All Forum Posts by: Holly Williams

I second the research syndication route, especially if you are an accredited investor.  You do indeed have to vet the syndicator, and ask the right questions, but it's a very good way for truly passive income and tax benefits.

I live in the tax hell that is NYC, and I don't want to touch anything in NY state.  Passive syndications are what helped me quit my job.  I moved money out of stocks to invest though...you need capital.  If you have time to devote you can make the numbers work some places, but you really have to go there and spend time, develop relationships, get to know brokers....it's a ton of work and a ton of travel.  Once you find a commercial deal, you have to win it.  That's part 2.  None of this is impossible...quite the contrary.  However, it's not like buying a house where you just call a broker and they bring you good deals. There's a lot to it, and much of it depends upon your ultimate goals.

The tax shelter that real estate investing provides, especially multifamily passive investments, is 99% of what I'm about.  My investments have changed my life, changed the lives of friends and family, and they are enabling me to do what I love.  Tax savings is HUGE part of that.

Some of the benefits of a syndication where you are not in control though, are dependent upon how the syndicator is structuring things.  You need to ask the right questions, talk to a CPA (NOT a "financial advisor), about your particular tax situation, and if you work with partners, make sure that they are like-minded people who invest alongside you and share your goals.

Keep More! 

I'm in NYC, so I feel your pain.  That said, my accountant tells me that "passive losses offset passive income", so many multifamily syndications cash flow, but show paper losses because of appreciation.  There is a lot of information on this site, and many people who you can speak with about it...just search multifamily syndication and off you go.  

There are also passive opportunities in just about everything else, such as self-storage, mobile home parks, etc.  I know less about those, but others here do.  Especially if you are an accredited investor, it's lots less hassle.  

Happy to chat, and others here will freely share their knowledge and personal experiences as well.

Best of luck to you!

@Kurt Granroth You are on the right track.  What you have outlined is EXACTLY how I was able to leave my W-2 job last year.  Took about $500K and 4 years.  Happy to chat about it, but I can't say enough about multifamily syndications done right.

@Gary Crawford Very, very impressive and inspiring.  Congratulations, and thanks so much for sharing. I love it.

I bought a couple of houses over the years and an apartment in Manhattan to live in.  Then I watched my parents have to withdraw money from their stock investments to live on...in 2009-2011 when EVERYTHING was down.  My Dad died about a year from broke.  (While my few rentals still cash-flowed.)  At the same time I discovered passive multifamily investing.  After moving money from the stock market over a period of 4 years or so, my passive income was enough to leave my job.  I'm so grateful for the opportunity that real estate has given me, so I shout it from the rooftops.

Great story, and thanks for sharing.  Lots of people look at the profits and don't see the blood, sweat, and tears that go into it. Real estate is a get rich slow game, but it's so much fun!  

Congrats to you, and thanks for the inspiration!

I'm still bullish on MF, although it's important to find really smart syndicators that have taken the time and put in the hard work to develop STRONG relationships with brokers, bankers, and management companies in the market where you invest.  That takes a ton of time, and I was not able to do it when I had a W-2 job.  That's what led me to investing in passive syndications. I haven't found returns that match what I'm getting as an LP on syndications, and that's why I haven't done a medium-sized deal myself.  

Most of all welcome to Bigger Pockets! You are in a great place, and there are many experienced people here that are willing to share.

@John Hickey  Man if you can do renovations that's a whole different deal.  Flips and fix-ups can be very lucrative if you know what you are doing.  God love you.