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Tax Advantages Make Real Estate Even More Powerful

Judy Michaud

Judy Michaud, along with her late husband Louie and their two daughters, made Highlands their home in 1986...

Judy Michaud, along with her late husband Louie and their two daughters, made Highlands their home in 1986...

Apr 7 4 minutes read

When it comes to investing, the options are endless. From stocks and crypto to NFTs and startups, investors today have access to a wide variety of assets with the potential for high returns. But despite the noise surrounding these fast-moving markets, one tried-and-true investment continues to stand out: Real Estate.

Even renowned NYU professor and bestselling author Scott Galloway recently emphasized the power of real estate in a podcast interview, calling it one of the top investments available today—thanks to its tax advantages, cash flow potential, and long-term wealth-building capabilities.

“It’s a form of forced savings,” Galloway explains.  And in today’s world of instant gratification, that kind of discipline can be a serious asset.


Real Estate Offers Leverage You Won’t Find Elsewhere

One of the most attractive aspects of real estate is the leverage it provides. With the right financials and credit, you can control a high-value asset with a relatively small upfront investment. For example, with a 20% down payment, you could acquire a $1 million property with just $200,000—or even less with low-down-payment financing options as low as 3%.

This kind of leverage is rare in other asset classes. Few investments allow you to turn $30,000 into control over a $1 million asset—all while generating rental income and building equity over time.


Tax Advantages Make Real Estate Even More Powerful

Beyond leverage, real estate also offers some of the most significant tax benefits available to investors. Through depreciation, expense write-offs, and strategies like Section 179 accelerated depreciation, real estate investors can dramatically reduce their tax burden.

And when it comes time to sell? Tools like the 1031 exchange and step-up basis provisions can help investors defer or even eliminate capital gains taxes altogether.

In many ways, real estate functions as both a cash-generating asset and a long-term store of value—not unlike gold, but with far more earning potential.


Getting Started: What to Know Before You Invest

Real estate can be incredibly rewarding, but it's not without its challenges. To get started, you’ll need a solid credit score, enough cash for a down payment, and a clear understanding of the financing and expenses involved.

The more money you can put down, the less you’ll pay in interest—but many investors opt to start with a smaller down payment to enter the market sooner. Others explore options like real estate crowdfunding to raise capital and diversify.

Before making a move, it’s wise to review key investment metrics like a property’s capitalization rate (cap rate)—a calculation that measures potential return based on net operating income and property value. While higher cap rates often promise better returns, they can also come with higher risk.


Final Thoughts: Why Real Estate Continues to Stand the Test of Time

In a financial landscape filled with volatility, real estate offers a unique blend of stability, leverage, income, and tax efficiency. It's not the flashiest asset, and it's not the most liquid—but as Scott Galloway and many successful investors would agree, sometimes slow and steady wins the race.

Whether you’re planning to buy your first investment property or expand an existing portfolio, real estate remains one of the smartest paths to financial success.

Looking to start or scale your real estate investment journey? Let’s connect—We'd love to help you explore your options and find the right opportunity for you.


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