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Realtor Falls Down & Video Goes Totally Viral!
2011-11-18 18:45:00
From our own experience, very few strategies have worked quite as effectively as real estate video marketing. There?s just something about this form of advertising that gets viewers fully engaged and willing to take action. I?m not any type of psychological genius, but it seems to me that using video and being authentic have a ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Realtor Falls Down & Video Goes Totally Viral !

Selling Part of a Note: How Partial Notes Work
2011-11-18 14:25:00
There are all sorts of ways to buy and sell a mortgage note.  A common question that note sellers ask me is how a ?partial? works.  A partial is simply when a mortgage note buyer like myself offers to buy part of a note.  Instead of buying the entire note, the mortgage buyer purchases just ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Selling Part of a Note : How Partial Notes Work

The Residential Appraisal Problem
2011-11-17 22:15:00
The grocery store down the street from my house sells a gallon of milk for $2.50.  A small cup of coffee at Dunkin Donuts runs $1.60.  The going rate for a Hunter 5-minute ceiling fan at Home Depot is $99.  A 55? Vizio HDTV with internet apps sells for $1,399 at Costco (I know because ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Residential Appraisal Problem

Why Note Owners Can Be Motivated Sellers
2011-11-17 19:21:00
Whenever I talk with people about the concept of real estate-backed-notes as investment options, you can see the excitement in their eyes and it?s followed by one common question, ?If note investing is so great, why would a note owner sell it to me for a discount?? That?s a great question! Often, in the world ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Why Note Owners Can Be Motivated Sellers
More About: Real Estate Investing

Increase Cash Flow by Appealing Your Property Taxes
2011-11-17 14:52:00
For most of the last decade, property tax assessments increased year over year with the rate of appreciation. Local municipalities structured their annual budgets around projected increases in revenue from gradual hikes in property assessments. Much like real estate appreciation, you could bank on property taxes increasing to keep pace. However, in 2008 as the ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Increase Cash Flow by Appealing Your Property Taxes

Capitalization Rate ? Techniques to Speed Up Your Decision Making, Part III
2011-11-16 22:53:00
In Part I and II of Techniques to Speed Up Your Decision Making, we covered two basic measurements to quickly estimate value of an apartment property. These two were: Price per Unit Gross Rent Multiplier (GRM) We learned that Price Per Unit is the simplest to calculate but provides little investment insight because income is ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Capitalization Rate ? Techniques to Speed Up Your Decision Making, Part III

My Three Biggest Mistakes as a Real Estate Investor
2011-11-16 15:20:00
When I first started investing in real estate, there was an expression that the seasoned investors at the local real estate investors club used for investors like me.  It wasn’t that I was a ‘newbie’.  They didn’t say that I was ‘green’ at investing.  None of the usual monickers that get attached to those that ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. My Three Biggest Mistakes as a Real Estate Investor
More About: A Real Estate , Real Estate

Can You Pay MORE and Get a Better Deal?
2011-11-15 21:05:00
In my previous posts, I mentioned that I use Yield” as my metric of choice to compare various investment properties. When I have to choose from several different types of properties, such as Single Family House vs. a Duplex vs. a Four Plex vs. a small apartment building, “Yield” provides a simple method to prioritize ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Can You Pay MORE and Get a Better Deal ?
More About: Real Estate Investing

A Good Short Sale Listing Agent Will Do Lots of Triage
2011-11-15 18:19:00
Triage is a form of prioritizing patients in an emergency room so that those with the most severe or life threatening injuries are attended to prior to those that have milder injuries. While reviewing multiple offers has little to do with medical emergencies, it is vital for listing agents to consider and prioritize offers based ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. A Good Short Sale Listing Agent Will Do Lots of Triage

Retirement Is 10-20 Years Away ? Are You Ready?
2011-11-15 14:08:00
Building a better retirement for real estate investors is what I do. Though obviously there are multiple factors involved, my typical client zeroes in on income, which makes sense. The glitch in their plans is control — they don’t have much of it. Their 401Ks/IRAs go up and down for reasons on which the experts ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Retirement Is 10-20 Years Away – Are You Ready?
More About: Real Estate Investing

The New Way to Market to Probates
2011-11-14 14:08:00
I have been marketing to probates using direct mail for a long time now. Over the past 6 months or so, I have noticed a change that will directly impact how I market to these folks in the future. In fact, I would say this will be my new way to market to probates. My ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The New Way to Market to Probates

Why Last Week?s Wholesale Deal Didn?t Close
2011-11-13 15:44:00
Last week I wrote about a potential wholesale deal that a partner and I had. It looked like a dream property with plenty of equity and a highly motivated seller. However, that quickly changed after my partner went to the seller?s house. Things Often Change When Meeting Sellers and Seeing a Property First-Hand Here?s what ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Why Last Week ?s Wholesale Deal Didn?t Close

Real Estate News by the Numbers: Week of November 5 ? November 11
2011-11-12 15:24:00
A quick rundown of the important real estate news from the week of November 5 ? November 11, by the numbers 3.99% – Average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage this week according to Freddie Mac. The rate is down slightly from last week’s rate of 4.00%. 7.00% – Increase in foreclosure filings in October from ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Real Estate News by the Numbers : Week of November 5 ? November 11
More About: Real Estate

Protecting Your Mortgage Note
2011-11-11 14:15:00
With home prices continuing to drop, these remain challenging times for real estate investors and mortgage note buyers.  You can make good money if you pay attention and know what you?re doing, but will lose your shirt if you?re not careful.  The National Association of Realtors reported that third quarter numbers were again dismal.  Median ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Protecting Your Mortgage Note

24: The Fix and Flip Edition
2011-11-10 21:59:00
The following is an account of my last 24 hours as a fix and flip investor.  The events described here are real.  The names of those involved have not been changed because you?ve probably never heard of any of them.  Some of the details are graphically mundane and may bore you to tears.  You have ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 24: The Fix and Flip Edition
More About: Real Estate Investing

Does Google Consider Real Estate SEO Marketing to be Spammy?
2011-11-10 14:15:00
I am not a criminal. Come on, say it with me! In fact, Google doesn?t even think that you are being spammy if you are implementing real estate SEO marketing tactics for your business. What, you don?t believe me!? Well check out what Mr. Matt Cutts from Google has to say about search engines still ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Does Google Consider Real Estate SEO Marketing to be Spammy?
More About: Real Estate

Forget Real Estate Appreciation, Just Call it Recovery
2011-11-09 20:14:00
Interestingly, you don?t hear the term ?appreciation rate? much anymore.  I was conducting a seminar this weekend and somebody in the group asked what our annual appreciation rate was. I was taken aback because the notion that real estate values are increasing or may be on the rise in the near future almost seems taboo. ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Forget Real Estate Appreciation, Just Call it Recovery
More About: Commentary , Real Estate

Gross Rent Multiplier ? Techniques to Speed Up Your Decision Making, Part I
2011-11-09 14:05:00
In Part I of Techniques to Speed Up Your Decision Making, I outlined three basic measurements to quickly estimate value of an apartment property. These three are: Price per Unit Gross Rent Multiplier (GRM) Capitalization Rate (Cap Rate) While it?s easy to plug numbers, each technique has its pros and cons. This tutorial?s objective is ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Gross Rent Multiplier ? Techniques to Speed Up Your Decision Making, Part II

Passively Investing in Real Estate is Critical for Retirement
2011-11-08 17:10:00
While there are several debates raging across real estate investing forums, one that seems to attract strong opinions is the debate on whether investors should actively or passively invest in real estate.  While there is no singular definition of what it means to invest in real estate, with the advent of reality T.V. and a ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Passively Investing in Real Estate is Critical for Retirement
More About: Real Estate , Real Estate Investing

Will Equity Investors Save the Economy?
2011-11-08 14:05:00
On September 7, Kerry Curry wrote an interesting article on Housing Wire entitled ?New Normal Means a Lot More Pain to Come.? I read the article, which addresses our existing housing market. In it, an economist for the Federal Reserve Bank in St. Louis discusses how our ?new normal? in housing is marked by 2% ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Will Equity Investors Save the Economy ?
More About: Commentary

Wholesalers: How to Close A Real Estate Deal with an Out of State Seller
2011-11-07 22:07:00
I have noticed that a lot of times brand new real estate investors find it hard to understand how to close a deal with an out of state seller. The procedure is actually quite simple once you understand it. I have been working with absentee owners for just about 4 years now, and I can ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Wholesalers: How to Close A Real Estate Deal with an Out of State Seller
More About: Real Estate

Baby Boomers are Screwed. Or Are They?
2011-11-07 19:26:00
I am part of Generation X and am a child of Baby Boomers .   As I grew up, I witnessed first-hand the Baby Boom Generation ride repeated waves of wealth generation.  At the moment their average standard of living has easily surpassed that of their parents and has done so for most of their adult lives. Let’s review: they ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Baby Boomers are Screwed. Or Are They?

Fall of a Property Manager: The Rest of the Story
2011-11-07 13:45:00
As a real estate investor and landlord you need to have a strong and trustworthy team in order to have a strong and vibrant business. Operating as a one-man-band is fine at first and a majority of successful people probably started just that way. However, trying to manage all aspects of your business while taking ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Fall of a Property Manager : The Rest of the Story
More About: The Story

Evaluating a Real Estate Wholesale Deal: A Deal in Progress
2011-11-06 16:37:00
My partner and I recently got a call from a highly motivated seller. They will soon be meeting with the seller to walk through the house and will begin negotiations if things look good. I thought I?d show you the numbers on this deal so you can see how I evaluate a wholesale opportunity. First, ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Evaluating a Real Estate Wholesale Deal : A Deal in Progress
More About: A Real Estate , Real Estate

Real Estate News by the Numbers: Week of October 29 ? November 4
2011-11-05 16:58:00
A quick rundown of the important real estate news from the week of October 29 ? November 4, by the numbers: 9.0% – U.S. unemployment according the Labor Department’s October report. The rate is down slightly from last month when unemployment stood at 9.1%. Also, 80,000 jobs were added in the month, which is slightly less ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Real Estate News by the Numbers : Week of October 29 ? November 4
More About: Real Estate

Real Estate To 2016 and Beyond
2011-11-04 21:12:00
A bit of good news this week: * The Wall St. Journal (11/3/2011) reported that ?the nation?s seasonally adjusted home-ownership rate stood at 66.1% in the third quarter, up slightly from 66% in the prior quarter? and ?suggesting a three-year decline in home ownership may be starting to bottom out.? * Consumer bankruptcy filings fell ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Real Estate To 2016 and Beyond
More About: Commentary , Real Estate

Rental Property Inspections: 4 Kinds and Why They Are Important
2011-11-04 18:13:00
I am always amused by the responses I receive from real estate investors when I ask them when they had last inspected their properties.  It is obvious from their contorted facial expressions that they most likely have never “formally” inspected their properties. While preforming “safe and clean inspections” during a tenancy is important, ensuring that “move-in” ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Rental Property Inspections: 4 Kinds and Why They Are Important

What is your Real Estate Acquisition Strategy?
2011-11-04 01:34:00
I wouldn?t be comfortable with someone referring to me as an expert ? unless it had do with cereal or cheap red wine.  Oh, and acquiring stuff.  I?m really good at that too. Let?s just say I?m a sucker for the latest tech/music/audio gadget on the market.  My most recent non-real estate related acquisition was ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. What is your Real Estate Acquisition Strategy ?
More About: Real Estate

The Perfect Craigslist Ad?
2011-11-03 13:15:00
According to site analytics, 63,216,431 people used Craigslist in the month of September. Based on this information, do you think there may be a slight possibility that you could generate additional leads and sales using Craigslist real estate marketing strategies for your business? Although the answer to this question should be a resounding ?yes,? there ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Perfect Craigslist Ad?

3 Important Trades Where Licensed Professionals Should Be Used
2011-11-02 23:14:00
Having bought and sold residential investment properties full-time for over six years now, there are certain lessons that I have learned that have made me a better investor. When I was starting out in the renovation business, I managed my renovation costs very closely and unfortunately erred on the side of cutting corners in an ...This Article is Copyright © 2004-2011 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 3 Important Trades Where Licensed Professionals Should Be Used
More About: Real Estate Investing