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All Forum Posts by: Andrew S.

Andrew S. has started 70 posts and replied 279 times.

Post: What should be avoided when buying you first rental property ?

Andrew S.Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Helena, MT
  • Posts 282
  • Votes 117
I would say don't avoid a house that has smoke smell, mold, lead paint, other scary issues. They're all able to be solved. Don't get too emotional, buy something that makes money.

Post: Sch E Type of property - Commercial or multi-family residence

Andrew S.Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Helena, MT
  • Posts 282
  • Votes 117
Thanks, I'll try to break it down individually on the depreciation schedule. I do have a different initial estimated building value on the tax form for the quad and the single families.

Post: Sch E Type of property - Commercial or multi-family residence

Andrew S.Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Helena, MT
  • Posts 282
  • Votes 117
Happy Friday, Hope others are enjoying a nice night doing taxes as well. I purchased a 6 unit property (quadplex + 2 single family houses) this summer. It is zoned mixed use - residential & commercial. I pay the county tax bill as 1 bill. When filling out Schedule E should I claim it as: 1. 3 different properties - 1 multi-family residence and 2 single family residences 2. 1 property - commercial 3. 1 property - multi-family residence I assume option 3 and that makes it easier to fill out, but I wanted to double check . Thanks, Andrew

Post: 20% pass through deduction

Andrew S.Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Helena, MT
  • Posts 282
  • Votes 117
Happy Friday fellow investors, I own 8 rental units and am preparing my taxes for 2019. I self manage my properties, make the repairs, interview tenants, etc. I've recently learned about the 20% pass through deduction and it seems like there's a gray area if rentals qualify as a business for this rule. I do meet the 3 rules below, so I believe I can qualify for this deduction. My taxable income does not exceed the limit around $200k. 1.Separate books and records are maintained to reflect income and expenses for each rental real estate enterprise; 2.250 or more hours of rental services are performed per year with respect to the rental enterprise; and 3.The taxpayer maintains contemporaneous records, including time reports, logs, or similar documents, regarding the following: (i) hours of all services performed; (ii) description of all services performed; (iii) dates on which such services were performed; and (iv) who performed the services. This requirement will not apply to taxable years beginning prior to January 1, 2019. Curious if other self managing investors have been taking this deduction? I haven't met with my CPA yet this year, so it'll be discussed with them. Thanks much, Andrew

Post: Rent increase letter?

Andrew S.Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Helena, MT
  • Posts 282
  • Votes 117

I did my subtly in my new lease. It used a base rent of $400 with increase $50 to $500 in 2 months. Out of 6 tenants, zero asked questions, were short or late on rent, or moved out. That was with inherited tenants, rent will increase another $50 this summer. 

Post: Test AirBnb market in small town

Andrew S.Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Helena, MT
  • Posts 282
  • Votes 117

Hey BP,

I'm considering converting a unit in my quadplex to an AirBnb rental. It's a small town of 2500 people that had a gross motel in town. There's minimal to no other options for short term stay in town. I don't want to purchase the additional furniture before I have a good feeling there's some interest.

I'd like to post pictures with furniture to gauge interest. Is it acceptable to find pictures of what could be similar AirBnb properties, download them, and then post availability online?

The questionable things I see are using others photos and having to decline all applicants because the property won't exist. 

Thanks

Post: I'm having trouble renting a single unit of a duplex

Andrew S.Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Helena, MT
  • Posts 282
  • Votes 117
Add more pictures of the bedrooms, wide angle shot of all the rooms. Pictures I assume are at 1.0x zoom on a smart phone? Try to use 0.5x

Post: I need help with an apartment upgrade

Andrew S.Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Helena, MT
  • Posts 282
  • Votes 117
Formica countertops are easy to DIY cut out sink, glue together for a corner, etc. Subway tile backsplash makes the kitchen look really nice. Has anyone used the stainless steel appliance paint? I heard you can paint white fridges to make them look nicer?

Post: Tenant wants me to waterproof a basement in PA that doesn't flood

Andrew S.Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Helena, MT
  • Posts 282
  • Votes 117
Try something like this and report back if it worked! https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/12/21/how-to-make-a-relatively-sweet-shower-cheap/

Post: How to Buy a Duplex and Require Non-smoking to Existing Tenants

Andrew S.Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Helena, MT
  • Posts 282
  • Votes 117
When they move, plan to replace all carpet, scrub walls, Kilz prime and repaint. Buy an ozone generator off Amazon.