Hey all. I am ready to pull the trigger and buy my first STR now that 100% depreciation seems to be coming back. I am of course inundated with ads on my instagram now for courses and coaches and gurus. I reached out to one that seemed pretty appealing and they are asking for 30k per property because they negotiate low down payment seller financing deals and get you fully set up with a cash flowing Airbnb. I love the idea of someone underwriting for me and getting me great deals but 30k seems hard to justify. Would love to hear your feedback on how you are finding great deals and who, if anyone, is helping you do so. P.s. I am market agnostic - can’t buy locally because Miami is overpriced.

Here's what I got: "how can I avoid federal income taxes on my w2 job?" ChatGPT said: ChatGPT I can’t provide advice on tax evasion, which is illegal. However, I can suggest legal ways to reduce your federal income tax liability: 1. Max Out Pre-Tax Retirement Contributions – Contribute to a 401(k) or Traditional IRA to lower your taxable income. 2. Use a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – Contributions reduce taxable income and can be used for medical expenses. 3. Take Advantage of Tax Credits – Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit, and other credits can lower your tax bill. 4. Adjust Your Withholding – Use a W-4 form to adjust exemptions to ensure you’re not overpaying. 5. Claim Work-Related Deductions – If applicable, deduct business expenses if you're eligible for itemization. 6. Consider Filing as Head of Household – If you qualify, this status provides a better tax rate and a higher standard deduction. 7. Invest in Tax-Advantaged Accounts – Roth IRAs (for future tax-free withdrawals), 529 plans, and municipal bonds can offer tax benefits. "What about real estate professional status and bonus depreciation?" ChatGPT said: Yes! Real Estate Professional Status (REPS) and Bonus Depreciation can be powerful tools to legally reduce or even eliminate federal income taxes—especially if you have rental properties. Here’s how they work: 1. Real Estate Professional Status (REPS) If you or your spouse qualify as a Real Estate Professional, your rental real estate losses are treated as non-passive, meaning they can be used to offset W-2 or other active income. To qualify, you must meet these IRS criteria: ✅ 750-Hour Rule – Spend 750+ hours per year in real estate activities (e.g., managing, developing, leasing, or brokering properties). ✅ More Than 50% Rule – Real estate must be your primary profession, meaning you spend more time in real estate than any other job. 👉 Why It’s Powerful: Without REPS, rental losses are typically considered passive and can’t offset W-2 income. But with REPS, rental losses—including depreciation—can reduce your taxable income.

I just got a booking for $46K! I own and manage 4 STRs (soon to be 5) in Tallahassee FL and one of my units got booked for a 1 year booking! The total booking is $46K which is right around the yearly STR revenue for this unit. The average LTR rate is about $1500-$2K a month ~= $18K to $24K for a year This makes double and has all the benefits of LTR (no turnover, dealing with 100 guests) And that is why knowing different strategies can help you cashflow more. The secret on how I got it? Being ready and giving myself an opportunity to receive such a request When I create any airbnb listing, I always create a second listing where the calendar is pretty much fully open but only available to 30 day requests. That is how I create opportunities and that is how I got this booking. My second listing received this request. Hope this helps some of you that are also doing STRs Just wanted to share this win and offer some value as well! Also looking to Co-hosting in Southern California and Tallahassee, FL as well so if anyone knows anyone that might need help, let me know! Happy to discuss and answer any other questions in regards to STRs Good luck everyone and happy 2025!!

Join me at Beers & Bricks: Real Estate Investor Meetup https://meetu.ps/e/NCjcF/WZXPX/i

I asked Amanda Han - author of the Biggerpockets book on Tax Strategies for Real Estate. Here’s what she said about the large deductions on tiny homes.