Normal wear and tear is damage that naturally occurs in an investment property due to aging. It typically results from a tenant living in the property and is considered normal depreciation. It’s not caused by neglect or abuse of the property. Landlords need to fix normal wear and tear but aren’t required to fix tenant…
Top 25 Real Estate Investing Books Recommended By Pros
For anyone venturing into real estate investing, your chances of success are higher if you learn from other successful investors. Fortunately, many successful real estate investors have taken the time to write about their story, so it’s only a matter of choosing which person you would like to learn from the most. We asked experts…
Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) – What It Is & How To Calculate It
Trailing twelve months (TTM), also known as the “last twelve months (LTM),” represents the most recent 12-months of data used for financial reporting. It typically measures past revenue or profits and is an effective way to analyze financial data in an annualized format. This shouldn’t be confused with a calendar or fiscal year. For example, a…
Everything You Need to Know About Tax Lien and Tax Deed Investing
Tax lien investing and tax deed investing involves buying property on which owners have become delinquent paying their property taxes. Investors profit from tax liens by earning interest and sometimes penalties. Investors can also potentially acquire below-market property both with tax liens and tax deeds if the property owner ultimately fails to repay their debt….
Blanket Mortgage Fundamentals: Rates, Terms, Qualifications and More
A blanket mortgage enables real estate investors to buy, hold, and sell multiple properties under a single financing arrangement, which is more efficient than having multiple individual mortgages. With a blanket loan, properties can be sold without triggering the “due on sale,” which allows proceeds from the sale to be used to purchase more property….
How to Wholesale Real Estate the Right Way
Wholesaling real estate is when a real estate wholesaler puts a distressed home under contract with the intent to assign that contract to another buyer. The wholesaler doesn’t plan on fixing up or selling the property. Instead, they market the home to potential buyers for a higher price than they have the property under contract…
How to Buy Land – The Ultimate Guide
Buying land is an often overlooked form of real estate investment that can produce good returns. Land is a fairly hands-off investment, but generating returns is more involved than with rental property. This is because to buy land, there’s more research, evaluation, and firm profit strategy needed. Here are four stages to buying land and…
How to Find REO Properties for Sale
Real Estate Owned (REO) properties have been foreclosed on and are now in the possession of a lender. The lender offers the properties at a discount to recoup as much money as they can. Investors can find REO properties through websites and auctions, REO banks, and real estate brokerages. Where to Find REO Properties For…
What is the Loan-to-Cost (LTC) Ratio: How to Calculate & LTC Formula
The loan-to-cost ratio (LTC) measures the percentage of a property’s acquisition, rehab, and construction costs that’s financed by a loan. It is typically used for commercial mortgages, fix-and-flip loans, and construction loans. The LTC helps investors set budgets for their down payment and expected monthly payments and calculate potential profits. Loan-to-Cost Ratio (LTC) Formula Calculating…
What is Loan-to-Value (LTV) Ratio: How to Calculate & LTV Formula
The loan-to-value (LTV) ratio measures the percentage of a property’s value that’s being financed with a loan. Lenders typically set maximum LTV rates, which are often used by investors and homebuyers when budgeting for a project. The maximum LTV rates available to a borrower are based on the specific loan type, lender, as well as…
What is After Repair Value: How to Calculate + ARV Formula
The after repair value (ARV) estimates the future value of a distressed property after it’s been repaired. ARV is not a property’s current value when purchased but rather the estimated value of the property once improvements are made. ARV is commonly used by fix and flip investors who purchase, renovate, and sell properties within 1…
8 Steps to Buying a HUD Home: An Investor’s Guide
HUD homes are 1- to 4-unit residential properties that have been foreclosed on by an FHA insured lender. As an investor, buying HUD homes is more involved than buying other foreclosed properties. Those purchasing a HUD property will find important differences in everything from finding HUD leads to financing the purchase of a HUD home….