You’ve probably heard of the Affordable Care Act, even if you don’t know much about health insurance, open enrollment, or the many options for real estate health insurance (ACA). On March 23, 2010, President Barack Obama signed this federal bill into law after it passed the 111th United States Congress. The Health Insurance Marketplace, according to the ACA website, is a “program available in every state that assists individuals, families, and small companies in shopping for and enrolling in affordable medical insurance.” Websites, call centers, and in-person support are all ways to reach the Marketplace.
The site includes a quick start guide as well as medical plans and rates, which will help you figure out how much money you can save on real estate health insurance. Your eligibility for eligible health plans under these programs is determined by your estimated income, household members, and other personal data. After you’ve found a plan that works for you, store it and see if you can come up with a better one. Remember: You must understand the scope of your options in order to select the best plan for your needs. When it comes to health insurance for real estate brokers, though, looking into what the Affordable Care Act has to offer is an excellent place to start.
You’ve probably just calculated how much the Affordable Care Act costs every month. In the ACA marketplaces as of 2020, more than 9.2 million people were getting premium subsidies, with an average subsidy value of approximately $500 per month. In December 2020, NPR reported that enrollment and premium prices are not expected to change significantly in 2021. While expenses and subsidies may vary by state and individual, the average monthly cost is $500, according to experts, and that amount is unlikely to change in 2021.
Association Group Insurance Plans
When it comes to REALTOR health insurance, NAR has you covered. NAR has created an insurance shopping portal and inventive coverage alternatives for its members, also known as REALTORS, and their families, dubbed the REALTORS Insurance Place. “Offers special health, dental, and vision insurance coverage, as well as telemedicine and a number of wellness solutions – all with unique benefits for NAR members,” according to the website. You’ll find plans for every stage of life here, as well as an option for your pets.”
Terms, limits, and limitations are depending on state insurance regulations, individual eligibility, and age requirements. However, when it comes to REALTOR health insurance, the Insurance Place is a fantastic alternative to consider.
While the site does not provide pricing, you may get quotes for health, dental, vision, and even pet insurance and compare the many alternatives to see which one is best for you and your family.
Brokerage Insurance Plans
When it comes to health insurance for real estate brokers, your firm may be able to assist you. “Do real estate agents obtain insurance?” isn’t a question you’ll have to ask at huge brokerages like Coldwell Banker and REMAX – you’re covered! In reality, most brokerages do this because it’s standard for them to provide association health plans. In this case, you just choose the finest insurance solution for you and/or your family from the brokerage’s insurance selections. Ask about their insurance for real estate agents throughout your interview to help acquire fundamental health insurance during your search for the proper brokerage.
Private Market Insurance
If you don’t fit into one of the above categories, you might be wondering what your real estate health insurance choices are. Perhaps you’re not a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), or you don’t work for a brokerage that provides health insurance to real estate agents. In this instance, your next step will be to look into private health insurance possibilities.
The great level of control you have over your plan is one advantage of using the private market to locate health insurance for real estate brokers. In most circumstances, you are not obligated to obtain private insurance within a specific time limit.
In terms of the cost of healthcare for private insurance, Investopedia cited a research from the Kaiser Family Foundation from 2019 that indicated that the average cost of individual health insurance outside of an employer-sponsored plan was $440 per month. The average monthly premium for families was $1,168. The price will vary depending on the state and the individual. When it comes to getting health insurance for real estate agents, it’s crucial to get numerous quotes and compare them to ensure that you choose the finest plan for you and your loved ones.
Do real estate agents get 401k?
Is there a retirement plan for real estate agents? The majority of real estate agents are self-employed. This implies they are not eligible for an employer-sponsored retirement plan such as a 401(k) (k). As a result, they are in charge of devising a retirement savings strategy.
What are the benefits of a real estate agent?
Being a real estate agent has a number of benefits in both your personal and business life. Knowing the advantages of this career makes it easy to decide whether or not you’d be satisfied in this field. Some of the benefits of working as a real estate agent include:
Flexible schedule
You can organize your day to fit your personal life as a real estate salesperson because you are your own boss. This means you don’t have to punch in or out, nor do you have to start or finish work at a set hour. Setting your own hours and creating your own schedule allows you to spend more time with friends and family while also improving your work-life balance and job happiness.
Unlimited income potential
Unlike other professions, real estate does not have a salary ceiling. You can get more out of your profession as a real estate agent if you have good business knowledge and a lot of effort. You don’t have to work for a certain amount of time to get a raise, either.
Helping your clients
You get to help your clients find their dream house or property as a real estate agent. This implies you’ll be present for one of their most significant life events. Helping them locate the ideal house for their family not only provides you a sense of accomplishment in your job, but it may also inspire you to do it again for future clients.
Career mobility
You have the option of working for yourself as a real estate agent. In essence, you have the opportunity to create your own company and identity. With your real estate agent experience, you can pursue various options both inside and beyond the real estate sector. You could work as a real estate investor, appraiser, property manager, leasing consultant, office manager, customer service representative, or sales associate, for example.
Can a real estate agent set up a SEP IRA?
Although many retirement plans allow for further contributions after the age of 50, SEPs do not allow for catch-up contributions. Catch-up contributions are only possible on the employee contribution part of Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and 401(k) plans for persons 50 and older.
The SEP, like other retirement plans, provides considerable tax benefits.
The amount your company contributes to the SEP plan account(s) is deducted from your business tax return for that year and is not included in your adjusted gross income. The money you put into the SEP is invested and grows tax-deferred. When you withdraw the assets in retirement, you will be taxed on the entire amount at your regular income tax rate, which is likely to be lower.
One of the most appealing features of a SEP for realtors is the ability to make flexible contributions.
Contributions, like commissions, might fluctuate from year to year. Although sticking to a minimal amount is a good idea, it’s reassuring to know that if sales decline, you can reduce the amount you save for retirement that year and aren’t constrained by a rigid plan. You can even skip a year’s worth of contributions. The contrary is also true: if you have a good year and more cash, you can donate more; just don’t contribute more than the maximum amount allowed for that year. You can also adjust the contribution % for your employees on an annual basis if you have them.
Because they are straightforward and affordable to set up and administer, SEPs are a wonderful alternative for a self-employed real estate agent. Annual tax filing paperwork (such as Form 5500) are not necessary. The original plan documentation and the forms required by the custodian to open the account are the only documents required to begin the plan (s). To open a SEP for the previous year, you have until your business’s tax filing deadline.
What are the downside of being a real estate agent?
A career in real estate can be lucrative, but it also comes with a slew of hurdles to overcome. It’s a career that involves a lot of effort and continual sacrifices, but it may pay off handsomely if you’re lucky and skilled at what you do. If you wish to pursue a profession as a realtor, there are several distinct advantages and disadvantages that you should consider before seeking your licensure.
List of the Pros of Being a Real Estate Agent
1. You have complete control over your schedule.
Because you are effectively your own boss, real estate salespeople enjoy a lot of scheduling flexibility. You have the ability to plan your day so that you may attend family events, be home when the bus arrives after school, or schedule doctor visits during the day. When you start this job, you won’t be punching in and out with a time clock. Although you may need to put in some long hours and time on weekends to show some properties, the flexibility you will have with this advantage frequently overcomes any negatives that may arise.
2. This position has a limitless earning potential.
If you start working as a real estate agent, your earning potential is virtually limitless. The average professional in this industry earns 25% more than the average American worker. If you have strong business abilities and are prepared to devote time in your profession, your initial investment will pay out well in the long run. You have complete control over your transactions, which means you have complete control over whatever raise you desire.
3. Your job enables individuals to achieve their desires and objectives.
When you work as a real estate agent, you get to show people amazing places on a daily basis. You’ll be assisting families in their search for their ideal house. With this career path, you will have the opportunity to be a part of some of your clients’ most memorable occasions. When you can assist individuals in finding a place where they can create memories with their loved ones, you will receive some outstanding personal incentives that will delight and drive you to sell even more.
4. As a real estate agent, you will have more career mobility.
If you’re fed up with climbing the corporate ladder to no avail, becoming a real estate agent is a viable option to explore. You may be able to start calling some of your own shots now that you are your own boss. If you find that you are skilled at what you do, you can even start your own company with employees. There are numerous amazing chances within the real estate sector, as well as a few outside of it, that can assist you in achieving a great deal of success.
5. In no time, people will regard you as a community expert.
If you appreciate the concept of being seen as a community expert in something you’re passionate about on a daily basis, becoming a real estate agent could be a good fit for you. You’ll get particular industry expertise that your clients would value whether looking for a residential or commercial property. You’ll be able to tell them whether properties are close to schools, whether the house or land has any flooding issues, and a variety of other details that only a realtor can provide.
That is why this is such a lucrative employment prospect. You will be doing a lot of good in the world whether you decide to become involved to start flipping properties or you opt to help folks locate their dream homes.
List of the Cons of Being a Real Estate Agent
1. You may find yourself working long days on a daily basis.
Some people believe that having flexible hours at work makes their job easier to handle. This isn’t always the case, though. In the United States, the average employee must devote roughly 40 hours per week to his or her job. Full-time work is defined in certain areas as 32 hours per week. If you opt to work as a real estate agent, you can anticipate to work approximately 50 hours each week.
Because many of their meetings must take place in the evenings or on weekends, many real estate brokers are expected to work longer hours than usual. That means you can volunteer in your child’s school or manage a transportation plan on weekday afternoons, but you’ll miss out on some of the family time that other people have on weekends.
2. Real estate agents have no income safety nets in place.
Instead of working as a standard employee, most real estate brokers work as independent contractors or freelancers. This indicates that you are not paid by the group you represent. Your profits are determined by the number of transactions you complete each month. That means that if you have a couple of quiet weeks during the year, your takeout will be lower. Your earnings will be based on commission, which means that if you do not sell a home, you will not be paid.
If you wish to work as a real estate agent, it’s a good idea to start a savings account so you can pay your bills during the slow months. Then, when you have additional money coming in, replenish the account to guarantee that you can always manage your finances.
3. The majority of your clients will only transact with you once.
Real estate isn’t one of those industries where you’ll get a lot of repeat business. The majority of the folks with whom you will be dealing intend to use your services solely to buy or sell one home. For the ordinary customer, every purchase is a serious financial decision. As a result, tensions might run high during the entire purchasing or selling process, particularly if your prospect is undecided about what to do. Working with people in these situations can be gratifying, but it can also be stressful and have difficult moments to manage.
4. There are limitations to how far you can advance in this field.
If you decide to pursue a career as a real estate agent, your opportunities for advancement will eventually be limited. You can either stay in direct sales, manage a group of real estate salespeople for a larger company, or start your own company and be the master of your own destiny. When it comes to buying and selling properties, if you aren’t satisfied with the long-term results that may be achieved in this field, you can rapidly reach your limit.
5. Being a real estate agent is a lot of work.
This issue may be advantageous to some real estate brokers because the industry’s hard effort will force many people to leave quickly. From the outside looking in, the sales role appears to be something that practically anyone can do. If you are not willing to put in the extra effort every day to ensure that sales are made, it will not be long before you begin searching for a new job. The high dropout rate means that individuals who stay in this profession have more chances to get clients each month.
6. If you wish to work as a real estate agent, you must acquire a realtor’s license.
You can’t suddenly abandon everything because you want to be a real estate salesperson right now. To lawfully sell, rent, or broker real estate to potential buyers and tenants, you must meet state licensing and education requirements. Most states demand up to 90 hours of college-level real estate coursework, covering titles, contracts, deeds, and ownership. Some classes are available online, but your work must be authorized by your state’s real estate licensing authorities.
When you’re ready to get your driver’s license, the fee ranges from $300 to $1,000, depending on where you live. You must pass a test to verify you have the necessary knowledge to be a real estate agent, as well as a background check, and some jurisdictions need you to have errors and omissions insurance to protect you from litigation or lawsuits.
7. You’ll need a lot of money saved up to meet your early expenses.
The average time it takes for a new real estate agent to sell their first property is 3 to 6 months. It can take even longer in other regions where the level of competition in this industry is strong. That means you should have at least two years of savings set aside when you begin this career to ensure you have a sufficient financial cushion. Many people enter this field expecting it to be like any other job, yet it is more akin to beginning a new business.
If you have solid job opportunities today, save and learn before converting to full-time real estate agent status. It may be beneficial to remain working in a typical position until you begin to earn sales.
Are You Ready to Be a Real Estate Agent?
Before deciding whether or not to become a realtor, you should carefully consider the following advantages and cons to see if you are capable of overcoming the obstacles that this sector presents. There are numerous benefits available to those who are ready to put in the effort and remain committed to the cause, but even the greatest agents can have periods of inactivity during which they may not receive a salary for an entire month.
If you do decide to pursue a career as a real estate agent, you will discover that the benefits of doing so are what attract many people to this field. To overcome the obstacles and ensure that your work has true lasting power in your community, you must become a dedicated professional.
What Is a Solo 401k vs SEP IRA?
The overall contribution limit for a SEP IRA is the same as for a solo 401(k) (k). The sole distinction is that a SEP IRA only has a profit-sharing part, not an elective employee contribution portion.
Can I leverage my 401k to buy a house?
The stock market has exploded this year, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 both setting new highs. However, recent volatility has some investors wondering if it’s time to rebalance their portfolios and shift some assets into a more stable asset class, such as real estate. We discussed this issue briefly before and wanted to go over it again with more clarity, depth, and breadth.
Real estate prices are also near record highs, but because real estate tends to hold its value over time, people think of it as a relatively safe investment “It’s a “safe” investment, especially for those with a long-term buy-and-hold strategy, in which someone else pays the mortgage and the investor eventually owns the property while profiting.
So, what should you do as an investor? Do you continue to put money into your retirement account, betting that the stock market will continue to rise? Or do you invest in a real estate market that may be overheated? There is no such thing as a correct answer. However, there’s no reason you can’t do both.
Here are four strategies for using your retirement funds to purchase an investment property:
1. Borrow money from your 401(k).
Using your 401k has a number of advantages. The most obvious is convenience and quickness. Requesting a loan in most 401(k) plans is simple and quick, with no long paperwork or credit checks required.
Because your 401k is made up of pre-tax contributions, taking money out of it (without rolling it over into an IRA or another 401k) could result in high withdrawal penalties and income tax consequences. Instead of taking money from your 401(k) to buy an investment property, consider taking out a loan against it.
People can borrow up to $50,000 or 50% of the value of their 401(k), whichever is smaller, to buy an investment property, according to the IRS. For those who cannot otherwise afford the initial down payment required to purchase a rental property, this is a viable option.
Furthermore, any money borrowed from your 401k isn’t counted against your debt ratio when you apply for a mortgage on the property. For example, if a borrower has $40,000 in a 401(k) and borrows $15,000 to buy an investment property, the bank will treat the $15,000 as a secured loan rather than a liability, and the remaining $25,000 will be recognized as retirement money.
There are a couple of other points worth considering. To begin, your ability to borrow against your 401k plan is determined by the plan administrator. Some allow borrowing, while others do not.
Second, the majority of plans call for the borrower to repay the loan in five years or less (with interest). Interest is usually one or two percentage points above prime, but it’s paid back into your retirement account rather than to the plan administrator (so you’re basically repaying yourself).
Repayment flexibility is built into most 401(k) loans on a tertiary level; you can repay the plan loan faster with no prepayment penalty. Most plans allow for loan repayment through payroll deductions, which are made with after-tax money rather than the pre-tax funds used to fund your plan. Your plan statements, like a conventional bank loan statement, display credits to your loan account and your unused principal balance.
In the quaternary range, tapping your own 401(k) money for short-term liquidity needs comes at no cost (other than potentially a small loan origination or administration fee). You just specify the investment account(s) from which you wish to borrow funds, and those funds are liquidated for the duration of the loan. As a result, you lose any positive returns that those investments would have generated for a short period of time. On the plus side, you’ll prevent any investment losses with this money.
Finally, some plans require you to return the entire debt within 60 days if you lose your employment. Otherwise, the remaining loan balance is treated as a taxable dividend and will be reported on a 1099-R. If you’re under the age of 59 1/2, you’ll have to pay a 10% early distribution penalty on top of the income tax on the distribution.
2. Take a principle withdrawal from your Roth IRA.
Contributions to a Roth IRA, unlike a 401k or standard IRA, are made with after-tax dollars. As a result, you can withdraw the money from a Roth IRA at any time and for any reason without paying income taxes or incurring penalties for early withdrawal. So, if you’ve been maxing out your Roth IRA for a few years, you’re sitting on a substantial sum of money that you may use to fund a rental property. Simply put, don’t touch the money in your Roth IRA; doing so will result in the dreaded taxes and penalties.
To be clear, you’ve probably overheard folks discussing how they used their Roth IRA to buy their first home. For this transaction, the IRS allows customers to withdraw up to $10,000 in capital and earnings from their Roth IRA penalty-free. However, this is only applicable to the purchase of a first house and cannot be utilized to acquire an investment property.
Qualified higher education expenses, medical expenses, and insurance premiums, essentially equal payments, withdrawals for death, or withdrawals for total/permanent disability are among the other withdrawals that do not incur penalties.
3. Use a self-directed IRA to buy real estate directly.
A self-directed IRA is a retirement account that allows you to choose from a variety of investment possibilities as long as the IRA custodian allows it. Traditional investments like stocks, bonds, and mutual funds aren’t your only options. You can fund all kinds of alternative assets with a self-directed IRA, including private mortgages, oil and gas limited partnerships, intellectual property, andyou guessed itreal estate.
Investing in real estate with a self-directed IRA is complicated, but it is achievable.
Keep at least an arm’s length away from the property. That means you won’t be able to reside on the premises or actively manage it.
The property must be utilized solely as an investment and not as a second house, holiday home, child’s home, or business office.
You won’t be able to buy the house from a stranger “Your spouse, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, IRA service providers, or any entity that will retain 50% or more ownership of the property are all “disqualified” people.
The title to the property will technically be retained by the IRA custodian for your benefit, and you cannot be the custodian.
To keep the income tax-deferred, all revenue generated by the property, including rental income and sales proceeds, must be redirected to the IRA. In other words, you won’t be able to keep any of the profits generated by the property.
You won’t be able to take advantage of standard tax benefits connected with owning rental property, such as the mortgage interest deduction or depreciation, because your IRA doesn’t pay taxes.
Using your self-directed IRA to purchase a rental property is viewed as a risky financial option by some. Unexpected repairs or maintenance costs, for example, must be covered by the IRA. You may pay fines if you do not have enough money in your IRA to cover these charges and your income exceeds the threshold for making additional IRA contributions. Investors are advised to exercise caution.
Still want to pursue the self-directed IRA path but don’t have one? You can transfer funds from a traditional IRA or 401k to a self-directed IRA without incurring any income tax or penalties for early withdrawal.
4. Invest in a real estate investment trust with your retirement funds.
A fourth, and maybe more moderate, strategy is to invest in a real estate investment trust through your retirement account (REIT). A REIT is comparable to a mutual fund, with the exception that it can only invest in real estate, mortgages, and other real estate-related assets. REITs come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Some invest in a diverse range of real estate assets across asset classes and geographies, while others focus on a specific market niche (like retail, multifamily, or office).
Investing in REITs has a number of advantages. It is, first and foremost, a more liquid investment. REIT shares can be bought and sold in the same way that ordinary equities and mutual funds can. When purchased outright, real estate is an illiquid investment.
Second, REITs allow you to invest in real estate without having to actively manage it. You don’t have to take on a landlord’s day-to-day responsibilities.
Finally, REITs are required by law to distribute up to 90% of their income to shareholders as dividends. As a result, investors who invest in REITs may usually expect practically instant profits, making them an excellent passive income stream.
Of course, there are disadvantages. Any REIT earnings will be taxed and classed as income, so you won’t get the same tax benefits as if you owned the property outright. Furthermore, when compared to traditional mutual funds, REITs can have high management fees. Before choosing a REIT to invest in, investors should compare them thoroughly.
The decision to take money out of your retirement account to invest in rental property should not be made lightly. It’s a decision you should make about your complete investing portfolio. Diversification is essential. Investing in real estate is one option to expand if you haven’t already.
As always, we suggest meeting with your accountant or retirement planner to go over the details in further depth. Those experts will be able to assist you in weighing your options for your long-term retirement objectives. The preceding is not intended to be taken as investment advice.