The Big Picture On How Disruptive Technology is Changing Real Estate Investing Platforms like Fundrise and Groundfloor democratize real estate investing, allowing individuals to pool funds for property ventures. Tech-enabled investment clubs offer fractional ownership...
Jim Cirigliano
Appraised Value Versus Market Value: How Appraisals Work
The Big Picture on Appraised Value vs. Market Value: Appraised value, determined by professional appraisers for mortgage purposes, is based on property condition and market trends. Market value is the price a buyer is willing to pay, influenced by market conditions...
Free Skip Tracing Tools for Real Estate: Free & Paid Tools Compared
The Big Picture On Skip Tracing Tools: Skip tracing tools come in different varieties that allows investors to choose tools that align with their specific operational scale and target properties. Using such tools is similar to how investors select from various...
6 Ways to Find Expired Real Estate Listings
The Big Picture On Ways To Find Expired Real Estate Listings: Expired real estate listings present investors with the opportunity to buy properties at below market prices. Accessing the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and networking with real estate agents are crucial...
Non-Qualifying Mortgages: Uses & List of Non-QM Lenders
The Big Picture on Non-Qualifying or Non-QM Loans: Non-QM loans provide flexible financing options for real estate investors who do not qualify for traditional mortgages. Non-QM loans allow investors to secure financing for unique property types like fix-and-flips,...
NACA Loans: Can You House Hack with 0% Down Using the NACA Program?
The Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) is a nonprofit organization aimed at making homeownership affordable to underserved borrowers in lower-income communities. Its programs provide great perks like no down payments, closing costs, private mortgage...
The Landlord’s Guide to Pet Deposits vs. Pet Rent vs. Pet Fees
I love animals. I have almost always had at least one pet in my home. Pets enrich our lives and provide unmatched companionship and unconditional love. Except for my cat, whose affection seems to depend on my filling his bowl—and, even then, often includes the use of...
Umbrella Insurance for Rental Properties: What Landlords Need to Know
I have a theory that nobody likes insurance. Don’t get me wrong, it’s important and often required by law or by lenders. But insurance is just so psychologically unsatisfying. I don’t know anyone who’s really excited to get their sweet new coverage. At best it gives...
Can You Use a Business Loan to Buy Rental Properties?
When you need financing to buy a home, you look for a home loan. When you need financing for a small business, you might look for a business loan. But what if you’re in the business of buying rental property—like, say, a real estate investor? Of course you can...
How to Transfer a Rental Property to an LLC
If you’re new to real estate investing—and especially as you grow your portfolio of rental properties—sooner or later you’ll be faced with a choice about how to structure your business. As an individual you can own a rental property and operate the real estate...