Property Investors: An Alternative Asset Class - Intro to MHCs

An Alternative Asset Class - Intro to MHC

I’d like to share with you a property investment strategy that has returns of 10% to 12% positive cash flow and requires as little as USD 50,000 to start (in some cases as low as $30,000).

Let me explain.

Those who know me know I’m always on the lookout for high yield cash flow investment opportunities. Unlike Australia, rental properties in the USA are cash flow positive.

This is nothing new, as I wrote about this back in 2017 when I shared my plans and moved to the USA.

It was only recently that I came across an alternative asset class with low entry costs and high returns. To be honest, I came across this over a year ago but I never bothered to research it because I was still thinking like an “Aussie Property Investor.”

Once I got over my prejudices and took a good look at the numbers, I uttered that oh so common regretful phrase— “Wish I knew about this earlier!”

The asset class I discovered is Manufactured Housing Communities or MHCs. An MHC is often a gated community, with spaces for 100 or more homes. Residents of the community can either buy or rent a home in the community. MHCs generally fall in one of two categories, family MHCs with no age restrictions, and communities specifically for those 55 and over. 

Now here’s the key—
even if they buy the home, they do NOT own the land.

And that was my stumbling block and why I initially rejected this concept. As any Aussie property investor will tell you, the value is in the land! Heck, I’ve even written books about this stuff!

But … the land is not important. Not for this strategy. Now, in case you think I’ve suddenly recanted all the wisdom espoused in my books, I haven’t. Hear me out. 

This is a passive income strategy, not a capital gains strategy.

You see, when investing in Australian property the rent rarely covers the costs. We call this negative gearing, which simply put, means you lose money and get a tax break on the loss. How do you make money with negative gearing? You wait for the property (or more correctly the land) to appreciate. Eventually, the property value increases and you’ve “made a profit.”

But an MHC investment generates immediate cash flow. The speed of the process is staggering. Usually, the deal is done in a month and the property rented. Within 4 to 6 weeks you start receiving your monthly income. Simple.

You might wonder, “how can it be so fast?”

Several reasons:

Efficient home construction all under one roof.

1. The properties are built in a factory to specified standards (ironically, a much better standard than typically built homes). Factory construction has all materials and workers in one location and is never hindered by the weather = faster construction.

2. Tenants are easy to come by due to the high quality of the home and the lower cost of rents (leases on MHC properties are usually cheaper than a condo, and MHC are standalone homes with gardens and parking.)

3. A limited supply of affordable housing in the USA. 

What about the value of the property, does it ever go up?

Yes, the home value does increase but that’s not included in the ROI, if it happens it’s a bonus. The question that should be asked is, “Can the home be easily sold?” And the answer is also “yes.”

It can be sold on the public market like any property. The firms I deal with have a buy-back option to repurchase the homes for the same price you paid for it. So, in short, you can get your capital out fairly easily and due to the low cost, it’s more liquid than a typical property for the simple reason that there are more people with $50k to invest than there are with $500k.

Ease the Burden 

Why am I sharing this now? I know that some of my readers are suffering in the current social and economic turmoil in the world today. MHCs provide a recession-proof investment for the simple reason that in times of difficulty people downsize. I believe that adding some MHC cash flow properties to a portfolio is a great way to diversify risk and ease the burden of lost income from other asset classes.  

So that’s my brief introduction to MHCs. If you want to find out more about this opportunity, I have a team here in the USA with a turnkey solution for investors. Everything is taken care of, all maintenance, tenanting, insurance—everything.

For more information, visit our site passivebanc.com and the FAQs and How it Works.

Comment below or reach out via the Contact Us page and I’ll be happy to answer any questions you have. 

In the meantime, stay well and stay safe.

Cheers

How I get things done using Trello

This is how I keep track of everything, from business to family time and even tedious things like doing taxes and paying the bills.

Hope it helps. Feel free to ask questions in the comments, or privately via the contact page.

Enjoy!

Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Made Simple

I first heard about Bitcoin many years ago, way before it took off. Unfortunately, I was busy with other projects and didn’t have the time to fully research the subject and thus missed the boat. Given how money works in this society, it’s no surprise that Bitcoin and other crypto coins took off, as they bypass the central banking system.

But I don’t regret it missing the boat. For those who remember the dot.com boom at the turn of the century, the frenzy that rocketed share prices sky high was followed by a massive dive. Well, that event marked the beginning of the internet revolution. Once the frenzy was over, only companies that offered true value where the ones that flourished—companies like Google, Amazon and Apple. Life changing technologies such as the iPhone and Facebook came after the frenzy.

That’s why I have no regrets about “missing the boat” on Bitcoin because in my opinion (based on history) we’ve only just begun.

What is Blockchain?

Let’s keep this very simple.

Blockchain is like a spreadsheet. It’s a place to record a transaction.

Imagine each row in the spreadsheet is a single transaction between two people, such as Bob gave $10 to Alex.

Blockchain is like a spreadsheet

What makes Blockchain special is that each transaction is verified many times, by different members of the community.

A spreadsheet can be used for many things. And so too can Blockchain. Bitcoin is just one application of blockchain, just like Angry Birds is just one app available in Apple’s iTune Store.

In that sense, think of blockchain as a platform and the cryptocurrency as an app.

Yes, you read that right. Cryptocurrency is just an “app.”  And money is only one use of blockchain.

So while there is a lot of talk about Bitcoin, what’s far more exciting is blockchain—that’s what makes Bitcoin work.

The possibilities of blockchain are endless. Ten years from now we’ll be using blockchain technology in ways we never dreamed of. Just like we never dreamed we’d all be connected via Facebook sharing videos with our friends from our phones.

Further reading of Blockchain I recommend The Internet of Money by Andreas M. Antonopoulos.

If you have any questions, feedback or want more articles on this subject, comment below or contact me.

Writer's Myth #1 - The Number of Words

One of the most common myths I hear is that a book must be a certain number of words— not too many and not too little.

Let me tell you, that is an arbitrary rule.

Here's a principle you should follow: 

The whole purpose of writing is to
convey your message or story.

If you do it in a 100 words, great. If it takes 10,000, fine.

What's important is that your audience understands what you have written.

Some publishers or editors will tell you that a book should not be too big, but what about that classic Gone with the Wind with over 400,000 words?

Others will say that a book can't be too short either, then how to you explain the success of Fight Club with less than 50,000 words?

So throw away this myth and just write, say what you want to say, no more, no less. 

The only real purpose of counting words is to measure your daily or weekly production as a writer, if you must. I have personally never done so. I measure my production on the number of chapters I complete.

And as a self-publisher of 7 books, I don't need to adhere to someone else's idea of "ideal word count."

And never let anyone tell you that you need to write more or less. It's a myth.

Feel free to ask questions.

Hit the heart button if you liked it and leave a comment. 

How To Get Your Social Security Number (SSN) in the USA

To get your SSN you need to:

1. Complete this form
2. Visit your local Social Security Office
3. Take your passport with you.

I was told I also needed a I-912 Visa Waiver Form, which is a form used at customs when you don’t have a travel visa. Of course, I do have a visa, so this was not needed. However, even the Social Securities Officer got confused on this point and said it wasn’t possible to apply without it. I explained that’s a visa waiver, and I have a visa, so he gave it a shot, entered the data in the system it worked!

Surprisingly, when the card arrived it was not as I expected. In Australia we have a medicare card that is plastic like a credit card. But a SSN Card is printed on paper and you are instructed to NOT carry it with you. Apparently all that is needed is the number!

Hope that helps.

Feel free to ask questions.

Hit the heart button if you liked it and leave a comment. 

How to get a B1 Visa for 6 month stay in the USA

After writing my article on how to obtain an E2 Visa for the USA, I've had quite a few enquiries about visas. 

This article is about the B1/B2 Visa, it's ideal for those who want to stay longer than the 3 month granted to a tourist.

The "B" means "Business." It doesn't mean you can set up a business in the USA, but you can visit and promote your business (the one in your home country), visit suppliers, etc. The B1 is for the "business" person and the B2 is for their spouse and family. 

The B1/B2 is a 5 year visa that allows stays upto 6 months, with the possibility of extending to 12 months. 

Thankfully it's easier to get than an E2.

As a simple and rather obvious disclaimer, I am not a lawyer or immigration professional. This is not advice. It’s information from my own experience. Use at your peril (or benefit).

Here's how to obtain a B1/B2 Visa:

1. Get your passport photo taken, a digital version.
2. Complete the DS-160 Application form (https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/). You will upload your photo as part of this process, and they'll let you know if your photo is acceptable.
3. Complete a profile at www.ustraveldocs.com, this is also where you pay the application fee and schedule an appointment.

It can take 2 to 3 weeks to get an appointment.

Note: the ustraveldocs.com website is shocking. Be prepared to be kicked out several times (like 20 or more) until it actually works. I think it might be part of the filtering process. Keep out those who are not very determined. 

The Interview

The interview process is the same as an E2, with the main difference being the types of questions they ask you. The assumption is that you intend to violate the B1 and try to stay in the USA in some way, so the main focus of the interview process is providing enough proof and certainty that you have ties in your home country and intend to return. It’s a case of assumed guilt and the need to prove your innocence.

Stage 1: Security

You go through airport-type security, surrounded by guys with guns. Your passport is checked 3 times before you take a seat and look at a wall. Your phone and belongings are confiscated. You are told to sit and wait until you are called. I think the purpose of this stage is to make you feel intimidated. It works.

Stage 2: The Pre-Check before the Pre-Interview

You are escorted by security guards to the interview room. First, you have to hand over your passport (4th time) though a thick plated glass window. Once verified that you are the same person on your passport, you are permitted to go through a security door and join the queue.

Stage 3: Pre-Interview

Behind a thick window sits a person who you converse with via a speaker. You hand over passports again (5th time). I was asked the name of my business, which I remembered without too much trouble. You are digitally fingerprinted, both hands. Then you are told to take a seat and wait for your name to be called.

Stage 4: Interview

Hand over your passports again (6th time). You'll be asked questions about your intentions to stay, what ties you have to your home country. They want to see proof that you will return and not violate your visa by overstaying.

Stage 5: Cashier

It costs $160 USD per person to get the visa added to your passport.

Stage 6: Complete

You hand over your passports to the interviewer. They'll courier them back to you within the week.

The entire process was perhaps an hour. The actual interview is a few minutes.

BONUS! Once you have your B1/B2 Visa, you can renew it via mail and avoid the interview process.

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Hope that helps.

Feel free to ask questions.

Hit the heart button if you liked it and leave a comment.