REI Accounting Talk

Episode 9: Mastering Tax Strategies for Investment Success with Amanda Han

Sarah Bratcher — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 02:00:00 -0500

If you're serious about growing your wealth, taxes should be part of your strategy—not just something to deal with once a year. In this episode, Sarah sits down with Amanda, the Queen of Tax Strategy, to reveal how the right approach to taxes can transform your investment success. Whether you're just getting started or already deep into investing, understanding your taxes is key to making your money work harder for you.

Amanda emphasizes that it all starts with good records and a strong tax plan. She shares the powerful rule every investor needs to follow: Be intentional with your money. Pay attention to where it’s going and make sure it’s working for you.

While tax prep focuses on what’s already happened, tax planning is a proactive approach that helps you minimize your tax burden and maximize your gains. Amanda breaks down when it’s time to hire a tax strategist and why taking action early is crucial for long-term success. This episode is packed with practical insights that will help you master your financial strategy and get ahead.

Take the Task Risk Assessment here

Connect with Amanda: https://www.instagram.com/amanda_han_cpa/

Follow Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rei.solutions.with.sarah/

Learn more: https://reiaccountingsolutions.com/

Episode 8: What You Need to Know About Lending with Melissa Korda

Sarah Bratcher — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 02:00:00 -0500

When it comes to lending, it’s about more than just finding the lowest rate. In this episode, Sarah sits down with Melissa Korda, a Loan Officer at Conventus Lending, to discuss what you need to know before making a loan decision. They cover common mistakes, strategies to approach lending, and what factors to consider when securing the best deal.

Melissa explains why the “best deal” might not always be as straightforward as it seems. It’s important to look beyond the surface and understand all the details before committing. They also dive into the value of being prepared and working with a trusted lender who can guide you through the process.

If you’re looking to make more informed decisions about securing a loan, this episode offers practical advice and insights to help you navigate the process effectively.

Connect with Melissa:

https://www.instagram.com/melissakorda.lender.re

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-korda-66378724b/

https://www.cvlending.com/melissakorda

Follow Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rei.solutions.with.sarah/

Learn more: https://reiaccountingsolutions.com/

Episode 7: Top Mistakes Real Estate Investors Make When It Comes to Their Accounting

Sarah Bratcher — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 02:00:00 -0500

Real estate investing is all about the numbers—but too many investors make costly mistakes that could easily be avoided. Poor bookkeeping, missed deductions, and disorganized records don’t just lead to frustration—they can eat into your profits. In today’s episode, Sarah breaks down the biggest financial pitfalls investors face and how to keep your books in order.

Mixing personal and business funds, failing to track expenses properly, and overlooking key deductions like depreciation can create major issues down the line. Without a solid accounting system, you’re guessing instead of making informed decisions. Sarah shares why QuickBooks is her go-to, the importance of accurate documentation, and why consulting a tax advisor is a must for staying compliant and maximizing profits.

Strong financial management isn’t just about avoiding mistakes—it’s about setting yourself up for long-term success.

Follow Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rei.solutions.with.sarah/

Learn more: https://reiaccountingsolutions.com/

Episode 6: Building a Business with the Right Support with Valentina Brega

Sarah Bratcher — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 18:27:00 -0500

Sarah sits down with Valentina Brega, founder of Hire Train VA, to break down what it really takes to scale a business with virtual assistants. Valentina knows firsthand what it means to start over—leaving everything behind, winning the Green Card lottery, and carving out a path as an entrepreneur.

Now, she helps business owners take the stress out of hiring by connecting them with highly trained international VAs. From bookkeeping to real estate support, her company bridges the gap between skilled talent and businesses that need it.

“You can’t grow on a one-person show,” Valentina says. Remote work isn’t a trend—it’s the future. And the right VA isn’t just an extra set of hands; they’re a key part of the team.

Learn more about working with Valentina:

Hire Train VA

Instagram

Episode 5: Cheryl Heller CPA

Sarah Bratcher — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 22:49:44 -0500

Cheryl Heller CPA Website - https://www.pillaroneconsulting.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cheryl.howleyheller Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cherylaheller/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylaheller/

Episode 4: All about Deductions

Sarah Bratcher — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 16:20:54 -0500

In this episode, I’m diving into 20 essential tax deductions every real estate investor should know about. From mortgage interest and property taxes to repairs, maintenance, and even travel expenses, I’ll walk you through common deductions you can use to offset your rental income. I’ll also touch on advanced strategies like cost segregation to maximize your depreciation benefits. Whether you’re just starting out or managing multiple properties, this episode is packed with tips to help you save money and make tax season a little less stressful. Tune in to simplify your bookkeeping and keep more of your hard-earned income!

My Story

Sarah Bratcher — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 21:08:01 -0500

Sarah Bratcher shares her story both personally and professionally. Follow on Instagram for more! @rei.solutions.with.sarah

Episode 2: Five Things Every Real Estate Investor Needs to Know About Accounting

Sarah Bratcher — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 19:02:36 -0500

Today in the second episode of REI Accounting Talk, host Sarah Bratcher talks about five things every real estate investor needs to know about accounting. The first thing is finding the right accounting software that fits your needs and goals. Next, separating business and personal transactions is crucial in protecting yourself and keeping your books clean for tax purposes. The third thing is creating a system for organizing your documents in a cloud-based system for 3-6 years. The fourth thing is using a chart of accounts that In this episode, Sarah discusses the basics of real estate investing accounting, including entity structure, choosing a bank, expense tracking, chart of accounts, and finding the right CPA. She also mentions that you don't have to hire a CPA and can consider an enrolled agent or a bookkeeper instead. Sarah emphasizes the importance of having a proactive CPA who understands real estate investing and is a good fit for your needs. To contact Sarah, you can email her at Sarah@reiaccountingsolutions.com

Introduction: Why a podcast?

Sarah Bratcher — Sun, 01 Sep 2024 21:47:59 -0500

Sarah Bratcher is a CPA with over 11 years of experience in the real estate world. She recently started her own bookkeeping and consulting firm to help real estate investors and is now starting a podcast called "REI Accounting Talk". The podcast will feature tips and educational episodes to help real estate investors with their accounting, as well as interviews with other investors. Sarah also shares a little about her personal life and her own real estate investments. She invites listeners to email her if they have any questions or suggestions: sarah@reiaccountingsolutions.com