The Ryan Bakke Show

Ready to save $10k-$50k in taxes this year? Book a call here:

► https://taxstrategy365.com/pod-app

In this episode, I scaled my business from zero to $3 million through organic growth, but eventually, I felt like I hit a ceiling. That’s when I decided to acquire a $2.5 million accounting firm in Los Angeles. In this episode, I explain why I made that decision, how acquisition compares to building from scratch, and what shifted in my mindset over the past couple of years. I also share what I learned from evaluating both sides of the growth equation and why firm ownership started making more sense than it ever did before.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:50 Why I didn't buy a firm to hit $3M revenue

00:01:56 Visiting the LA firm and evaluating culture

00:02:51 Organic growth vs. acquisition: hitting a ceiling

00:04:14 The power of trust, organic reach, and changing market dynamics

00:05:29 Learning to see both sides: building vs. buying

00:07:46 Pros of acquisition: faster and more scalable

00:10:07 Building a real business vs. owning a high-paying job

00:12:54 Synergies and valuation uplift from acquisitions

00:14:40 Cost breakdown: paid ads vs. buying a firm

00:17:08 Hiring risks vs. acquiring established teams

00:18:08 Final thoughts on firm ownership and what’s next

Want me to answer your real estate questions? Come to my next Ask Me Anything Q&A:

► https://taxstrategy365.com/pod-ama

Let's connect!

► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanbakkecpa/

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanbakkecpa/

► Twitter: https://twitter.com/RyanBakkeCPA

► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanbakkecpa

► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryanbakkecpa⁠

*None of this is meant to be specific investment advice, it's for entertainment purposes only.

Ready to save $10k-$50k in taxes this year? Book a call here:

► https://taxstrategy365.com/pod-app

In this episode, I break down how I analyze real estate deals using patterns, historical percentages, and what I call “return on hassle.” I share a story about a 16-unit property I almost bought to retire my mom and how a mentor helped me realize it wouldn’t work—just by looking at the percentages. I go deep into operating expense ratios, debt service thresholds, and how to factor in time and risk. I also touch on contracts, financing contingencies, and why I only move on deals that match my strike zone.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Intro – why percentages never lie

00:00:50 The 16-unit deal I almost bought to retire my mom

00:02:15 Bringing in a mentor to review the numbers

00:03:28 Learning to read patterns in properties and people

00:04:11 Scarface quote and the power of percentages

00:05:46 Ted Williams and only swinging at your pitch

00:08:13 Applying the strike zone concept to investing

00:09:14 Long-term rental analysis: revenue, OPEX, debt

00:11:45 Utility setups and checking meters on multifamily

00:13:54 Margin of error and padding your projections

00:14:42 Short-term rental rules and the 15% revenue test

00:16:16 Sneaky data hacks: talking to local co-hosts

00:18:29 Evaluating money down vs. ROI on interest savings

00:20:50 Guaranteed returns and the “return on hassle” concept

00:23:00 FHA vs. conventional loan and PMI traps

00:27:54 Why you must revisit the numbers at month 16

00:29:04 Diagnosing why a deal is underperforming

00:31:08 Pattern recognition and IRS fraud flags

00:33:40 What’s included in operating expenses?

00:36:28 Community, status, and why people never downgrade

00:39:53 Appreciation markets vs. cash flow plays

00:41:33 Writing contracts with flexibility: “and/or assign”

00:44:05 Laying out all the skunks as a seller

00:46:02 Contingencies: inspection, appraisal, financing, permits

00:51:04 Buying the LLC to preserve STR permits

00:54:20 DSCR strategy and using interest rate leverage

00:56:05 Only swing at your pitch and know your advantage

00:58:16 Speed, trust, and recognizing patterns in people

01:00:32 Final thoughts and the value of knowing your safety net

Want me to answer your real estate questions? Come to my next Ask Me Anything Q&A:

► https://taxstrategy365.com/pod-ama

Let's connect!

► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanbakkecpa/

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanbakkecpa/

► Twitter: https://twitter.com/RyanBakkeCPA

► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanbakkecpa

► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryanbakkecpa⁠

*None of this is meant to be specific investment advice, it's for entertainment purposes only.

Ready to save $10k-$50k in taxes this year? Book a call here:

► https://taxstrategy365.com/pod-app

In this episode, after leaving Deloitte at 23, I set out to help people who were the first in their families to build wealth. Three years later, I’m running two CPA firms with nearly 800 clients and reflecting on how much can change in just one trip around the sun. In this episode, I talk about the lessons that made me feel ten years wiser—lessons I picked up from mentors, clients, and experiences that pushed me to grow. I get into why urgency, focus, and being able to see both sides of an argument have been game changers for me.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Intro and why I left Deloitte at 23

00:00:32 From quitting corporate to owning two CPA firms

00:01:25 Why I feel 10 years wiser in one year

00:01:58 The meaning of “standing on the shoulders of giants”

00:03:20 Investing in mentors and what it’s really worth

00:04:24 Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and learning from the top 0.3%

00:06:32 Why in-person learning beats Zoom

00:07:26 Joining Perry Belcher’s mastermind and doubling my business

00:08:10 Acquiring a Beverly Hills CPA firm

00:09:07 Traits of high-net-worth individuals

00:10:43 The power of urgency and Parkinson’s Law

00:12:16 Doing one thing exceptionally well

00:13:32 The value of seeing both sides of an argument

00:17:47 Overpriced vs. overkill: a pricing misconception

00:20:38 What I learned from Robert Greene about storytelling

00:23:32 Final reflection on growing wiser year over year

Want me to answer your real estate questions? Come to my next Ask Me Anything Q&A:

► https://taxstrategy365.com/pod-ama

Let's connect!

► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanbakkecpa/

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanbakkecpa/

► Twitter: https://twitter.com/RyanBakkeCPA

► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanbakkecpa

► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryanbakkecpa⁠

*None of this is meant to be specific investment advice, it's for entertainment purposes only.

Ready to save $10k-$50k in taxes this year? Book a call here:

► https://taxstrategy365.com/pod-app

In this episode, I dive into some of the most common tax questions I get from my communities, including how to properly report rental days for short-term rentals, the pros and cons of doing a cost segregation study, and how bonus depreciation really works. I also talk about when it makes sense to hire a CPA versus a tax strategist and explain the differences between the two. With examples from real clients and situations I’ve seen firsthand, I break down complex topics into practical insights.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:29 Communities I pull questions from

00:01:00 STR rental days – actual vs. available

00:02:12 Impact on deductions and personal use days

00:03:53 Lending implications of incorrect rental day reporting

00:04:33 Cost segregation vs. not doing it

00:05:36 Bonus depreciation explained

00:06:24 1031 exchange considerations and deadlines

00:07:51 Alternatives to 1031 exchanges

00:08:36 When to hire a CPA vs. a tax strategist

00:09:41 What tax strategists do differently

00:10:41 CPA vs. strategist – two skill sets

00:11:13 Why multiple businesses and properties need strategy

00:12:07 Outro

Want me to answer your real estate questions? Come to my next Ask Me Anything Q&A:

► https://taxstrategy365.com/pod-ama

Let's connect!

► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanbakkecpa/

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanbakkecpa/

► Twitter: https://twitter.com/RyanBakkeCPA

► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanbakkecpa

► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryanbakkecpa⁠

*None of this is meant to be specific investment advice, it's for entertainment purposes only.

Ready to save $10k-$50k in taxes this year? Book a call here:

► https://taxstrategy365.com/pod-app

In this episode from the ATL Real Estate Conference, I share how I went from failing senior year math to becoming the youngest CPA in Illinois. I walk through the tax strategies I use with real estate investors, like cost segregation, depreciation, and how to take advantage of the short-term rental loophole. I also talk about mindset, making smart investment decisions, and avoiding common tax mistakes. Throughout the session, I share real examples and lessons from my own journey and client experiences.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:30 Writing your own story & becoming a CPA after failing math

00:01:45 Lessons from working at a pizza place

00:03:00 Working at Deloitte & shifting focus to helping everyday investors

00:04:05 First property purchase story and seller concessions

00:05:01 Psychology of loss and walking away from a Deloitte bonus

00:06:32 What you stand to gain vs. lose

00:07:13 Three biggest killers of wealth: taxes, inflation, indecision

00:08:21 Commonly missed tax deductions

00:09:26 Power of depreciation explained

00:10:52 Boosting cash-on-cash returns with cost segregation

00:12:33 Using losses to offset income from other sources

00:13:29 Personal tax return breakdown and tax strategy

00:15:13 Short-term rental loophole & qualifying tests

00:17:33 Real-life client success example

00:20:11 Net worth assessment and investing strategies by stage

00:22:40 Live-in flip and tax-free gains strategy

00:25:03 Rules for converting primary to rental

00:26:24 Cash-out refi vs. selling appreciated properties

00:27:00 Seller financing explained with real examples

00:30:46 Income shifting and Roth IRA strategy for kids

00:32:20 Never hold rentals in a corporation

00:32:50 The "Catch Me If You Can" mentorship analogy

00:33:53 Closing remarks

Want me to answer your real estate questions? Come to my next Ask Me Anything Q&A:

► https://taxstrategy365.com/pod-ama

Let's connect!

► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanbakkecpa/

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanbakkecpa/

► Twitter: https://twitter.com/RyanBakkeCPA

► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanbakkecpa

► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryanbakkecpa⁠

*None of this is meant to be specific investment advice, it's for entertainment purposes only.

Ready to save $10k-$50k in taxes this year? Book a call here:

► https://taxstrategy365.com/pod-app

In this episode, I break down the differences between filing jointly and filing separately as a married couple. I go through real scenarios where filing separately can actually lead to better outcomes, especially when it comes to student loans, tax credits, and mortgage approvals. I explain how combining income can sometimes push you out of eligibility for certain benefits, and how separating returns might help reduce payments or qualify for better financing. I also touch on the trade-offs like higher tax brackets and added complexity that come with filing separately.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:39 When Filing Separately Saves More

00:01:26 Tax Credits and Deductions Overview

00:02:10 Real Example: Education Credit Eligibility

00:03:11 Using Software to Compare Filing Status

00:04:25 Student Loans and Income-Driven Repayment Plans

00:05:48 How Filing Separately Reduces Student Loan Payments

00:06:28 Mortgage Approval and Debt-to-Income Strategy

00:07:48 Real Estate and Loan Structuring Tips

00:09:00 Downsides of Filing Separately

00:10:00 Decision Framework for Filing Status

00:10:49 Real-World Case: Buying a Home with High Student Debt

00:11:25 Conclusion

Want me to answer your real estate questions? Come to my next Ask Me Anything Q&A:

► https://taxstrategy365.com/pod-ama

Let's connect!

► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanbakkecpa/

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanbakkecpa/

► Twitter: https://twitter.com/RyanBakkeCPA

► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanbakkecpa

► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryanbakkecpa⁠

*None of this is meant to be specific investment advice, it's for entertainment purposes only.

Ready to save $10k-$50k in taxes this year? Book a call here:

► https://taxstrategy365.com/pod-app

In this episode, I break down the differences between filing jointly and filing separately as a married couple. I go through real scenarios where filing separately can actually lead to better outcomes, especially when it comes to student loans, tax credits, and mortgage approvals. I explain how combining income can sometimes push you out of eligibility for certain benefits, and how separating returns might help reduce payments or qualify for better financing. I also touch on the trade-offs like higher tax brackets and added complexity that come with filing separately.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:39 When Filing Separately Saves More

00:01:26 Tax Credits and Deductions Overview

00:02:10 Real Example: Education Credit Eligibility

00:03:11 Using Software to Compare Filing Status

00:04:25 Student Loans and Income-Driven Repayment Plans

00:05:48 How Filing Separately Reduces Student Loan Payments

00:06:28 Mortgage Approval and Debt-to-Income Strategy

00:07:48 Real Estate and Loan Structuring Tips

00:09:00 Downsides of Filing Separately

00:10:00 Decision Framework for Filing Status

00:10:49 Real-World Case: Buying a Home with High Student Debt

00:11:25 Conclusion

Want me to answer your real estate questions? Come to my next Ask Me Anything Q&A:

► https://taxstrategy365.com/pod-ama

Let's connect!

► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanbakkecpa/

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanbakkecpa/

► Twitter: https://twitter.com/RyanBakkeCPA

► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanbakkecpa

► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryanbakkecpa⁠

*None of this is meant to be specific investment advice, it's for entertainment purposes only.

Ready to save $10k-$50k in taxes this year? Book a call here:

► https://taxstrategy365.com/pod-app

In this episode, I answer real estate and tax questions from members of my RE Tax Prep and Tax Strategy 365 communities. I talk through the differences between DSCR and second home loans, and how they impact your tax situation and future financing options. I also explain how land-to-structure ratios affect depreciation and why location matters for tax benefits. Finally, I go over common mistakes investors make with LLC structuring and why it’s important to get it right from the start.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:40 First STR: DSCR vs. Second Home Loans

00:01:53 Understanding Tax Benefits Regardless of Loan Type

00:03:13 Thinking Two to Three Deals Ahead

00:05:11 Long-Term Strategy and Career Analogy

00:06:09 Why Net Worth Doesn’t Guarantee Loan Approval

00:07:45 Evaluating Depreciation by State and County

00:09:51 Using Assessor Sites to Understand Land vs. Building Value

00:11:19 Tax Benefits of Condos, Townhomes, and Different Markets

00:12:35 Entity Structuring: Single vs. Multi-Member LLCs

00:13:58 Pitfalls of Aggressive Legal Structures

00:15:31 Closing Remarks

Want me to answer your real estate questions? Come to my next Ask Me Anything Q&A:

► https://taxstrategy365.com/pod-ama

Let's connect!

► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanbakkecpa/

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanbakkecpa/

► Twitter: https://twitter.com/RyanBakkeCPA

► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanbakkecpa

► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryanbakkecpa⁠

*None of this is meant to be specific investment advice, it's for entertainment purposes only.

Ready to save $10k-$50k in taxes this year? Book a call here:

► https://taxstrategy365.com/pod-app

If a real estate contract doesn’t have the right protections, you can end up overpaying, losing your deposit, or getting stuck with costly repairs. In this episode, I walk through the six key clauses I use in every deal to make sure I'm protected—no matter what market I’m in. I cover things like inspection contingencies, appraisal gaps, financing terms, permit and license transfers, and the “and/or assign” clause. I also share a few stories from my own deals where these clauses saved me thousands.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:27 Why contracts can make or break your deal

00:01:11 Understanding buyer vs. seller markets

00:02:13 How market conditions impact your negotiation leverage

00:03:14 Strategy if you're a buyer

00:04:13 Strategy if you're a seller

00:05:26 Inspection contingency explained

00:07:32 Real-world example: tree roots and sewer damage

00:08:01 Appraisal contingency breakdown

00:10:02 What is an appraisal gap and how to handle it

00:10:36 Financing contingency and rising interest rates

00:11:52 DSCR example and renegotiating purchase price

00:13:10 Why financing contingencies are critical

00:13:50 Permit and license transfer contingency

00:15:57 STR regulation example from Hot Springs, AR

00:16:19 Why this matters in regulated or urban markets

00:17:15 Assignment clause and “and/or assign” contracts

00:18:08 Contingency checklist for real estate deals

Want me to answer your real estate questions? Come to my next Ask Me Anything Q&A:

► https://taxstrategy365.com/pod-ama

Let's connect!

► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanbakkecpa/

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanbakkecpa/

► Twitter: https://twitter.com/RyanBakkeCPA

► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanbakkecpa

► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryanbakkecpa⁠

*None of this is meant to be specific investment advice, it's for entertainment purposes only.

Join my Facebook group, Tax Strategies for Real Estate Investors, and become part of a community with 11,500+ high-level real estate investors

► Join here: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/taxstrategyforinvestors⁠

In this episode, I sit down with John Bianchi and Taylor Jones to explore strategies for maximizing tax savings in real estate, leveraging short-term rental loopholes, and optimizing return on equity. We discuss actionable insights into material participation requirements, identifying favorable investment markets, and practical examples of tax-efficient property upgrades. The episode also features expert advice on managing financial records and preparing for potential audits.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:02:15 - The benefits of short-term rental tax loopholes

00:10:45 - Material participation: Meeting IRS requirements

00:18:30 - Identifying markets for tax-efficient investments

00:26:20 - Understanding the importance of cost segregation

00:34:15 - How to conduct a return on equity audit

00:42:50 - Balancing cash flow and tax savings for portfolio growth

00:51:30 - Preparing for audits: Financial records and credibility

01:00:10 - Q&A: Common challenges and strategies

Interested in working with me? Apply here:

► https://taxstrategy365.com/apply?el=podcast

Let's connect!

► Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/learnlikeacpa/⁠

► LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/learnlikeacpa/⁠

► Twitter: ⁠https://x.com/LearnLikeaCPA⁠

► Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/learnlikeacpa⁠

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*None of this is meant to be specific investment advice, it's for entertainment purposes only.