44. Natural Disasters & Real Estate Investing: How to Protect Your Rental Properties

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when you’re sitting in one of the best buyers markets in years—and you decide not to buy another property?In this episode, Violeta and Lindsay have an honest conversation about what it really means to pause your real estate investing growth, especially when everything around you is telling you to keep buying. Lindsay shares why she decided at the beginning of the year to stop purchasing properties, even with favorable market conditions, and how a recent natural disaster in Gary, Indiana reinforced the importance of having financial reserves and understanding your personal risk tolerance.Throughout the conversation, they discuss what happens when unexpected events affect your rental properties, from severe storms and property damage to displaced tenants, power outages, and expensive repairs. Lindsay shares her experience navigating damage to multiple properties in her portfolio, while Violeta reflects on dealing with flooding at her own properties and the importance of having a reliable property management team and investor network when things go wrong.They also break down the role insurance plays in protecting your investment properties and why having insurance doesn't necessarily mean every repair or loss will be covered. Violeta and Lindsay discuss deductibles, different types of coverage, rental loss coverage, renter's insurance, and why investors need to understand exactly what their policies cover before disaster strikes.One of the biggest lessons from the conversation is the importance of having reserves beyond your HELOC, 401(k), or access to credit. Lindsay explains why constantly deploying every dollar of cash flow into the next deal can leave investors vulnerable when unexpected expenses arise. They also discuss how your approach to deductibles and insurance claims can change as your portfolio grows and you have more cash flow and reserves available to absorb smaller repairs yourself.Violeta and Lindsay then talk about what investors should do when a disaster actually happens, including checking on tenants, assessing property damage, working with property managers, contacting insurance, understanding FEMA resources, and determining which repairs need immediate attention. They emphasize that while you can prepare for many risks, you can't predict everything, and successful investors need to be prepared to become solution makers when unexpected problems arise.The conversation also challenges the idea that real estate investors always need to be growing. Violeta and Lindsay discuss why buying one property every quarter—or following someone else's investment timeline—may not be the right strategy for everyone. Your risk tolerance, financial cushion, portfolio size, cash flow, and personal circumstances should all play a role in deciding when to buy and when to pause.Whether you're building your first rental property, managing a growing portfolio, or wondering if it's okay to slow down your investing goals, this episode offers an honest look at the less glamorous side of real estate investing. Violeta and Lindsay share why stabilizing your portfolio can be just as important as acquiring the next property, and why knowing when to pause can ultimately help you build a stronger and more sustainable business.Before you rush into your next deal, tune in for a real-world conversation about risk tolerance, insurance, emergency reserves, natural disasters, property management, and knowing when it's time to stop buying and start protecting what you've already built.Links Mentioned:Free Latinas in Real Estate CommunityRisk Tolerance EpisodeHow to Calculate Cash Flow EpisodeSupport the showJoin my Latina Real Estate Investors Community (FREE)https://www.skool.com/real-estate-jefas-9075/aboutGet my FREE Real Estate Investing Starter Kit https://moneychisme.kit.com/rei-starter-kitProperty Management made easy with RentRedihttps://app.rentredi.com/signUp/AOK400?utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=referralShareManage Your Funds with BASELANE Bankinghttps://invite.baselane.com/Violeta84614Follow us on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/money_chisme/https://www.instagram.com/lindoesinvesting/Disclaimer:We are not financial advisors. The information contained in this video is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a licensed professional before making any financial decisions. Affiliate links: I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. This helps me provide you with free content, like this podcast! You can read my full disclaimer here: ...