Survey ·      Attorney and notary fees ·      Government recording fee ·      Transfer taxes ·      Escrow property taxes ·      Prepaid daily interest charges ·      Mortgage insurance HOW TO REDUCE CLOSING COSTS In today’s hot housing market, it’s very difficult to eliminate closing costs through having the seller, for instance, pay for them in full. There are, however, a few ways that homebuyers can reduce their closing cost tab. Here are a few tips on how to make it happen.  SHOP AROUND FOR A GOOD MORTGAGE RATE The mortgage process is a negotiation, and for that, you need to start with your lender. Shop around to find an offer without any closing costs- most of which can be negotiable! For instance, if you have your checking account, savings account, and credit cards from one bank, don’t expect that bank to necessarily provide you with the best deal.  Certainly give your home bank the benefit of the doubt and offer them the opportunity to compete for your business, but spend time researching other lenders as well. Your objective is to line up your roster of potential lenders and compare each on a cost component by cost component basis. This will ensure that there are no hidden fees and that you’re able to negotiate each element of your closing costs. · ASK THE SELLER TO PAY SOME OF YOUR CLOSING COSTS If you are purchasing a home from a seller who is anxious to sell, or are buying a house that has very few interested buyers, then consider asking the seller to pay some of your closing costs. This could include paying for attorney fees and title insurance, which are necessary when buying a home in most cases (but not always). ·  GET PRE-APPROVED FOR A MORTGAGE BEFORE YOU START SHOPPING FOR HOMES Shopping for a home is an exciting process, but it can be overwhelming too if you don’t know what to look out for. One of the most important things that anyone looking at buying their first house needs is pre-approval letters from banks or other financial institutions.  A mortgage lender issues a pre-approval letter only after determining that your credit history and budget fit within their lending profile and options. A pre-approval letter can save you money in the closing process because it minimizes the possibility of last-minute and often unexplained fees to be added to your loan or required at settlement. · ASK YOUR LENDER TO SCHEDULE YOUR CLOSING DATE AT THE END OF THE MONTH A closing date that is scheduled for the end of the month rather than one in the middle or beginning of the month can reduce the amount of cash required at closing.  This is because the interest portion of your closing costs will only amount to a day or two of interest if you close at the end of the month rather than at the beginning. ·   DON’T BUY POINTS IF YOU WON’T BE STAYING IN YOUR HOUSE LONG TERM A point on your loan equals one percent of your mortgage. Meaning, that if your mortgage is $200,000, then one point is a $2,000 cost.  Lenders will sometimes suggest that they can reduce your mortgage rate by having you buy points. The costs for points, however, have to be paid at settlement, which increases your closing costs.  Also, if you only intend to live in your house for a few years, you won’t be able to benefit from the lower mortgage rate long enough to make up the cost of the points.  ·  VARIOUS GOVERNMENTS PROGRAMS  Look into municipal, county, and state government programs, which are often targeted at first-time homebuyers.  Such programs offer a range of benefits including

BENEFITS OF HOMEOWNERSHIP YOU MAY HAVE NEVER CONSIDERED

You may have heard that buying a home is a great investment. And it is true: over time, homes usually appreciate. But what if you could Buy a house for the price of a car? Buying a house for an exceptionally low price is among one of many benefits of homeownership that you may not have considered. At MY SMART COUSIN, we are dedicated to being your most trustworthy Real Estate Investment coach. We are dedicated to and laser-focused on raising your awareness about real estate investment strategies. We support all aspiring homeowners and investors, and particularly Black and Brown folks and women, in helping them to scale their finances and Buy a house for the price of a car.  Are you considering buying a home? If so, you may be wondering about the benefits of homeownership. While there are plenty of reasons to buy a home, some of the benefits may surprise you. Here are a few advantages of homeownership that you may not have considered. BUYING A HOME BUILDS WEALTH Buying a home is the best way to build your wealth. When you buy, not only do you get an asset that will grow in value over time, but your house provides you with important tax benefits.  Another benefit comes in the form of refinancing your mortgage should interest rates go down— something that seems more like a wish than a likelihood these days, but keep in mind, the economy is often cyclical.  Refinancing allows you to capture a lower interest rate, or, should the value of the home appreciate, refinance at a higher value and thus unlock these funds for use in an investment or to pay off more expensive debt. Another benefit of a home is that the increased value over time contributes to your net worth, something which can be very important as you near retirement.  A higher-valued home allows you to pay off the mortgage completely, and use the increased value above the mortgage to subsidize your living expenses.  THE BENEFITS OF HOMEOWNERSHIP ·      TAX BREAKS AND INCENTIVES As a homeowner, you may be eligible for various tax incentives. The existence of these deductions might shock first-time homebuyers who have never heard about them before.  And while taxes may strike most as a ho-hum and to-be-avoided discussion, when it comes to opportunities to save you money, it pays to dig into the weeds.  Homeowners can lower their taxable income by deducting property tax. Owning and living in your own home gives you the benefit of avoiding paying taxes on rental income, as well as being exempt from up $250K after selling a property due to an exemption in capital gains tax- there are certain eligibility requirements but generally through this tax, homeowners will see some relief when they sell their home. ·      YOU CAN CUSTOMIZE YOUR HOME TO YOUR UNIQUE STYLE As an owner of a house, you have complete freedom in making changes and renovations to suit your needs. As the home is your long-term residence, there is no limit on how much customization can be done according to your personal tastes or requirements.  Changing the layout of the home is particularly important as you grow older and evaluate your options to age in place, so this benefit should be carefully considered. ·      YOU CAN BUILD EQUITY IN YOUR HOME OVER TIME, WHICH CAN BE USED AS COLLATERAL FOR LOANS OR OTHER INVESTMENTS Your home is one of the most valuable assets you have. It’s also an important part of building equity, which can be used as collateral for loans or other investments.  The longer you hold onto your home before leveraging it up or selling it, the more you increase your equity in the home. ·      YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF MAINTAINING YOUR HOME AND THE REPAIRS THAT NEED TO BE DONE One of the best things about being a homeowner is that you can decide how much money goes towards repairs and other maintenance. Unless your mortgage lender decides otherwise, this will remain constant throughout its duration.  This contrasts significantly with living in a rented home where your landlord decides the pace and extent of improvements. ·      YOU CAN CREATE A SENSE OF COMMUNITY BY GETTING TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURS When you make your home a permanent residence, you not only provide yourself with your own little nest, but you also become a part of the greater community.   SUMMARY So, now that you know some of the benefits of homeownership that you may not have considered before, it’s time to ask yourself – when are you purchasing your house? If you’re still on the fence about buying a home, take some time to think about the unique benefits that come with homeownership and how they might fit into your life. And if you’re ready to start house hunting, be sure to get in touch with MY SMART COUSIN  so that we can help you develop and implement your strategy to Buy a house for the price of a car. YOU CAN ALSO READ: REAL ESTATE INVESTING: WHAT IS PREHABBING? FOLLOW US: @MYSMARTCOUSIN

BUYING REO PROPERTIES: TIPS, PROS & CONS

If you’re a Real Estate Investor or are just thinking about buying a home, you’ve probably heard about REO (real estate owned) properties. REOs are homes that have been taken back by the lender after being foreclosed on. They can be a great deal, and come with the opportunity to acquire properties with attractive profit margins. Another great way to acquire properties that offer an attractive return is to buy a house at the price of a car. Read on to learn more!  BUYING A HOUSE FOR THE PRICE OF A CAR It hardly matters if you are new to Real Estate or a skilled expert, an able coach can help you find your way and achieve your goal more quickly. We at MY SMART COUSIN are there to guide you, with a special focus on serving Black and Brown folks and women, and help you move ahead in the right direction and scale your finances. As your trustworthy Real Investment Coach, we help people do what we do routinely and Buy a house for the price of a car through the hundreds of opportunities available daily. Are you in the market for a new home? Or maybe you’re an investor looking for your next big property project. In either case, buying a low-priced REO property can be a great option.  Whether you’re just starting to think about it or you’re ready to take the plunge, read on for all the info you need! WHAT ARE REO PROPERTIES AND WHY ARE THEY A GOOD INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY? A central plank in Real Estate Investing is finding properties with unrecognized or underpriced potential, and flipping them for large returns. What makes a Real Estate Owned property stand out is that the bank owns the house courtesy a foreclosure triggered by the homeowner not paying the mortgage loan on time or at all.  Because banks are not in the business of owning houses as part of their core strategy, lenders tend to be willing to negotiate the sales price.  These negotiations can result in lucrative investment opportunities–but only when they come up during your search process. Another benefit of REO properties is that the homes tend to be in somewhat reasonable condition rather than of the tumble-down variety ready for a wrecking ball. The reason is that the homeowner may still live in the house right up until the day that the house is sold.  While deferred maintenance will likely need to be addressed, it’s unlikely that major structural issues will be the case in such a scenario. If the homeowner is no longer living in the home, the lender is taking on the responsibility of performing minimal maintenance through a third-party servicing company, again, minimizing the likelihood that the property requires a full gut rehabilitation. HOW DO YOU BUY REO PROPERTIES, AND WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR WHEN EVALUATING THEM? Purchasing REO properties is similar to other forms of house hunting, with a few exceptions: ·      FINDING PROPERTIES – Begin your search by identifying properties that are in your desired range and market. Meet with your local bank to determine if they maintain a list of REO properties for sale. ·      HUNT FOR LENDER AND FINANCING OPTIONS – In order to avoid finding a property, only to have your financing fall through,  select a lender and obtain pre-qualification early. When the selling bank that has REO properties knows that you are financially eligible, they are likely to take more interest in your offer. ·      PREPARE A LIST OF SELECTION CRITERIA FOR REO PROPERTIES – It is important to determine what your key must-haves and dealbreakers are in a property before beginning your search. The more time you spend prepping your criteria, the easier it will be to make efficient, confident decisions when presented with multiple listings by different owners and brokers! Start by looking at the properties you own, or the type that catches your interest, to hone in on what your drivers are. Importantly, don’t allow price to be the only factor on your list.  Consider other factors such as property location, size, current condition, ongoing maintenance needs, and so on. ·      GET AN APPRAISAL – Whether you’re purchasing a property for a primary residence or for an investment, appraisals help you determine the value of the property, warts and all, relative to its asking price. ·     MAKING THE OFFER – If you have a real estate agent, use your agent to make the offer and work with the lender.  An agent offers you another set of eyes on things that you might miss, as well as helps to temper emotions.  ·      HOME INSPECTION – Home inspections are important because they can help you avoid costly repairs after the purchase. A home inspection should always be done before finalizing any deal, but this holds especially true for real estate-owned assets as such properties often come without the protection of warranties or disclosures.   ·      THE NEGOTIATION – Banks, like most sellers, will seek to maximize profits and close quickly.  Banks, however, usually have multiple levels of approval involved in their chain of command. As such, be prepared for an extended process that is paperwork-heavy.  If you are unclear about the purpose of any documents and what they mean, always ask, and then ask again, until you are clear. ·      FINALIZATION – Once you have come to an agreement with the seller and your lender is completing their close process, your lender will prepare the loan documents and verify the status of the title. ·      THE CLOSING OF THE DEAL – If everything goes well, you can close the deal on the REO property. The lender and you must sign the documents transferring the house into your name. WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF BUYING AN REO PROPERTY COMPARED TO OTHER TYPES OF INVESTMENTS OR HOME PURCHASES? THE PROS OF PURCHASING REO PROPERTIES ·      NO BURDEN OF OUTSTANDING TAXES When you buy a foreclosed property, there are often no outstanding debts or taxes to worry about. Banks will take care of these issues at possession in order to ensure that they remain the primary lienholder on the property. ·      HIGH RETURN 

FHA APPRAISAL: GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS IN 2022

As a Real Estate Investor or home buyer, you’re probably familiar with FHA appraisals. Appraisals are important because they help to protect both the lender and the borrower. Lenders like appraisals because the appraisal confirms that the property is worth enough to cover the loan.  Likewise, borrowers like appraisals because it reassures the borrower that they aren’t overpaying for a property. If you’re looking to buy a house for the price of a car, FHA financing can be used to finance both single-family houses as well as small multifamily investment properties, as long as the house serves as your primary residence. MY SMART COUSIN specializes in helping aspiring property investors and homeowners, particularly people of color and women, buy a house for the price of a car. As a seasoned Real Estate Investment coach, we take budding entrepreneurs and property investors from idea to action, help you scale your financing, and walk hand-in-hand with you to develop and put in place your customized Real Estate Investment strategy. FHA BACKGROUND The Federal Housing Administration, or FHA, has been around for nearly a century and was founded in 1934. The FHA is a government-backed mortgage insurance company that insures mortgages for people who can’t afford a large down payment. Stepping in as a mortgage guarantor of sorts makes it easier for people to buy a home, as the lender knows that if push comes to shove and the borrower defaults on their loan, FHA will pick up the tab. With inflation and mortgage interest rates reaching new heights, it pays to stay current on lending practices. In this blog, we’ll take a look at what’s changing with the FHA appraisal process in 2022. Keep reading to learn more! WHAT IS AN FHA APPRAISAL? An FHA appraisal is required by lenders to ensure that a potential property is a good investment.  Although, as mentioned earlier, FHA guarantees repayment of a large portion of the loan if a homeowner defaults, banks prefer not to find themselves in this situation.  After all, the lender makes money by collecting interest payments on the mortgage, so having the loan paid off early by FHA runs counter to this. One of FHA’s top concerns when evaluating an appraisal is ensuring that the property itself is durable, safe, and fit for habitation.  The hired appraiser will look at the property inside and out and check for health and safety issues— for instance, the structural integrity of the property, electrical wiring, and mold or mildew issues.  Additionally, the appraiser will look at factors that impact the house’s value— for instance, a swimming pool, a garage, and the condition of the home, and major systems such as the roof or furnace. Appraisers also evaluate the features of comparable homes that were recently sold.  So even if you have no interest in keeping up with the Joneses, FHA takes an active interest in them from a valuation perspective! BASIC COMPONENTS OF AN FHA APPRAISAL The FHA appraiser looks for the good, the bad, and the ugly regarding the value of the home and any factors that could prevent it from being occupied long-term, as these factors contribute to the property’s longevity and marketability.  Two key areas of focus for the appraisal are pests and paint type.  Pests don’t refer to an ant or spider here and there, but rather whether there is an infestation or any damage to the property— for instance, damage to supporting wood beams caused by termites or carpenter ants.  Paint refers less to the color or style of paint and more to its safety, specifically, if there are areas of the house that have lead-based paint.  Houses built before 1972 are more likely to have used lead-based paint versus newer houses.   Other areas on the appraiser’s checklist include the following:  ·      THE PHYSICAL CONDITION OF THE BUILDING °      The foundation, roof, and exterior must not be damaged. °      A big NO to insect infestation °      The wiring and the electrical systems must not be exposed. °      Sufficient ventilation of attics. ·      THE LIVABILITY OF THE BUILDING °      The utilities must be in good working condition including heat and clean water. °      A shielded sanitary sewage disposal system must be present. °      Lead paints should not be used. °      Fire codes and applicable safety codes should be met. ·      THE CONDITION OF THE PROPERTY SITE °      The soil should not be contaminated. °      The route of the drain pipes must point away from the home. °      The property must be accessible and safe. Market Comparables °      The appraiser evaluates the price of two comparable properties that have sold within the last 90 days. °      In a volatile market, a period of 30-60 days will be used and three comparable properties will be selected. °      Additionally, market comparables will be selected for properties that have not closed yet and are still listed for sale. Typically the appraiser will select two properties for this analysis. ARE THERE ANY POTENTIAL ISSUES THAT COULD ARISE DURING OR AFTER THE FHA APPRAISAL PROCESS? A clean FHA appraisal puts you one step closer to owning a home, but what happens if the appraisal report raises issues or has a lower than expected value?   °      IF THE FHA APPRAISAL REQUIRES REPAIRS In some cases, the lender will conditionally approve a loan if the appraiser states that renovations or updates to the home are required to bring it into compliance with safety standards. In such instances, the buyer can negotiate with the seller to determine whether these renovations will be paid for by the seller or will instead be paid in whole or in part by the buyer. °      A LOW-PRICE APPRAISAL  If the appraised value of the home comes in lower than the sales price, then, much as with the renovation scenario above, the buyer and seller will need to negotiate to determine how this lower value will be split. Buyers sometimes despair in the face of a lower appraised value, but this decreased value can force a seller’s hand to provide a price that while lower, is closer to market.  FINAL THOUGHTS An FHA appraisal is an evaluation

Legal assistance for the most vulnerable in eviction cases is essential 

I’m a landlord who owns several properties in Delaware, and I see renters every day who desire a great home to raise their family, but also face the financial struggles of doing so. When a renter finds themselves in financial straits, I do my best to work with them, and we often find a way collectively to navigate those hurdles without ever resorting to court. But, when we do have to go to court, I know that implicitly I have the upper hand. On two levels really— in terms of my familiarity, though by no means expertise, with the eviction process, and in terms of a day off from work not resulting in an unpaid day, as is the case for many. I often represent myself — a choice that I make, because I know what to expect and the legal requirements. I am familiar with the eviction process, and I am well-prepared to make arguments on my own behalf. And in instances when I don’t feel equipped to represent myself and instead hire an attorney, I know that this cost, while painful, won’t break me. My renters on the other side of the courtroom rarely have that advantage. Paying for an attorney is usually well beyond the limits of their pocketbook (and let’s face it, all too often it is a pocketbook rather than billfold), and consequently, they show up unrepresented by default, not by choice. It seems only fair to me that just as we assist people financially to rent a home when their income doesn’t allow it, That we assist those most vulnerable with legal assistance. I understand the importance of having access to legal representation, and it is for this reason that I support providing a right to representation for renters who are facing eviction. In Delaware, 86% of landlords have representation in court eviction proceedings, but only 2% of renters have representation. Many landlords and real estate investors ask me why I support changing a status quo that favors me, and them, so heavily with 43 to 1 odds. For me, it’s a matter of basic fairness and housing justice — it’s not lost on me as a Black woman that women and people of color have a more tenuous hold on housing, particularly during COVID-19 than other populations. That imbalance has almost always resulted in the same conclusion: families displaced from their homes. The right to representation bill that’s up for consideration in the General Assembly, SS 1 for SB 101 (also referred to as just SB 101), just seems like common-sense legislation. For low-income renters, in particular, who can’t afford help, it would level the playing field between landlords and renters by providing representation in eviction proceedings. To my mind, SB 101 also will help landlords who are unaware of or are overwhelmed by rental assistance programs, to get connected with resources and open the spigots to back rent owed by renters who’ve fallen behind on their payments. In summary, while I understand the concerns raised by landlords regarding SB 101, I don’t think that renter representation in one of the direst circumstances imaginable to a family — an eviction proceeding — attacks my rights as a landlord; it’s about ensuring that the rights of my renters are protected, too. SB 101 is an opportunity to address housing insecurity at the root of the issue and ensure that the most disadvantaged renters have a fighting chance to remain in their homes when facing eviction. I hope the House will vote “yes” when this bill comes up for a floor vote. Pam Hill is the founder of My Smart Cousin. She is also a Delaware landlord. Read on Delaeare online:- https://www.delawareonline.com/story/opinion/2022/06/03/legal-assistance-most-vulnerable-eviction-cases-essential/7489042001/ RECOMMENDED READ: History of the Social Security Act FOLLOW:- @MYSMARTCOUSIN

REAL ESTATE PARTNERSHIP STRUCTURE 101: Do’s & Don’t’s

Partnerships can be a great way to pool resources and increase your chances of success in Real Estate Investing, but there are a few things you need to know before you get started. Almost every successful real estate investor has gotten where they are today by teaming up with other people to do bigger and better deals.  As the African proverb goes, if you want to dash off and go fast, go alone, but if you want to truly go far, go together. The integral component of a successful real estate business lies in being aware of its incredible opportunities and utilizing them at the right time. You can easily Buy a house for the price of a car and be the owner of your own sweet home. At MY SMART COUSIN, we act as your most trustworthy Real Estate Investment coach who is determined to make you aware and teach you about real estate investment strategies. We help our Black & Brown folks mainly women to scale their finances and how they can Buy a house for the price of a car, not one but thousands. If you’re like most people, you probably think of real estate as a pretty safe investment. After all, everyone needs a place to live, and demand for housing always exceeds the supply, right? Well, it turns out that real estate can be a risky investment after all – especially if you don’t know what you’re doing. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the do’s and dont’s of real estate partnerships. So whether you’re just starting in real estate or you’ve been investing for years, read on to learn more! WHAT IS A REAL ESTATE PARTNERSHIP STRUCTURE AND WHY WOULD YOU WANT ONE FOR YOUR BUSINESS? When two or more investors combine their capital and expertise to buy, develop, or lease property is known as a Real Estate partnership. Both the real estate entrepreneurs decide to work together in a professional environment and put their endless effort into accomplishing a single goal. For most real estate partnerships, the general partner takes on more responsibility and liability in exchange for a bigger share of profits. However, some only have passive investors or limited partners who don’t participate actively except when necessary One might wonder, why would he want a partnership in the real estate business? Well, there are many benefits. For starters, it’s easier than trying to do this on your own! You also get more exposure and an outside perspective which can help guide you in the right direction when making decisions about what kind of investments or properties will best suit both yourself as well as those who invest alongside them (i e.; partners). You’ve probably heard stories before where one investor seeks out another looking for financial backing but if that isn’t possible then maybe consider putting together some sort of group deal-like structure where everyone contributing something gets their desired outcome. THE 3 MOST COMMON ENTITY PARTNERSHIPS There are numerous ways through which Real Estate partnerships can be formed. Amongst them the most common types are – °      LLC or Limited Liability Company °      LLP or Limited Liability Partnership °      S-Corporation The benefits of owning a real estate partnership are twofold. First, the income or losses from your investment will be passed through to you on personal tax returns which eliminate any taxation at both corporate and private levels; second these partnerships offer extra-legal protection should there be claims against other assets not directly associated with this particular business venture–you’re protected by virtue being part. THE BENEFITS & DRAWBACKS OF REAL ESTATE PARTNERSHIP The one who lacks real estate knowledge or experience must go for the idea of a real estate partnership. If for nothing else, a truly great partnership can easily be the one thing new investors need to get started on the right foot. The best real estate partnerships act as a solid foundation for creating a great deal of balance between relationships, satisfaction, practicality, and essentials. Here are some of the biggest pros and cons of a partnering up to help ensure the one you create will be as powerful as possible: BENEFITS OF REAL ESTATE PARTNERSHIP °      A correct partner will always open the door for extra resources such as more capital, skills, network, and connections as well as professional expertise. °      The partnership provides a flexible distribution of profit & losses. °      For the one who wants to generate a passive source of income, a real estate partnership is beneficial for them. °      The personalities of each partner can combine to create a powerful presence in meetings with lenders or additional investors. °      When one partner is responsible for day-to-day responsibilities, they need help with longer-term strategies. The Real Estate Partners are essential in making sure that the project runs smoothly and equally share their workload so there can be no imbalance or sole focus on any single task at hand. DRAWBACKS OF REAL ESTATE PARTNERSHIP °      When two or more people invest in the same business, each person’s share is limited by how much they put into it. The benefits of investment – such as monthly income and profits from its sale – must be shared among all partners involved so that no one investor can reap too many rewards at once! °      An unclear partnership agreement may give rise to several disputes arising between partners in terms of delegating responsibilities and can turn your profitable investment into a loss. °      Different personalities of the partner give rise to versatile management& organization styles, which can be the cause of conflict between the partners. °      Sometimes capital differences also become one of the causes of disparity in the partners. °      Partnerships can get strained when one partner feels they are doing more than their fair share without getting an equal return. This could lead to tension between the two parties and even resentment toward each other, which may result in strain on relationships over time if not resolved professionally/amicably WHAT ARE THE THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN SETTING UP A REAL ESTATE PARTNERSHIP STRUCTURE FOR YOUR

HOW TO BUY A MULTIFAMILY PROPERTY ON A BUDGET

Interested in investing your money in a multifamily property? You might be wondering, “Can I buy a two, three, or even four-family building with limited funds?” Fortunately, the answer is yes, though it will take some work on your part.  But before we get to that, let’s first look into the multifamily model. Multifamily investments involve buying a duplex, triplex, fourplex, apartment building, or condo building and renting these multiple units, sometimes referred to as ‘doors’.  Multifamily investing offers the possibility of generating a large burst of cash flow and net operating income from one building and roof. For this reason, multifamily property investment is often viewed as the first step of moving into larger, higher-yielding deals and thus, a popular investment channel for Real Estate investors.  If you’re thinking about buying a multifamily property and prefer not to go it alone, you’re in good company as the services of an able coach can help increase your likelihood of success. At MY SMART COUSIN, we work hand-in-hand with clients to find and evaluate lucrative multifamily investment opportunities, with our specialty being finding houses that you can buy for the price of a car.  As a seasoned Real Estate Investor and Investment Coach, we help Black and Brown folks and women create wealth and scale their businesses.  In this blog post, we’ll discuss the benefits of a multifamily portfolio, and look at options you can use to buy multifamily when your funds are on a diet shall we say, and seed capital is limited. If this scenario sounds like you, read on to learn more! THE MANY BENEFITS OF MULTIFAMILY PROPERTIES A Quick Way to Scale Your Portfolio: One of the biggest benefits of buying multifamily properties is that it allows you to increase the number of units that you own quickly, and often, at a lower cost per unit than buying each unit as a single-family property. A larger number of units allows you to spread fixed costs such as bookkeeping, legal fees, and marketing over a much bigger base. Additionally, the amount of time required to grow a portfolio from one unit to ten units is significantly more when growing through only single families versus multifamilies. Diversification of Risk: Another benefit of multifamily properties is that they can lessen the cash flow risk of your portfolio.  As an example, if you own and rent out a single-family home when the home is vacant, it is 100% vacant, unless you are renting out a room or other area of the house on a short-term basis.  The all-or-nothing risk to cash flow that comes from single-family properties can cause owners to face financial hardships when their unit is vacant for an extended period.  Multifamily properties, on the other hand, have multiple units, which decreases the risk that every unit will be vacant at the same time.  As such, there’s a much higher possibility that there will be positive cash flow at some point of every month for multifamily, particularly if the multifamily has five or more units. This risk diversification can help in ensuring that the loan used to buy the property can be serviced without interruption   Economies of Scale: In much the same way that buying groceries at a wholesale store can lower the per-unit cost of each item, likewise a large multifamily property can increase your buying power and lower the per-unit cost of management and maintenance items.  Property managers, as an example, will be more likely to offer you a discount if they are managing 20 of your units, all under one roof, than 20 separate single-family homes.  Twenty apartments in one building mean that a dedicated leasing agent and handyman can be tasked with working at one location rather than traveling among multiple properties and learning the peculiarities of each. Likewise, electricians, plumbers, and other contractors may offer more competitive pricing for the security of having one large apartment building account versus multiple small accounts. beylikdüzü escort bayan, gaziantep escort, ataköy escort, esenyurt escort, seks hikayesi, kayseri escort, şişli escort, beylikdüzü escort, beylikdüzü escort So now that we have a sense of some of the benefits that a multifamily property offers, let’s dive into exactly how we can go about buying one on limited funds   ·       AN EQUITY SHARE INVESTOR: THE KEY TO SUCCESS An equity share investor is someone who takes an equity interest in your property in exchange for funding a percentage of the acquisition costs and major repairs. As an example, if you strike a deal with an equity share investor to invest 30% of the costs to buy a $200,000 triplex, or $60,000, then the equity investor would be entitled to 30% of the rent on the triplex. In this regard, shared equity arrangements are like partnerships.  One difference, however, is that shared equity agreements often have a limited time period, for instance, five years, after which the equity share investor will look to have their percentage interest purchased by the owner, at the presumably higher market value of the property in year five. Because shared equity investors own a percentage of the equity in your property and are recorded as owners on the deed and in tax records, it will be critical to work with an experienced attorney to document this transaction properly. ·      GET A LOAN FROM A FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND – A PRIVATE MONEY LOAN   Private money lenders are lenders who are private individuals.  As such, a private money lender can include your family member or a friend. If you lack the funds for a multifamily property and share common business values with a friend or family member, then you may want to explore having them serve as an official lender for your project. A private money loan with a close family should be treated just as seriously as it would be with a third-party lender: credit checks should be performed, and loan documentation and a payment schedule should be developed. The benefit of working with a friend is having a built-in sounding board to discuss issues or opportunities.  ·      CONSIDER BUYING

HELOC PROS AND CONS YOU NEED TO KNOW

The housing market is on an upswing with prices climbing higher, driven by the twin forces of inflation and demand. Which begs the question: can you still Buy a house for the price of a car?  Absolutely!  On any given day there are hundreds of single-family homes, and even some viable multifamilies, listed for $60,000, $50,000, and even $40,000.  At MY SMART COUSIN, we teach clients, especially Black and Brown folks and women, exactly how to evaluate and buy these properties, as well as how to start or scale their business and build their finances. As a successful real estate investor and real estate investment coaches, we help clients make the right choice, based on their present circumstances and goals. THE VALUE OF A HELOC  If you’re a homeowner, you know that having a home equity line of credit (HELOC) can come in handy. A HELOC is like a credit card connected to your home’s equity – it’s a great way to borrow money when you need it. But before you decide if a HELOC is right for you, be sure to weigh the pros and cons. Here are some things to keep in mind: WHAT IS HELOC AND HOW DOES IT WORK? HELOCs are a great way to get access to money without the hassle of applying for credit cards or other personal loans. You can use your home equity line for anything you want, but there will always be interest charged so it’s important not to use your HELOC like your own personal ATM! HELOCs work like credit cards. You can use your home equity line of credit for both home-related renovations and repairs and non-home-related items like paying off car notes, credit cards, or other expensive debt. Since HELOCs are attached to your home, the cash you drawdown is essentially a second mortgage.  Meaning that once you draw on your line of credit, you have two mortgages outstanding on your property instead of just the one you started out with. This point is worth paying special attention to as your house itself is at risk if you default on your HELOC.  For those who are considering a HELOC while heading towards or are already in retirement, an emergency fund might make sense to add an extra buffer of protection and ensure that you can repay your HELOC. THE PROS OF USING HELOC TO FUND HOME IMPROVEMENTS OR OTHER EXPENSES ·      LOWER INTEREST RATES HELOC interest rates are much lower than credit cards or personal loans.  The reason is that while credit cards are unsecured, relying solely on your promise to repay, HELOCs are secured by your home.  HELOC loans often also have an interest-only component to them, allowing you to pay just the interest for as long as ten years before having to repay the principal. The interest rate is variable rather than fixed, so drawing on your HELOC during high-interest, high-inflation periods is less optimal than under low-interest rate and inflation climates. But that said, under certain conditions the interest payments on a HELOC are tax-deductible, helping to lessen the sting of high rates. ·      FLEXIBLE AND ADAPATABLE The greatest advantage of HELOCs is that they are flexible and able to accommodate your needs. Unlike a loan, a line of credit, once approved, sits in standby mode, giving you the convenience of having it available without the obligation of having to use it.  Since HELOCs are approved for a ten-year period, the line of credit serves as a guaranteed secondary source of funding for ten years, should you need it or choose to use it. ·      USE OF MONEY Ideal uses for a home equity line of credit are saving and investing money. On the savings front, you can use your HELOC to consolidate debt or pay off more expensive loans.  On the investment front, a HELOC can serve as seed capital to start a new venture, buy stocks or other investments, or buy an investment house for the price of a car.  You are also allowed certain tax benefits if you use a HELOC for home renovation. ·      THE APPROVAL TIME The approval time for a home equity line of credit is very short, on the order of a couple of weeks, which means that you can get your finances in order and launch your investment or debt repayment plan much faster than if you were to apply for a business loan or personal loan. ·      FEWER ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS  The HELOC application process is much more affordable than other loan applications. There may be some additional charges which have to be paid, but these are minimal in comparison with traditional loans that require high processing fees. THE CONS OF USING A HELOC TO FUND HOME IMPROVEMENTS OR OTHER EXPENSES ·      FLUCTUATING INTEREST RATES  One of the most important factors to consider when applying for a home equity line of credit is whether it has a variable interest rate. Most HELOCs have some type of variable-rate feature, which means that the interest rate could increase over time. ·      COLLATERAL A HELOC requires that you own your property.  You do not need to own it outright, you may have a mortgage on it already, but you can’t obtain a HELOC if you rent the property, for instance.  The reason is that the collateral for a HELOC is the property itself. The line of credit available for a HELOC is usually capped at 90% of the equity you have in the home.  Using an example, if your home is worth $200,000 and you have a mortgage of $100,000 on it, then your equity in the home is $100,000.  A 90% loan to value ratio means that your HELOC would be $90,000. ·      HIDDEN FEES AND CHARGES  Your lender may charge hidden fees if you cancel or terminate your HELOC. In some cases, the bank will bill an amount even when there is no balance owed at all.  As always, it pays to read the fine print before taking out any loan because it could cost more than expected in unexpected expenses. ·      THE TEMPTATION TO MAKE ONLY MINIMUM PAYMENTS When you take

Long Term Rentals or Short Term: Which Strategy Would You Choose?

One of the great benefits of being a homeowner today is that you have the opportunity to make money on your property in two ways.  The first way that most everyone is familiar with is an appreciation of the home’s value.  While we all appreciate our home because it provides a roof over our heads, we don’t mean that kind of appreciation.  We mean the kind of appreciation that happens as prices rise.  Home prices generally rise with inflation.  While inflation has been a sizzling eight percent of late, over the past 60 years it has averaged a little under four percent. At that rate, it would take approximately 18 years for your home price to double.  Meaning, that unless your neighborhood suddenly becomes the place to live, or, our personal favorite, unless you buy your house for the price of a car, you’d better pack your patience when it comes to realizing the appreciation value of your home.   The second way realizes a return on your house is by renting it out.  And the good news is, that the range of rental options is increasing every year, allowing you to create a structure that works for you. Given these two methods of earning a return on your home-sweet-home, it pays to educate yourself on the numerous factors involved when buying a property, so that you can take advantage of both avenues.  My Smart Cousin can help you figure out how best to wring appreciation and rental value from your current home, or help you find a house for the price of a car that has a high appreciation and rental value.   If you’re a real estate investor focused on renting out your home, something you’ll need to decide early on is if you want to offer your property as a long-term rental or a short-term rental. Both strategies have their pros and cons, so it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. In this post, we’ll take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of each strategy, so you can make an informed decision about which option works best. A BRIEF INTRODUCTION ·      LONG-TERM RENTALS – In most jurisdictions, when you lease a property for more than one month (30 consecutive days to the same person), the rental is considered a long-term rental, and is regulated under landlord and tenant laws.  The one-month rule holds whether you rent the entire home or just one room in the home.  Likewise, the interpretation applies whether the tenant pays for utilities or does not explicitly pay for utilities (that is, you charge a room rate with no language in the contract regarding utilities).  If the tenant doesn’t live at the home full time but has a one-month or longer contract, or, if you have permitted the tenant to store their belongings in the home while not ‘living’ there, the one-month rule would likely still hold. As such, if your intention is to rent out your home or a portion of it on only a short-term basis, then ensure that the contract and tenant occupancy match this intent. SHORT-TERM RENTALS – The best alternative to a hotel is a short-term rental.  And in fact, many guests prefer staying at a home (either renting the entire home or just a room or sofa) rather than booking a stay at a hotel. Short-term rentals can be an excellent way for a guest to experience a city in an authentic way, can be more comfortable than a home, and are often more affordable.   One of the biggest attractions of a short-term rental home, however,  is that the guest can make use of private indoor space as well as outdoor space.  If you have a balcony or lovely yard, this can place you at the top of the list for out-of-town and local guests. HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHICH OPTION IS BEST FOR YOU The decision to use a property for either short-term stays or long-term rentals comes down to one important question – which option works best for you— your lifestyle and way of life? By considering the pros and cons of each option, you can make more informed decisions about how best to fit this investment into your plans. THE PROS AND CONS OF LONG-TERM RENTALS  ADVANTAGES   A CONSISTENT CASH-FLOW – Long-term tenants are perfect for those landlords who want a consistent cash flow that they can depend on.  With a high-quality, long-term tenant in hand, you have a roommate who can help you pay for the expenses of your home.  MINIMUM TURNOVER – If you hate the idea of a new person coming to stay with you every day or week, then a long-term structure allows you to minimize turnover. Less turnover not only minimizes the disruptions from revolving-door roommates but also cuts down on paperwork— from the marketing promotions that need to be done with a short-term rental, to the increased bookkeeping from tracking multiple transactions.    UTILITIES – Unlike hotel guests or guests in a short-term rental property, long-term tenants will not be surprised when you tell them that they must pay a percentage of the utility bills.   Water, electric, and gas bills can spiral out of control when you don’t see them or have to pay for them. Long-term tenants or roommates help keep these expenses under control. ·      DISADVANTAGES   PROFIT MARGINS – A big disadvantage of long-term rentals is their overall profitability. Profits for long-term rentals typically are lower than for short-term rentals because short-term rentals charge a higher daily rate.  A condo that is renting for $1,500 a month in an urban neighborhood, for instance, means that if the $1,500 were paid on a daily basis, the cost would be approximately $50 a day.  On the other hand, finding a short-term rental in an urban neighborhood for $50 a day, for an entire condo, would be extremely rare indeed.     CONTROL OVER THE PROPERTY – With a long-term tenant, there is much less privacy and control over the property, as you’ve rented out a room, for instance, to someone else, who has the right to stay in the house