Investing in Real Estate with Clayton Morris | Investing for Beginners

Americans’ credit scores have fallen for the first time in a decade. According to a March 2024 report by FICO, “the effects of high interest rates and persistent inflation may be starting to weigh on consumers, especially those already struggling to manage their finances.”The FICO report found that the national average credit score dipped to 717 in October 2023. Today we're going to talk about what this information means for the consumer, the economy, and how building your financial education can help you if you're struggling with your credit.

If you want to get started as a real estate investor, but you only have $5k to invest, what's the best recourse? On this Q&A episode, I'm giving three ideas for getting started investing with $5k!I'm also answering your questions on recovering a project gone wrong with a new builder, and how much it costs to get started investing with Morris Invest. As always, I appreciate your thoughtful questions. Click play to hear my answers to your questions on today's episode of Investing in Real Estate!

The national debt in the United States is steadily increasing year after year, finally reaching a historic level. This situation is concerning, with a fast-paced growth at a rate of a staggering $1 trillion accruing to the national debt every 100 days.On today’s show, we’re going to talk about some of the main factors brewing behind the scenes. This massive amount of looming debt proves a serious lack of financial responsibility within the US government, including skyrocketing spending habits that will have serious lasting effects for the American people for decades to come.

Today's first caller asked an excellent question: "is now a good time to use home equity to invest for positive cash flow?" On this encore episode of Investing in Real Estate, I'm answering three of your questions on various real estate topics.We're going to cover using home equity for positive cash flow, how to maximize your returns on a smaller investment, and what to consider about setting up LLCs for real estate investing. Click play to hear my answers to your thoughtful questions!

Now more than ever, there are a lot of questions about the stability and the future of the US dollar. Will the US dollar crash? That’s what we’re going to unpack on today’s show.You're going to learn about the relationship between global trade and the US dollar, the departure from the gold standard, and what the Federal Reserve has said about the future of the dollar.

If you're thinking about getting started in the real estate industry, chances are you're considering a lot of options. One popular real estate strategy is flipping houses. Is flipping houses a good investment strategy? That's the first question I'm answering on today's Q&A episode!On this encore episode of Investing in Real Estate, I'm answering three of your great questions about flipping, offsetting tax liability after a 401k withdrawal, and options for getting started investing with $25k.

The end of the fiscal year is a great time to assess your goals and add a rental property to your portfolio. Buying before the end of the year can help you build your net worth and take advantage of the tax benefits of buying real estate.On today's show, I'm going to share everything you need to know about buying a rental property before the end of the year. You're going to learn the exact steps you need to take if you want to make your goal happen, as well as the top benefits of buying real estate by the end of the year.

When I wrote my book How to Pay Off Your Mortgage in 5 Years, mortgage rates were at a historical low. Since rates have risen in the past year or two, does it still make sense to use a HELOC to pay off the mortgage on your primary home? That's the first question I'm answering on today's show!This encore episode features three listener questions on paying off your mortgage, returns on our done-for-you rental properties, and how to find a lender willing to lend on investment properties. Click play to hear my answers to your real estate investing questions!

Big trouble is ahead for many banks that have commercial real estate in their portfolios. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warning, “there will be bank failures” at the Senate Banking Committee in early March.Due to declining values and defaulting loans in the commercial real estate space, smaller banks are feeling the pinch. Specifically, small and midsize banks could collapse in the coming months. On today's show, we're going to discuss this issue and what it means for you.

What does it take to become a Section 8 Landlord? Do you have to get pre-approved? And if so, what does the process look like? That's the first question I'm answering on this encore Q&A episode!On today's show, I'm taking three of your great questions on Section 8 rentals, how to get funding to grow your portfolio, and how to buy gold and silver. I'll also cover topics like diversifying your portfolio, signs of a recession, and why now is a great time to buy tangible assets. Click play to learn more!

There’s a huge problem impacting our economy and we need to talk about it – Americans are absolutely drowning in credit card debt. In the fourth quarter of 2023, Americans’ total credit card balances increased by $50 billion, reaching a total of $1.129 trillion, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. In fact, consumer debt is at its highest balance since the New York Fed began tracking data in the 1990s.On today's show, we're going to dive in what's going on with the state of credit card debt in the US. We're going to talk about delinquencies, interest rates, and much more. If you want to know more about consumer debt and how it's impacting the daily lives of Americans, tune in to this episode!

Banks have been tightening their lending standards for a while now, and investors are finding it harder and harder to find lenders willing to give loans on rental properties. Today's first caller has contacted 30 banks to find a HELOC on an investment property, and still came up empty handed. What should his next move be? That's the first question I'm answering on this Q&A episode!On this encore episode of Investing in Real Estate, I'm answering three of your questions on finding a HELOC for a rental property, how to decide if you should pay off mortgages, and the best way to tap into equity on a rental property. I'm also giving an update on the economy, the middle class, and what smart investors can do to protect themselves during this time.

With home prices rising US homeowners have gained an incredible amount of home equity. On today's show, I'm going to be sharing the latest data on home equity, and what homeowners can do to take advantage of this massive increase in wealth.As I've always said, real estate is the number one way to build wealth in the United States. This massive jump in equity is a testament to the power of buying real estate. Click play to learn more about home equity, buying rental properties, and creating wealth!

What can be done with an old 401k? Is there any way to use it to invest in real estate? That's the first question I'm answering on today's show!On this encore episode of Investing in Real Estate, we're going to talk about the future of the US dollar and how it relates to real estate investing. Then I'll answer three of your great questions about investing with an old 401k, UBIT taxes for self-directed IRAs, and how to make a return on investment if you don't have enough funds to buy a rental property. Click play to hear more!

Here's a question I hear a lot: should I pay off my mortgage, or invest that money instead? Both strategies can yield incredible results for your budget, your family's future, and your overall finances. Unfortunately, there's hardly ever a straightforward answer, but on today's show I'm going to help you weigh your options.On this episode of Investing in Real Estate, we're going to talk about the benefits of investing, as well as paying off your mortgage. I'm going to give you a few main points to consider before you make this decision.

There's not one clear, defined path to building wealth. When faced with a decision, you should always analyze your entire financial snapshot, including your Freedom Number. Today I'm sharing how you can assess whether or not to sell a rental property—and more!On this encore episode of Investing in Real Estate, I'm answering three of your questions on deciding what to do with a paid off property, options for non-recourse financing, and how to find wholesaling leads. Press play to hear my answers to your questions!

The promise of The American Dream has long attracted people from all over the world to build a better life for themselves and their families. The American Dream promises that if you just work hard enough, you can have the life you want. Yet there are Americans working full, long careers and still can’t afford to make ends meet when it’s time to retire.On this episode of Investing in Real Estate, I'm going to discuss how The American Dream is collapsing before our eyes. We're going to cover the history of The American Dream, how the retirement system has transformed, and my favorite tool you can use to build a comfortable life for yourself and your family.

Today's first caller is thinking about his retirement plan. It's become harder than ever to build a solid retirement plan that can weather the ups and downs of the economy. What's the best way to make sure your retirement is both secure and growing? That's the first question I'm answering on this Q&A episode of Investing in Real Estate!This episode features three of your great questions on building a secure retirement, the purpose of using LLCs for real estate investing, and what to consider before you seek out private money. I'm also going to discuss inflation, the US dollar, and more. Click play to hear my answers to your questions!

Anytime I talk about the downfalls of the popular retirement plan, the 401k, there’s always a few people in the comment section protesting. If you’re one of the lucky few that has been able to build a large retirement savings inside a 401k, that’s great! But unfortunately, this isn’t the norm. Most people who put money into a 401k aren’t able to save enough to fund a comfortable retirement.There are many reasons why the 401k fails investors, and I have plenty of videos I can direct you to if you’d like to learn more about this… But if you’re squirreling your extra dollars into a 401k, blindly wondering if it will be enough for retirement, today’s show is for you. We’re going to cover a few ways you can tell if your 401k sucks.

What's the best way to transform a liability (like your primary residence) into performing assets? That's the first question I'm answering on this Q&A episode!On this encore episode of Investing in Real Estate, I'm tackling three listener questions about using home equity to buy rental properties, the best states to live and invest, and how to decide whether a renovation project is better suited for flipping or renting. Press play to hear my answers to your burning real estate questions!

The middle class has been slowly disappearing for a number of decades now. Over the past 50 years, the percentage of Americans in the middle class plummeted from 61% to 50%. And I’ve got to tell you: I only see it getting worse from here.Of course, there are a number of systemic and economic factors that go into this tightening of the middle class. For one, inflation over the past few years has hit the middle class especially hard. But there are also a handful of big mistakes people make that hinder their progress toward financial freedom. Today we’re going to explore 5 major money pitfalls that the middle-class faces. If you’re ready to transform your financial situation and start building wealth, this episode is for you!

Since HELOCs can be difficult to find on an investment property, what's the best way to access the equity on a rental? In what scenarios would a cash out refinance be a better option? That's the first question I'm answering on today's show!On this encore episode of Investing in Real Estate, we're going to discuss the future of digital currency, and how to protect yourself from the decline of the US dollar. I'm also tackling your questions about home equity, buying an investment property in a college town, and how to build your portfolio with a bad credit score. Click play to hear my answers to your real estate questions!

Did you know that there’s one thing that will dictate your success in real estate investing more than any other factor? It’s not your finances or your credit score. It's your mindset that will determine your outcomes. The good news is: is it’s absolutely free to change your mindset.So on this episode of Investing in Real Estate, I’m going to share five mindset shifts you need to undergo in order to reach your real estate investing goals. Click play to learn five mindset shifts you need to learn to reach your goals.

Should you use your cash reserves to buy real estate, or is it a better strategy to use bank financing? And which method offers better tax benefits? That's the first question I'm answering on today's show!On this encore episode of Investing in Real Estate, we're going to talk about the state of the economy and the current value of the US dollar. Then, I'll dive into your questions on the benefits of financing a real estate purchase, determining monthly rental rates, and finding HELOCs on rental properties. Click play to hear my answers to your best real estate investing questions!

So you want to invest in 2024? You’re probably wondering the best route to take. There are a multitude of strategies and investment types out there – and if you’re just searching on Google or YouTube, you’re going to find a lot of conflicting advice.On today’s show, I’m sharing four smart investments you can make to start building your net worth. I believe there's a strategy in this list that can work for everyone. Click play to learn more on this episode of Investing in Real Estate!

Today's first caller asked about investing during times of high inflation. As the dollar loses its value, is it wise to continue buying rental properties? Or would it be better to wait out the current economic cycle? That's the first question I'm answering on today's show!On this encore episode of Investing in Real Estate, I'm taking three of your great questions about investing in times of inflation, paying back hard money loans for a fix and flip deal, and how to get started investing in stocks. I hope this episode brings you the insight and education you need to take the next step in your wealth building journey.

Your parents and grandparents probably lived by the idea of working hard at a 9-5 job, saving money inside traditional savings accounts and a 401k, and then enjoying the fruits of their labor at retirement. But so much has changed in our society in recent generations, and most people today are not seeing healthy retirement balances.Today we’re going to unpack some of the flawed thinking behind retirement, and I’m going to share the early retirement vehicle I personally used to escape the rat race and begin building passive income.

How do you know if it's a good strategy to buy assets with your home equity? And given higher interest rates, would it be better to invest in real estate or commodities like gold and silver? That's the first question I'm answering on today's Q&A episode!On this encore episode of Investing in Real Estate, we're going to talk about the pent up demand for housing in the US. Then, I'm taking three of your excellent questions on leveraging a HELOC to buy assets, house hacking a full-service rental property, and ways to buy gold and silver. Click play to hear my answers to your questions!

If you’re thinking about tapping into your home’s equity with a HELOC, or home equity line of credit, there are some things you should know. Some of the best strategies, tips, and tricks around using a HELOC are not well known.On today’s show, I’m going to walk you through some of the hidden secrets you should know in order to successfully utilize a HELOC. This is the kind of financial education from your banker or financial advisor, so click play to learn more!

Is it possible to invest in real estate with a bad credit score? What are the best financing options for investors without optimal credit? That's the first topic I'm answering on today's Q&A episode!On this episode, I'm taking three of your great questions on credit scores, selling rental properties, and using home equity to but assets. Click play to hear my answers to your questions!

There’s a whole wide world of financial advice out there – some good and some bad. Depending on your financial goals, certain advice could steer you in the wrong direction.On this show, my goal is to give you a financial education that’s based on the principles of building a high net worth through performing assets. So with those goals in mind, today we’re going to cover 5 common financial myths you need to unlearn.

If you've ever tried to move money out of a traditional retirement account in order to invest in a self-directed IRA, you'll learn very quickly that your custodian won't be too fond of this idea. This happened to today's first caller, and it happened to me too! This is the first topic I'll be diving into on this Q&A edition of Investing in Real Estate!Today, I'm listening to three of your great voicemails! We're going to discuss topics like moving money out of retirement accounts, selling. a house for cryptocurrency, and buying homes for future investments. Click play to hear my answers to your great questions!

More and more people are realizing that traditional retirement advice, like using a 401k or relying on Social Security, is severely outdated. This old school advice once helped generations before us create a comfortable retirement plan, but it can no longer keeping up with our modern world where the cost of everything is rising. Your 401k and similar account types can really take a beating in times of inflation.At Morris Invest, we love educating investors about the freedom a self-directed IRA can provide, but the self-directed IRA is not a free-for-all. Like any investment type, it’s critical that you know what you’re getting into before you jump in. So today, we’re going to dive into 10 rules for building wealth with a self-directed IRA.

When you're investing in rental properties out of state, should you go visit them? Today I'm going to share my personal philosophy on this topic, plus explain our company's policy for our investors.On this Q&A episode, I'm answering your question on visiting out-of-state rental properties, buying in overinflated markets, and achieving real estate professional status for tax purposes. Press play to hear my answers to your questions on this encore episode of Investing in Real Estate!a

Over the last several years, I’ve noticed a new fear emerge among investors. Many people are finding themselves hesitant to invest because they worry they are going to get stuck in a bad situation with a tenant who doesn’t pay. Especially after some of the rent freezes and eviction moratoriums of the pandemic era, it’s a valid concern.So on today’s show, I’m going to share the #1 thing you can do to avoid getting stuck in a position with a tenant who doesn’t pay rent: invest in a landlord friendly state. You're going to learn why this one factor is so important, and exactly how to identify a landlord friendly state.

How does our full-service real estate company make money? What types of fees can you expect to pay when you buy a property from our team? On today's show, I'm answering these frequently asked questions, and more.On this encore episode of Investing in Real Estate, you're going to learn how Morris Invest makes money, how to find a sustainable market for real estate investing, and what you need to know about setting up an LLC. Press play to hear my answers to your questions!

If you want to have a passive experience as a real estate investor, one of the most important things you can do is hire a great property management team. In this Ultimate Guide to Property Management for Real Estate Investors, I’m going to share some of best tips I’ve learned in my investing career.We’re going to cover the major benefits of working with a property management company, how to find the right property manager, key questions to ask in order to make sure it’s a fit for everyone, tips for effective communication, and so much more.

What's the best strategy for building a real estate portfolio when you're over 50 and want to grow your retirement fast? That's the first question I'm answering on this Q&A Monday!On today's show I'm taking three listener questions about fast portfolio growth, getting started in real estate with no money, and my best recommendations for tax and legal advice. I hope my advice and recommendations are valuable to you. Please join me for this encore episode of Investing in Real Estate!

A whopping 55% of Americans claim they're behind on their retirement savings.Every year, unfortunate statistics just like this are released. And it just seems to be getting worse. It’s clear that Americans are ill-equipped for retirement. But why does no one talk about the root cause?On this episode of Investing in Real Estate, we're going to unpack five pervasive lies you've been told about retirement. It's time to take back control and build a retirement plan on your terms.

Is it a good idea to withdraw from your 401k plan in order to make a down payment on a rental property? That's the first question I'll be answering on this edition of Q&A Monday! Every Monday, I'm answering three of your engaging questions on the podcast.This episode covers topics like 401k withdrawal, full-service real estate pricing, and zoning issues. I hope today's show answers your burning questions. Join me for this encore episode of Investing in Real Estate!

If you’re an unexperienced real estate investor, are short on time, or you’re planning on investing out of state, one of the best things you can do is work with a proven team that can help you reach your goals. At Morris Invest, our full-service approach to real estate helps investors set clear goals, buy high performing rental properties in the best rental markets, and create financial freedom.We walk our investors though the entire process from start to finish and beyond.. but what exactly does that look like? Today I’m going to pull back the curtain a bit and share some of the major benefits of working with a full-service team like ours. You’re going to learn how our programs help our investors save time, money, and have the most passive experience possible.

Does it make sense to contribute to a retirement account like a self-directed IRA after age 59½? And if so, how soon can you withdraw the cash flow from your rental properties inside of that account? That's the first question I'm answering on today's show!On this episode of Investing in Real Estate, I'm answering three listener questions about withdrawing from a self-directed IRA, how to find a HELOC for an investment property, and how to decide what type of property you should add to your portfolio. Please join me for this encore episode!

There's been an enormous change in the real estate market over the last year. Commercial real estate is collapsing. Here to shed light on how this happened is real estate legend, Ken McElroy.Ken McElroy is a long time real estate investor, author, and Rich Dad Advisor. Today, he's back on this episode of Investing in Real Estate to unpack exactly what's going on in the real estate market and his predictions for the future. Click play to hear this incredible interview with Ken McElroy!

If you want to pay off your mortgage before the scheduled payoff date, what's the best way to go about it? Should you utilize a HELOC, leverage other debt, or another method? That's the first question I'm tackling on today's show.On today's Q&A episode, I'm answering listener questions about accelerated mortgage payoff, how to save up for a down payment, and transferring your rental properties into an LLC. You'll also hear a quick rundown of what's new in the world of real estate investing. Please join me for this encore episode of Investing in Real Estate!

Investing in real estate is the number one way to build wealth. However, if you don’t put the right fundamentals in place, it can also be the source of a lot of headaches and financial stress.There isn't a wrong way to invest because every mistake can serve as an important lesson. But if you can learn from the investors who have gone before you, you can save a lot of time and money when you're getting started. On this episode of Investing in Real Estate, you're going to learn five investing red flags to avoid.

Would it be a better use of your money to buy a rental property, or buy a primary residence that you intend to eventually turn into an investment? That's the first question I'm going to answer on this encore episode of Investing in Real Estate!On today's show, I'm answering three listener questions on how to decide if you should buy a rental or a personal home, how to get started in real estate with a small nest egg, and how busy professionals can break into the real estate industry. I hope this episode helps you on your own real estate journey!

Is the real estate market going to crash? In a previous episode, I explained why I predict the housing market will not crash anytime soon.. but today I’m going to share about the REAL impeding market crash: commercial real estate.On this episode of Investing in Real Estate, you're going to learn what's happening in the commercial office space.

If you're ready to invest but your spouse isn't quite sure, what is the best way to make your case? That's the first question I'm answering on this Q&A edition of Investing in Real Estate!Today I'm answering three of your great questions about convincing your partner to invest in real estate, ideas for investing $80k, and how to scale your portfolio after hitting the 10-mortgage limit. Click play to hear my answers to your questions!

When you get into real estate investing, it can be alluring to think about the freedom of time that passive income can afford you. But I see so many investors fall into this trap where they fail to put the right fundamentals in place, and they end up creating a full-time job for themselves.I don’t know about you, but I didn’t begin investing so I could have even less time… So today we’re going to go over my top time-saving tips for real estate investors. These tips are going to help you maximize your efficiency, reclaim your time, and maintain focus on what truly matters to you. Click play to learn more!

With the possibility of bank collapses on the horizon for 2024 and 2025, where is the safest place to hold your wealth? That's the first question I'm answering on this episode of Investing in Real Estate!This Q&A episode features three great questions on safe places to put your money, how to use your property as collateral, and what you need to know about accreditation and investing options. Click play to hear my answers to your investing questions!