Have You Caught the Real Estate Bug?
Kevin Perk in Bigger Pockets asks have you caught the real estate bug? “When I caught it. I remember being really excited. I remember thinking that all of my worries would soon be over and all of my dreams would be fulfilled. The people I listened to and the books I read all told me the cash would just roll in. It would be easy.” Nothing could go wrong in Kansas City. I saw the world through rose-colored lenses.”
“A lot of what I was told about real estate is true. It is a great way to invest and build wealth. But there is another side of the story that I had to learn from experience. I wish I had known then what I know now. So to help out those who have caught the real estate bug, here are four things I know now that I wish I had known then.”
Have You Caught the Real Estate Bug?
I Wish I had known then:
- Upkeep is something you shouldn’t underestimate. All of the books I read said that you should put aside about 10 percent of your gross rents for maintenance. I am here to tell you that 10 percent of gross rent does not even come close. It just costs a lot more money to keep everything looking nice, repaired, and in good working order. How much? I would budget at least 20 percent for repairs and upkeep when examining properties to purchase.
- Tenants WILL drive you up the wall at some point. No matter how well you screen them, no matter how well you vet them, there will always be one or two tenants that will drive you nuts. And…if you rid yourself of one, another will come along to replace the one gone.
- Recapture probably isn’t what you think it is. One of the many things that is promoted about being a landlord is the income tax deduction of depreciation. Basically, recapture gives a lot of that money you saved with depreciation back to the IRS when you sell. Sure, you can avoid it with a 1031 exchange, but sometimes you really just want or need to cash out. If you do, you need to be aware of how big your tax bite is going to be because you may not get all that you thought you were going to be getting.
- Your retirement plan may not take everything into account. Have you thought about your exit strategy? How are you going to retire from being a landlord? How are you finally going to get rid of those pesky tenants and all of that upkeep?
Have You Caught the Real Estate Bug?
Here’s a thought. If you want to be in real estate for the appreciation and the extra income, but want to avoid the four items above, why not consider investing in a partnership with a knowledgeable, experienced real estate investor. Terra Firma Property Solutions, LLC is such a real estate investor.
Right now we are seeking hard money lenders. We offer flexible terms and returns that are higher than typical banks offer for savings. If you would like specifics about projected returns to hard money lenders, please call us to discuss the kinds of deals we offer.
Ask for FREE information about How to Sell Your House Fast.
Terra Firma Property Solutions, LLC is a professional, full-service real estate solutions firm.
We buy and sell properties throughout the greater Kansas City area. We specialize in buying distressed homes, then renovating and reselling them to home buyers and landlords. Terra Firma Property Solutions: excited to be part of the economic rejuvenation of Kansas City and its surrounding areas.
Call us today at (816) 866.0566
