Posts Tagged ‘real estate investor’

Buying And Advertising Blogs Explode With Real Estate Investing Paving The Way!

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

The buying and advertising of real estate for rental property has helped millions of customers create a reliable passive earnings, month after month. Savvy investors who have a sharp eye for spotting incredible deals have been able to build up their portfolios (and their bank account) with a helpful genuine estate turn their attention to buying and advertising websites.

The valid estate corporation has created billions of dollars in wealth for clients all over the globe, nevertheless, the market has clearly witnessed some hard times as of late. With the current state of the nation and the unemployment rate stuck at a high rate, more and more buyers are losing their income. Unfortunately, due to loss of income, those same buyers are unable to make mortgage and rent payments on-time

Face the Facts - The Game Is Changing

If you’re a genuine estate investor who is dealing with the current economic crisis, you may feel like you’re drowning. No matter how you look at it, the game is shifting. Valid estate is not as profitable and lucrative as it once was, practically forcing many investors to look for other investment techniques.

Web is the New Playground

Believe it or not, a number of investors are beginning to turn to the net for investment plans. In fact, they are trading in physical real estate for “virtual” real estate (i.e. blogs). Yes… they are Buying and Selling Websites.

How are they doing it? The answer is simple - they are using the same skills they used to spot red-hot genuine estate investments to uncover red-hot money pumping sites!

The concept of buying established sites is similar to investing in genuine estate. With a little practice, finding established websites earning a fair amount of funds is uncomplicated. By snapping up a small portfolio, you’ll be able to let these blogs very nearly run on auto-pilot with very little maintenance required, bringing you passive earnings month after month (much like rental property).

Virtual Genuine Estate is the Future

Purchasing and advertising blogs is the wave of the future. The potential to earn residual earnings year after year is simple, and all it takes is applying similar discipline and tactics to purchasing valid estate.

If you want to take advantage of the growing online market and get your piece of the online virtual valid estate pie, make the shift and start parking your money in a safe-haven - an established portfolio of athletic money pumping blogs. You won’t regret it!

Don’t waste another moment in the black hole - Learn how you can buy Websites and “flip” them for a MASSIVE profit with minimal effort! Visit http://etycoon2.com now to unlock the secrets of internet wealth today!

Real Estate Investment - Cash homes buyers

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

Do you ever notice how all the so called “experts” come out to tell everyone how to fix the economy when it’s having issues? We see it all the time and no what time of real estate investment you’re thinking about making, they supposedly have the right answer. Listen, the economy will do what it will do, and if you want to profit from this arena then you have to find the right cash homes buyers.

Earlier this year many housing markets across the country saw a 60% decline in retail values before the summer. Then the typical occurred. The 2nd and 3rd quarters enjoyed a slight gain in some markets while in others at least a slowdown in falling prices. Now some realtors are so bold as to predict a slow steady rise in home values. Yes, they will have us believe that it will be smooth sailing in the housing market from here on in.

So do you think these guys and gals are really in touch with reality? The first thing you have to think about is the supply and demand factor. It’s really easy to understand and it all starts with the price being predicated on availability. Around the spring of 2007, potential buyers had begun to hold back. The winter brought about over-flated prices, but tended to level off. Once the 2nd quarter came about buyers weren’t worried about all the usual cautionary considerations. Needless to say it was a sobering time for many, and now deflation seems to be the trend if you’re looking for a real estate investment.

Now, traditionally families prefer to move during the school summer break. How many are content to transfer their family’s residence once school is back in? Not most. Hence, there is greater demand during this time and prices are logically driven upwards…….even if only a little.

Recall the federal mandate to banks temporarily holding up the flow of foreclosures hitting the market. This occurred nationwide during this time of greater demand. Where was the supply now? With a sizeable percentage of all listings on the market held back (foreclosures), the falling values across the board would naturally slow if not reverse slightly. And that is exactly what the market experienced. The supply was lower while the demand was higher.

What, then, does this spell for the near future? Well, peak season came to an end and September brought a new flood of foreclosures hitting the streets. The tables had turned once again and now supply grew while demand diminished. The massive number of foreclosure files yet to be processed is an indication of a steady supply from desperate sellers. Thus the trend will likely continue in a downward direction at least till next spring.

Furthermore, the profiles of families in default have evolved from the subprime arena to “A paper” loans to families who could, in fact, stay in their homes but will opt out for financially sound reasons. These are folks who are a bit more sophisticated and may have larger household incomes than the prior group. Many could still make their payments but choose to get out from under the huge debt that the market has dealt them. Many families see a quarter million dollar sink hole (or more) and will choose to short sell the home, wait 2 years and buy the same home for much, much less. Notwithstanding the moral dilemma, many find that it just makes good economic sense.

What it comes down to is there are interesting real estate investment opportunities for cash homes buyers. This is why we purchase homes in the U.S. during these specific market conditions. If you can apply the “supply and demand” scenario, chances are you can make insane profits.

Judson Barrera an active Invesdoor Territory Manager and real estate investment expert. Sell your home fast Get an Immediate Response from an Investor. No Waiting, we Buy Houses NationWide.

Buying A house? 6 Things To Do First!

Monday, July 27th, 2009

Getting into your first house is a scary deal for most of us. terms we dont understand, contracts written in legalese that we cant figure out…and lets not even talk about financing guidlines. Some people wont buy a home just out of the fear of the unknown.

For most of us, buying a house is the largest purchase we will ever make. and of course the first time is by far the hardest. So make sure to take advantage of ALL the home buying information you can.

Be sure to prepare yourself before buying. Here are six steps to follow before buying:

1) Before you start your house search, think carefully about what it will be like to be a homeowner. For most people, home ownership is the American dream and the advantages (tax benefits, sense of home, financial investment) far out weigh any drawbacks.

2) Know your credit. This is the first thing a lender is going to look at. Your FICO score will probably range from 400 on the low end to 850 on the high end…the higher the better. Contact one of the three major credit-reporting agencies to obtain your credit report and make sure it is accurate. If it isn’t, you’ll need to contact the credit agencies to find out how to resolve any issues. You can also work with a credit repair agency, but beware, as there are a lot of scam artists out there, especially online. I would not use anyone unless they were referred to you by someone you trust.

3) Know your finances. A down payment is a big barrier to homeownership. There are, however, many different loans/mortgages out there that offer low down payment options. You should work with a quality mortgage broker or banker to find out what would work best for your situation. And don’t forget the government…a HUD loan is usually a great way to get into your first home also. Again, check with your broker or banker for more specifics.

4) Have your mortgage broker pre-approve you..NOT pre-qualify you. a pre-approval is actually a great out line of what you can spend on the house as well as the intrest rate you will be looking at. The best part is that you have much more leverage when actually shopping. It tells the seller you are already several steps closer to getting them a check from your bank then someone who is “just looking.”

5) Look into down payment assistance programs. While meeting with your mortgage broker or banker, have them look into any down payment assistance programs that may be available. They should have an idea of what would be available to you. There are many programs out there run by counties and cities and other governmental agencies. The trick is to know about them, first, and then to see if you qualify for them.

6) Look into first-time home buyer classes. Many lenders, nonprofits, and Realtors offer home buyer education classes. They are usually 2 to 4 hours long and will walk you through the process of applying for a loan, working with a Realtor, making an offer, going to escrow (closing), and various other responsibilities associated with owning your own home. And realize that whoever is putting on the class is will also try and sell you on their services, which is fine, but you are under no obligation to use them.

By following these six steps you’ll be well on your way to homeownership! Remember, ask lots of questions and make sure you understand exactly what is happening. Always try to get referrals from people you trust. Good luck.

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What To Look For In A “Bargain Property”.

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

Distressed real estate is the diamond in the rough that all RE investors are seeking. HOWEVER, without doing your research you may lose far more then you will gain.

Use a step by step mind set. “Go by the numbers” when reviewing all the areas of the investment that you want to focus on here are a few things to think about and add to your list.

Please Note: The following elements discussed are not listed in any particular order. Nor do they all hold the same value in relation to each other, but they must ALL be considered in their entirety. The property should meet at least one of the criteria, and should have no unjustifiable issues in any one single area.

Here is the list I have used:

WHY THE ASKING PRICE

Price is the first thing and investor sees.

We are all looking for below market value. Buy for a little, sell for a lot. But why are they selling so low? Is it to solve one of the “3 D’s”? (Debt, Death, Divorce)

Are there problems with the property that will cost a small fortune to fix? Out dated plumbing??? Poor electrical wiring? In older houses these problems are VERY common. Dont forget to consider holding costs.

Holding costs are one of the biggest profit killers to investors. Taxes, mortgage, commissions to agents (both selling and buying) gas, and electric…all these things add up…and FAST.

Poor determination of true market value is another obstacle to the successful deal. Market value is essentially a subjective exercise where the true value is not known until someone buys the property.

YOU MUST ANALYZE similar properties in the area. Keep in mind that prices are set at the margins and may reflect the extremes of a particular housing market environment.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS CAN HELP YOU

While price and location are important; don’t discount other profit leveraging tools like the terms of the financing.

In some cases a full price purchase can allow you to leverage the terms to mean a lower interest rate or smaller down payment.

KNOW THE LOCAL MARKET

Experienced real estate investors try to learn everything about the market they are shopping in. Sometimes its the small details that give the property you’re looking at the best chance to appreciate. For example: How close is the nearest church? Is the area family friendly? What is the local crime rate… is it close to good school? Where is the closest Fire/police station? Does the neighborhood have a community watch program? Next factor in the local floor plans that surround your target property. Was the last owner primarily concerned with vacancy rates, so they keep prices low instead of upgrading the property? In contrast, your research shows that particular upgrades like air-conditioning, second bathrooms, or enhanced security allow for both lower vacancies and higher rental rates.

LOCATION IS NO TO BE OVER LOOKED

If your shooting for a long term tenet or residence then location is the second most critical thing to look at…however if you have a chance to turn a good profit for a ugly house in a less than 4 star area…that profit might out shine a nice little bungalow on the beach.

DISTRESSED REAL ESTATE

A familiar area ripe for investment picking is distressed properties or fixer-uppers. Of course these are the houses that need repairs to some degree. And the investor’s job is to discount the costs of these repairs enough so that the profit is still suitable.

Fixer properties are a treasure trove to a savvy investor. If you have a good eye for details and can spot maintance problems you can make a nice return on your investment. Things like a bad roof, poor plumbing or a bad foundation can be very costly to repair. Once you have an idea of what youre looking at for repair cost, do yourself a favor and add a little buffer say 5%…just to be safe.

GET IN A ZONE WITH ZONING

Sooo you want to add a third bedroom and second bathroom huh?? Is it zoned for that? Worst thing in the world to have happen is to find out you could have made a pretty penny profit IF you had know what the land was zoned for. ALWAYS ASK.

These are often bargains because the price is based on current use. So the single unit residential is priced low while the double unit duplex could be sold higher or rented out. Harder to find as developers stay more aware of zoning allowances these days.

Garages converted without permits, Granny flats that get added…etc…etc. These are common examples.

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Real Estate Investing During The Down Turn

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

First let’s establish a few ground rules for this article.

1) The market has had slumps before…and money was still made.

2) Not every deal will fall into a cookie cutter format keep your eyes open…and your mind even more so.

3) Not every tactic or idea works in EVERY state/province. ALWAYS check local laws pertaining to real estate transactions.

Ok..now that we understand the rules…lets move forward.

So the market has taken a big drop this doesn’t mean that you, as a real estate investor/professional, are out of luck. It only means you need to add new tricks and tools to your tool box. (Be warned I use “tool box” a lot.)

Finding and Marketing property

Besides the normal channels of RE agents and brokers (still the best way to find good investments in my opinion) you have a huge amount or resources at your fingertip with the Internet.

You can join website communities for investors, follow blogs, get in on group discussion etc. All of these things can lead to new and interesting deals.

Several of my investments have come to me via a web community of some sort. I also have gotten countless tips from other investors on investments and financing issues. Do not over look the value of belonging to an “investor community website.”

I truly feel that in the future the majority of investing will shift to being web related. Not just in finding investment projects but in doing the research for them as well as the funding process and the marketing/exit strategy as well.

Finance

Everyday we are hearing about how the current market and credit crunch is making getting loans harder for everyone. This is currently a fact. No way around it. The loan process has changed. So what options are left?? The answer is several.

Lease options. Assumable loans. Seller financing. Just to name a few.

The above mentioned will become the big trends in the next couple of years. I am waiting to see the lenders change the loan guidelines in the next few months to “re introduce” the assumable loan. We are already seeing a HUGE trend in short sales. (This was a practice that was used only in limited capacity in the last 10 years by most lenders now it seems like every other distressed listing is a short sale in some cities.)

Do not let the current market conditions scare you in to sitting this investment period out. To the contrary use it to inspire you. Take the time to do the research on finance options look into building a LLC perhaps. Find out about buying real estate with your IRA. Etc, etc.

Read investment the strategies of the big names in investing. Buy books build your investment library. Use the time to educate yourself and above all be creative.

When everyone is running for the hills it is your time to figure out how to buy the valley they just left.

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New To RE Investing?

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

So you decided to get into real estate investing.Good for you! While at first, real estate investing can seem a bit overwhelming, if you pay attention, you will be paid in rewards and dividends for years.

Where to start? Well lets look at a few basic tatics for a new investor.

First things first where to find the information. In the last several years the amount of real estate investment groups has exploded. Find a local one and attend a meeting. And dont be afraid to ask the most basic of questions.

RE investors, are for the most part, a great group of people, from all walks of life. the one thing we all share is our passion for what we do. We discuss tatics and ideas about what to invest in as well as where. We share tips on things that have worked ..and warnings about things that dont.

Before actually buying any investment properties, beginning real estate investors should begin to put their organizations together by outlining a specific business plan. The plan should go over every step in the purchase of a property, from the marketing strategies on through the sale or leasing of a property.

In the beginning it is important to decide what types of properties to focus on. If you wish to buy rental properties, then focus on those. If flipping houses is in your plans, then concentrate on those types of properties. This is important because it allows the new investor to become a specialist within that area. Becoming a specialist leads to fewer costly mistakes.

Ok now comes the fun part. you need to find the people that offer the skills you need to accomplish your plan. Contractors,handy men, sub-contractors etc. Finding the right people to make your team is the hardest part of this game. (I use the same people for the same job on EVERY property I buy)

If you will be working with “fixer-upper” houses, line up a plumber and an electrician, as well as heating and air-conditioning experts. Better yet, find a reliable “handyman” who is capable of doing many of the jobs needed in fixing up houses.

Find a good agent. THis is harder then you might think. You see most agents dont work well with investors. Why? Investors want the agent to do tons of work the normal buyer doesnt. Offers counter offers…spread sheets to show profits and losses..not to mention all the surrounding research on the sales in the area in the last 6-12 months. A good agent will do this. a good agent understand that they may sell you more then one house in a years time..and that means repeat business for the agent.

Time is always a key factor in real estate investing, so always look to ways to “turn” a property in the least amount of time. A property that remains unsold or not rented is eating up profits every day it in your possession. Learn to cut the losses on properties that fail to meet their profit potential.

Every beginning real estate investor will make mistakes that cut into potential profits. It is imperative to recognize these mistakes and correct them before they can cripple the business.

In the end, the investor who runs their business in the most efficient ways will profit, succeed, and grow in real estate investing.

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The 3 Tools EVERY Real Estate Investor Needs

Friday, June 5th, 2009

“Doc what advice can you give me that will help me with investing. What tricks of the trade or inside tidbits can you share with me?? ” My response is normally…”What is in your tool box?” Let me explain what this question means exactly

OK…Hey Doc..what do you mean “Tool Box”. Okay…let me explain it ad tell you the 3 important areas that make it up.

1)In your head tool box: This is all about how your thinking process works when it comes to investing, and more importantly how open minded you are about investing information. Are you willing to think outside the box in order to look at investment opportunities or must the investment fall within a cookie cutter method you having? In your head means you need to read books, articles, partake in discussions, and basically interact with that big grey hunk of goo that is in your skull.

It is the resaults of the information you have taken in about investing.

THINK ABOUT THIS: Every book store has some vast collection of books on real estate investing. You should take the time to add them to your reference library at home. Why? Because if some guru writes a book on RE investing that sits on the national booksellers ten best for 35 weeks…what do you think the chances are some one you will deal with has read that book? If you know what factors some one uses to make a decision…you have a better chance of influencing WHAT THEY DECIDE.

2)Your on-line tool box: Most investors use the web daily. Its a great information source, but most investors also have tunnel vision when they are on the web. we get stuck using a few websites that we think are the best at that will cover all our needs. WRONG answer. This causes a type of blindness I call “INFO INPUT SHUT DOWN”.

How do you avoid the INFO SHUT DOWN…easy…open your tool box to get more tools/ info.

Just go to the free email server of your choice…create a new email address that you will use to collect email updates/newsletters from various websites. then go thru them at your leasure.

Once your on a email list I suggest allowing a few weeks before opting out of it. Just because it doesnt give you the “diamond in the rough” on the first email doesnt mean the newletter your getting is worthless. Newletters to look can originate from RE investment clubs, Blogs, News sites…etc

I ,myself, avoid most ad based emailing lists. however, that doesnt mean that all of them are a waste of time. review a few and decide for yourself if they are worth keeping.

My favorite online tools/sites are the ones that cost me very little to use/buy or better yet are free to me. I love to find good resource sites. ( I admit freely I normally link them to my own) A good web tool is a great thing to find. Im not refering to another mortgage calculator…I mena that online tool your just dying to try out. When you find them…bookmark them.

3) Physical tools. tools we would use in the field. this can be anything from a lap top to a great flashlight for crawling under a house. (I know a ton of investors who get “EYES ON” when it comes to real estate. One of them keeps a jumpsuit in his trunk just incase he needs to dive under a house to check the foundation…by the way…the man is a millionaire several times over and is a very young 64 years old.) These are the tools we need when we need them..I am a huge fan of “dont fail me tools”. Flash lights, a good go by list, circut tester, actualy mortgage calculator…etc.

Thats about it. so go build your toolbox. pdate it often. Use it daily…and happy investing.

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How To Judge An Offer When Your House Is On The Market

Thursday, June 4th, 2009

So you decided to sell your home, you have picked the a real estate agent, and have listed your home. You have held several open houses and got some interest and you have finally received an offer. How do you tell if this is a good offer or not? Of course, your agent will help in that department, but, remember, they are there to sell your home they don’t have any idea what will work for you and your family.

First thing you should look at is the buyer’s financing. Are they able to get a loan or are they just hoping to qualify? The best case scenario would be that they are pre-approved which means that a bank/lender has taken a look at their income, credit, and down payment and has agreed that they would qualify for a certain amount of financing. This is a good indication that the loan will go through. As a seller, you or your agent has the right to contact the bank and make sure the information presented is correct and that the bank has verified income, employment, and down payment funds.

Next,consider if the buyer has put down a substantial down payment. The larger amount, the better for the sale to go through. The more money the seller has invested in the contract, the less likely they will be to back out. If the amount of money put down is not sufficient for your liking, then you have the right to ask for more.

Watch out for special conditions within the contract that you cannot meet or control. For example :If a buyer must sell his home first before purchasing your home.This condition requires you to factor in other questions. Does he have any offers on his home now or any approved buyers? He does have his house listed with an agent, doesn’t he? If there are any clauses that you do not understand, you must clarify them in writing. Be sure you understand every word on the sales contracts…if your not sure of the terms used make sure you ask your agent.

One other thing that you must realize in the real estate contract you will receive is there are dates and deadlines that must be reviewed. There is a certain rhythm for things to happen. For instance, there should be an inspection, appraisal, loan approval, and the closing date. These items should not have excessive time allotted to each by the buyer. For example, the closing date must allow time for the bank process to be completed including the underwriting, appraisal, and paperwork. The inspection date should be close to the contract date to allow time for any problems to be resolved quickly by the seller so the contract can be completed.

Any of the above mentioned items can void your contract. Be sure you understand all that is being asked of you, make sure the terms listed and set in all the documents make sense to you, before you complete the sale.

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Where to look for foreclosures

Thursday, May 14th, 2009

In a down real estate market, finding foreclosed homes is easy, but to make your search easier, here is the list of the places where you can find foreclosures.

Auctions

Auction companies hold a inventory of properties, sometimes selling as much as 100 homes or more in just 1 day. Since the bidding is relatively quick and houses can be sold in a matter of seconds, prices of real estate can go over the board but you can find really good properties in their inventory.

Bank Web sites

Most major banks maintain a list of foreclosed properties that they now own. Visit bank web sites and check out the foreclosed properties listing.

Online foreclosure companies

There are a few companies online that specialize in selling foreclosed homes. A small,one-time membership fee is charged to anyone who wishes to access the list of foreclosed properties. Once you join you will normally have access to a list of property from across the nation.

Buyers agents/Real Estate Agents

These agents are either maintaining personal web sites or are under real estate companies that sell foreclosed properties. You can search them online or browse through yellow page listings. Major cities have real estate offices where you can inquire into possibility of acquiring foreclosures.

Real Estate Signs

You don’t need to look anywhere else because you can find foreclosure signs around your neighborhood.These signs contain address and contact information of the agents you can visit or call. The best thing about considering homes with real estate signs is that you can actually check the condition of the house on-site. Nothing is stoping you from walking the property to take a look to see if it is worth looking into. And with one phone call, you can arrange with the agent the date when you want to see the interior of the house.

Government Agencies

Department of the Treasury and other government agencies have a list of real estate properties for sale. Usually, when buying a house from these agencies, you are required to acquire the services of a real estate broker or personally submit an offer. Go to any of the government agencies web sites for more information.

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Foreclosure:Working with your lender to avoid it.

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

If your home is on the verge of foreclosure or you fear the chance of it, you certainly will do any possible means to save it. But the problem is how you will do it? The first step, is going to your lender and asking for help. DO NOT OVER LOOK THIS OPTION!

For some, contacting your lender at the first sign of financial problems seems to be not so good of an idea. It may be because you are embarrassed to discuss money issues to others or you simply don’t see the need to inform your lender right away of your present financial standing. But the truth is, asking for your lender’s help will save you a lot of trouble and it will could help you save your home.

People often have the perception that lenders, like banks, think only of themselves and don’t care about the future of the borrowers. This leads to the common notion that lenders show no mercy to homeowners who have defaulted on payments and will take the homes when the very first window of opportunity opens. The truth is lenders like owners will do everything they can to avoid home foreclosures.

If you miss payments for 3 consecutive months normally the lenders usually send a Notice of Default. However if you know your in trouble DO NOT wait until you get the notice to take action. Call your lender as soon as possible. Inform them of your reason of default on a payment and ask for an alternative payment schedule or temporary lower rates until your finances have recovered. You can also ask for Forbearance where your lender waives some of the penalty fees as a result of default or a mortgage refinance without going through the process of re-application. Mortgage lenders are more than willing to help you to avoid repossessing your home.

Talk to your lender, inform them of the situation, and ask for payment alternatives. Don’t wait too long before you make a move to save your home. Act fast. Understand the gravity of the situation and do something. It is your obligation to pay your mortgage but when worst comes to worst, your lender will help you keep your home. This is more true during economic downturn.

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