All Forum Posts by: Alex M.

Thank you guys.  Appreciate it--- Agree with all your points Mike

Hi Everyone,

Im a new investor but am very interested by finding emerging market 'hidden gems' -- think lots around up-and-coming Colombian beaches kind of thing., or land with phenomenal views, or country land that will soon be connected to the closest city by a new tunnel/ highway, etc. I just recently returned from Colombia and met some interesting brokers with some savvy investing ideas. My dream would be to be sourcing these types of deals and helping connect investors in the USA to these opportunities abroad.

My background is in emerging markets political risk analysis and finance; 5 years on wall street, an MBA, and a year in strategy consulting-- nothing real estate related but I am good with numbers, macroeconomics, and have a good idea for opportunity. I have been to 70 countries or so, and really love seeing how places evolve, and coming up with ideas for how to create cool spaces -- mainly for short-term rentals, retreats, ecotourism, etc.

Any advice for you experts out there? I am thinking of how to create a Brand around myself for being someone who can bring great deals to the table.

I know this is kind of a wacky idea for a new investor, but it really is what I am passionate about, and would love to get some ideas as to how I may become the person people think about when they are looking for Alternative real estate assets.

Any thoughts would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!

Hi Everyone,

Im a new investor but am very interested by finding emerging market 'hidden gems' -- think lots around up-and-coming Colombian beaches kind of thing., or land with phenomenal views, or country land that will soon be connected to the closest city by a new tunnel/ highway, etc. I just recently returned from Colombia and met some interesting brokers with some savvy investing ideas.  My dream would be to be sourcing these types of deals and helping connect investors in the USA to these opportunities abroad.

My background is in emerging markets political risk analysis and finance; 5 years on wall street, an MBA, and a year in strategy consulting-- nothing real estate related but I am good with numbers, macroeconomics, and have a good idea for opportunity. I have been to 70 countries or so, and really love seeing how places evolve, and coming up with ideas for how to create cool spaces -- mainly for short-term rentals, retreats, ecotourism, etc.

Any advice for you experts out there?  I am thinking of how to create a Brand around myself for being someone who can bring great deals to the table.  

I know this is kind of a wacky idea for a new investor, but it really is what I am passionate about, and would love to get some ideas as to how I may become the person people think about when they are looking for Alternative real estate assets.

Any thoughts would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!

Hi Everyone,

Im a new investor but am very interested by finding emerging market 'hidden gems' -- think lots around up-and-coming Colombian beaches kind of thing., or land with phenomenal views, or country land that will soon be connected to the closest city by a new tunnel/ highway, etc.

My dream would be to be sourcing these types of deals and helping connect investors in the USA to these opportunities abroad.  

My background is in emerging markets political risk analysis and finance; 5 years on wall street, an MBA, and a year in strategy consulting-- nothing real estate related but I am good with numbers, macroeconomics, and have a good idea for opportunity. I have been to 70 countries or so, and really love seeing how places evolve, and coming up with ideas for how to create cool spaces -- mainly for short-term rentals, retreats, ecotourism, etc.

Any advice for you experts out there?

I know this is kind of a wacky idea for a new investor, but it really is what I am passionate about, and would love to get some ideas as to how I may become the person people think about when they are looking for Alternative real estate assets.

Any thoughts would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!

@Tim Schroeder

I usually like a lighter cotton blanket with additional similar weight blankets around if they need extra.  If you display the heavy comforters in the spring and fall, guests use them and crank the AC which costs you.

I keep the comforters + duvets for winter.

utopia bedding is good

Hey all

So for those of you who have gone w Anderson, do you think it's been worth it so far?

My strategy has been to take out leases and sub-lease short-term on AirBNB – high cash flow and high liability. I am looking to shift this model more into buy-and-hold investment properties also used for short-term rentals. Do you think Anderson would be a good fit? I am in aggressive expansion mode, and need to shelter my future assets from risky assets I hold in AirBNB in NYC (breaking a sublease clause). Sounds like you think they may be a bit gimmicky, so can you recommend a more affordable route? I think my position is a bit more complex than your average investor since:

1) I am brand new and have been shopping for a good CPA to no avail for a month.

2) I need to shelter risky assets as best as possible (which may include anonymity)

3) I am looking to aggressively expand over the next 12 months into different states for short-term rentals, which have volatile regulations.

4) My expected income for 2018 has a very wide band thus leaving room for the need for constant advice and dynamic planning

Thanks so much for any thoughts. Very much appreciated.

Noah

Hey all

So for those of you who have gone w Anderson, do you think it's been worth it so far?  

My strategy has been to take out leases and sub-lease short-term on AirBNB – high cash flow and high liability. I am looking to shift this model more into buy-and-hold investment properties also used for short-term rentals. Do you think Anderson would be a good fit? I am in aggressive expansion mode, and need to shelter my future assets from risky assets I hold in AirBNB in NYC (breaking a sublease clause). Sounds like you think they may be a bit gimmicky, so can you recommend a more affordable route? I think my position is a bit more complex than your average investor since:

1) I am brand new and have been shopping for a good CPA to no avail for a month.

2) I need to shelter risky assets as best as possible (which may include anonymity)

3) I am looking to aggressively expand over the next 12 months into different states for short-term rentals, which have volatile regulations.

4) My expected income for 2018 has a very wide band thus leaving room for the need for constant advice and dynamic planning

Thanks so much for any thoughts. Very much appreciated.

Noah

Thanks for the comments.

I also feel like when I'm asked to pay an up front consultation fee before even sharing any of my information, that this is a bit unreasonable.  I believe in paying for expert advice, but asking for money right off the bat before even speaking to someone in the firm to see if it's a good fit seems excessive. thoughts?

Andersen at least did not ask for my credit card information right off the bat--- even though expensive at a few grand, if they are making themselves available throughout the year and cover both CPA + Legal aspect (mostly when I speak to a CPA there's always the "well you should speak to a lawyer first" conversation) then it seems like a good deal.  Their specialty in using C-Corps to create anonymity and provide the highest legal protection also appeals to me since i am doing short-term rentals which naturally have higher liability. 

I like Scott Smith's group for the specialty in the Series LLC which could reduce overhead as I build the portfolio, but would be interested in hearing others' thoughts.

I plan to speak with Taylor Brugna from the Real Estate CPA this week.  I only have one person who has worked with this group in the past, and it wasn't the best review because I think they ramped up really fast and maybe didn't have enough time for the individual.  As I am just starting out, and @Costin I. completely agree with you that you need to do your homework and ask the right questions ( I always do this- and its great learning ) , i will definitely need a firm/ CPA who can provide the personal touch and who will build a relationship.  That said, perhaps the Real Estate CPA has since taken on more staff and is able to provide this.  I will see... Any other recommendations would be great.  Really appreciate the comments.

I will also look around on the forums for Andersen and see what has been said.  

I spoke with wealthbuildingcpa and she is 1 CPA who has 695 clients.  Her office has interns and she seems to shift some of the 'tasks' to others in the office.  

I am new to investing and looking to find a good CPA who can help me get set up, but am worried maybe she's overbooked.

So some questions:

-Is this normal for a CPA to have almost 700 clients for just one CPA?

-Whats a normal rate for a CPA to be available for consultation and questions throughout the year ( given mainly itll be the up front tax strategy planning/ entity selection)

-I've spoken to Andersen Advisors (https://andersonadvisors.com/) - Has anyone used them?

-Also looking into Scott Royal Smith- these both seem sharp and aggressive so if anyone else has spoken to both would love to know your pros/cons and experiences.  Both are Texas based.

-I'll be doing AirBNB/short term rentals so would need some good asset protection as well as savvy tax strategizing given its a high cash flow business and would need to reduce down the income however possible (retirement accounts/ W2 employees/ etc).

Would love to hear any thoughts by the experts out there.

Thanks!

@George Blower  My solo401K is sponsored by a sole proprietorship since it's already set up and I dont have any legal entity set up yet-- trying to figure out which one makes the most sense.

can you please explain this part:

"since the solo 401k contribution calculation is not affected by the 1/2 of self-employment income tax reduction."

Thank you !