How to Calculate PMI If you're a house hacker, Nomad™, investor buying properties with less than 20% down, or buying creatively where the seller has PMI, you'll want to make sure you know how to analyze deals that have Private Mortgage Insurance. In this mini-class, James will cover how to analyze deals that have PMI, with an emphasis on doing it u…

Church Life “The Message of a Miracle” Acts 3:17-26 Gospel Guilt (vv.17-23) Amos 9:14-15 14 I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine, and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit. 15 I will plant them on their land, and they shall n…

In many cases—not all, but many cases—real estate investors can speed up the time it takes to become financially independent by choosing to pay off the mortgages on their properties early. Sometimes it makes sense to take every extra dollar beyond a healthy amount of reserves and aggressively pay off properties as quickly as possible. Other times, …

Church Life “The Meaning of a Miracle” Acts 3:1-16 The Meeting (vv.1-5) The Miracle (vv. 6-8a) The Marvel (vv.8b-11) The Message (vv. 12-16) Jesus is the Holy and Righteous One and the Author of Life

Deal Alchemy™ - Residential vs Commercial Property Deal Alchemy™ is all about manipulating the returns you're earning on your investments. Often, this is done through the choices we make when selecting the investment property and the strategies we choose to implement. For example, you could choose to invest in residential properties where your tena…

Committed to Community Acts 2:43-47 In Time and Treasure (vv. 43-44) What is God like? 7 Things: Eternal All-powerful, all-knowing and all-present Perfectly holy and righteous All-sovereign Perfectly good and true Love Our savior Jo. 4:21, 23 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem…

Warning - Risks of Loan Called Due When Investing in Real Estate Investing in real estate adds some risk to an already risk-filled life. However, certain activities and strategies when investing in real estate create additional risks that other strategies and activities do not have. For example, choosing to utilize strategies where the lender has t…

“Committed to Community, Pt.1” Acts 2:42 This Church was Marked by Dedication Heb. 10:24-25 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. “Teaching” 1 Pet. 2:2, Like newborn infants,…

How to Analyze Buying a Rental Property at a Discount in Pembroke Pines Some real estate investors insist on only buying properties where they can purchase them at a significant discount. While not mutually exclusive, other investors insist on buying quality properties at a fair price as long as it gets them their desired returns and will stand the…

The Reward of My Redeemer Job 19:25-27 The Fact of the Resurrection (v.25) Psa. 34:18-19 18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. Heb. 11:17 a, 19a 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac…, 19 He considered tha…

How to Calculate PMI If you're planning to buy a property and put less than 20% down, you're likely to be required to pay Private Mortgage Insurance. Lenders prefer that you put at least 20% down, but if you insist on putting less than 20% down, they may still make the loan. However, they will usually do so at a slightly higher mortgage interest ra…

Church Life “The Gospel Call” Acts 2:37-41 The Conviction (v. 37) Heb. 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.. The Change (vv. 38-40) Repent (Lu. 18:11-14) Ro. 6:3-4 3 Do you not…

There are a large number of investing strategies you could pursue as a real estate investor: Nomad™, house hacking, fix and flip, buying 20% down rentals, buying 25% down rentals, saving up to buy free and clear rentals and many, many more options. Which is the best? Which gets you to financial independence fastest? Which gives you the highest net …

Church Life “The Case for the Christ” Acts 2:24-36 A Resurrection Prophecy (vv. 24-32) Col. 2:13-14 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set a…

Deal Alchemy™ - Increasing Down Payment There are four primary returns from investing in rental properties: appreciation, cash flow, debt paydown, and the tax benefits of depreciation. Additionally, there is a secondary return in the form of the interest earned on the reserves required to make the investment in the first place. Many real estate inv…

Church Life “Gospel Sovereignty and the Will of God” Acts 2:22-23 Christology (v.22) Divine Sovereignty (v. 23a) Isa. 53:4,10 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted… 10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering…

Warning - Risks of Rental Property Expenses When Investing in Real Estate Risk is all around us. When we choose to invest in anything, we’re choosing to take on the additional risk characteristics of that investment. For example, when we choose to invest in real estate, we choose to take on the risk characteristics of the specific real estate inves…

Love God, Love People - the Greatest Commandment Matt. 22:36-40 First Priority (vv. 36-38) Jo. 5:42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. ;8:42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Psa. 34:8 8 Oh, taste and see that the …

How to Analyze a New Construction Single-Family Home Property in Pembroke Pines Your ability to analyze deals is arguably the most important skill as a real estate investor. It allows you to make smart investment decisions and helps you avoid making career-ending bad decisions, such as buying cash-flowing-sucking vampire properties. In this class, …

Church Life “The Prophecy at Pentecost” Acts 2:14-21 For Then (vv. 14-16) For Today (vv. 17-21) Ro.8:9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. Heb. 1:1-2a 1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our father…

The 3 Strategies to Pay Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) Whether they're putting 15% down and buying a non-owner-occupied property or utilizing an owner-occupied loan with 0%, 3%, 3.5%, or 5% down for Nomading™ or house hacking, some real estate investors will choose to put less than 20% down. With the decision to put less than 20% down comes the c…

The Command (v.4) Pro. 24:11 11 Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. Pro. 24:12 If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work? The Cause (v.5) …

Investing in real estate is full of truthy-sounding falsehoods: it is always better to do X than Y. However, if you were crazy enough to sit down and do the math, you'd find the truth to be much more nuanced. For example, should you take all your extra cash flow and savings and apply it to your mortgages each month to pay off rental properties fast…

Church Life “The Arrival of the Holy Spirit” Acts 2:1-13 In Power (vv.1-3) In Communication (vv. 4-11) In Reaction (vv. 12-13) Eph. 5:17-21 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hym…

Deal Alchemy™ - Cash Flow to Debt Paydown There are four primary returns from investing in rental properties: appreciation, cash flow, debt paydown, and the tax benefits of depreciation. Additionally, there is a secondary return in the form of the interest earned on the reserves required to make the investment in the first place. Many real estate i…

Church Life “The Providence of the Holy Spirit” Acts 1:12-26 In Preparation (vv. 12-14) In Prophecy (vv. 15-20) Jo. 13:18c-d, 17:12 d-e But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’… I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfille…

Warning - The Risk of Down Payment Size When Investing in Real Estate Life is full of risks. When we choose to invest, we choose to take on additional risks. If we invest in stocks, we choose to take on certain risks. When we choose to invest in bonds, we take on different risks. When we choose to invest in real estate, we choose to take on additio…

Church Life “Witness Preparation Program” Acts 1:6-11 The Admonishing (vv. 6-7) Ma. 13:7, 8e,9d-e, 32-33 7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 … These are but the beginning of the birth pains. 9 “…and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness b…

How to Analyze a 5% Down Single-Family Nomad™ Property in Pembroke Pines Using the latest version of The World's Greatest Real Estate Deal Analysis Spreadsheet™, we will walk through how to analyze a single-family home Nomad™ property with a 5% down payment. Learn how to analyze deals correctly and avoid buying cash flow vampires. Only buy the best…

Church Life “In the Beginning” Acts 1:1-5 The Purpose (vv.1-3) Lu.1:3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 1 Cor. 15:13-14 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been ra…

What Affects Your PMI Rate Lenders prefer that you put at least 20% down, but if you push hard enough, many will allow you to put less than 20% down if you're willing to purchase insurance to protect them in case you default. This insurance is called Private Mortgage Insurance. The cost of this insurance depends on several factors. Some are primary…

Take 5 to Give 5; “Faith” Mark 1:14-15 God (Ro. 1:19-20) Man (Ro.3:10-19) Need (Ro. 5:9-10) Gospel (Eph. 2:8-10) Faith (Ma. 1:14-15). The Communication (vv. 14-15a) 3 stages to the kingdom: Spiritual (invisible and earthly) Physical (visible and millennial) Eternal (visible and heavenly) The Command (v.15b) Isa. 55:7 (Ma. 8:34-36; 9:47-48; 10:21-22…

You're a real estate investor looking to acquire properties by saving up and putting 25% down. Should you buy an owner-occupied property first? What if that's more expensive than renting? Should you still do it? What if it means you'll be saving less for acquiring rentals by buying an owner-occupied property first? In this comparison class, we will…

Take 5 to Give 5; “Gospel” Ephesians 2:8-10 The How of Grace (v.8) Ti.3:5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. Moral Relativity (Ro. 3:11-12) Religiosity (1 Cor. 1:21-24). The Why of Grace (v.9-10) Ro. 4:2,5 2 For if Abraham was …

Deal Alchemy™ - Lease-Options Different real estate investors desire, prefer, and prioritize different returns. For example, many real estate investors have a strong preference for the cash flow part of their return. With Deal Alchemy™, we can manipulate returns and move them from one area to another. Or, we can move them from one or more areas to …

Take 5 to Give 5; “Need” Romans 5:9-10 Rescue by Death (v.9) Psa. 5:5-6; 5 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. 6 You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.; 7:11 God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day. Rev. 19:11-12a,13,15 11 Then I saw heaven…

Warning - Insurable Risks When Investing in Real Estate Life has risks. Real estate investing in Pembroke Pines adds some additional risks. Some of these risks can be shifted from your responsibility to the responsibility of a third party for a fee. This is often described as insurance. You choose to pay someone else to take on a risk you don't wan…

How to Analyze a 20% Down Single-Family Home Rental Using the latest version of The World's Greatest Real Estate Deal Analysis Spreadsheet™, we will walk through how to analyze a single-family home rental property with a 20% down payment. Learn how to analyze deals correctly and avoid buying cash flow vampires. Only buy the best deals that make sen…

Take 5 to Give 5; “Man” Romans 3:10-19 Our Character (vv. 10-12) Psa. 14:1-3a 1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good. 2 The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. 3 They have all turned aside; to…

What is PMI And How to Avoid It You want to work with a lender so that you don't need to purchase a property with all cash. The lender is willing to lend you money, charging you interest to make a profit, and ensuring there is a safety buffer of equity in case you default and they need to foreclose to recover their funds. Your goal is to minimize t…

Take 5 to Give 5; “God” Romans 1:19-20 Image of Ayaan Hirsi Ali Conscience (v. 19) Creation (v. 20) Psa. 19:1-2 1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. Acts 17:24-25 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven…

Should you use the Nomad™ strategy to acquire properties with a minimal 5% down payment as quickly as possible? Or is it better to be a little more patient and save up for full 25% down payments and buy rentals without moving into each? By saving up for a 25% down payment, the properties will cash flow better. That may allow you to save up faster f…

Take 5 to Give 5 “The Ministry of the Sent Ones” Romans 10:13-15 The Gospel Make-up (vv. 13-14) Salvation Steps for the Sent Ones: Believed (14a) Heard (14b) Preaching (14c) The Gospel Mandate (v.15) 1 Cor. 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. Isa.…

Improving Cash Flow on Rental Properties by Improving the Property When real estate prices, mortgage interest rates, and rent rates are high, it can be more challenging to generate great cash flow from a rental property. However, it is also more important than ever to do everything in your power to maximize cash flow. There are 88 strategies for im…

3 Keys to Contentment Philippians 4 10-13

Refinancing Rental Property Tips There are many flavors of refinancing rental properties: cash-out refinances, cash-in refinances, rate and term refinances, and recasting loans. Understanding each one, when you might want to use them in your real estate investing, the general rules and guidelines for using them, and the impact of each are all impor…

The Christian’s Joy “The Practice of Peace” Phil. 4:8-9 The Command to Think (v.8) The Human Heart: Mind ------------ Heart ----------- Will (Deduction) ---- (Desire) ---------(Decision). Pro. 12:25 Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.; 15:13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit …

Financing Tips When Writing an Offer to Buy a Rental So, you understand financing for buying your next property, and you're ready to go out in search of a property to buy. There are a few financing-related tips that might help set you up for success, improve the odds of getting your offer accepted, getting the best price and terms on your offer, an…

The Christian’s Joy “The Path to Peace and Joy” Phil. 4:4-7 The Commands (vv.4-6) 1 Pet. 4:13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. An Average Person’s Anxiety Is Focused On… 40%—things that will never happen 30%—things about the past that can’t be changed 12%—things …

Sometimes buying rental properties is merely a means to an end: financial independence. Some folks don't want to hold onto their rental properties, manage them, or deal with the business of owning them when they achieve financial independence. Instead, they may prefer to have their money more passively invested in stocks. Can a real estate investor…