A little over a week ago I shared with you my mid century remodel flip on 16th Ln. I showed you how we modernized the bathrooms so that we could get top dollar for the property. Today I am going to show you before and after pics of how we totally opened up the main living area of this house. Not only did we open up the main living area to give it that “open” feel that everyone is looking for, but we moved the kitchen as well. I will tell you why we did that in just a minute. Read more…

Today I wanted to write something a little bit different. I see my job as one of teacher and educator to my subscribers. I have to ask myself, if our roles were reversed, what information would I want to learn? I don’t know about you but I love seeing pictures…especially those that are before and after. Have you ever watched one of those shows like “Flip that House” or “Fixer Upper?” I love checking out these shows and getting ideas for my projects. Who doesn’t like seeing a HUGE transformation?? I think as a society we all love seeing this Read more…

Are you using Zillow to comp your properties? STOP doing it! For those of you that have been a follower of mine for awhile, you already know how I feel about Zestimates. I have spoken often about the misuse of Zillow for property valuation and comping in my courses, coaching and pretty much to anyone who is willing to listen. Why am I so fanatical about NOT using Zillow and their Zestimate feature to comp properties? Well, the reason is quite simple…the value of a Zestimate is just flat WRONG. You see Zillow uses an algorithm, among other things that Read more…

Once again housing got more affordable in the last week. Let me explain. We all already know that mortgage rates are at historic lows, which has kept housing extremely affordable. Couple that with housing prices still remaining well below the peak high’s of 2006-2007. Now there is one more thing that we can add to the mix…reduced MIP (mortgage insurance premiums) on FHA mortgages. Last week, President Obama announced that the Federal Housing Administration would be slashing the MIP premiums on FHA loans. MIP is something that a homeowner must pay when they have less than 20% to put as Read more…

If you are a flipper I have potentially GREAT news! You may be asking me, Why is it only “potentially” GREAT news Andy? Great question so give me a moment to explain… As of right now there is a 90 day flip policy with FHA. What this has meant as a flipper is that you had to wait 90 days from the time that you bought the property (and your deed was recorded) before a fully executed contract with FHA financing would go through without any hiccups. It was not impossible to sell your property inside that 90 day window, Read more…

Has the economy moved too far past the point when a cascade of cheap foreclosures made it easy to buy distressed properties at the lowest prices in a decade, rehab, and sell at a nice profit? In today’s improving economy, can you still make money on a fix-and-flip?   The good news – conditions for profits on distressed properties may be better now than they were during the bottom of the market, when I had a great run of flipping profitable foreclosures! What factors are creating a strong positive market for fix-and-flip properties, now that the economy and the housing Read more…

What makes interest rates such a key factor in the real estate investing market?  How do interest rates signal investors about opportunities in today’s market?   Mortgage interest makes up a significant part of a home buyer’s monthly payment.  Lower interest rates mean lower payments, and that makes a higher-value home more affordable to a buyer.  Without any change in the sales price, an interest rate movement of fractions of a point can mean a buyer does or doesn’t qualify for a loan, based on the monthly payment.   When interest rates are as low as they are today, real Read more…

What a stroke of good fortune to find ourselves in a unique moment in financial history to take advantage of profit opportunities which are rarely as strong as they are right now!  Are you waiting on certain economic signals to step into real estate investing?  Here are 3 compelling signs that NOW is the time to get in!   Low interest rates are bringing buyers into the market now.  Interest rates are one of the most powerful forces in any housing market.  Because mortgage payment amounts are partly determined by interest rates, low or high rates make a home more Read more…

Economic recoveries spur rising prices in housing markets, but the 2013 recovery has an extra incentive for housing investors – historically low interest rates.   The Federal Reserve has continued to keep interest rates down, adding some rocket fuel to the opportunities available to housing investors today.   Housing prices are on the rise as the economic recovery gains momentum. The rise in housing prices is following the largest housing “bust” in history. Unprecedentedly low interest rates allow investors the opportunity to have ridiculously low mortgage payments allowing for massive cash flow on rentals The Fed is less likely to push Read more…

“Rich Dad, Poor Dad” is the book that first changed the way I used to think about my goals in life and how I might achieve them.  Robert Kiyosaki’s book has been recognized by PBS and Oprah Winfrey, among others.  In fact it is the best selling finance book of all time! Kiyosaki’s ideas have gained traction even with parts of the public awareness that aren’t entirely familiar with the book.  What is the big takeaway that has influenced so many people?   Kiyosaki points out abehavior that isvery different between families that spring from generations ofwealth,the Rich Dad, and Read more…