Paying for Real Estate with Bitcoins

Paying for Real Estate with Bitcoins

Huntington Beach, CA · Member since 2013 · 15 posts · 1 vote

Recently, a Philadelphia Real Estate company announced that it would accept bitcoins and litecoins for all of its properties. Some of you are probably wondering, what’s a bitcoin?

At its most basic, a bitcoin is virtual currency. Unlike other forms of currency, they only exist online and in the form of encoded computer files. You can use them like any other form of online payment for goods and services. One US dollar is worth roughly .0011 bitcoin, but the value of bitcoin is constantly fluctuating.

Bitcoins operate on a peer-to-peer (P2P) as opposed to a client-server network, meaning you deal directly with the person from whom you’re buying. For example, if iTunes were a P2P as opposed to a client-server network, you’d be purchasing your music directly from Rihanna and Daft Punk.

Bitcoins and litecoins (because the currency is literally weightless, get it?), which are almost identical to bitcoins, are now accepted at a Subway in Pennsylvania, by lawyers, at art auctions and even by a barber. Most recently, real estate has thrown its hat into the bitcoin (BTC) and litecoin (LTC) ring.

What do you think of this? Would you ever consider buying or selling real estate with bitcoin?

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  • Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2012 · 408 posts · 37 votes
    12y

    Yes, I have a property that I am willing to sell for bitcoins. I'd probably immediately cash in for USD though, given the volatility of BTC.

  • Denver, CO · Member since 2013 · 409 posts · 105 votes
    12y

    There are already two large hypothetical threads on this topic, potential problems have been discussed in those threads. Please let me know when/if anyone ever sells a house with bit coins. fwiw, you sound like a shill.

  • Huntington Beach, CA · Member since 2013 · 15 posts · 1 vote
    12y

    Hi @John Rooster

    I am currently in contact with the owner of Bitcoinprops.com and asked him to notify me if/when he sells using bitcoin or litecoin.

    Also, the definition of a shill is "to talk about or describe someone or something in a favorable way because you are being paid to do it." Since I don't work for Bitcoinprops.com, I am not being paid to report on the transactions, I just find bitcoin interesting and therefore thought others might also enjoy a real estate article related to bitcoin.

  • Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2013 · 3 posts · 0 votes
    12y

    @Lolly Spindler would you happen to have that companys name

  • Investor · Ambler, PA · Member since 2013 · 44 posts · 4 votes
    12y

    I am interested in knowing more about this. With the federal government in possession of the largest account for bitcoins I am certain that the value is not going to go down. I am currently learning what I can in order to invest in the currency. @Lolly Spindler I know a few p2p websites that offer bitcoins. I think this is something to keep an eye on and get in early. thats just my opinion.

  • Huntington Beach, CA · Member since 2013 · 15 posts · 1 vote
    12y

    @Reese WestYes, the company has two names/sites: Bitcoinprops.com and Litecoinproperties.com. You can read the original press release on Reddit here: BitCoin Properties Press Release.

    @Kenneth Shelley I am also optimistic about the future of bitcoin. I think it has real potential, however, I don't think most people are ready to invest in a virtual currency--at least not right now (when the time is right!).

  • Karen MargraveBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Realtor, General Contractor, and Developer · Redding, CA · Member since 2009 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    12y

    and here's the problem with bitcoins, and other things that really aren't based on anything real. Bitcoins disappear!

  • Real Estate Professional · Mechanicsburg, PA · Member since 2012 · 319 posts · 167 votes
    12y

    yep the beauty of anonymous transactions! you don't know who stole it!

    I'll take my transactions with ID, thank you.

  • Investor · Grand Rapids, MI · Member since 2012 · 158 posts · 49 votes
    12y

    www.blacktulipprops.com

  • Specialist · Kirkland, WA · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 817 votes
    12y

    I would definitely be worried about selling RE with bitcoins with the massive thefts that have recently occurred. Before I wasn't too worried about money-laundering but it's a hole I don't want to travel down.

  • Lender · Tyngsboro, MA · Member since 2009 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    12y

    @Paul Jamgotch , there is nothing at that url

  • Huntington Beach, CA · Member since 2013 · 15 posts · 1 vote
    12y

    Yeah, dealing in bitcoins can be shady, especially with all of the black market purchases occurring with it. Without any regulation, it's basically an "everything goes" monetary system. I would be wary of using it, especially in large quantities and for real goods. Hopefully, in the future, it will have some real worth!

  • Investor, Entrepreneur, Educator · Springfield, MO · Member since 2009 · 21k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    12y

    I probably wouldn't have understood what was being said if I had read it, but since you have a requirement to meet IRS Code in a real estate transaction, you can trade horsefeathers or hens' teeth for RE if you can determine accurately as required the value in dollars for the asset traded. :)

    BTW, bitcoins are being regulated by the world bank and the treasury and FBI are investigating their use, some countries already regulate use but I have not heard of any conversion of these black market underground currency.

  • Investor · Grand Rapids, MI · Member since 2012 · 158 posts · 49 votes
    12y

    @Ann Bellamy My apologies, Ann & others. It was supposed to be a comparison to the Black Tulipomania of the 1600s. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulip_mania.

    I can see I made a mistake by making it a link. I'd edit it but sadly I can't on this site. I apologize.

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