All Forum Posts by: Tyler Hall

I have been digging into the 2025 Trump tax proposals, and the more I look at them, the more it seems we’re in for a complex market shift—especially for real estate. The plan to cut the corporate tax rate from 21% to roughly 18% certainly has echoes of past reforms. Back in 1986, similar tax cuts spurred a 12–15% boost in commercial real estate investments, and the 2017 overhaul led to a near 10% surge in capital expenditures in key markets. These historical trends suggest that lowering the tax burden can free up capital for reinvestment and fuel a fresh wave of property acquisitions and development projects.

But there’s more to the story than just tax cuts. There’s growing talk about imposing tariffs on imported construction materials like steel, aluminum, and lumber. Past trade measures show that such tariffs have raised construction costs by about 5–10% in affected regions. In practical terms, even if developers have more capital thanks to lower taxes, the increased costs for materials might force them to rethink project feasibility, adjust pricing strategies, or even delay or cancel projects altogether. In my view, these added expenses could very well negate some of the financial benefits expected from the tax cuts.

Then there’s the issue of municipal budgets. Lower tax revenues, when combined with higher construction costs, could compel local governments to tighten their belts. This might lead to cuts or delays in public infrastructure and services that many tertiary industries—like hospitality, professional services, and retail—rely on to thrive. It paints a picture of a market that might see uneven benefits across different regions.

Speaking of regions, here’s another point for discussion: urban centers are likely to fare better under these changes than rural or emerging secondary markets. Cities tend to have diversified revenue streams and robust infrastructure, which historically have helped them rebound faster from fiscal shocks. Smaller or less diversified areas, on the other hand, could struggle with the double hit of reduced tax income and rising costs.

 I believe that the extra burden from tariffs will probably dampen the positive effects of lower corporate taxes as a shot term trend, potentially leading to slower project initiations. And I suspect urban centers will be better insulated against these shocks than their rural counterparts. Have you seen similar trends in your markets? Or do you think there’s room for innovation that could counter these challenges? Let’s discuss—what’s your take on how these fiscal changes might reshape our real estate landscape?

thoughts?

-Tyler

Joe,

Most flippers dont get full inspections on wholesale deals they move too fast. Good deals go quick, and wholesalers wont wait around. Plus, these properties are usually sold as-is, so an inspection wont change much.

What experienced Flippers Do Instead

Bring a Contractor Instead A 15-minute walkthrough with a good contractor will tell you what you need to know.

Know Your Numbers Upfront  If you price in a repair buffer, minor surprises wont kill your deal.

Use the Inspection Period (If Allowed)  Some wholesalers offer a short due diligence window use it wisely.

When an Inspection Makes Sense

If you’re new and not confident in spotting costly repairs.

If its a high-end deal or potential structural issue.

If your lender or partner requires it.

If you do need an inspection, find an inspector who moves fast and work directly with the wholesaler to coordinate access. But honestly? Most flippers skip the inspection, move fast, and trust their numbers.

Hope that helps whats your strategy right now?

-Tyler

Crestwood North and Crestwood South: These neighborhoods are gaining popularity among buyers priced out of nearby areas like Forest Park and Avondale. They offer a mix of historic homes and proximity to downtown, making them attractive for renovations and flips.

Hey man,

Texas doesn’t do tax lien sales like some other states—it’s a tax deed state, meaning properties go straight to auction instead of liens being sold to investors. That’s why you’re not seeing these properties listed as tax liens you can buy.

But you’ve still got a few angles to work with:

Check with the county tax office – Some properties slip through the cracks and don’t hit the auction list right away. If you bring it to their attention, they might move it to auction faster.

Go direct to the owner – If they’ve been sitting on unpaid taxes for years but haven’t been foreclosed on yet, they’re probably in some kind of financial distress. You might be able to negotiate a direct purchase before it ever goes to auction.

Redemption period flips – Even after a tax sale, Texas has a 6-month or 2-year redemption period (depending on homestead status). If you’re open to waiting, you could buy the property from the winning bidder at a discount during the redemption window.

Unfortunately, you can’t buy the unpaid taxes as a lien and force foreclosure like in other states. You’ve got to either grab it at auction, get ahead of the process by working with the county, or go directly to the owner and cut a deal.

What county are you looking in? Some places handle this stuff differently.

Hey Tim,

Sounds like your lender is underwriting this as a multifamily deal instead of two separate single-family townhomes, which is probably why they’re pushing for duplex comps. The issue is, if your project isn’t structured to be sold as a package, then those comps don’t make sense.

Here’s how I’d push back:
1️⃣ Clarify the legal structure – Since each unit has its own legal description and will be sold separately, they need to treat this like two single-family townhomes instead of a duplex. The fact that they share a wall doesn’t change the fact that they’re independent properties.

2️⃣ Provide local market comps – If no duplex comps exist, that means the market isn’t valuing properties this way. The most relevant comps would be other individually sold townhomes with shared walls. That’s how appraisers will determine value, and that’s what the lender should be looking at.

3️⃣ Challenge their underwriting logic – If you built the exact same two townhomes on separate parcels instead of one lot, would they still insist on using duplex comps? Probably not. If their underwriting doesn’t match how the market treats these properties, then they’re using the wrong framework.

If they won’t budge, see if they’d accept an appraisal from someone with experience in townhome valuations instead of treating this like a multifamily asset. Otherwise, it might be time to work with a lender that understands new construction townhomes.

Let me know what they say.

-Tyler