Real estate is most likely missing from your investment portfolio. From many investment advisors not wanting to tell you advice for investments they do not earn a commission on, to the horror stories of becoming a landlord and dealing with stopped up toilets and irritated tenants, investing in real estate oftentimes gets pushed to the side. Even though at the same time, all of us know real estate’s cash generating potential and we instinctively want a piece of it.
You must be ardent in your desire to add real estate to your portfolio because no one else will tell you it is a good idea. To capture the unique tax advantages afforded in real estate, you should learn how to evaluate a real estate transaction yourself and must decide which type of real estate investment matches your personality and how you would invest. When you conclude real estate meets your need for reliable cash flow with the opportunity for appreciation, you should invest in it.
1. Defeat your allies
In many cases, your trusted and paid advisors such as your wealth manager, broker or tax accountant may suggest you avoid real estate in your portfolio altogether. They usually give the same tired reasons that it is too management intensive. Those could be valid arguments based on your specific situation, but that’s not the real reason they want you to avoid real estate.
Stockbrokers do not get paid for you to invest in real estate. There is nothing in it for them, unless they want you to buy a high-cost non-traded REIT, but now you will know their true motivation. You need to do your own research to decide if the potential cash flow from real estate is right for you.
2. Grade school arithmetic
Real estate is a numbers game, but you might be surprised to know that you learned all of the skills necessary in grade school. To decide whether or not to go with a potential investment, you will only need a few key formulas and nothing will be more difficult than long division. Once you have mastered these concepts, you will have the numerical tools to effectively underwrite real estate investments.
3. Use a taxable account
Why try to avoid taxes by investing through an 401k or IRA when the government brings tax advantages to real estate? The cash flow that you receive may not be entirely what the IRS considers taxable income especially in the early years of a real estate investment. Non-cash items like depreciation and amortization will serve to dramatically reduce your taxable income but have no impact on your cash flow. Taxable losses can be wasted in an 401k or IRA but have great value in your taxed account.
Real estate needs to be a part of a diversified investment portfolio when it comes to retirement in particular. You will take ownership of your investment future by equipping yourself with the proper tools to evaluate transactions and the self-awareness to seek out real estate investments when others tell you not to.
Do you have questions about investing in real estate? Click here to contact our partners at the Ryan Grant Team today! And if you’re ready to start searching homes let us know!
