Partnership Contracts – Why You Need One I’ve participated in over 3,000 real estate investing deals, many with one or more partners. In fact, partnerships have been one of my most valuable tools for expanding my business and dramatically increasing my profits. With the right partner(s) I can do more business and better business, and both of us will make more money! I have not always used a contract – I’ll admit that up front! Many investors of integrity and common sense actually avoid using contracts, feeling they are overly complicated, expensive, time-consuming and restrictive. They may also believe that Read more…

I’ve participated in over 3,000 real estate investing deals, many with one or more partners. In fact, partnerships have been one of my most valuable tools for expanding my business and dramatically increasing my profits. With the right partner(s) I can do more business and better business, and both of us will make more money! I have not always used a contract – I’ll admit that up front! Many investors of integrity and common sense actually avoid using contracts, feeling they are overly complicated, expensive, time-consuming and restrictive. They may also believe that a contract isn’t worth much anyway unless Read more…

It’s easy to feel a bit anxious that a bad choice for kitchen countertops will have homebuyers and realtors avoiding your fix & flip property like the high school wallflower, especially if you’ve seen the latest waves in beautiful kitchen design. On the other hand, following the latest trend in countertops can be a pricey decision, even if you have insider access to discounts. How can real estate investors make attractive choices that sell, at a reasonable cost? Nowadays countertop manufacturing technology is over-shadowing even granite. Evaluating the pros and cons of quartz, silestone, glass, ceramic tile, marble, wood, as Read more…

It’s easy to feel a bit anxious that a bad choice for kitchen countertops will have homebuyers and realtors avoiding your fix & flip property like the high school wallflower, especially if you’ve seen the latest waves in beautiful kitchen design. On the other hand, following the latest trend in countertops can be a pricey decision, even if you have insider access to discounts. How can real estate investors make attractive choices that sell, at a reasonable cost? Nowadays countertop manufacturing technology is over-shadowing even granite. Evaluating the pros and cons of quartz, silestone, glass, ceramic tile, marble, wood, as Read more…

If you’ve read my blog post ”4 Critical Reasons To Use Direct Mail”, you may be wondering how to start using direct mail to find your below-market real estate investment opportunities, as well as how to manage your mailing lists. First, identify the target area you want to receive your direct mail. Second, create your flyer, deciding on the format, material, the color of the paper and the layout and fonts. And, of course, design the content. Your audience isn’t likely to be sophisticated about real estate or finance, so keep it very basic and to the point! There are Read more…

If you’ve read my blog post ”4 Critical Reasons To Use Direct Mail”, you may be wondering how to start using direct mail to find your below-market real estate investment opportunities, as well as how to manage your mailing lists. First, identify the target area you want to receive your direct mail. Second, create your flyer, deciding on the format, material, the color of the paper and the layout and fonts. And, of course, design the content. Your audience isn’t likely to be sophisticated about real estate or finance, so keep it very basic and to the point! There are Read more…

Good rental properties are an important part of a real estate investment portfolio that allows you to earn while you play, vacation and spend time with your family. But before you buy a rental investment property, what are 3 key financial moving targets that you wouldn’t normally review for a fix & flip? Property taxes. Don’t stop at checking the tax assess or record for both past and current yearly taxes. Also look up articles in the local press and find out what may be coming in the way of future increases. o A slightacross-the-board increase in the local property Read more…

Good rental properties are an important part of a real estate investment portfolio that allows you to earn while you play, vacation and spend time with your family. But before you buy a rental investment property, what are 3 key financial moving targets that you wouldn’t normally review for a fix & flip? Property taxes. Don’t stop at checking the tax assess or record for both past and current yearly taxes. Also look up articles in the local press and find out what may be coming in the way of future increases. o   A slightacross-the-board increase in the local property Read more…

I’ve mentioned numerous times that I’ve found many real estate investing opportunities through direct mail. Of course I do a good deal of business through foreclosure auctions, and I search the classifieds to find fixer-uppers to buy. But I want to talk to you more about direct mail, what it is and how it works. Why should you add direct mail to your arsenal of real estate investment tools? You may be wondering – is direct mail the junk mail I find in my mailbox? The answer: Yup, that’s what it is. So why should you look into this? One Read more…

You’ve worked this rehab property into a beautiful home and have found a buyer at a price you both like. But the sale contract negotiation is not the final make-or-break point for closing this deal. If you’ve already been working closely with a general contractor on a great rehab, what’s left to worry about with the home inspection? Don’t expect any help from the home inspector to sell a great rehab.Home inspectors are not motivated to help the house sell. In fact, in states where they can be sued for problems found after the homebuyer moves in (and in areas Read more…