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Increase Cash Flow Using Powerful Tax Breaks

There’s no such thing as a perfect investment … but real estate sure comes close!

But with any investment … you have to be smart. One important aspect of smart real estate is taking advantage of powerful tax breaks. 

We’re diving deep into one of the best tax benefits that real estate offers to investors like YOU … cost segregation. 

In this episode of The Real Estate Guys™ show, hear from:

• Your appreciated host, Robert Helms
• His depreciating co-host, Russell Gray
• Cost segregation authority, Erik Oliver

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Increase cash flow and reduce taxes

You can make a lot of money in real estate … but you can also pay a lot of taxes. 

Today, we’re going to show you how you can increase cash flow and reduce taxes with investment real estate. 

Beyond monthly cash flow from a real estate property, you can also make money as your property appreciates over time. 

That equity is locked into the property until you do something about it … like refinancing or selling. 

You also have the benefit of amortizing a loan. Every month when you make your mortgage payment, part of it goes to pay interest while the other part pays down the principal. Each time you pay down the principal, you own more of the property.

But the way to make money we are focusing on today is … tax benefits!

CPA Tom Wheelwright has taught us that if you want to know what a nation wants its citizens to do with their invested capital … just look at the tax code.

The tax code is a series of incentives … and these incentives will benefit your bottom line and enhance your cash flow.

The tax code can be especially helpful in those early years of purchasing a property when there is a lot of expense … above and beyond what you get over the life of the property. 

We should remind you that we’re not tax advisors or professionals. We give ideas and information. We’ll be sharing a lot today … but sit down with your tax professional before you make any major decisions. 

Make sure you have a tax professional that truly understands this niche … preferably one who owns investment property themselves or whose practice serves a large percentage of real estate investors.

And … don’t let the tax tail wag the investment dog. 

You don’t want to invest in something just because of a tax benefit. Instead, find a great market, a great property, a great niche. 

Then, you’re going to seek to exploit the tax law legally in your favor to the best degree you can. 

Today, we’re going to talk about a tax benefit that most multifamily and seasoned long-term developers and investors know about … but many smaller investors haven’t discovered yet. 

What is cost segregation?

Erik Oliver is an authority on cost segregation. 

Depreciation accounts for a loss of worth in your asset. Some things depreciate, while others don’t. 

Land doesn’t wear out … so it isn’t depreciable. But gutters do … so they are. 

“Cost segregation is simply accelerated depreciation,” Erik says. Many people get into real estate in order to take advantage of the depreciation loss. 

“We depreciate our real estate over either 27.5 years for residential properties or 39 years for commercial properties,” Erik says. 

Cost segregation means that you accelerate that timeline instead of taking 1/39 of your depreciation each year. 

It starts by identifying the different components of your building and segregating out those components into shorter asset lives. 

For example, the IRS allows you to depreciate carpet over five years. Instead of having to lump that together with your 39-year asset cost, cost segregation comes in and puts a value to that carpet, allowing you to depreciate it over a much shorter time frame. 

Accelerating the depreciation means more tax benefits, sooner. 

Let’s put some numbers to it for a simple example. 

If you own a $270K duplex, you’ll get to write off $10K every year against your income for the next 27.5 years without doing cost segregation. 

If you were to do cost segregation on that duplex, the analysts will identify roughly around 30 percent of that $270K and categorize it into 5, 7, or 15 year property. 

Depending on when you bought the property and what the laws were at that time, you may be able to write off all of that 5, 7, and 15 year property in year one. 

That’s over $70K that can be written off in the first year instead of $10K. 

What does an analysis look like?

Cost segregation is a process generally done in conjunction with an engineering firm and accounting firms. 

In order to complete a cost segregation study, you’ve got to have construction engineers that can go in and reverse engineer these buildings, so to speak. 

You also have to have someone with tax knowledge to take that information and make it work for you. 

Many CPA firms will partner with an engineering firm to offer this service to their clients. 

The IRS has actually put out an audit guide that most cost segregation companies follow. It’s 13 steps and requires a site visit. 

“Typically, we’ll send one of our construction engineers out to the property for them to do an inspection,” Erik says. “They’re looking for things like retaining walls outside, drainage in the parking lot, what type of flooring and window coverings are used, etc.”

The resulting reports are pretty detailed … usually about 40 to 60 pages long. They basically line item every component of the building. 

“We do go over everything from flooring to cabinets to countertops. We’ll even go out and count the trees and bushes,” Erik says. 

Cost segregation studies can cost anywhere from $7K to $15K. Erik says he recommends you get an estimated cost for a study for any property over $200K. 

“Sometimes, depending on a number of variables, it may not make sense to do a cost segregation, but you should always look into it in case it does make sense,” Erik says. 

Most cost segregation companies will do a free benefit analysis to make sure that you are going to get significant tax savings from completing the study. 

For more on cost segregation … listen to the full episode!

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More From The Real Estate Guys™…

• Sign up for The Real Estate Guys™ Free Newsletter
• Check out all the great free info in 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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Boots-on-the-Ground Market Insights: Cash Management

Boots-on-the-Ground Market Insights: Cash Management

June 2020

Insulate yourself from relying on the balance sheet of the bank …

Just as Insurance companies are either making short term and impulsive decisions or long term and calculated decisions, Russell Gray, Co-host of The Real Estate Guys™  Radio Show interviews Patrick Donohoe, President and CEO of Paradigm Life to discuss how you can make the best long term decisions possible. 

Gain insight and clarity on what can be a confusing process of investing in Insurance companies and annuities. 

Here’s some of the areas Russell & Patrick discuss … 

• Infinite Banking – How You Can Circumvent the Traditional Banking Systems
• Tax-Free Growth – How to Mitigate Risk
• Counterparty Risk – How to Insulate Yourself from Low Yields
• Publicly Traded Insurance Companies vs. Private and Mutual Insurance Companies
• Certainty and Uncertainty – What You Can do to Ensure You’re On the Right Side of The Equation
• And Much More! 

Simply fill out the form below to access this edition of Boots-on-the-Ground Market Insights: Cash Management …

First Name * Last Name * Email * Phone Comments   WATCH NOW

Podcast: Recent Updates Unlock Retirement Account Profit Potential

Podcast: Increase Cash Flow Using Powerful Tax Breaks

Encore – The Godfather’s Tips for Working with Investment Specialists

When you’re in need of valuable advice … you talk to a Dad. 

In this Father’s Day encore episode, we are revisiting the sage wisdom provided by the late, great Godfather of Real Estate, Robert’s father, friend, and partner … Bob Helms. 

Listen in as Bob shares his top tips for working with real estate brokers who understand what it means to work with investment property. 

To contribute to the Godfather Scholarship Fund in honor of Bob’s life and legacy, send an email request to [email protected] We’ll get you the details!

In this episode of The Real Estate Guys™ show, hear from:

• The father and host of The Real Estate Guys Radio Show, Robert Helms
• The father of outtakes and co-host, Russell Gray
• The father of Robert Helms and The Godfather of Real Estate, the late, great Bob Helms

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Advice from The Godfather of Real Estate himself

In honor of Father’s Day, we’d like to share some wisdom from the archives. 

We’re throwing back to late 2018 when The Godfather of Real Estate, Bob Helms, shared his best tips for working with real estate agents that understand investment property. 

That’s the thing about advice from world-class dads … it never gets old! 

Bob Helms spent many, many years actively brokering properties, teaching agents, and managing agents. He knew firsthand why it was so important to find and work with great real estate professionals. 

Our philosophy has always been that you should align yourself with professionals in every category … lawyers, CPAs, real estate brokers, and agents. 

Cooperation, not competition

Real estate is a relationship business … and when it comes to the brokerage community, it seems awfully competitive out there.

But here’s the first secret … The brokerage business and the real estate sales business are really ones of cooperation rather than competition.

More often than not, we need other agents in the community to be out there providing the inventory that we need.

You may have heard of the 80/20 rule. That rule says that 80% of the real estate in a market is sold by 20% of the agents.

“The most active agents in the network know each other,” Bob says. “They’re in deals together. They understand both sides have to win. It’s urgently important that you not practice your business by trying to take advantage of the person on the other side of the transaction.”

Many investors think they have to squeeze every last dime out of the deal. But the best transactions are whenthe deal closes and everyone looks around, high fives, and says, “That’s awesome!”

“When that happens, people also tend to say, ‘Let’s do it again!’” Bob says. “This is a relationship business. It’s a long-term business.”

The typical homeowner moves every four to seven years. When they move, they usually move out of the area completely.

That means, when you help somebody sell their house … they’re not coming back to buy a property from you … and that’s why it is so important to have a great relationship with other agents.

Working with your agent

Let’s talk a little bit about working with your agent.

Bob says that one of his biggest tips is to pay your agents … insist that your agents get paid top dollar.

Why wouldn’t you want to negotiate that fee?

“I’m going to suggest that you do negotiate the fee,” Bob says, “and the minute an agent agrees to take a discount, you know not to work with that agent.”

An agent that takes a discount on their fee will roll over when it comes to trying to save or make you money.

You want to work with someone that is firm in their value, understands what they’re worth, and will fight for it.

The reality is that the vast majority of real estate agents don’t really work with investors … not because they have anything against it but because they’ve simply never done it or been taught how to do it.

The difference between working with a typical agent and someone who specializes in working with investors is gigantic.

And, if you’re a real estate agent wondering how you can make more money … working with investors is the answer.

Investors are clients that buy properties again and again and again. The pricing of those properties can also be higher.

Investors tend to purchase larger properties as their portfolio grows … which means larger commissions for the agent.

Resources for getting ahead

Bob’s book, Be in the Top 1%: A Real Estate Agent’s Guide to Getting Rich in the Investment Property Niche, is a great resource for agents looking to get ahead and for investors hoping to understand more about where their agent is coming from.

Bob’s biggest tips for agents are to recognize there is no limit on how much commissioned income you can make … and that you don’t have to stop doing what is already working for you.

If you’re selling single family homes and doing well … you can keep doing it! Just add investment property as a new segment of your business.

As an investor, the person who benefits most from agents who take on investment property is YOU.

As you develop your relationships with agents across markets, they will bring you great deals.

For more tips from The Godfather of Real Estate … Bob Helms … listen to the full episode!

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More From The Real Estate Guys™…

• Sign up for The Real Estate Guys™ Free Newsletter
• Check out all the great free info in 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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Love the show?  Tell the world!  When you promote the show, you help us attract more great guests for your listening pleasure!

Boots-on-the-Ground Market Insights: Precious Metals

Boots-on-the-Ground Market Insights: Precious Metals

June 2020

Precious metals diversify any real estate investment portfolio AND protect against inflation …

As the Fed shows no signs of a halt in printing money, Russell Gray, Co-host of The Real Estate Guys™ Radio Show interviews Dana Samuelson, president of American Gold Exchange and lead numismatist to discuss the state of Precious Metals and what we can do to hedge against disaster.

Listeners will gain knowledge and perspective on the current state of Gold in an ever-changing environment while also learning practical strategies within the market.

Here’s some of the areas Russell & Dana discuss …

• High Grading and a Halt in Exploration – The lag in supply vs. demand
• Cost of Oil – How the cost of oil plays a role in the value of precious metals
• Printing of Dollars – How this plays a BIG role in the health of Gold
• What’s Happening with Gold and Other Currencies – Discover the clues that we need to be paying attention to on a global scale
• Converting Equity to Precious Metals – How to hedge against loss as Credit Markets constrict
• And much more!

Simply fill out the form below to access this edition of Boots-on-the-Ground Market Insights: Precious Metals …

 

First Name * Last Name * Email * Phone Comments WATCH NOW

Boots-on-the-Ground Market Insights: Cost Segregation

Boots-on-the-Ground Market Insights: Cost Segregation

May 2020

New provisions are available and you’ll want to know!

CARES Act wants to get cash back in pockets quickly.

This interview will provide important information that will help you in the long run.

Join Russell Gray, Co-host of The Real Estate Guys™ Radio Show, and Cost Segregation expert, Erik Oliver, as they discuss how you can…

✓ Take advantage of tax cuts

✓ Use accelerated depreciation on certain real estate components

✓ Boost your cash flow

✓ Amplify opportunity with bonus depreciation

✓ And more!

Discover the secrets …

Simply fill out the form below to access this Boots-on-the-Ground Market Insights: Cost Segregation …

 

First Name * Last Name * Email * Phone Comments WATCH NOW

Encore Podcast: The Godfather’s Tips for Working with Investment Specialists

Passive Investing through Real Estate Investment Funds

There are plenty of people out there who want the benefits of real estate but don’t want to get their hands dirty. 

For those folks, private funds can be a great option. 

While it can be expensive to send your money on the long round trip to Wall Street … Main Street funds are a lot leaner and a lot more transparent. 

We’re visiting with a Main Street real estate fund manager and exploring the benefits of passive investing through real estate investment funds. 

In this episode of The Real Estate Guys™ show, hear from:

• Your hyperactive host, Robert Helms
• His passive-aggressive co-host, Russell Gray
• Real estate investment fund manager, Paul Moore

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Broadcasting since 1997 with over 300 episodes on iTunes!

 

 

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A space for passive investment

You can be an active investor that does all the work … finds the market, puts together the team, rolls up your sleeves, even paints and carpets. 

Or, you might leave that work to somebody else and invest passively in real estate. 

Today we are talking about one of the many ways to passively invest … real estate investment funds. 

A real estate investment fund has a specific purpose. It invests in a particular type of real estate …  maybe in a geographic area, maybe a specific product type. 

The difference is that a fund isn’t typically going to invest in just a single property. And, it’s not a single investor … multiple investors come together to share both the risks and the rewards. 

In today’s environment with the volatility we’ve had in the stock market, many people are looking at other ways to invest. 

Real estate investment funds usually invest in commercial properties, because they’re playing at scale. So, you become a Main Street investor investing in Main Street. 

If you drive around your community and see a new apartment building or self-storage facility going up … it’s likely those aren’t owned by individual investors. But they aren’t usually owned by institutional investors either. 

There is a middle space. 

That space used to be a good old boys club … you could only find them if you knew the right people. 

But things have changed. Depending on the type of investor you are, a fund can make sense for you in so many ways. 

The basics of real estate investment funds 

Our guest today has a multitude of real estate investment funds and is here to show his approach to that business. 

Paul Moore is a fund investor and manager from Wellings Capital. Before COVID-19 hit, Paul and his team raised a record amount of money. By the end of March, they decided to hit pause on the fund. 

“We pressed pause to evaluate opportunities in this new light,” Paul says. “We’ve been evaluating syndicators for years and have a short list of people who meet our criteria to invest with.” 

The fact that the fund is made of passive investors means that Paul had this luxury … it’s not like they were stuck in escrow and wondering if things would work out. 

Let’s talk about what makes the type of funds Paul works with different than your average syndication deal. 

Often, syndication is a single property. You find investors that fit the criteria of your deal and your investment fits them. 

What Paul does in a fund is bigger than that. Funds have multiple properties … which offers great diversity. 

With funds, you’ll see diversification across five or six different metrics. 

You’re diversifying across operators … across geographies … across asset types. You’re also diversifying across strategies and time.

All of that diversity helps create opportunities that are recession proof and still offer promising returns. 

Diversification across time is a particularly intriguing part of a real estate investment fund. 

An investor that joined a fund … say in June 2020 … would get the benefit of assets that have already been purchased by that fund. 

Basically, you’re buying into a portfolio, and about three quarters of the assets have already essentially been de-risked. 

Because a fund is diverse, you’re going to have a home run or two, a grand slam … and maybe a few base hits. 

In Paul’s current funds, you’ll find multifamily properties, mobile home parks, and even self-storage. 

Nothing in investment is guaranteed … but funds are pretty well protected pieces of collateral. 

Understanding operators and managers

When you talk about funds, you have managers and operators. Some people act as both. They have a property management company and they manage portfolios. 

That’s not how Paul’s team operates. They search out properties and operators. 

“We spend a lot of time getting to know the operators,” Paul says. “We get to know everything about them, about their company, about the way they treat their employees. That due diligence really pays off for us in the long run.” 

Paul says that the team is always more important than the property. Once you have a great operator, they can lead you to potential properties. 

The right operator can stay with you and shepherd you through whatever comes in the market. 

Paul’s job as a fund manager is managing and interfacing with these operators on behalf of all the investors who take part in the fund. 

“We have such good operators that we never want to try and take control, but we do stay in close touch with them and get regular updates on what is happening in the market,” Paul says. 

For more information on passive investing through real estate funds and what you could expect from working with Paul and his team … listen to the full episode!

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More From The Real Estate Guys™…

• Sign up for The Real Estate Guys™ Free Newsletter
• Check out all the great free info in 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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Love the show?  Tell the world!  When you promote the show, you help us attract more great guests for your listening pleasure!

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