Alright, let’s cut to the chase—real estate investing can feel like you’re trying to crack a secret code. The jargon alone can make you want to throw in the towel. Cap rates, cash on cash, IRR—what does it all mean? If your head’s spinning, I get it. But here’s the deal: You can’t afford to be in the dark. Understanding these terms is your ticket to playing—and winning—the game. So, let’s break it down.

Cap Rate (Capitalization Rate)

Ever hear someone toss around the term “cap rate” like it’s common knowledge? And you’re just sitting there nodding, pretending you know what they’re talking about? Let’s make this crystal clear. The cap rate is basically how much money your property is making compared to what it cost you.

Think of it like this: You set up a lemonade stand. After covering your costs for lemons and sugar, you pocket $10 in profit. It cost you $100 to get that stand up and running. Your cap rate is 10%, meaning for every dollar you spent, you’re getting 10 cents back.

I...

 Picture this: You’re watching the Olympics, and these athletes are blowing your mind. Their grit, focus, and refusal to quit—it’s beyond inspiring. But here’s the thing: their journey isn’t just about gold medals. What has contributed to their success provides lessons that we can use to win in the real estate game, too.  In this blog post I break it down. Here are six Olympic lessons that’ll help you crush it in your investing game.

1. Preparation and Training: No Shortcuts, No Excuses

Look, success doesn’t just land in your lap. Olympic athletes train like their lives depend on it. Early mornings, long hours, and a relentless drive—that’s what it takes. They’re not messing around.

In real estate, you also need to prepare and train. You’ve got to put in the hours—learning, researching, and sharpening your skills. Think of it as your training ground. There’s no magic formula here, just a whole lot of hustle. Show up, do the work, and watch the results roll in.

2. Set Goals: Do...

Protect Your Assets: Vital Tips for Real Estate Investors

Building wealth isn’t just about what you make, it’s about what you keep. Protecting your assets is crucial for your long-term success. Here's why it matters and how to do it right.

The Real Risks

Asset protection shields you from threats that can drain your wealth:

1. Lawsuits: We live in a litigation-happy world. You could get sued over anything, often unexpectedly. A minor incident can quickly escalate into a major legal battle. Without proper safeguards, legal issues can severely impact your financial health.
2. Taxes: Uncle Sam takes a big bite if you're not careful. Real estate offers tax breaks, so you pay only what's required, not a penny more. Keep more of your money to invest as you see fit.
3. Natural Disasters and Personal Loss: Floods, fires, and other disasters can destroy unprotected assets. Proper insurance is key. And planning for the unexpected, like death, ensures your assets stay in the family.

The Dog ...

Are you ready to dive into real estate investing but not sure where to begin? You're not alone. Starting in real estate can be overwhelming with so much information and advice out there. Let’s cut through the noise and get you on the right track. This guide will debunk common myths, help you define your goals, and give you a clear, actionable plan to start your investment journey.

Busting the Myths

First, let’s clear up some misconceptions. These pertain to the two most common ones I hear:

You Don’t Need a Realtor’s License First: Many people think you need to be a licensed agent to invest in real estate. Wrong! I was an investor for 18 years before getting my license, and that was mainly for giving referrals. You will likely need a realtor on your team, but you don’t need to BE a realtor to invest in real estate. 

You Don’t Need to Set up an Entity First: Setting up an entity that you’ll invest with, will likely be part of your investing process.  Depending on what you’re invest...

In school, we’re taught to approach the world (including money and investing) from a masculine paradigm. What works for men is presumed to work for everyone. But guess what? We’re not just smaller, less hairy men. We are chromosomally different. Our brains and bodies are wired differently, and these differences significantly influence how we handle money and investments. 

Today, we're exploring how embracing these differences can lead to incredible success in real estate and beyond for women.

Why Women Approach Investing Differently

For many men, investing feels like a thrilling challenge. For women, it can feel like a threat, triggering fear and hesitation. This fear can keep us from even starting, or it can push us to hand over our financial decisions to someone else. But here’s the thing: when we do step into the game, we often outperform men. We seek expert advice, take thoughtful actions, and achieve better results. The problem is, too many of us let fear hold us back.

The ...

I want to dive into something incredibly powerful and transformative: relationships. I recently came across an 80-year-long Harvard study that revealed the key to happiness: the depth of our relationships. This insight is not only life-changing but also incredibly relevant to the world of real estate investing.

Real estate is a relationship business at its core. It's not just about the properties, the cash flow, or the deals. It's about the people you connect with, the partnerships you form, and the networks you build. These relationships can make or break your success in this industry. So how do you know which relationships are worth investing in? That’s where the "Three C's" come into play—a concept I learned from the brilliant Beth Clifford, investor and developer.

The Three C's: Character, Commitment, Capacity

1. Character: First up is character. You need to surround yourself with people of high integrity and strong values. Let me share a story. I partnered with Chris on an apar...

Around this time of year I receive an email from my CPA to sign a tax return extension form that she has prepared for me.

Now, you might be wondering, why the extension? 

For those who are new to the realm of private investments, it's customary for investors like us to opt for an extension. This is primarily because, as investors, we typically await the arrival of a document known as a Schedule K-1 from each investment we are in.

The time it takes for an investor to receive a K-1 is dependent on:

• The complexity of the investment
• Preparation of financial statements
• Legal & regulatory requirements
• Receiving documents from partners, vendors and other entities
• Other external factors
• Processing time

Investors may receive a K-1 in mid March or it could be in July or later.

Consequently, many of us rely on our tax preparers to file extensions while we await the delivery of these K-1 forms.

A quick note for investors utilizing IRA funds: Although you may not be actively receivi...

In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the job market, it's crucial to have a solid financial foundation. Goldman Sachs predicts that AI could replace 300 million full-time jobs, automating over 25% of all work tasks in the US and Europe. Even white-collar jobs, like those in the medical profession, are not immune to this revolution.

The Power of AI: A Personal Story

My 15-year-old daughter, Aliza, recently won her high school science fair by developing a custom GPT model designed to create personalized breast cancer treatment plans. She programmed this AI in just one day and made it even more robust in less than a month by incorporating over 600 peer-reviewed breast cancer research papers into the model. An oncologist at a leading institute was blown away by its potential. This experience made me realize that an AI capable of integrating vast amounts of data to personalize treatment plans is far more powerful than any single human doctor's brain.

 ...

You might have heard the buzz about the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the groundbreaking $418 million settlement. This isn't just news; it's a revolution in the real estate realm, and it's time to strap in and rise to the occasion. Big changes are afoot, and this could be the launch pad moment for your next big leap in real estate!

The Background 

NAR, a titan of industry standards and practices, faced lawsuits that cracked the bedrock of real estate commissions wide open. The heart of the matter? Allegations that their policies kept commission rates high and competition low. This settlement isn't just a penalty; it's a declaration that the old ways won't fly in today's transparent, competitive market​​​​.

Key points:

• NAR will pay the nearly half-billion-dollar settlement in installments, with a $197 million payment due within 90 days of final settlement approval.
• Offers of compensation can no longer be made through the MLS, and MLSs will have just 150 days to updat...

As we step into the vibrant possibilities of 2024, it's time to focus on setting transformative real estate goals. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just beginning your journey in the fascinating world of real estate, the new year is ripe with opportunities for growth, learning, and financial success. In this blog, we'll guide you through the process of setting effective real estate goals that resonate with your personal and financial aspirations.

Reflect on Your Past Year

Before diving into new goals, take a moment to reflect on your real estate journey in the past year. What were your successes and learning experiences? Understanding what worked and what didn’t is crucial in shaping your future strategies. This reflection isn’t just about numbers and deals; it’s also about your growth as an investor and how you’ve aligned your investments with your lifestyle and values.

Define Your Vision

Your real estate goals should be a direct reflection of your personal vision. What are y...