Stock Market vs. Real Estate Investing

I have discussed before the 4 benefits of owning residential investment property. And today I had a little fun with a stock broker from Kansas City that was, well gloating I think would be the term, on the fall of real estate as an investment vehicle.

Really?

I know I shouldn’t do these things, but I decided to have a little fun with him. Here is some simple math;

$100,000 invested in the stock market returning 10% a year (his number) will give you a $10,000 increase in your portfolio after one year. Not too bad, actually.

$100,000 invested in real estate, however, should net you around the $20,000 in the same period of time. Is that better? Let me explain.

Take the $100,000 cash and purchase $400,000 worth of real estate (4 $100,000 houses, 1 $400,000 apartment…really doesn’t matter) with a historical appreciation rate of 5%. That leads to a $20,000 increase in property value after one year.

Now you may want to say what if houses don’t appreciate 5% this year? Good question. But if you are holding for 6-8 years, does it matter for any one year what appreciation is? Remember, historical appreciation in Kansas City is 5% on average. Some years have been 10%-12%. Other years, like last year, were -2% to +3%. Heck, my zip code was 6.6% last year.

“Wait. We’re not done here yet,” I told him. “Remember, real estate yields four benefits; cash flow before taxes, principal reduction, depreciation and appreciation. We’ve only discussed one of the benefits!”

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Filed under 4 Benefits of Real Estate Investing, Real Estate Investing

Investment Real Estate Profitability

You MUST know your numbers when you are going to purchase investment real estate here in Kansas City. Or anywhere, for that matter. Here in Kansas City, I feel like I’m alone in this proclamation. And as I look around the country, I find very few professional real estate agents who truly work with and understand the purchase and management of rental property.

If you have some time, I would urge you to bounce around to a few of the real estate links you will find on the right hand column of this blog. One is Bawld Guy Talking. He is an investment real estate agent out in the San Diego area. His blogs are always worth reading.

Last week I added Indiana’s own Land Chasers. He has some good posts over there.

Yesterday, I added Equity Scout. It is another blog certainly worth your time if you are involved with, or thinking about investment real estate. I believe it is authored by Christopher Smith and he has another blog. And here is a link to that blog and an extremely relevant article.

Kansas City is a great real estate market for the investor. And it never hurts to get opinions from other professionals, especially if it takes you just a moment of your time.

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Filed under Kansas City Real Estate, Real Estate Investing

Collecting Rent in Kansas City…or Anywhere

Listen, most of us don’t want to admit it but money makes us make silly or bad decisions at times. And KMBC news reports that a terrible decision was made today by both a landlord and tenant in Kansas City.

No details were given other than the tenants were moving out. I can only assume rent was still owed and the landlord wanted it. But reasons are not what is important here. What is important is that one man has lost his life. Another is in the hospital and facing capital murder charges.

Don’t get yourself in this position. Hire an attorney, a property manager, whatever. Just don’t risk your life or freedom for one, two or three month’s rent. The trade isn’t worth it.

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Filed under Property Management

Real Estate and Life in Kansas City

Just some meandering links to help you see what I’m reading…

This article is found in today’s Kansas City Star. From my own personal view let me say that what the United States is allowing to go on in the Sudan is absolutely terrible. Genocide is unacceptable. This article that you can read is great news for this individual, however. A true success story.

The housing/foreclosure crisis that is quickly setting in will have impact on you. No question about it. Even if you have great credit just one or two foreclosures in your neighborhood will help to further bring down property values. Columnist Steven Pearlstein of the Washington Post has written a column that I really can’t argue to much about. Worth your time.

Conversely, if you have cash right now you are KING! The market is opening up to you in big ways. Loans favor the 80% LTV buyer. Sellers favor the buyer with cash to invest.

The Olathe Serve Day put on by volunteers from Olathe Bible Church (my home church), Indian Creek Community Church, Life Church and College Church of the Nazarene went splendidly. This article in the Olathe Daily News spells out the home building that went on. In addition, a team of volunteers changed oil and did car inspections for single mothers and widows and another group cleaned up and landscaped at least 10 of the local schools that I know of. Congratulations and thank you to all.

Kansas gears up tonight for their first round game against Niagra. Go Jayhawks!

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Filed under Kansas City, Kansas City neighborhoods, Kansas City Sports

Olathe, Kansas Has A National Championship!

Congratulations to the men’s basketball team over at MidAmerica Nazarene University. (Just 1 block from my house!) Last evening I watched them defeat Mayville for the NAIA Division II Championship. If you have never seen a game over there you really should take the time. The gym is small, the student body loud and the games very entertaining. Check out the Olathe Daily News for more details.

Now if my boys over in Lawrence, Kansas could bring home another banner!

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Filed under Kansas City Sports

Mortgage Lenders: "Easy Money Is Drying Up"

For those of you paying attention to this blog and several like it, money is getting a little tighter out there for those looking to purchase a home. And the forecast for home sales is dipping a bit. And current mortgage delinquencies are creeping ever upward.

This is great news for the qualified buyer! Especially the real estate investor.

Listen, I work hard. Utilize effective marketing techniques including all aspects of the internet. I am up front with my clients. Things work out for me. I do well in all markets.
For sellers, however , life is a little more difficult. On the other hand, if you have good credit, some ready cash and you are looking to make a move to begin or increase your real estate portfolio you may want to take a very serious look at the Kansas City housing market right now!
To discuss what this market means to you just drop me an email.

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Filed under Kansas City Real Estate, Real Estate Investing

Investment Real Estate Glossary

GRM. ARV. Determine your NOI before I can tell you what LTV you will need. What? If you are new to real estate investing these terms and initials can really get you jumbled. But here are a few that will help you sort through some of what you read.

ARV – After Repair Value
CAP Rate – Capitalization Rate
CFBT – Cash Flow Before Taxes
GOI – Gross Operating Income
GRM – Gross Rent Multiplier
NOI – Net Operating Income
LTV – Loan To Value
3B2er – You have to go to here to find out. (Funny Video)

But don’t get too caught up in all of this. As you gain experience it will be easier and easier to talk the lingo. What is really important is that you learn how to determine profitability. You’ll need your own formula or to work with someone that has successfully worked with investment property.

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Filed under Real Estate Investing