Pros and Cons of Creating an LLC for Real Estate

If you want to invest in real estate, you might think about forming a limited liability company (LLC). A real estate LLC keeps your personal assets separate from the property, but you still control the profits. This guide explains the pros and cons of an LLC for real estate and how to set one up. When you’re ready, connect with our business experts using our LLC formation services to start your real estate investment LLC.

What is a real estate LLC?

Creating an LLC for real estate means forming a legal business entity for your real estate business. As a separate entity, the LLC can buy, sell, and rent out property under the business name. Personal assets are kept separate from business assets to protect the business owner from personal liabilities. Plus, the LLC is great for real estate investing because you can share ownership with other real estate investors.

Differences Between a Real Estate LLC and Corporation

Both an LLC and a corporation offer liability protection, but they’re taxed differently.

Since LLCs use pass-through taxation by default, the business won’t pay income taxes at the entity level. Instead, the company passes the profits or losses to you as the owner to report on your individual tax return. Pass-through taxation could be a tax advantage.

On the other hand, corporations use double taxation. The company pays corporate taxes on its profits, and you pay the individual tax rate on your share of the income. If you elect S-corp taxation, you have pass-through taxation like an LLC.

Differences Between a Real Estate LLC and Sole Proprietorship

Forming an LLC for real estate investing means you get personal liability protection. But you must complete some business formalities like paying a filing fee and, in some states, filing annual or biennial reports and paying associated filing fees.

As a sole proprietor, you have an alternate option. As a default business structure, the sole proprietorship has no formalities or expenses to establish. However, you don’t receive limited liability protection. If you run into trouble, your personal assets could be used to fulfill business obligations. That is, if someone sues the business, they could take your personal savings, house, etc.

Benefits of a Real Estate LLC

Forming a real estate LLC has great benefits. One of the biggest benefits of owning an LLC in real estate is limited liability for business debts for the owner. More benefits include having more choices as to how the business is taxed. By default, you’ll have pass-through taxation. LLCs are also regarded as more legitimate than sole proprietorships and general partnerships.

Personal Liability Protection

The LLC is a popular business structure for real estate companies because it provides personal liability protection for the owners. If there’s an accident on your property, the average liability insurance policy will cover some of the costs. When the LLC owns the property, the injured party must sue the business and usually can’t access your personal assets. Additionally, if you run into problems making mortgage payments, your assets can’t be used to satisfy the debt.

Taxes

Unlike a corporation, a limited liability company has pass-through taxation. The profits from the business will only be taxed once, on the owner’s personal tax return. They won’t first be taxed at the business level. An LLC also gives you the option of filing as an S corporation, which could allow you to save on self-employment taxes, or a C corporation, which has the widest range of deductions. A tax professional can help you determine if either of those options would benefit you.

Loan Terms

One of the pros and cons of an LLC for the real estate agent is professionalism and business credibility. When the LLC applies to be a property owner, it may have access to better loan terms than individuals. Also, legal entities like LLCs and corporations often appear more professional to mortgage lenders, tenants, and other real estate investors. To a potential tenant, “Jones Real Estate Holdings LLC” may sound more reliable than “Justin Jones,” the sole proprietor.

You can file in a different state

Most real estate investors form their businesses in the state where they live or plan to buy property. That’s the simplest approach for the average person. However, some people form their LLCs in tax-friendly states like Delaware, Wyoming, or Nevada. If you go this route, consult a professional about the state’s business laws and business licenses.

Why should you put rental property in an LLC?

Creating an LLC for your real estate investment business makes adding new owners or transferring the property easier.

To sell the LLC real estate, you can sell the LLC by transferring the membership interest to the new owners. The LLC continues to own the property, while the new members now control it. You don’t have to go through a real estate transaction and avoid a break in ownership.

With an LLC, it’s simple to include more real estate investors as owners. Adding a new member is as simple as amending the operating agreement and your Articles of Organization. Otherwise, you’d have to go through the time-consuming process of changing the deed and mortgage documents.

Downsides to an LLC for Real Estate

While forming a real estate LLC has a large assortment of benefits, there are some drawbacks. One of the biggest mistakes people make when starting a real estate business is buying property in their own name. Once you get into the business of buying real estate, you’ll have to transfer the property to the LLC. This can cause you some significant legal issues.

‘Due on Sale’

Depending on your mortgage terms, the outstanding balance could become payable immediately when you transfer ownership.

What is the ‘due on sale’ clause?

A “due on sale” clause is a mortgage term that’s triggered if you sell the property. The mortgage balance becomes immediately due when the ownership changes in a sale or transfer. To avoid this, you have to request a waiver from your lender before transferring the property.

Transfer Taxes

Transferring property to the LLC might mean you owe transfer taxes, but it depends on your state. For example, Delaware has laws that eliminate the transfer tax if transferring the ownership 100% from an individual owner to the business. Other states (like Pennsylvania) tax transfers regardless. Be sure to check your state’s rules before moving forward.

How to Set Up a Real Estate LLC

Now that you know the pros and cons of a real estate LLC, let’s help you form one. We’ll give an overview of the steps below. You can also easily access our formation services with our guide on how to form a rental property LLC.

Step 1: Decide on a name for your real estate LLC

Before you can register your LLC, you’ll need a business name. The right business name gives your customers a preview of your services and values. Once you have some candidates in mind, search to see if another business already uses your name. Search online, on social media, and with your local business registration.

How do I name my real estate LLC?

The process of selecting a name for your business is an excellent opportunity to use your imagination. But you should know that each state has different rules for company names. Most states require LLCs to include “Limited Liability Company,” “LLC,” or a similar designator in their names. Be sure you check the name requirements for your state.

Step 2: Choose a registered agent

To keep your business in compliance, you need a reliable registered agent. If there’s an accident on your property, the injured party will likely notify your registered agent of a lawsuit. Your registered agent also forwards official business notices from the state to you. When you use our registered agent service, we can connect you with a credible registered agent.

Step 3: File Articles of Organization

Once you’re ready, head to your Secretary of State or Division of Corporations to form your LLC. In most states, that means filing your Articles of Organization (also known as a Certificate of Formation or Certificate of Organization in some states). You’ll need to decide to register as a broker or investor, which determines the business license you’ll need. After registering your business name, it’s a good idea to claim your domain name so you can reach your customers online.

Step 4: Create an operating agreement

Some states require an LLC to have an operating agreement, but it’s a good idea to have one regardless. With your operating agreement, you decide how:

• Profits will be distributed
• Investors can join or leave the LLC
• The business will be funded
• How the business will be managed
• Who has decision-making authority

Drafting an operating agreement at the start helps prevent future disputes and questions. Get started on yours with our LLC operating agreement template.

Step 5: Get an EIN

Your Employer Identification Number (EIN) identifies your business for tax purposes. You’ll need one to issue employee paychecks and remit wage withholding. Even if you don’t have employees, you likely need an EIN to open a business bank account. You can file the paperwork yourself with the IRS or let us secure one for you with our EIN Service.

TLDR: Pros and Cons of a Real Estate LLC

Forming an LLC for your real estate business can give you peace of mind and security. You’ll be much better protected from legal action than if you operated as a sole proprietor. In addition, you’ll save money on taxes compared to an S-Corp or a C-Corp.

When you form your real estate LLC with us, you’ll get access to our team of business experts. We’ll walk you through every step of business ownership and compliance. Try our Amendment Filing Service to keep your business up-to-date. Or enroll in our Worry-Free Compliance Service to stay organized and keep up with compliance requirements.