Yes, there is, in fact, a secret to short sales. And once you learn it, you will open up your finances to an entirely new tax bracket. As you have recently seen, short sales have become an integral part of the real estate industry as a whole. Some 20 Million...

As you start doing more and more real estate deals, as an investor (unless you have unlimited resources--the consummate deep pockets), sooner or later you will reach the limits of what you can do on your own. Some investors find this upsetting, but I like to look at...

I'd like to compare hard money to private money, which are in ways similar, in ways different, but definitely confused with one another when investors discuss them. Both hard money and private money are typically asset based loans, backed more by the strength of a...

Walking through a used mobile home can sometimes seem overwhelming. Cat urine and dog feces on the carpets, soft floors by the tub and laundry areas, holes in the walls, ceiling repairs needed from a leaky roof, and more. When considering whether to take on a rehab...

We do most of our own property inspection except for A/C, plumbing, and electrical. This is what I have on me or in my car. Most of these things you can actually carry on a duty belt. And by the way--Always tell someone where you are going and when. Mace (for dogs and...

I bet you never thought your business and investments would look quite like this. The business changes, real estate crash, and credit meltdown have rattled the whole country. It's also given you a real opportunity. It's a chance to examine what is most important. This...

There are many benefits for doing an owner-carry installment sale (owner financing, as opposed to conventional bank financing) for both the buyer and seller. Sometimes the advantages inure to the benefit of one or the other, but in most cases the transaction is...

Or, "How to position yourself to make HUGE wealth-building profits!" We live in a world that thrives on debt--the richest industry on planet earth--rigged for unlimited expansion! Having grown up in a debt-ridden society, we tend not to put a lot of attention on...

To sell a house quickly, the house must be attractive and so should the terms. By fixing your home to present it in the best light and offering flexible terms as well, you have, in fact, given your buyer an "offer they can't refuse." By selling your house for an...

Good news! Here are some great tips for landlords who might be experiencing difficulties with vacancies and collecting on-time payments given the current economic climate. Landlord Tip #1: Do not expect your vacancies to stay empty longer because of the economy It's...

Ever thought of buying a used U-Haul? A Missouri landlord bought an out-of-service U-Haul truck to offer as an extra perk to rental applicants and new residents. He bought a used U-Haul truck for just a few thousand dollars. When applicants are applying, the landlord...

Explain your rent collection policy to all new residents before they move in. Have this policy in writing and stress the seriousness of prompt payment. Remind new residents that late payments may affect their credit rating. Have the new resident circle and initial the...

You can't expect to reduce your risk of getting sued to zero, but you can take steps to reduce your risk as much as possible. In any situation where your money is at risk, ask yourself, "Is there a better way?" Know the legal and financial risks of the situations in...

[This article is an excerpt from Bill's new book, How to Sell a House Fast in a Slow Market.] In today's market where there are so many foreclosure and bank REO sales, figuring out the real value of a property can be difficult. The comparable sales method is the most...

Hi Folks, In checking through my files, I came across this article from several years back. I think this would be a good time to run, since nothing has really changed. And while it was directed toward the manufactured housing business (mobile homes), it applies...

[Editor's note: You may not be aware that you can invest in real estate using your IRA or other retirement funds. If your retirement fund is "self-directed," you can use your funds for "non-traditional" investments (as opposed to stocks, bonds, etc.), as long as all...

It looks like the IRS has hit pay dirt with their targeted audits of real estate professionals and real estate investors. From the emails and phone calls we've received, the number and voracity of the audits against real estate investors and real estate professionals...

"Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you are right" --Henry Ford I am sure you've heard the expression, "Attitude is everything." This is very true. Right now, it's simply your attitude and mentality that will give you the edge over others who are trying...

I was asked two questions recently: Are used mobile homes and mobile home parks still a good business to consider in the present economy? What would you do different if you were starting out today? Very good questions, so let me address them. Mobile homes and mobile...

If you are serious about making money through the inevitable "thick and thin" of real estate investing, then you need to think about multiple income streams and a wider distribution of the potential risk factors which go with every investment. The secrets of...

Investing in real estate has changed in many markets in our country. If you are like me, you live in a real estate market that has gone soft. There are still some areas in the country where homes are appreciating nicely, but nothing like it was a year or two ago....

In 1986, I started buying used mobile homes for $2,000 to $3,000, and selling them for $5,000 to $6,000 with payments of $200 to $300 per month. Over 20 years later, I'm still buying and selling mobile homes at the same prices, same payments.Yet, I keep hearing people...

Whether you are new to real estate investing, or you have just reached a "plateau" and need some ideas, these reminders will help "jump-start" your real estate investing career and get you back on track. Surround yourself with like-minded people "Creative" real estate...

Dealing with the underwriter is one of the most critical parts of getting this loan funded. Let's take a look. Getting a borrower to approach you with a commercial mortgage loan scenario is only the first step in the commercial mortgage loan process. Upon your first...

In this article, I want to share with you the concept of creating your own personal investing criteria. Why is this so important? I'm glad you asked! Here's my best answer: Four reasons to put your investing criteria in writing Reason One: It helps you immediately...

Building an investor list is the key to success in real estate investing. The concept is simple: Find a list of investors who buy houses, then go out and find the inventory to flip to such investors. Let these investors know that you buy houses, too. The more people...

Taxes are your biggest expense in your lifetime, so choose your source of income wisely! Real estate has some of the best tax breaks of any investment in America! The more you earn through your job, the more you get taxed, and the system is setup that way to punish...

I'm writing this article from my hotel suite at the Fairmont Hotel on Maui. I've just finished the fifth annual Maui Mastermind wealth retreat, and I wanted to share with you some of my thoughts about what I've learned along the way as I've built my wealth. Imagine we...

[December 2007] "Men go mad in herds, but only come to their senses one-by-one." --Charles Mackay Despite the obvious bursting of the housing bubble and the associated freezing up of credit markets, many (suspiciously self-serving?) forecasters and investors suggest...

As the real estate market slow down continues, and with foreclosures on the rise in most of the country, lenders are finding themselves overwhelmed with many sub-performing and non-performing loans. Many lenders are willing to consider a "short sale" where the lender...

The market is slowing and investors are drowning in house payments. Is there an end in sight? Probably not. But, there is something you can do about it. Dropping the price until you get it sold is one way to do it. But, I've got a better solution--sell the house. What...

Curb appeal is one of the most important aspects of any real estate transaction. For me, it is the curb appeal that defines everything about my deal. How much will I offer? How much will it take to rehab the property? How does it compare to the surrounding living...

Year after year, home remodeling fraud costs consumers thousands of dollars and considerable stress and aggravation. Contractor fraud is a criminal activity pulled by scam artists on consumers. They tend to prey on senior citizens and singles, taking advantage of...

So you've just purchased a new home study course. You followed the instructions. You found a good deal. You present your contract to the listing broker, and you get laughed at! The reality is, real estate brokers don't like "seminar" forms. They are comfortable using...

The real estate contract is the most often used, yet little understood tool in the real estate business. Whether you are a rank beginner or seasoned expert, there is no excuse for not knowing and understanding real estate contracts. Real estate contracts are based on...

Most people have come to mistakenly view cash (including cash to an existing loan and/or cash to a new loan), rather than benefits, as the driving force behind real estate transactions. So when cash is tight, transactions don't get done, and benefits for buyers AND...

[Editor's note: Buying a home "subject to" means "subject to the existing financing" already in place on the property. The terms of the original note with the lender stay the same, and the note remains in the seller's name. Typically, you would then sell the house to...

Every real estate investor has heard how important it is to build rapport with distressed homeowners. What we never hear about is how to do it. What is it about someone that makes us instantly like or dislike them? We do not really know what it is about that person;...

In early September 2007, the headlines keep bringing dark skies. Homes Entering Foreclosure at Record Pace Realtors: Home Price Slump Through '08 Homebuilder Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. Announces Massive 3-Day Sale in 19 States More Americans are falling behind on...

In my previous article, Top 5 Mistakes of Beginning Commercial Real Estate Investors, we discussed 5 of the 10 most common mistakes investors make in commercial real estate. They could be summed up as: Lack of market knowledge Lousy due diligence Bad math...

The headlines keep on coming. The only thing for certain is as leading business consultant, Tom Peters, would say: "If you're not confused, you're not paying attention!" Freddie Mac Sees Housing Continuing to Tumble 65 of Nation's 299 Biggest Real Estate Markets...

We've all done it. Anyone who invests in real estate is bound to make a clunker deal sooner or later. I've been in this business for over 25 years and have made plenty of mistakes, and I am always reminded that experience is what you get right after you needed it. The...

People who have always put their money in blue-chip stocks, bonds, and money-market accounts commonly think of real estate as being an inherently risky investment. While real estate can be risky, you can certainly limit that risk by educating yourself.My experience...

Many people start out in real estate investing with great fervor, only to become discouraged after a few months when they don't attain instant fortune. They discover they can't get rich quickly and easily, so they move on to the next scheme. These impatient investors...

(June 2007) Question: Ray, what factors indicate the climate, good or bad, for investing in mobile home parks? In my view, the worst that can happen for mobile home parks has already occurred: Low rates and easy money for traditional housing An industry-wide meltdown...

The day has come when savvy entrepreneurs, investors, rehabbers, FSBOs, Realtors, and other real property owners have come to the realization that they can sell their properties faster by offering owner financing and still get to a cash position. The advent and...

In Part One, Riding the "Paper" Tiger: The Subprime Disaster, I left off with a discussion of the current marketplace and the role subprime lending is playing. In Part Two, let's explore how your knowledge of recent history--and what is going on right now can help you...

The so-called day after "hangover" from the fast and loose lending spree that helped fuel the real estate boom during the first half of this decade keeps getting worse, with a continued fall out among lenders who catered to high-risk (or "subprime") borrowers. Several...

As I write this in the spring of 2007, the real estate market is in the throes of yet another of its recurrent downward cycles. Consequently, a frequent question we get these days is: "How is the latest meltdown in the subprime lending industry affecting the purchase...

In my workshop, I teach that there are at least nine different ways you can do a deal with poor or bad credit. Now before I give them to you, I want you to know that I'm really supportive of learning deal structuring. The first thing you need to do is "investigate...

"Do not try this at home . . ." There's a reason those guys on television ask you to not do the things you see them attempt to do. They're risky or downright dangerous, and for a novice to do whatever it is they're doing on the screen is just an accident waiting to...

Real estate and housing markets across the nation are changing. You can hardly turn on the national news without hearing a story on how home prices are peaking--or even declining. Homes are taking longer to sell. The spread between asking prices and selling prices is...

Housing markets throughout the nation are changing. It's getting harder to buy right in some areas and tougher to sell quickly in other areas. Many creative real estate investors will leave the business frustrated that what was once working well is not working as well...

Most of us are smart enough to realize that no real estate "system" is foolproof, and if anything seems too be good to be true, it probably is. However, that doesn't mean that you need excellent credit and a surplus of cash to get started in real estate. Here are some...

For years, hot-shot speculators made huge profits flipping condos in Florida and Vegas before they were even constructed. All the while, the naysayers in the ivory towers of Wall Street and academia warned of a "housing bubble" that was sure to burst as all bubbles...

When it comes to saving taxes, being proactive is definitely the way to go. Now that the hectic holiday season is over, don't forget to take a new look at ways to save money. Here are three suggestions to help you out: 1. Where are you spending money? Where do you...

Another month, another "home sales" decline, as the real estate markets in many parts of the country decelerate and transition into something less than the hyperactive state of the past few years. Lower interest rates and frantic buyers translated into multiple offers...

How to invest in real estate? Don't. You heard me right. I don't invest in real estate and neither should you. Forget about being a real estate investor, and you'll be well on your way, financially, to wherever it is you're trying to get. Because owning real estate is...

"Flipping" is the buzzword of the year in real estate: Flipping books, flipping articles in the newspaper, and even flipping shows on TV! What is flipping, how does it work, and how you can profit?Flipping houses simply means buying a property and reselling it...

Is it too late for real estate? I've been investing in real estate for twenty-four years, and I've seen the ups and downs of the real estate market. I've made some bad investments, but most of them have turned out great--as long as I was prepared to stay through the...

When I go to speak to real estate clubs, sometimes my reputation precedes me: "Mr. Landlord is the guy who talks about adding extras and upgrades to your properties for more cash flow." After speaking for nearly 20 years and publishing the Mr. Landlord newsletter for...

For real estate agents, business brokers, and mobile home dealers and brokers, seller-carryback financing can make the difference between a "sold" or an "expired" listing. This is particularly so in certain economic cycles, like the one we are entering NOW! A majority...

[This article is an excerpt from Lonnie's book Taking The Mystery Out Of Money.] I often hear people say they can't get started investing in mobile homes because either they don't have any money, or they have very little money. Just this week, Eric, a young man in our...

Rates, Recession, and Real Estate--Lions, and Tigers, and Bears, Oh My! (July 2006)The question of the day for commercial real estate investors is: What is the effect of a slowing economy and possible recession on valuations? The run-up in values for some sectors has...

Rates, Recession, and Real Estate--Lions, and Tigers, and Bears, Oh My! (July 2006)In How to Profit in a Slow Economy (Part One), we discussed economic conditions and the outlook for capital availability for real estate investment. Now let's turn our attention to the...

A key to understanding the power of using "paper" in real estate transactions is to understand that despite what a promissory note might state on its face as the amount of debt owed, it could very well have different perceptions of value to different folks. When you...

For an overview on getting started and collecting information, read Tax Lien Investing Basics (Part One) Once you know the date, time, and terms of a tax sale, get a copy of the list and start researching tax lien properties. I realize you may be holding a list with...

Okay, you're on the front porch of a house in foreclosure, and silly you, you just knocked on the front door. What are you, crazy? Gulp! Easy, relax, we so have this thing handled . . . Now what? Don't tell me you have to think about it, and don't you dare tell me...

Analysis paralysis--one of the biggest blocks of successful real estate investing. That's when you stumble into a good deal, then stop dead in your tracks. You worry about the decision, and never do anything. In my first six months of investing, I looked at hundreds...

I get a lot of questions from people asking, "Will real estate investing work in my market?" The truth is, real estate investing works in every market. But you need to learn your market and adapt the techniques that it requires. There are many ways to describe real...

So often, beginning real estate investors focus on techniques that they lose sight of the important issue: Is this a good deal? Learning to recognize a good deal takes research, education and, above all, experience. Here's a good formula to determine whether a...

This last year has been a tough year for real estate investors looking for ways to cash flow their properties. I've talked to a lot of business owners or employees who have not yet invested in real estate and wonder if they've missed out on the real estate rocket....

One of the most popular property types in commercial real estate are "triple net," also known as "NNN" deals. These are typically single-tenant retail properties leased to tenants with high credit ratings on "net, net, net" terms (hence the NNN acronym), meaning the...

As investors who buy homes directly from motivated sellers, we are usually listening to a seller's sad story. It is important to know where to "draw the line." What we mean is, some of us are strictly business and don't even flinch at the saddest of stories. If the...