Real Estate Investing for CRNAs: Where to Start and What to Avoid
As a CRNA, your earning potential gives you unique opportunities to build wealth beyond your clinical work. One of the most popular avenues for that wealth building? Real estate investing.
Real estate can provide:
Long-term appreciation
Passive (or semi-passive) income
Tax advantages
Portfolio diversification
But while the rewards can be significant, so can the risks—especially if you jump in without a plan. At CBFC, we help CRNAs use their strong income to build strategic, profitable real estate portfolios without falling into the traps that derail many new investors.
Here’s where to start—and what to avoid—if you’re considering adding real estate to your investment strategy.
Step 1: Clarify Your Real Estate Investing Goals
Before you look at properties, you need to know why you want to invest in real estate. Are you aiming for:
Cash flow to supplement your CRNA income?
Appreciation over decades for long-term wealth?
Tax advantages like depreciation and 1031 exchanges?
A future home or retirement property?
Your goals will shape the type of property you choose, the financing you use, and how active you’ll be as an investor.
Step 2: Understand the Main Investment Options
1. Long-Term Rentals
Pros: Steady monthly income, tenants often stay for years, easier to manage remotely.
Cons: Lower monthly cash flow compared to short-term rentals, potential vacancies.
Best For: Investors seeking consistent income and lower day-to-day involvement.
2. Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb/VRBO)
Pros: Higher nightly rates, potential for strong cash flow.
Cons: Higher turnover, more management required, local regulations can limit use.
Best For: CRNAs with a high-demand property location and willingness to manage or hire a property manager.
3. Real Estate Syndications or REITs
Pros: Completely passive, professionally managed, lower time commitment.
Cons: Less control over investments, limited liquidity.
Best For: Busy CRNAs who want exposure to real estate without direct ownership responsibilities.
4. House Hacking
Pros: Live in one unit, rent out others to offset your mortgage.
Cons: Sharing space with tenants, less passive than other models.
Best For: Newer investors or those looking to reduce living expenses while building equity.
Step 3: Run the Numbers Before You Buy
A common mistake new investors make is falling in love with a property without verifying it’s profitable.
When analyzing a property, account for:
Mortgage payment
Property taxes
Insurance
Maintenance and repairs
Vacancy periods
Management fees (if hiring a property manager)
A general rule for rentals: Aim for a property where monthly rent is 1% of the purchase price and net cash flow is still positive after expenses.
Step 4: Know the Tax Advantages (and Rules)
Real estate offers powerful tax benefits for CRNAs, including:
Depreciation to offset taxable rental income
1031 exchanges to defer capital gains tax when selling and reinvesting
Deductible expenses for property management, travel, and repairs
But there are rules to follow—especially if you want to use losses to offset your CRNA income. The IRS has specific guidelines for what counts as “active participation” in rental properties.
At CBFC, we help CRNAs navigate these rules so you can maximize benefits without creating audit risk.
Step 5: Build Your Team Before You Buy
Successful investors have a network, including:
Real estate agent experienced in investment properties
Lender familiar with investor financing
Property manager (if you don’t want to be hands-on)
CPA/tax strategist who understands real estate and CRNA income
Attorney for contracts, entity setup, and liability protection
What to Avoid as a CRNA Real Estate Investor
❌ Overleveraging Your Income
Your CRNA salary may qualify you for large loans—but that doesn’t mean you should take on more debt than the property can support. Always base decisions on the property’s ability to generate income, not just your paycheck.
❌ Ignoring Location Regulations
Short-term rental markets can change overnight due to city ordinances. Research local laws before buying to avoid being stuck with a property you can’t use as planned.
❌ Underestimating Expenses
New investors often forget about ongoing costs like HOA fees, landscaping, and capital expenditures (roof replacement, HVAC). Underestimating can turn a “profitable” property into a money drain.
❌ Buying Without a Clear Exit Strategy
Will you hold for cash flow, sell after appreciation, or convert a short-term rental to a long-term rental in the future? Know your plan before you buy.
❌ Trying to Self-Manage Without Time or Experience
As a CRNA, your time is valuable. If you don’t want middle-of-the-night repair calls or tenant issues, factor in the cost of a property manager from the start.
The CBFC Advantage for CRNAs Investing in Real Estate
We help CRNAs:
Determine how much of their portfolio should be in real estate
Structure investments to protect assets and reduce taxes
Analyze deals for profitability before buying
Integrate real estate income with their overall financial plan
Because your CRNA income is both a blessing and a responsibility, we focus on building wealth without creating unnecessary risk.
Final Thoughts
Real estate can be a powerful tool for CRNAs looking to diversify income, build long-term wealth, and create financial freedom. But like any investment, it requires planning, research, and a clear strategy.
If you approach it with the same precision you bring to your clinical work, you can turn your CRNA income into an engine for lasting financial success.
Ready to explore real estate investing as part of your financial plan?
Schedule a consultation with CBFC and let’s build a strategy that aligns your income, goals, and lifestyle.
