Managing Properties for Parents, LLC or No LLC?

Question

My parents own 5 rental properties and are tired of dealing with them and want to travel. Originally, I was going to purchase the properties from them and continue renting them out. However, after speaking with a CPA, it may be in our best interest for me to manage the properties until I get them through inheritance. It saves us both on the taxes, etc.

My question is should I create a property management LLC now? Or at all? I eventually want to expand and buy more houses. So, any other advice for this situation would be great!

Nathan Gesner · Answer

Why do you need an LLC?

You should be able to manage the properties as a salaried employee without needing a license. Contact the Florida Real Estate Commission, explain what you want to do, and they will give you the answer. https://www.floridarealtors.or...

Here's my generic LLC advice:

An LLC is useful for two things: anonymity and legal protection. In most cases, neither is warranted.

Warning: I am not an attorney and this can be a complicated topic. Please note the information provided below is a layman's definition designed to provide a basic understanding for the general audience. You should consult an attorney or CPA for your specific situation.

ANONYMITY: When you create the LLC, your name is recorded on the documents and published on the Secretary of State website for all to see. So you're not completely anonymous. If you want to be completely anonymous, you can use a Registered Agent. The Registered Agent will record the documents on your behalf so only their name and information appears on the documents. I've done this with my properties because I'm well known in my small town and don't want people to know what I own.

LEGAL PROTECTION: By placing your assets in an LLC, you are legally separating them from your personal assets. If someone injures themselves and sues, they will be suing the LLC and not you personally. If your insurance coverage isn't enough, they could seize the LLC assets, but not your personal assets.

Additional thoughts:

1. An LLC is not free. You can spend as little as $100 to form an LLC, or you could use an attorney and spend $1,000 or more. There are also additional costs of operating and maintaining an LLC, like separate bank accounts, annual report filings, tax filings, etc.

2. There are rules to follow! If you fail to follow the rules, you may open your personal assets to a lawsuit. An example of this would be mixing your personal money and LLC money in the same bank account.

3. You do not need a separate LLC for each property or a series LLC! Don't make your life more complicated than it has to be. Most professionals will recommend a separate LLC for every $1 million in assets but I don't think that's necessary. In my case, I have residential rentals in one LLC, commercial properties in another, self storage in a third, and my real estate company operates in a fourth. Some have more than $1 million in equity while others have less.

4. The need for an LLC is grossly exaggerated on BiggerPockets and other websites. Have you ever heard of a Landlord being sued by a Tenant and losing property? I've been on this board since 2010 and haven't found an example yet. You've probably heard of big Landlords losing property, but only because they were flagrantly violating Fair Housing, running a slum, or otherwise violating the law in an egregious manner. You are more likely to be struck by lightning twice. The vast majority of lawsuits against Landlords are for wrongful eviction, security deposit disputes, and Fair Housing Violations. Your basic insurance policy with $300,000 in liability coverage should be sufficient in 99.999% of all lawsuits.

5. The best protection for you and your investments? Know and obey the law. I manage around 400 rentals with 12 years experience and have never been sued once. Even if I were sued, I document everything and obey the law, so I won't be found guilty. Even if I were found guilty, the cost would be in the thousands, not in the millions. Insurance would cover it, I would pay the deductible, and no assets would be lost.If you are in an area like San Diego where people are more likely to sue, a judge is more likely to find you guilty, and the payout is likely to be higher, then you may consider an umbrella insurance policy. This policy will provide additional coverage above what your existing policy covers. It's easy to obtain, costs very little, and doesn't require additional, on-going effort to maintain.

Henry Clark · Answer

1.  Are there any other sisters or brothers?

2.  How much wealth?  Will or trust?

3.  Do you have medical and legal power of attorney?

4.  Are bank accounts TOD?

5.  Is there debt of any kind?

6.  What are you getting paid?

7.  You want to grow?  How can you use these properties as collateral?

8.  If you lose these properties are your parents financially set?

9.  Do your parents have long term care insurance?  Otherwise the state fed will force you to sell to pay.

10.  Is this the type of REI you want to do?

A lot of questions.  Have you addressed these?  If not you need to sit down with a trust attorney if the estate is big enough.

They could also 1031 into other properties that don’t take any of their or your time to manage.