A house is not a home — and a home isn’t necessarily an asset. That last point is just one that came up in the fourth episode of the My Fab Finance’s webinar series.
In this edition, Tonya Rapley, the millennial entrepreneur who organized the five-day webinar, held a conversation with Jullien Gordon, a real estate investor, author, and speaker. A few of the topics they covered included buying real estate — specifically multi-family properties. And also, how buying these properties has helped Gordon gain financial freedom because as he states his passive income now surpasses all of his expenses.
Sounds like something to learn more about, right? As a writer who specializes in personal finance topics (among others), I’ve included the highlights from this talk specifically for BlackLove.com.
Related: Money Management: Leveling up in Uncertainty
Gordon is the creator of TheFreedomSchooI.com, an online program that “teaches business and life skills to professionals to help them increase their degrees of freedom in life and at work.” His mission is “to help 300 people achieve rent freedom through real estate investment coaching.”
On confidence and success
Gordon spoke about the need for an attitude of abundance even though we’re in difficult economic times. He stated some people might fear the current economic scene but said, “We have to stay in a wealth consciousness.”
Multi-family investing
Gordon further emphasized we are currently in a buyer’s market, in part due to falling prices. He said his love for owning multi-family properties stemmed from his desire to have generational wealth. Unlike with flipping properties or wholesaling them, Gordon said multi-family properties can bring multiple benefits: cash flow, tax savings (including depreciation), the paying down of principal via tenants, and (potential) appreciation.
His suggestions in subsequent order for “would-be investors” are as follows:
—Try to invest where you live or close to it.
—Let’s say you can’t invest where you live because it’s too expensive. Then you should consider investing where you’re from because a smaller market may be better for your wallet.
—Another option, if you can’t invest where you’re from is to invest where you want to contribute to the community.
—If none of these options are feasible for you, then consider investing wherever your points of interest are.
But in any of these scenarios, you have to be ready! Good credit is ideal. If you don’t have good credit, he suggests paying for a credit repair service. You’ll also need proof of income because, with a limited inventory of multi-family homes available in the United States, there is competition for these unique properties.
Buying real estate during a recession
Gordon now begins the process by offering 80 percent of the February 2020 value of the home to enter into the deal with existing equity. He states, after buying, you need to set aside money in reserves every month to cover repairs over time and to cover periods of vacancy.
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Investing in a Downturn
With the fluctuating economy, I asked for his thoughts on how “would-be investors” can protect themselves against unexpected expenses? Such as if a tenant is unable to pay rent, which is possible, particularly these days. Depending on your level of risk, he says, you can enter into deals with three to six months of reserves upfront to cover everything from insurance, mortgage, and potential repairs. You’ll, of course, get the property appraised as part of the buying process and check other requirements before closing, but be sure to talk to your real estate agent for specifics.
Key takeaways
Gordon mentioned that when you “buy a home,” you’re not necessarily a “homeowner.” As long as you’re paying a mortgage, you don’t own your home outright. He also dropped insider tips, that the best multi-family real estate deals are often found off-line.
It’s also essential to note that there are no guarantees on any investment, and it’s possible to lose money. For instance, with this kind of investment, you have to avoid contractor issues and other ancillary costs on your budget. But, if you qualify, it might be a way to round out your portfolio. However, if you have questions about your specific situation, please talk with a certified financial advisor.
Finally, if you need a confidence boost, you may also appreciate this talk. As a person who coaches others — and who’s found success as a writer, consultant, and more — I’m a believer in setting intentions, stating what we want, and going after it. And Gordon shares similar sentiments as he spoke passionately about making choices, being free, his “God-given purpose,” and helping others.
Created by nationally recognized millennial money expert Tonya Rapley, My Fab Finance is a leading financial education and lifestyle blog for millennials who want to become financially free and do more of what they love.
Disclaimer: BlackLove.com does not offer any financial advice, and the views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s viewpoints and opinions.
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