The “Go See Ed” Philosophy:
Why You Need a CPA Who Is Also a Real Estate Investor
When it comes to real estate investing, having the right CPA can be the difference between building long-term wealth and overpaying in taxes year after year. If your CPA understands tax law but doesn’t understand real estate investing in practice, you may be missing major opportunities. That’s where the “Go See Ed” philosophy comes in. Let’s break it down step by step.
What Is the “Go See Ed” Philosophy?
The “Go See Ed” philosophy is a simple idea: when it comes to real estate taxes and strategy, work with a CPA who has real-world investing experience. Real estate tax planning isn’t just about filing a return—it’s about making smart decisions before you buy, sell, refinance, or exchange a property.
A CPA who is also a real estate investor understands how deals actually work, not just how they look on paper.
Working With a Traditional CPA
Many traditional CPAs are excellent at tax compliance, but real estate investing requires proactive planning.
With a traditional CPA, you may experience:
- Advice given after the deal is already done
- Limited guidance on structuring entities
- Missed opportunities for depreciation and cost segregation
- Little discussion about long-term exit strategies
The result is often higher taxes—not because rules were broken, but because strategy was never discussed early enough.
Working With a CPA Who Is Also a Real Estate Investor
A CPA-investor approaches your situation differently. They think like an owner, not just a preparer.
They understand:
- How depreciation impacts cash flow versus taxable income
- When cost segregation actually makes sense
- How refinancing affects future tax deductions
- How entity structure impacts long-term portfolio growth
Because they’ve invested themselves, they know which strategies work in real life—and which ones create problems later.
Example Scenario
Imagine two investors who each purchase a $1 million rental property.
Investor A works with a traditional CPA. The CPA depreciates the property using a standard approach and files the return after the year ends.
Investor B works with a CPA who is also a real estate investor. Before closing, the CPA recommends proper entity structuring and evaluates whether cost segregation makes sense.
Over five years, Investor B saves tens of thousands of dollars in taxes and improves cash flow—using money that Investor A unknowingly left on the table.
Why Planning Before the Deal Matters
The biggest tax advantages in real estate happen before the transaction, not after.
A CPA-investor will ask:
- Should this property be held personally or in an entity?
- Does this deal support short-term cash flow or long-term tax efficiency?
- What is the exit strategy, and how do we plan for it now?
- How will this decision impact future acquisitions?
These conversations don’t happen during tax season—they happen during planning.
Why This Matters
Take Mike, a real estate investor who was buying his third rental property. By working with a CPA who was also an investor, he restructured his ownership, optimized depreciation, and planned for future exchanges. As a result, he significantly reduced his tax liability and accelerated his portfolio growth.
That’s the power of working with someone who understands both sides of the equation.
Conclusion
The “Go See Ed” philosophy is about more than taxes—it’s about strategy. Real estate is a long-term game, and your CPA should understand that. When your CPA is also a real estate investor, your tax planning becomes proactive, intentional, and aligned with your financial goals.
If you’re serious about building wealth through real estate, don’t just ask if your CPA can file your return. Ask whether they understand the real-world decisions that shape your future.
If you want help with real estate tax planning, entity structuring, or long-term strategy, contact Guerrero CPA at 210-490-7100. Our team understands real estate investing from both the tax and ownership perspective—and we’re here to help you keep more of what you earn.
FAQ
The “Go See Ed” philosophy emphasizes working with a CPA who has real-world real estate investing experience. It focuses on proactive tax planning before buying, selling, or refinancing a property, rather than reacting after the transaction is complete.
A CPA who invests in real estate understands how deals actually work, including cash flow, financing, depreciation, and exit strategies. This allows them to provide strategic advice that helps investors reduce taxes and avoid costly mistakes.
Ideally, investors should consult a CPA before purchasing, selling, refinancing, or restructuring a property. Early planning allows the CPA to recommend the right entity structure, depreciation strategy, and long-term tax approach.
Yes. A CPA who specializes in real estate can identify opportunities such as depreciation optimization, cost segregation, and tax-efficient exit strategies that may significantly reduce your overall tax burden.
No. This approach benefits investors at all levels—from first-time rental owners to large portfolio holders. Even small decisions early on can have a major impact on long-term taxes and wealth building.