This is a very common question that many investors have. There are no hard and fast rules because everyone’s legal and accounting situation is completely different and it is not possible to give absolute answers but here are some tips which should help.

Very generally speaking you may choose to buy your first one, two or even three properties in your personal name and then decide to incorporate after that point. Keep it simple and manageable. Your final answer is to bring your accountant, legal advisor, insurance broker and banker to the table and take a consensus based on what the majority say, not necessarily everyone. Multifamily properties over 6-8 units should be kept in a corporation for liability protection.

If you must transfer ownership, please note that any transactions between your personal name and a corporation must be done at fair market value of the property.  An appraisal would be required for this.