Peachtree City, GA · Member since 2016 · 44 posts · 5 votes
Pretty much what it says. I run several ecommerce businesses and live in Switzerland (among other places), staying out of US more than 330 days a year for foreign income exclusion.
What are recommendations going forward with real estate investment as someone outside country? Is it necessary to "hire" a partner in US to handle maintenance, day-to-day, legal stuff etc or is it feasible with property management company etc...?
I think the first step is to identify what is most important to you; e.g. buy and hold for cash flow, buy and hold for appreciation, buy and flip, etc. Of course, budget, timing and risk are other important factors. This will help you make a selection of cities that would be more appropriate than other cities.
Depending on the answers above, this will help you making in decision on engaging a partner in the US. For example, if you are looking for buy and hold for appreciation purposes in New York City, you probably do not need a property management firm on the ground (simply an agent who can assist you with the search for decent deals would be sufficient). If you are planning to do buy and hold for cash flow purposes in Detroit, than probably a local property management firm is a must.
We are dealing with a lot of American investors based overseas and this is usually the way we work with them. Hope this helps a bit
Investor · Milwaukee - Mequon, WI · Member since 2010 · 5k+ posts · 7k+ votes
10y
@Matt Ward when you get to Austria say hi to my old home!
This question I would definitley answer with a yes, unless you are investing in real estate based paper assets like a REIT. I have bought a property for a good old firend who lives back in Austria and looking back at the last three years there were several incients where a small issue can become a big problem if untreated and without boots on the ground. Do you have a good friend in Georgia who is a go-getter and you can trust. Even if he/she is not in real estate just having someone on the ground you trust makes things possible.
I think the first step is to identify what is most important to you; e.g. buy and hold for cash flow, buy and hold for appreciation, buy and flip, etc. Of course, budget, timing and risk are other important factors. This will help you make a selection of cities that would be more appropriate than other cities.
Depending on the answers above, this will help you making in decision on engaging a partner in the US. For example, if you are looking for buy and hold for appreciation purposes in New York City, you probably do not need a property management firm on the ground (simply an agent who can assist you with the search for decent deals would be sufficient). If you are planning to do buy and hold for cash flow purposes in Detroit, than probably a local property management firm is a must.
We are dealing with a lot of American investors based overseas and this is usually the way we work with them. Hope this helps a bit
Real Estate Agent · Walnut Creek CA, USA · Member since 2016 · 34 posts · 6 votes
10y
Hello, my name is Arjan and I'm new to real estate investing. Sam Van Horebeek mentioned the difference in not needing a property management firm in New York city if looking to buy and hold for appreciation purposes and needing a property management firm if planning to buy and hold for cash flow purposes in Detroit. My question is why do you need a property management firm for one scenario and not the other?
Peachtree City, GA · Member since 2016 · 44 posts · 5 votes
10y
Thanks for all the feedback and support.
Was looking at investing in either South Atlanta area where family lives (and live for 8 years) or Syracuse and Rochester area of NY State where I grew up.
@Jared Delaney way way too expensive. I could buy a house for 100-200k in NY State that would be 2 million here...
Investor · Athens, GA · Member since 2011 · 306 posts · 156 votes
10y
First talk to @Azeez K. who is great for finding Atlanta area investment properties and he knows who to help manage them.
A second company / guy You should look up is Chris Littleton. He is in the Ptree City / Fayette / All over Atlanta area. He has helped plenty of overseas investors buy, rehab, and manage properties. Solutions Realty Network.
Pretty much what it says. I run several ecommerce businesses and live in Switzerland (among other places), staying out of US more than 330 days a year for foreign income exclusion.
What are recommendations going forward with real estate investment as someone outside country? Is it necessary to "hire" a partner in US to handle maintenance, day-to-day, legal stuff etc or is it feasible with property management company etc...?
Matt what are you trying to accomplish.
I was buying in 4 states from 2009 -2013. So really depends on what you are trying to accomplish short term , and long term goals.
Peachtree City, GA · Member since 2016 · 44 posts · 5 votes
10y
@Alex Franks the goal is long term, sustainable wealth. My ecommerce business has been quite successful and is bringing in significant profit I'd like to reinvest in more long term, safe real estate investments. The goal would be to be a either a passive investing partner or the main business guy who had others managing on the ground stuff.
Wholesaler · Hauppauge, NY · Member since 2009 · 92 posts · 6 votes
10y
Good Evening
I can assist with locating and managing properties in NY. I am a sales agent. My brokerage specializes in REO. Please contact me to discuss. I am interested in assisting you.
@Alex Franks the goal is long term, sustainable wealth. My ecommerce business has been quite successful and is bringing in significant profit I'd like to reinvest in more long term, safe real estate investments. The goal would be to be a either a passive investing partner or the main business guy who had others managing on the ground stuff.
Rental Property Investor · RVA · Member since 2016 · 5k+ posts · 4k+ votes
10y
Why not invest in apartment deals? The scale makes management and other expenses lower cost per door, and the work of finding deals is done by sponsors.
Qingdao, China · Member since 2019 · 4 posts · 0 votes
7y
Hi Matt! I'm an expat living abroad in China and am looking for some forums that have some good information on investing in the US while remaining an expat. How has your search gone. In the past couple years have you been able to close on any deals?
Accountant · Fort Lauderdale, FL · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 753 votes
7y
@Steven Cook
You will want to get with a CPA with experience in this area. Of particular importance to you are the foreign income exclusion and foreign tax credits. There may be other tax strategies you can utilize.
Rental Property Investor · Member since 2018 · 826 posts · 810 votes
7y
@Matt Ward if you haven’t managed properties before then I certainly recommend a PM or state-side partner. With technology these days you do not require either if you invest in B class assets or better. However, you’ll need systems in place, which require experience.
I currently live abroad and still purchase properties in the US, including ones that I self manage. The purchase process takes longer since you may need to go to the embassy to set up POA and notarize docs for closing. I've used online webcam notaries for other documents, but I haven't tried this with a property close yet.
Repairs and maintenance can be handled by Yelp or TaskRabbit service providers, but again depends on asset class.