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All Forum Posts by: Weina Shi

Weina Shi has started 29 posts and replied 84 times.

@Conor Freeman

Thanks for your input.

Post: Commercial Property Owner Title Insurance

Weina ShiPosted
  • Investor
  • Wellesley, MA
  • Posts 85
  • Votes 15
i can tell you that my clients spent thousands of their own money to resolve an easement issue even though they had title insurance. The title company was not helpful and did not pay one cent of that. 

Originally posted by @Peter Walther:
Originally posted by @Weina Shi:
Originally posted by @Peter Walther:

I think you might want to invest in a new attorney.

A lender's policy provides you as owner no protection whatsoever.  In fact, in the case of a total failure of title, the insurer could pay the lender off in full, take an assignment of the mortgage and sue the Borrower (you if you signed individually) under the Note.

There may be a reduced rate for the premiums when you purchase a lender's policy simultaneously with an owner's policy so the incremental cost should be relatively low.  Ask the title agent for a quote.

Why would title insurance sue me if they have no grounds? Property is in an LLC. I am a real estate broker and the only places that I have seen property owner use title insurance is to discharge a mortgage that has been already been paid off years ago. One client has an easement issue with problem with the survey and the title insurance could not even do much in a litigation situation. No owner policy would be equivalent as self insuring. The title insurance on my purchase is $16000 (half is lender policy and half owner policy). These are not insignificant.

If the insurer takes an assignment of the mortgage from the insured lender as part of the claims settlement process it can then sue the Note maker(s) and any guarantors based on the promise to repay the debt.  They would do this as part of the recovery process.

You are correct, failing to get an owner's policy is the same as the LLC self insuring for its interest in the property. If you're comfortable doing that I assume you won't be getting casualty insurance either.

Post: Commercial Property Owner Title Insurance

Weina ShiPosted
  • Investor
  • Wellesley, MA
  • Posts 85
  • Votes 15
I don’t think it is fair to assume what I will get or not. You do not know my family situation whatsoever. I am comfortable taking certain risks. Same thing with life insurance some people get it some don’t. We used pay for life insurance but we are financially independent and no longer need it. Personal choice.   

Originally posted by @Peter Walther:
Originally posted by @Weina Shi:
Originally posted by @Peter Walther:

I think you might want to invest in a new attorney.

A lender's policy provides you as owner no protection whatsoever.  In fact, in the case of a total failure of title, the insurer could pay the lender off in full, take an assignment of the mortgage and sue the Borrower (you if you signed individually) under the Note.

There may be a reduced rate for the premiums when you purchase a lender's policy simultaneously with an owner's policy so the incremental cost should be relatively low.  Ask the title agent for a quote.

Why would title insurance sue me if they have no grounds? Property is in an LLC. I am a real estate broker and the only places that I have seen property owner use title insurance is to discharge a mortgage that has been already been paid off years ago. One client has an easement issue with problem with the survey and the title insurance could not even do much in a litigation situation. No owner policy would be equivalent as self insuring. The title insurance on my purchase is $16000 (half is lender policy and half owner policy). These are not insignificant.

If the insurer takes an assignment of the mortgage from the insured lender as part of the claims settlement process it can then sue the Note maker(s) and any guarantors based on the promise to repay the debt.  They would do this as part of the recovery process.

You are correct, failing to get an owner's policy is the same as the LLC self insuring for its interest in the property. If you're comfortable doing that I assume you won't be getting casualty insurance either.

Post: Commercial Property Owner Title Insurance

Weina ShiPosted
  • Investor
  • Wellesley, MA
  • Posts 85
  • Votes 15
Originally posted by @Peter Walther:

I think you might want to invest in a new attorney.

A lender's policy provides you as owner no protection whatsoever.  In fact, in the case of a total failure of title, the insurer could pay the lender off in full, take an assignment of the mortgage and sue the Borrower (you if you signed individually) under the Note.

There may be a reduced rate for the premiums when you purchase a lender's policy simultaneously with an owner's policy so the incremental cost should be relatively low.  Ask the title agent for a quote.

Why would title insurance sue me if they have no grounds? Property is in an LLC. I am a real estate broker and the only places that I have seen property owner use title insurance is to discharge a mortgage that has been already been paid off years ago. One client has an easement issue with problem with the survey and the title insurance could not even do much in a litigation situation. No owner policy would be equivalent as self insuring. The title insurance on my purchase is $16000 (half is lender policy and half owner policy). These are not insignificant.

Post: Commercial Property Owner Title Insurance

Weina ShiPosted
  • Investor
  • Wellesley, MA
  • Posts 85
  • Votes 15

Hi fellow investors,

Are you getting owner title insurance for commercial properties you are buying? My attorney mentioned since we are required to get the lender title insurance we are already protected somewhat so purchasing a separate owner title insurance is not necessary. What do you think?

Here is my analysis, which assumes the business portion is not eligible for 1031. This also ignore time value of money to make the math simple. Also assumes lender will finance both the business value and real estate.

Based on this analysis, overall it seems that both options have similar financial impact but the real estate tax saving will make splitting the transaction into business vs real estate superior.

Option one: Purchase as one transaction (not splitting up business vs real estate)
Real Estate Value $ 4,000,000
Land $ 500,000
Improvements $ 3,500,000
Depreciation $ 89,744
Depreciation yrs 39
Total Depr in 10 years $ 897,436
Total annual D&A $ 89,744
Total 10 year D&A $ 897,436
Tax Rate 42%
Annual tax saving $ 37,692
Total 10 year tax saving $ 376,923 
Option two: split up business value vs real estate value
Real Estate Value $ 3,000,000
Land $ 500,000
Improvements $ 2,500,000
Depreciation $ 64,103
Depreciation yrs 39
Total Depr in 10 years $ 641,026
Business Value (Good will) $ 1,000,000
Amortization (15 year schedule) $ 66,667
Total Amortz in 10 years $ 666,667
Total annual D&A $ 130,769
Total 10 year D&A $ 1,307,692
Income Tax Rate 42%
Annual tax saving $ 54,923
Total 10 year tax saving $ 549,231
Depreciation recapture for good will upon a sale (assume 1031 exchange all real estate)
Total recap $ 666,667
Tax at 25% $ 166,666.67
Tax saving net of amortization recapture $ 382,564.10

Post: 1031 in less than a year (short term capital gains)

Weina ShiPosted
  • Investor
  • Wellesley, MA
  • Posts 85
  • Votes 15

@Nick Frey

You might want to talk to a 1031 specialist at ipx1031.

Post: Self Storage Inspection & Environmental Site Assessment

Weina ShiPosted
  • Investor
  • Wellesley, MA
  • Posts 85
  • Votes 15

@Lawrence P. Schnapf

Good point. Based on the list they sent to me it does not include HVAC which important. Thanks.

Post: Self Storage Inspection & Environmental Site Assessment

Weina ShiPosted
  • Investor
  • Wellesley, MA
  • Posts 85
  • Votes 15

@Ronald Rohde

Thanks

@Cason Acor

Yes the sale price will be on the deed. Attorney mentioned reason it is more involved than that and it involves accounting and not just an accountant, cash flow needs to be analyzed and consider 1031 as well with potential depreciate recapture