The Real Estate Financial Planner™ Blog

Welcome to the thrilling world of Real Estate Financial Planning! If you’re on the hunt for savvy investment strategies, transformative financial insights, and the ultimate guide to building wealth through real estate, you’ve just hit the jackpot. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just dipping your toes into the vast ocean of real estate opportunities, our blog is your new go-to resource.

Why real estate, you ask? Simple. It’s one of the most powerful vehicles for generating long-term wealth and achieving financial freedom. And who doesn’t dream of that? But here’s the kicker: navigating this world can be as complex as it is rewarding. That’s where we come in. Our content is designed not only to enlighten you but also to inspire action and drive results.

Imagine unlocking the secrets to acquiring lucrative rental properties that pay for themselves and then some. Picture yourself living off passive income, where your investments work for you, not the other way around. It’s not just a dream; it’s a very achievable reality, and we’re here to show you how.

From deep dives into market analysis, investment strategies, and financial planning, to actionable tips on property management and scaling your portfolio, our blog covers it all. We believe in cutting through the noise to bring you straightforward, actionable advice that makes a difference.

But it’s not just about the “what” and the “how”; it’s also about the “who.” Meet James, a former real estate broker turned investment guru, who lives and breathes real estate. James has walked the walk, transforming his passion for real estate into a thriving portfolio of income-generating properties. Now, he’s here to share his wealth of knowledge, experiences, and insights with you.

Our mission is simple: to empower you with the knowledge and tools you need to make informed decisions, maximize your returns, and build a financial legacy through real estate. We’re here to guide you every step of the way, from your first investment property to your hundredth.

So, are you ready to embark on this exciting journey with us? Let’s dive in and explore the endless possibilities that real estate investing has to offer. Together, we’ll unlock the door to financial freedom and success. Welcome to the Real Estate Financial Planning blog, where your financial dreams are just a blog post away. Let the adventure begin!

Real Estate Investor FIRE

Many dream of reaching a point where their financial resources allow them to retire early, enjoying life without the constraints of a 9-to-5 job. This dream, often referred to as Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE), can seem distant or unattainable to some. However, through astute real estate investing and strategic management of rental properties, achieving FIRE is more accessible than you might think. Here’s how. Understanding the Basics of FIRE FIRE is a lifestyle movement with the goal of financial independence and the ability to retire well before the traditional retirement age. This doesn’t necessarily mean leaving the workforce entirely … Read more

The ROI On A House Probably Isn’t As High As You Think – An Honest Talk

Real estate investing is often heralded as a surefire path to wealth, promising lucrative returns through appreciation, cash flow, depreciation benefits, debt paydown, and more. However, the reality is that the return on investment (ROI) on a house may not be as high as many investors initially believe. Let’s unpack the reasons why and set realistic expectations for those looking to dive into the world of real estate investments. 1. Appreciation Isn’t Guaranteed Many investors buy property with the assumption that its value will always go up. While historical data supports long-term appreciation, the real estate market is subject to … Read more

The Case AGAINST Investing in Real Estate

While real estate investing can be a lucrative path for some, it’s not without its pitfalls and drawbacks. In the spirit of playing devil’s advocate, let’s explore the reasons why investing in real estate might not be the golden opportunity it’s often touted as, and consider alternative investment avenues that could potentially offer better returns, less hassle, or both. 1. Capital Intensity Real estate requires a significant upfront investment, not only in terms of purchasing property but also in ongoing maintenance and upgrades. This high barrier to entry can be prohibitive for many potential investors, tying up large amounts of … Read more

Stress Testing Your Real Estate Investing Portfolio

Historically, using The World’s Greatest Real Estate Deal Analysis Spreadsheet™ most people use a static rent appreciation rate and price appreciation rate. In other words, when analyzing a deal they used 2 or 3% for rent appreciation. And, 2 to 3% for price appreciation. You could do some changes to these appreciation rates by using the rent OVERRIDE feature: And, you can do a similar thing with the price OVERRIDE feature lower on the spreadsheet: But the OVERRIDE feature… as good as it is… is limited in its ability to stress test a property and… unless you create an amalgamation … Read more

Ultimate Guide to Should I Sell My Rental Property?

It’s a question as old as real estate investing itself: should I sell my rental? In this brand new class, James will give you unparalleled insight into whether you should keep your rental or sell it. The Setup You’ve been acquiring properties over time. When you acquire properties, we’ve typically used Return on Investment (ROI) as a primary decision-making metric. Some investors will focus more on cash flow and use Cash on Cash Return on Investment (which is just the “Cash Flow” portion of my Return on Investment Quadrants™). Once you acquire the property, many folks switched over to thinking … Read more

True Net Equity™

Traditionally, equity (for real estate investors) is defined as the property value – mortgage balances. Equity = Property Value – Mortgage Balances However, in almost all cases, equity defined that way means that only a portion of that equity “belongs” to the real estate investor. To access that equity the real estate investor must either sell the property or cash-out refinance the property. In both cases, some or… possibly all of the traditional equity… is consumed by sale or refinance costs. In the case of a refinance, there are costs to the lender and title company to access the equity. … Read more

An Alternative to Cash Flow – Saving Money With Rental Properties

Never buy rental properties with negative cash flow. Or, so the advice goes. But what if you find yourself in a real estate market that is near impossible to find a property with positive cash flow? In this special, one-time only class, James talks about an alternative to cash flow by using your rental properties… even ones with negative cash flow… as a means to save money. This two-hour class was recorded on March 31, 2021. Premise of the Class Cash flow is important. Some folks may argue that investing in real estate for anything other than cash flow is … Read more

Wait! Before You Make That Offer…

In this special, first-time-ever class, James shares the two-hour version of the stuff he wishes he could share with every client that is about to make an offer on a property. This class was taught on March 24, 2021. Premise of the Class If I could have the following two-hour conversation* with everyone right before they make an offer: that would be ideal. *Plus, the reference materials/classes. Here’s the library of real estate investor classes by year (for those that don’t know). Resale versus New Construction I am primarily referring to buying a resale property. New construction has its own … Read more

8 Money Saving, Risk Reducing Real Estate Investor Insurance Tips

In this special, first-time-ever class, James shares his 8 best money-saving, risk-reducing real estate tips about insurance. This class was taught on March 17, 2021. A special thanks to Brain Armstrong with Arrow Insurance Professionals who added significantly to the presentation. Arrow Insurance Professionals Brian Armstrong Phone: (303) 284-2997 Email: [email protected] Website: http://arrowinsuranceprofessionals.com Penny-wise Pound Foolish Don’t be stupid and shop solely by lowest rate unless you’re planning to essentially self-insure Discuss what you want out of your insurance policy What do you want covered? What are you willing to take on yourself if it happens? The time to decide … Read more

10 House Hacking Tips and Tricks for Real Estate Investors

Interesting in learning about house hacking? How about the top 10 tips (plus a couple bonus tips) on house hacking? Follow James in this special class recorded on March 4, 2021. House Hacking versus Nomad™ House hacking is different than Nomading™. They can overlap… you can house hack while you Nomad™ or Nomad™ while you’re house hacking, but they are distinctly different. House hacking has you rent out part of the property you’re living in. That could be buying a duplex, triplex or fourplex as an owner-occupant and renting out the other units. But it can also mean getting roommates. … Read more