Category: Investing In Real Estate

People ask if house hacking is still a realistic and viable option in the Bay Area given our high price points and continued move towards tenants rights and rent control. We believe wholeheartedly that it is. It may not result in ‘free’ living right away, but we believe it’s far better than the alternative. Our clients who end up in successful house hack situations keep their monthly housing expenses far lower than if they had continued to rent or bought a single family home. Add that to the long term benefits of owning real estate, and these folks are in

I love talking about investing in real estate with new or first-time investors in Oakland. What’s cool about real estate is that it nearly always fits investors’ goals and should become part of an investment strategy. It’s usually some combination of five main reasons: cash flow, appreciation, equity, leverage, tax benefits. Cashflow Real estate as an investment often produces income through rent. After subtracting expenses and mortgage payments, you’re left with cash flow. It’s a good thing. I love it and you will too.  Appreciation Appreciation is the increase in value. This is where much of the wealth in real

A few weeks ago, I wrote this Beginner’s Guide to Real Estate Investing in Oakland, in which I detailed how to invest in small multi-family properties using a technique called house hacking, in which you live in one unit and rent out the other(s), having your tenants help pay down your mortgage. However, though it all sounds good in theory, I know that it can be quite daunting to take that first step. How do you find the right property? How do you analyze the numbers to make sure it makes sense? How do you deal with being a landlord?