.: New to REI & BP, and debating my first move.My Background:30, single, no kids, no property, high income, fully remote worker$300K to allocate toward real estate (+ $100K/year after tax)Currently renting in NYC but planning to move back to LA (hometown) in summer 2025 or the following yearTired of paying rent and want to start building equityMy Dilemma:1️⃣ House Hack in NYC – Stay a couple more years here, buy a small multi-family now and offset costs with rental income.

Have any idea about Gift tax in NY?

Focus on absentee owners and start with the ones who live the farthest away and only own one property in the area since they have the least use for the property.You can also drive for dollars, looking for anomalies of disrepair and then look them up in the tax records and use a site like Spokeo to do cheap skip tracing.

@Jeanette LandI always recommend using a tax professional.

In doing so, bear in mind that the cost and admin of a corporation is higher and that the tax treatment is different:1.

Oh, nope, they said they won't touch that with a 10' poll. 

Remember, they can always refer themselves😊Now, make it a goal to call at least 5-10 of these people EVERY day and ask a MAX OF THREE off the list below of who do they know that:Just inherited a homeHad a loved one pass awayIs behind on their mortgage or tax paymentsHas a relative that can’t take care of their house anymoreHas a house they’re having trouble sellingIs facing bankruptcyKnows a probate attorneyKnows a bankruptcy attorneyetcWhy only three off the list per contact?

I've worked with some Canadians buying  here in Ohio.Indeed, rather than selling your stocks to fund investments (and lose out on any potential price appreciation and dividend payments, as well as incurring capital gains taxes), a nice alternative is to borrow against some percentage of the holdings.You would start with the brokerage where you hold the stocks and see what their loan program looks like for the account you hold. 

Also, managing the property as a rental could offer tax benefits.When purchasing, keep in mind condo association fees and maintenance costs.

However, this means you’ll need to comply with the annual filing, franchise tax, and reporting requirements in both states.