Tag Archive for: real estate investing

The First Steps to Setting Up Your Business

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The First Steps to Setting Up Your Business

Today we are going to discuss the first steps to setting up your business. Whether you’re dreaming of flipping houses, building rental property portfolios, or simply exploring the vast opportunities in real estate, starting strong is crucial. Setting it up correctly from the beginning can make all the difference in how lenders and partners view you, and ultimately, in your success. Let’s get started! 

First: Choose a Name

  • Search for Availability: Immediately start by checking with your state to ensure the name is available.
  • Avoid Real Estate Specific Names: More importantly, opt for a generic name like “John Smith Consulting” instead of “John Smith Fix and Flip.”

Second: Obtain an EIN (Employer Identification Number)

  • Apply with the IRS: The EIN is actually a social security number for your business. It’s essential for not only tax purposes, but even for opening a bank account.

Third: Set Up a Business Bank Account

  • Separate Finances: Immediately separate business finances from personal finances. Keep your business and personal finances separate in order to make things clear for lenders.
  • Use Your EIN: Again, this is required to open a business bank account.

Forth: Establish Your Business Presence

  • Create a Website: By creating a simple website, it can show lenders as well as partners that you’re serious.
  • Get an Office Address: To clarify, even a virtual office can help establish credibility.

Setting Yourself Up to Win

  • Think Long-Term: By setting things up correctly from the start it makes future growth easier.
  • Be Realistic: Understand that while the process takes effort, it will easier over time as you build experience as well as a network.

Summary

By following these steps and staying committed, you’ll be well on your way to building your successful future. Remember, the key is to set up your foundation correctly and maintain consistent effort. Contact us today to find out more! 

Watch our most recent video: The First Steps to Setting Up Your Business 

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The Key to ‘ELFF’ing the Real Estate Game

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Making the real estate game Easy, Lucrative, Fun, and FAST is a critical component to your success as an investor!

A while ago, Joe Polish from I Love Marketing began using the acronym “E.L.F.” to describe an easy, lucrative, and fun business.

However, in the real estate world, time is everything. While we totally support easy, lucrative, and fun real estate investing, we also recognize that we need to move FAST.

Leverage (using other people’s money in the form of loans and gifts) is what makes real estate investing lucrative and accessible. Having the right leverage when you need it can really make or break your business.

And the truth is this:

Leverage is significantly affected by your credit score.

How Does Credit Score Affect Leverage?

Having a high credit score often comes with many perks. You might get offered better rates or terms, asked fewer questions, and experience faster approvals with less paperwork.

Unfortunately, while your credit score might make the loan process easier, a bad credit score can make your life a lot more difficult.

Let’s Check Out a Scenario…

If we look at a hypothetical purchase price of $375,000. In order to make the property cashflow, all our hypothetical investors must maintain a monthly mortgage payment of $2,000.

Even though each investor is looking at the same property and mortgage payment, their credit score affects their other payments.

Our Investors:

  • Jessica: She’s a dedicated investor who takes care of her credit, monitoring her score and keeping investment payments on business cards.
  • John: He uses personal credit cards for all his investments which has resulted in a score just above the minimum eligibility requirement for most traditional loans.
  • Sammy: He doesn’t monitor his credit and is convinced the banks just hate him. He never bothers to check his credit score.

The Numbers:

Each of our imaginary investors end up in a different financial situation purely based on their credit score. 

Even though their monthly payments are the same, Jessica ends up getting much more money at a lower rate. Meanwhile John and Sammy are stuck with smaller loans, less leverage, and a slow-moving process.

The Need for Speed

In our example above, Jessica has the advantage over these two investors because she can move through projects faster. She isn’t stuck waiting for approvals or trying to come up with so much additional money outside of her primary loan. 

Leverage makes real estate investing an even playing field for everyone out there, but credit scores can limit your leverage if you’re not careful. 

A good credit score opens doors and makes everything cheaper, easier, faster. 

To E.L.F.F. the real estate business, you need to set yourself up to win.

 

Read the full article here.

Watch the full video here:

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The Importance of Setting Goals Before Investing

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The Importance of Setting Goals Before Investing

Today we are going to discuss the importance of setting goals before investing. Being prepared is not only important to being successful in the BRRRR method, but in all real estate investment methods as well. Let’s break it down step-by-step.

Setting Your Goals

Every journey begins with a destination in mind. Before diving into the BRRRR method, ask yourself:

  • Why do I want to invest in real estate?
  • Where do I want to invest?
  • How many properties do I want to own?
  • How much cash flow do I want to generate?

Take a moment to think about your answers. These goals will guide your entire investment journey.

Searching for Properties

Now, let’s start our search. Look for under-market properties through:

  • Wholesalers
  • Investor-friendly Realtors
  • Real estate professionals who specialize in off-market deals

These properties are not listed on the MLS and usually require quick action.

Getting Long-term Loan Approval

Before buying, secure a pre-approval from a long-term lender. This step ensures you know the maximum loan amount you qualify for, which is crucial for the refinancing stage later on.

Buying with a Short-term Loan

Next, use a short-term loan, like a hard money loan, to purchase the property. These loans are essential for fast closings, often within days or weeks.

In Sum

It is imperative that you set your goals, search for the right properties, secure financing, and repeat the process in order to be successful. Need help getting things set up correctly? Contact us today!  

Would you like to find out more about the BRRRR method? Watch our most recent video: The Importance of Setting Goals Before Investing

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How to Make Your Real Estate Business E.L.F.F. 

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Making your real estate business Easy, Lucrative, Fun, and FAST is a critical component to your success as an investor!

A while ago, Joe Polish from I Love Marketing began using the acronym “E.L.F.” to describe an easy, lucrative, and fun business.

However, in the real estate world, time is everything. While we totally support easy, lucrative, and fun real estate investing, we also recognize that we need to move FAST.

How Do You Set Yourself Up to Win?

You need to learn to play the leverage game. Leverage (using other people’s money in the form of loans and gifts) is what makes real estate investing lucrative and accessible. Having the right leverage when you need it can really make or break your business.

And the truth is this:

Leverage is significantly affected by your credit score.

How Does Credit Score Affect Leverage?

Having a high credit score often comes with many perks. You might get offered better rates or terms, asked fewer questions, and experience faster approvals with less paperwork.

Unfortunately, while your credit score might make the loan process easier, a bad credit score can make your life a lot more difficult.

Let’s Check Out a Scenario…

If we look at a hypothetical purchase price of $375,000. In order to make the property cashflow, all our hypothetical investors must maintain a monthly mortgage payment of $2,000.

Even though each investor is looking at the same property and mortgage payment, their credit score affects their other payments.

Our Investors:

  • Jessica: She’s a dedicated investor who takes care of her credit, monitoring her score and keeping investment payments on business cards.
  • John: He uses personal credit cards for all his investments which has resulted in a score just above the minimum eligibility requirement for most traditional loans.
  • Sammy: He doesn’t monitor his credit and is convinced the banks just hate him. He never bothers to check his credit score.

The Numbers:

Each of our imaginary investors end up in a different financial situation purely based on their credit score. 

Even though their monthly payments are the same, Jessica ends up getting much more money at a lower rate. Meanwhile John and Sammy are stuck with smaller loans, less leverage, and a slow-moving process.

The Need for Speed

In our example above, Jessica has the advantage over these two investors because she can move through projects faster. She isn’t stuck waiting for approvals or trying to come up with so much additional money outside of her primary loan. 

Leverage makes real estate investing an even playing field for everyone out there, but credit scores can limit your leverage if you’re not careful. 

A good credit score opens doors and makes everything cheaper, easier, faster. 

To E.L.F.F. the real estate business, you need to set yourself up to win.

How to Set Yourself Up For Success

We’ve been in the business for a long time and there are a few important changes you can make to easily improve your investing.

1. Switch to business credit cards.

We’ve talked previously about the importance of not using personal credit cards for business-level investing. 

Most personal credit cards simply are not designed for the level of usage needed in the real estate investing business. Because of the quantity of purchasing necessary for most fix-and-flips, you may want to look into business cards that have higher usage limits.

2. Consider a usage loan.

If you are in a situation where your credit score is negatively affected by high usage, don’t worry. You can look into a usage loan.

We offer them here at The Cash Flow Company, or you can check out our partner company Hard Money Mike. 

We’re Here to Help!

We invite you to take advantage of our 20+ years of experience and check out the programs and free tools we’ve specifically designed to help new investors like you. 

If you have questions or would like to discuss loan options, please reach out to us at Info@TheCashFlowCompany.com or fill out a contact card.

With the right knowledge and leverage, all of us can have an E.L.F.F. real estate business!

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How to Use Real Estate Leverage to Build Wealth

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Building wealth as a new investor is all about using real estate leverage. But what exactly is it, and how can you use it correctly?

If you’re new to investing, it can feel a bit daunting. There is so much new vocabulary and things to learn, and it can very quickly become overwhelming.

One of the main terms you’ll hear seasoned investors use is “leverage.” Leverage is the idea of using other people’s money (mainly through loans) to turn a profit for yourself—to start building wealth.  

Understanding leverage and using it correctly, is the key to unlocking the profits of real estate investing.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind to really maximize your success as a new investor:

1. Don’t let emotions take over your investing.

Investing is all about the numbers. Don’t give up when things are moving slowly, and don’t overextend yourself by becoming greedy. 

Be strategic at every level—from the properties you pursue to the contractors you use.

2. Be persistent.

You don’t need $500,000 in savings to make your first deal. You just need to be a doer. This business is all about grit and follow through. 

3. Look for the right leverage.

Not every loan is going to fit your needs. Once you have a property or project in mind, look for leverage that specializes in those areas. 

Do you need DSCR? Have you considered the BRRRR strategy? What about hard money?

4. Run through examples with an expert.

Both at The Cash Flow Company and Hard Money Mike (our sister company), we want you to feel confident and educated.

One of the first things we do when new investors come to us is sit down and run through some sample properties. This helps you understand the different fees you should look out for. 

Different areas have different fees, regulations, and options, and talking to an expert can greatly benefit you as a new investor.

5. Dive in.

The only way to start building wealth is to, well, start. 

It’s typically easiest to begin with a straight-forward fix-and-flip. But be on the lookout for properties of all kinds. Check your area every day and get in contact with realtors or wholesalers. 

As a new investor, it might take you a few tries before someone takes you seriously, but you need to go for it.

6. Commit to the business.

Real estate investing (even if you see it as a personal hobby) is ultimately a business. Don’t cut corners or only renovate with the cheapest fixtures. Every choice you make is an opportunity to build a good reputation.

Be thoughtful and hold yourself to a high standard.

 

 

Read the full article here.

Watch the full video here:

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BRRRR: How to Buy Rental Properties Quickly and Easily

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BRRRR: How to Buy Rental Properties Quickly and Easily

Today we are going to discuss the BRRRR method and how it can help you buy rental properties quickly and easily. If you’re new to real estate investing, BRRRR stands for Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, and Repeat. It’s a popular strategy used by many investors to build a rental property portfolio with minimal upfront costs. So, let’s break it down step-by-step.

Setting Your Goals

Every journey begins with a destination in mind. Therefore, before diving into the BRRRR method, ask yourself:

  • Why do I want to invest in real estate?
  • Where do I want to invest?
  • How many properties do I want to own?
  • How much cash flow do I want to generate?

Take a moment to think about your answers. After all, these goals will guide your entire investment journey.

Searching for Properties

Now, let’s start our search. Look for under-market properties, which are often found through:

  • Wholesalers
  • Investor-friendly Realtors
  • Real estate professionals who specialize in off-market deals

These properties are not listed on the MLS and usually require quick action.

Getting Long-term Loan Approval

Before buying, secure a pre-approval from a long-term lender. This step ensures you know the maximum loan amount you qualify for, which is crucial for the refinancing stage later on.

Buying with a Short-term Loan

Next, use a short term loan, like a hard money loan, to purchase the property. These loans are essential for fast closings, often within days or weeks.

Rehabbing the Property

Once you own the property, it’s time to rehab it. Focus on making necessary repairs to meet the After Repair Value (ARV). Remember, this is a rental property, so avoid high-end finishes. Instead, just make it appealing and functional.

Renting the Property

After the rehab, find a reliable tenant. Therefore, renting the property begins your journey to generating monthly cash flow.

Refinancing

Finally, refinance your short-term loan into a long-term mortgage. This step reduces your monthly payments and locks in a lower interest rate. Having pre-approval helps speed up this process, saving you money.

Repeating the Process

Congratulations! You’ve reached the wealth-building stage. Now, repeat the BRRRR method to continue growing your rental portfolio. Each cycle brings you closer to your financial goals.

Need help getting things set up correctly? Contact us today!  

By following the BRRRR method, you can build a robust rental property portfolio with little to no money out of pocket. So, set your goals, search for the right properties, secure financing, and repeat the process. Happy investing!

Would you like to find out more about the BRRRR method? Watch our most recent video that will further discuss how to buy rentals quickly and easily.

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Understanding Leverage in Real Estate Investing

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Building wealth is all about leverage in real estate investing. But what exactly is it, and how can you use it correctly?

If you look at investing, it’s all about using other people’s money. It’s all about leverage. 

Understanding leverage and using it correctly, is the key to unlocking the profits of real estate investing.

Why Leverage Matters

Leverage is the term we use for using someone else’s money (typically in the form of loans) to make a profit for yourself.

Frequently, you will also use a small amount of your own money. But leverage—the opportunities you can access with external funds—is what makes real estate investing accessible regardless of your personal wealth. 

Additionally, leverage allows investors to enter the market quickly, without needing to wait 5 years to save up for a downpayment.

If you know how to get money from others and use it to strategically turn a profit for yourself, you’ll be able to build income out of nearly nothing. 

Different Kinds of Leverage

Leverage comes in many forms:

  • Financial gifts
  • Loans
  • Mortgages
  • Liens
  • And more!

The most common form of real estate leverage is probably a classic mortgage. However, how you use that mortgage (and what you look for in a property) can make all the difference.

Looking for undervalued properties that owners are looking to sell quickly typically maximizes the ARV (After Repair Value). By getting a mortgage to cover the cost of the purchase price and leveraging those funds, you can fairly easily increase the value of the property and turn a profit on the resale (or rental).

Additionally, if you’re looking to buy a property that’s appraised under the market value, lenders are more likely to cover 100% of the purchase price (and sometimes a large piece of the renovations as well). 

How to Start Building Wealth as a New Investor

1. Don’t let emotions take over your investing.

Investing is all about the numbers. Don’t give up when things are moving slowly, and don’t overextend yourself by becoming greedy. 

Be strategic at every level—from the properties you pursue to the contractors you use.

2. Be persistent.

You don’t need $500,000 in savings to make your first deal. You just need to be a doer. This business is all about grit and follow through. 

3. Look for the right leverage.

Not every loan is going to fit your needs. Once you have a property or project in mind, look for leverage that specializes in those areas. 

Do you need DSCR? Have you considered the BRRRR strategy? What about hard money?

4. Run through examples with an expert.

Both at The Cash Flow Company and Hard Money Mike (our sister company), we want you to feel confident and educated.

One of the first things we do when new investors come to us is sit down and run through some sample properties. This helps you understand the different fees you should look out for. 

Different areas have different fees, regulations, and options, and talking to an expert can greatly benefit you as a new investor.

5. Dive in.

The only way to start building wealth is to, well, start. 

It’s typically easiest to begin with a straight-forward fix-and-flip. But be on the lookout for properties of all kinds. Check your area every day and get in contact with realtors or wholesalers. 

As a new investor, it might take you a few tries before someone takes you seriously, but you need to go for it.

6. Commit to the business.

Real estate investing (even if you see it as a personal hobby) is ultimately a business. Don’t cut corners or only renovate with the cheapest fixtures. Every choice you make is an opportunity to build a good reputation.

Be thoughtful and hold yourself to a high standard.

Fight Fear with Knowledge

One of the biggest struggles new investors face is fear. 

It can feel like a huge leap to jump into the investment game, and learning is a great antidote to those nerves. 

One of our goals as a company is to make investing accessible and less frightening through education. Our YouTube channel provides free lessons that walk you through the different aspects of real estate investing. 

Getting started can be daunting, but if you take the time to educate yourself, find a mentor, and find leverage, you have nothing to fear.

How Far Can Leverage Take You?

In the current market, successful investing over the next few years is likely to have a huge payoff. 

Many real estate investors are even able to accumulate hefty retirement funds strictly through real estate investing in addition to annual income.

There are so many strategies you can use to build income with leverage:

  • Fix and flip (buy, fix, sell)
  • Renting (buy, fix, rent)
  • House hacking (buy, fix half, rent fixed half, fix other half with income from first half)

Even new investors can make quick progress if they use leverage wisely.

Recently, we had an investor from a smaller community who has already purchased 8 properties this year with little-to-no money down on each. They’ve been refinanced, rented, and are building her income. By the end of the year, she’ll probably have purchased anywhere from 10-15 properties. And she’s accomplished this by using other people’s money.

Of course, some markets are harder to work in and some communities move a little slower. 

But if you are committed to the game, and you pursue the best loans, you can build a successful business without emptying your pockets.

It’s all about finding the right leverage and using it wisely.

We’re Here to Help!

We have so many tools and resources designed specifically to help you on your investment journey.

We’re happy to help you find the right properties, loans, etc., and we’ll help you feel confident about your decisions.

If you’re interested in discussing a loan or you simply want to talk to someone who has been in the business for a long time, reach out to us at Info@TheCashFlowCompany.com or fill out a contact card.

Getting started as a new investor can be daunting, but with the right knowledge and the right leverage, there’s nothing holding you back.

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Business Credit vs. Personal Credit: What’s Better?

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The struggle of business credit vs. personal credit cards is the #1 thing slowing real estate investors down.

Especially in the beginning, it’s tempting to use personal credit cards to kickstart your investing adventures.

However, the use of personal credit cards on investment projects can ultimately cause significant harm to your dreams of building wealth.

The Risk of Personal Credit Cards

Using personal credit cards for the type of large-scale spending necessary in real estate investing drives up usage. 

Your credit score is calculated based on two factors: funds available and usage. High usage tanks your credit score fast. A low score can significantly damage terms of loans and your overall ability to grow your investment business. 

A Better Alternative

In order to protect your credit score, consider switching your investment spending to a business credit card.

This separates your investment usage from that personal credit score. 

Additionally, since these cards don’t penalize high usage, you can run up the balance as long as you pay it off on time. In fact, consistently high usage and good payment history can even result in the bank raising your spending limits on that business card.

Getting a business credit card is easy, and with this simple change, your personal credit score is protected. If you have a good score, lenders can confidently offer better rates and terms which will save you a lot of money in the long run.

What to Look for in a Business Credit Card 

Here’s the good news: shopping for a business credit card isn’t all that different from looking for a personal one!

  • Look for 0% interest and benefits the same as you would on a personal card.
  • Make sure you know whether or not that card will report. To protect your credit score, you’ll want to find one that doesn’t.
  • Remember: You still need to pay your bills on time. Many business cards will start reporting if you have late or missed payments.

 

Read the full article here.

Watch the full video here:

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Personal vs. Business Credit Cards: What’s Better for Investing?

Categories:

The struggle of personal vs. business credit cards is the #1 thing slowing real estate investors down.

Especially in the beginning, it’s tempting to use personal credit cards to kickstart your investing adventures.

However, the use of personal credit cards on investment projects can ultimately cause significant harm to your dreams of building wealth.

The Risk of Personal Credit Cards

Using personal credit cards for the type of large-scale spending necessary in real estate investing drives up usage. 

Your credit score is calculated based on two factors: funds available and usage. High usage tanks your credit score fast. A low score can significantly damage terms of loans and your overall ability to grow your investment business. 

A Better Alternative: Business Credit Cards

In order to protect your credit score, consider switching your investment spending to a business credit card.

This separates your investment usage from that personal credit score. 

Additionally, since these cards don’t penalize high usage, you can run up the balance as long as you pay it off on time. In fact, consistently high usage and good payment history can even result in the bank raising your spending limits on that business card.

Getting a business credit card is easy, and with this simple change, your personal credit score is protected. If you have a good score, lenders can confidently offer better rates and terms which will save you a lot of money in the long run.

Requirements for Business Credit Cards

Business credit cards are one of the best ways to make real estate investing easier and more profitable. But what do you need before you start looking for a business credit card?

1. A Business

Typically, you need to have an operating business for at least a year (though there are exceptions)  before applying for a business card. 

This isn’t quite as tricky as it may sound. You need a business account, website, billing information, etc. Essentially, you need proof that you are, in fact, operating an investment business. 

2. A Good Personal Credit Score

Even though you’re applying for a card that won’t report on your personal credit score, approval for the business card is based on your personal credit score.

If you need to raise your personal credit score before applying for a business card, we can help you with that! Usage loans essentially transfer some of that credit card spending into a separate loan that won’t tank your credit score.

Both we and our sister company Hard Money Mike offer usage loans.

3. 1–2 Personal Credit Cards

Obviously, you will need to use your personal credit cards for your investment needs in the beginning. However, if you’ve been using those well, then banks are more likely to approve a business credit card.

All in all, if you have a business, a good credit score, and a couple of credit cards already, it’s fairly easy to start the process of switching to business cards. 

What to Look for in a Business Credit Card 

Here’s the good news: shopping for a business credit card isn’t all that different from looking for a personal one!

  • Look for 0% interest and benefits the same as you would on a personal card.
  • Make sure you know whether or not that card will report. To protect your credit score, you’ll want to find one that doesn’t.
  • Remember: You still need to pay your bills on time. Many business cards will start reporting if you have late or missed payments.

Tools to Help You Find the Right Card

We want to make it easy for you to succeed as a real estate investor—no strings attached. The more you know and the more resources you have, the better equipped you are to find the right deals for you.

We’ve already done some of the work for you:

1. Business Credit Card Marketplace

Here at the Cashflow Company, we’ve partnered with Nav to help you find the right business card for you. By inputting a few pieces of information, we’ll let you know what cards match your needs (and won’t report on your personal credit score).

2. Credit Score Checklist

You can use our free credit checklist download to check the health of your credit score. What can you do to improve that score? Does it need some CPR? What are your options?

3. Other Real Estate Investing Tools

Explore our other tools to optimize your investment strategy. We have various calculators, questionnaires, optimizers, and analyzers to walk you through the various steps of the game.

Contact Us!

Credit scores are a very important piece of leverage. We want you to feel equipped and confident that you’re protecting that credit score in a smart way.

If you want to discuss your credit score, a usage loan, or business credit cards, contact us at Info@TheCashFlowCompany.com. We’re always happy to help!

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How to Raise Your DSCR Ratio

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The DSCR ratio measures the break-even point of your investment. How can you leverage your money to actually build wealth?

A DSCR ratio of 1 means that the expenses of your rental property are equal to the income you receive through rents. So long as you bring in the same amount of money as you invest, you won’t lose anything.

However, a DSCR ratio of higher-than-1 is even better. A higher ratio means that you’re bringing in more money than you’re spending—generating cash flow and building wealth.

Raising the DSCR Ratio

You can get a higher DSCR ratio in a few ways. 

1. Be mindful of your expenses.

Especially if you’re a new investor, make sure you’re shopping around for the best deals. 

Before you buy a property, research the typical costs for the area. Is there an HOA? Will you need any specialized insurance? Typical taxes?

Knowing these things beforehand can help you make more informed decisions and keep your costs lower.

2. Set rents intentionally.

Look at the average rents in your area. Remember, the higher your income (rents), the higher your DSCR ratio.

Let’s look at an example:

When rents equal our cash out, lenders may see your loan as “safe,” but it’s not making you any money. 

Instead, raising rents can help you end up with a higher DSCR ratio (and more money in your pocket).

When you raise rents, simply divide your expenses by your income (rents) to find your new ratio.

By raising rents by $200, we end up with a much better ratio (1.2) that actually creates wealth instead of simply covering expenses. 

As an investor, the goal is to always make decisions that can create generational wealth for us in the years to come. Even small adjustments in rents and expenses can have a significant impact on your ratio. Do your research and your math when you work with rental properties!

 

Read the full article here.

Watch the full video here:

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