Real Estate Investing Guide:Real Deal Killers

There’s a lot of deal killers that you’ve got to keep your eyes peeled for or else you’ll say “another deal down the tubes.” Some of these deal killers can include attorneys, realtors, and other investors.

However, I’m not going to touch those in this article. I want to go over one of the deal killers I see many investors making that have no clue there making… Talking numbers to quick.

The fact is you’ll dig yourself an early grave as investor by going in for the kill to early by talking about the house numbers. More often than not, investors talk money to quickly when meeting with sellers. And as a result, the seller’s door will shut, while the investor may never get the second opportunity.

So, you wanna increase your profits and the likelihood of getting an offer accepted?

Then get the motivated seller to like you first. When they like you, they’ll feel they can relate to you and a certain level of trust is earned and thus your chances of getting the deal closed just drastically increased.

Use the phone as much as possible to collect enough data to see if the deal is worthwhile, but when you meet in person, it’s better to get to know the seller and find a common ground before you ever talk about the house and the house numbers.

It’s better to back away from the money issue all together and build a strong rapport right from the gate. A couple of years ago, I was assisting a knucklehead investor in another market that was looking at a deal that had about $40K in equity. He’d met with the owners and got nowhere, so he called me to see if I’d meet with them for a percentage of the deal.

At the time, I had a few deals in the works in this area myself, so I agreed. He’d met with these people already and they’d talked by phone on several occasions but he couldn’t land the deal. I spent a little over an hour and learned more in that hour than he knew after three or four meetings. I took an interest in them by listening to their family history, how many kids they had, and yes I walked away with the deed. They did the deal because they trusted me because I invested in them first.

Make sense?

This is so simple to do, yet often overlooked. I know you can pull this off, so listen up.

Look for items that you can make small conversation with to build a level of rapport. Here’s a brief list:

- Awards on wall - Vehicles in Drive - Children pictures on wall - Diplomas displayed on wall - Artwork

It’s literally amazing how much you can learn by just looking at the walls and walking up the driveway. When walking up to the door, pay close attention to the gutters, the way front door looks, the mailbox, and the landscaping. Does it look overgrown, does it look in need of repairs. If so, the seller could be facing some financial hardships. Just be aware of what’s going on by observing what you see with your own two eyes. This alone could open the door for you conversationally plus let you know what type of situation the seller may be in.

About the Author

Derek Pierce is a full time real estate investor that got his start investing in real estate when he bought his first property in September of 2000. Now, he reveals the real estate investing secrets he swears by at http://www.thereisecrets.com

Real Estate Investing - Finding And Working With The Right Realtor

My Realtor isn’t speaking to me. No, I don’t think I’ve done anything to offend him, but he probably wouldn’t tell me if I had. I am pretty sure I don’t owe him any money either. And before you ask, he does have the ability to speak. He just doesn’t have the desire. So what’s the problem, you ask?

The truth is there is no problem, because my Realtor never speaks to me. Well, perhaps “never” is the wrong word. Rarely is more like it. He just happens to be a man of few words, and our communication (if you can call it that) almost never exceeds 15 words total.

For example, my cell phone rang yesterday and I saw it was my Realtor.

Me: “Hello.”

Him: “Hi. Did you get the key?”

Me: “Yup.”

Him: “O.K., bye.”

Me: “Bye.”

What’s that, like, eleven words, twelve if you count “O.K.” as two, which is a stretch? The thing is, we both like it that way. This is one of the main reasons I choose to work with him. We both share the idea that business communication doesn’t have to be filled up with a lot of small talk or chit chat. We both feel like we get more done that way.

I’m not saying this is the only right way, but it is my way, and that’s one of the things I look for in my team members, especially my Realtor. It also illustrates an important point about choosing a Realtor to help you in your Real Estate Investing business. Choose someone you will enjoy working with, and who will complement the way you operate.

If I tried to work with a “Chatty Cathy” or “Gregarious Greg” it wouldn’t last for long. We would drive each other nuts. Life is too short for that. So I look for people who have a style similar to my own. I recommend that you do the same.

What Makes A Great Investor’s Realtor?

Here are a few other things to consider when looking for a Realtor.

One. What type of Real Estate do they specialize in? You are looking for a Realtor with a lot of experience working with investors and investment property, not primarily residential homebuyers. You and I, as investors, have vastly different priorities and concerns than people looking for a place to live. Your Realtor needs to thoroughly understand the difference. Some Realtors don’t enjoy working with investors. Mine does, and yours had better.

Two. Do they handle a lot of foreclosure listings? In many areas, the majority of the foreclosure listings are handled by just one or two offices. That’s the case in my town, and my Realtor works for one of those offices. His agency handles about 45% of all the foreclosures in my city.

I’m sure you can guess what that means! Not only do I see those listings first, but I get all kinds of insider information and tips when I place my offers. Not illegal or unethical information, but market insights and competitive intelligence that I wouldn’t get from anyone else, because they aren’t in a position to know. Often, this has made the difference between getting a deal and missing out.

But How Do I Find One?

Start by looking for the one or two agencies in your area that handle the most foreclosures, and then meet and talk to the Realtors in that office. You’ll quickly find the agents that know and enjoy Investment Real Estate. From there it’s just a matter of getting to know the one who will be able to work with you, and who will give you what you need.

It’s important to remember that you have a part to play in the success of your relationship. Even though you’re the customer, any Realtor with the experience you’re looking for will also expect a few things from you, and you should be prepared. During the interview process, be sure to let the Realtor know that you will be willing to do a few thing that will make his or her life easier.

The first thing is respect, especially for his or her time. These are busy professionals, and they simply do not have time to hold your hand and drag you all over town looking at property. After all, you’re going to be looking at a lot of houses, but buying only a small percentage of them. So tell your Realtor right upfront that you won’t expect them to take you through each and every house.

All you really need them to do is provide you with the listings in your target neighborhoods, get you access to houses occasionally that you can’t get into on your own, pull comps, and submit your offers. Once they understand this, most Realtors who know Investment Real Estate will be happy to work with you.

The second thing you should do is make sure your Realtor gets paid. You may be thinking, what about the commissions? Well, often in my investing business I am looking at tons of houses but not finding anything to buy. It seems to go in streaks. Even when I’m not buying, my Realtor is still doing the same amount of work for me, but getting nothing in return. To keep him happy, I will hand him a check every now and then. Nothing major, just a token to let him know I appreciate his efforts.

I’ve been laughed at by other investors because I do this. Maybe they think I’m a sucker- I’m not sure. One thing I am sure of is that my Realtor has a very few investors at the top of his mind when a really good deal becomes available. Can you guess who one of those few people is? If you want to be remembered for all the right reasons, show your Realtor- and all of your valued team members- a little tangible appreciation from time to time

Speaking of appreciation, you should personally demonstrate yours to your Realtor at least once a year. Why not take him or her and their spouse out for a nice meal? No, I don’t mean a Chicken Wrap down at the Sonic. I mean you should really spring for a nice meal at a fine restaurant. Spend a couple of hundred bucks, and don’t skimp on the wine and dessert. Let them know that what they do for you all year matters, and you consider them a very valuable resource. Trust me, they will never forget.

Third, and in my mind most important, you should follow through on all your commitments. Tell the Realtor that you won’t make offers on properties if you don’t fully intend to close- no matter what! I know investors that get offers accepted all the time, thinking to themselves, ‘If I have to back out, it’s no big deal.’ It may be no big deal to them, but to the Realtor, and other parties to the transaction, it’s a very big deal. These folks have long memories, and they don’t soon forget someone who chronically wastes their time. Apart from the purely ethical considerations, you should follow though on every commitment you make. After all, it’s your reputation on the line. At the end of the day, your reputation is really all you’ve got, isn’t it?

Now that you know what to look for in a Realtor, and how to go about finding one, I’ll expect to hear from you soon. Share your stories with me and I’ll choose the best to create a new DealFile, featuring you!

Now, go make more offers!

Removing The Guesswork From Real Estate Investing

Investing in real estate can be a hard investment to break into properly without a fair amount of research into the market itself. That being said, the time spend educating yourself on the current and past trends in real estate will surely be time well spent. Real estate has consistently shown itself to be one of the most stable and profitable of ventures available to the average investor. Initially there is a lot of guesswork involved with the process of investing in real estate. These include such things as where to invest, should you flip or be a landlord, and how to go about the financing that will undoubtedly ensue?

The best way to pursue this endeavor is to systematically remove the guesswork and replace it with solid facts and informed decisions. The first question is where should you invest? In real estate there is little that is more important than location. If you are thinking about a long term investment then you will want to carefully consider the location of the property before buying. Make sure that your property is within close proximity of schools, shopping, business and any other necessary amenities. Also make sure that any planned changes to these things is taken into account. Make sure that your investment is located in a secure and growing area so that it will be a profitable investment for years to come.

Now comes one of of the big questions. Will you flip the property or do you have what it takes to be a landlord? This decision will factor largely into the the kind of property you choose. Flipping real estate can bring in a nice profit quickly if you are willing to spend some money on renovations or upgrades. On the other hand, being a landlord can bring in a secure monthly income and add to your equity. The choice is yours.

With your financing, just make sure that you deal with a financial professional that specializes in the world of investments. This is crucial as there are many different considerations when investing as opposed to buying for your own residential purposes.

Real Estate Investing Tip - Three Things That You Need To Know To Succeed

Three things that you need to know to succeed

Are you new to the world of real estate investing? There are many key points involved in real estate investment that can help you make your deals more profitable. Real estate investing is all about facing the challenges and pitfalls you may encounter along the ways. If you are new to this venture there is definitely a lot to learn. Once you have groomed yourself and have gained some experience, you can become the master of the art and can surely make more profits.

Here are some useful Real estate investing tips

1. Selecting a right location:

Selecting a right location is very important to achieve success in your real estate investment deals. The better the location, the better the chances that the value of your property will increase over time. It would be advisable to select a location where the demand for the property is high and the property prices are always rising. You need to consider many prospects before selecting a location for your real estate. One of the key points you have to consider is about the major developments that are planned for the area in the future.

2. Pay Market Value:

Never pay more for a property than what it is worth. It is very important to access the market value of a property before you actually consider buying it. Buying a property in a good location can be a good option as you can expect the value to double every 7 to 10 years. You can also ask an agent on information on price growth in a suburb.

3. Attracting tenants:

One of the most important point you need to consider while buying a property is whether it will attract tenants or not. It would be advisable to buy a property in an attractive location where other people wants to live as tenants. You need to put yourself in the tenant’s position as to what they will consider buying from you. You need to work out on certain points to attract tenants this includes good access to transportation, education facilities, health, community facilities and adequate parking.

Copyright ? 2006 Joel Teo. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Joel Teo writes on arizona estate goodyear investment real . Learn more about Property Investment by signing up for his free Property Investment Ezine

Real Estate Investing: Flipping Properties

A lot of people these days are preaching about the buying and holding method of gaining wealth with real estate. There indeed may come a time in your life or business when you?ll want to hang on to a piece of property, although you?ll only be interested in keeping certain types of property. If you?re just starting out, flipping a house may be an ideal way to get started.

Basically, there are three ways that you can flip a house, although each one has its own terms, motivation, and type of property. The first method is known as retailing. What this means, is that you buy a house in bad shape, do the repairs to fix it up, then turn around and sell it. There are a variety of houses in need of repairs out there, and several ways that you can quickly flip a house to net profit. All you need to know are the techniques that will get you the most money in the least amount of time.

The second way you can flip a house is though wholesaling. Wholesaling involves finding a home for sale then flipping it to an investor for a fast, yet small profit. To do this, you?ll need to know the real estate investors in your area, the types of homes that flip the best, and how to fund your property so you can flip it to them. If you live in a big area or a city, you?ll find that using the wholesaling method of flipping houses is actually easier to accomplish.

The third way to flip a house is by assigning the purchase. Using this method, you?ll commit to buy the house. Instead of closing the deal yourself, you?ll assign it to a real estate investor - of course for a small fee. The investor will take the contract over and close the purchase themselves - flipping the house. This can be very profitable, especially if you invest in the right home. You don?t need to have your contract worded any special way to be legal, although you will need to determine the assignment fee.

If you?re looking to break into the real estate market and make big bucks, you?ll need to learn all about flipping houses. Flipping houses is very profitable, especially once you have learned the basics. The first and third methods are the best, although they will both take quite a bit of work on your part. Restoring homes isn?t easy, and you?ll need to have a team qualified to handle any repairs. Assigning the purchase may be difficult when you first start out, although it will get easier with time. If you stay at it and do your best to make a profit - you?ll be an expert at flipping homes in no time at all.

About the Author:

Mark Estates writes for multiple real estate and foreclosure investing porgrams such as SharkBaitSoftware.com.

5 Minute Guide to Real Estate Investing for Beginners

One of the best ways to make money is to invest in real estate. There are risks, but of all the risks in investing real estate has some of the lowest. Of course, beginners need to know a lot of information before beginning in order to protect themselves as well as their interests. A real estate investing program or a real estate investing seminar are two great suggestions for beginners interested in real estate investing.

Of all the important things for real estate investors to know, most importantly beginners, is that if you don?t know real estate law as well as the rules and regulations that accompany it then you may be putting your investment at risk. In order to avoid this you need to learn as much as possible about real estate law so there is no problem and you don?t risk your investment simply out of ignorance. Once you are aware of real estate law and the market as a whole then you will be ready to move onto the next step.

The first tip is to know the current market price for any piece of real estate you are considering. Don?t take the seller?s word for it but instead find an appraiser or use your own knowledge to come up with a price for the real estate. When you know what the selling price is and the current market value then you will have a better chance at getting a deal. You want to always know more than the seller so that you can negotiate so that you end up with a bargain. Buying bargain real estate is one of the best ways to make money and if you can find a seller willing to sell for less than 20% of the market value then you should definitely buy.

Another suggestion is to simply buy real estate that has hidden potential that could easily be unlocked to increase the value of the real estate. Whatever the hidden potential is it must be capitalized on and increase the value of the home by at least 20% for it to payoff. Make sure you do this within six month?s of purchasing the real estate.

If you follow these basics then you should have no problem getting started and making money with real estate investing. Keep in mind that it does take time and hard work to make it pay off but it will in the long run.

Real Estate Investing Tip - Three Things That You Need To Know To Succeed

Three things that you need to know to succeed

Are you new to the world of real estate investing? There are many key points involved in real estate investment that can help you make your deals more profitable. Real estate investing is all about facing the challenges and pitfalls you may encounter along the ways. If you are new to this venture there is definitely a lot to learn. Once you have groomed yourself and have gained some experience, you can become the master of the art and can surely make more profits.

Here are some useful Real estate investing tips

1. Selecting a right location:

Selecting a right location is very important to achieve success in your real estate investment deals. The better the location, the better the chances that the value of your property will increase over time. It would be advisable to select a location where the demand for the property is high and the property prices are always rising. You need to consider many prospects before selecting a location for your real estate. One of the key points you have to consider is about the major developments that are planned for the area in the future.

2. Pay Market Value:

Never pay more for a property than what it is worth. It is very important to access the market value of a property before you actually consider buying it. Buying a property in a good location can be a good option as you can expect the value to double every 7 to 10 years. You can also ask an agent on information on price growth in a suburb.

3. Attracting tenants:

One of the most important point you need to consider while buying a property is whether it will attract tenants or not. It would be advisable to buy a property in an attractive location where other people wants to live as tenants. You need to put yourself in the tenant’s position as to what they will consider buying from you. You need to work out on certain points to attract tenants this includes good access to transportation, education facilities, health, community facilities and adequate parking.

Copyright ? 2006 Joel Teo. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Joel Teo writes on arizona estate goodyear investment real . Learn more about Property Investment by signing up for his free Property Investment Ezine

Real Estate Investing - Making A Profit Out Of Government Foreclosed Homes

There are many ways of making money. Some work for a living while others have decided to open a business. If there is a lot of cash lying around, some suggest investing it is the best way to go which is much better than relying on the interest rate provided by the bank.

One good example is investing in real estate. Those who can’t afford to buy lots to have condominiums or townhouses erected can get involved in the buying and selling of homes. The best place to get these properties cheap is through government foreclosed real estate investing.

These properties are foreclosed because the previous developer or owner was not able to pay the remaining monthly dues. This is then placed under the ownership of the government under the Department of Housing and Urban Development until such time that someone is able to buy it.

Those who see the potential of the property should go to the nearest Housing and Development Office to fill out the necessary forms. The most important thing the government representative will look at is how much the potential buyer is willing to offer.

If this is awarded to the person, the only thing to do now is negotiate the payment terms. Some are able to finish this off in three to five years to be able to receive the deed for the property.

The best way to make a profit out of government-foreclosed homes is to make the necessary repairs. This is because no one will want to buy a house that has cracks, leaks or any other problems.

Is government foreclosed real estate investing profitable? The answer is also yes. The entrepreneur will just have to wait a few years until the market has made the price go up so money is made when the person decides to sell this to a potential buyer.

Those who have never done this before should start small and then see how this turns out. If the first house was successful, perhaps it is time to invest in a few more.

Investing in government-foreclosed homes won’t be easy. This is because the entrepreneur will also be competing with others that are doing the same thing. It is best to be patient because there are other nice prospective out there that can be bought and sold.

Real Estate Investing Tip - Three Things That You Need To Know To Succeed

Three things that you need to know to succeed

Are you new to the world of real estate investing? There are many key points involved in real estate investment that can help you make your deals more profitable. Real estate investing is all about facing the challenges and pitfalls you may encounter along the ways. If you are new to this venture there is definitely a lot to learn. Once you have groomed yourself and have gained some experience, you can become the master of the art and can surely make more profits.

Here are some useful Real estate investing tips

1. Selecting a right location:

Selecting a right location is very important to achieve success in your real estate investment deals. The better the location, the better the chances that the value of your property will increase over time. It would be advisable to select a location where the demand for the property is high and the property prices are always rising. You need to consider many prospects before selecting a location for your real estate. One of the key points you have to consider is about the major developments that are planned for the area in the future.

2. Pay Market Value:

Never pay more for a property than what it is worth. It is very important to access the market value of a property before you actually consider buying it. Buying a property in a good location can be a good option as you can expect the value to double every 7 to 10 years. You can also ask an agent on information on price growth in a suburb.

3. Attracting tenants:

One of the most important point you need to consider while buying a property is whether it will attract tenants or not. It would be advisable to buy a property in an attractive location where other people wants to live as tenants. You need to put yourself in the tenant’s position as to what they will consider buying from you. You need to work out on certain points to attract tenants this includes good access to transportation, education facilities, health, community facilities and adequate parking.

Copyright ? 2006 Joel Teo. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Joel Teo writes on arizona estate goodyear investment real . Learn more about Property Investment by signing up for his free Property Investment Ezine

Tips For Successful Real Estate Foreclosure Investing

If you are interested in the real estate industry you may want to consider foreclosures.

Even though this industry has fallen off a bit, it is still a great way to make money.

The most important thing to remember about foreclosure investing is that there are many details to consider. Not only will you need to become familiar with your own situation, but you will also need to know a lot about the foreclosure industry in your area.

But with that being said, foreclosure investing is not a difficult thing to do. If you become familiar with all of the small details you can be a success in no time at all.

The first thing you need to know about foreclosure investing is how it works. Generally speaking, a foreclosure is a property that the bank owns due to the fact that the owner of the property neglected to pay his or her mortgage.

In turn, the bank owns these properties and is forced to sell them back to the public in order to recover the money that they lost. And to go along with this, the bank usually attempts to sell foreclosures quickly because they are not making any money by holding onto them. All of this works out to the advantage of a foreclosure investor.

Getting started with foreclosure investing is quite easy. Now that you know what foreclosure investing is you need to know where to find the properties.

There are several ways that you can do this, and you should look into each option so that you get the best selection possible. Search the newspaper and online and you should not have any problems finding foreclosures to invest in.

When you are finally ready to buy a foreclosure property you will need to become familiar with the steps necessary in your area. Buying foreclosures is different for each county. Some of them have foreclosure auctions once a week, whereas others only have them once a week. It really depends on where you live, and how your county operates.

Overall, foreclosure investing can be a great way to make money. You may have to learn a bit about the industry before starting, but after you are comfortable with what is going on you should be well on your way to success and when you finally begin to realize what foreclosure investing can do for you, you will then be able to make the most out of every transaction.

About the Author:

Claim a free e-book that will show you a system used to control $4.1million worth of real estate for just $22 - and you can follow this system to do the same. Comes with resale rights from: Free Real Estate Fortunes Ebook

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