Common Metrics for Valuing Real Estate

Many times, you will see triple net leases, and occasionally double net leases where the tenant is responsible for all the maintenance, tax costs, insurance and utilities. The landlord may have some remaining responsibilities – say the roof and structure, but by and large, the landlord can focus on being a financial owner rather than an operator of the property.

There are a few common metrics we want to explain to a budding real estate investor, or someone interested in evaluating the complexion of REIT portfolios. Learn more…

So you just received an IRS 5071c letter. What do you do?

Could it be a scam? If it’s a phone call, or an email, then absolutely, it’s a scam. However, if it’s a letter, then it may be legitimate. Make sure though that you check the content against the content on the IRS website, and make sure that you are using the IRS website to verify your identity and not a website that looks like the IRS. If you have one, you may want to consult an accountant. Read more:

What do you do when you own bonds or stocks issued by a bankrupt company?

Ok so you own securities in a bankrupt company. If they’re stock, you’re probably going to be wiped out. If you own bonds, you are a creditor in the bankruptcy proceedings. Depending on how the proceedings go, you may get shares or bonds in the company. Or you may get cash as the company sells off their assets. Often times, you will receive a good chunk (but not all) your par value in either new securities or cash. Generally financial companies have paid out less in default but this is not always the case. You may also be able to sell your bonds on the open market, the market offerings will give you an indication of when and how much the bonds are expected to pay off. However, people may lowball you, and you will probably have to vote on some of the deals in bankruptcy so you will want to work with an advisor.

Municipal bonds are a little different, and the paradigms of municipal bankruptcy proceedings are changing so I won’t go through those. However, many municipal bonds are insured, and the insurer will continue making payments on the issuer’s behalf if they do go into bankruptcy. Read more…