Ultimate Guides

Learn what you need to know to find success in real estate investing! Here, the Real Estate Financial Planner™ team has collected all our Ultimate Guides so you can explore everything from investment strategies to financing to rental properties. Dive into the topics that have been holding you back so you can make informed choices, take action, and make your real estate investment goal into a reality.

Ultimate Guide to 1031 Exchanges for Real Estate Investors

Introduction Welcome to the ultimate guide on 1031 exchanges, a strategic gem in the realm of real estate investing that savvy investors use to propel their wealth to new heights while optimizing tax efficiency. At first glance, the 1031 exchange might appear daunting, wrapped in a cloak of tax legalese and complex regulations. Yet, it stands as one of the most powerful tools at the disposal of real estate investors. This guide aims to peel back the layers of complexity surrounding the 1031 exchange process, illuminating how you can harness this strategy to defer capital gains taxes, reinvest in higher-value … Read more

The Ultimate Guide to Tenant Screening for DIY Real Estate Investors

Welcome, intrepid real estate investors! If you’re diving into the world of DIY property management, you know that finding the right tenant is like discovering a rare gem. It’s not just about filling vacancies; it’s about creating a harmonious, profitable relationship that stands the test of time. Let’s embark on this journey together and uncover the secrets of effective tenant screening. Why Tenant Screening is Your Golden Key First things first, why should you care about tenant screening? Simply put, the right tenant can make or break your investment. A good tenant pays rent on time, maintains your property, and … Read more

How to use a Loan Comparison Spreadsheet for Real Estate Investors

If you are a real estate investor or planning to become one, you must have considered the different loan programs available to you. Choosing the right loan can significantly impact your cash flow, and for that reason, it’s essential to evaluate your options thoroughly. Luckily, we’ve created a loan comparison spreadsheet that can help you compare different loan types and mortgage insurance programs. Loan Comparison Spreadsheet The loan comparison spreadsheet is a tool that allows you to evaluate different loan programs based on their monthly payments, interest rates, mortgage insurance, and more. The tool’s inputs are the purchase price of … Read more

Ultimate Guide to Buying Down Mortgage Interest Rates for Real Estate Investors

Buying down your mortgage interest rate can be a great strategy for real estate investors looking to maximize their cash flow. By paying an upfront fee to lower your interest rate, you can potentially save thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. But is it always worth it? And how do you know when to buy down your rate and when to use that money for other investments? Buying Down Your Rate First, let’s look at how buying down your interest rate works. When you apply for a mortgage, your lender will give you a quote for a … Read more

Ultimate Guide to Loan Planning for Real Estate Investors

Loan planning is an essential aspect of real estate investing. It involves understanding the limitations of loans that investors can obtain, the optimal order in which to obtain loans, and the types of loans available. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of loan planning for real estate investors and provide insights into how to develop an effective loan plan. The 10 Financed Properties Limitation Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are quasi-government loans that most lenders sell their loans to. Investors can obtain these loans until they have ten non-owner-occupant financed properties. However, their personal residence counts as … Read more

The Ultimate Guide to After Repair Value for Real Estate Investors

If you’re looking to learn more about After Repair Value (ARV) for real estate investors, then check out our Ultimate Guide to After Repair Value for Real Estate Investors. After Repair Value is the value of the property after you complete any improvements. It is used most often at the time of purchase, but could also be used when making improvements to a property you already own. It is often, but not always, the Property Value when making a purchase. Determine ARV Using Comparable Sales If you’re looking to purchase a property and are wondering what to use for ARV … Read more

The Ultimate Guide to Property Value on Rental Properties

If you’re looking to learn more about property value on rental properties, then check out our Ultimate Guide to Property Value on Rental Properties. Property value is what your property is worth. It is not necessarily the Purchase Price of a property. Sometimes we will buy a property at a discount and sometimes—especially for an exceptional property—we might pay more than the property value to acquire the property. Doesn’t Purchase Price = Property Value? Some folks automatically assume, incorrectly, that if a willing buyer and willing seller agree in an arms-length transaction agree to a price that means that property … Read more

The Ultimate Guide to Debt Paydown for Rental Properties

Debt paydown on rental properties is an important part of successful real estate investing. It can help investors maximize the return on their investments and make informed decisions about when and where to invest, refinance, payoff, sell and more. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the importance of debt paydown on rental properties, the return from debt paydown, the strategies available, when you might want to use them. Read on to learn how to make the most of your rental property investments with smart debt paydown strategies. What is Debt Paydown? Debt paydown is the amount of principal of the … Read more

The Ultimate Guide to Rental Property Depreciation

Are you looking to make the most of your rental property investments? Rental property depreciation is an important tax benefit. It can help you maximize your returns and improve your overall cash flow. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the basics of rental property depreciation, including how to calculate depreciation, rental property tax deductions, and more. With this information, you’ll be on your way to financial freedom. What is Rental Property Depreciation? Rental property depreciation is a tax deduction that allows landlords to deduct a portion of the cost of their rental property over a number of years. This is … Read more

The Ultimate Guide to Real Estate Appreciation

Real estate appreciation can be an incredibly powerful tool for creating wealth and achieving financial freedom. Understanding how to effectively use real estate appreciation is essential for anyone looking to get the most out of their real estate investments. In this blog post, we will discuss the fundamentals of real estate appreciation and how to maximize your returns. We’ll look at what appreciation is, some of the key benefits of real estate appreciation and provide tips and strategies for making the most of it. Whether you’re a veteran real estate investor, or new to the world of real estate, this … Read more