Atlanta Real Estate Investors Alliance Blog
Real Estate Agents and Investing
Posted on October 31, 2014 byWhen I began looking into investing I assumed that I needed to be a real estate agent so I can learn how to buy and sell real estate. Thus I began taking real estate courses in 2005 and became a real estate agent. I learned that those classes only taught me the law but nothing about how to contract, buy and/or sell real estate. All this came from on the job experience and each transaction taught me something new because no two transactions are the same. For this reason you should be cautious when selecting a real estate agent.
Today, as a broker, I make it my goal to properly train my agents thoroughly. Too often my agents and I work with other real estate agents that have not been properly trained. In fact, many times, those agents have called us to ask how to do/handle certain parts of the transactions. It has happened so often recently that we had to figure out what we would and would not assist with due to liability. We determined if the answer to the question is a fact we would answer. If the response is an opinion or company based we request that they ask their broker. I believe that this has happened more and more as a result of 100% commission brokerages. Agents receive their license and start at a 100% commission brokerage where there is minimal to no training because they are paying 100% commissions. What you end up with is an inexperienced agent that will learn at the client’s expense. When investing in real estate this can be a blessing or a nightmare. Read More→
Federal Court Clears Way for Homeowners to Fight Back Against the Banksters
Posted on October 31, 2014 byAnother day, another court ruling against the banksters who have fraudulently foreclosed on millions of homes! I have been writing about how the courts have been wising up to the games the banks have been playing to foreclose on properties that they have no claim to, and the latest ruling is one of the biggest. The Federal 6th Circuit Court in Ohio has cleared away a major hurdle that has stopped a lot of homeowners in their tracks.
In many homeowners’ cases, a major claim is that their note never made it into the trust that the foreclosing bank is acting as the servicer for. As soon as the homeowner makes their initial charge that the loan never made it into the trust, the bank would respond saying that, since the homeowner is not an owner or investor in the trust, they have no standing to challenge the validity of the transactions that purport to transfer the note into the trust. Since they have no standing to demand to see the chain of title on the note, their main claim is tossed out by the court, and their case is dismissed.
The 6th Circuit Court’s has ruled that the homeowner DOES in fact have the standing to challenge title and therefore the validity of the transactions that claim to show the note belonging to the trust. Not only that, but the court found that whether or not the homeowner had previously defaulted on his mortgage. The court was incredibly forceful in their ruling, almost recommending a RICO action against the banks. Read More→
Top 10 Ways to Get Help from IRS.gov
Posted on October 31, 2014 byWith only a few days left on extensions for business filing (Sept 15th) and a few weeks for personal (Oct 15th), I recently have had a number of clients who need some basic information that really has to come from the IRS. It might be a form or other basic information. Always check with your CPA first then if you still need assistance look at the IRS website.
When you’re looking for tax information help, you want to find it as quickly and easily as possible. That’s why the IRS redesigned its website. It’s now even more user friendly.
Here are the top 10 reasons to visit IRS.gov: Read More→
Getting Sponsored
Posted on October 31, 2014 byMultifamily real estate can be one of the most profitable real estate business models but it can also come with some barriers to entry. Qualifying for a loan to buy apartments can be challenging but not impossible. One of the major misconceptions today is that a bank will lend only on the value of the property and will not look at your personal financial standing for the loan qualification. This simply is not true. A lender will always look at the financial wherewithal of the borrower. The good news is that you can have partners that bring some of the things that you may not have and help you to qualify for a loan.
What I am discussing here is what we call a “Sponsor”. A Sponsor is a partner that brings the needed qualifications that will help you get the loan and the deal done. Sponsors can bring many things to your business besides money and net worth. They can bring experience too. Let’s start with the money side first.
Most banks and lenders will want you and your team to have a net worth greater than the loan amount. If you want to qualify for a $1,000,000 dollar loan then you and your team will need to be worth at least $1,000,000. If you don’t personally have that much net worth then you will need to bring on a partner or partners that do have it, in order to satisfy the lender. Net worth is a gray area that will ultimately be judged by the lender, but for this conversation I will give you some guidelines from the loans I have done. Read More→
What About When Certain Property Values Fall?
Posted on October 31, 2014 byThere are indicators home values in recreation and in particular what are considered mountain homes in many US market areas lost tax value year over year. The data I have been seeing using REIAComps this year is proof which can affect your investing business.
For those of you already connected to REIAComps, the control and feeling of confidence you have over your deals is priceless. Having tax data at the ready adds power and knowledge to your tool belt. Using REIAComps to investigate the changing tax value of dwellings gives you an unfair advantage.
For not the first time the value of the property on many county tax rolls went down in this year’s reassessment of many recreation homes. What this has meant is an increase in the tax millage rate for these counties, school districts and municipalities. Read More→
Pretty Houses vs Ugly House at Atlanta REIA on November 3, 2014
Posted on October 29, 2014 byOpen House & Vendor Trade Show
Atlanta REIA Members & Guests
Can Attend This Month at No Charge!
Which is Best for You?
Our next Atlanta REIA Main Meeting is on Monday, November 3rd at Atlanta Unity located at 3597 Parkway Lane in Norcross, GA where we will be having an Open House and Vendor Trade Show. We will also be having a Real Estate Expert Panel Discussion on “Buying Pretty Houses vs Ugly Houses. Which is Best for You?” with Don DeRosa, Russ Hiner, Rock Shukoor and Dustin Griffin.
The Panel will discuss…
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Buying Pretty Houses vs Ugly Houses
- How to Buy with No Cash or Credit
- Various Purchase Strategies for Each
- Various Exist Strategies
- The Fastest Ways to Get to a Pay Day
- What You Need to Know
- Who You Need to Know
- Case Studies of Each
- Answers to Your Questions
- And Much, Much More!
Ugly House & Pretty House Boot Camps Coming Soon…
Also, to further your real estate investing career in the Ugly House business when it comes to Wholesaling and Retailing, Russ Hiner and Rock Shukoor are holding “The Ugly House Boot Camp – Part 1: Wholesaling” on November 20th – 22nd in Buford, GA. This class is limited to 30 people and will only be offered once per year. Read More >>
In addition, Don DeRosa and Dustin Griffin are conducting “The Pretty House Boot Camp – Part 1: Buying” on December 14th – 16th in Buford, GA to teach you how to Buy, Sell and Hold Pretty Houses with little or none of your own money. Like the Ugly House Boot Camp, this event is also limited to 30 people and will only be offered once per year. Read More>>
Island REIA Winter Retreat – Dave Biddison from Dream Trips will be at the Meeting to tell our members and guests about our first annual Island REIA Winter Retreat that will take place on January 18th – 24th at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, an All-Inclusive Resort, in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Don DeRosa, Russ Hiner, Rock Shukoor and many other real estate experts and trainers will be attending this retreat. Read More>>
*Please Note: Meeting agenda is subject to change.
Member Orientation Meeting
with Alan McDonald
Alan McDonald, Leader of the Beginning Investors Group (BIG) will be hosting a Member Orientation Meeting as the “Meeting Before the Meeting” this month starting at 5PM. The purpose of this meeting to introduce new members to Atlanta REIA and to show them how they can get actively involved in our organization and get the most benefit out of their membership. If you haven’t joined Atlanta REIA yet, you can join this month at the meeting and wind down this year and start the the new year off lots of new investor friends!
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 6:20 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”!
- Do you love hanging out with other fun loving, like-minded real estate investors who love to talk about real estate investing and doing deals?
- Do you want to work with fun, energetic people who are consistently doing deals?
- Are you always looking for new contacts and resources to build your real estate dream team?
- Do you ever have trouble putting together profitable deals and need help?
- Are you constantly looking for new leads sources as well as home buyers and sellers?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then you belong at Late Nite Networking! Whether you are brand new to real estate investing or have years of experienced, everyone benefits from Late Nite Networking. Come eat, drink, connect, and have fun with like-minded real estate entrepreneurs as we network late into the night!
There is no charge for Atlanta REIA Members or guests, so bring a friend and head on down to Late Nite Networking! Just be sure you order food and beverages from the cafe and tip their wait staff generously.
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>>
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>>
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>>
Solutions Realty Network – Providing expert property management and investment services since 2003. You invest and we take care of the rest! We’re the solution to all your real estate needs. 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>>
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>>
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>>
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>>
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>>
- Platinum Key Management, Inc.
- World Ventures Travel
- ONEprop Leasing & Property Mgmt
- Seabright Homes
- Air Conditioning Experts, Inc.
- Georgia Home Deals
- Comcast Xfinity
- Ethan Atkinson with the Athens Real Estate Investors Club
- Alan McDonald with the Beginning Investors Group
- Leslie Mathis with the Wild Wild West Subgroup
- Russ Hiner with the Creative Deal Structuring Group
- Karen Bershad with the Small Business Group
- Rock Shukoor with the All Inclusive Marketing Group
- Carla Gamper with the Multi-Family Focus Group & Multi-Family Action Group
Atlanta REIA Meets at Atlanta Unity in Norcross on Nov 3, 2014
Posted on October 29, 2014 by
PLEASE NOTE: On November 3rd, the Atlanta REIA Main Monthly Meeting will be held at Atlanta Unity located at 3597 Parkway Lane in Norcross, GA. Atlanta Unity is set to be the location for our future Atlanta REIA Meetings.Learn to Keep it Legal When Raising Private Money to Fund Your Deals on Oct 27th, 2014 at West Group
Posted on October 22, 2014 by
Come join us at the Atlanta REIA West Group on Monday, October 27th at 6:30PM at Cherokee Cattle Company located at 2710 Canton Rd in Marietta, where Jim Hitt will be showing YOU how to keep yourself out of legal trouble when you are raising private money for your investing. Raising money from strangers is not as simple as you might think, especially when you have to deal with SEC guidelines and a real estate market that has brought about countless negative media headlines. Despite the negative headlines, the real estate market is ripe with incredible deals — deals so good we will be talking about them for decades.
Raising the money necessary to fund these deals is one of the biggest challenges for many investors. Banks are extremely tight and cash is king since sellers want cash! Raising private money isn’t always as simple as asking family, friends and contacts. Sometimes you have to engage strangers and somehow convince them to start writing you checks or wire money all without violating SEC guidelines.
You will learn:
- How To Find Private Lenders
- How To Negotiate For The Best Deal
- The Legal Aspects Of Raising Funds
- How To Not Run Afoul Of The Law
- And much, much more.
Jim is the founder and President of American IRA. He is also a successful investor as well. Come and network with Jim and other fellow investors.
DO NOT MISS THIS EVENT!
After the conclusion of the Atlanta REIA West Meeting (after 9:00 PM), we will be hanging out at the Cherokee Cattle Company 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.
Learn to Keep Your Vacancies Rate to a Minimum at the New Peachtree City Group
Posted on October 22, 2014 by
Come join us at the Atlanta REIA Peachtree City EPIC Group on Tuesday, October 28th at 6:30PM at Green Ginger Asian Fusion Restaurant located at 200 Market Place Connector in Peachtree City, GA, where Chris & Donna Littleton will be showing YOU how to keep vacancies in your properties at an absolute minimum.
If you are a landlord, you probably realize how important it is to keep the cash flow coming in on your properties. If no one is making payments on your property, your investment will have a negative cash flow and you will be pulling money out of your pocket to make the payments.
If you would like to learn new techniques to keep your investment properties cash flowing, please join Chris & Donna Littleton of Solutions Realty Network at this month’s meeting and let them show you different methods of keeping your vacancies to a minimum.
After the conclusion of the Atlanta REIA EPIC Meeting (after 9:00 PM), we will be hanging out at the Green Ginger Restaurant 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!
The EPIC Group (which stands for “Education, Properties, Income and Community”) is a Peachtree City Real Estate Investing Group that is all about buy and hold real estate investing, long term income and building your net worth. The meeting takes place at the Green Ginger Asian Fusion Restaurant located at 200 Market Place Connector in Peachtree City, GA. The host for this event is Donna Littleton, Broker & CEO of Solutions Realty Network, and her husband Chris Littleton. There is no charge for Atlanta REIA Members and currently no charge for non-members as well.
Onsite Renovation Group Meets on October 21st at Noon in Atlanta
Posted on October 20, 2014 byMeets Tuesday, October 21st at NOON
576 John Wesley Dobbs Ave, Atlanta, GA 30312
This Month, on Tuesday, October 21st at NOON, the Onsite Renovation Group property located at 576 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312 where we are doing a new construction. Our client purchased a house that had 3 walls and we have already demolished the structure. The site is being prepped for the new house to be built while we are working through the permitting process with the City of Atlanta. Join us to hear Aaron talk about the unique challenges of demolition and new construction. The project is in the Old Fourth Ward, which is a neighborhood that has suddenly become hot because of the proximity to the Beltline and the Ponce City Market development in the historic Sears building. Don’t miss this meeting that should prove to be very informative on some new topics we haven’t addressed before!
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.
Alisha Spence
Posted on October 14, 2014 by
Alisha Spence is an Associate Broker with Duffy Realty who has been specializing in the valuation, sales, and marketing of investment real estate in the Metro Atlanta suburbs since 2005. Alisha is experienced in many aspects of real estate including residential and commercial property management, managing operations, acquisitions and sales for one of the largest and most productive real estate investment companies in Atlanta – HomeVestors® of America, and traditional client representation for both retail and wholesale transactions. She worked with Private Equity and Commercial Investment Firm – Euram, Inc., and she has an extensive research background which has been extremely beneficial to her clients. She has worked with investors having been a member several Atlanta Real Estate Investor Associations and has taught valuation classes for many groups. She sat on an Ethics committee in 2007 and cares very much about Ethics in Real Estate for her clients.
Learn How to Sell Houses in 3 Days & Build a Huge Buyers List
Posted on October 13, 2014 by& Build a Huge Buyers List
with Greg Cesar on October 13
at Hudson Grille, Sandy Springs, GA
We are very excited to announce that Greg Cesar, a great marketer, successful active coach, mentor and speaker in the area of marketing, will be our special guest speaker at the All Inclusive Marketing (AIM) Group on Monday, October 13th at 7:00 PM at the Hudson Grille located at 6317 Roswell Rd in Sandy Springs. It won’t take long before you realize that Greg is an expert marketer and can help your business grow. If you need more laser targeted traffic to your website, then Greg Cesar is your man.
Greg will discuss how to make your phone ring off the hook with hungry buyers and sell any investment property fast without a real estate agent or paying huge commissions.
During this meeting you will learn the 4 part system he uses to go from zero responses to an unstoppable avalanche of leads in only 3 short days. You’ll learn exactly why even his real estate agent begged him to teach her what he did.
Here’s a little of what you will learn at the meeting:
- Why you don’t need an agent and don’t to pay commissions if you don’t have to
- The real reason your agent does an open house and why it doesn’t help you
- How to reach prospects your agent don’t know exist
- How to make your phone start ringing with hungry buyers in just a few days
- Where you should market your property to get sales fast
- How to get out of state buyers with deep pockets calling you
- How to create demand for your property before it’s even listed
- The one thing you can do today that will have leads coming in forever
- The one tool that automatically sends buyers without having to lift a finger
- The one thing you have to ask every prospect that will sell your properties faster than anyone else on the market
- All this and much, much more…
Greg Cesar is an international expert in creative internet marketing strategies. Greg has helped thousands of students to drive more laser targeted traffic to their websites. Greg is a creative thinker and uses out of the box strategies to dominate niche markets. In his courses and training, you will learn how to use MindSet Marketing and find hidden entry points in your mark. You’ll learn the emotional triggers that get more people to click on your ads and buy from you. You’ll even learn how to go after large competitive markets and get your clicks for pennies while others spend dollars.
BONUSES FOR ATTENDING: Rock has some special bonuses for all those who show up early or on time: (1) a Complimentary 90 minute “Find Your Money Direction Now” consulting session with Rock Shukoor ($375 value), (2) a digital copy of his book, “The Dynamic 6!” and (3) a 30 point marketing audit of your business ($250 value). Just ask Rock for your bonuses.
After the conclusion of our All Inclusive Marketing Meeting, we will be hanging out a the Hudson Grill for “Late Nite Networking” to socialize and build stronger bond. So come and join us for the AIM Meeting and be prepared to stay late and network and have fun with like minded real estate investors, marketers and other professionals late into the evening!
The Atlanta REIA All Inclusive Marketing (AIM) Group (formerly known as the “I Love Marketing” group) is a new networking and educational meeting led by Rock Shukoor and Dustin Griffin for like-minded real estate investors and small business owners who enjoy marketing and are interested in taking their business to the next level through creative marketing techniques.
AIM is for people who want to want to get together, learn and discuss marketing challenges, strategies and opportunities. Although many of the examples we cover at the meetings will be geared towards real estate investors, the techniques and strategies learned can easily be applied to any business. AIM meets on the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Hudson Grille located at 6317 Roswell Rd in Sandy Springs.
*Please Note: AIM Meeting agenda is subject to change.
