All Forum Posts by: Richard Snyder

I have a single family home vacation rental property in Seattle.  I was generally happy with my management company and I never used a lawyer to review the contract I signed with them. The management company was purchased by a larger company and I have been sent a new contract to sign. I'm thinking I should have an attorney familiar with industry standard for such contracts take a look at it.  I'm not able to find an attorney by searching on google.  Perhaps someone here can recommend someone or a search strategy.  Many thx !

I bought 5 single family rental homes this year so I have a lot of negative cash flow to report on taxes.  I'd like to declare myself a "real estate professional" as I'm on sabbatical from my W2 job this year and could say I have spent the obligatory hours on real estate work, however, on googling this issue, many people advise against because real estate activity has to be active management and I have professional managers doing the day-to-day.  My accountant just provided information and wants me to decide whether to claim this without recommending me one way or the other.  Anyone have thoughts one way or the other on being a "real estate professional" from standpoint IRS for a W2 employee who has professional management of my properties?  Many thx !

My insurance agent suggested liability umbrella over my vacation rental property, "life," and my single family long term rentals with American Alternative Insurance Corporation.  They are rated A+ on Best but google reviews terrible.... i mean really terrible.  I have already discovered they don't answer their phone, don't have website account access and don't take credit cards.  But their rates are so good. Anyone have any experience with them?  Anyone have companies they like that can offer a liability umbrella for everything: day to day life, vacation rentals and long term rentals?