Posts Tagged ‘real estate investing’

Real estate investing has become popularized today because of real estate investing TV infomercials and traveling seminar circuits. But real estate investing has not always been so popular.

In the 1960s, William Nickerson wrote, “How I Turned $1000 into Three Million in Real Estate” and “How to Make a Fortune Today Starting from Scratch.” It was one of the first real estate investing books to get national attention. A little later, Al Lowry authored “How You Can Become Financially Independent by Investing in Real Estate.” Al Lowry might be called “the father of the modern-day real estate seminars,” because he was the first to hold seminars as a result of his book sales.

But it was Mark Haroldsen who carried the real estate investing book/seminar thrust to the next level. Haroldsen wrote, “How to Wake Up the Financial Genius Inside You.” If you were tuned in to real estate investing at that time, you remember the newspaper and magazine advertising showing a picture of suave and bald-headed Mark leaning against the front hood of his Mercedes. The picture appeared everywhere in full page ads of major publications. And as Mark began selling his books, he began holding real estate investing seminars. I have had lunch with Mark and Al Lowry as they swapped stories of the advertising blitzes that vaulted them into national prominence for their real estate investing prowess. Mark later wrote “The Courage To Be Rich” and “Tax Free.”

But it was Robert Allen who capitalized on the previous groundwork by Lowry and Haroldsen. Robert Allen was reportedly paid $1 million advance royalties for his best-selling book, “Nothing Down,” a compilation of 50 techniques for buying property with no money. Robert had learned these techniques from several years experience with a commercial real estate firm. He later wrote “Creating Wealth” and “Getting Started in Real Estate Investing.” The Robert Allen Real Estate Investing Seminars became a phenomenal marketing bonanza. Conventions were held in the major cities across the country, like Orlando, LA, Dallas, Chicago and Atlanta. The authors of various real estate investing techniques spoke at these seminars, but their spiel focused on selling packages of real estate investing materials that they offered for sale. Millions of dollars of real estate investing materials were sold at these 3 day conventions. The convention frenzy ushered in what has since become known as “The Nothing Down Real Estate Movement” of the early to mid-1980s.

I keep all of these books in my personal library, and you can probably still find them in your public library and book stores. There’s a lot of great information in these books that can make you very knowledgeable, even though some of the ideas are out-dated.

We are now presented a variety of ways for making money in real estate investing in TV infomercials, books and seminars. Which is best? Who can say? Real estate investing is learned through trial and error. Real estate investing skills and techniques are acquired by practice. I don’t think anyone can dogmatically recommend a technique best for another person. Every real estate investor has unique needs and is in a unique situation. Objectives of real estate investing differs.

However, if you are limited with real estate investing educational dollars and need to generate quick return on investment, I think fixing up cheap houses is an ideal beginning point. Real estate investing in makeover properties generates quick, profitable dollars with low risk.

Phil Speer, Ph.D., started his real estate investing career 25 years ago. Without the availability of credit and using only a $10 bill, he purchased $1 million in properties in his first year, and had accumulated $10 million in properties by his fourth year. http://www.CashinHouses.com/. He was featured in a Wall St.Journal editorial as most successful investor in the Nothing Down Real Estate Movement, and was honored with a Caribbean cruise as top investor of the year. In his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, he has been a businessman and Human Resources Consultant for 30 years. He is an author, speaker and seminar director.

To learn how to profit in real estate investing, even without cash or credit, read his report at [http://www.Real---Estate---Investing.com/information/flipping.html/] Subscription is free to his Fix-up Ezine. He and other contributing authors provide free articles and resources on real estate investing at his online “Academy of Advanced Real Estate Investing Techniques” at http://www.AAREIT.com/

Author: Dr.Phil Speer
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Real estate investing is not in any list of high school electives. You can’t get an accredited degree in real estate investing. You won’t find a high school or college guidance counselor who recommends a career in real estate investing (if the guidance counselor understood real estate investing, he or she probably wouldn’t be a guidance counselor!)

The public school system and educational curriculum in the U.S. is only a feeble attempt to prepare students to just “get a job.” Unfortunately there is no class in “Making Money 101.” You don’t have the opportunity to take a class in “How to Become Financially Independent.” No teacher ever taught a class in “How to Succeed When Everyone Else is Failing.” I never learned anything about succeeding as an entrepreneur or becoming wealthy during my 10 years in the university classroom. I only became a multi-millionaire when I learned the skills of real estate investing, and I paid the price out-of-pocket and out-of-the-classroom for that education. I learned these skills in the ole University of Hard Knocks through trial-and-error.

Never disparage the cost of education. There ain’t no free lunch. You’ve gotta get this know-how outside of a classroom, and learning how to make money is gonna cost you. But if you think the cost of education is expensive, you should calculate the cost of ignorance!

However, learning real estate investing doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. Yes, I know, the real estate investing TV infomercials and the real estate investing seminars held around the country charge big bucks for those 3-day seminars and week-long Boot Camps. But that’s pocket change compared to the fees they want to collect from you later. Catch this fact: all the real estate investing infomercials and seminars target you as a candidate for “real estate investing coaching.” That’s where they charge you up to $25,000 and over $50,000 per year for “coaching.” And often you are assigned to some kid “still wet behind the ears” to call you each week or month to hold your hand and whisper in your ear what common sense and a persistent drive should already tell you! I’m not exaggerating the real estate investing educational system, because I know it inside and out. I personally know many of the so-called “gurus.” I’ve been close to it for 25 years. My opinion is that the fees charged are exorbitant because the promoters have found deep pockets in the marketplace.

When I started my real estate investing career 25 years ago, real estate investing TV infomercials were unknown and real estate investing seminars were extremely rare. Back then, Mark Haroldsen followed an emerging trend started by Al Lowry and Nick Nickerson by holding occasional real estate investing seminars across the country. Later Robert Allen expanded the industry. Robert Allen promoted real estate investing conventions in the major cities across the U.S. He found a market for costly real estate investing packages of information with cassette tapes and note books. TV infomercials, expensive seminars, and outlandish coaching fees followed in subsequent years. Would-be real estate investing aspirants today who want more than an inadequate salary from a job in Dullsville often conclude that they have to “pay through the nose” for real estate investing know-how.

However, through diligent searching, these wanna-bees often find that this education in real estate investing is more readily obtained from other sources than they previously imagined.

Real estate investing is probably one of the most easily learned skills never taught in school. Real estate investing is probably one of the most prolific careers available on Planet Earth. Because families now live in houses instead of caves, houses available for fix up are everywhere. And probably nothing contributes to upgrading the deplorable housing conditions across America comparable to real estate investing in fix up properties.

The entrepreneur-minded aspirant who discovers the real estate investing industry often catches a vision of life-beyond-a-job. Books and online courses offer an alternative to expensive seminars and coaching.

Phil Speer, Ph.D., started his real estate investing career 25 years ago. Without the availability of credit and using only a $10 bill, he purchased $1 million in properties in his first year, and had accumulated $10 million in properties by his fourth year. He was featured in a Wall St.Journal editorial as most successful investor in the Nothing Down Real Estate Movement, and was honored with a Caribbean cruise as top investor of the year. In his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, he has been a businessman and Human Resources Consultant for 30 years. He is an author, speaker and seminar director. To learn how to profit in real estate investing, even without cash or credit, read his report at http://www.CashinHouses.com/. Subscription is free to his Fix-up Ezine. He and other contributing authors provide free articles and resources on real estate investing at his online Academy of Advanced Real Estate Investing Techniques – http://www.AAREIT.com/

Author: Dr.Phil Speer
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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You may have heard that owning an investment property in the UK can be lucrative. Well, you heard correctly. Real estate investing, such as flipping real estate and rental real estate investing is amongst the most profitable investments around. The basic premise is that you make a purchase on something like a vacation property. You then turn around and figure out a way for it to make money so that you can increase your earnings.

Types of Investment Properties

There are two basic types of properties: residential and commercial. The broad definition is any property that people live in. This includes homes, apartments, mobile homes, etc. Commercial properties are anything that is used for businesses of any kind such as office buildings and shopping centres. Some places, such as apartment buildings with a store on the bottom level are considered commercial

Purchasing a Vacation Property

Vacation properties are a great option when it comes to buying an investment property especially if you purchase it in a coveted vacation market. Vacation properties come in different types. You can purchase a hotel or bed or breakfast. Or, you can buy a home or cottage property or a beach investment property which you can then rent primarily to vacationers. The drawback is that some places may have a peak rental season. However, with proper planning the off-peak time of the year will not hurt you financially.

Proper Planning is Key

To invest in real estate successfully, proper planning is a must. Each property needs to be well researched and considered before purchased. There are several people who can help you plan, such as a listing agent, financial advisor, or even a lawyer. All it takes is to make that first property successful, and then you can build on that success and build up your portfolio.

Build Up Your Portfolio

The most successful real estate investors out there have a diversified portfolio. This means that they have a combination of different properties which are all making them a profit or have the potential to do so. The ultimate real estate portfolio will include a combination of residential and commercial properties as well as land. They also will not invest in just one market. They may have income properties all over the globe. However, it all starts with that first property.

Keep in mind that there is nothing wrong with specialising in commercial or residential properties. You can easily diversify within the two. For example, if you want to focus on making money with a commercial investment property, consider making your next investment property in the UK to be a commercial one as well, just of a different type. It is much better financially to spread your money out instead of investing all in one thing.

Ian Clark is a real estate consultant and advisor in UK. He has extensive experience in all aspects of Real Estate Investment built over 20 years . He is also the Director of Midas Estates, an online real estate website offering property investment opportunities in UK and overseas. Midas Estates is a property investment company who also deals with Investment Property with an aim to provide maximum capital growth for the clients as the majority of the clients are looking to secure financial security in the shortest time possible. Ian’s honest presentation of the real estate investing business, including both profit and risks is respected for his sincere, candid approach. He is highly regarded as one of the most sound, dependable source for the specifics behind the sometimes tricky and exigent facets of real estate investing.

To get more information and for a 30 minute no obligation absolutely free consult in how to make your property investment strategies work log on to http://www.midasestates.com

Author: I Clark
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger

Real estate investing is tough at the best of times. What about the worst of times. Is it possible to invest profitably in real estate when the market is like it is right now?

The real estate market is in meltdown right now. House prices are plummeting, foreclosures through the roof, people living in their cars and houses selling for $1. I’ve been watching a lovely 4 bedroom home in Florida that is listed on eBay right now for a starting bid of $1.

Real estate investing success relies on a few simple parameters. Rising house prices and good rental returns. If an investor can secure a house that will rise in value over time and returns enough rental return to come close to covering the expenses of the mortgage and other holding costs, then that investor will, over time, make a profit.

Ideally the rental returns from the tenants should exceed the costs of holding the property, and it is then in positive cash flow, and the investor makes a return on investment both from the income from the property and from the capital gain as well.

It’s all pretty simple really. There’s dozens of real estate investment seminars around, however that’s the basics. If you buy a home for an investment, and the value of that home goes down over time, you’ll lose money.

If you’re making a loss on the rental return over time, you’ll also lose money unless you can sell that home in the future at a price that is sufficiently higher than the purchase price to cover the rental losses and make some return on capital.

Simple stuff. But hard to achieve, even in the best of times. When the market is good, like it was up until a while ago, you made money if you we’re a good real estate investor. If you chose well, bought well and tenanted the property well, you were in front.

Not any more. The basic premise of real estate investing is rising home prices. If you’ve got rising home prices then you’ve got a good chance of doing well. Buy just about anything and by default you’ll make money.

Now prices are falling.

So right now there are no real estate investment opportunities right?

Wrong. There are good real estate investment opportunities. But if you’re trying to find them yourself you’re almost guaranteed to fail. There are some professional real estate investors now who are trying, and if you’re a professional investor with significant real estate investment experience you may do well. Or you may well do badly too.

But if you’re beginning real estate investing now you’d be better to stay out of the market. Unless……

Imagine for a moment.

A solid American public corporation, experienced in real estate investment. Well capitalized with a well thought out proven strategy for investing in real estate regardless of market direction.

The corporation invests in buying homes in demand. Not your McMansions that are on eBay right now, but the sort of houses that millions of working Americans live in right now, or need to live in. Basic properties that exist in their millions right over the US.

With sufficient capital it can buy hundreds of homes at a time. From government, charities or any organization that owns large numbers of homes in a single area. And because it can buy like that it can buy at way below market value. Hundreds at a time purchased in a suburb with all the right characteristics including high demand for rental properties and, in some cases a backlog of demand for up to 15 years.

Then it refurbishes those homes to a high standard. While doing so it spends money on the suburb building parks and playgrounds and community facilities. And within a period of time a suburb has been totally transformed. New community attractions, high quality homes that people want to live in. Suddenly everyone wants to live there.

Up to 40% of the profits are ploughed back into the local community.

Demand rises, people want to live there, both to rent and buy. The corporation has created it’s own capital gain, regardless of market direction.

And then it sells these properties to individual investors. No money down, loan provided, tenant provided with a rental guarantee. Immediate equity to the investor of around 15%. The investor owns the property and can hold it or sell it and keep 100% of the profits.

Now that’s successful real estate investing in a bad market. But it takes experience, commitment to a community and to the investors, and a solid background of real estate experience, and a lot of capital.

Sound too good to be true? Maybe it’s not.

Want to know more about profitable, sound, turnkey Real Estate Investing? Visit Peter’s Website Win-Win Real Estate Investments and find out more about no money down real estate investing at http://win-winrealestateinvestments.com/

Author: Peter Alderton
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Once you reach the point that you seriously want to start investing in real estate, it’s time for you start searching for the real estate investment that best fit your investment goals.

In this article, I want to discuss why it could benefit you to develop a working relationship with an investment Realtor to help locate investment property, the qualities you should look for, and how you can find that person.

Why Use a Professional?

Let’s start at the top. Why would you want to use a real estate professional when you can find your own rental properties?

Foremost, because the right Realtor can guide you from your initial goal setting phase through the selection, acquisition, and subsequent management of your investment. They can direct you into investments you may not have discovered on your own and then negotiate the purchase for you (generally more easily than when a buyer and seller meet face-to-face).  Moreover, they are equipped with the tools like real estate investment software and the expertise to help you crunch and interpret the numbers.

Who is a Right Realtor?

Most importantly, you are not looking for a licensed agent who sells houses for a living without ever having become active or knowledgeable about investment real estate. You do not want a house salesperson with no or minimal clue about rental property.

You want an agent who works full time in the business and not only understands and practices real estate investing, but also knows the market.

The Realtor you want understands investing and is familiar with such things as taxation, depreciation, financing and tax-deferred exchanges. You want a specialist who can create rental property cash flow, rates of return, and profitability analysis presentations and then help you to interpret that data against your investment goals. A real estate investment might be the largest sum of money you will ever spend, and you want a broker who not only cares how you spend your money but also handles it amply as if it was their own.

How to Find the Right Realtor

You can locate agents in your area qualified to work with investment property in any number of ways.

Contact the brokerages and ask if they have an investment specialist in their office with background education in real estate investing; contact the CCIM Institute; contact the MLS and see who regularly lists rental property, the local Board of Realtors, and maybe a local appraiser, property management firm, or perhaps a friend or colleague who has been investing. You should have little trouble building a short-list of potentially qualified candidates that specialize in commercial and investment real estate full-time that you can meet with and interview. How you make your selection afterward will probably boil down to chemistry; whom do you prefer to work with.

As an investor, especially if you are a first time investor, you will discover that having a good investment specialist on your side will truly benefit your investment goals and well worth your effort to locate one and utilize their services.

Here’s to your real estate investing success.

About the Author

James Kobzeff is the developer of ProAPOD – superior real estate investment software solutions since 2000. Fast, easy, and concise. Discover how to create cash flow, rates of return, and profitability analysis presentations for any-size rental property in minutes! Learn more at => http://www.proapod.com

Author: James Kobzeff
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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It is important for you to first understand why you should invest in real estate. Because once you understand “why” real estate investment is the best vehicle of wealth creation then “how to” is the easy part. It is the “why” that will provide you with the motivation and energy to invest in properties. Without understanding the “WHY” you will never succeed.
 
You have to understand how real estate compares with other investment avenues such as savings account, shares/stocks, commodities & businesses.
 
Rate of Return
 
Shares and stocks are perceived to have higher returns than property and provide hedge against inflation but they pale in comparison to real estate when you take into account the leveraging power of real estate investing and tax advantages of property. It is possible to buy properties by using other people’s money (OPM) with returns that are 20 or 30  or 50 or 100 percent or more per year.
 
Investment Risk
 
If you wish to understand risk then just check what banks are willing to lend their money for.  Are they willing to loan money to buy paintings, antiques, diamonds, mutual funds, CDs, commodities, stocks & businesses? If so to what level of funding? For properties banks will easily lend to 70 or 80 or 90 percent and in some cases to even 100 percent of the value. Banks are the most risk averse institutions and if they are willing to invest in properties up to 100% of value then they consider the investment risk to be extremely low when compared to other investments. You should take your cue from the banks.
 
Buy Below Market Value
 
You must have heard the saying that ‘you make money when you buy’  and not at the time of selling. Is it possible to buy stocks or diamond or commodity or gold below value? When you buy $100,000 worth of stock you pay $100,000 in cash.
 
Investing in real estate after gaining a bit of knowledge, you can buy properties that are 10 or 20 percent or even more below market value. There are many reasons why people sell their properties below value. You can amass great wealth by simply buying property below market value.
 
Increase Value of Investment
 
Can you increase the value of your stock or bank deposit by tinkering with it? There is simply no mechanism by which you can increase the value of your stock or any other investment because you do not control them. However you can greatly increase the market value of your investment property by spending a small amount of money on making cosmetic changes or applying for change of use of the property.
 
Financial Leverage
 
No one has ever become rich without applying the power of leverage. Archimedes rightly stated in 200 BC that ‘Give me a lever long enough and a place to stand and I will move the entire earth.’
 
The financial leverage in the investment world comes from the use of OPM or Other Peoples Money. In real estate investing we buy property  with 10% down and yet we control 100% of real estate.
 
It is extremely difficult to finance other types of investments such as stock and businesses because funding is always an issue. Banks love property because of the low risk and capital appreciation associated with real estate.
 
Leverage can be used for quick wealth creation. If you know how to use leverage you do not need large amount initial capital to start your property investment portfolio.

Praveen Kumar is a real estate investor and an educator whose aim is to help create one thousand property millionaires in next 10 years . He wishes to share his knowledge and strategies on how to create wealth through residential and commercial real estate investment. On his website http://www.real-estate-investment.net you will find hundreds of informative articles, videos, audios and ebooks that will provide you with the leverage of knowledge to accelerate your progress.

Author: Praveen Kumar Panghal
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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