Investing in Real Estate with Clayton Morris | Investing for Beginners

Our audience asks the best questions, and on today's show, I'm going to tackle a few of them. On this encore episode of Investing in Real Estate, I'll be answering three of your questions on various real estate topics. This Q&A episode features three great questions on topics like investing with a high debt-to-income ratio, how to decide if you should pay off mortgages, and buying a property with a solo 401k.

I've said it once, and I'll say it again: the middle class is dead. The last several years have presented hard economic times for the American people. With high inflation, elevated housing costs, and the rising prices of everything, it's never been harder to remain in the middle class. On this episode of Investing in Real Estate, we're going to unpack why the middle class is shrinking and what you can do to protect yourself in an ever changing economy.

Insurance is a critical piece of owning and protecting any piece of real estate. Is it a good idea to self-insure your rental property? That's the first question I'm answering on this encore Q&A edition of Investing in Real Estate! On today's show, I'm answering three of your great questions about self-insurance, self-directed IRAs, and how to invest in US real estate from Canada. We'll also talk about living the life you want now, the importance of being empowered in your financial freedom, and more.

For years, we've been in an affordable housing crisis. Since the great recession, there has been a massive shortage of homes. Builders, of course, have been hesitant to build in droves since getting burned in 2008 and 2009. And we know that in the past few years, the prices of everything have risen dramatically. This includes lumber, land, and labor. It has become very expensive to build a home. Then, there are interest rates. Higher interest rates over the past couple years have put a massive halt on home sales across the country. Today we're going to talk about the critical connection between interest rates and the housing crisis we're seeing across the United States.

Today's first caller used a Veterans Affairs loan to house hack. What's the best way for him to grow a strong real estate portfolio? On today's show, I'm answering this great question, and more! This encore Q&A episode features three of your questions on investing with a VA loan, vacancy rates in our rental markets, and my take on the possibility of a global banking crash. As always, I appreciate your thoughtful questions, and I hope you enjoy this episode of Investing in Real Estate!

My general philosophy when it comes to real estate investing is that the credit score isn't as big of a deal as people make it out to be. If you're holding back on reaching your real estate goals because of a credit score, I think that's a huge mistake. There are so many ways to work around a low credit score. However, it's true that a higher credit score can benefit you in a number of ways. The higher your score, the easier it is to qualify for loans and get access to the best rates and terms. If you're looking to improve your credit score, this episode is for you. You're going to learn about five specific ways you can boost your score!

If you have access to a big chunk of equity, how much should you tap into to grow your real estate portfolio? And what is the best product to help you reach your goals? That's the first question I'm answering on this encore Q&A edition of Investing in Real Estate! On today's show, I'm answering three of your real estate investing questions spanning topics like using home equity to invest, the mechanics of buying US rental properties from Canada, and the cost of setting up a self-directed IRA.

Thanks to skyrocketing home prices, American homeowners are flush with equity in their homes. It was reported that over 47% of mortgaged homes across the United States are considered equity rich. Today, we're going to talk about what this amount of equity could mean for the American homeowner. You're going to learn why now is a great time to leverage your home to buy a rental property, and how to do it. We're going to talk about specific lending products you can use, their pros and cons, and what to consider before you use this strategy.

If you have a mortgage on a rental property that's owned by your self-directed IRA, how does the mortgage need to be paid? On today's show, we're going to answer this question — and more! This encore Q&A episode of Investing in Real Estate features three listener questions on self-directed IRA payments, how to choose a landlord friendly state to buy investment properties, and what investors should consider about taxes when buying raw land.

One of the best parts about buying real estate is that you don't need gobs of cash to get started. In fact, I would argue that your creativity and your determination are more important factors than your savings account balance. All you need to do to get started is to secure a down payment on your first rental property and let the bank finance the rest. There's no other asset type that you can buy with the banks money to grow your net worth and begin creating passive income. So on this episode, I'm going to help you brainstorm a few ways to fund a down payment on your next rental property.

Smart investors know that utilizing a self-directed IRA is an incredible way to build wealth and maximize your retirement. But is there a way to take a loan from your self-directed IRA in order to take advantage of further tax benefits? That's the first question I'm answering on today's show! This encore episode of Investing in Real Estate features three of your questions on self-directed IRA rules, distributions, and getting into real estate as a beginner.

A lot of people spend their lives hard at work, dreaming of the day that retirement comes around. If you're lucky, you can claim Social Security benefits at the age of 62, and you can tap into your 401k or IRA without penalty at 59 ½. But what if you didn't have to wait until you're 60 years old to give up the daily grind and the dreary commute? What if you could travel when you wanted, without being tied to a work schedule? On this episode of Investing in Real Estate, we're going to discuss the major flaws with our society's retirement system and what you can do instead.

My general advice is to rent the home you live in. But what about using the equity in your primary residence to buy rental properties? Today we're going to walk through the pros and cons of owning your home. On this episode of Investing in Real Estate, I'm answering three listener questions about owning vs. renting, using business credit, and how to best utilize your savings when investing in real estate. If you want to learn more about real estate investing, this episode is for you!

If you've ever wondered about how to actually build wealth through real estate investing, this one is for you. On today's show, we're going to dive into the main mechanisms that can help you build your net worth, accumulate cash flow, and live financially free. We're going to cover the ultimate formula you need to build your roadmap to financial freedom, the one principle you need to know in order to be successful long-term, and the powerful four streams of income that real estate investing can provide. By the end of this episode, you're going to have a solid foundation of knowledge on how to unleash the power of real estate investing. You might want to take notes for this one – let's get into it!

Today's first caller has $200k in equity in his primary home. He's thinking about leveraging his equity in order to pay off a rental property. Is that a good idea? That's the first question I'm answering on today's show! This encore Q&A episode of Investing in Real Estate features three great listener questions on using equity to pay off debt, what to consider before you sell a rental property, and changes to the mortgage interest deduction in 2025.

Today you're going to learn about the main tenets of financial intelligence. This is the stuff you didn't learn in school, and your kids won't learn either, unless you take the initiative to teach them the value of financial education. I hope you're ready to take notes, because I'm going to share ten foundations to financial intelligence that you need to know to build a better future for your family. Whether you're a beginner or you just need some reminders to sharpen your skills, this episode is going to arm you with the skills and mindset shifts you need to create your own path to wealth.

Today's first caller has started making great returns by investing in real estate notes and he's paying down his student loan debt. What should he do in order to reach his ultimate goal of investing in real estate? That's the first question I'm answering on today's show! This encore Q&A episode features three of your great questions on planning for financial freedom, accessing the equity of a rental property in an LLC, and how to get first position HELOC. Click play to hear my answers to your investing questions!

The best way to go broke is by following the American Dream, and here's why: the American Dream is all about putting your family's future in the hands of companies that don't have your best interests in mind. For decades, Americans have been sold the same old song and dance: work hard, buy a house, and put money into a 401k until you retire -- but this system doesn't work On this episode of Investing in Real Estate, you're going to learn about how America's debt based society keeps you locked into liabilities, why today's retirement plans no longer work, and how to get the results you actually want.

Today's first caller has a good chunk of money to invest. Should he continue investing in his established rental market or buy a multifamily property in NYC? That's the first question I'm answering on this encore episode! This episode features three of your real estate investing questions on single-family vs multifamily, getting started with bad credit, and moving money from a 401k to self-directed IRA.

There's a lot of anxieties and hesitation surrounding investing in real estate in this current market. Today's financial climate offers a lot of negativity – inflation, elevated prices, high interest rates, and more…But here's what a lot of people forget: real estate is a tangible asset that offers protection against inflation. On today's show, you're going to learn about why real estate is an inflation-resistant asset, and how smart investors can win in every market. So if you want to win in today's market and allow inflation to actually boost your net worth, this episode has five tips to help you reach your goal.

Today's first caller has a decent chunk of home equity available and a decent credit score. He's interested in buying his first rental property close to home. What's my advice for this scenario? On this encore Q&A edition of Investing in Real Estate, I'm taking three of your questions on buying rental properties in your own backyard, finding lenders for new construction investments, and calculating ROI.q

At one point in time, the American Dream was synonymous with homeownership. Today, there are many hurdles that are holding Americans back from homeownership – including the affordable housing crisis, housing prices, interest rates, inflation, and so much more. On today's show, we're going to discuss the reality of homeownership in the United States and why the cost of owning a home has risen exponentially in recent years. We're also going to discuss the role of build-to-rent real estate in the market.

Can you own rental real estate inside a retirement account like a self-directed 401k? On this episode of Investing in Real Estate, I'm answering this question—and more! Today's Q&A episode features three of your great questions on buying real estate inside a self-directed 401k, how to determine how much money you need to buy real estate investments, and how to decide between using cash or leverage.

There are so many targets on the back of the US Dollar, and it's time to get prepared. Today we're going to talk about the multiple factors that are threatening the dollar, and what you can do to secure your money and your future. On this episode, we're going to talk about the recent decline of the US dollar and the threats it is facing. We're also going to discuss the importance of buying tangible assets and more.

Is it possible to use multiple rental contracts in a single-family home? What are some factors to consider before you convert a home into a multifamily residence? That's the first question I'm answering on today's show! On this episode of Investing in Real Estate, I'm taking three of your great questions on using multiple contracts, how to buy real estate in the US as an international investor, and ideas for utilizing home equity if you have a bad credit score.

A post-pandemic study found that more than three-quarters of working age Americans have experienced inflation-related stress in recent years. And despite lowering rates of inflation, stress levels continue to rise. On today's show, we're going to unpack what's going on with inflation anxiety. We're going to talk about how rising prices and mental health, the future of the economy, and how to weather the storms of inflation. Click play on this episode of Investing in Real Estate to learn more!

Smart investors are always thinking about building and protecting their wealth. In today's economy, what's the best way to protect yourself from the fluctuating value of the US dollar? On this Q&A episode of Investing in Real Estate, I'm answering this question — and more! Today's encore episode features three of your great questions on preparing for a crash of the dollar, what kind of credit score you need to invest, and options for investing with a VA loan.

Today we're going to talk about why saving money is a horrible strategy. In fact, saving up piles of cash might be the least financially intelligent thing you could do with your money in 2025. You're going to learn about the major downfalls of saving money. We're going to discuss smarter strategies for investing cash, and how to make more financially intelligent decisions instead of following the status quo. I hope you enjoy this episode of Investing in Real Estate!

What does it cost to work with Morris Invest? Are there fees or subscriptions associated with using our service? On today's show, I'm answering this question—and more! This encore Q&A episode of Investing in Real Estate features three great listener questions on getting started in real estate, finding a law firm to set up LLCs, and how our process works at Morris Invest.a

If you really want to live financially free, the best thing you can do is to start developing multiple streams of income. There are many ways to go about this. You could start a business, set up a side hustle, or my personal favorite, invest in rental properties. Rental properties are an incredible passive income strategy because of this: real estate investing offers not one, but FOUR streams of income. On this episode of Investing in Real Estate, you're going to learn how to make four streams of income with one investment.

What does a young (or new) investor need to know about getting started in real estate investing? What are the best resources to build your financial intelligence? That's the first question I'm answering on today's show! On this encore Q&A episode of Investing in Real Estate, I'm answering three of your questions. We'll cover topics like getting started investing with no money, how to invest with your life insurance policy, and how to invest in the US from Canada.a

As rates continue to drop, more and more homebuyers are trying to enter the housing market. And there's nothing inherently wrong with buying a home to live in, but there is one thing a lot of homebuyers seem to overlook: a primary residence is not a performing asset. Today, we're going to have an important conversation on performing assets -- and where buying a home fits into the equation. You'll learn about assets, liabilities, and why you may want to put off buying a primary residence for now. I'm also sharing a few ways to convert your home into a performing asset. Don't miss this episode of Investing in Real Estate!

Today's first caller has $10k in reserves. What's the best way to get started investing with that amount of capital? On today's show, I'm answering this question, and more! This encore episode of Investing in Real Estate features three great listener questions on getting started investing with $10k, how to stay focused when your goal is to build wealth, and how to nurture your portfolio by weeding out underperforming assets.

With multiple US regional banks failing in the last two years, and more on the horizon, it's important to understand how this happened. On today's show, we're going to talk about the context surrounding bank collapses. Most importantly, you'll learn how to protect yourself from more impending bank collapses in 2025 and beyond.

Is it possible to get a home equity line of credit on a rental property? If so, what's the best way to find and utilize a HELOC? That's the first question I'm answering on today's Q&A episode! This encore episode of Investing in Real Estate features three listener questions on topics like finding a HELOC, how to start investing with bad credit, and how to learn more about using VA financing to buy rental properties. As always, I appreciate your questions and I hope you find my answers helpful on your investing journey.

Over the last several years, more and more homeowners have become interested in paying off debt, including their home mortgage. This is one of my favorite topics to discuss, and in this video, I'm sharing everything I know. You're going to learn about different strategies you can use, which one is the most effective if you're serious about making progress, and what you should consider before you start paying down your loan.

Can investing in assisted living properties be profitable? And if so, what are some things to consider before buying senior housing? That's the first question I'm answering on today's show! This encore episode of Investing in Real Estate features three great listener questions on investing in assisted living properties, using private money to buy new construction rental properties, and how to pair a self-directed IRA with a non-recourse loan.

Many people have an idealized vision of retirement – just like you see on the commercials. You've been sold a lie of the American Dream, the 401k, and a cushy retirement by the beach. But this is not the reality of what retirement looks like for most Americans. On today's show, we're going to discuss the current state of retirement in the United States. We're going to talk about 401ks plans, inflation, and what you need to do if you want to retire comfortably. Click play to learn the truth agbout the retirement crisis!

Using retirement funds to buy real estate is a popular way to invest. Can you use annuity funds to buy rental properties? That's the first question I'm answering on this encore Q&A episode! On this episode of Investing in Real Estate, I'm taking three of your intelligent real estate questions. We're going to talk about buying real estate with annuity funds, fitting refinancing rental properties into a long-term strategy, and the logistics of investing in real estate notes from overseas. Press play to hear my answers to your questions!

It's happening right before our eyes; America is becoming a renter nation. Gone are the days of the American Dream with the white picket fence. Buying a house has become out of reach for many Americans. On this episode, we're going to discuss what's going on with the housing market, why so many people are turning to renting, and what this means for real estate investors.

As you might know, business banking has different standards than personal lending. Today's first caller asked, "what's the best way to get funding within an LLC? That's the first question I'm answering on this encore Q&A episode! Today's episode covers three of your great questions on getting funding in an LLC, buying turnkey rentals out of state, and using a VA loan to buy rental properties. Click play to hear my answers to your questions on this episode of Investing in Real Estate!

Americans' credit scores have fallen for the first time in a decade. As always, the mainstream media is putting a positive spin on this – saying the economy is strong, or that these trends aren't severe enough to signal financial distress. The truth is, this credit situation is destroying Americans' financial well-being. On today's show, you're going to hear the latest statistics on credit scores and mounting consumer debt. We're going to talk about the sharp divide between savings and credit card debt, why high inflation and high interest rates are a deadly combo, and much more.

Today's first caller wants to set up a self-directed IRA to buy real estate. What's the difference between Roth and traditional IRAs? That's the first question I'm answering on today's Q&A edition of Investing in Real Estate! On this encore episode, I'm answering your great questions on types of IRAs for investors, the best way to utilize $35k in cash, and strategies for buying new assets without taking on additional mortgages. Tune into this episode to hear my answers to your best investing questions!

The US dollar as we know it, is about to change forever. There are many ways in which the dollar is losing its value, strength, and dominance as the world's principal reserve currency. And all these factors are combining to make way for a digital currency. On today's show, we're going to discuss the future of a central bank digital currency, why it poses a threat to the dollar, and what you should expect moving forward. Click play to learn more about CBDCs!

Today's first caller asked a popular question. If you're looking to move out of your primary residence, is it a good idea to rent it out? Or is it better to cut ties completely and sell the property? On this Q&A episode, I'm giving my take on this common dilemma! This episode feature three of your great real estate questions. We're going to cover topics like renting out your primary home, using gold and silver to buy real estate, and what to consider about buying real estate in this economy.

Half of US homeowners and renters reported regularly struggling to make their housing payments, according to a recent Redfin survey. The cost of living over the past couple years is hurting Americans, and housing is a big factor in this equation. On today's show, we're going to discuss what's behind America's housing crisis. You're going to learn about building trends, interest rates, and possible solutions to America's affordable housing crisis. We're also going to discuss why build-to-rent housing covers an important need in the market, and what investors can do to help keep housing costs down.

What's the best way to get funding for your real estate portfolio? Specifically, after you've reached the 10-mortgage limit with traditional banks, what other avenues exist for funding? That's the first question I'm answering on today's Q&A! On this encore episode of Investing in Real Estate, I'm answering three of your questions on how to get money for real estate, ways to invest a smaller amount of money, and how much you should save for reserves on a rental property. Click play to hear my answers to your best investing questions!

According to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, credit card delinquencies reached 8.5% in the fourth quarter of 2023 – that's up from 5.87% in 2022, and 4.1% in 2021. Within a span of two years, credit card delinquencies have more than doubled. We're hearing again and again from the current administration the US economy is healthy – yet so many Americans are relying on credit cards, carrying expensive debt that they are ultimately unable to pay back. The total amount of credit card debt in the US has surpassed $1.13 trillion, which on its own is troubling, but the state of delinquencies shows the true financial ruin we're seeing unfold across the country. On this episode of Investing in Real Estate, we're going to discuss the implications of this mounting consumer debt.

If you have a rental property but you don't live nearby, what's the best way to manage things on site? Is it a good idea to hire a property management company? On today's show, I'm answering this—plus two more of your voicemails! This encore Q&A episode features three of your real estate questions on property management, LLCs, and buying a mobile home. I'm sharing my best tips and experience, and offering resources you can use on your unique real estate journey.

There are major challenges ahead for the future of the 401k. On today's show, you're going to learn the latest data behind why the 401k is headed for disaster. You're going to hear the latest statistics on retirement contribution, hardship loans, and more. We're also going to discuss why the 401k on its own, does not lead to a comfortable retirement. If you're ready to learn about the future of your 401k, tune in to this episode of Investing in Real Estate!

Today's first caller is a Marine who'd like to use a VA loan wisely. Should he buy a primary residence, or hack house a duplex? That's the first question I'm answering on this encore episode! This episode of Investing in Real Estate features three great listener questions on utilizing a VA loan, pulling funds out of traditional retirement accounts to invest in real estate, and how to navigate finances during retirement.