beginners wanted

Hello, my name is Bill.Like most of you I am just starting out.I have purchased the courses,visited the websites and read numerous articles-but I have run into a brick wall(countless questions,fear of doing it alone and knowing which method I should choose first.)

jethro,

Definitely finding someone else to work with is comforting, but you can easily do deals on your own. Some of the easiest to try are ones that you can wholesale to other investors. I say easy, meaning you don’t have to have any cash or credit and shouldn’t entail any holding costs. All you need is a list of RE investors in your areas and what everyone needs…the deals.

Good luck!

Jethro,

The Best experience is your own. Its time to buy. YES, BUY-- your first property–occupy it, fix it up and sell it for a profit. ALL INEXPERIENCED BEGINNERS–READ THIS!!

Look for a property that needs “curb appeal” improvements (and not alot of rehab). BUY IT.

Before you make the offer get property comps. within 1 mile. Then you have a good idea what its worth (subtract rehab/holding costs and desired profit margin=Offer price).

Find a foreclosure/estate sale/etc. and make a offer. First get loan approval for yourself—then you are a “cash buyer”. Offer to close in 2 weeks or less.

But --you need to experience the ownership of real estate to learn this BIZ. There are profits and bills.

If you can’t afford a single family, look at a 2 family (to have rental income to help make your monthly mortgage payment).

Once, you have mastered your own “home”, then you will be ready for investment property.

Highly Leveraged real estate is a TWO edged sword. It has potential GREAT benefits, the other side is not so nice.

If not ready yet-- send your leads to an experienced investor for a finders fee.

GOOD LUCK.

Treat this as a job and your rate of success will grow.

Get a feel for your market, property prices, property sale prices for your market area by talking to realtors, brokers, researching the tax office and by picking up the real estate magazines.

Look for classified ads that have:

Desperate
VA
Assumable
Owner finance
Discounted

Just to name a few. This will give you a feel for the marketplace.

Drive through local neighborhoods focusing on Vacant, FSBO, & for rent properties. Take down the phone numbers and or address of each property.

Check with an office supply company or the Board of Realtors to acquire a local contract for purchase of real estate.

Invest in business cards and letterhead to let people know you are a professional investor.

You will want to pass out 1,000 business cards per week your first 30 days.

Prepare a contract or an agreement. Check figures and clauses. Be sure you have a couple of ‘out’ clauses such as ‘subject to partners’ approval’. Submit your offer to the homeowner and see what happens. The homeowner could ignore the offer, let the deadline expire or counter offer. In the event the homeowner does not respond to your contract put them in a database with a note to contact them again in 30, 60 or 90 days. Things do change over time!

Get accustomed to viewing property and take a clipboard, notepad, pen, and flashlight before going out to the property.

Evaluate the property and look for the opportunities. Could the property be assigned? Could you acquire the property through assumption? Could you structure the deal with limited money or no money down?

Examine your credit profile and increase your available credit.

Search out other investors and or money sources to finance or assign your deals to.

Talk to your banker let him or her know you are beginning to invest in real estate. Ask for timely information regarding interest rate changes, bank properties, areas to invest in the local market and potential investors they might know.

Inform friends, associates and who ever will talk with you that you are looking for properties, providing an incentive if necessary. “Offer a carrot.” A finders fee for locating a deal, investor, or even a homebuyer.

Visit with real estate attorneys and title companies. Inquire about their fees, services and time it will close a deal. Ask about open title closes, assignments and trust purchases and how they handle them.

Go to the courthouse and research a property. It is not a scary place and you might be surprised how friendly it actually is. Start by researching your own property or a friend’s. The first time or two the clerks will help you in your research or in pointing you in the right direction. While you are there also check out the Tax record office. Inquire about the office that handles tax and mortgage information.

Be present at several foreclosure auctions just to learn the process.

Develop a database of buyers and spread the word among your contacts. You might consider passing out business cards, posting flyers or ads to acquire a buyers’ database.

Look at a minimum of 100 properties per month.

Set up a mailing campaign to:
Other Investors
Expired Listings
Homeowners facing foreclosure
Homeowners facing legal problems
Homeowners facing law suits
Homeowners behind on property tax
Probate announcements
Engagement announcements
And the list goes on
Drive a new way to work or to the store and look for real estate.

Never let lack of money stop you!

Your mission is to never stop, never give up!

“Never, Never, Never, Never Give Up!”