How Real Estate Professional Status Supercharges a Cost Segregation Study Most landlords know that a cost segregation study can front-load years of depreciation into the first year of ownership. Fewer realize that pairing cost seg with Real Estate Professional Status (REPS) can unlock those paper losses immediately—wiping out W-2 wages, business profits, even portfolio gains. Below is a plain-English...

Cost segregation studies can save real estate investors thousands of dollars a year on their tax bill, even for smaller properties. But there are some important things to know to ensure you maximize your deduction and don't run afoul of the IRS.  We use DIY cost segregation but there are other companies who do cost segs, take a look and feel free to use whatever company you’d...

5 Lessons We’ve Learned Investing in Real Estate At Lutz Sales + Investments, we don’t just broker deals—we’re investors ourselves. And over the years, we’ve made mistakes, learned the hard way, and fine-tuned our approach to building value in multifamily and commercial properties. Whether you're buying your first duplex or managing a 50-unit building, these five lessons are grounded in...

Lutz Quick Guide: 5 Commercial Real Estate Terms Every Investor Should Know When analyzing a commercial real estate opportunity, a few core metrics can reveal a lot about its performance, risk, and profitability. Below, we’ve broken down five essential terms—complete with formulas and examples—to help you evaluate deals with confidence. 1. Cash-on-Cash Return (CoC) Definition: The annual...

At Lutz Sales + Investments, one of the most common questions we hear—and honestly, our least favorite—is: “What will my new property tax bill be?” It's not because we don’t want to help. It’s because the answer is complicated. In Jackson County, Missouri, your property taxes are based on the county-assessed value, and that figure often differs significantly from the price you paid for...

Let’s first start with what the utilities are that someone needs to pay for. There are six utilities that you should think about when looking at any rental property, not every one applies to every building, but make sure you think about these six as you look at purchasing any property. Electric Gas Water/Sewer Trash Lawn/Landscaping Snow Removal...

Real Estate Professional Status: How the 750-Hour Rule Unlocks Major Tax Savings If you own rentals, the IRS normally labels every dime of profit—and, more painfully, every loss—as passive. That means rental losses can’t offset W-2 income, bonuses or business profits. But Congress carved out one narrow escape hatch: Real Estate Professional Status (REPS) under §469(c)(7). Qualify, and your rental...

Finishes have a significant impact on how a potential tenant feels when they walk into a space, conscious or subconscious, which translates into how much they will pay for the space. Does the space feel sterile or warm? Does it feel like home? These are the emotional decisions potential tenants make when they decide to live in your apartment. Choosing the right finishes can significantly enhance the...

Stated Purpose: To provide low-interest-rate loans to help positively impact neighborhoods by improving existing multi-family housing units or developing affordable housing in areas where it is needed. Eligibility: An eligible residential property owner is a person, firm or corporation that purchases and develops or rehabilitates a multi-family residential structure. Projects with...

The Kansas City Business Journal has released its 2025 “Heavy Hitters” rankings, highlighting the metro’s top commercial real-estate professionals. We’re delighted to share that our own Michelle Lutz earned the No. 3 spot in the Multifamily category, with $82.98 million in closed local transactions during 2024. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Michelle and...