Passive real estate investing might seem "hands-off," but we know better. Part of being a successful investor is surrounding yourself with the right professionals to protect your investments, optimize returns, and ensure everything runs smoothly.
Thankfully, regardless of your experience level, there are countless pros to help you make your investments simple and effective in achieving your wealth-building goals. But who do you need? And when do you need them? Here’s your quick rundown of key advisors worth consulting!

7 Financial Advisors Real Estate Investors Should Know

Step #1 – Financial Advisor/Wealth Manager

When: At the initial planning stage

What They Do:

• Ensure real estate aligns with your overall investment strategy.
• Assess risk tolerance and liquidity needs.
• Plan for retirement and estate considerations related to real estate holdings.

Why: First and foremost, they help determine if a real estate investment fits your overall financial strategy. Not everyone is suited for every strategy, and your advisor can help you see what best suits your needs, resources, and personality. They also help strategically diversify your portfolio while aligning your risk tolerance with your long-term goals.

Step #2 – Tax Advisor/CPA

When: During the planning phase and regularly for ongoing tax planning

What They Do:

• Optimize tax deductions such as depreciation, mortgage interest, 1031 exchanges, etc.
• Minimize tax liability through real estate-specific strategies.
• Ensure compliance with tax laws, especially if you invest across multiple states.
  

Why: Real estate investments come with specific tax benefits and obligations (depreciation, deductions, and capital gains, to name a few). A CPA ensures you maximize these benefits, structure your investment tax-efficiently, and comply with tax laws. CPAs keep plenty of us out of trouble with Uncle Sam…so they’re worth keeping close! 

Step #3 – Real Estate Attorney

When: During the investment structuring phase and when drafting or reviewing contracts

What They Do:

• Draft and review contracts (LLCs, lease agreements, partnerships).
• Navigate legal risks, liability protection, and asset structuring.
• Assist with eviction laws and resident disputes if needed.

Why: They provide legal protection by ensuring all documents (such as partnership agreements or entity formations like LLCs) are airtight – eliminating exploits, loopholes, or potential legal troubles. They’re there to stop problems before they start, but they also come alongside you to navigate legal issues if they crop up.

Step #4 – Mortgage Broker/Financing Specialist

When: Before making the property purchase

What They Do:

• Secure the best mortgage rates and loan products.
• Understand financing options (conventional, DSCR loans, portfolio loans, etc.).
• Improve debt-to-income (DTI) and creditworthiness.

Why: If financing is part of your strategy (as it is for many real estate investors,) a knowledge broker is indispensable. They help secure the best mortgage terms, guide you through the lending process, and ensure that financing aligns with your investment plan. The more experienced your broker is with investors, the better.

Step #5 – Property Manager

When: Post-purchase, if you’re not managing the property yourself

What They Do:

• Handle resident relations, maintenance, and rent collection.
• Reduce vacancy rates and maximize property performance.
• Ensure compliance with local rental laws.

Why: A property manager handles day-to-day operations such as resident placement, maintenance, and rent collection. They’re essentially the face of your investment business. Their job is to keep your properties profitable and protected without your direct involvement.

Step #6 – Estate Planning Attorney

When: Anytime, once you have secured assets you wish to pass down.

What They Do:

• Structure real estate holdings for generational wealth transfer.
• Minimize estate taxes and probate risks.
• Set up trusts or LLCs for asset protection.

Why: You may not want to think about the end of your life, but planning for the inevitable is necessary…and wise. An estate planning attorney will help ensure that your assets – rental properties and otherwise – go to your heirs as smoothly as possible, providing you with a sense of security about the future. They help protect your assets both for you and the next generation.

Step #7 – Insurance Broker

When: Before closing on a property, periodically revisiting.

What They Do:

• Obtain proper insurance and umbrella policies.
• Mitigate risks related to liability, natural disasters, and property damage.
• Adjust coverage as your portfolio grows.

Why: Insurance is one of those things that seems like a big waste of time and money…until we need it! Properly insuring your investment properties is about preparing and protecting your assets from the unexpected. Over time, your insurance needs may change. A knowledgeable insurance broker can help secure the right coverage at the best rates, offering you peace of mind that your investments are protected.

Start investing with REI Nation, where you invest and we handle the rest!