Keeping it real in the face of tariffs and trade wars …
When you trade in highly liquid, lightning fast, electronically enabled casino markets … you watch the news like a ten-foot tailgater at 100 miles per hour.
And that’s who most of the mainstream financial media cater to.
The more fear, uncertainty, drama, and doubt … the better (for ratings). So they pour fuel on the fire.
The current drama du jour is President Trump’s up and down trade war with China.
Paper markets are gyrating as nervous traders try to time the trends and skim “profits” from the volatility. Politicians use every twist and turn as tool to score political points.
Meanwhile, on Main Street …
… folks get up every day and do their jobs, collect their pay, pay their bills, and largely ignore all the drama … most of which they don’t understand anyway (as if anyone really does).
That’s why investing in Main Street is SO different than investing in Wall Street.
Because while stock prices race up and down with every breeze of news or rumor … paychecks and rents remain relatively stable. Boring. But stable.
Of course, this doesn’t mean real estate investors can afford to be ignorant, naïve, or cocky. Real estate’s stability and resilience isn’t invincible.
The pain of 2008 made it very clear – what happens on Wall Street can bleed over to Main Street … rare as it might be.
Fortunately, real estate investors can usually follow the proceedings from a comfortable distance … with plenty of time to react and avoid mishaps.
Besides, more often than not, many of the “doomsday” fears just fade into the archives of “breaking news” that didn’t actually break anything.
So life goes on. People go to work and pay rent. Passive income flows. Equity happens … at least for those who aren’t paralyzed by all the drama.
Sure, we think it’s vitally important to watch macro-trends. And we do.
Macro-trends provide clues about long-term migration patterns … warnings of systemic breakdowns (credit, currency) …
… and insights about whether any key drivers in our markets and niches of choice might benefit or suffer from whatever’s developing.
But once you’re in a market you like based on macro-factors …
… the real work of real estate investing is building and working with your local team … and closing on deals that make sense and are structured to withstand a macro storm or two.
Once you master this, you’re not just a successful investor in your own right … you also have the potential to become a hot property yourself.
Because even though the Wall Street roller-coaster is exciting for the young and daring …
… after a few harrowing experiences, many Main Street investors would prefer to reach for the brass ring of prosperity from the much calmer merry-go-round of real estate.
When it comes to their life savings, most folks want stability, ease, and an after-tax growth rate in excess of real world inflation.
Ideally, they’d love to simply park their money in a boring bank account and collect a steady stream of interest income.
The problem is it doesn’t look like banks will be paying anything remotely resembling an inflation-adjusted positive yield any time soon.
That’s a big reason why income-producing real estate is very attractive right now … perhaps more than ever.
Of course, real estate investing is very messy and inconvenient to most people.
Wall Street and banks are easier, but at the price of nauseating volatility, minuscule yields, and high taxes … now or in the future.
So when YOU know how to produce predictable, high-yield (after tax) passive income through an inflation-hedged vehicle like real estate … you’ll find more than a few folks willing to invest in YOUR deals.
But whether you decide to fly solo or pilot a plane full of limited partners, real estate remains appealing as a stable investment in uncertain times … perhaps more so now than ever before.
So grab your popcorn and watch all the geo-political and Wall Street drama from a safe distance.
Just be careful not to let all the commotion keep you parked in the garage.
Until next time … good investing!
More From The Real Estate Guys™…
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GDP blowout pales compared to THIS market’s growth …
The Q1 numbers are in and the U.S. GDP came in at a robust 3.2% … MUCH better than expected.
While it can be argued there’s some fluff hiding under the hood … with growing inventories masking lackluster consumer spending …
… the financial media are describing 3.2% growth as a “big upside surprise,” “upbeat,” and a “blowout.”
That’s a lot of excitement over 3.2% growth.
So let’s shift to real estate …
The Q1 numbers are in for tourism in the country of Belize … and after hitting an all-time high of 6.6% YOY in March (the 28th consecutive month of YOY growth) …
… Belize’s first-quarter 2019 visitor arrivals grew 6.3%!
In the parlance of resort property investing, that’s called DEMAND.
Of course, healthy demand is a key component of that all-important supply and demand relationship smart real estate investors watch so carefully.
If you’ve already been on our Belize field trip, you’re familiar with the favorable supply and demand dynamic in Belize’s top tourist destination.
You also know big brands like Hilton, Marriott, and Coastal Living are staking claims in this exciting growth market and product niche. That’s a BIG clue.
Of course, we’ve been talking about resort property investing for quite some time. With boomers retiring every day, resort travel is a “booming” niche.
Resort property is a great way to earn rents from the affluent … while adding some lifestyle benefits to your real estate investing.
So while the blowout United States GDP number is interesting to paper pundits … we think the significant and consistent tourism growth in Belize is much more exciting and actionable for real estate investors.
Maybe it’s time for YOU to put on your sunnies, sandals, and swimsuit so you can …
Join Robert Helms for an intimate guided tour of the resort property market of Ambergris Caye, Belize on our upcoming Belize Discovery Trip!
Click here now to claim YOUR seat on the next Belize Discovery Trip >>
You’ll LOVE it …
More From The Real Estate Guys™…
- Sign up for The Real Estate Guys™ Free Newsletter
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The Real Estate Guys™ radio show and podcast provides real estate investing news, education, training, and resources to help real estate investors succeed.
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10 Steps to Resort Rehab Riches
10 Steps to Resort Rehab Riches
Enjoy tax advantages and high returns by investing in resort rehab projects … here’s how!
Real estate is full of incredible niches. You’ve probably heard of lifestyle investing … but it’s time to take a look at resort rehabs.
Imagine a before-and-after transformation … that makes you BIG MONEY!
Josh McCallen and his team at Accountable Equity specialize in finding significantly discounted properties in need of some TLC … and turning them into fully-functioning, highly profitable, and gorgeous resorts.
Find higher profit margins by investing in fix n’ hold lifestyle investment properties instead of buying into already up-and-running resorts. On average, Josh’s rehabbed resorts increase in appraised value by over 70 percent!
In this special report, the team at Accountable Equity shares their tips for successfully entering this real estate niche. Discover:
- What tax advantages are available to investors when rehabbing resorts
- How to select the right management partner
- Tips for identifying demand drivers
- Fortifying your business plan
- And more!
Make a lucrative investment and enjoy fun, relaxing experiences at your very own resorts as the icing on the cake!
Get started by filling out the form below to access “10 Steps to Resort Rehab Riches.”
What this legendary real estate investor is buying NOW …
Even though most of us will never become billionaires, it’s sure fun trying.
But if we want to have a chance of making it BIG, it’s probably smart to watch and listen to those who’ve actually done it.
After all, as Tony Robbins says, “Success leaves clues.”
To which the Godfather of Real Estate, Bob Helms, adds … “You don’t need to give natural childbirth to a good idea … you can adopt!”
So when multi-billionaire real estate investor Sam Zell has something to say, we pay attention and take notes.
In a recent appearance on Bloomberg News, Zell reveals what he’s doing right now and why. It’s a short clip, and you can watch it here.
There are some great pearls of wisdom to glean … and if you’ve been followingThe Real Estate Guys™ for a while, some of them will sound familiar.
But that’s not because we’re super smart. It’s more because we’re well- informed from spending quality time with lots of really smart people.
Sam Zell is buying gold … for the first time in his life.
We think that’s REALLY interesting.
Of course, we’ve been following gold for quite some time … for a lot of reasons.
So while it’s interesting that Zell is buying gold for the very first time in his long and uber-successful investing career … what’s even MORE intriguing is WHY.
In the interview, Zell offers up two reasons. One is obvious. The other is more subtle … and leads to some even more subtle lessons.
All this from a guy who wrote a book titled Am I Being Too Subtle?
First, Zell says he’s buying gold because of the supply and demand dynamic. He overtly states he sees gold supply constrained going forward.
It’s obvious from Zell’s comments that it’s important to understand supply and demand when investing in anything, because …
When supply is low relative to demand, there’s opportunity.
Yes, we realize that’s Investing 101. But it’s also a GREAT reminder that even at the billionaire level, successful investing is based on basic, timeless concepts.
However, there’s MORE to be gleaned from Zell’s comments about gold …
While he openly explains that he sees the supply being constrained, he onlyimplies his confidence in persistent demand for gold.
After all, if supply drops … but demand drops too … there’s no imbalance, and therefore, no opportunity. Zell’s too smart to miss that.
So Zell must see gold demand holding … or increasing.
That means the supply and demand dynamic in gold is SO compelling that billionaire Sam Zell is buying gold for the FIRST time in his EPIC career.
That’s telling in and of itself. But wait! There’s more …
In addition to constrained supply combined with persistent and growing demand going forward … Zell must think the opportunity in gold is quite good right now relative to other investment options.
Which begs the question …
What’s different in TODAY’s world to push the prospects for gold so high up Sam Zell’s priority ladder?
After all, he’s been around a LONG time … through stock market crashes, recessions, financial crises. What’s different NOW that makes gold alluring?
That’s a topic too big for this commentary … and our limited brains …
… but it will be a hot topic of discussion with gold experts Brien Lundin, Dana Samuelson and Peter Schiff aboard the upcoming Investor Summit at Sea™.
We’re guessing part of the answer is wrapped up in Sam Zell’s second subtle comment …
Sam Zell is buying gold as a “hedge.”
Hmmmm … that’s interesting. A hedge against what?
Investopedia defines a hedge this way …
“A hedge is an investment to reduce the risk of adverse price movements in an asset. Normally, a hedge consists of taking an offsetting position in a related security.”
Well, THAT’S interesting.
So Zell is using gold to “reduce the risk of adverse price movement in an asset.”
And he apparently considers gold to be highly useful as “an offsetting position in a related security.”
Which begs yet another question …
What asset / related security is Zell worried about … for the first time in his long and illustrious career?
Our guess is it’s the U.S. dollar. In fact, we’d bet a beer on it.
And there’s one more clue we think bolsters the argument Zell is hedging the dollar …
Zell is bullish on oil.
Wow. What a coincidence … our recent episode on precious metals was immediately followed with an episode on oil and gas.
Maybe Zell’s been listening to The Real Estate Guys™ radio show???
Um, probably not.
More likely, we’re learning a lot from all the smart folks we hang out with and listen to … and we’re starting to think like billionaires. We hope so.
So why oil?
Also coincidentally … just a week before the Sam Zell interview was published, we published our weekly newsletter and talked about … oil.
So we won’t take time here to explain why we think oil could be a big story going forward. You can read our thoughts here.
But this Zell interview affirms what we and many of our big-brained pals have been monitoring carefully for several years …
The dollar is under attack … from both internal and external forces.
So anyone who earns, invests, borrows, lends, or denominates net worth in dollars … most likely YOU … should probably take steps to become more aware and better prepared.
After all, if multi-billionaire real estate investor Sam Zell is hedging against the dollar … it’s smart to pay attention and consider doing the same.
More From The Real Estate Guys™…
- Sign up for The Real Estate Guys™ Free Newsletter
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The Real Estate Guys™ radio show and podcast provides real estate investing news, education, training, and resources to help real estate investors succeed.
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Preparing for the mega-trends of the next decade …
We realize it’s only the START of 2019 …
But 2019 is the LAST year of the second decade of the 21st century.
And with our annual goal setting workshop coming up this weekend, we’re in the mood for thinking ahead. Like a decade ahead.
Perhaps you should too …
After all, real estate investing is based on long-term commitments … to markets, to properties, and often to financing.
Right now, there are more than a few reasons to think there are probably some MAJOR shifts coming … things which are important to consider in today’s investing decisions.
Consider this recent headline …
U.S. economy could slip from top spot in 2020 and keep slipping, analysts say – MarketWatch, January 14, 2019
“Standard Chartered predicts that China’s GDP will overtake the U.S. next year. What’s more, within another decade, India is pegged to push the U.S. even further down the list”
Think about that.
This isn’t some routine wave in an economic cycle. This is a complete global shift of economic (and probably military) power and influence.
Virtually NO ONE investing today has ever done so in a world where the United States and its almighty dollar aren’t the undisputed dominant economy and currency.
Of course, we’ve been talking for quite some time about preparing for the possibility of the U.S. dollar losing its unique and powerful position as the world’s reserve currency.
There are several internal and external forces working against it, in spite of recent relative strength.
In fact, Russia just dumped all its dollar holdings and traded them for Chinese yuan …
Russia Buys Quarter of World Yuan Reserves in Shift From Dollar – Bloomberg, January 9, 2019
These are both MEGA-trends … major shifts that are gradually taking place over a long period of time.
Back in 2016, Business Insider published an article about four mega-trends that could change the world by 2030 … including the U.S. losing top status.
Of course, we’re only a few years in. But IF you’re paying attention, you’ve been watching these trends slowly and surely develop.
Most people don’t even see it happening, much less have any understanding of what it might mean to them … or how to prepare.
We think that’s a mistake.
There’s an old investing adage which says, “the trend is your friend.”
In other words, it’s generally a losing proposition to invest against the trend. It’s just too powerful. Especially a mega-trend.
Sure, you can be contrarian and buy when others are selling or vice-versa.
But that’s just navigating cycles. If you get it wrong, you can simply wait it out because time often heals those wounds.
But a mega-trend isn’t a cycle. It’s a major long-term shift in the landscape. It fundamentally changes the way the world works.
The gradual erosion of the United States exclusive status is a powerful mega-trend.
Artificial intelligence is another.
In a recent news report, a leading expert predicts AI will displace 40 percent of world’s workers as soon as 2035.
That kind of disruption has the potential to impact economies, political systems, and your real estate investments.
So when thinking about the New Year ahead … we encourage you to start thinking about the next decade as well. Because big change is on the horizon.
Fortunately, real estate moves slowly … just like a mega-trend.
And because real estate is a permanent and essential part of human existence, there’s likely to be investment opportunity … so long as private property rights survive.
So what might all this mean to YOUR real estate investing?
It’s obviously way too much to unpack in a weekly newsletter, but here’s some food for thought as we approach the 3rd decade of the new millennium …
U.S. real estate could grow in appeal as a preferred wealth preservation haven for foreign investors.
Sure, the U.S. economy and dollar might get knocked out of the top spot. But the U.S. has a long and stable history of strong private property rights.
The same can’t be said for some these up and coming economies.
However, if the dollar loses reserve status, then dollar-denominated asset prices … along with interest rates … could surge in response to inflation.
So anyone who uses long-term fixed debt to acquire real estate BEFORE it happens could end up a two-time winner.
Rising prices against fixed debt makes equity happen. We like it.
The key is to pick markets and product types likely to see increased demand if economic conditions become more challenging for working class folks.
Of course, if economic conditions improve then all the better. But best to prepare for downward pressure.
These are themes we’ve been talking about for years … because the mega-trends driving them have been slowly developing for quite some time.
Be careful not to let routine cycles, political winds, or investing fads blind you to the mega-trends underneath it all. Mega-trends transcend all those things.
The good news is mega-trends move slowly.
So IF you’re paying attention, you’ll almost always have plenty of time to adjust your position to capture opportunity and mitigate risk.
The even better news is real estate is a tangible, essential asset … with a unique status. All stakeholders in society have a vested interest in keeping it valuable.
Not all investments can say that.
Of course, all investing involves risk. But so does NOT investing.
So it’s a matter of being strategic and taking well-calculated risks … which is why we think it’s critical to keep a keen eye on mega-trends as well as cycles.
When you play off the big picture, it smooths out short-term gyrations which can sucker Pollyanna investors to jump in … or spook skeptical investors into missing out.
That’s why we’re REALLY looking forward to spending a week with our incredible faculty members on our fast-approaching 17th annual Investor Summit at Sea™.
Of course, we hope you’ll join us.
But whether you do or don’t, we encourage you to get together with smart, experienced investors and discuss the way the world is changing …
… and how YOU can best position yourself to survive and thrive as the future unfolds.
Until next time … good investing!
More From The Real Estate Guys™…
- Sign up for The Real Estate Guys™ Free Newsletter
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- Don’t miss an episode of The Real Estate Guys™ radio show. Subscribe on iTunes or Android or YouTube!
- Stay connected with The Real Estate Guys™ on Facebook, and our Feedback page.
The Real Estate Guys™ radio show and podcast provides real estate investing news, education, training, and resources to help real estate investors succeed.
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The big story for 2019 will be …
As we’re winding down 2018, it’s time to rub our crystal balls and peer into the new year … and we see ….
Taxes.
For most high-earners, taxes are their biggest expense. And almost everyone who has to pay taxes would prefer not to … or at least pay less.
So while there are MANY trends and developments real estate investors should pay attention to in the new year …
… the biggest story may well end up being how market participants respond to their growing understanding of the revised tax code.
Thanks to tax strategy advocates like Tom Wheelwright, many people ALREADY investing in real estate are cashing in on the amazing tax benefits the new law gives to real estate investors.
But as investors of all stripes close the books on 2018 and start looking for tax breaks in the new year, we’re guessing many will discover real estate for the very first time.
Meanwhile, it’s quite possible stock investors will trade in their “buy the dip” strategy for “drop the falling knife” … and look for other, less volatile places to invest the proceeds.
While YOU may not be interested in the stock market, its recent tribulations are noteworthy because it may portend a shift of capital from Wall Street stocks to Main Street real estate.
And if you’re a syndicator talking with prospective investors, you should really have more than just a cursory understanding of what puts downward pressure on stocks.
After all, some of the jittery money still stuck in stocks just might be inclined to move your way … if you’re able to explain the case for real estate.
Besides tariffs and rising interest rates, there are two factors putting pressure on stocks but aren’t discussed much on mainstream financial news.
First, as interest rates rise, it’s less profitable for corporations to borrow heavily to buy back their own stocks.
Besides, many have already gorged themselves on cheap money while taking corporate debt to record levels. This alone is causing some concern.
And if rates resume their climb, debt service will begin to take a toll on corporate earnings as interest expenses rise.
There’s a second factor sucking the wind out of the corporate buyback sail …
The big tax break offered to corporations enticing them to bring their offshore money back to America has already worked most of its magic.
And a lot of the money ended up in stock buybacks.
But with the dual air pumps of cheap debt and repatriated offshore funds both losing pressure, stock buybacks are slowing … letting air out of the stock bubble.
Remember, asset values (prices) are largely based on “air pressure”. There always needs to be more money coming in to keep prices elevated.
On the other hand, income producing assets … like rental properties … derive their value from income. And because those incomes are relatively steady, so are the prices.
That’s why jilted stock investors often migrate into real estate.
Sure, they like flirting with the hot stocks when the punch bowl is full. But when the bowl runs dry, many investors choose to go home to old faithful … real estate.
And when you add in the new tax breaks, old faithful got a face lift … and is even MORE attractive.
But it gets better …
The world is really starting to buzz about Opportunity Zones.
O-zones promise huge tax breaks … and much of it is likely to provide long-term benefit to real estate in those designated areas.
Of course, like anything new, it takes time for folks to figure it out, to get in position, and make their moves.
That’s the advantage of being small. You can study fast and out-hustle the big money to get into position.
Then when big money finally shows up, you get to ride a wave.
So when we look at the upcoming year, we think the impact of the tax laws will continue to magnify a movement of money into real estate.
And even if the overall economy slows, it’s our guess real estate will continue to attract its unfair share of investor interest.
Now we’re starting to understand why Tom Wheelwright and Robert Kiyosaki get so excited about taxes, real estate, and infinite returns.
Until next time … good investing!
More From The Real Estate Guys™…
- Sign up for The Real Estate Guys™ Free Newsletter
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- Don’t miss an episode of The Real Estate Guys™ radio show. Subscribe on iTunes or Android or YouTube!
- Stay connected with The Real Estate Guys™ on Facebook, and our Feedback page.
The Real Estate Guys™ radio show and podcast provides real estate investing news, education, training, and resources to help real estate investors succeed.
Love the show? Tell the world! When you promote the show, you help us attract more great guests for your listening pleasure!
Oil and Gas Investing 101
Oil and Gas Investing 101
Oil and gas investing generates more wealth than any other asset class … and it comes with MAJOR tax benefits.
Oil can be a valuable and dynamic part of your portfolio. Demand is rising … meaning NOW is a great time to invest.
An investment in drilling operations can continue to produce income for years to come.
To get the maximum amount out of this investment and to manage risk, you need a serious expert who knows the business inside and out. Bob’s team is not only skilled in every part of their business, they’re here to educate you and give you hands-on experience.
Learn the ins and outs of the oil industry in this special report … from the extraction process, to predicted world-wide demand.
Find out whether gas and oil investing is right for YOU … and discover how you can get started in this exciting asset class.
Don’t wait! Catch the rising returns as they continue to soar … let Panex show you how to open up your portfolio for profits.
Simply fill out the form below to get a copy of this exclusive report on what oil can do for YOU.
Cover Your Assets Part 2 – International Structures for Extreme Protection
We live in a big world … one that offers benefits to those willing to step outside of their comfort zones.
In Part 1 of Cover Your Assets, we discussed domestic structures that can isolate and protect your assets in the case of legal trouble.
In Part 2, we’ll look at the bigger picture of asset protection.
We’ll discuss international asset protection structures and long-term wealth protection strategies … and we’ll also talk about what investors can do to protect their privacy and take advantage of tax laws.
It might sound complicated … but luckily, our guest Kevin Day is an expert in offshore asset protection and came on the show to simplify the topic for us.
In this episode of The Real Estate Guys™ show you’ll hear from:
- Your world-traveling host, Robert Helms
- His channel-surfing co-host, Russell Gray
- Best-selling author and lawyer Kevin Day
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Trusts 101
Kevin sat down to chat with us in breezy Belize.
He points out that U.S.-based investors have to be on their A game … because in this country of extreme litigation, “A lawsuit is equivalent to a lottery ticket” … for the person suing YOU.
One way to protect your wealth from lawsuits? Trusts.
Kevin took us through a brief history of trusts in the U.S.
Trusts were formerly designed solely to transfer wealth from one person to another. Revocable trusts were invented in the 1930s to allow people to set up a way to transfer their estates … and make tweaks to the structure along the way.
It wasn’t until the 1980s that the U.S. allowed people to name themselves as the beneficiary of a trust for the first time.
These trusts allow you to segregate your assets … so you still have a decent lifestyle and you can reduce your liability.
“It’s a way to firewall the various parts of your life,” says Kevin.
Trusts are unique because they don’t have an owner … they exist independently from you. That’s why their lawsuit proof, says Kevin.
If you set up legal structures, including trusts, while the seas are calm, you’ll be able to handle the lightning when it comes.
And once you go through the process, you can pay more attention to MAKING money than PROTECTING your money.
Getting started
Although setting up trusts can seem tricky, it isn’t that overwhelming if you take it step by step. Investors should get started early.
Most lawyers don’t teach clients about inter-entity planning … but when Kevin gets new clients, he takes them through a step-by-step process to help them protect their assets.
Kevin starts by completing a liability assessment to see how much liability the investor holds.
He looks at what protections that investor already has in place. This includes projecting the investor’s future plans to develop a streamlined structure. Assets are divided into three categories:
- Zero-liability assets, like your cash portfolio.
- High-liability assets; for example, a company that has employees or uses third-party providers
- Assets that are in between, like real estate … high-value, high-liability assets are included here.
He uses these three categories to see how exposed clients are. He then checks to see whether investors are holding the proper insurance … usually a moderate amount.
After that, he works with the client to set up the appropriate structures that will provide the most protection in the simplest way.
Are you an investor wanting to get started with a trust? Kevin suggests building up to an offshore trust by setting up a domestic trust with decanting provisions that will allow it to move offshore gracefully.
The WHEN and WHY of international trusts
We asked Kevin when it was appropriate for investors to consider offshore trust options.
He told us that investors with a net estate of over more than 4 million … and that includes their home, business, and rentals … should absolutely set up offshore options.
That’s the point where all your creature comforts are taken care of and any extra money you’re taking in goes toward growing your real estate business.
Under 2 million, an offshore trust is not appropriate, simply because of the cost-to-benefit ratio.
Between that 2 and 4 million mark is where there’s some leeway. If you have a high-liability business, you probably shouldn’t go international. But if you’ve just hit a home run and you’re growing exponentially, then you should consider an offshore account.
Offshore options allow investors to lower their profile in case of a lawsuit, says Kevin. Lawsuits feel like blackmail … and what you look like from a public view will change the lawyer’s perspective.
Trusts can help you manage privacy concerns about how much of your wealth shows up on the public record.
Why is this so important? If you’re sued, there’s a discovery period where the other attorney can look at your assets.
Eighty percent of the time, says Kevin, those attorneys don’t look into how your assets are structured … and the other 20 percent of the time, they see international structures and think getting that money is more trouble than it’s worth.
Worry less with offshore trusts
Kevin says investors have three things to worry about:
- Taxation
- Privacy
- Asset protection
According to him, the great thing is that trusts help in all three areas.
Lawsuit protection trusts are tax neutral … and don’t rely on keeping secrets from the IRS. They also offer complete bars to anyone who wants access to your money.
What if you own property offshore? Americans who own foreign companies don’t have to pay tax until their income is repatriated. Setting up your income to be non-subpart F can be very easy, says Kevin … with the right professional help.
There’s no point in building up your assets without also protecting them so you don’t lose everything when disaster strikes.
Exploring your opportunities for asset protection means looking at offshore options.
So much real estate education is fun and aspirational. Asset protection is a down-and-dirty topic … but it’s SO important.
Being a real estate investor means dealing with real threats and the possibility of bad deals and mistakes. It’s essential to discuss what could go wrong … while everything is still going right.
That’s why we’re so glad to have an expert in offshore protection in our fold! We want YOU to know your options for asset protection so that if the lightning hits, you can have one piece of your business fail without everything else falling apart.
More From The Real Estate Guys™…
- Sign up for The Real Estate Guys™ Free Newsletter and visit our Special Reports library.
- Don’t miss an episode of The Real Estate Guys™ radio show. Subscribe on iTunes or Android or YouTube!
- Stay connected with The Real Estate Guys™ on Facebook and our Feedback page.
The Real Estate Guys™ radio show and podcast provides real estate investing news, education, training and resources to help real estate investors succeed.
Cover Your Assets Part 1 – Protecting Your Wealth Today and Tomorrow
An essential element of real estate investing is protecting the assets you’ve worked so hard to acquire.
When you’re just starting out, your investment business is pretty low liability. But as you acquire properties, the liabilities build up … and a legal problem with one property could cascade and affect your other assets if you don’t have the proper protections in place.
In this show, we’ll talk with a Rich Dad advisor on how to sort your assets into buckets so you NEVER lose everything at once.
Part one of this two-part series is for beginners and experienced investors alike. As John F. Kennedy said, “The time to repair a roof is when the sun is shining.” NOW is the time to put in place protections to keep you safe if troubles arise.
In this episode of The Real Estate Guys™ show you’ll hear from:
- Your host, asset Robert Helms
- His liability of a co-host, Russell Gray
- Garrett Sutton, best-selling author and legal advisor to Robert Kiyosaki
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Firewall your assets
The society we live in is very litigious … and that’s not going to change any time soon. So what can investors do?
We talked to Garrett Sutton about precautions YOU can take to protect your assets as they grow.
Your best option, Garrett says, is probably an LLC, simply because they provide the best asset protection. An LLC allows you to firewall your assets so one lawsuit doesn’t set off a chain reaction that leaves you asset-less.
Why is an LLC better than a corporation? Besides better asset protection, LLCs offer more tax flexibility and charging order protection.
Charging orders are legal judgments that allow creditors to access the money you make through your business. But some states offer charging order protection to LLCs.
And, Garrett says, most lawyers prefer to go through insurance so they can collect right away. So ideally investors have two firewall protections … an LLC or corporation AND insurance to back them up.
Some states, like Utah, California, and New York, don’t provide great asset protection for LLCs. Creditors can blow through the LLC and force the sale of assets … not ideal.
What can you do if you live in a state that doesn’t have the best rules for entities? Garrett reminds us you DON’T have to form an entity in the same state as your property or your residence.
How to set up your own LLC
While setting up an LLC may sound onerous and difficult, Garret says it’s really not that hard. There are two main steps:
- Set up an LLC in the state you want.
- Pick a name and make sure the name is available
- File your articles of organization, operating agreement, and certificates.
- Transfer the title of your property into the name of your LLC. This is NOT a sale … simply a transfer.
While there are plenty of websites advertising do-it-yourself LLC help, it’s much better to talk to an attorney, says Garrett.
A certified legal professional can walk you through all the steps and help you understand which business decisions are right for you.
And, an attorney will help you stay aware of formalities … the easy-to-follow rules that will keep your LLC safe from legal troubles.
Fine-tune your asset protection strategy
Garrett is a best-selling author. His books on starting your own corporation or LLC cover the strategies and techniques YOU can use to increase wealth and reduce risk.
A technique SOME people use is changing their LLC from partnership taxation to C or S corporation taxation.
That’s fine, says Garrett … as long as you don’t forget to amend your operating agreement.
Business decisions as simple as tax changes have many permutations we don’t even think about … another reason an asset protection attorney is essential.
Other investors are looking into offshore asset protection trusts. Something some investors don’t realize is that more than 10 states have created onshore trusts. But while these trusts make your money bulletproof, recent cases have demonstrated that it’s only bulletproof in the state where you’ve set up the trust.
Although there are many tricks for upping your protection level … and your wealth … investors don’t need 17 layers of LLCs.
They also don’t need to spend a ridiculous amount of money to form an LLC. For example, a Wyoming LLC provides great protection levels, for only $50 a year (plus any legal fees).
And LLCs don’t mean you’re locked into operating decisions. You have the latitude to make changes. LLCs are flexible!
Interested in delving deeper into the legal realm of asset protection? Delve into what Garrett has to offer on his website.
And while Garrett provides affordable asset protection and legal services, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t seek out your own legal help … just make sure the people you work with are serious about helping small investors stay on top of corporate formalities.
In part two of our asset protection series, we’ll delve deeper into the legal world with a discussion of offshore asset protection strategies. Listen in for info on taking your profits outside of the States!
More From The Real Estate Guys™…
- Sign up for The Real Estate Guys™ Free Newsletter and visit our Special Reports library.
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The Real Estate Guys™ radio show and podcast provides real estate investing news, education, training and resources to help real estate investors succeed.
The Market Detective – Uncovering Clues for Finding Great Markets
Across the country, real estate markets are hot … and getting hotter. That means compressed cap rates … which in turn mean a lower rate of return for investors.
So how can investors find a market that will offer great returns in good times and bad? In today’s show, we’ll discuss the market fundamentals that can make or break your next real estate investment deal.
Luckily, markets leave clues. If you’re an excellent market detective, you’ll be able to spot subtle indicators that will help you make an educated guess about the market’s future.
For this episode of The Real Estate Guys™ show, we recruited the best private eye we know to guide us through his analytical approach to investigating and choosing new investment markets.
You’ll hear from:
- Your sleuthing host, Robert Helms
- His clueless co-host, Russell Gray
- Real estate developer and author Victor Menasce
Listen
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Broadcasting since 1997 with over 300 episodes on iTunes!
Review
When you give us a positive review on iTunes you help us continue to bring you high caliber guests and attract new listeners. It’s easy and takes just a minute! (Don’t know how? Follow these instructions).
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Stepping into new markets with Victor Menasce
Victor Menasce is the author of Magnetic Capital and a successful U.S.-based real estate developer. He’s a strong believer in the principle that the best markets aren’t necessarily the ones you live in … or near.
Instead of automatically going for nearby markets, Victor undergoes a thorough evaluation process for potential markets, whether they’re near or far.
One of the things we look for when we’re analyzing a new market is net in-migration … essentially, we want to know whether there are more people entering the market than exiting.
Metrics like these can help you predict whether a market will serve your investment goals.
For Victor, market evaluation begins with the most basic metric of all … supply and demand. That means choosing a market where demand outpaces supply.
He says investors should focus on three things when entering a new investment deal, in the order listed:
- The market.
- The team who has boots on the ground in that market.
- The specific investment opportunity.
If you perform due diligence on the market and the team and something doesn’t line up, then you need to step back and reassess … before you even look at specific investment opportunities.
Philadelphia market analysis
To model his process for market choice, Victor guided us through an analysis of one of his current investment markets … Philadelphia.
“You have to look on the macro level,” Victor says.
Like many large American cities, Philadelphia has a large low-income population. This is a benefit, says Victor, because it creates areas where high-priced real estate and low-priced real estate brush up against each other.
The key is to find the arbitrary line between high and low properties … and then move that line by creating value.
Another reason Philadelphia is so successful is because of its proximity to an overpriced, overcrowded market … New York City. Victor says he sees a lot of renters moving from the New York market to Philadelphia because of its relative affordability and proximity to the Big Apple.
Two other big factors Victor looks at are population influx and job creation and availability.
He also evaluates cap-rate compression. That’s how he discovered that he can build new for 25 to 30 percent less than he can buy used. “That’s a competitive advantage,” Victor points out. “We’re creating opportunity out of thin air.”
Another point of consideration is rental rate per square foot. In Philadelphia, Victor can charge between $1.50 and $1.75 per square foot … $1,200 to $1,400 per month for an 800-square foot B-class apartment.
Victor compares that to Raleigh, North Carolina, where the average rents average $1.15 per square foot, even for class A properties. That’s about $920 for the same 800-square-foot apartment, for context.
Although rents differ, the cost of building in Raleigh and Philadelphia is comparable. That’s why Philadelphia makes far more financial sense for Victor.
Victor also walked us through the process of finding a team in the Philadelphia market. “I only go to Philadelphia one to two times a year,” he says. He started by making friends with an active group of investors already in Philadelphia who had good connections to local contractors and businesses.
Then, he amassed property by buying land and derelict structures for “pennies on the dollar.”
Lake Charles, Louisiana market analysis
Although big markets like Philadelphia generally make more sense for real estate investors and developers than smaller markets with fewer resources and infrastructure, Victor is currently investing in properties in a small town in Louisiana.
Why? The town, Lake Charles, has several compelling factors that make it a great place for long-term investing.
He walked us through his process of discovery and analysis.
Through personal relationships with people in the Louisiana real estate market, Victor came across Lake Charles, a town on the I-10 corridor.
The town is poised to produce 118 BILLION dollars of natural gas over the next decade … now that’s a staggering number.
Because of its increasingly important status as an exporter of natural gas, jobs and ancillary services are expected to increase over the next decade … and with that, the population is expected to keep rising.
With 48-50 billion dollars of construction in the works or anticipated, the population growth isn’t solely temporary workers, but also new permanent residents.
This is a town where skilled labor prevails, so the average household income is north of 90k a year … not the typical tenant profile. That means rents in Lake Charles average around $1.50 per square feet, even though it’s not a major city.
Because Lake Charles is growing so rapidly, it needs construction of all kinds. So Victor has dipped his feet into several markets, including workforce, family, and senior housing as well as medical offices.
It’s a lesson to investors … start with the market, then discover the needs and assemble a team to address those needs. Investors who go into markets operating only in a small niche may miss the best opportunities.
Why is Victor so confident in Lake Charles? “This is a town that has embraced heavy industry,” he says. He expects few obstacles to pop up as the town continues to grow. And he’s confident in his assessment because he has relied on folks who have their boots on the ground.
Treat real estate investing like a business
Victor has a pragmatic approach to market analysis. He’s logical and thorough and treats every investment decision like it’s a business decision.
We like to say that most people know a little about a lot, but Victor knows a lot about a lot. But he also knows his limits.
It’s really hard to be involved in more than a handful of markets at once … careful investors can’t do the kind of analysis Victor has done for Lake Charles for 30 markets simultaneously.
And Victor has spent the time to cultivate relationships with his teams in Lake Charles and Philadelphia. That’s important too.
We think Victor is a great resource for investors looking to take a careful approach to market choice and more. Looking for more real estate wisdom? Listen in to his Real Estate Espresso podcast, a 5-minute, interview-style briefing he puts out 7 days a week.
More From The Real Estate Guys™…
- Sign up for The Real Estate Guys™ Free Newsletter and visit our Special Reports library.
- Don’t miss an episode of The Real Estate Guys™ radio show. Subscribe on iTunes or Android or YouTube!
- Stay connected with The Real Estate Guys™ on Facebook and our Feedback page.
The Real Estate Guys™ radio show and podcast provides real estate investing news, education, training and resources to help real estate investors succeed.
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