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All Forum Posts by: Thomas McPherson

Thomas McPherson has started 10 posts and replied 58 times.

Hi Foley, welcome to BP.  My name is Thomas and I am an experienced lender/investor in Phoenix and Portland, Maine.  Happy to connect and discuss the Phoenix market.

Best,

Thomas

Post: Common Mistakes in a BRRRR

Thomas McPhersonPosted
  • Lender
  • Posts 60
  • Votes 26

@Max Emory - agreed. Why lend at excessive LTV to less experienced REI. Puts everyone in a bad position if things wobble even just a little...crazy.

Thanks for the great insights!

Post: Common Mistakes in a BRRRR

Thomas McPhersonPosted
  • Lender
  • Posts 60
  • Votes 26

@Max Emory - leverage is an amazing tool and a deadly weapon. I made millions of dollars in the great recession b/c people used excessive leverage and lost properties to their lenders. Also, you are spot on about romanticizing the cash flow. Many so-called "income properties" don't produce nearly the kinds of returns we see advertised on the internet. 

I saw an ad on IG the other day for a private lender who was going up to 96% of the purchase price and funding 100% of the renovation cost. That is INSANE! If the market slows down even just a little...catches a tiny little cold...you will lose all your money and the lender will likely take a loss also.

I ran a distressed debt fund for 5 years, DO Income Fund, and we had hard limits when buying distressed debt. We knew that if our underlying loan went above 85% of the current value we often ran the risk of taking a loss. I don't know why so many lenders these days make such high LTV loans. It is bad for the client and bad for their investors (in the debt fund). Borrowers need skin in the game. That is my $0.02.

Post: Investing in RE through an SDIRAs

Thomas McPhersonPosted
  • Lender
  • Posts 60
  • Votes 26

UBIT is sneaky! I dealt with it on another debt fund I used to run. Good heads up!

Also, why do you state that you will pay more in taxes? I haven't read Tax Free Wealth...yet! 

I will now that you mention it. Would you be so kind as to summarize? I assume it has to do with 1031x and/or LTCG, depreciation, and a step-up in basis at death, yes? Or am I missing it altogether?

Thanks for the book suggestion.

Post: Investing in RE through an SDIRAs

Thomas McPhersonPosted
  • Lender
  • Posts 60
  • Votes 26

Hi all, I would like to start the conversation and hear about other's experiences investing in Real Estate through their IRA. Here is a brief explanation on how to do it.

Key Steps:

  1. Set Up an SDIRA: This allows you to invest in real estate directly. 
  2. Pick Cash-Flowing Properties: Your IRA receives all rental income, tax-free!
  3. Know the Rules:
    • No personal use – the property can’t be used by you or family.
    • All expenses/income go through the IRA.
    • Watch for UBIT tax – some income types can trigger it.

Tips:

  • Non-Recourse Loans Only: If financing, make sure it’s non-recourse.
  • Diversify: Mix property types, REITs, or loans within your SDIRA.

Anyone here investing in real estate through their IRA? Drop your thoughts below!

Post: New To BRRRR

Thomas McPhersonPosted
  • Lender
  • Posts 60
  • Votes 26
Quote from @Seth Gordon:

Good afternoon,

I am new to the BRRRR community and wanted to see if anyone has any good information to share. I currently work for a big GC company in Columbus, Ohio, and have done both rehabs and new builds. I am wanting to start real estate investing to become financially free in the future. Any tips or pointing me in the right direction will be greatly appreciated. If anyone has any questions for me, feel free to ask as I also have a lot of information on the construction side of things as I have rehabbed over 200 units in multifamily housing projects for the GC I work for.

Thank you!


Hi Josh, here are some common mistakes investors make when doing a BRRRR:

  • Overestimating the After-Repair Value (ARV):

    Investors sometimes overestimate the future value of a property after renovation. This leads to issues with refinancing and could leave you with less equity or higher debt than anticipated. Accurate market analysis and conservative estimates are key.

  • Underestimating Rehab Costs:

    Rehab costs can quickly add up. Failing to budget correctly for repairs or not accounting for unexpected expenses can cause you to go over budget. Always leave a buffer in your rehab estimates and work with experienced contractors.

  • Choosing the Wrong Property:

    Not every property is suitable for BRRRR. Picking a house with major, costly structural issues or in a location with poor rental demand can hurt both the rental and refinance phases. Focus on properties that will have a strong rental market and a clear path to increase in value.

  • Overleveraging:

  • Some investors refinance and pull out too much equity, leaving them with little to no cash flow. This can be risky, especially if vacancies or unexpected expenses arise. It’s important to balance cash-out refinance with maintaining healthy cash flow from rent.

  • Mismanaging the Rehab Process:

    Delays in the rehab phase can eat into your profits. Poor management of contractors, permit delays, or running out of funds can extend the rehab timeline, costing you money. Having a detailed rehab plan and experienced team is critical.

  • Not Screening Tenants Properly:

    The rental phase is crucial, and bad tenants can cause property damage or miss rent payments, disrupting your cash flow. Thorough tenant screening and ensuring the property is well-managed can prevent these issues.

  • Misjudging Refinance Timing:

    Timing the refinance is tricky. If the property hasn't appreciated or you haven't completed necessary renovations, you might not get the refinancing terms you expected. Waiting too long to refinance can also leave you with less favorable market conditions.

  • Neglecting to Build Relationships with Lenders:

    Many investors assume refinancing will be easy, but without building good relationships with lenders or shopping around for the best terms, you could end up with a deal that doesn’t work for your investment goals.

  • Ignoring Cash Flow:

    Some investors get caught up in the equity gains and forget about cash flow. A property may look good on paper in terms of appreciation but might not generate enough cash flow to cover expenses and build long-term wealth.

  • Not Having a Backup Plan:

    If something goes wrong in any phase, such as a longer vacancy period or higher renovation costs, it can disrupt the whole strategy. Having contingency plans and sufficient cash reserves is crucial for navigating unforeseen challenges.

    Hope this helps!

  • Post: New member intro

    Thomas McPhersonPosted
    • Lender
    • Posts 60
    • Votes 26

    Hey Myles, happy to connect, please let me know if you have any house hacking questions.

    Best,

    Thomas

    Post: Common Mistakes in a BRRRR

    Thomas McPhersonPosted
    • Lender
    • Posts 60
    • Votes 26

    Hi all, I want to start the conversation about common mistakes when doing a BRRRR. Here is my short list:

  • Overestimating the After-Repair Value (ARV):

    Investors sometimes overestimate the future value of a property after renovation. This leads to issues with refinancing and could leave you with less equity or higher debt than anticipated. Accurate market analysis and conservative estimates are key.

  • Underestimating Rehab Costs:

    Rehab costs can quickly add up. Failing to budget correctly for repairs or not accounting for unexpected expenses can cause you to go over budget. Always leave a buffer in your rehab estimates and work with experienced contractors.

  • Choosing the Wrong Property:

    Not every property is suitable for BRRRR. Picking a house with major, costly structural issues or in a location with poor rental demand can hurt both the rental and refinance phases. Focus on properties that will have a strong rental market and a clear path to increase in value.

  • Overleveraging:

    Some investors refinance and pull out too much equity, leaving them with little to no cash flow. This can be risky, especially if vacancies or unexpected expenses arise. It’s important to balance cash-out refinance with maintaining healthy cash flow from rent.

  • Mismanaging the Rehab Process:

    Delays in the rehab phase can eat into your profits. Poor management of contractors, permit delays, or running out of funds can extend the rehab timeline, costing you money. Having a detailed rehab plan and experienced team is critical.

  • Not Screening Tenants Properly:

    The rental phase is crucial, and bad tenants can cause property damage or miss rent payments, disrupting your cash flow. Thorough tenant screening and ensuring the property is well-managed can prevent these issues.

  • Misjudging Refinance Timing:

    Timing the refinance is tricky. If the property hasn't appreciated or you haven't completed necessary renovations, you might not get the refinancing terms you expected. Waiting too long to refinance can also leave you with less favorable market conditions.

  • Neglecting to Build Relationships with Lenders:

    Many investors assume refinancing will be easy, but without building good relationships with lenders or shopping around for the best terms, you could end up with a deal that doesn’t work for your investment goals.

  • Ignoring Cash Flow:

    Some investors get caught up in the equity gains and forget about cash flow. A property may look good on paper in terms of appreciation but might not generate enough cash flow to cover expenses and build long-term wealth.

  • Not Having a Backup Plan:

    If something goes wrong in any phase, such as a longer vacancy period or higher renovation costs, it can disrupt the whole strategy. Having contingency plans and sufficient cash reserves is crucial for navigating unforeseen challenges.

  • Please let me know if I am missing any.  I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
    Best,

    Thomas

    Hey Nanda, how is it going?  My name is Thomas and I am a veteran real estate investor in Maine and Arizona, I am also a lender as well.  Welcome to the group.

    Post: Do you tip your handyman?

    Thomas McPhersonPosted
    • Lender
    • Posts 60
    • Votes 26

    I do, especially if it is one I use often, it is always good to have that relationship.  Sounds like you found a great handyman.  

    Best, 

    Thomas