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All Forum Posts by: Jenny Zhang

Jenny Zhang has started 3 posts and replied 35 times.

Quote from @Ernesto Salgado:
Quote from @Jenny Zhang:

I have not had any luck with subject to.  It appeared no one even want to talk about seller financing...  How do you find your subject to deals? 


 Subject to deals can be found anywhere and everywhere! Some people target comercial deals for subject to or seller finance. Some small or large multi family. Some just doing fix and flips. You can structure literally any property with a subject to deal if you know how to structure profitably for you. :)


 I understand what your are saying.  But the seller I have encountered don't even open to the discussion. haha 

I have not had any luck with subject to.  It appeared no one even want to talk about seller financing...  How do you find your subject to deals? 

Quote from @Tony Kim:
Quote from @Jenny Zhang:
Quote from @Tony Kim:
Quote from @Julie Washburn:

I am a Real Estate Professional, but I seem to be having trouble with my CPA understanding how to account for this. 2022 was my first year as a Real Estate Professional. My husband has a W-2 job with a large amount of tax withheld. In 2022 we did a cost segregation study to capture a massive amount of depreciation on multiple properties, so there's a lot of bonus depreciation to be taken. Our tax structure has each property in an LLC that is owned by an S Corp, and my husband and myself both own the S Corp. Our CPA is telling us that she did not see any additional ‘basis' or money that you personally invested in the LLC's, so we cannot claim the depreciation from the properties. She is also saying that she set us both at the "no limitation non-passive status" so the Real Estate Professional status is "immaterial".

I would love any help I can get here! I was at the MidTerm Rental Summit this past week and checked in with others, confirming that she doesn't seem to know how to do this. But am I missing something here? I've invested a lot into the cost segregation studies, and I really want to figure out how to capitalize on these tax incentives.


When your CPA says that because you didn't invest any additional basis or money into the LLC's, hence you cannot claim the accelerated depreciation, she is not taking into consideration that your RE status will allow you to deduct passive losses from your properties against your husband's ordinary income. If you didn't have RE professional status, then she would be right. You'd have to carryforward any losses that went beyond your LLC's basis. But I find it hard to believe that any CPA would not understand this.


 RE status doesn't matter here.  the loss is limited because basis limitation.  If the basis is calculated correctly by the CPA, then CPA's determination is correct. 


 Got it, so the basis limitation meaning the basis went to zero? That would make sense.


 Basis cannot go below zero.  So, basically your loss can reduce basis to zero, then the rest will be carried forward. 

Quote from @Tony Kim:
Quote from @Julie Washburn:

I am a Real Estate Professional, but I seem to be having trouble with my CPA understanding how to account for this. 2022 was my first year as a Real Estate Professional. My husband has a W-2 job with a large amount of tax withheld. In 2022 we did a cost segregation study to capture a massive amount of depreciation on multiple properties, so there's a lot of bonus depreciation to be taken. Our tax structure has each property in an LLC that is owned by an S Corp, and my husband and myself both own the S Corp. Our CPA is telling us that she did not see any additional ‘basis' or money that you personally invested in the LLC's, so we cannot claim the depreciation from the properties. She is also saying that she set us both at the "no limitation non-passive status" so the Real Estate Professional status is "immaterial".

I would love any help I can get here! I was at the MidTerm Rental Summit this past week and checked in with others, confirming that she doesn't seem to know how to do this. But am I missing something here? I've invested a lot into the cost segregation studies, and I really want to figure out how to capitalize on these tax incentives.


When your CPA says that because you didn't invest any additional basis or money into the LLC's, hence you cannot claim the accelerated depreciation, she is not taking into consideration that your RE status will allow you to deduct passive losses from your properties against your husband's ordinary income. If you didn't have RE professional status, then she would be right. You'd have to carryforward any losses that went beyond your LLC's basis. But I find it hard to believe that any CPA would not understand this.


 RE status doesn't matter here.  the loss is limited because basis limitation.  If the basis is calculated correctly by the CPA, then CPA's determination is correct. 

Quote from @Ashish Acharya:
Quote from @Julie Washburn:

I am a Real Estate Professional, but I seem to be having trouble with my CPA understanding how to account for this. 2022 was my first year as a Real Estate Professional. My husband has a W-2 job with a large amount of tax withheld. In 2022 we did a cost segregation study to capture a massive amount of depreciation on multiple properties, so there's a lot of bonus depreciation to be taken. Our tax structure has each property in an LLC that is owned by an S Corp, and my husband and myself both own the S Corp. Our CPA is telling us that she did not see any additional ‘basis' or money that you personally invested in the LLC's, so we cannot claim the depreciation from the properties. She is also saying that she set us both at the "no limitation non-passive status" so the Real Estate Professional status is "immaterial".

I would love any help I can get here! I was at the MidTerm Rental Summit this past week and checked in with others, confirming that she doesn't seem to know how to do this. But am I missing something here? I've invested a lot into the cost segregation studies, and I really want to figure out how to capitalize on these tax incentives.

You wouldn't get the basis for the debt but you should get the basis for the capital stock. But It might have been depleted in previous years. 

 That is exactly accurate, Ashish.  If the S Corp shareholder incurred personal debt to the S Corp, he/she is entitled to debt basis.  Just want to clarify your statement. 

I am wondering who gave you the advice to have LLCs all owned by a S corp? That is not a good tax strategy IMHO. However, I am not your CPA and doesn't have all your financial information.  I suggest you check with your CPA on this structure. 

But your CPA is correct that your loss can not be deducted beyond your basis.  the disallowed loss will be carried to future years. There are actually 4 possible loss limitations that S corp shareholders are subject to. Basis limitation (mentioned by your CPA) is just one of them.  So, if your CPA calculated your S Corp stock and debt basis correctly, then the cost study/bonus depreciation won't benefit you this tax year. 

Post: Brandon Turner ODC fund

Jenny ZhangPosted
  • Posts 38
  • Votes 26
Quote from @Randy Rodenhouse:

I have invested in many syndications however not this particular one. What were the return projections for this particular fund and what types of properties were they targeting?  I will tell you that many people who invested in Class B or C apartments during that time got a variable rate loans which was based on SOFR ( secured overnight financing rate) + set number.  The rates in July 2022 were around 1.5% and now 4.8%.  That will kill the cash flow.  You need to reach out and get update on status.  


 I believe it is a large class A rental apartment complex.  I was interested at the time it was being promoted but didn't not to invest.  Just decided it is too risky for my taste. TX insurance cost was getting really high and not a fan of the debt structure although ODC did things to manage the risk associated with the debt. I am interested to see how the project turns out in the next few years. 

Post: Handling evictions properly

Jenny ZhangPosted
  • Posts 38
  • Votes 26
Quote from @Nathan Gesner:
Quote from @Jim K.:

No, people generally don't ask the right questions because they don't know enough. 

States with fair laws and courts are important. What's really important? Knowing the law, treating tenants honesty and fairly, documenting everything thoroughly, and establishing strong policies and procedures to stop problems quickly. That will keep you out of court, which is far more important than winning in court.

I have 400 units under management and have only performed two court evictions in the last ten years, but I've kicked out dozens of Tenants for non-performance through other means.


 Hi Nathan, 

Would you mind explain what are the other means to get out the bad tenants?  Also, have you had any luck with collection agency? 

Thanks,

Jenny

Quote from @Nathan Gesner:

No personal recommendations, but maybe this will help.

Start by going to www.narpm.org to search their directory of managers. These are professionals with additional training and a stricter code of ethics. It's no guarantee but it's a good place to start. You can also search Google and read reviews. Regardless of how you find them, try to interview at least three managers.

1. Ask how many units they manage and how much experience they have. If it's a larger organization, feel free to inquire about their staff qualifications.

2. Review their management agreement. Make sure it explicitly explains the process for termination if you are unhappy with their services, but especially if they violate the terms of your agreement.

3. Understand the fees involved and calculate the total cost for an entire year of management so you can compare the different managers. It may sound nice to pay a 6% management fee but the extra fees can add up to be more than the other company that charges 10% with no additional fees. Fees should be clearly stated in writing, easy to understand, and justifiable. Common fees will include a set-up fee, leasing fee for each turnover or a lease renewal fee, marking up maintenance, retaining late fees, and more. If you ask the manager to justify a fee and he starts hemming and hawing, move on or require them to remove the fee. Don't be afraid to negotiate, particularly if you have a lot of rentals.

4. Review their lease agreement and addenda. Think of all the things that could go wrong and see if the lease addresses them: unauthorized pets or tenants, early termination, security deposit, lease violations, late rent, eviction, lawn maintenance, parking, etc.

5. Don't just read the lease! Ask the manager to explain their process for dealing with maintenance, late rent, evictions, turnover, etc. If they are professional, they can explain this quickly and easily. If they are VERY professional, they will have their processes in writing as verification that policies are enforced equally and fairly by their entire staff.

6. Ask to speak with some of their current owners and current/former tenants. You can also check their reviews online at Google, Facebook, or Yelp. Just remember: most negative reviews are written by problematic tenants. The fact that a tenant is complaining online might be an indication the property manager dealt with them properly so be sure to ask the manager for their side of the story.

7. Look at their marketing strategy. Are they doing everything they can to expose properties to the widest possible market? Are their listings detailed with good quality photos? Can they prove how long it takes to rent a vacant property?

This isn't inclusive but should give you a good start. If you have specific questions about property management, I'll be happy to help!


 Thank you. Really appreciated. 

Quote from @Jenny Zhang:

Hi Team, 

I am currently seeking a good property management team in Philly metro:  a small apartment and two townhouses in Parkesburg PA. The current property management team is not working out.  I do have tenants that are in Sec 8 and other housing assistance program such as ERAP, such knowledge is needed. 

Really appreciated your recommendation. 

Jenny


 The small apartment is in Downingtown.   Thanks