Atlanta Real Estate Investors Alliance Blog
Problem Solvers
Posted on February 27, 2015 byOver the years I have learned many sales techniques to get the deal done and closed. Although all those techniques have assisted in closing numerous transactions, they are not the reason I close so many deals. The number one contributing factor for my success and many other investors’ success is being the go to problem solver. Whether you are trying to get a property under contract or sell an investment property to an investor you must identify their problem and solve it.
Many investors and wholesalers approach a potential seller of a property and assume that the only thing that is going to matter in their conversation/negotiation is the price. This is a factor but it is usually not the defining factor. For instance, recently a property was under contract for nearly $20,000 below list price. Yes, this was a property on MLS. What was it that separated my offer from all the others? Experience! After having an extensive conversation with the listing agent, I discovered that the previous buyer backed out of the contract because the title was clouded. I asked about the issue and it turned out that it was an heirship issue with about 4-5 generations of siblings. After explaining how I have successfully closed many other transactions with this similar issue she decided it was in her client’s best interest to accept the offer. After I had an executed contract, I explained the process I had gone through in the past to get a similar situation closed. We used a title company that was accustomed to handling these types of transactions and we are now days from closing. While we have not yet closed on the property, I have now become this listing agent’s go to buyer for similar deals, as she has stated that she runs across this situation often. In addition, I explained to her from the beginning that as a buyer we are willing to wait as long as it takes to close. This was important because many buyers move on after only a month or two of waiting for a closing to happen. We are now at 3.5 months with 4 different extensions signed. As long as the value remains the same in the area we are sticking it out until it closes. Read More→
Are You An App Junkie?
Posted on February 27, 2015 byThere are a number of apps that will work with QuickBooks to make your life easier to work with QuickBooks software.
There are a number of categories that you may want to look at for apps that will work with QuickBooks:
- Sales and Marketing
- Productivity
- Operations
- Finance & Accounting
In the app center you can click on the area above that you are interested in and your topic will be sorted and brought to the top and you can look over each app, see how many reviews it has received. Be aware that not all the apps work with every version of QuickBooks. Some are for the “On-Line” only, some are for “Desk Top” only and some work with both – some may only work with Premier or Enterprise. Read More→
Wholesaling vs. Lease Options (aka Ugly vs. Pretty) – Part 1
Posted on February 27, 2015 byThey say that the only thing that stays the same is change. I’d like to smack whoever said that, but I have to admit that he’s right. When it comes to the things that matter to us, my loyal reader, this is definitely the case. Things like real estate investing, marketing, and the market itself, etc. These are things that are constantly changing.
So if THOSE things change, WE need to change, too… if we want to keep up. For example, when I first went full-time as a real estate investor, short sales were still in their early days. So I did a TON of them & made some serious coin. Since then, laws have been passed, banks have caught on, and I’d rather get poked in the eye by a sharp stick than do a short sale now.
Not only that, but the main market where I live & operate (the Washington, D.C. area) has gone from cold to hot, then back to cold in the crash and is now hot again. Investors come & go like transient people around a campfire.
The older I get, the wiser I get (or so I like to believe). Therefore, it has become apparent that if we want to stay alive in this business, we need to be able to not only read the trends of where things are NOW, but also where they’re going. And be able to keep up by developing & using the right techniques & strategies that are appropriate for what’s going on. Read More→
Island REIA Summer Retreat: Jun 29-Jul 3, 2015
Posted on February 26, 2015 by
Join your fellow real estate investors on a seemingly boundless stretch of beautiful beach overlooking the Caribbean Sea as the backdrop for your elegant and fun-filled all-inclusive summer retreat. We will be holding our second Island REIA Mastermind Retreat on June 29th – July 3rd at the beautiful Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort in Cancun, Mexico where you’ll get everything you need to enjoy an all-inclusive vacation with friends and family. Come learn, laugh, play, relax, recharge and reboot for only $659* per person!
Whether you choose an ocean panorama, a view of the lush resort grounds, or a room overlooking the golf course, your suite at Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort will take your breath away. You’ll feel as though you’ve entered your own private spa with a whirlpool in every room, 24-hour room service, luxurious décor including a marble bathroom with glass enclosed shower, and a refreshing breeze gliding in from your private balcony. The abundant in-room amenities at Moon Palace will surround you in comfort and elegance, from nightly turndown service to plush bathrobes and slippers, to CHI-branded hair tools and bath products.
Relax and unwind with a drink in your room… choose from in-room wine, a stocked mini-bar or a liquor dispenser containing whiskey, tequila, rum and vodka. When it’s time to turn in after a full day of sun and surf resort living, nestle into your custom Palace Bed and the fine linens and cotton duvet will lull you to a restful sleep. All rooms and suites include all the comforts and amenities you’ll require for an unforgettable stay, including an LCD television with satellite, individually controlled air conditioning, direct dial telephone, alarm clock, coffee maker, wireless Internet, and much more. (More Photos)
So what are you waiting for? Sign up and come join us at the Island REIA Summer Retreat and learn real estate investing topics you won’t hear anywhere else from some of the best minds in the business. It’s going to be a full week of fun, sun, great food, good times, educational opportunities, social gatherings and exciting excursions with other like-minded investors and much more! Join us and you are sure to make new friends and new memories that will last a lifetime.
*Membership Has Its Advantages: Visit the Moon Palace Cancun Website and you will see that the resort normally charges at least $700 to $900 per night depending on which suite you choose. This amount includes taxes and fees, but does not include airfare or transfer to and from the resort. However, Our Special Price via World Ventures is only $659/per person for our entire stay 4 Night / 5 Day Stay based on double occupancy, a huge savings! It gets even better… with our 200 point redemption, our price is only $1,118 for two! Our special price includes your all-inclusive visit, taxes, fees and transport to and from the resort. Airfare is NOT included. Certain terms and conditions do apply. Also, you can bring your kids between 5 & 12 years old for only $217/each! Many of us will probably add a few more nights to our stay for extra sun and fun. You can too!
Contact Dave Biddison at 801-550-9042 or DavesTravel@me.com to book your room now!
This page was updated on Feb 26, 2015. More details will be posted as they develop. Stay tuned for more exiting details!
Everything You’ve Ever Learned About Real Estate Investing is Wrong…
Posted on February 26, 2015 by
I want you to stop everything you’re doing right now and mark your calendar for Monday, March 2nd for 5PM. On this date at the Atlanta REIA Main Meeting, special guest Shaun McCloskey will be presenting what’s likely to be the most life changing 90 minutes of your entire life!
Shaun is going to share with you how just about everything you have ever learned about investing in the past has been wrong. Well, let me clarify… It’s not entirely wrong, but even the right things in the wrong order is a recipe for disaster.
How can we make such a bold statement?
Forget all the hype and glam about being a real estate investor for a moment. Yes, it’s true that real estate can be the most profitable small business on earth! But it can also lead to trading a full time job for another full time job. Most real estate investors go into the business for themselves with dreams of living life according to their definition of ultimate freedom. Sadly, very few real estate investors ever get there. Most work harder as a full time investor than they did back when they had a full time job. At least with a full time job, when 5:00 came every day, they were able to clock out and go home. But today, most investors work more hours than ever, and even when they aren’t working their brain is still at work.
If you’re an experienced investor, does this sound familiar?
If you’re new to real estate investing, it may not sound familiar yet, but don’t let that scare you. There’s a right way to run an extremely profitable flipping business and there’s the way most of the guru’s are out there teaching. Shaun is about to flip your world upside, showing you how to create an insanely profitable real estate flipping business while still honoring the freedom and time to have fun with all of the money you’ll make!
How are we going to do this, you ask? Read More→
The Truth About Pre-Foreclosures – Not the Bold Faced Lies You’ve Been Lead to Believe
Posted on February 23, 2015 by
Hi, my name is Shaun McCloskey. I suggest you grab a cup of coffee, sit down and read this slowly and carefully.
I don’t say this often. I don’t say this lightly… and I rarely use a strong language, like “you MUST” get involved into some aspects of investing.
However, this time it’s warranted. Especially, if you realize the wealth building potential of our current market place and dream of making A LOT of money FAST.
Where We Are Now
What we have today in our foreclosure markets is BIGGER and more widespread than what we had during the collapse and ensuing Savings and Loans bailout of the late 80s and early 90s. If you remember that time period, you probably also remember the media portraying the economy as being “a down market” and the real estate industry was “doom and gloom.”
If you were investing during that time and knew how to play the game, however, you know how profitable that was. Real estate fortunes were made over 2-3 year period.
Once this period found it’s end the opportunity was gone. Real estate returned to its normal balanced state.
The MOST important aspect of what’s going on today is the UNUSUAL and unlikely forces that are getting involved to put pressure on lenders holding REOs (repossessed properties).
This hasn’t happened before. Not like this… Read More→
Atlanta REIA Main Meeting on Pre-Foreclosures & Short Sales with Shaun McCloskey
Posted on February 23, 2015 by& Vendor Trade Show
Atlanta REIA Members Can Attend at No Charge. This month,
Guests Can RSVP Online Now for $20 or Pay $25 at the Door.
No doubt about it – foreclosure properties are the wave of the present – and the future. The truth is, they’re not going anywhere any time soon. There are endless desperate sellers right in your own back yard who would LOVE to have you fix their problem by negotiating a pennies-on-the-dollar payoff with their banks – and don’t care one bit that you’ll make tens of thousands of dollars in the process.
The problem is, most short sale education makes it sound like every deal you do will be quick, easy, painless, and successful – and according to Shaun McCloskey (and many other real life short sale investors we know), that’s just not the whole truth. Shaun is one of the few short sale/pre-foreclosure experts you’ll ever meet who’s honest about the pros and cons – and tells you how to meet the challenges of this strategy head-on. It’s Shaun’s first time at Atlanta REIA and he’ll explain:
- Why some short sale deals are no-brainer money-makers and some are a complete waste of your time – and how to tell the difference BEFORE you spend a bunch of time “negotiating” deals that should be left for dead.
- Why good systems are key to working multiple short sales at once – and why working multiple deals at once is more profitable and easier than doing one at a time.
- How to identify the right sellers, properties, and lenders to work with, so you can make a 6-figure income negotiating short sales this year!
- And much, much more!
Shaun McCloskey is a full time real estate investor located in St. Louis, MO specializing in short sales and pre-foreclosure property acquisition. He has successfully bought and sold over 300 properties since 2003 and loves the every day thrills of the residential real estate business.
Come learn about making short sales smart and simple at the Atlanta REIA Meeting on Monday, March 2nd at 5PM at Atlanta Unity located at 3597 Parkway Lane in Norcross, GA.
SPECIAL BONUS: Shaun also has a very special bonus for those who attend our meeting while supplies last. He will be giving away a copy of his Special Short Sale Wealth Report on “The TOP 9 Mistakes Investors Make Regarding Short Sales” so you can avoid making them or catching yourself when you do.
Want to learn even more about short sales and pre-foreclosures? Checkout Shaun’s Full Day Pre-Foreclosure & Lifeonaire Workshop on Saturday, March 14th where he’ll show you how to have a profitable short sale business and a real life!
WIN A 4 NIGHT STAY IN CANCUN: All participants who attend the Atlanta REIA Meeting will entered into a drawing for a chance to win a *Complimentary 5 Day, 4 Night Stay in Cancun! *You must be present at the meeting to win. Giveaway does not include dining, transportation, transfers, taxes, upgrades, etc.
*Please Note: Meeting agenda is subject to change.
Mobile Real Estate Rockstars Group
with Don DeRosa
Please join us for the Mobile Real Estate Rockstar Group (Rockstars) hosted by Don DeRosa at our “Meeting-Before-The-Meeting” on Monday, March 2nd at 5:00 PM at Atlanta Unity in the Main Meeting Room.
The Rockstars is an educational and networking group for investors who want to leverage mobile technology to become more competitive, profitable investors. You’ll learn how to use the latest apps, tips and techniques to use the information they need, right now, at their fingertips, from anywhere.
At 5:00 PM in the Main Lobby, we have a Vendor Trade Show that lasts throughout the meeting where you can come out and meet many of our participating Business Members and Vendor Guests who help sponsor our meeting. See a full list of our vendors and sponsors below as they are added.
Vendor tables are limited, so any vendors wanting to reserve a table for the meeting can RSVP for a Vendor Table here. Vendor tables are reserved and setup on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Starting at 6:15 PM, Dustin Griffin kicks off the Atlanta REIA Main Meeting with updates and announcements. Dustin covers what’s happening at Atlanta REIA in the upcoming weeks and months such as upcoming workshops, webcasts, special events, members benefits and much more! Be sure to be in the main meeting room at 6:15 PM for your chance to be one of the first to receive a printed copy of The Profit Newsletter while supplies last.
At approximately 6:30 PM, Joe Thompson will be hosting the Haves & Wants Speed Marketing Session which gives our members the opportunity to quickly market deals they HAVE and to find deals they WANT. We also give our business members the opportunity to get up and say a few words about their businesses. Members who want to participate in the Haves & Wants Marketing Session must bring your flyers and get to the meeting early to get on Joe’s list of participants.
After the conclusion of the Atlanta REIA Main Meeting, we will be reconvening at Three Dollar Cafe located at 6050 Peachtree Pkwy #100 in Norcross, GA at 9:30 PM for the Late Nite Networking and the “Meeting-After-The-Meeting”!
There is no charge for Atlanta REIA Members or guests to attend Late Nite Networking at the Three Dollar Cafe, so bring a friend and head on down to Late Nite Networking! Just be sure you order food and beverages from the cafe and please tip their wait staff generously.
Networth Realty of Atlanta, LLC – A licensed, full-service residential wholesale brokerage that specializes in finding quality wholesale properties and making them available to you. Read More>>
American IRA – The American IRA mission is to provide the highest level of customer service in the self-directed retirement industry.
Read More>>
Halperin Lyman, LLC – A transactional real property law firm devoted to providing the full spectrum of non-litigation related real estate legal and consulting services to its clientele. Read More>>
Goldmine Properties, Inc. – As Atlanta’s first full service real estate wholesaler, we offer wholesale property at 65% loan to value, with financing available. Purchase price and repairs are 65% of certified after repaired appraisal. Read More>>
Advanta IRA Administration – With the help of your local Advanta IRA staff, use your IRA to invest in assets you know, understand and control, such as real estate, notes & mortgages, private placements, and much more! Read More>>
Lima One Capital, LLC – A fully capitalized, direct lender for residential real estate investors and homebuilders. We are fully capitalized and our team prides itself on closing loans quickly for our clients. Read More>>
The Small Business Advisor – A full service small business consulting firm specializing in QuickBooks with a wide variety of specialized services, trainings and products for small businesses. Read More>>
Craftbuilt, Inc. – We are a Metro Atlanta design-build construction firm specializing in whole-structure renovations, restorations, and new construction. No matter what the situation, we are up to the challenge! Read More>>
CRS Data – We offer comps from the MLS & FSBO’s, custom searches, property tax records, interactive maps, sales & mortgage info, real estate valuations, mailing lists & more. Read More>>
DirectBuy of Atlanta – We are a private members-only buying club that gives you huge buying power by eliminating mark-up and the middleman, saving you thousands of dollars and up to 50% or more over retail and online sales prices. Read More>>
Georgia Home Deals – Jack Kudron of Georgia Home Deals offers professional counseling on buying, selling, renovating and refinancing investment properties. He also offers a wide variety of wholesale and lease/option deals. Read More>>
Century 21 Results Realty Service (Scott Swanson) – Century 21 Results Realty Services is like no other real estate company and that is our promise to clients and customers. Our associates are the experts in the Atlanta area.
Air Conditioning Experts, Inc. – For all your air conditioning services throughout Atlanta, contact Air Conditioning Experts. We have all the training and experience necessary to ensure the success of your home cooling system.
Atlanta Carpet Services, Inc. – Providing carpet, wood, vinyl, and tile, ACS is dedicated to every aspect of your floor covering needs from initial consultation to the sale and follow-up services. Read More>>
Fuller Center for Housing of Greater Atlanta – A faith-driven, Christ-centered, non-profit organization dedicated to providing adequate shelter for people in need in the Greater Atlanta area. Read More>>
RenterUp
Gateway Acquisitions Group LLC
Tyler Sherman
Shaun McCloskey
Posted on February 22, 2015 by
Shaun McCloskey is a seasoned real estate investor, author and coach based in St. Louis, MO. that has used real estate as an investment strategy and educational tool to change thousands of lives across the United States. He is the author of several real estate investing courses and is widely known for his expertise in the fields of pre-foreclosure and short sales.
Although by the world’s standards Shaun was considered to be a very successful entrepreneur, in 2007 he realized that he was working far too much and was consumed by his business. By implementing the LIFEonaire and debt free investing principles into his own life, this is now a thing of the past.
“Everyone says they want to be a millionaire, but what they really want is LIFE! The American Dream says that more money equates to a better life, however, I know a number of people that have made millions of dollars and are also miserable. I know because I was one of them. I want to show you how to have both money and LIFE.” Read More→
How to Build a Real Estate Empire Quickly with Mark & Anne Lackey
Posted on February 19, 2015 by
Come join us at the Atlanta REIA Wild Wild West Group on Monday, February 23rd at 6:30PM at Cherokee Cattle Company located at 2710 Canton Rd in Marietta, and let our special guests, Mark and Anne Lackey show you how they built their real estate empire and give you pointers, tips and tricks of how you can do the same.
The Lackeys use systems to build and manage their empire. They will be sharing what they use, and how they use it. If you have dreams of retiring your current job and enjoying the monthly cash flows coming in, you will want to be at this event.
You will learn:
- How To Buy 4 Homes In Your First Month
- How to jump start your real estate investing career at lighnting speed…and make big profits in real estate
- How to put a winning “hands off” team together that runs your business for you
- How to leave your JOB that you hate and never look back
- And much, much more.
Mark and Anne Lackey, who are well known around Atlanta and across the nation as Real Estate Investors, Authors, Speakers and Educators, as well as realtors. Mark and Anne’s work, play and life are all about Real Estate. Late 1999 while working a J.O.B. (Just Over Broke) in Corporate America Mark and Anne made the decision to start a real estate investing career and they have never looked back. Their first month in the business, they purchased 4 rental homes and still own all 4 today as high cash flowing rentals Today, they own and manage close to forty residential properties in their own portfolio, and manage 185 rentals for other investors. Each year they find, fix-up and flip for a good profit four to six properties. As of Fall 2014, they have written three books (2 became #1 best sellers in hours!) in the area of Real Estate Investing,”Rent and Grow Rich”, “Robin Hood is not Dead”, and “Multiply Yourself” are all available on Amazon. They have a great reputation throughout the nation.
After the conclusion of the Atlanta REIA BIG Meeting (after 9:00 PM), we will be hanging out at the Hudson Grill for Late Nite Networking also known as the “Meeting After the Meeting”. So please come eat, drink, network and have fun with like-minded investors and real estate professionals as we hang out late into the night!
*Please Note: Meeting agenda is subject to change.
The Atlanta REIA West Monthly Meeting is an Atlanta REIA Subchapter led by Leslie Mathis that is held on the 4th Monday of each month at 6:30 PM at the Cherokee Cattle Company restaurant located at 2710 Canton Road in Marietta, GA. Atlanta REIA Members can attend for FREE and guests for $10.00. Show up at 6:30 PM to eat and network before the meeting officially starts at 7:00 PM. Buying your own meal is optional but highly recommended and greatly appreciated since the Cherokee Cattle Company allows us to use their meeting room. There will be lots of learning and lots of networking. Bring your deals and your haves, wants and needs to the event.
Mark & Anne Lackey
Posted on February 17, 2015 byMark and Anne Lackey are well known around Atlanta and across the nation as Real Estate Investors, Authors, Speakers and Educators as well as Realtors. Whether listing a luxury home, showing out of town buyers where to live or buying for himself, Mark and Anne’s work, play and life are all about Real Estate. Late 1999 while working a J.O.B. (Just Over Broke) in Corporate America, Mark and Anne made the decision to start a real estate investing career and they have never looked back. Their first month in the business, they purchased 4 rental homes and still own all 4 today as high cash flowing rentals.
Today, Mark and Anne own and manage close to forty residential properties in their own account, and manage 160 rentals for other investors. Each year they find, fix-up and flip for a good profit four to six properties. Together they own and operate Atlanta Housing Source and Rental Home Atlanta. They do everything together. They coach and train hundreds of investors on joining the ranks of successful real estate investors and can found on the stage at local investing events, on the radio as a guest with Jeff Davis GM at 1160 WCFO (where he and Anne had a successful 2 year radio show dedicated to real estate investing) or promoting his latest Amazon Number 1 e-book. He and Anne have written three books and developed multiple training modules in the area of Real Estate Investing. Read More→
Beginning Investors Group on 45 Ways to Generate Buyer & Seller Leads
Posted on February 10, 2015 bywith Rock Shukoor
All Members & Guests Must RSVP Online to Attend
Members Attend for FREE and Guests for $15 Online or Pay $20 at the Door.
Guests can join Atlanta REIA for Only $100/year and Attend for FREE!
Whether you know it or not, as real estate investors, we are all in the “marketing” business. Yes, “real estate” is our product and “solutions” is the service we provide, but we are in the marketing business. You must learn how to be a great marketer to be able to find great deals no one else can and be able to attract cash buyers so you can close within days.
On Monday, February 16th, Rock Shukoor is going to show you 45 low or no cost marketing methods that he and other successful investors use to promote their business and generate all the motivated buyer and seller leads they can handle! If you want to get your phone ringing and email box overflowing with business, then join us at the Beginning Investors Group (BIG) on Monday, February 16th, at 6:00PM at Hudson Grille located at 6317 Roswell Rd in Sandy Springs.
You Need To Bring:
- Working Pen or Pencil
- Paper To Take Notes
- Smartphone With Camera To Take Screen Pictures
- Barcode Scanning App On Your Smartphone
Rateb “Rock” Shukoor has worked as an investor, consultant, mentor and coach in the field of marketing and real estate for more than 10 years. He frequently speaks at investment conferences and has been interviewed and consulted by other real estate investors and promoters. The secrets to his success has been his deep knowledge and understanding of marketing. He has been using and teaching investors and entrepreneurs the secrets of video, mobile and direct response marketing.
After the conclusion of the Atlanta REIA BIG Meeting (after 9:00 PM), we will be hanging out at the Hudson Grille for Late Nite Networking also known as the “Meeting After the Meeting”. Stay around, have some dessert, a drink, network and have fun with like-minded investors and real estate professionals as we hang out late into the night!
*Please Note: Meeting agenda is subject to change.
If you become an Atlanta REIA member before midnight, February 15th, you may attend this BIG Meeting at no charge as well as other great Atlanta REIA Meetings, plus get great discounts on other Atlanta REIA Workshops.
BIG is an educational and networking special interest group, hosted by Alan McDonald, and Dustin Griffin for new investors who are just getting started in real estate investing as well as “new again” real estate investors who’ve taken a few years off and are looking to start investing again. The entire purpose of this group is to educate and inspire new investors working on their “first deal” and help new again investors get their “next deal”. Please join us on the 3rd Monday of each month at Hudson Grille located at 6317 Roswell Rd in Sandy Springs.
Onsite Renovation Group Meets February 17th at NOON in Decatur
Posted on February 10, 2015 byMeets Tuesday, February 17th at NOON
2010 Delphine Drive, Decatur, GA 30032
This month, on Tuesday, February 17th at NOON, the Onsite Group will meet at 2010 Delphine Drive, Decatur, GA 30032 which is a property that Craftbuilt purchased. The plans include adding a bedroom and bath on the front of the house where the porch was. The kitchen is being moved from the front of the house to where previously there was a bedroom. Framing for the new addition is now done and the mechanical systems, HVAC, electrical and plumbing have been “roughed in”. If you were present at the previous meetings at this house, you will be amazed at the transformation. We are close to the finished product now. If you did not see the house before, come and hear about what we have done and where we are going with the project.
The Onsite Renovation Group, led by Aaron McGinnis of Craftbuilt Properties, is an educational and networking group that focuses on the acquisition, renovation and retail resale (fix and flip) of single family residential homes inside the I-285 perimeter and the in-town neighborhoods. The purpose of this group is to allow both new and experienced rehabbers and investors to meet, network and share knowledge and experience with “hands on” access to real property. The Onsite Renovation Group meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at NOON at an active renovation site, build site or rental property which will vary from month to month. There is currently no charge to attend these meeting.
