Atlanta Real Estate Investors Alliance Blog

Method Number Two: Direct Mail Campaigns

This can be a full marketing machine all in one if you do nothing else. Not only does it work well for many people, but also the list of targets is so big you can target your chosen prospects and never run out of mailing campaigns. Even though signs work well, the best target you can hope for is an area you like. With direct mail, you can use a rifle approach.

1. Pre-Foreclosures are a goldmine if worked correctly. This is a whole business within the business that’s worth the time and expense to learn.
2. Out-of-town owners almost always work. The list is easy to get from a Realtor or your local record office. This is one Kathy specializes in (with a 12% response rate if I remember correctly). Be sure to mention the property address in the letter and include a response card to make it easy for them to reach you without calling. Some people simply WON’T call. You must call them!
3. New Homeowners who’ve been in the house less than two years. I’ve heard over 70% of the foreclosures occurs within the first two years of ownership and a large percentage of those occur in the first year. Any broker can get you the list. You’re looking for pretty houses so you can get the deed!
4. Vacant Ugly Houses.
5. Target Zip codes you want to buy in. Just pick an area, rent the list of homeowners from a list broker and mail a postcard. Read More→

Once again, we are at the end of the first quarter. Over time, I have asked you to make a plan, do your research, and utilize your mentor’s skills. Now I want you to consider something essential. As a mentor, I have begun to ask people these questions:

What kind of relationship do you have with money?

How does this affect your success?

Think about it. Many of us were programmed to see money as the root of all evil. We think that people with money are corrupt and greedy—and yet we want what they have! How can you achieve wealth when you believe it is bad?  You are contradicting yourself, aren’t you?

Do you continually shut yourself down with thoughts like “I can’t afford that”? If so, how can you think this and simultaneously expect to attract wealth into your life?

The answer is that you can’t.

I can help you to see that you can.

Read More→

How’s it going? I was recently talking with someone about a real estate deal he was working on. After listening to him for a couple minutes, something became painfully clear to me:
He was obsessed with this ONE deal because he didn’t have a good, consistent, reliable SYSTEM of bringing in more real estate leads for him to work with.

As a result, he was trying to beat a dead horse, or, for those of you who are sensitive to that kind of talk – he was trying to put a round peg in a square hole and pushing to make a deal out of one that really wasn’t.

Ever have that happen to you?  Yeah, I didn’t think so.

There’s a Terrible disease that can infect a real estate investor, new or experienced.

It’s called, “One-Deal-Itis.” This is a condition that will kill your wealth, sap your motivation, and suck up all your time and energy faster than a visit from your in-laws.

One-Deal-Itis is when you don’t have (m)any leads coming in your buying pipeline, and you’re stuck on ONE deal, trying to make it work, when your time & efforts would be much better invested elsewhere.  Don’t let this happen to you! Read More→

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Roof Rescue will provide you with a free, no obligation roofing inspection. A bulk of their work comes from insurance damage related issues. With an in-house specialist, Roof rescue deals with the insurance adjusters on your behalf as your advocate get the right roof repairs/replacements needed and/or replacements. Read More→

Focusing on current real estate comps will prepare you for making deals happen in today’s real estate atmosphere.  Are you ready to dive into the real estate market by investing in a rental property? The opportunities are ripe, but don’t make rookie mistakes. Follow these tips and you’ll be on your way to securing a successful deal.

1. Don’t trust the owner’s numbers.  Your due diligence should involve checking with unbiased sources to determine the expenses, maintenance fees, leasing commissions and other costs associated with any property. Double check data provided by the broker or seller using your own real estate comp source . Talk to another apartment owner. Check public records. Confirm all numbers so you know exactly what kind of expenses to factor into the deal.
2. Don’t underestimate property taxes.  Factor in the right property tax amount, not what the current owner had been paying, particularly if it’s a long-term owner. Your property taxes could be based on the sale price. Check with the county assessor for accurate numbers.  
3. Give special attention to the big-ticket items.  The heating system and roof can be your biggest headaches and most costly repairs. Know what you’re getting into. Have them inspected by HVAC and roofing specialists, respectively, not a general inspector.  Issues are not a deal killer, however. In fact, it can work in your favor and give you the negotiating room to improve the deal. Read More→