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Real estate investing is a business in which you need to spend money to make money. That's why, as an investor, a credit card is such a valuable financial tool. It's a convenient option if you need real estate financing sources, and in addition to being a convenient payment method, many top credit cards offer plenty of other useful features. To help you find the right card for you, here's our list of the best credit cards for real estate investors.
Great for: 0% intro APR and unlimited cash back
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Purchases: 0% intro APR, 15 months from account opening
Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
Regular APR
20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR
Rewards Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
2% cash rewards
Annual Fee N/A
$0
Welcome Offer Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
$200 cash rewards
This card’s unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases is the highest we’ve seen for a flat-rate rewards card with no annual fee. It also has an incredibly easy-to-earn $200 welcome bonus and a generous intro APR offer. We simply haven’t come across this combination of top perks in one card before. Read Full Review
Great for: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers and unlimited Cashback Match
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months
Regular APR
17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
Rewards Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
1% - 5% Cashback
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer N/A
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
We think this card has among the highest cash back potential for cards with no annual fee. The key is the Unlimited Cashback Match — Discover automatically matches all the cash back new cardholders have earned at the end of the first year. That cash back can seriously add up when you earn 5% cash back on rotating bonus categories (when you activate them, up to the quarterly maximum) and 1% on other purchases. Read Full Review
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Great for: Big welcome bonus
On Chase's Secure Website.
On Chase's Secure Website.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR N/A
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
21.24%-26.24% Variable
Rewards Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases-with no limit to the amount you can earn.
Earn 3 points per $1 in select business categories
Annual Fee N/A
$95
Welcome Offer Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn 100,000 bonus points
This business card gets you access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem, and you'll start with 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points by qualifying for its eye-popping welcome bonus. Earning 3x points per $1 on popular business expenses means you can cover your bills and be generously rewarded in the process. Read Full Review
Lowe's Advantage Card
Great for: Home improvement discounts and financing plans
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 6 months special financing on purchases of $299 or more
Purchases: 6 months special financing
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
28.99%
Rewards 5% off Lowe's purchases or 6 months special financing, or 84 fixed monthly payments with reduced APR financing
5% off Lowe's purchases
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer Get 20% off your purchase today when you open and use a new account now through 1/31/24. Up to a $100 discount. Terms apply.
20% off first purchase
You can get quite a bit of value at Lowe's with this card, but that's also the only place you'll be able to use it.
Home Depot® Credit Card
Great for: Home improvement financing plans and return policy
Fair (300-669)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 6 months on purchases of $299 or more
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
17.99% - 26.99%, variable
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
N/A
The special financing could come in handy for financing home renovation projects and repairs. Outside of extending your home improvement budget, this card doesn't offer many valuable benefits.
American Express Business Gold Card
Great for: No preset spending limit and flexible rewards
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
19.49%-27.49%, variable
Rewards 4 points per $1 in two of the following categories where you spend most: gas, dining, advertising, transit, electronics & wireless ($150,000 annual spending cap). 3 points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com. 1 point per $1 on other purchases
1x - 4x points
Annual Fee
$295
Welcome Offer 70,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership
70,000 Membership Rewards® points
The card brings innovative points-earning flexibility with the option to choose which categories earn 4x points. There is no preset spending limit so your spending is flexible. The inclusion of a nice welcome offer sweetens the pot.
Great for: Mortgage savings
Good (670-850)
Regular APR
20.49% to 30.99%, variable
Rewards Purchases earn points that can be converted to cash at different rates depending on the redemption option: 5% cash back towards closing costs, including down payment, with Rocket Mortgage; 2% cash back towards the principal on a Rocket Mortgage; 1.25% cash back as a statement credit.
1.25%-5% cash back
Annual Fee
$95 (waived for Rocket Mortgage clients)
Welcome Offer Receive a $200 statement credit after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases, which must be made in the first 90 days your account is open.
$200 statement credit
A unique concept for a rewards card, but a mortgage with Rocket is needed to unlock the most value. Read Full Review
When it comes to investing in real estate, having access to funds is crucial. That's where credit cards come in, as they provide a ready source of credit that can be used to finance various aspects of real estate projects. However, not all credit cards are created equal, and not all credit cards are suitable for real estate investors.
There are several reasons a credit card is worth having when investing in real estate:
The most important factors real estate investors should look for in a credit card are purchase rewards and 0% intro APR offers. Both of these perks can help you save money on every real estate investment. Purchase rewards allow you to get value back on all your expenses. 0% intro APR offers give you time to pay off eligible purchases or balance transfers at a 0% annual percentage rate (APR).
There are several other things you can look for as you shop around for the best credit cards for real estate investors. A high or no present spending credit limit gives you more spending power, which can help with cash flow. The credit card you choose should have a reasonable annual fee or no annual fee at all. Bonus opportunities, credit card perks, and purchase protections are also valuable benefits for a real estate investor.
To recap, here are the factors to consider when choosing a card for real estate investing:
Now, let's go over in more detail how each of these factors works and why they matter.
Cards with purchase rewards give you back a percentage of all qualifying purchases. Depending on the type of rewards credit card you have, you can earn cash rewards, travel rewards, or other types of rewards points.
Real estate often involves lots of different expenses, so with the right credit card, you'll have ample opportunities to earn rewards. You generally can't pay your mortgage with a credit card, but everything else is fair game.
A credit card may offer a 0% APR on purchases, balance transfers, or both for a set period of time. This type of offer is helpful when you know that you won't be able to pay your credit card bill in full. For example, if you have a costly remodel on a rental property and need to pay it off over time, a 0% purchase APR lets you do that without interest.
The credit limit is the maximum amount you can spend using your credit card. Since real estate investing can be expensive, a card with a high credit limit is nice to have. You'll be able to spend more without hitting your credit limit.
Some credit cards charge an annual fee, but you can also find plenty of cards without annual fees. If you decide to get a card with an annual fee, make sure the benefits are worth more than what you're paying for the card.
Credit cards often provide bonus opportunities, especially for new cardholders. The most common is a welcome bonus. This is a bonus you can get after opening the credit card, and it usually requires you to spend a certain amount.
For example, a card could offer $500 in cash rewards if you spend $5,000 in the first three months. Bonuses like these are a great way to get money back through your everyday purchases.
Purchase protections are some of the more underappreciated credit card perks. A credit card could offer complimentary insurance covering new eligible purchases against damage or theft. Another popular protection is extended warranty coverage.
Whether your real estate business purchases tools, computer equipment, or any other supplies, purchase protections can cover you if anything goes wrong.
Finally, it's crucial to consider any other benefits or perks that may come with a credit card. For example, some credit cards offer extended warranties, roadside assistance, expense management tools, and complimentary concierge service.
You don't need a business credit card for real estate investing, but there are advantages to getting one. Here are the benefits of opening a small business credit card as a real estate investor:
Although business cards have their advantages, a consumer credit card can also work well. You may find it's best to focus on choosing the card with the benefits you value the most, regardless of whether it's a consumer or business credit card.
If you want to earn competitive cash rewards on your purchases, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is the best choice. It offers an unlimited 2% cash rewards -- the highest, no hassles flat rate we've come across. In addition, new cardholders who spend $1,000 in the first three months will earn a $200 cash rewards welcome offer.
This card has no annual fee, so it won't add extra costs for your business. It also includes a 0% introductory APR for the first 15 months on purchases and balance transfers made within 120 days of account opening (after which the go-to rate of 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR applies), giving you time to pay off large business expenses or refinance credit card debt.
The Discover it® Cash Back gives you plenty of time to pay off purchases and balances you transfer over. You get the best of both balance transfer and cash back worlds with this card.
Plus, for the first year you get an unlimited Cashback Match dollar-for-dollar on all the cash back you've earned. There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match. So you could turn $500 cash back into $1000.
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card offers a welcome bonus of 100,000 points for spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months. Those Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth $1,250 when redeemed for travel through the Chase Travel portal. You can also transfer them to Chase's airline and hotel partners or redeem them for $1,000 in cash back. It's an extremely valuable bonus, especially for a card with a reasonable annual fee.
You can earn even more extra points through this business credit card's bonus categories. The card offers 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 in combined purchases each year across the following categories:
With the Citi Simplicity® Card, you get one of the longest 0% intro APR periods for balance transfers of credit cards we've come across. The 0% intro APR lasts for the first 21 months for balance transfers and 12 months for purchases.
Investing in real estate often involves paying large upfront costs and then paying them off over time. If you need to do that, then this card can save you quite a bit of money. You'll be able to avoid interest charges for a full year and a half. You also won't need to pay anything extra to carry the Citi Simplicity® Card, as it doesn't charge an annual fee.
This content is not provided by the issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of The Ascent alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer.
When your business involves fixing up an investment property or flipping houses, there are usually plenty of trips to home improvement stores for supplies. That's where the Lowe's Advantage Card comes in handy. It's a great value for the store's frequent shoppers.
The Lowe's Advantage Card offers a 5% discount on all your eligible purchases, including both in stores and online. On certain types of purchases, it offers special financing plans with interest rates as low as 0%. When a special financing plan is available, you can choose between getting a 5% discount or taking advantage of the financing offer.
There's no annual fee for the Lowe's Advantage Card. The card issuer is also flexible about who it approves, so you don't need a good credit score for this card.
If you find yourself needing to tackle some home repairs or improvements for your properties, you may be worried about the cost. Fortunately, the Home Depot® Credit Card can help you extend your budget and make your home projects more affordable.
With six months financing on purchases of $299 or more and up to 24 months financing during special promotions, you can break up your expenses into manageable monthly payments without accruing interest. Plus, as a cardmember, you'll have one whole year to make returns, four times longer than if you weren't a cardholder.
The American Express Business Gold Card has no preset spending limit -- instead, the flexible spending limit adapts according to factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history -- and offers bonus rewards to match your spending habits. Every billing cycle, this American Express card earns 4 points per $1 in the two bonus categories on its list where you spend the most ($150,000 annual spending cap, terms apply). That list includes airfare purchases directly from airlines, as well as U.S. purchases in the following categories:
You earn bonus rewards on up to $150,000 in bonus spending per calendar year. All other eligible purchases earn 1 point per $1. This business credit card costs $295 per year for the annual fee (see rates and fees), but the rewards and the card's other perks can make up for that if you have high spending.
Card | Rating | Great For |
---|---|---|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: 0% intro APR and unlimited cash back |
|
2024 Award Winner
|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers and unlimited Cashback Match |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Big welcome bonus |
|
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Home improvement discounts and financing plans |
|
Home Depot® Credit Card
|
Rating image, 3.00 out of 5 stars.
3.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Home improvement financing plans and return policy |
2024 Award Winner
|
Rating image, 4.25 out of 5 stars.
4.25/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: No preset spending limit and flexible rewards |
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Mortgage savings |
Our Credit Cards Experts
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.
For rates and fees for the American Express Business Gold Card, click here
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