Trusts can be a powerful tool to have in your financial tool box. They can be a resource to help you build your financial wealth if you learn how and when to use them.

The first step is to understand the two main categories of trusts, revocable and irrevocable. When you use them, think of it as pulling a hand tool versus a power tool from your toolbox.

For example, a revocable trust is similar to a hand tool, relatively easy to set up and use. It is easier to administer and relatively inexpensive. A revocable trust can be changed easily and offers some asset protection.

A common way to use a revocable trust is a Land Trust which can hold investment properties and personal homes. Another common use is a Personal Property Trust which holds cars, boats and even notes. A living trust, used mostly for estate planning, can hold your personal home, assets, stocks and bank accounts.

An irrevocable trust is similar to a power tool because it is a little more complex to set up and operate. There are more rules to follow. It can cost more and can be permanent but it offers much better asset and privacy protection.

Common ways to use an irrevocable trust are an Asset Protection Trust and a Children’s or Special Needs Trust which can provide income for minors or people with special needs.

Another powerful way to use an irrevocable trust is an Installment Sale Trust which can help you defer taxes when selling assets or businesses.

When building a house, the right tools make ... Read More…

Landlords have always had the ability to woo business travelers to their rentals. 

But now that online travel agencies such as Airbnb, HomeAway, and TripAdvisor have gone mainstream, it’s easier than ever!

Let’s define a corporate rental as dwelling that’s lease directly to a company or a business traveler who has a housing allowance. If a company is paying for the rental, and not the tenant, then it’s a corporate rental. 

When a company pays their employees or contractors to work remotely, then that tenant: 1 – Will behave and not embarrass their employer

2 – Will have a binary attitude towards your rates. Either they are within their allowance, or they aren’t.

These two characteristics make business travelers the most lucrative and ideal people for your rentals.

The Opportunity

Business travelers find that with short-term corporate rentals, they are able to afford more home-like conveniences for less. They are able to cook healthier, have more privacy, and have a richer travel experience when they don’t stay at a hotel.

That’s why the trend in corporate housing is spiking. Especially when a traveler is on an assignment for 30 days or longer.

Extended stay business travelers actively search for houses and apartments to live in. Many want to live in neighborhoods and not off freeway offramps.

Now, is it possible that you could furnish a rental to accommodate corporate travelers? Could you earn hotel- ... Read More…

Indulge me in a fable, and see if it jibes with your current, or perhaps past, experience as a developing real estate entrepreneur:

You’re standing on a sidewalk with your nose an inch away from a brick. It’s a good brick. You’ve studied it for a while, and you’ve come to the conclusion that it’s reddish, rough, and surrounded on all four sides by parts of other bricks. You’ve looked at it long enough to decide that it’s a pretty great brick.

Someone walks by and asks, what are you doing? Looking at this brick, you reply.

Are you sure it’s a brick you’re looking at? the stranger queries. You might want to take a step back, because there’s more to see here than you think.

So, you take a step back, and you realize that he’s right: the brick you’ve been so obsessed with is just one of many. In fact, from your new perspective, you notice out of the corner of your eye that there’s also something else--a hole, with glass and wood in it. Is that important? What does it do? Should you spend any time finding out more about it?

While you’re wondering, another passerby happens along and asks what you’re doing.

I’m looking at all these bricks, and this weird opening, you explain.

No, step back: you’re looking at a wall, says your new friend. That’s a window, and it opens and closes to let air and light in, and that particular one needs to be replaced.

So, you do, and you ... Read More…

When it comes to rental property investments, choosing between short-term and mid-term rentals can significantly impact your strategy, revenue, and management style. Both offer unique benefits and challenges, depending on your goals as a host or investor. Let’s break down the differences so you can decide which model best suits your needs.

Short-Term Rentals: The Fast-Paced Income Generator

What Are They?

Short-term rentals typically include vacation homes, Airbnb listings, and temporary housing for tourists and business travelers. These stays usually last anywhere from a single night to a few weeks.

Pros of Short-Term Rentals

✅ Higher Revenue Potential – Nightly rates for short-term rentals tend to be much higher than traditional leases, which can result in significant income.
✅ Flexibility – You can block off personal stays, adjust pricing based on demand, and change your rental terms more frequently.
✅ Tax Advantages – In some areas, short-term rentals may qualify for special deductions or tax breaks compared to long-term leasing.
✅ Market Responsiveness – You can easily adapt to travel trends, peak seasons, and local events, maximizing profitability.

Challenges of Short-Term Rentals

🚫 More Hands-On Management – Frequent guest turnover means higher maintenance, cleaning, and customer service demands.
🚫 Regulations & Licensing – Many cities impose strict rules or even bans on short-term rentals, so checking local laws i ... Read More…

If you don’t think that real estate investing is a relationship business, you haven’t been paying attention. 

It’s your connections with other investors that bring you the local knowledge, the referrals to the right professionals, the money, the partnerships, and the deals that let you prosper now, and for years to come.   

But these relationships don’t ‘just happen’ for most people. You have to be intentional about building and maintaining them, just like you’re intentional (I hope) about building a rental portfolio, or a buyer’s list, or a marketing plan.   

Cincinnati REIA exists, in large part, to provide a platform for you to find and interact with like-minded folks who can encourage and help you be successful, but you have to do your part, too. Here are some tips for the 95% of us who aren’t just natural ‘connectors’:  

1. Be intentional about your professional development. There’s no job you can have or business you can be in where your value isn’t enhanced by knowing more. 

And in real estate, that value comes in two forms: knowing more just flat out means you can do more deals and make more money but knowing more also means that you have more to offer to other your colleagues.    

Knowledge is one currency that you can share to get what you need from others, and it’s a way of offering value to other people. ... Read More…

Calling all Greater Dayton REIA members—this is your moment to shine! Our quarterly magazine thrives on the incredible experiences, knowledge, and insights of our diverse membership. Everyone has something worth sharing, and we want to hear YOUR story.

Whether you’re a seasoned investor, a budding entrepreneur, or someone with a unique perspective on real estate, your knowledge is invaluable. The simplest tip or a profound insight could be the spark that helps someone else grow their business or overcome challenges. Think about it: you might know something that others don't yet—why keep it to yourself?

By contributing to the magazine, you’ll not only be inspiring and informing your fellow members, but you’ll also be showcasing your expertise to our thriving community. Articles can range from market trends, investment strategies, renovation tips, lessons learned, or even motivational stories about your journey in real estate.

Important Reminder: Submissions for the Greater Dayton REIA Quarterly Magazine are due one month before the first meeting of the quarter. Don’t miss your chance to be featured in an upcoming issue!

How to Get Started:

• Brainstorm topics or ideas you’re passionate about.

• Write down your thoughts or reach out for assistance—we’re here to help polish and refine your piece!

• Submit your article before the deadline.

Let’s make this magazine a true reflection of the collective wisdo ... Read More…

Presenters from the National Fair Housing Alliance will review:
 Special Purpose Credit Programs and the intersection of fair housing
 Best practices around community-based equity-focused homeownership
 Highlights of their publication “First Generation Foundations: A Guide to Advancing Equity with First Generation Homeownership Programs”

Ohio Presenters from County Corp and Homeport will:
 Discuss the opportunities they provide in their communities
 Their local equity-based homeownership programs
 Other services that enhance their communities

REGISTER HERE or CLICK THE IMAGE!

Cabinets account for a large percentage of remodeling budgets. Flippers, landlords, and homeowners, often focus on price during kitchen renovations.  Although cabinets made of different materials might look the same on the outside, what the cabinet is made from and how it is constructed, can have long-lasting implications, impacting not only aesthetics, but durability, environmental footprint and ultimate cost.

The least expensive cabinets are generally made of medium density fibreboard, MDF, an engineered product is made by breaking down hardwood and softwood residuals into fine particles, combining them with resin and wax, then applying heat and pressure.

There are several disadvantages to MDF.  Water absorption is one. MDF soaks up water like a sponge. If exposed to damp or humid environments, it can swell, losing structural integrity resulting in sagging,

MDF’s fine particles also make it difficult for screws to hold, cracking or splitting when screwed into the edge of the board. Although MDF’s smooth surface is good for painting and finishing, veneered or laminated MDF products are prone to chipping around the edges and often cannot be repaired.

Health risks are associated with MDF because it contains volatile compounds (VOC), such as urea-formaldehyde, that irritate eyes and lungs. It is important to wear a dusk mask when cutting or sanding to avoid inhaling the material. Be sure that there is good ventilation.

Although more expensive, cabin ... Read More…

The Families Flourish Program, (FFP), includes a mobility component to move families into neighborhoods and school districts that assist in a families’ specific career and educational development. FFP needs participating landlords who accept a subsidy as a part of the full market rate rent. This enables families to advance in their careers, create stability for the family through things like increased savings for college and aid minor children with superior educational opportunities. The subsidies continue for three years.  This is a successful program in Columbus, Ohio and is being expanded into the Miami Valley Region. 

Click HERE for a PDF version of the Participating Landlord Program.

 On Facebook today, the City of Middletown announced the following update to water utility billing, illustrating the need to focus on current Ohio water utility legislation:

Important Water and Sewer Update! 📣

The City of Middletown Water and Sewer Rules and Regulations are in the process of being updated. The updated rules and regulations will go into effect April 1st, 2025. Some key changes to take note of are:

• All water accounts will remain in the property owner's name. Tenants will no longer be able to sign up for a water account. Any account that is currently in a tenant’s name will remain active until the account is closed.
• The service fee will be increasing to $50.00.
• Deposits will be increasing to $300.00.

A copy of the Water and Sewer Rules and Regulations can be found on the city website at cityofmiddletown.org/254/water-services.