Don’t miss a single show!

Tax Credits

They sound nice, but real estate investors may think that they are not so easy to come by. Those investors who do happen upon them find usually find themselves bogged down by the IRS’ strict stipulations surrounding them.

Tax credits are, in fact, tools set in place to help investors grow their portfolios and while they may seem complex, they are accessible to any investor willing to do a little extra leg work.

While nobody should be expected to know the entire IRS tax code, real estate investors should be aware of some very helpful tax credits that can be applied to their assets.

Michele Pasquale, of Meridian Financial Solutions spoke with us previously about increasing your bottom line through cost segregation.

This week she discusses some more tax credits that real estate investors can apply to green or sustainable property endeavors.

179D

• Instated in 2005 Energy Policy Act and renewed annually
• Potentially set to expire end of 2016
• Tax deduction for energy efficient additions to commercial buildings +30,000 s/f
• 3 common components
  • Building envelope
  • HVAC
  • Lighting
• $0.30-$1.80/SF in tax credits
• Calculated on energy efficiency of entire building set to ASHRAE requirements

45(l)

• Residential tax credit for developers of energy efficient buildings
• Potentially set to expire end of 2016
• dollar-per-dollar deduction
• $2000/unit or dwelling
• Qualifying factors
  • Apartments, Condos, Town homes
  • New construction or rehab up to 4yrs
  • 3 stories tall or less

Disposition

• Tax credit for removal and retiring of building fixtures or components
• Book value of components can be written off as business deduction
• Components can not be purchased within same year as tax year filing with deduction and must be no longer in service

Have more questions on these or other possible tax credits? Call Meridian Financial Solutions for a free quote at 561-252-7282

The post Ep. 104 Landlord Tales – Tax Credits on Green or Sustainable Property Endeavors appeared first on Real Estate Investing in Florida.

Don’t miss a single show!

Listeners of the show will remember Jillian Bandes who, in episode 74, discussed what real estate investors should consider about building structure when looking at commercial multifamily investing. The project manager for Bandes Construction covered 6 hot topics on building structure and maintenance that investors should be aware of with commercial multifamily properties.

In this episode, we discuss Jillian’s first investment property….a single family home with an ajacent rental apartment.  She discusses razing the property, dealing with the local code and building officials and her plans on whether to rent the units or live in one and rent the remainder.  The property was purchased through a foreclosure and we cover the online methods now employed by Pinellas County.  Not only is this project about a potential home and investment, but Jillian is  passionate about blazing the trail for urban renewal and redevelopment in St Petersburg’s core and her unit is in the heart of a rapidly changing area.

• Residential property permitting and zoning regulations differ from commercial properties
• Property location
  • Choose property in an area you are familiar with
  • Walk surrounding neighborhood
• If investment property, define target rental market
• Due-diligence
  • If foreclosure property, know state of title (liens)
  • What is the property zoned for? Is property up to code? Accessory buildings permitted?
• Work with local and municipal officials
• St. Petersburg, Florida
  • Undergoing immense urban growth period
  • Investors need accessibility to invest in properties with potential for redevelopment/renewal
  • South St. Pete offers development opportunity and reasonable prices w/ proximity to cultural amenities

Jillian extends a big thank you to Carlyn Neuman of Tampa’s 360 Realty for helping to navigate online foreclosure bidding as well as to Katrina Trump of Bank of Tampa, for assisting with securing financing.

The post Ep. 96 Jillian Bandes: Making a Complex First Invest in Small Multifamily appeared first on Real Estate Investing in Florida.

Don’t miss a single show!

One of the downsides for real estate investors buying single family homes has always been the large amount of time and financial investment it takes to certify an asset. Buyers most conduct thorough due diligence to verify a property’s physical condition, legal standing and yield potential. Buying single family homes can be a stable financial option, but it requires a lot of personal commitment that some investors just can’t afford.

Roofstock may provide investors with a solution to this problem. This episode, Roofstock CEO Gary Beasley stops by to talk about the new platform that is changing the way investors are buying single family homes. By removing the stress and mess of the due diligence process, Roofstock can greatly decrease transaction fees and increase market fluidity by providing investors with a certified, reliable and transparent marketplace for buying single family rental homes. They are also proving that buying leased single family homes can be a greater asset than vacant singe family properties.

Roofstock:

• Launched in FL – Tampa, Orlando, Cape Coral, Jacksonville, Miami
  • Also Atlanta and California
  • Grow to 10+ markets in U.S.
• Due Diligence
  • 3rd party valuation report, title report, property inspection, rent surveys, financial calculator est. returns based on several rental situations, vets tenants and property managers
• Hands-off Investing
  • Buyer freed from operational component of investing
  • Buyers able to rely on surety of data
• Cheaper, More Effective than MLS
  • Roofstock – 2.5% transaction fee from sellers; .5% marketplace fee from buyers : MLS – 6% transaction fee
  • Standardized marketplace of available, leased single family homes
• Investment fund opportunity
  • Recent launch of 100-property fund
• 1031 Exchanges
  • Provides readily available market for investors in need of exchange property

To find out more about the great services Roofstock offers investors buying single family homes, check out their website! You can also contact Gary directly at gary@roofstock.com or the senior client adviser, zack@roofstock.com

The post Ep. 90 Gary Beasley, CEO: Buying Single Family Homes with a Cash Flow Through Roofstock appeared first on Real Estate Investing in Florida.

Don’t miss a single show!

Real estate markets are entering a new phase. Nationally, investment markets are evolving to suit new demands from consumers. Here in Florida, theses changes are causing ripples of concern for investors and residential developers. What does the generational shift mean for the future of residential real estate and what can investors and and residential developers due to anticipate and adapt to these changes?

Jean Francois Roy, Founder and President of Ocean Land Investments shares with us his story and discusses the importance of flexibility as a residential developer and investor to find success in the market. Beginning his foray into residential real estate in his native Quebec, Canada, Jean Francois focused on developing high-end retirement living spaces. Following the American economic recession in the early 1990s, Jean Francois moved his venture to Florida, focusing on Ft. Lauderdale markets. Jean Francois quickly realized that flexibility and understanding the demands of the market was imperative for the success of any residential developer or investor. Ocean Land Investments continues to be a leading residential real estate firm due to Jean Francois’ drive and flexibility.

• Staying Flexible
  • Residential Developers: Purchase land during market/economic slumps
  • Markets with high populations reduce vacancy risks
  • Adapt to market demands
    • In Ft. Lauderdale, high retirement-age demographic good for multi-family residential (apartments, condos)
  • Recognize consumer trends
    • “Going green” – buyers and tenants willing to pay premiums for environmentally-geared projects/renovations
    • Shift towards “conservative” structures from “extravagance” of 2000s
  • Be amenable to joint ventures and refurbishment projects as opposed to new developments
  • Be wary of overambitious or amateur developers straining the market

To contact Jean Francois Roy or to find out more about investment, leasing, or purchasing options with Ocean Land Investments, call the office at (954) 558-3187 or visit their website

The post Ep. 61 Jean Francois Roy: Staying Flexible is the Key for Residential Developers appeared first on Real Estate Investing in Florida.

Don’t miss a single show!

Jay Smith, CEO of A Snoop Inspections, is a veteran in his field of property inspection. Jay possesses over 30 years in property inspection experience as well as hands-on knowledge of building construction. Jay has an invaluable insight into the key concepts of inspecting properties.

Property inspections can cause even the most seasoned real estate investor to shudder. Not only do inspections have the potential to turn up devastating issues for investors close to finalizing a deal, under-qualified inspectors may cost an investor thousands of dollars in corrective aggravation. Recent changes to insurance policies and coverage in Florida have led to increased concern over property inspections and their impact on real estate investment. Commercial investors need to be especially careful as there are many more aspects to commercial property inspection as opposed to residential. This episode will cover six hot spots or areas of focus for any investor to cover when inspecting properties.

1. Electrical
   1. Out-dated wiring methods may preclude properties from meeting current insurance requirements
      1. Aluminum wiring dating mid 1960s-1970s a prevalent issue; Cloth wiring; Knob-and-tube wiring
      2. No safety outlets by water areas source of concern
2. Roofs
   1. Major area of concern when inspecting properties. Damage can be detrimental to property and repairs costly.
      1. Look for flat roofs or areas where water pools
      2. Leaks cause major damage
      3. A/C units on roofs – water damage from condensation, impede accessible roof maintenance. New FL building codes require roof-units be on raised platforms
3. Insurance Changes
   
   1. Changes to FL insurance coverage a important concern for new buyers
      1. Standards for coverage have changed over recent years
      2. Require more detailed inspections, won’t insure certain construction methods/materials
      3. Insurance coeerage under previous owner will not extend to new buyer
4. Sinkholes
   1. Costly and potentially dangerous inspection issue
      1. Look for long, horizontal cracks in and around structure
      2. $2000 geo-technical survey
5. Mold
   1. Serious issue in FL
      1. Difficult to asses severity or extent of infestation
      2. Especially an issue in vacant or untended properties
6. Inspector Due Diligence
   1. In FL especially, determine certifications of inspectors prior to selecting
      1. FL requires Home Inspector license only
      2. International Association of Home Inspectors – largest H.I. association in U.S.
      3. For specific issues, contact specialists (i.e. mold inspector, master electrician, professional roofer)

To contact Jay for information on inspecting properties or to inquire about his own property inspection services, visit his website: www.a-snoop.com or call (813) 345-2600

The post Ep. 59 Jay Smith: 6 Hot Spots for Inspecting Properties appeared first on Real Estate Investing in Florida.