LLC Structures for 100 properties

LLC Structures for 100 properties

Investor · Janesville, WI · Member since 2013 · 180 posts · 155 votes

I'm curious on how people with over 100 properties structure their entities. I currently have 34 properties (52 units) and have them split out over 3 different single member LLC's. Do other owners continue to create ever more LLC entities as they grow larger and larger? It seems to me that 5 maybe sufficient enough as if you end up losing an entire LLC to a lawsuit you would only be losing 20% of your portfolio, whether that be 2 properties or 200 properties.

Once someone has 5 or 6 entities, do you create a holding company to which you would reference as the main business name? I struggle on what to tell people the name of my company is as I technically now have 3 LLCs that buy properties. I'm planning to buy 30+ properties a year and trying to sort out the structure now before it's too far down the road. I've had lawyers tell me to create an LLC for each property I own . . . this is insane as each would need their own documents, filing fee's, checking accounts, insurance policies, etc.

Just looking for real world advice from people who may already be there. 

0Reply
19 views

3 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • Daniel HymanBusiness Member
    CPA · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10y
    Chris Heeren check out podcast 109. It might shed some light on the topic.
    My Online Accountant572 Reviews
  • Rental Property Investor · Brooklyn, NY · Member since 2008 · 22 posts · 11 votes
    10y

    The question is rather complex and the best answer I found is from @Clint Coons from Anderson Advisors is to create WY or NV holding LLC and have Holding LLC own all other Ownership LLCs. The real question you are asking is how to protect equities in the properties if one LLC owns more than 1 property. It is generally done with Equity stripping. Given that you use BRRR strategy and buy for cash your risk is with initial phase where your purchase is with cash. You can implement two strategies:

    1) LLC that buys the property borrows money from Holding LLC for both purchase and rehab - hence if you sued the lien will protect the equity. Once you refinance your risk stays the same but the lien moves to financial institution.

    2) Using Land trust - purchase and hold each property separately in a land trust (with Holding LLC loan) with Owner LLC being beneficiary. You affort rather wide leeway here. The trustee of these trusts could be another LLC or trusted friend.

    Since any LLC can be a pass-through entity you can eliminate a significant number of admin work.

    Disclosure: I am NOT an attorney and above is not a legal advice.

  • Broker / Investor · Tewksbury, MA · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 351 votes
    10y

    Look into a series llc

Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.