Multifamily in Los Angeles - Looking for CPA/Attorney/Advice

Multifamily in Los Angeles - Looking for CPA/Attorney/Advice

Member since 2020 · 5 posts · 0 votes

Hi!

My mother and I are planning to form an equity partnership for a multifamily (tri or quadplex) home in Los Angeles. We are still in the early stages of hammering out the details but will most likely get the ball rolling in the next year (2021). I am currently talking to agents and lenders to get a sense of what we can afford. It will most likely be an owner occupied home with traditional 20% down bank financing though. My mom is providing the down payment and initial repairs costs, if any. I will be doing the rest of work: deal finding, closing, living in one unit, and taking care of PM duties. This will also be my first time buying. 

Does anyone here invest in multifamily in LA/California and can give me some insight into their experience/process/what to watch out for? I know LA is mostly an appreciation market and we may not see typical CoC returns at firs, but has anyone had surprising cashflow returns within the first few years in MFH?

I am also confused about how taxes work in a partnership and how to best structure this between my mother and I. (should we both be on the title, is an LLC necessary for this, etc etc) We will eventually be looking for a CPA and/or attorney who has experience in MFH. Also open to agent and lender recs in the area too.

 I just wanted to reach out to the BP community to get any recommendations and/or advice. PM me if you know someone! I can provide more details if needed as well. 

Thank you!

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Real Estate Agent · San Diego, CA · Member since 2014 · 338 posts · 176 votes
5y

@Amy Cheng

I have a great CPA that I work with down in San Diego. She can help you with tax planning around real estate. Feel free to connect and I can share her contact info. 

See this reply in the discussion

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  • Bill HamptonBusiness Member
    Accredited Investment Fiduciary, AIF®, Financial Planner, Tax Strategist, Real Estate Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2012 · 2k+ posts · 979 votes
    5y

    Amy,

    Are you open to working with your accountant remotely? I recommend finding an accountant who specializes in real estate taxation over one that is local. You may want to consider working with your accountant remotely to expand your options.

    I would also recommend looking for a tax strategist who is willing to work with you throughout the year, not just when preparing your tax return. You want an accountant that can help you strategize and who is responsive when you want to know the tax consequences of the decisions you are making throughout the year.

    Good luck and let me know if you have any questions.

    Hampton Tax and Financial Services LLC4.7106 Reviews
  • Real Estate Agent · San Diego, CA · Member since 2014 · 338 posts · 176 votes
    5y

    @Amy Cheng

    I have a great CPA that I work with down in San Diego. She can help you with tax planning around real estate. Feel free to connect and I can share her contact info. 

  • Real Estate Consultant · Glendora, CA · Member since 2019 · 314 posts · 95 votes
    5y

    @Amy Cheng Feel free to PM me. I can help with your multi-family needs. 

    Best,

  • Rental Property Investor · Member since 2020 · 10 posts · 1 vote
    5y

    Mark, 

    I've been searching the forums for a CPA in San Diego that specializes in real estate investments locally and out of state. Would you say that describes your CPA? Thanks!

    Miranda

  • Rental Property Investor · Member since 2020 · 10 posts · 1 vote
    5y

    @Mark Frattini - please see my post above, as the tag didn't work the first time.

    Thanks!

    Miranda

  • Real Estate Agent · San Diego, CA · Member since 2014 · 338 posts · 176 votes
    5y

    Hi @Miranda Warner

    Yep! You can always give her a call and discuss your needs to see if she's a good fit. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Member since 2020 · 10 posts · 1 vote
    5y

    @Mark Frattini Great, thank you. Would you mind sending me her contact information?

    Best,

    Miranda

  • Attorney and CPA · San Diego, CA · Member since 2017 · 590 posts · 422 votes
    5y

    @Amy Cheng

    You will want to seek out professional advice for this situation.  Partnerships where one partner puts in sweat equity can have a very different way of accounting/taxes than partners who both put in capital.  You will want to have a solid understanding and written agreement ahead of time addressing possible issues that could arise.

    @Miranda Warner

    I have a bunch of recommendations for CPAs in San Diego if you're still looking.

    *This post does not create an attorney-client or CPA-client relationship.  The information contained in this post is not to be relied upon.  Readers are advised to seek professional advice.

  • Basit SiddiqiBusiness Member
    Accountant · New York, NY · Member since 2015 · 8k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    5y

    @Amy Cheng

    There are a considerable amount of tax items to consider with your strategy.

    You are looking to use an entity(normally used for business activities) which will acquire a owner-occupied home(personal purpose).

    You will need to determine what is personal/business when it comes to this.

    In general, LLC's operated out of the state of California will run $800 minimum a year just for the fee you pay to the state.

    Partnership return may be required to be filed which is normally due March 15 for Calendar year filers. There is a possibility to extend the return to September 15. The individual owners/partners can not file their individual return until the partnership return is filed.

  • Realtor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2018 · 952 posts · 1k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Amy Cheng:

    Hi!

    My mother and I are planning to form an equity partnership for a multifamily (tri or quadplex) home in Los Angeles. We are still in the early stages of hammering out the details but will most likely get the ball rolling in the next year (2021). I am currently talking to agents and lenders to get a sense of what we can afford. It will most likely be an owner occupied home with traditional 20% down bank financing though. My mom is providing the down payment and initial repairs costs, if any. I will be doing the rest of work: deal finding, closing, living in one unit, and taking care of PM duties. This will also be my first time buying. 

    Does anyone here invest in multifamily in LA/California and can give me some insight into their experience/process/what to watch out for? I know LA is mostly an appreciation market and we may not see typical CoC returns at firs, but has anyone had surprising cashflow returns within the first few years in MFH?

    I am also confused about how taxes work in a partnership and how to best structure this between my mother and I. (should we both be on the title, is an LLC necessary for this, etc etc) We will eventually be looking for a CPA and/or attorney who has experience in MFH. Also open to agent and lender recs in the area too.

     I just wanted to reach out to the BP community to get any recommendations and/or advice. PM me if you know someone! I can provide more details if needed as well. 

    Thank you!

    Amy,

    I'm a house hacker and agent in Los Angeles. I live with my family in a duplex just below Hollywood, and I help my clients find great multifamily properties to house hack.

    As far as your partnership with your mom is concerned, I'd avoid creating a new entity. As mentioned above, forming an LLC with incur an annual $800 fee and create a lot more paperwork come tax time.

    Instead, you two should take ownership as tenants-in-common (TIC). With a TIC deed, you'll each own 50% of the property. You can collect rent and pay expenses through a personal bank account, and then all you have to worry about come tax time is tallying up income and expenses.

     For a CPA, I highly recommend mine: Akore Berliner at: www.whodoesyourtaxes.com

    She's in San Diego, and she's excellent. She hooked up me with a great firm that does logarithmic cost segregation analyses. She can explain all the details, but in short, this is how you reap a ton of upfront depreciation and avoid paying taxes on your rental income for years, if ever.

    Best,

    Jon

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