Posted on

Strategies For Passing Down Investment Property to Heirs

Investment turnkey rental property is one of the most valuable assets you can pass down to your heirs, as it can offer passive income for generations. However, passing investment property down to your heirs can be a complex matter. By knowing the various options you have in terms of estate planning, the task can be more of a simple matter. If you want to make the best decisions for your heirs and ensure that your turnkey rental investment property gets passed down according to your wishes, here are some strategies to keep in mind.

 

Bequeath Your Properties to Your Beneficiaries

 

When you create your will, you can choose to simply leave your rental properties to your beneficiaries in this manner. However, remember that most wills are required to go through probate, which can be a time-consuming and expensive process. In fact, as little as five to as much as 15% of the total value of an estate may go to probate and legal fees. In addition, laws in some states do not allow the renting out of properties while a will is in probate, which could prevent your beneficiaries from immediately having access to the income derived from the properties. 

 

Add Co-Owners to Property Deeds

 

One of the best and most recommended ways to avoid probate is to add co-owners to your property deeds. In this case, your heirs would of course be the new co-owners of your rental property. However, there are potential problems with this, as well. For example, the portion of the property transferred will be subject to a gift tax. Also, the rental properties become assets of the new co-owners.

 

A lien may also be placed on the property in the event that any of your heirs go through a divorce or incur large amounts of debt. Finally, don’t forget that if you want to refinance or sell any properties that have co-owners, you will need the permission of all the property’s co-owners to do so. While this strategy can work well in some cases, it can also create a new set of problems; so think things through very carefully before making your final decision.

 

Create a Family or Living Trust

 

If you place your properties in a family trust, this will allow you to avoid probate and still have complete control over your turnkey rental properties. When a trust is created, you designate a trustee to manage the properties after you die. While you are alive, you will maintain total control, which is an advantage over adding co-owners. Upon your death, the properties in the trust will avoid the probate process, and thus be distributed directly to your heirs.

 

If you have investment properties in different states, this can be advantageous in that it will help you avoid the probate process in state after state. Since laws vary among individual states, it’s important that you work with an attorney or estate planning professional to set up an arrangement that works best for your situation.

 

As an added bonus, a family trust won’t affect your taxes while you are living. However, once you pass away, the trust then becomes an “independent taxpayer,” meaning a high tax rate on income must be paid before any property is distributed. Should any of your heirs be minors, or if there are other circumstances that may prevent immediate property distribution, it could actually be more expensive to create a trust than it would for your will to go through probate.

 

Sell Your Turnkey Rental Properties

 

While you could choose to sell your properties rather than pass them down to your heirs, this strategy is rarely recommended.  After all, if you pass down your properties, your heirs will be able to enjoy passive income indefinitely. If you sell your properties, your heirs would only get an immediate payoff from the sale, ultimately depriving them of hundreds of thousands of dollars in the years to come.

 

Along with this, there are numerous state laws that often make the selling of rental properties far more complex, and can also greatly impact tax bills that come with these transactions. Since you would need to work closely with your attorney and perhaps a CPA to learn the various ins and outs of the laws regarding the selling of rental properties, chances are any of the previously-mentioned strategies would be a wiser choice.

 

Since rental properties do require a certain amount of attention, always discuss any ideas you have with your heirs prior to creating a will or other legal documents regarding your estate. While some heirs may have doubts about owning turnkey rental property, others will likely see the many advantages that come with passive income. By talking over things with any potential heirs and beneficiaries, you can complete your estate planning process, avoid the many pitfalls others often experience, and give yourself and your heirs tremendous peace of mind in the years ahead.

 

 

 

Customer Testimonial:

 

“My wife and I were very happy with the Memphis property we purchased through Martel Turnkey last year. They were patient with my limited knowledge and helpful with all of my questions until the closing. The monthly cashflow accurately matches their estimation. So far it’s been a very positive experience.”

 

 

~ Hal, New York, NY

 

 

 

 

Posted on

6 Ways A Property Management Company Helps Protect Landlords

As a real estate investor, you are always looking to purchase new turnkey rental properties that bring great returns  and passive income on your investments. Because of this, you know that it’s often necessary to invest in rental property that isn’t located near where you live. This means that you need to have a property management company in place to handle the day-to-day details, and much more. If you wonder just how valuable a property management company can be in keeping things running smoothly, here are six ways your turnkey rental property management company earns its money and protects your interests at the same time.

 

1.  Screening Tenants

 

As a landlord, the last thing you would want is tenants coming and going who are always causing you one headache after another. Whether it’s skipping out on rent, being late with rent payments month after month, damaging your property, or having various problems that have police at your property as much as the tenants themselves, relying on a skilled property management company to screen tenants can make your life much easier. By verifying a potential tenant’s income and employment history, conducting a background check, and contacting references, your property management company ensures that you consistently get only the most responsible tenants for your rental property.

 

2. Pricing Assessments

 

Like any investor, you aren’t buying property to lose money. Even if you are an experienced investor, the ever-changing real estate market can be tough to judge at times. By having a skilled property management team already in place, they can compile regular rental market analysis reports. Along with giving you an instant view of current market conditions, these reports can also make sure you don’t lose out on possible leasing rate increases that are currently taking place within the market. Ultimately, this will help protect your profit margins.

 

3. Knowing the Law

 

Even if you are the best landlord on the planet, there will be times now and then when certain legal situations may present themselves. Since all towns and cities have different regulations about rental properties, it is a complex process that can be confusing, especially if you don’t live near the rental property in question. By making sure you have a well-trained and knowledgeable property management company handling things for you, they can always stay on top of local regulations and ensure your properties are always in compliance with existing laws. When this occurs, you keep more money in your pocket, rather than spend it on fines and penalties. As an added bonus, owning problem-free properties makes tenants more eager to rent from you, keeping your properties full and rent payments coming in, month after month.

 

4. Upkeep and Maintenance of Property

 

As a long-distance landlord, you of course cannot be expected to be hands-on regarding the upkeep and maintenance of your rental property. Again, this is where a property management company you trust can prove to be invaluable and make your life much easier. Whether it’s plumbing or electrical repairs, keeping the grounds looking their best, or perhaps tending to the installation of a new roof, your property management company serves two key functions in this area. First, they will ensure that the work gets done in a timely manner. But perhaps more importantly, your property management company will screen potential contractors to make sure they are experienced, licensed and insured, and can do the work at rates that are reasonable, and that will not eat into your profits.

 

5. Regular Supervision

 

Since you won’t be nearby to check on your properties on a daily or weekly basis, having your trusted property management company around to handle general supervision tasks can give you quite a bit of peace of mind. Having your property management company on hand locally to keep an eye on your turnkey rental properties staves off potential issues before they even have a chance to start. In fact, when tenants know that there is a local property management company in place, it gives them peace of mind as well. 

 

6. Accessible Support

 

Last but certainly not least, having a property management company in place to oversee and manage your turnkey rental properties means there will always be accessible support to handle any problems in an expedient manner. Whether it is a pipe that breaks in the middle of the night, an issue that requires the presence of law enforcement, or other matters that require immediate expertise from those who know all aspects of real estate, you can rest easy knowing your property management company will be at the ready and up to the challenge when you need them most.

 

When you buy a turnkey rental property from MartelTurnkey, your investment property already has a property management company in place. You can continue using them, or you can always hire a different property management company of your choosing. However you want to do it, you’ll be able to rest easier knowing that your property management company is on hand to serve your needs.

 

 

Client Testimonial:

 

“What I liked about Martel Turnkey compared with other turnkey companies is that they rented the property out before selling it to me. They signed the lease and sent it over for me to review before closing. This is something that other turnkey operators haven’t done for me in the past.”

 

 

~ Steven, Long Beach, CA

 

 

 

Posted on

When Should You Raise the Rent?

At MartelTurnkey, we sell our turnkey rentals in St. Louis and other markets with paying tenants in place. Market rents come with the deal, too. We work with local, vetted property management companies to calculate the highest rents possible when those tenants are signed. Still, over time, it makes sense to consider raising the rent on your turnkey rentals in Detroit, or whichever market you’ve invested in. You can usually only raise rent on a new lease, but what are the other conditions and situations when you should raise the rent?

 

Once a Year is Reasonable

 

Once a year it’s reasonable to raise the rent. In a year, prices are likely to have risen, and that means that local rents have probably gone up, too. It’s a good idea to take a look at the rents you’re charging across all of your turnkey rental properties at least once a year, to see if a rent increase is warranted.

 

When the Lease is Up

 

It’s usually a good thing when your tenant asks to sign a multi-year lease. We even have some turnkey rentals for sale with signed multi-year leases already in effect. A multi-year lease means you don’t have to think about your property management company getting in a new tenant for a while. And, tenants with long-term leases tend to be more stable. The downside to multi-year leases is that you can’t raise the rent until the lease is up. You always have to wait until the tenant signs a new lease, with the higher rent quoted. That’s okay, though. If you have a one-year lease in place, you can raise the rent at that mark. If you have a multi-year lease, you can always raise the rent according to current market rates when that lease is up.

 

When Market Rates Go Up

 

Speaking of market rates, you should always raise the rent so that you’re charging somewhere in the range of what’s being charged in the area. If you have a long-term, paying tenant and you choose not to raise their rent due to some compassionate reason or extenuating circumstances, that’s fine. But if you’re getting a new tenant, you don’t want to charge too far below market rates. Why? Because then your rental property will appear to be less than the other available rentals. Quality applicants may assume that there’s a reason the rent is so low. Surprisingly, instead of going for the place with the cheap rent, they’ll pay more for what they assume is a better rental property. Then, the applicants you will get may be of lesser quality because they don’t care where they live or what conditions they live in. So keep your rents in line with market rates.

 

When Improvements Have Been Made

 

If you have made significant improvements to your rental property, it makes sense to raise the rent. Improvements like putting in a new faucet or fixing the furnace don’t count. We’re talking about adding something of high value, like adding a carport or re-seeding the lawn, or finishing a previously unfinished basement. If you’ve made a major improvement like that, a higher rent is certainly warranted. When you buy a MartelTurnkey property, the property is already fully renovated, so no new improvements will be needed. But down the line and through the years, you may see fit to make a big improvement.

 

Our advice is to rely on your property management company to guide you as far as deciding when to raise the rent. That’s because the property management company is managing the turnkey rental property every day, is on top of market conditions, and is fully knowledgeable about how and when rents can legally be raised in whatever city your property is located in. If you feel a rent increase might be a good idea, talk it over with your property management company and any needed changes can be made at the next lease signing.

 

 

 

Customer Testimonial:

 

“It was truly a pleasure partnering with MartelTurnkey on the purchase of two rental properties in Memphis. These were our first out of state rental properties for my partner and I. Although we’ve never visited Memphis, Antoine ensured that we were connected in every stage of the process.”

~ Sabrina & Lashawn, Plainfield, NJ

 

 

 

 

Posted on

3 Reasons to Buy Your Turnkey Rental As Soon as Possible

Are you a new or existing turnkey rental property investor? MartelTurnkey has a large inventory of turnkey rental properties ready to be added to your investment portfolio. Whether you’re looking for a turnkey property in Detroit, St. Louis, Memphis or Cleveland, you’ll find a property that’s ready to buy as soon as possible. Now’s the time to buy. Smart investors are snatching up rental property inventory just as soon as it becomes available. Here are three reasons to buy your turnkey rental as soon as you can.

 

1.  Tax Deduction

 

Have you ever wondered how the world’s richest individuals manage their taxes? Well, for starters, they usually have a CPA to manage taxes for them. We always recommend that real estate investors use a tax professional, too. But aside from that, the other practice that wealthy individuals do every year is take a preview of their tax burden for the following year. For instance, Elon Musk already knows an approximation of what he’ll be paying in taxes in 2022. He claims that he (or his company) will pay more than $11 billion in taxes for this year’s business. Your tax burden in 2022 won’t come anywhere near that mark, of course. But the lesson to be learned is to look ahead while you can still do something about it. There’s a reason why millionaires and billionaires are already looking at next year’s tax bill; because now is the time they can do something about it. Transactions you complete by the end of the year will influence how much you pay in April 2022. Don’t wait until April Fools Day to find out you should have taken a more proactive approach to your taxes. If you act fast, you can get in some great tax deductions regarding your real estate investments. You might even be able to buy your first or next turnkey rental property or at least get the ball rolling, by December 31.

 

2.  Rising Interest Rates

 

Interest rates on mortgages are rising. They are still historically low, which is why now is the best time to buy a turnkey rental property. According to the latest news, the Federal Reserve plans to hike interest rates three times in 2022. Do you feel like testing your luck and waiting to see when the first increase will be? Higher interest rates are meant to help control the inflation that we’ve all seen. But higher interest rates on mortgages mean you’ll be paying more for your mortgage loan. Now, the good news is that MartelTurnkey had the foresight to scoop up lots of investment properties in Detroit, Cleveland, Memphis and St. Louis in 2021. We can pass those savings on to our investors. But when home prices go up next year—and they likely will—that means that new properties we buy won’t have that added savings packed into the price. Our advice is to buy your turnkey rental as soon as possible; today is a good day to make the call.

 

3.  Good Inventory Right Now

 

As of the time of this writing, we have 16 turnkey rental properties available for sale. Which one will you choose? We have several 3-bedrooms, three 2-bedrooms and even a 4-bedroom, which fetches $1,050 a month in rent for some lucky investor who snaps it up. This is good inventory, but it won’t last long. Typically, you’ll find that we don’t have this many properties for sale at one time. The only reason we do now is because, as mentioned earlier, we took advantage of record low interest rates to stock up. We suggest you do the same by choosing one of our turnkey rental properties today!

 

These are several reasons why you should pull the trigger on buying a turnkey rental as soon as possible. Don’t wait another year to get started earning passive income for you and your family. If you have any questions about what it’s like to work with us or what the process is like, feel free to contact us and we’ll get back to you right away!

 

 

Customer Testimonial:

 

“Buying investment properties through MartelTurnkey has been an awesome experience. So much so that I started working on my second acquisition shortly after closing on the first house. The Martel family go out of their way to take care of their customers. I look forward to growing my real estate portfolio with them!”

 

Dan, Jersey City, NJ

 

 

 

Posted on

Difference Between Insurance Adjuster and Public Adjuster

The recent spate of tornadoes and other natural disasters has devastated numerous communities across the U.S.. Along with the large number of lives lost and families who will be grieving over the holidays rather than celebrating, many people will begin the process of trying to rebuild.  To do this, they will be working with insurance companies to estimate damage, file claims, and wait on checks that will help them begin anew.  As a real estate investor and property insurance policyholder, you may be unaware about the differences between an insurance adjuster and a public adjuster.  Learn about these crucial differences and how they may impact any claim you need to make in the future.

 

Advocating on Your Behalf

 

When you work with a public adjuster, the biggest benefit is you will have a person who will advocate on your behalf to ensure your claim is approved and that you get the maximum amount of money you need. Unfortunately, insurance adjusters aren’t interested in advocating for you. Remember, whether they are actually employed by the insurance company or have been contracted to work for your insurer, their goal is to save the insurance company as much money as possible, which translates to giving you as little as possible or denying a claim altogether.

 

Capitalizing on Stress

 

Sadly, many insurance adjusters realize the people with whom they are dealing are filled with tremendous amounts of stress and may use this to their advantage in terms of offering quick payouts for too little money. However, a privately-hired insurance adjuster is more concerned about doing the right thing for a policyholder, and will examine your property insurance policy to ensure the claim filed will be geared toward gaining maximum compensation.

 

Underestimating Damages

 

When an insurance company’s adjuster begins looking over a property following a natural disaster, it is not uncommon for some of them to underestimate or overlook damages. In doing so, a claim may be unfairly denied, or the payout could be short of what it should be. Many investment property owners are not experts in home repairs and estimating damages on a large-scale, it’s only natural you would take their word in these situations. Rather than risk this scenario, you should consider hiring your own public adjuster. Since their goal is to get your claim approved for as much money as possible, they will provide a comprehensive appraisal of your property damage, begin negotiations with your insurance company, and fight hard to reach a settlement that is fair and equitable.

 

Exceeding Expectations

 

If you hire a public adjuster, they will not only look over your policy in great detail and explain whatever aspects you may not fully understand, but also stand firm during negotiations.  Remember, public adjusters work for you, not the insurance company. They act in your interest only. In fact, it is sometimes possible for a public adjuster to get a policyholder not only the maximum amount allowed by their policy, but amounts that exceed those stated in the policy.

 

Licensed and Certified

 

Just like traditional insurance adjusters, public adjusters are completely licensed and certified, meaning they have the qualifications and experience needed to serve you in what may be the most difficult experience you have ever encountered. Also, don’t be confused if an insurance company adjuster introduces themselves to you and tells you they are an independent adjuster. It may be that they are an independent insurance adjuster. But if the insurance company is paying them, they aren’t working solely in your best interests.

 

Do Your Research

 

Even if your insurance company sends one of their adjusters to your scene, don’t assume you automatically have to accept what you are told regarding the damage estimate and status of your claim. You do have to let them do their inspection, but you don’t have to accept their findings. Doing your research and getting an independent public adjuster to look over your property can be the difference between night and day in terms of the money you receive to rebuild your property. Finally, if an insurance adjuster offers you a check on the spot, don’t endorse, cash or deposit the check yet. Doing so implies acceptance of the claim amount. Hold onto it until you can get a public adjuster out to assess the situation.

 

Unfortunately, you never know when Mother Nature will unleash her wrath. If your investment property is damaged by a horrific tornado or other disaster, rely on the assistance of a skilled public adjuster.

 

 

 

Customer Testimonial:

 

“I highly recommend working with Antoine and MartelTurnkey. As first time real-estate investor, Antoine gave me a great understanding of an industry I was unfamiliar with. Their properties are in great markets, fairly priced, and are truly turnkey. There were zero improvements I had to make on the property bought from them in Memphis. If you are looking for a good investment opportunity, work with the MartelTurnkey team.”

 

 

~ Simon, Long Beach, CA

 

 

 

 

Posted on

Landlord Horror Stories You’ll Never Have to Experience

As a turnkey rental property landlord, you rarely have to deal directly with tenants. If you buy your turnkey property through MartelTurnkey, you never have to deal with tenants. Every one of our turnkey properties is sold with a property management company already in place. That means you’ll never have to experience the kinds of horror stories that some other landlords have had to deal with over the years. We’ve assembled some of the worst stories about being a landlord for your reading pleasure, because, well…you’re safe!

 

Shoot ‘em Up Tenants

 

According to a story shared online, one landlord dealt with problematic tenants in a Section 8 building he managed. Evictions were common. But one previous tenant stands out because he apparently got it into his head that using firearms inside the rental unit was a good idea. He “accidentally” fired straight into the apartment below, which happened to have several small children in residence. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but that particular eviction notice was a challenging one to deliver.

 

Avid Cooks

 

Another landlord horror story is the one about the tenants who were avid cooks. Their interest in the kitchen amenities didn’t pertain to hosting dinner parties, however. They used the rental property for their meth kitchen, brewing up all manner of illegal substances inside the landlord’s property. But the worst part came when the cops were called and the landlord received a late night phone call about having to answer some serious questions. Downtown.

 

Fire it Up!

 

When an enterprising real estate investor purchased a rental property in foreclosure, he knew he would have to give notice to the existing tenants. A generous 60-day notice was given according to state laws. The next day, the house was in the news after a fire had broken out. Thankfully, the fire department acted quickly and the house was saved. Whew! However, the next day, yet another fire erupted in the house, this time with complete destruction of the property. Very suspicious, indeed.

 

Nothing to See Here, Folks

 

When a real estate investor rented to a law enforcement officer, he considered it a job well done. Even the neighbors would be glad to have a police officer living in the area, he thought. The landlord’s occasional drive-by’s all looked good. The grass was mowed and it looked like all was well, even though the tenant repeatedly declined yearly inspections. Of course, when the cop moved out eventually, the truth came out. The tenant had been raising reptiles and the place was literally crawling with bugs. There was also a lovely rodent—and we mean the yucky kind, not cuddly hamsters—infestation. 

 

Fluffy Stays

 

Most landlords don’t mind it too much if a tenant leaves behind this or that. As long as the tenant wasn’t a full-blown hoarder, a few boxes or scattered toys are no big deal, right. But one landlord got a very, very big surprise when the tenant left behind an old couch, plus a 6-foot pet Python. It was in a cage, though, so no problem, right?

 

Landlording dates back hundreds of years. No doubt there are some horror stories dating that far back, as well. Thankfully, you don’t have to worry about any of those things. When you buy from MartelTurnkey, you get quality, screened tenants, a property management company and protection from the kinds of scenarios you just read about. We’ve written a lot about the benefits of owning a turnkey rental property, but these stories really illuminate just how bad the alternative is. When you’re ready to earn passive income as a turnkey rental landlord, please get in touch with us!

 

 

Customer Testimonial:

 

 

“We hit some rough water with the bank but MartelTurnkey is tops in my book. Communication, which is the biggest key in long distance real estate transactions, was as good as it gets, got my questions answered promptly and they helped me work with the bank.”

 

~ Ron, Northridge, CA

 

 

 

Posted on

Landlord Friendly Laws in Missouri

As a real estate investor, it’s important to know that the state where you will be purchasing turnkey rentals has laws in place that are very landlord-friendly. If you are considering one of our turnkey rental properties in St. Louis, Missouri, you’ll be happy to know that  Missouri is very landlord-friendly in terms of its laws. To gain a better understanding of the landlord-friendly laws in Missouri, here are some points to remember.

 

Your Rights as a Landlord

 

Landlords in Missouri have certain basic rights under law. The most important include the right to collect rent from your tenants, the right to seek and be given reimbursement for any property damage caused by your tenants, and the right to pursue evictions of tenants should they commit lease violations. Should a tenant attempt to dispute these rights, the law is on your side as the landlord.

 

Implied Warranty of Habitability

 

As a Missouri landlord, you are required by law to provide a dwelling that is considered to be sufficient for human habitation. However, Missouri law does not have a specific number of amenities covered in its warrant of habitability.  Rather, you as the landlord will be operating under what is known as the “implied warranty of habitability.” But remember, this warrant is not actually codified into law. Because of this, requirements for what are considered to be “human habitation” are open to legal interpretation.

 

In providing a dwelling that is habitable for humans, Missouri landlords are expected to make any necessary repairs requested by tenants as soon as possible. However, when requested repairs are not made by their landlord, tenants in Missouri have no legal authority to take alternative action, such as going to court over the matter.

 

When you do rent an apartment, house, or commercial property to a tenant in Missouri, you will be responsible for any and all amenities that were in place when the lease was signed by the tenant, so always keep this in mind. This includes the HVAC system and any appliances, as well as other amenities.

 

Pursuing Evictions

 

Always a potentially complex matter for any landlord, you will be glad to know that Missouri law is clearly on your side should this type of situation arise. In fact, Missouri landlords can pursue evictions for such matters as nonpayment of rent, various types of lease violations, and when they have proof that tenants are engaging in illegal acts. 

 

If you believe a tenant is committing such illegal acts as selling drugs, soliciting prostitution, or hosting illegal gambling at your property, Missouri law allows you to file a 10-Day Notice to Quit. If your tenant refuses to vacate, you are then allowed to file an Unlawful Detainer lawsuit.

 

For violation of a lease, you can also file a 10-Day Notice to Quit or Cure. If the tenant doesn’t correct the problem within this period of time, you are then allowed to pursue eviction. However, if the lease violation is considered to be extreme, state law allows you to seek immediate eviction. 

 

As for nonpayment of rent, most landlords in Missouri offer their tenants a grace period in which they can avoid eviction by making a payment. However, you are not required by Missouri law to issue any type of notice to your tenant regarding unpaid rent after the grace period has expired. Instead, you can seek immediate eviction if you so choose.

 

Entering Without Permission

 

In many states, landlords are not allowed to enter a tenant’s residence or business without first having permission to do so. However, that’s not the case in Missouri. Instead, state law does not specifically outline notification procedures for entering a unit. As such, you or your acting agent, your property management company, are free to enter a tenant’s unit, so long as you have what would be considered a justifiable reason. 

 

The only exception to this would be if you and your tenant have a written lease that specifically outlines entry notification policies, which you can choose to include or not include in the lease agreement.  

 

Landlord Retaliation

 

Surprising to many potential real estate investors, Missouri does not have any state laws in place that prohibit landlords from retaliating against their tenants for any act within their legal rights. However, this does not mean you should make this your standard course of action. Though no specific laws are in place, going too far in terms of retaliatory actions could bring you many unexpected and costly legal headaches. Typically, when you have quality tenants, such actions are rarely necessary.

 

If you are seeking a landlord-friendly state in which to invest, Missouri is a great choice. By knowing how the law will apply to you as the landlord as well as your tenants, your investment venture can prove to be a success. This is why MartelTurnkey has chosen to invest in turnkey rental properties in St. Louis, as well as other certain areas throughout the country. We are always thinking of your advantages as a landlord in addition to your investment interests.

 

 

Customer Testimonial:

 

“MartelTurnkey enabled me to finally achieve my goal of investing in real estate and bought my first rental property in Memphis. Having cash flow from the first day and a professional team manages your property gives the confidence you need. They are transparent, responsible, and willing to help you on each step. Hope to buy my second property soon!”

 

~ Amin,  Lodi, NJ

 

 

 

Posted on

Crypto vs. Real Estate: Which Is The Better Investment?

When you want to build wealth or make sure you have a sizable nest egg for your retirement, investing your money is the way to go. But with so many investment opportunities available in today’s world, you may be wondering whether you should stick to something you know, such as real estate, or venture into the murky yet potentially profitable world of cryptocurrency. If you’re curious as to which is the better investment, here are some things you’ll want to consider.

 

What is Crypto?

 

While you’ve heard of Bitcoin, you may have little idea what it actually is in terms of being an investment. Crypto stands for cryptocurrency. It’s a new kind of digital currency that now allows you to buy, sell and invest using blockchain technology. There are several kinds of crypto now; each kind is called a token. As of now, there are thousands of different tokens, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Tether and many more. If this all seems a bit surreal, it helps to think of tokens in a similar way as car wash tokens or gaming arcade tokens. They are issued from different places, and can only be used in certain places. There’s a lot to know about crypto, so whether or not you choose to invest in crypto, you should educate yourself about all the details.

 

Does Crypto Have Benefits as an Investment?

 

Yes, crypto does offer advantages from an investment standpoint. First, it won’t take much money to get started. You can buy crypto with as little as a few dollars on most crypto trading platforms. When Bitcoin first came out—as the first crypto—you could buy it for just .08 cents per coin in 2010. Now, one Bitcoin is valued at an estimated $58,000. However, you can also buy fractional shares of any crypto, including Bitcoin. Also, there are many other more affordable cryptocurrencies available where you can get in on the ground floor, so to speak. This enables you to have a very diversified crypto wallet with little investment. 

 

Perhaps the greatest benefit is the long-term upside cryptocurrency has for gains beyond belief, as in the case of Bitcoin. Other tokens, like Ethereum, have also demonstrated their massive growth potential with massive gains. Some people, whom you may have read about in the news, have taken their profits and already retired on savvy crypto investments.

 

Are There Any Drawbacks to Investing in Crypto?

 

When you invest in crypto, you have to take the good with the bad. To begin with, crypto is not a tangible asset like real estate. Because of this, it is prone to cyberattacks that could potentially leave you wiped out financially. In spring of 2021, hackers stole from about 6,000 customers of online crypto platform Coinbase.  Coinbase made those customers whole again, but the hack highlights the vulnerability of digital currency exchanges like Coinbase. 

 

Along with this danger, crypto has shown itself to be a very volatile investment, prone to large swings in either direction. While one month it may be experiencing a new high, the next month it may be at an all-time low.  If you thought stocks were volatile, they’re nothing compared with the volatility of crypto. One reason for the vulnerability is that crypto is not part of the centralized banking system. It’s so new that governments are still struggling to come up with ways to regulate it. Therefore, before seriously investing in crypto, you have to consider your investment goals and how much risk you want to take

 

The Benefits of Real Estate Investing

 

Needless to say, investing in real estate has stood the test of time for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. One of the reasons for its popularity and reliability has always been its ability to bring investors passive income through monthly rent payments of tenants in both residential and commercial properties. 

 

Another advantage of real estate is that it almost always appreciates in value over time, with property owners having to do little if anything to the property. This is especially the case when you invest in turnkey rentals from MartelTurnkey that already have a tenant and property management company in place. And by keeping up on maintenance and repairs through that property management company, you’ll likely increase your property’s value by several thousand dollars over the years.

 

Last but not least, real estate is a tangible asset that everyone needs. After all, people will always need places to live, conduct business and almost anything else you can imagine. 

 

Real Estate Drawbacks

 

While there are not many drawbacks to real estate investing, it does have one or two drawbacks. First, it can be expensive to buy, own, and maintain. Coming up with that first down payment is usually the biggest hurdle that people face. However, by investing with a reputable turnkey real estate company and having a good property management company in place, these obstacles can be overcome rather easily.

 

Also, if you want to liquidate your real estate investment into quick cash, it may be easier said than done. Most often, it will take a few months to find a buyer for your property. With crypto, you can sell your stakes in a matter of minutes. However, since people are always looking for solid real estate investments, the process of selling a quality turnkey rental may be easier than you think.

 

So Which Investment is Best?

 

While cryptocurrency undoubtedly does offer some intriguing investment possibilities, most financial experts agree real estate is still a much more reliable path to take to build wealth and have passive income in retirement. 

 

If you’re wondering why real estate is still considered to be advantageous over cryptocurrency, the primary reason comes down to risk. While Bitcoin and other tokens may sound like they can make you a millionaire overnight, the fact is that crypto is still a very speculative investment that puts your money at great risk. But with a real estate investment, you’ll have a tangible asset that most likely will increase in value year after year, be needed by someone on a daily basis, and bring you passive income while requiring very little of your time.

 

While the choice is ultimately yours as to which investment path you select, chances are that by taking your money and investing it in a turnkey rental property, you’ll build wealth much faster and safer than if you bet on crypto. When you’re ready to start securing your financial future, please contact us.

 

 

 

Customer Testimonial:

 

“Working with MartelTurnkey was a breeze. They helped me with every step of the process. From acquisition to financing to property management to insurance. They’ve surpassed my requirements and have rented the property out for more than I thought they would!”

~ George, San Mateo, CA

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on

Edwin Project a Big Win For St. Louis

As the nation’s economy rebounds after the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city of St. Louis has scored a major economic development victory with the Edwin Project.  A $60 million real estate development project, it is expected to not only bring luxury housing and various new businesses to the downtown area, but also be a driving force in creating hundreds or potentially thousands of new jobs.

 

The Partnership That Made it Happen

 

When projects such as these get finalized, it is usually due to the forming of extensive partnerships, and the Edwin Project is no exception.  For this project to become reality, it took a partnership between not only the Pier Property Group and Fireside Financial, but also the City of St. Louis, Saint Louis University, and St. Louis Midtown Redevelopment Corporation.  

 

Target as the Centerpiece

 

While the Edwin Project will feature 196 luxury apartments and many types of businesses, its centerpiece will be a 70,000 square-foot Target store.  The Minneapolis-based retailer, which plans to have its store open by July 2023, expects its store to attract thousands of people to the downtown area each day, which will of course help other nearby businesses such as restaurants, coffee shops, and other businesses.  Though the Edwin Project Target store is smaller than the average Target store that measures 130,000 square-feet, it will be a state-of-the-art example of the smaller-format store that Target has been moving toward in recent years.

 

A Midtown Jobs Bonanza

 

During its construction and of course once it’s completed, the Edwin Project will be a true Midtown jobs bonanza.  Along with Target and the other smaller businesses that will be hiring St. Louis residents, many other jobs will be created in such areas as construction, building management, janitorial and housekeeping, parking lot maintenance and many others.  As a result, thousands of St. Louis residents will have even more steady jobs that offer excellent wages and benefits.

 

A Transformational Project Months in the Making

 

According to David Heimburger, President of the SLMRC Board of Directors, the Edwin Project is one of those transformational projects that comes to a city once every few generations.  In fact, the SLMRC has been envisioning and working on this type of project for the past five years.  Working hard to attract a nationally-known retailer such as Target, Heimburger explained that doing so demonstrates that the city of St. Louis is not only a place where people want to live and raise their families, but also a city that is open for business.

 

Location and Parking

 

As to what ultimately made Target sign on as part of the Edwin Project, much of it had to do with two of the most important aspects of commercial real estate, those being location and parking.  Intrigued by the location for its store, Target and its executives were also pleased about the surface parking aspect of the project.  Since convenience in terms of parking is a critical factor in getting people to commercial districts and the businesses located there, this aspect of the Edwin Project was what many associated with the project believe turned the tide in their favor with Target.

 

20 Months to Completion

 

With construction in its early stages, the Edwin Project is expected to be completed within 20 months.  If all goes well, the Target store will have a shell by January 2023, six months before it expects to open.  The 400-acre redevelopment project, which will be located in Midtown’s Steelcote Square District, will feature Target located at Grand Boulevard, between Gratiot and Papin Streets.  

 

Inclusive Regional Growth

 

As cities today strive to emphasize diversity and inclusiveness, the Edwin Project is expected to do both for St. Louis.  According to St. Louis Development Corp. Executive Director Neal Richardson, the project will “advance inclusive growth in our region” and “create living-wage jobs that let people achieve upward economic mobility.”  In addition, the luxury apartments within the Edwin Project, expected to be some of the most sought-after in the city, will allow young professionals who want to live and work in the downtown area the chance to do so, while also offering luxury housing to retirees and others who enjoy the convenience of living downtown.

 

Opening the Door for Future Projects

 

As those who have been involved in the Edwin Project partnership look to the future, they strongly believe this project will lead to many others in the coming years.  Though similar projects may be smaller in scale, most agree that the Edwin Project is only the beginning for St. Louis and the Midtown area in terms of economic development.

 

Once the Edwin Project becomes a reality in 2023, the Midtown area and beyond will be bustling with new businesses and new residents eager to show everyone why the city of St. Louis is a great place to live, work and invest. Browse our turnkey rentals for sale to view available properties in St. Louis right now.

 

 

Customer Testimonial:

 

“I’ve had a very positive experience working with MartelTurnkey. With their help, I’ve bought two out of state properties and the process was smooth. Both homes are tenanted and performing well. It great to have experts who know a distant market well and who can locate good rental properties that cash flow.”

 

~ Jeremy,  Los Angeles, CA

 

 

 

Posted on

What Makes a Smart Investor?

Investing in turnkey rental properties is a smart idea no matter how you look at it. It’s especially great for people who have previously shied away from owning rental property because they don’t want to be a landlord. With turnkey rental properties, the hassles of being a landlord fall away. Through competent property management and a partner in turnkey rental properties, anyone can build passive wealth income through real estate. But it also takes a smart investor to really make good decisions about real estate investing. Following are the qualities that makes a smart investor.

 

Leaves Cash In Reserves

 

While a smart investor is willing to spend money to make money, that won’t mean draining the bank account. A smart investor always keeps sufficient reserves on hand for themselves. If there isn’t yet enough cash on hand to both invest and maintain a healthy financial “safety net,” a smart investor will wait until they can comfortably do so. At MartelTurnkey, we often cite that real estate investors should be ready to invest between $20,000 and $30,000 as a down payment on a turnkey rental property. But if that $20k or $30k represents your entire life’s savings, if it’s draining your kid’s college fund, or something similar, we would prefer that you wait until you are able to invest without wiping out the only thing standing between you and financial ruin!  Building a wealth portfolio involves risk, but not that level of risk.

 

Willing to Work to Relax

 

It sounds like a dichotomy, but smart investors know that sometimes work is a step toward relaxing. Smart investors know that a lifetime of passive income is worth some hard work to get there. This simply means that smart investors know that if they don’t yet have the cash to invest in turnkey rental property, they may have to work a bit to earn that cash. We covered a few ideas for earning extra money to invest in a previous blog post. They include things like working a second, part-time job. For most men and women, working yet another job is a huge time commitment that takes away from relaxation time, family time and more. But when the pay-off is having enough money to invest in reliable, passive income for a lifetime, smart investors realize that the hard work in the short-term is worth the relaxing lifestyle in the long-term.

 

Considers the Partner First, Then the Deal

 

Smart investors look for long-term partners whose goals and values are aligned with their own. They understand that it takes time to vet a real estate investment partner. It’s no small matter to entrust your money and future to a turnkey rental company. We covered the important things you should look for in a turnkey rental company in a previous blog post. Features include transparency, excellent client testimonials and more.  Smart investors first look for a sound investment partner before considering the actual deals that the partner offers.

 

Understands That One Isn’t Going to Do It

 

Smart investors know that investing in just one turnkey rental or one stock, or one little bond isn’t going to dramatically alter their future. They know that it takes long-term, consistent investing to build a wealth portfolio that provides enough passive income to live on. That’s why, at MartelTurnkey, we offer multiple investment properties to buy in several different markets. When you’re ready to buy your next turnkey rental property, you can be assured that you’ll find something available from our turnkey rentals for sale web page. Smart investors immediately prepare to buy their next turnkey rental property after buying their first, because they know that’s the path to true passive income wealth. 

 

MartelTurnkey would like to be your partner as you build your own wealth portfolio of passive income. We hope to make the journey with you into a lifetime of passive income that leaves you free to pursue everything else you want in life. We also want to educate you so that you can be the smart kind of investor who manages their own financial situation with intelligence. We hope you’ll find these tips useful as you choose your next turnkey rental property from us.  

 

Customer Testimonial:

 

“It was truly a pleasure partnering with MartelTurnkey on the purchase of two rental properties in Memphis. These were our first out of state rental properties for my partner and I. Although we’ve never visited Memphis, Antoine ensured we were connected in every stage of the process.”

 

~Sabrina & Lashawn, Plainfield, NJ