As a sole proprietorship or self-employed entrepreneur, you should always look for ways to save money and avoid taxes. The two most advantageous plans are a SEP IRA and a single 401K. These plans allow for large contributions to tax-deferred accounts that will prepare you for the future and lower your current taxes. The account… Continue reading
Category: Real Estate
Real Estate Appraisals: Prepare to Know Your Home’s Value
The collapse of the economy began with a wind of reality blowing against the house of cards of subprime mortgages. We all live with the results of overly aggressive lending practices and overly active government intervention. With all these friends, who needs enemies? As the market readjusts, property valuations have plummeted. Some of you may… Continue reading
A small group of tenants can double your multifamily utility costs
Find out what you can do about it When utilities are included in the rent of an apartment complex, some tenants will naturally consume more than others. High utility users, even if they represent a small group of tenants, can increase costs substantially. Since these cost increases are effectively hidden in the rent, residents who… Continue reading
What are the benefits of paying rent online with a credit card?
If you plan to pay your rent with your credit card, consider the benefits: Rewards When you use your card to pay your rent, you can increase your ability to earn more with a hefty expense each month. You will find that the huge rental fees are really helpful in terms of meeting the spending… Continue reading
The Right Discount Rate for Residential Real Estate Analysis
The investment value of a property can only be measured against other investment opportunities available to an investor. If investors can earn 4.5% investing in government bonds, they will demand a higher return to invest in an asset as volatile and as illiquid as residential real estate. The rate of return that an investor demands… Continue reading
Karaka Lakes: a new development and a new lifestyle
Karaka Lakes is part of a recent development a 30 minute drive south of central Auckland. This elegant subdivision offers its residents an alternative lifestyle to the hustle and bustle of the city, with a relaxed lifestyle in a picturesque setting. Over the past 12 months, the area has seen some major developments, with the… Continue reading
Outdoor storage sheds for apartments
People who live in small apartments and condos are always looking for ingenious new ways to optimize the amount of space they have. A question that often comes up when pondering an apartment storage problem is: Are outdoor / indoor storage sheds the answer? Most of the time, depending on the lease agreements; the answer… Continue reading
Live cheap and love it – Live in an RV
Does the recent economy make you live cheap? It sure does in our house. Go ahead … you may be forced to spend less on housing. How can that be good? A really fun way to experience economic life is to live in an RV. Yes … this lifestyle is cheaper than a… Continue reading
Increase or decrease in land value?
Tea only The truth in the expression “the earth will always appreciate in value because they are not making more of it” is found in the last 7 words! The finite supply of land doesn’t even come close to guaranteeing that its value will increase over time. Supply is only one factor to consider when… Continue reading
7 reasons to use a land trust
I was browsing my directory looking for articles that I had been collecting and came across this one on Land Trusts. I cannot tell you how many times a Land Trust has saved me while taking possession of a property. If you are a serious real estate investor, YOU MUST master this method of asset… Continue reading