I launched my new book, Using A Limited Liability Company (LLC) for Real Estate Investing: What's Really at Risk If You Get Sued a few weeks ago.  I just learned my book is the Amazon #1 Best Seller in Real Estate Law!

Thanks to everyone that downloaded and read a copy of my book and double thanks to all that wrote a review.  If you haven't gotten your copy yet, it is available at Amazon.com by clicking here or on the image at the left.  I'm already working on my second ebook in my new series of Speak Human legal guides, so stay tuned!

For a limited time only, get a FREE copy of my new book on Amazon.com, Using LLCs for Real Estate Investing: What's Really At Risk When You Get Sued.

If you're buying rental properties or investing in real estate, you've probably heard that you should put the property in a limited liability company (LLC). In this book, I explain the advantages and disadvantages of using an LLC to invest in real estate and what it's really like to be a defendant in a lawsuit.

Thinking about going into business with someone?  A friend, relative, spouse, or an outsider? There are a number of different considerations when going into business with someone, not the least of which is: are you both actually compatible?  Here are the top signs you might be a good match:

1.    You Disagree.  Sounds counter-intuitive, but you don’t want to be in business with anyone that just agrees with whatever you say.  It’s likely they’re holding back and sooner or later, they’re going to let loose with disagreement in a big way after holding in their real thoughts for so long.

2.    You’ve Had Fights.  If you’ve already had fights with your business partner before going into business and were able to resolve things quickly and without lingering resentment, chances are you can have a fight in the future and still be able to move forward.

3.    Your Spouses/Rest of Family Are Not Connected.   When people come to me trying to get away from their business partner, I cringe when they launch into some long story about how their kids grew up together, their dads did business together, their wives have lunch every week, etc.  The more outside relationships you have to consider when dealing with your partner, the more likely it is you can’t exercise independent judgment.  You need to be able to deal with a business partner honestly and transparently without outside influence.

4.    You Don’t Think Your Partner Is An Idiot.  Sounds crazy, but a lot of people secretly think their business partner is an idiot.  This is a definite red flag and it’s likely you don’t really respect your business partner.  If you don’t feel your partner is just as good of a person as you, or as smart, or as kind, don’t go into business with them because you’ll never fully trust their judgment.

5.    Your Core Values are the Same.  If one partner’s only interest is in making as much money as possible and the other partner puts family above all else, serious friction is bound to develop.  Your top two or three core life values should be the same.  You can’t have one person toiling away at the business at all hours and the other person leaving at 5pm to have dinner with the family.  

Business partnerships take a lot of work, both before you're in business together and during the partnership.  For what to look for before considering a partnership, watch my upcoming webinar, details soon!