I am an agent and investor in the Charlotte area and my team specializes in helping investors, specifically by BRRRRing properties so we can get the desired returns. 

In other words, it includes net gain from the disposition of nonbusiness property and property held in passive business activity.High-income individuals are subject to an NII tax equal to 3.8% of the lesser of: [IRC Sec. 1411(a)]1) Net investment income (NII) or2) The excess (if any) of modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) over the threshold amount.MAGI defined.MAGI is adjusted gross income (AGI) increased by any foreign earned income exclusion, net of the deductions and exclusions disallowed with respect to the foreign earned income. 

They want to see what people are doing in their desired ARV range.Flipping isn't easy. 

I know i need to start looking more into tax strategies.I understand that save/buy is a (relatively) slow  way to expand.. but i'm also not looking for a "Boom"I'd be hard-pressed to refi... i've decent  rates and for now i'm looking at cashflow until i'm not dependant on my W2 job ( i think  that at 7 units i could "get by"..barely) then i can  move towards being more concerned on long term wealth/retirement/equityThe rentals have their own business account that i do not dip into** I do not pay myself rent, BUT the business account does pay my personal gas/electric.from my W2 earnings i spend about $1300/mo on everything ( from car insurance to eating out), rest is savedany new downpayments are a mix of business account and savingsWith the 5 total units ( 4 rented; 1 personal use)  I "Cashflow" about  $1K/mobut that number does not account for any CapEx.What might you change/suggest about my strategy?

Lots of people are OK with that because a lot of times people buying in that 2 to 5 million dollar range are more "sophisticated" than someone buying their first home or investment property and they know their way around the deal and don't need guidance, they just want to get the deal.If you feel comfortable with the deal process and economics then I wouldnt worry about what the listing agent is going to earn but if you are worried about getting hosed, you probably should be and hire an agent to work on your behalf.

Desired cap rate from those of you investing currently?

Allow your clients to select who they would like to work with and you actually will earn a referral fee and develop a relationship with the agent in the other city. 

For example, if you are looking to connect with other members near you, want to learn from people in a specific area you’d like to invest in, or have a desire to find people interested in certain topics, you could use the search feature here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/search/users

Many people earned well in real estate investing from buying a property at a low price and selling or renting them out at marked-up rates.

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