Episode 5: Accounting 101 The Property Manager Podcast Real stories from real people Podcast Cynthia Leon is trained in traditional accounting, but found herself quickly learning the ins and outs of property management accounting when she stumbled upon an opportunity with a property management…

When looking at real estate, you want places in growth whenever possible. I like to look at three things to measure this: the state economy, job market diversification, and population growth. If a city is in decline in any of these areas, it’s easy to expect decline in other areas as well. State…

Tucked in the northeastern corner of Indiana, just 18 miles west of the Ohio border and a little south of Michigan, Fort Wayne, Indiana, is a lovely destination for the college years. So whether you already live in Indiana and want to stay close to home for school or you’re looking for a change of…

Despite what many of us math-allergic folk would prefer, real estate does involve some math. Luckily, most of the formulas are simple and straight-forward. In fact, if you can master the calculations below, you should be just fine. Cap Rate Net Operating Income / Total Price of Property Example:…

At what point does a child separate from his or her parents? Is it when the doctor cuts the umbilical cord? Is it when the child looks at their parent and hears the parent say, “Come here,”—and then runs the other direction? It is when the child goes through those self-discovery teen years and…

In most of the U.S., real estate markets have been hot and competitive for years now. Many investors – even new investors – have started looking at potential properties they may not have considered five years ago. Exhibit A: hoarder homes. We’ve all seen videos, whether on YouTube, Facebook, or TV…

If you’re planning on relocating for work in the near future and were building on the fact that your moving expenses would be tax deductible, it’s time to recalculate. In December 2017, Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which, among other things, implemented a moving expenses tax…

The best way to write, in my opinion, is to simply answer questions. Most times, I have to sit down and think, What do these guys want to know about? Sometimes, however, the process is made much easier when someone directly asks questions, either here or in the forums . Now, I happen to be an equal…

Labor Day marks the unofficial close of summer across the nation. As a property manager, you’re probably already getting a headstart scheduling your fall landscaping, putting away summer furniture and maybe even closing up the pools. But as you look at your fall maintenance checklist, do you feel…

One persistent conclusion researchers have found is that retirement can actually lead to premature death. For example, one study found that for men, “one additional year of early retirement causes an increase in the risk of premature death of 2.4 percentage points.” A cohort study of thousands of…

Not every homeowner who sees a rat in their home sets out a trap, calls the exterminator, and just generally freaks out. Instead, apparently, some intrepid folks are actually bringing the beady-eyed rodents home for their kids. Ew. Ew. Ew. A new, online survey claims that rats are the most popular…

So you want to achieve financial independence, huh? You fantasize about telling your boss to take a hike, traveling the world, spending time with your family, and pursuing that passion project. You’re not alone. I dream about the same—and so do many of the 1,000,000+ members here on BiggerPockets.…

If there is one thing that gets me riled up, it is bucket lists. I recently was dragged to persuaded to visit a bookstore by a friend. Right under a “Books You Should Be Reading” sign was a book with 100 things you should do before [insert a certain age]. Since I was around [insert a certain age], I…

There are always a million things you can look at when you buy a rental property: What is the rent? Is there any water damage? Is the house on a concrete slab? What kind of neighborhood is it in? Do the cabinets need replacing? How many more years does the roof have left? I could make a list a mile…

Remember towards the end of 2017 when everyone was talking about tax reform? While many thought it was a done deal, those of us in the tax profession knew that the tax changes were far from being finalized. Without too much media buzz, the IRS has recently issued some temporary guidance on what tax…

Do you hear yelling? The market is too hot. Oh no! We are at the top. Oh no! It’s a bubble. Too late to buy. It’s a bubble. Oh nooooo! Best to wait for the crash… A few years ago these same voices were yelling: There is no money. Oh no! No one is lending. Oh no! So many good deals, but I can’t get…

When I began planning to write the book Retire Early With Real Estate , I wanted to do some research. I had my own experience building wealth and living off of rental income, but I wanted to learn from the experiences of others. So, I sent out a 11-question survey to readers on BiggerPockets.com,…

The third R in the BRRRR strategy stands for “refinance,” and a lot of people get hung up at this stage. So here is a step-by-step guide to getting your BRRRR property across the finish line. Step 1: Look for a Lender (And Cast a Wide Net) One mistake a lot of people make is to only start looking…

In 2017, Oklahoma City, OK was rated the best city in America to start a new business and also ranked as one of the top 10 places to start a career. Perhaps that and the affordable cost of living in Oklahoma City is why so many millennials and other business-minded people have been flocking there in…

How is it possible to buy a beautiful, debt-free home on 10 acres for full market value and not use a bank or any of your own cash? I know what the naysayers are thinking— that’s not possible. You’re correct—if that’s your expectation and you’re looking for excuses. If, on the other hand, you’re…

Planning and organizing a residential move can easily turn out to be one of the most challenging things you’ve done in years. There are so many things to do before moving into a new home that confusion about what to do next may often halt the progress of your moving preparations. One of the biggest…

The Buildium Team is thrilled to announce the launch of our brand new podcast, The Property Manager Podcast ! To create this show, we gathered stories from property managers all across the country. In Season 1, we dig deep into the ups and downs that property managers face every day and share…

Moving can be a stressful time, not only because of all the physical preparation involved but also because of the emotional toll it takes. To add to the melee, there are some cities that require moving permits in order to allow movers to park their trucks or cars legally in front of your new home…

Getting ahead of problems is one of the single most influential things you can do in life—and real estate is no different. This is a business that works in long timelines and complex systems. It’s a high stakes game. This makes it imperative that you get on top of future problems immediately, and…

This article does not constitute legal advice. We recommend you seek the counsel of an attorney familiar with your specific situation and market to ensure you make the best decisions within your real estate business. Ever since the Internet came along, every self-proclaimed genius in the world is…

“Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb nail.” —Henry David Thoreau, Walden Despite what you may hear from “successful” investors who build big,…