license required?

[Danielle Hammond]

I am very new to all of this. I am only looking at a few duplexes / triplexes to purchase... renovate and rent out, with goals of turning it into much more. Once my money and equity is straight I want to start flipping. I am wondering if I should start looking into licenses or certificates... Can I legally start a rental without some sort of license??? I know all states are different, I am in Michigan. Any advice please :) :)

[Brent Coombs]

@Danielle Hammond, it is generally "Wholesalers" who should be asking your question ie. those who get properties under Contract for the specific purpose of selling those Contracts at a higher price - and getting THEIR Buyer pay for the property on closing. Many States are viewing these transactions as "(illegally) brokering without a License", once they start marketing the properties without actually owning them. 

So increasingly, the answer for WHOLESALERS is "yes" - get your License, which also means always disclosing that status to every Seller and Buyer being dealt with.

But if you are buying the Property AND taking Title, no License will be required by you to put that property up for rent, or to subsequently sell it. [Not legal advice, just in case]. Cheers...