It's encouraging to hear all the stories of many successful real estate investors who started with nothing.

Business or Real Estate?

Income received prior to that date would be considered rental income.Here's a good article on the facts and circumstances that would need to be considered: https://www.jmco.com/articles/real-estate/lease-options-sale...How it is ultimately treated will affect both the buyer and seller.

I have a friend who knows nothing about real estate or investing.

In general, it is a tough RE market but house hacking is perhaps the best not real active option.  

pid=2107Houston Real Estate Highlights in July, 2024:-Single-family home sales rose 1.8 percent year-over-year;-Days on Market (DOM) for single-family homes went from 42 to 44 days;-Total property sales were down 2.1 percent with 8,969 units sold;-Total dollar volume increased 4.4 percent to $3.8 billion;-The single-family median price increased 2.9 percent to $350,000;-The single-family average price rose 4.7 percent to a record high of $445,440; -Single-family home months of inventory registered a 4.3-months supply, up from 3.1 months last July;-Townhome/condominium sales continued to decline, falling 19.5 percent, with the median price up 0.7 percent to $221,500 and the average price declined 0.8 percent to $261,123.

I have been a real estate broker for 20 years now.

I'm excited to be part of this vibrant community of real estate enthusiasts, investors, and professionals.I first started my professional career in real estate while in the MBA program at NDSU.

If a couple divorces and there is real estate with a mortgage involved, what is the best way to divide the asset?

The problem I see is the masses have not understood the advantage of purchasing a duplex.As far a Lennar is considered an entry level builder, I don't see that their neighborhoods in general have very good price appreciation, unless they are in a unique area where the location is exceptional.I think that prices are falling, and that you should be able to find a deal, the I-35 Corridor from  San Antonio to Austin is a very hot area.Here is an example of a property that was listed for $342,000, and the list price is down to $300,000, with a price drop of $20,000 on 7/29. 1261 Stone Rim Loop, Buda, Texas 78610, If you need any comps or info, just let me know, I'm a licensed Broker in Texas, and I have MLS access across the state.Also, I'm not sure if you know, but you can split your 1031 exchange and purchase multiple properties instead of just 1 property.