Men and Women See Real Estate Differently

August 26th, 2009

A report issued by the International Communications Research group (ICR) was designed to delve into the inner space of men and women who are involved in or have been involved in real estate transactions.  Working with Coldwell Banker, ICR interviewed 1000 individuals with purchasing experience.

The study dispelled long-standing misconceptions about what men and women actually consider priorities in the homes they buy.  Coldwell Banker’s Dian Patton who is the company’s consumer real estate expert said, “The results were surprising.  Not only did we uncover some of the inherent differences between men and women, but we also pinpointed a number of ways that the two genders are actually the same.”

In recent years, purchasing trends have definitely changed.  A high priority is now placed on neighborhood and the sense of security surrounding the home.  In fact, the respondents indicated they would sacrifice certain amenities for a secure feeling.  64% of women said that if they found the home of their dreams but had concerns about security, they would not be interested.  51% of men agreed.

The survey also indicated that women make quicker decisions about real estate purchases than men do.  70% of women said their minds were made up the day they first saw the house.  Women also expressed their desire to be closer to their extended families while men preferred to be close to their jobs.

However, today’s men feel strongly about locating a space where they can work at home.  The idea of a home-office was a motivating factor for male purchasers.  For the most part though that extra room will still be used as a bedroom.  25% of respondents indicated an extra room would be kept as bedroom while 15% suggested use as an office/den and 11% liked the idea of a family room/den.  Men and women may not agree, but it seems women are taking charge of real estate decisions.

Avoiding Lease Option Nightmares

August 17th, 2009


Lease options are one of the most popular real estate transactions in today’s market.  Why?  Not only are they relatively easy to find these days, but they are in most cases, a win-win situation.  However, most real estate investors know that you must be prepared for the worst.  Things definitely have a way of coming back to haunt you if you are not prepared and avoiding these costly mistakes should be as important as securing the million dollar deals.

 

First and foremost, you MUST be certain that your real estate investment is protected.  With a lease option deal, there are three ways that you can do this:

 

·         Above and beyond your signed contracts, you should always record the option and file it with the proper county.  If you get it signed in front of a notary you can file it with public records.  This simply makes it a little more difficult for the seller to sell the property out from under you without further investigation and compliance.  It doesn’t create a lien in the true sense of the word, but it makes your interest in the property known and on paper. 

·         When entering into a lease option contract, you would be wise to make sure that the deed is put in escrow.  While it may not be likely that the seller of the property will disappear, if they do, you will have no one to sign the deed.   By putting the deed in escrow, you put a third party in the mix so that when you are ready to exercise your purchase option you can go directly to the agent for the deed.

·         The last thing you can do, and perhaps the most beneficial, is to record a mortgage.  In most cases, payments are recorded on a promissory note.  A mortgage can be recorded for any real estate agreement.  By doing this, you become a legal lien holder, just like a traditional lender.  This gives you the advantage should a seller try to back out of any deal.

 

 

Real Estate Economics

August 5th, 2009


There are very few givens in life, but the one thing that is always certain is that everything changes.  People change, circumstances change and the economy changes.  Your goal as a successful real estate investor is not only to understand those changes, but profit from them as well.

 

The generalized viewpoint that we are constantly bombarded with today is that the economy is at its lowest point since the great depression.  While this may be true as a “whole”, what you don’t hear is that there are many communities throughout the United States that continue to thrive regardless of the poor economy.  If you want real estate millions to become a reality for you, you must look at the economy from a microeconomic viewpoint. 

 

In order to get and stay ahead, you analyze the smaller real estate markets within large metro areas.  Moreover, you must also analyze economic outlook for the type of real estate you are after.  Commercial real estate and residential real estate do not necessarily have the same economic forecast, even within the same city.  Furthermore, what is true in one area of a city may be totally different in another.  It’s all about supply and demand. 

 

One thing that real estate gurus such as Dean Grasiozi and many others have in common, is that they have become very good at forecasting supply and demand.  Cash flow depends on supply and demand and in a sluggish market; you have to know where to invest.  It’s no longer good enough to predict the hustle and bustle of large metropolitan areas, because the real growth is happening in much smaller communities.  Remember the saying, “what goes up, must come down.”  Your job as a real estate investor is to stay on the upside as much as possible!

 

 

Real Estate Investments For Your Average Millionaire

July 28th, 2009

You were watching T.V. one night and came across one of Dean Graziosi’s infomercials.  It was interesting, exciting and it made you want to go out and BUY THAT REAL ESATE!  However, you’re a smart consumer; you know most infomercials are full of a lot of fantastic talk, but the products are normally a fantastic flop.

So now, you’re wavering on the idea of the whole “real estate investment thing”.  You think it might be possible, but it also might be a scam.  So what’s the real deal?  Is it possible to make money – a LOT of money – with short sales, foreclosures, abandoned houses and the like?  Would you be throwing your money down the toilet like that time you bought the special towel that was supposed to suck up a gallon of water, when it really barely sucked up a drop?  Most importantly – is it worth it?

Well, if you do a search on the Internet for Dean Graziosi, you’ll get a lot of sites that have reviews, testimonials and yes – complaints.  If you read through the sites, however, you’ll find out some fairly exciting, interesting and flabbergasting information.

Now, keep in mind that any time someone is at the top of the food chain – as Dean is at the top of the real estate chain -, there will always be someone willing to complain about them.  However, consumer advocacy sites such as Rip-off Report.com, Infomercialscams.com and Programcritique.com not only give him kudos for his continued 100% customer guarantee, but for his programs as well.

Whether the product is a book he’s written or a program created to help people become better investors, the reviews and kudos always outweigh the complaints.  In addition, as soon as he realizes there’s a problem, he investigates to find a solution.

So, is it real?  Yes.  Can it make you money?  Yes.  Is it worth it?  Yes.  The one thing to remember, however, is that real estate investment is just like any other moneymaking venture, including a job.  You have to put in the time if you want results!

Motivation Critics are abound

July 23rd, 2009


Labelling Dean Grasiozi a fraud goes with the territory.  For every successful person, you have a multitude of people who are ready and willing to accuse you of achieving your success through a variety of undeserving means.  Sadly, it is human nature to downplay someone else’s attributes in order to feel less pressure on ourselves to aspire to greater heights.  Accusations of criminal family connections, fraudulent behaviour or sheer good luck are popular ways that are used to diminish the fact that material success can be achieved by a means other than hard work.  Admitting that hard work will earn you money means you may have to work hard; this is a task many people are hesitant to tackle. 

 

How can you tell if Dean Grasiozi or anyone else’s ideas for success are realistic? Evaluating the difference between unsubstantiated claims and a reliable critique involves some tried and true ways of judging accuracy.  There is a good way to criticize and an unsupported way.  Reducing the accusations to name-calling really doesn’t prove that anyone is a fraud any more than claiming yourself to be a productive and wealthy real estate guru would.  Verifying a claim requires a well-thought out and believable theory that is laid out in steps people can follow in the real world and assess for themselves. If Dean Grasiozi were a fraud, it would mean that his strategy for succeeding in real estate does not work.  If someone, or another company that wants you to buy their book, claims that Dean Grasiozi is a fraud, they should be willing to explain why and how his plan failed. Be wary of the motivation to criticize and check the facts, if there are any.  Most companies that cry, “fraud” are only out to take your money for their own purposes and most of these are not able to tell you why their plan works better; they only tell you that the world is full of frauds.

 

Use Turn Key Real Estate to Your Advantage

July 13th, 2009


One of the terms I didn’t understand when I first started learning about real estate investing, and a term which Dean Graziosi cleared up for me was “Turn Key.” But its not just understanding the term that is important when you want to make a profit from real estate now, it is also understanding the full meaning of the concept that is important.

All good real estate investors try to find a great value “Turn Key” investment, as these are the properties that are going to give you that profit from real estate you need now. These are homes, projects, or properties, are  in “ready to live in” condition.  There is no need to put any money into maintenance or repairs, or at least very little money is needed.  In this case the seller has usually done all the work to make the home livable. If they are older homes then they have been remodeled, renovated or rehabbed and are ready for someone to call this property home.

Through Dean Graziosi I learned that these are the ideal real estate investment properties, and it is even better when these are already tenant occupied and sometimes even have property management in place.  This is for the investor who wants to profit from real estate now and not have to worry too much about the property.

Today, a lot of  “Turn Key” property has an added advantage in that it can be found at about a 25% discount from market value, and this means real estate investors get a nice profit for their original investment dollar.

When I first started in real estate investing, I believed I could make the most money by staying away from this type of real estate, and focusing more on the “fixer upper,” but thanks to Dean Graziosi, and the information I learned from reading his wikis, blogs, and books, I learned that this often isn’t the case. You can find good “Turn Key” real estate at a wholesale price.

Women in Real Estate

July 6th, 2009


There is little debate that the role of women in real estate is changing.  Real estate investing used to be a field dominated by men, but single female homebuyers are taking the market by storm. According to some studies, single women now account for over 20% of home sales in the U.S.  Moreover, this is not limited to primary residences, but rental and rehab properties as well.     

 

If you want to get started in real estate, but don’t know where to start, there are many strategies you can use to get started with minimal risk.  If you are concerned about having money down, and most people are in today’s economy, the most effective strategy you can use is the lease-option purchase.  This option will allow you to get into a home without the upfront capital required in traditional real estate transactions.   It also allows you to see firsthand if the investment will be a solid one before you buy it. 

 

If the lease-option is not appealing to you, you may consider investing in pre-foreclosures.  Not only do pre-foreclosures require less cash than foreclosures, they also allow women to do what they do best.  While men are wired to solve problems, women are wired to sympathize.  Women have the unique ability to help home owners in ways that men cannot, by gaining their trust through empathy and compassion.  Sellers that are facing foreclosure are in a place where they want nothing more than to be understood during their hard times.  Yes, they want their problem solved, but they are not looking for help from someone who is just out to make money off their misfortune.  So, if you are a woman and you are serious about real estate investing opportunities, why not do what you do best?  You just may stumble on real estate millions.

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creative Online Real Estate Marketing

June 29th, 2009


With Twitter, Myspace and numerous other social networking sites all the rage, and the economic downturn forcing creative marketing methods, it is just a matter of time before online real estate sites like TweetLister and Zillow become the norm.   

 

Take Zillow for example, this site is a one-stop shop for everything real estate.  This site boasts over 3 million real estate listings, and combines the success of Craigslist, Wikipedia and MySpace all into one.   Shopping for real estate online has become as easy as 1-2-3 and successful real estate investors are using it to their advantage.  Are you?

 

Another example of a site that really works for many people is Craigslist.  You can find properties for sale, rent, swap and more.  You can even search for people looking for homes with their “wanted” ads.  Keep in mind however, that because Craigslist is free, it is also widely used by scam artists so practicing due diligence is a must.  If you know how to use it wisely, you can find some great deals to make money right away.

 

If you are just starting out investing in real estate but have not yet purchased your first property, you should at the very least, take advantage of MySpace, Twitter, Facebook and every other online network marketing site out there.  Make friends, network with other investors and get the inside scoop from people already in the business.  The more contacts you make early in the game, the more opportunities you will have later on. 

 

 

 

                  

 

 

Finding Damage in Metal Rain Gutters

June 23rd, 2009

Rain gutters are an extremely important part of your home. Especially in areas of heavy rainfall, sound rain gutters can prevent all kinds of moisture damage to your home. Specifically, properly-placed gutters can prevent rot or mildew on the siding, flooding in the basement, and water-related damage to the foundation. Because of its many important functions, it is imperative to keep the gutters in proper working order and fix any issues as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, this essential feature is easily overlooked and neglected.

In order to locate any damage to your metal gutters, first do a visual inspection. Walk around the periphery of the house, closely examining the underside and side of the gutter that you can see. Look for any spots that are rusted and any holes in the metal. If the gutters haven’t been kept clean, punctures may be visible by dirty areas or gunk on the underside of the metal.

Next, step back so that you can see how the gutters sit against the house. Are there any areas that seem loose? Do you see any places where the gutter bows or bulges, possibly from the weight of buildup? These are potential issues as they can eventually cause the metal to bend and break.

Take a sturdy ladder and, with someone at the bottom to steady the ladder, climb up to check the interior of the gutter. If needed, thoroughly clean the gutter so that the entire interior surface may be visually inspected. Investigate any creases, spots, bends or other potential damage. Check the slant of the gutter by pouring water into the gutter and observing whether it flows directly to a spout. If it does not, the gutters will need to be adjusted to the appropriate slant. Allow plenty of water to flow through the entire gutter system while you watch closely for any leaks.

This kind of inspection can be done in about an hour, depending on how much cleaning must be done and how much gutter you have to check. Ideally, gutters should be inspected at least twice a year during routine cleanings. These are best done right after heavy leaf fall in the autumn, then again before heavy spring rains. Functioning gutters are necessary to safeguard your home’s siding and foundation from water damage. This is one part of home maintenance you can’t afford to neglect.

Dean Graziosi Real Estate Investment Secrets

February 22nd, 2008

Dean Graziosi is a real estate investing expert who teaches people how to make money in real estate. Dean shares his secrets to profit from a variety of unique strategies he learned through 20 years of real estate investing. Dean started making money with cars at the age of 16 and then used those same concepts to start his real estate investing career at the early age of 18, when he purchased his first rental unit — a run-down apartment building — and renovated it into a profitable piece of property. This whole interesting story of this first venture into real estate investing is told in his book “Be A Real Estate Millionaire: Secret Strategies for Lifetime Wealth Today.” This is a book people who want to learn real estate investing invest in to learn the same strategies Dean has used himself, and taught for over 20 years to novice real estate investors all across the United States.

Besides his new book, “Be A Real Estate Millionaire” Dean also has a real estate investing course titled the: Think A Little Different” real estate course. It teaches people how to make money from Real Estate in a variety of ways.  Dean also offers real estate investing advice to investors through an advanced real estate investing training program. Today Dean has accomplished most of his financial dreams. Dean Graziosi daily appearances on TV since 1999 have helped make him known internationally as one of America’s foremost experts on helping folks achieve top levels of financial security.

If you’re new to investing in real estate, it may seem confusing and complicated. With all those contracts, property titles, and legal forms, it can tend to look like rocket science, but it’s not. Dean Graziosi believes the main reason people get so confused about real estate investing is simply because it’s new to them. Dean Graziosi thinks that as we get older, trying something new becomes harder because we get stuck in our old ways. The good news is Dean Graziosi have a solution for you. If you want to invest in Real estate and want to be millionaire learn from Dean Graziosi who teaches people how to make money in real estate.