Brook Walsh Real Estate Blog - Real Estate Investing

Is Now The Right Time to be Flipping Houses in Northern Michigan?

Posted by Brook Walsh on October 15th, 2018

Real estate investment in Northern Michigan can be a passive or active means of growing personal wealth. As housing costs appreciate, simply owning a home in the area is a great way to invest in the future. (Click here to see Northern Michigan's finest collection of vacation rentals)

But some people wish to be more involved in their investments. For those who love the fast turn around, manual labor, and problem-solving, house flipping is a popular and fulfilling form of real estate investment.

HGTV popularized the art of house flipping by portraying this DIY renovation business in a way that seems highly accessible. As a result, there’s been a surge of ambitious investors entering the market across the country. Competition to buy…

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Mortgage Broker vs. Bank: What to Know Before You Apply

Posted by Brook Walsh on June 22nd, 2018

So you’ve found your dream home and you want to start the mortgage process to make things official. There are two options for buyers when it comes time to secure their local mortgage lender: either go with a mortgage broker or get a loan from a bank. Many homeowners will tell you exactly what they think the right choice is and while their opinions may be valid, they are often biased by their own past experiences. (Click here to see Northern Michigan's finest collection of vacation rentals)

To find out which option is best for your personal needs, continue reading as we look at what it’s like to work with a mortgage broker versus bank:

WHAT IS A MORTGAGE LENDER?

A mortgage lender refers to a bank or other financial institution that specializes…

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Does Your Northern Michigan Home Attract Today’s Top Buyers?

Posted by Brook Walsh on February 9th, 2018

Compared to previous generations, millennials have been cautious to enter the real estate market. Coming of age right at the most spectacular housing boom and bust in modern history—the 2008 Recession—made for a generation of observant and media-savvy homebuyers. But the tide is finally turning. (Click here to see all Northern Michigan Waterfront Lifestyle Homes for Sale)

Based on recent data from Nationwide Mortgages, 66.1% of Millennials report that they plan to buy a home in the next 5 years. Are you ready for this dynamic demographic of a homebuyer?

It’s good news for the real estate world that 65.3% of millennials associate home buying with achieving the American Dream. That’s more than any other generation! Millennials put a high…

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Real Estate Investing: 4 Big Rookie Mistakes

Posted by Brook Walsh on November 15th, 2017

Real Estate Investing: 4 Big Rookie Mistakes Exposed + 3 Proven Fixes

Investing in real estate can feel like striking gold—provided you know where to dig. Real Estate Investing is a powerful wealth-building tool, but many beginners stumble at the same four hurdles. 

1. Ignoring Market Research

Skimping on market research is like setting sail without a compass—you’ll drift. New investors often rush to buy the first “bargain” they spot, only to discover later that demand is weak or property values are stagnant.

1.1 Failing to Analyze Neighborhood Trends

Every neighborhood has its own rhythm—schools, crime rates, new developments, and demographic shifts all matter. Rookie investors often look at a property in isolation. Without…

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Checklist for Quickly Selling Your Northern Michigan Home

Posted by Brook Walsh on September 29th, 2017

In a hurry to sell your Northern Michigan property? Most families know that conducting a few renovations is optimal for selling a home quickly and for the above market expectations. But knowing which changes to make is where many of us feel at a loss. To save you time and money, we’ve put together a checklist of the house renovations that you should prioritize. These are the most consistent and easiest to implement tasks that can significantly drive up the allure of most properties. (Click here to see all Northern Michigan Waterfront Lifestyle Homes for Sale)

Your real estate agent will be responsible for marketing your home, but you can also take a few steps to make your home one of the most desirable in the Northern Michigan real estate…

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5 Benefits Smart Home Technology Can Provide To Your Northern Michigan Home

Posted by Brook Walsh on September 9th, 2017

5 Amazing Benefits Smart Home Technology Can Provide To Your Northern Michigan Home

Introduction to Smart Home Technology in Northern Michigan

Northern Michigan homes are unique: they face cold winters, humid summers, and the occasional lake-effect snow. By integrating smart home technology early on, you’ll not only stay cozy but also keep costs down. In this article, we’ll explore five amazing benefits that modern smart systems bring to lakeside cottages and wooded retreats alike.

Benefit 1: Incredible Energy Efficiency

In Northern Michigan, heating and cooling can account for up to 50% of your energy bill. With the rise of smart home technology, you can shrink that number substantially.

Smart Thermostats and Climate Control

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Limited Liability Company For Family Investment Basics

Posted by Brook Walsh on September 5th, 2017

One of the best uses of a limited liability company (LLC) is a vehicle for families to pool their money together to invest alongside one another. The benefits of a family pooling their money through a limited liability company come mostly from the power of an LLC operating agreement. The family LLC can invest in everything from stocks, bonds, and real estate to mutual funds and start-up businesses. (Click here to see all Northern Michigan Waterfront Lifestyle Homes for Sale)

LLC Operating Agreement 
An LLC operating agreement can be written with all kinds of provisions. For example, the operating agreement could forbid individual family members from selling their shares of the limited liability company without the permission of all other…

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Deleware Limited Liability Company Basics

Posted by Brook Walsh on September 4th, 2017

Essential Guide to Delaware Limited Liability Company Basics (2025 Update)

Discover the key aspects of forming a Delaware Limited Liability Company. Learn about structure, taxes, legal benefits, and expert tips in this essential 2024 guide.

Introduction to Delaware LLCs

What is a Delaware LLC?

A Delaware Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a flexible business entity that combines the liability protection of a corporation with the operational ease of a partnership. It’s governed by an agreement among its members (owners) and provides personal asset protection, making it one of the most popular structures in the United States.

Why Choose Delaware for Your LLC?

Delaware is widely known as the gold standard for business…

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Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement Basics

Posted by Brook Walsh on September 3rd, 2017

All limited liability companies (LLCs), are typically governed by a contract that the investors sign amongst themselves. This contract is known as an LLC operating agreement. The agreement has fairly standard terms, and you can easily find a template by searching for one online. (Click here to see Northern Michigan's finest collection of vacation rentals

When to Use an LLC Operating Agreement 

You would use the LLC operating agreement when starting a new LLC to define its operations. If you already have an LLC set up, an operating agreement allows you to outline information about its operations.

In practice and theory, an LLC operating agreement is essentially the same as the limited partnership agreement…

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Limited Liability Company Basics

Posted by Brook Walsh on September 2nd, 2017

In recent years, limited liability companies, or LLCs as they are frequently known, have become one of the most popular ways for investors to structure their holdings, beating out the formerly more popular limited partnership. From families pooling their money together to Fortune 500 corporations that have subsidiaries, you may have directly or indirectly invested in an LLC without knowing it. This overview was designed to help you understand what LLCs are, why investors use them, and some of the factors you may want to take into consideration before you form an LLC or invest in one.  (Click here to see all Northern Michigan Waterfront Lifestyle Homes for Sale)

The Potential Benefits to Using a Limited Liability Company 

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