Luke Babich

  • Luke Babich is the Co-Founder of Clever Real Estate, a real estate education platform committed to helping home buyers, sellers and investors make smarter financial decisions. Luke is a licensed real estate agent in the State of Missouri and his research and insights have been featured on BiggerPockets, Inman, the LA Times, and more. Education: B.A. with Honors, Political Science — Stanford University

Tiny Homes, Big Returns

Tiny Homes, Big Returns

Here’s what you need to know about investing in the micro-living trend. If you’re one of the 52% of Americans who think the economy is poised for a big rebound next year, you’re probably already looking for investment opportunities. One of the safest places to put your money is in ...
Market Disruptions: How Innovations Are Reshaping the Future of Real Estate Investing

Market Disruptions: How Innovations Are Reshaping the Future of Real Estate Investing

If the only constant is change, get ready for a wild ride. Market-driven disruptions were once occasional features in the real estate investment landscape, but evolving trends and transformative technologies have reshaped real estate investment opportunities much more frequently in recent years. Although most investors are now familiar with virtual ...
Inclusive Design: How to Create Spaces for Everyone

Inclusive Design: How to Create Spaces for Everyone

As a real estate investor, it’s important to design your home for different types of buyers. Making sure your property is versatile to all homeowners goes beyond paint colors and tile choice. It also means thinking about buyers of all ages, including those with disabilities or physical impairments. Whether you ...
Blending Modern and Classic Design Elements

Blending Modern and Classic Design Elements

Knowing how to combine various elements creates timeless and affordable interiors. Whether you are investing in a property to rehab and flip or want to attract quality tenants to a rental, the design you choose matters. You’ll likely want something that isn’t dated, but following every new design trend can ...
The Remote Work Revolution

The Remote Work Revolution

| Article | Market & Trends

Flexible work arrangements are reshaping real estate markets. It’s hard to overstate how much remote work could reshape real estate markets. In a recent panel at Columbia University, one expert compared remote work during the pandemic to the Bolshevik Revolution. Another said that this is the first time employees haven’t ...
Rent Prices vs. Income: 4 Major Problems Renters Face and What’s Next for the Market

Rent Prices vs. Income: 4 Major Problems Renters Face and What’s Next for the Market

| Article | Market & Trends
Home prices have skyrocketed in recent years, locking many out of the housing market. With the prospect of buying a home more daunting than ever, many Americans are choosing to rent rather than buy. Yet rent prices have also increased steadily over the past few years, making housing affordability an ...
Navigating Regulatory Changes: A Guide for Real Estate Investors

Navigating Regulatory Changes: A Guide for Real Estate Investors

| Article | Legislation, Operations
Smart investors know they’re not just up against the market. They’re also up against the regulatory environment. Regulators aren’t the enemy, but the evolving regulatory environment does demand very close attention. Ignorance isn’t an excuse. Investors who find themselves out of compliance with new regulations can face very steep penalties ...
Investing in Community Amenities: Enhancing Property Values and Tenant Retention

Investing in Community Amenities: Enhancing Property Values and Tenant Retention

When you own real estate and manage tenants, you have two choices. You can treat your property solely as a business transaction, setting and collecting rent and resigning yourself to tenants who cycle in and out as if through a revolving door, or you can take it upon yourself to ...
15 Interior Design Styles for Your Rental

15 Interior Design Styles for Your Rental

Your rental home is an investment that requires attention long after closing day. Whether you plan to use the house as a vacation rental or a long-term rental property, consumers are more discerning than ever before. They’re searching for functional spaces that are attractive and consistent from room to room ...
4  Pros and Cons of Investing in an Airbnb vs. a Traditional Rental

4  Pros and Cons of Investing in an Airbnb vs. a Traditional Rental

Real estate investors are always on the lookout for their next big venture. With occupancy rates soaring, now may seem like a good time to invest in an Airbnb. What's the difference between investing in an Airbnb versus a traditional rental? It all boils down to four main factors, each ...
Investing in Community Amenities Pays Dividends

Investing in Community Amenities Pays Dividends

Enhancing property values and tenant retention are investments that can yield significant returns. When you own real estate and manage tenants, you have two choices. You can treat your property solely as a business transaction, collecting rent and resigning yourself to tenants who cycle in and out, or you can ...
4 Regulatory Changes Investigators Must Understand

4 Regulatory Changes Investigators Must Understand

The evolving regulatory environment demands that investors pay attention. Smart investors know they’re not just up against the market. They’re also up against the regulatory environment. Regulators aren’t the enemy, but the evolving regulatory environment does demand close attention. Ignorance isn’t an excuse. Investors who find themselves out of compliance ...
12 Tips for Making the Most of Real Estate Conferences and Events

12 Tips for Making the Most of Real Estate Conferences and Events

Real estate conferences are a great way to keep up on the latest industry developments, network with other professionals, and gain knowledge and insights from the best in the business. But which conferences should you attend? And how should you organize your time while you’re there? The key to getting ...
How to Decide Which Type of Commercial Property to Invest In

How to Decide Which Type of Commercial Property to Invest In

If you’re interested in investing in commercial real estate, it’s important to consider what type of property is best for your portfolio. There are several different types to choose from — and each has its own risks and benefits. Here’s what you need to know about different commercial properties, so ...
10 Things You Should Know About Investing in Industrial Properties

10 Things You Should Know About Investing in Industrial Properties

Whether you're looking for your first real estate investment or your 50th, it's prudent to consider industrial property. There are many different types of industrial properties, but one thing they all have in common is that most are used for something other than commercial or residential purposes. Instead, industrial properties ...
10 Strategies for Investing in Real Estate During an Economic Downturn

10 Strategies for Investing in Real Estate During an Economic Downturn

The period of robust and consistent economic expansion since the pandemic seems to be coming to an end. Consumer prices continue to rise, but the annual inflation rate dropped to 5% in March. That's significantly lower than the 9% reported in June 2022 but still much higher than the target ...
8 Tax Benefits of Owning a Single Rental Property

8 Tax Benefits of Owning a Single Rental Property

If you’re new to the world of real estate investing, we have great news heading into tax season. There are a lot of benefits to owning even one rental property. From deductions to capital gains tax deferment, we’re going to cover everything you need to know as you begin tax ...
7 Pros and Cons of Investing in Foreclosures in 2023

7 Pros and Cons of Investing in Foreclosures in 2023

As an investor, you’re always on the lookout for properties that will return substantial profits. With an uncertain housing market, as well as high inflation and interest rates, foreclosed properties may be on the verge of flooding the market. A property becomes foreclosed when a homeowner fails to make mortgage ...
12 Ways to Adapt Your Rental Property During a Recession

12 Ways to Adapt Your Rental Property During a Recession

Investors who plan ahead and implement some basic strategies during periods of economic abundance have a better chance of their rental properties surviving even a prolonged recession. The world of real estate investing is exciting but incredibly unpredictable. You might be riding the high of favorable returns one day only ...
5 Tips for Deciding Which Investment Loan Is the Best Fit

5 Tips for Deciding Which Investment Loan Is the Best Fit

| Article | Funding
The right type of investment loan for you depends on the property you want to buy as well as your personal goals and financial standing. Investing in real estate is an expensive undertaking. Even experienced investors take out loans when purchasing an investment property. An investment loan is any loan ...
10 Tips for Successfully Managing Your First Rental Property Investment

10 Tips for Successfully Managing Your First Rental Property Investment

| Article | Investment Strategy
Take the time to consider your goals, plan your acquisition strategy, and decide how to manage the property. Investing in a rental property is a favored way to earn passive income and build wealth. But the process can be intimidating for first-time investors. It involves a series of decisions and ...
17 Ways You Can Make Money Investing in Real Estate

17 Ways You Can Make Money Investing in Real Estate

Investing in real estate is a solid way to build generational wealth. Here are 17 ways you can make money investing in real estate—plus eight ways to get started with less money than you think. 7 Most Common Types of Real Estate Investments 1. Buying a Home It seems pretty ...
6 Mistakes That Can Kill Potential Real Estate Deals

6 Mistakes That Can Kill Potential Real Estate Deals

Investing in real estate can be incredibly lucrative, but it can also be a lot harder than it looks. Although the past few years of skyrocketing home values have given a lot of novice investors the idea that buying property is a “can’t-miss” investment, the reality isn’t quite so simple ...
3 Ways to Reduce Capital Gains Tax on Rental Properties

3 Ways to Reduce Capital Gains Tax on Rental Properties

| Article | Fundamentals, Operations
Similar to stocks, rental properties are viewed as capital assets. So, when you sell them and earn a profit, you must pay capital gains tax on the money you’ve earned. You can calculate your profit by subtracting the amount you paid for the property (plus any costs for renovations or ...
9 Questions to Ask Before  Buying a Commercial Property

9 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Commercial Property

After looking at the commercial properties in your area, you’ve finally found one that seems to meet your investment criteria. It’s in a great location, the price is right, and you’re already thinking about putting in an offer. But before you take the plunge, you should ask some tough questions ...