Hey Reader, Big update here at Maven Cost Seg! We just brought on Erik Oliver to the team. If you’re in the real estate or CPA world, you’ve probably heard his name as he’s one of the most well-known guys in cost seg. Erik’s been at this for almost a decade. He was VP of National Accounts at one of the big cost seg firms, has spoken on stages across the country, and been on countless podcasts. People invite him back because he makes a complicated topic simple. He’s helped investors unlock...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader, When I started this newsletter two years ago, it looked a lot different than it does today. Back then, I was running a virtual assistant business and writing about entrepreneurship, business growth, and even some personal development. I was figuring things out in real time, and the newsletter reflected that. Since then, my path has become much clearer. I went all-in on real estate and built Maven Cost Seg into a firm focused on one thing: helping investors use the tax code to...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
I recently got back from the Limitless Real Estate Conference in Dallas. This conference wasn’t about sitting in a room taking notes all day. For me, it was about shaking hands, having real conversations, and getting more “touch points” with people in 48 hours than I’d normally get in a year. This was my first time sponsoring an event and going in I wasn't so sure about it. And while I was exhausted by the time I was on the plane back to Michigan, I knew we made the right decision to invest...
2 months ago • 2 min read
I’ve been getting the same question over and over lately: “How do I actually track my REPS hours?” If you’re trying to qualify as a Real Estate Professional (REPS), you know the threshold:750 hours and more time in real estate than anything else. But the real challenge is proving it. Most investors don’t document their time in a way that holds up under IRS scrutiny. And spreadsheets get messy fast. So I built a FREE tool you can use that's simple and effective. The Maven REPS Tracker allow...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Big news out of D.C. over the holiday weekend: The President signed the "One Big Beautiful Bill" on July 4th, a bill that brings back 100% bonus depreciation. I’m excited about what this means for real estate investors: The ability to fully deduct short-life assets (like flooring, appliances, and site improvements) in year one, instead of spreading those deductions over decades. More cash in your pocket today to reinvest, de-risk, or take on new deals. A renewed opportunity to leverage cost...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Check out my episode on the Ground Breakers Podcast! Looking for a Cost Seg Study for your property? Book a call with me to discuss! Today’s topic: 10 depreciation hacks most investors miss (that could save you thousands) Most real estate investors understand the basics of depreciation. But the real savings? They’re often hiding in overlooked details—like removable buildouts, dedicated electrical, or tenant-specific improvements. In this article, we break down: Why modular walls and...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Check out my episode on the Real Estate Pros Podcast! Looking for a Cost Seg Study for your property? Book a call with me to discuss! Today’s topic: The 2025 IRS rule that could change your cost segregation study. For years, many cost seg firms have accelerated kitchen cabinets, countertops, and sinks into 5-year property. But new 2025 IRS guidance makes it clear: these are structural components and must be depreciated over 27.5 or 39 years. In this article, we break down: The exact changes...
5 months ago • 1 min read
Check out our feature on REtipster! Looking for a Cost Seg Study for your property? Book a call with me to discuss! Today’s topic: How limited partners can use real estate syndication losses to offset active income. Most LPs assume syndication losses are passive—and useless against W-2 or business income. But with the right strategy, those losses can deliver real active tax savings. In this article, we break down: Why syndication losses are usually passive (and what that means) The key...
5 months ago • 1 min read
Looking for a Cost Seg Study for your property? Book a call with me to discuss! Today’s topic: Marginal vs. Effective Tax Rates and why this distinction matters more than most realize. A lot of people think that earning more means they’ll “get taxed on all of it.” That’s not how our tax system works — and believing that can lead to some costly decisions. In this article, we break down: The difference between marginal and effective tax rates Why hitting a new tax bracket doesn’t raise your tax...
6 months ago • 1 min read