A professional hockey coach, or most professional coaches for that matter, must research the competition before a big game. They analyze the competing time, looking for patterns and techniques while becoming an expert on team dynamics in the process. The coach then goes back to their team and teaches them everything they’ve learned; they teach their team counter strategies, how to beat the competition. Well, our current renting market is a bit of an ice rink right now and it takes resear... (more)

One of the scariest things about rumors is that they do not have to be true to influence people. Today, I’d like to take a little detour from my real estate investing topics to address this very subject and how it’s affecting the mortgage industry. I ask for your time and hope you’ll get why this needed to be written. Our mortgage industry is going through a bit of a tough time--this isn’t shocking news; even those unfamiliar with real estate investing are talking about the state of our mar... (more)

As foreclosure properties keep flooding the markets in places like California, the number of foreclosure investors continues to increase. Many of these folks are also rehab investors who like to turn less-than-lovely homes into the most beautiful home on the block; the art of flipping homes has jumped to the spotlight once more. While every real estate investor’s story is different—and plans almost never go entirely as they’re supposed to—the gist of how most investor go about rehabbing fore... (more)

My sister is one of the most independent people I know. She doesn’t ask for anyone’s assistance if she, herself, can do the job. For example, I went to visit her recently to see her compete in her first triathlon--I was her fan club. Well, when we came back from the triathlon she had her bike, her two bags (she allowed me to carry one for her), and when we got to her door she couldn’t find her keys. “Here, let me get that for you,” I said. I found the keys only to have her take them from ... (more)

I’m an avid reader and have been since I was little--my mom made sure of that. She taught all three of her kids how to read before we went to kindergarten, still not entirely sure how she managed that. There were lots of flashcards involved. She also used some classical conditioning techniques by consistently pairing trips to the frozen yogurt shop with trips to the library. Needless to say, I loved going to the library. And I still do. The concept of it is amazing--you get to borrow boo... (more)

I couldn’t resist the temptation to write a little something on foreclosure investing; you can’t read the paper or surf the web without seeing articles on the topic.  So, here goes.   The process basically—though oversimplified a bit—goes like this: it begins when a borrower falls behind on their payments and the bank decides to repossess that home.  That bank then turns toward the county courthouse and puts the house up for sale at a public auction. ... (more)

Let me tell you a story of a borrower named Joe.  This tale takes place about three years ago amidst the buying craze that had enveloped the real estate market.   Joe desperately wanted to buy his single-family dream house.  The only problem was he had poor credit, unstable employment, and no significant money for a down payment.   But Joe was approved.  He moved into his lovely little home but slowly fell behind on monthly payments.  Missed mortgage paym... (more)

I have a very, let’s call it, colorful work history.  My earliest jobs, those prior to my college graduation, were perhaps the most colorful.  They included such duties as manning the aisles of a hardware store, chasing around two-year-olds at a daycare, serving dinner guests eager for breadsticks and Alfredo sauce, and well, you get the idea.  But what all of these odd jobs had in common was a time clock.  I was paid for time given, a concept prevalent in much of corpo... (more)

My friend, Angela, and I were at lunch the other day enjoying the late spring weather and talking between bites of crisp lettuce.  The conversation veered a bit when she posed a question.   “Do you think real estate is still a stable investment option?  I mean, with the way the market is looking and everything, is it still a good idea?”  Well, I won’t bore you with the details of my somewhat long-winded response (I get that way when talking about real esta... (more)

Please take a moment and consider a hypothetical—but nonetheless possible—scenario.  There are two hopeful borrowers named Brandon and Chris.  Both are planning to invest in factory built homes, but Brandon has picked the modular home route while Chris plans to purchase a manufactured home.  These investors approach the same mortgage lender and, to keep all extraneous variable constant, both have similar documented income, credit scores, etc.   Here is where... (more)

There it is--a rundown home in decent neighborhood with a for-sale sign.  The grass looks as if it hasn’t been cut for years, and what might have been gorgeous gardens are now collections of overgrown bushes and wild flowers.  The home’s tan coat of paint is flaking off and vines cover boarded-up windows.  You start to get excited; this ugly home could be your first rehab investment.  And just imagine the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel when you turn something so derelict... (more)

It’s important, when evaluating a potential pre-construction investment, to have a general understanding of the anatomy behind such deals.  Particularly, it’s wise to understand the role of the developer and their needs; their needs will affect your needs as an investor.  Since I believe this is important, this article will cover pre-construction deals from a developer’s perspective.   Summed up simply, a developer needs to sell properties to secure a paycheck.  Driving eac... (more)

Imagine what you want to do once you are retired.  Will you spend a year in Europe, seeing the Arc de Triomphe in Paris or walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain?  Or will you build your dream home in the Rocky Mountains, big enough for your family to stay and visit?  There are many who manage to live out such dreams, but most of these retirees were and are wise investors.             Diligently investing your money into l... (more)

Consider the plight of a particular, hopeful real estate investor.  This investor has just found the ideal investment property and plans to hold it for thirty year renting it out, and cashing in on appreciation rates.  In order to achieve this potentially successful investment avenue, however, the investor needs a lender.  Thus the tale of many a hopeful investor.   At this point, many investors choose conventional loans to meet their financing needs, while others choose to... (more)

I’ve come to believe that neither a short-term or long-term hold in regards to real estate investing is better than the other; they’re just remarkably different.  Like so many things, different choices are better for different types of people in different types of situations.  It’s simply a matter of researching both options and aligning your own expectations and needs with whichever type of loan best fits those needs.   Let’s look at a short-term hold.  Many people assume ... (more)

Anyone who has experience in real estate investing knows it is simply impossible to categorize or predict every factor of a certain investment.  Instead, real estate investors must be content with gleaning as much information as they can through experience and through other’s experiences.   So, while acknowledging that investing always has a certain amount of the unpredictable mixed into the equation, let’s look at a few known benefits behind pre-construction investing—specifically b... (more)

America is obsessed with makeovers.  If you don’t believe me just look at your TV Guide; there are quite a number of shows dedicated to some sort of before and after appeal.  These shows have transcended the fashion industry and into the housing realm.  Haven’t you heard?  Flipping homes is all the rage.  This rage isn’t likely to go anywhere anytime soon.  Let’s take a look from a potential investor’s perspective. You see a little h... (more)

Hello fellow investors!  This blog site is dedicated to informing you on pre-construction and what all the talk is about.  So, if you are at all curious about this investment option, check back soon as I will be posting articles regularly.  Thanks!