The Spence Team

The Spence Team Your DFW area real estate connection.

Factors to Consider When Buying an Income PropertyAs someone deeply involved in real estate investing here in Texas, I’v...
09/25/2026

Factors to Consider When Buying an Income Property
As someone deeply involved in real estate investing here in Texas, I’ve learned that buying an income property means looking beyond just the listing price. Factors like neighborhood quality, local taxes, school ratings, crime stats, job opportunities, and nearby amenities all play a big role in a property’s long-term potential. It’s also important to think about ongoing development, vacancy rates, local rent trends, disaster risks, and security. Before you make a move, run the numbers carefully and make sure you’re prepared to cover costs until those rental checks start coming in. These are the same principles my wife and I use in our own investment company and share on the Real Freedom Channel podcast—solid groundwork leads to lasting results.


https://www.roomvu.com/agent-news/james-spence-905090/2056021-Factors-to-Consider-When-Buying-an-Income-Property

Why Real Estate is a Smart Investment: Key ReasonsAs someone who works every day in Texas real estate and runs an invest...
09/24/2026

Why Real Estate is a Smart Investment: Key Reasons
As someone who works every day in Texas real estate and runs an investment company with my wife, I’ve seen firsthand why real estate continues to be a powerful investment strategy. Beyond generating steady cash flow and building long-term equity, investing in property offers significant tax advantages, appreciation potential, and vital diversification for any portfolio. While real estate isn’t as liquid as stocks, its ability to hedge against inflation and the option to use leverage can really enhance risk-adjusted returns and help keep portfolio volatility in check. These are the reasons I’m passionate about real estate—and why I enjoy sharing this knowledge with others through our Real Freedom REIA and podcast.


https://www.roomvu.com/agent-news/james-spence-905090/1997015-Why-Real-Estate-is-a-Smart-Investment%3A-Key-Reasons

09/23/2026

US Homes and Investing: Key Tradeoffs
As someone deeply involved in both real estate investing and helping families find their place in Texas, I see firsthand how homes and investments play different roles in our lives. Over the past 80 years, U.S. home prices have just outpaced inflation, rising by less than 4% per year, while stocks have historically returned 7-10% annually before inflation and 4-6% after. It's important to remember that owning a home comes with its own set of costs—property taxes, insurance, ongoing repairs, improvements, and the unpredictability of local market shifts.

But numbers aren’t the only story. A home offers unique, non-financial value: family stability, continuity for your children’s schooling, and the discipline of building equity through regular mortgage payments. For many, these are just as valuable as any investment return.

There's also the common belief that renting is simply 'throwing money away.' In reality, renting can often be more affordable and shifts the burden of repairs to the landlord, freeing up time and energy for other pursuits.

The takeaway? When weighing your options, focus on the quality of life and stability a home can provide. But don’t expect it to carry the same weight as a traditional investment in your portfolio. As always, thoughtful planning is key—whether you’re buying, renting, or investing.

09/22/2026

Simple Ways to Invest in Real Estate
As someone who not only advises clients but is actively involved in the real estate investment world with my wife, I've seen firsthand how approachable real estate investing can be for anyone looking to diversify their portfolio. Options range from rental properties and REIGs to house flipping, REITs, and even crowdfunding. Each has its own balance of potential income, management responsibility, risk, and liquidity. What I appreciate most about these avenues is their ability to generate both ongoing income and capital gains—something we discuss often at Real Freedom REIA and on the Real Freedom Channel podcast. Real estate offers a practical path to financial growth, whether you’re hands-on or prefer a more passive role.

09/21/2026

Is Buying a Home a Good Investment?
As someone who lives and breathes real estate—both as an agent and an active investor—I often get asked if buying a home is truly a smart investment. Looking at the past 80 years, US home prices have appreciated at just under 4% annually, just edging out inflation. By comparison, stocks have historically returned 7-10% a year before inflation, or about 4-6% after. But that's only part of the story. Buying a home means factoring in more than just appreciation: property taxes, insurance, ongoing repairs, improvements, and how local market shifts can affect value all come into play.

That said, a home offers more than numbers on a spreadsheet. It can provide family stability, a sense of belonging, steady schools for your kids, and a form of ‘forced savings’ as you pay down your mortgage. On the flip side, the old idea that ‘rent is throwing money away’ doesn’t always hold up—sometimes renting is actually more affordable and puts the burden of repairs on the landlord.

Bottom line: Let your decision to buy a home be rooted in the lifestyle and stability you want, rather than assuming it’s a guaranteed winning investment. That’s the perspective I bring to my clients and my own investing journey.

Income Approach: What It Is, How It's Calculated, ExampleAs someone who lives and breathes real estate investment, I oft...
09/19/2026

Income Approach: What It Is, How It's Calculated, Example
As someone who lives and breathes real estate investment, I often lean on the income approach when assessing property value. This method centers on dividing a property's net operating income by its capitalization rate—a straightforward formula, but one that packs a punch when you're looking at occupancy, expenses, and how stable the income stream really is. It's interesting how a lower cap rate can boost a property's value, which is why we always take a close look at comparable properties and the condition of each asset before making any decisions. It’s these nuances that make investment analysis both challenging and rewarding.


https://www.roomvu.com/agent-news/james-spence-905090/1966233-Income-Approach%3A-What-It-Is%2C-How-It%27s-Calculated%2C-Example

The Science And Art Of Real Estate InvestingIn my work as both a licensed Texas agent and an active investor alongside m...
09/18/2026

The Science And Art Of Real Estate Investing
In my work as both a licensed Texas agent and an active investor alongside my wife, I’m reminded daily that successful commercial real estate investing is both a science and an art. There’s the analytical side—digging into financials, interpreting market trends, and assessing risks. But just as important are the relationships we build and the experience we bring to every deal. Blending technical know-how with human insight is what helps us spot opportunities that others might miss and position ourselves for long-term growth. This balance is at the heart of what we do at Real Freedom REIA and share on our podcast and in our talks—because real estate isn’t just about numbers, it’s about people and possibilities.


https://www.roomvu.com/agent-news/james-spence-905090/1958256-The-Science-And-Art-Of-Real-Estate-Investing

🏠 Selling a house comes with different costs, and understanding them ahead of time can help you make a more informed dec...
09/18/2026

🏠 Selling a house comes with different costs, and understanding them ahead of time can help you make a more informed decision.

If you're thinking about selling your house in Hurst, TX, explore your options and learn more about the process.

👉 We Buy Houses in Hurst, TX:
https://www.sellmyhousenowtexas.com/we-buy-houses-in-hurst-tx/

Commercial vs. Residential Real Estate Investing: A Comprehensive ComparisonAs someone who invests in both commercial an...
09/17/2026

Commercial vs. Residential Real Estate Investing: A Comprehensive Comparison
As someone who invests in both commercial and residential real estate here in Texas, I often weigh the unique strengths of each. Commercial properties typically come with higher returns and those appealing long-term leases, though they do require more capital and hands-on management. On the other hand, residential investments are more accessible, with lower entry costs and steady demand—although you might see tenants come and go more frequently. In our own portfolio at Real Freedom REIA, we’ve found that a mix of both asset types can help balance risk and reward. It’s all about finding the right blend to support your long-term real estate goals.


https://www.roomvu.com/agent-news/james-spence-905090/1969906-Commercial-vs.-Residential-Real-Estate-Investing%3A-A-Comprehe

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