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Updated about 6 years ago on . Most recent reply

User Stats

31
Posts
9
Votes
Ron Ripley
  • Investor
  • Walnut Creek, CA
9
Votes |
31
Posts

Leaving W-2 in 6 weeks...seeking BP advice!!

Ron Ripley
  • Investor
  • Walnut Creek, CA
Posted

Hey there fellow BP-ers!!

I am beyond excited to announce that, after much soul-searching and number crunching, I will be leaving a fantastic run in the W-2 world (tech) mid March. I plan to focus 100% of my time on my RE investing portfolio and continuing to grow it to a place where it pays all the bills...and more! I am 58, married, and was thinking this morning about something I forgot about in my planning for this new chapter. My plan with one of my "not so great performing" SFH rentals (Rio Rancho, NM) was to sell when the tenant lease comes up in March and 1031 into a like-kind SFH in a better market. This property has never appreciated in 10 years of ownership (it dipped big time and now the value is pretty much where I bought it at!). Cash flow is barely break-even thanks to the loan product I chose back then. Could be worse of course, but would really like to cut my losses with this one. Since I will be without a W-2 in 6 weeks - my plans for this property now change a bit. I see two options but please advise on any other ideas. Option #1: Try to refinance in the next 6 weeks so that I am at least cash flowing (although it would really only get me to about $90/month - still not great and again, poorly appreciating area. Option #2: Just sell and cut my losses paying the short term cap gains and redirecting what's left to what I am now investing in - multifamily syndications. (the property value is approx. $160k, loan about $115k)

Thoughts? Advice? Other options? I know it is possible to get a mortgage without a W-2 and I've been studying those options, but not sure I want to endure the hurdles of that scenario especially after this past year of 3 refis and 4 new mortgages (!)....even with good W-2 income, exceptional credit score, and significant savings - I was put through the RINGER with endless requests for more and more doc! ugh

Anyway, there you go...have at it! :-) Seriously, thanks for any thoughts or advice you might have if you were in this situation - what would you do? Happy to provide any more detail if needed. Have a GREAT day - LOVE this community btw.

Ron

Most Popular Reply

User Stats

6,603
Posts
6,958
Votes
Bjorn Ahlblad
  • Investor
  • Shelton, WA
6,958
Votes |
6,603
Posts
Bjorn Ahlblad
  • Investor
  • Shelton, WA
Replied

@Ron Ripley Congrats! Make sure you have done your numbers well and left room for a bit of bad luck in case that were to come along. It is a one way street and once you get off that high tech W2 bus there is no way back. Once you get away from that W2 job you should set yourself up as a RE professional and be qualified for the lower tax bracket etc. Talk to your accountant. I left Silicon Valley a couple of years ago and now live in the rainforest of the PNW; my rentals help me supplement my retirement. Life is good. All the best! Oh yeah that place in NM? Don't refi sell it fast.

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