The biggest disappointment for new investors is the realization that deals don’t just fall on their laps. As much as they like to believe that making the commitment to invest in real estate means that deals will follow, it doesn’t work that way. The key to growing a successful business is contact and lead generation. […]
Almost everybody is concerned with controlling debt on one level or another. Mortgages, credit cards, auto loans and retail store accounts are all examples of items that produce debt. The key to true financial success, however, is to control your debt. Know the difference between good debt and bad debt. It can be easy to […]
New investors don’t realize how good they have it. Instead of lamenting the lack of fewer investment programs, focus on how low interest rates can still be taken advantage of. It wasn’t too long ago that interest rates were in the double digit range and even more recently hovering around seven percent. While there are […]
If you are just starting out as an investor, differentiating between every real estate term can be difficult. One of the most confusing delineations has to deal with the differences between foreclosed and real estate owned (REO) properties. They sound similar enough, but in reality, they are completely different. Properties in the foreclosure process are […]
One of the most widely discussed topics in real estate regards the acquisition of more assets than liabilities. The mistake that investors make, both new and old, is not distinguishing between the two. You may think that the physical rental property itself is the money maker, but in reality, it is the people inside that […]
Finding a property in which the seller is willing to let go for a loss can be great, but unless you have lender approval, you don’t have a deal. There are many reasons why a lender wouldn’t agree to a short sale deal, but the most common reason usually regards the seller’s hardship. The seller […]
One of the most important things you can do as a landlord is to know your tenants. Before they ever move in, they should be screened and you should be confident you will receive your rent every month. When they get into the property, it is equally important to spell out the terms of the […]
If you are familiar with the story of the tortoise and the hare, you know that slow and steady wins the race. This may seem like a cliché, but in a world where we wanted everything yesterday, slow gains are the most reliable approach. This is particularly true in a housing market where home values […]
Depending on the location of your property, relative to the demand for renters in the area, you may be able to increase your rent. Whether you should do it or not, however, is a different story. Of course you want to try and squeeze as much money as you can from your tenants, but not […]
It is very rare that the removal of a tenant goes according to plan. In most cases, either the landlord is looking for money for damages or the tenant is looking to fight for their full security deposit. The best way to handle this is to have either a video or series of pictures taken […]