When you invest in real estate, you have to have a long term vision and patience. Unlike buying stock which can be readily purchased and sold, investing in real estate does not afford a quick sale. While it is true that in years past, people were able to flip properties and make fast money in real estate, for most real estate investors the idea is to buy and hold real estate. Some investors in real estate will benefit from federal income tax breaks and other investors in real estate can hold a piece of property and later sell it and buy other property while deferring the payment of any federal income taxes until the real estate is cashed out. Real estate is not a liquid investment and you may need to consider a long term strategy or option even if you are considering a shorter term investment in real estate. Read our articles on investing in real estate and learn about problem tenants and how to handle them. Learn about finding the right team to help you navigate the world of real estate investing. And, finally, learn about how to structure your investments, insure your real estate investments and minimize your federal income taxes.
Should I Put Inherited Property In LLC?
Should I Put Inherited Property In LLC? Reader wants to know if using an LLC to transfer property ownership after death is the best way to avoid probate Q: I inherited a parcel of land upon my father's death. His wishes were for the property to remain in the family for my children. In order [...]
Inheriting Property with Siblings
Inheriting Property with Siblings? If you and your siblings are inheriting property from your parents or another family members, and everyone isn't on the same page about keeping or selling the property, you'll want to read this story. Distributing Assets Differently then Stated in the Will This week, we’re publishing comments and observations about two [...]
Inheriting Property in a Trust
Inheriting property in a trust is far easier than going through probate. Q: My dad owns a duplex. He lives upstairs and rents the downstairs unit. He wants me to inherit the property after he dies. Should we transfer ownership of the property by will or by adding me to the deed? I understand all [...]
Calculating Capital Gains
Calculating capital gains on sale of a home is tricky. Especially if you've made improvements to the property. Not everyone enjoys calculating capital gains on the sale of a home. It requires keeping close track of the cost of improvements made to the property over the years. Over the past few weeks, we’ve fielded a [...]
Do All Partners Have to Do a 1031 Exchange?
Do all partners have to do a 1031 exchange? Can you do a 1031 exchange on jointly owned property? A trio of siblings wants to know how to do a 1031 exchange if only two of the three siblings are on in the deal. Q: I hope you can answer this question for me. We [...]
How Do I Avoid Capital Gains Tax for Jointly Owned Property?
How do I avoid capital gains tax for jointly owned property? This reader wants to know how best to go about using the home sale exclusion when they sell the property. Q: My wife and I own our home jointly. The home has appreciated substantially in the 25 years we have owned it to the [...]
Do I Have to Pay Tax on Property Sold Overseas?
Do I have to pay tax on property sold overseas? This reader wants to use funds from the property sale to invest in real estate in California. Q: I own a piece of real estate overseas and I’ve owned it for quite some time, even before I became a U.S. citizen. I would like to [...]
1031 Exchange Process, Timelines and Examples
1031 exchange process, timelines and examples. There are a number of ways to successfully complete, or complicate, a 1031 exchange. A few weeks ago, we wrote about like-kind exchanges (also known as an Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 exchange) and the temporary relief being granted to some buyers and sellers during the COVID-19 pandemic. For [...]
How Do I Take Property Out of an LLC?
How do I take property out of an LLC? This reader wants to know how to take their house out of an LLC that’s in administrative dissolution. Q: I hope you can help me with this mess. I have an ex-partner who talked me into putting my house into a limited liability company (LLC) with [...]
1031 Exchange Deadlines During COVID-19 Pandemic
1031 exchange deadlines during COVID-19 pandemic. This reader wants to know about extensions available to those who completed a 1031 exchange in 2019. Q: We completed our 1031 exchange in September 2019. Our renter has fallen on hardship due to the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic and cannot afford the rent. Similarly, we are in a rental that [...]