Atlanta Real Estate Investors Alliance Blog

How to Buy a Home for $101There Kim and I were, standing in front of the Bartow County Courthouse in Cartersville, Georgia, at the December 2010 foreclosure auction – freezing our tails off.  We’ve been working the monthly foreclosure market since 1995.

Cheryl Bagby, the young lady who cries the foreclosures for McCalla Raymer, the largest foreclosing attorney in the southeast, had just finished reading the legal notice for a home in Acworth, Georgia.

It was a nice 3-bedroom, 2-bath home in a great location on about an acre of land.  The home was rented to a tenant who was paying rent of $795 per month.

When Cheryl finished reading the legal, she said, “The opening bid for this property is $100.  Are there any other bids?  Going once, going twice….” What happened next will blow your mind!  But you’ll have to read along a little further if you want to know how this story ends. Read More→

Should an investor swim or reach for a life preserver?

Just a few years ago, the number of real estate investors was growing by leaps and bounds; however, today many investors that were attracted to real estate in the early part of this decade due to skyrocketing property values have retreated to the sidelines.  The market has been cooling nationwide, and so it seems has the appetite of many investors.  The million dollar question is, are they right?  Should other investors follow their lead?

To help answer this question, let’s look at a similar occurrence that happened in the late 1990s in the stock market.  Stocks began to appreciate rapidly in the mid 1990s. In response, stock investment clubs popped up all over the country. The increased interest in the stock market drew more attention to stocks from previously inactive and novice investors. This brought more money into the stock market, which in turn drove prices even higher. The bubble burst on the stock market in the early 2000s. Stock investment clubs closed and interest in the stock market waned in response to the declining values.

The end of the bull market and start of a bear market in the early 2000s sent many of these new stock investors to the sidelines, just as real estate investors attracted to skyrocketing property values earlier this decade have also just recently retreated to the sidelines. As we asked above, are the retreating investors right? The answer is a resounding NO. Read More→

Mark Durham

Posted on March 5, 2011 by

Mark DurhamMark Durham  has been studying and investing in real estate since 1982.

In 1980, Mark turned his lifelong love of tennis into a career and became a USPTA Certified Tennis Professional. He moved to Florida to start his tennis career.

Mark became interested in real estate in 1982, and began studying and investing in real estate at the same time he was advancing his tennis career.

Mark moved back to Georgia in 1986 and opened Tennis Atlanta, a company that provides tennis services to private and public tennis facilities. He continued to study and invest in real estate while running Tennis Atlanta. Read More→

Atlanta REIA Main Monthly Meeting
with Don DeRosa & Pete Youngs on iPad Investing
Mon, Mar 7th at 5:30 PM at the W Hotel Perimeter

Don DeRosa & Pete Youngs on Using the iPad for Real Estate InvestingCome to the Atlanta REIA Main Meeting on March 7th at the W Hotel Atlanta Perimeter for a SNEAK PREVIEW to find out how the iPad gives you a HUGE competitive advantage and all the confidence you need in your real estate investing business. See Don DeRosa and Pete Youngs show you how the iPad will totally change the way you do business…saving you countless hours of time, and giving you access to everything you need to run your real estate investing business, wherever you are.

Tue, Mar 8th @ 7:00 PM

Real Estate Junkie Webcast On
The FTC’s New MARS Rule

The Real Estate Junkie Webcast with Kimberlee FrankAre you aware of how the new Mortgage Assistance Relief Services (MARS) rule is influencing your business operations? If not, you need to found out now! In November 2010, the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) published the final Mortgage Assistance Relief Services final rule. This rule took full effect on January 31, 2011. Whether you are a Realtor, Investor, Mortgage Broker, Seller… you need to know your rights and your obligations! This is “MUST KNOW NOW” information that will be covered on the Real Estate Junkie Webcast on Tuesday, March 8th at 7:00 PM ET. Register for the Webcast Now!

Register Now!

Tue, Mar 8th @ 7:00 PM

East Point Subgroup Meeting

East Point Monthly MeetingThe East Point Subgroup takes place on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Giovanna’s Italian Kitchen located at 1375 Virginia Ave in East Point, GA. The meetings will cover many areas of real estate investing and offers many opportunities of participation by all attendees. Atlanta REIA members can guest can attend at no charge.

Wed, Mar 9th @ 6:30 PM

Creative Financing Group Meeting
with Mark Durham

Creative Financing Group (CFG)The Creative Financing Group (CFG) is a new Atlanta REIA educational and networking subgroup led by Mark Durham that is designed to teach real estate investors Creative Financing Strategies for buying, selling and leasing real estate. The group will cover Creative Financing Strategies such as Owner Financing, Subject-To, Lease Options, Lease Purchase, Partnerships, Self-Directed IRA’s and much more! The group meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM at Champps Americana located at 7955 North Point Parkway in Alpharetta, GA. Atlanta REIA Members can attend at no charge and guests for $5.00.

Thu, Mar 10th @ 1:30 PM

Haves & Wants Meeting

Haves and Wants Weekly Meeting for Real Estate Deal MakersThis meeting is a weekly investor’s brainstorming and deal making jam session hosted by Joe Thompson and held at 5 Seasons Brewing located at 5600 Roswell Rd (map) inside the Perimeter at the “Prado” in Sandy Springs from 1:30 PM till approximately 3:00 PM. This group is all about doing deals and making money right now.

Thu, Mar 10th @ 3:30 PM

Small Business Group Meeting

Small Business GroupThe Small Business Group is a new educational subgroup, hosted by Karen Bershad, that is designed to help real estate entrepreneurs and other small business owners run their business more efficiently and profitably. The group meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM at the 5 Seasons Brewing at the “Prado” located at 5600 Roswell Rd in Sandy Springs, GA inside the Perimeter. On March 10th, we will cover developing systems and a specialized filing systems for REI’s and time management. Having systems in place is directly related to time management.

Thu, Mar 10th @ 6:30 PM

Atlanta REIA South Meeting
Buying REO Properties at Auction
What to Expect & How to Buy

Atlanta REIA South Monthly MeetingSo many properties have been foreclosed on and repossessed by the banks which are using “ballroom auctions” to liquidate the extreme excess of properties they have in inventory right now. Many times these REO’s sell for 40-50-60 cents on the dollar! There are some incredible deals to be had at these auctions, but you MUST know what you are doing to play in this game. The deals are plentiful if you know what to look for and what to avoid.

Leslie MathisCome join us on Thursday, March 10that 6:30 PM at the Atlanta REIA South Monthly Meeting at Ryan’s Restaurant located at 5425 North Henry Blvd in Stockbridge, GA (Map) where Leslie Mathis will take you step-by-step through what you can expect, and more importantly, what you need to know, to successfully buy REO Properties at these ballroom auctions. She will even cover a couple of strategies that will allow you to make quick cash without long-term ownership, simply by putting these properties under contract, then finding investor-buyers for them. Get paid thousands of dollars in just 30 to 45 days!

Sun, Mar 13th @ 6:30 PM

Cashflow Game Night in Marietta

Atlanta REIA Cash Flow Players GroupCashflow Game Night is a meetup where individuals can learn to take control of their financial future by playing Robert Kiyosaki’s educational Cashflow 101 and Cashflow 202 board games. The Cashflow Players Group meets again on Sunday, March 13th at 6:30 PM at the Cherokee Cattle Company located at 2710 Canton Road in Marietta, GA (map). Atlanta REIA Members play for FREE. Come eat, drink, play and network with us!

UPCOMING ATLANTA REIA WORKSHOPS

INVESTOR BONANZA
with Don DeRosa & Pete Youngs
March 16-20, 2011 in Atlanta

Pete YoungsDon DerosaIt’s a real estate market that’s literally making Millionaires… Shouldn’t you be one of them? Of course you should. Learn how! Spend Five Days with some of the most successful, experienced, straight-talking real estate educators in the country. Join “real guys” Pete Youngs and Don DeRosa for this one of a kind boot camp, and you’ll walk away with EVERYTHING you need to know to gain financial independence through Real Estate investing. Learn to BUY, REHAB, MANAGE, and SELL ALL of the houses you can handle! Atlanta REIA Members get a HUGE discount for 5 full days of training! Read More…

Register Now!

Whether you’ve bought 50 houses or want to buy your first,
this boot camp is a MUST ATTEND event. Register Now!


Where To Get The Money Now Conference
with Jay Conner & Ron LeGrand
March 19th, 2011 in Atlanta

Ron LeGrandJay ConnerJoin Jay Conner & Ron LeGrand in Atlanta on March 19th for the “Where to Get the Money Now Conference” sponsored by Atlanta REIA. The early bird special for this training event is only $75 for Atlanta REIA Members and $25 for their guests until March 11th. That’s right, for only $75 Jay will teach you the secrets he used to raise $2,167,333.00 in Private Money in only a few short months. Read more about what you will learn and all of the included bonuses.

Register Now!

Register now and save $25 before the early bird special expires!


Courthouse Field Trip
with Gordon Catts on March 25th, 2011

Learn insider secrets of locating property, lenders and other investors, as well as how to research ownership and mortgage information, sales prices, liens and judgments, etc. We will take an actual tour of the courthouse! Courthouse records are easily accessible and offer a variety of opportunities. Read More…

Register Now!

Register now and save before the early bird special expires!


How to Determine Property Values Workshop
with Gordon Catts on March 26th, 2011

“What is the property worth?” This workshop is all about determining accurate property values before you buy so you don’t end up paying to much for an investment property. Sources of “comparable” information will be identified. “As-is Value” will be discussed. We will examine methodology for determining what an investor should pay for a property so you pay too much! Read More…

Register Now!

Register now and save before the early bird special expires!

Bill & Kim Cook

Posted on March 1, 2011 by

Bill & Kim CookBill and Kim are a husband and wife real estate investing team.  Bill creatively constructed his first deal in 1990, and he’s been helping other investors do the same since 1997.

Their investment portfolio consists of single-family rental homes, mobile homes, a small mobile home park, plus notes and options.

They built their business square on the back of knocking on homeowner’s doors.  Why?  Because it’s the fastest, cheapest and most effective way to get face-to-face with homeowners and make written offers.

Their core belief is that real estate investing is not about buying, selling or renting houses.  It’s about helping people solve their real estate problems.  Read More→

Buying REO Properties at Auction
What to Expect & How to Buy

So many properties have been foreclosed on and repossessed by the banks which are using “ballroom auctions” to liquidate the extreme excess of properties they have in inventory right now.  Many times these REO’s sell for 40-50-60 cents on the dollar!  There are some incredible deals to be had at these auctions, but you MUST know what you are doing to play in this game.  The deals are plentiful if you know what to look for and what to avoid.

Atlanta REIA West MeetingCome join us on Monday, February 28th at 6:30 PM as we kick off our very first Atlanta REIA West Meeting at the Cherokee Cattle Company located at 2710 Canton Road in Marietta, GA, where Leslie Mathis will take you step-by-step through what you can expect, and more importantly, what you need to know, to successfully buy REO Properties at these ballroom auctions.  She will even cover a couple of strategies that will allow you to make quick cash without long-term ownership, simply by putting these properties under contract, then finding investor-buyers for them.  Get paid thousands of dollars in just 30 to 45 days!

Atlanta REIA West wants to hear from you—your input is needed!  Come network, learn, and mastermind with us as we kick off this exciting new group.  This will be your opportunity to let us know what’s important to you, what you want to see and hear, meeting topics, etc. at future Atlanta REIA West Meetings.  This is your group, so let us know what you want it to be.  Come be a part of custom-building this group to your desires! Whether you are brand new to real estate or a seasoned investor, you will find this evening to be both very informative and entertaining.  Atlanta REIA Members can attend this meeting for FREE. Other REIA members and guests only pay $5.00. See you there! Read More→

Join Atlanta REIA, the Hot New REIA in town that everyone is talking about for as little as $100/yr!

Monday, Feb 28th @ 6:30 PM (NEW SUBGROUP MEETING!)

Atlanta REIA West Meeting Starts on Monday, February 28th at 6:30 PM

Buying REO Properties at Auction
What to Expect & How to Buy

So many properties have been foreclosed on and repossessed by the banks which are using “ballroom auctions” to liquidate the extreme excess of properties they have in inventory right now. Many times these REO’s sell for 40-50-60 cents on the dollar! There are some incredible deals to be had at these auctions, but you MUST know what you are doing to play in this game. The deals are plentiful if you know what to look for and what to avoid.

Atlanta REIA West MeetingCome join us on Monday, February 28th at 6:30 PM as we kick off our very first Atlanta REIA West Meeting (NEW!) at the Cherokee Cattle Company located at 2710 Canton Road in Marietta, GA, where Leslie Mathis will take you step-by-step through what you can expect, and more importantly, what you need to know, to successfully buy REO Properties at these ballroom auctions. She will even cover a couple of strategies that will allow you to make quick cash without long-term ownership, simply by putting these properties under contract, then finding investor-buyers for them. Get paid thousands of dollars in just 30 to 45 days!

Atlanta REIA Members can attend for FREE and guests for $5.00. Show up at 6:30 PM to eat and network before the meeting officially starts at 7:00 PM. Late Nite Networking starts in the restaurant lobby at 9 PM.

Tuesday, Mar 1st @ 7 PM

The Super Smart Technology Webcast

Super Smart Web ProfitsStarting on March 1st at 7PM ET and the 1st Tuesday of the month thereafter, Dustin Griffin is going to teach you how to take your real estate investing business to a whole new level using the latest, cutting edge real estate tools and techniques. You will learn how to use technology, automation and delegation so you can work smarter, not harder and earn far more money by working less. We like to say “The Technology makes us Super and the Training makes us Smart!” Put them together and that makes us all Super Smart! Register Now for the Webcast!

Register Now!

Thursday, Mar 3 @ 1:30 PM

Haves & Wants Weekly Meeting

Haves and Wants Weekly Meeting for Real Estate Deal MakersThis meeting is a weekly investor’s brainstorming and deal making jam session hosted by Joe Thompson and held at 5 Seasons Brewing located at 5600 Roswell Rd (map) inside the Perimeter at the “Prado” in Sandy Springs from 1:30 PM till approximately 3:00 PM. This group is all about doing deals and making money right now. Bring your haves & wants for some of the best networking and marketing around!

Saturday, Mar 5th @ 9 AM

Fuller Center Volunteer Workdays
Start Back Up Again This Saturday

The Fuller Center for Housing of Greater AtlantaIt is starting to warm up again outside and Atlanta REIA and the Fuller Center of Atlanta are cranking back up our Saturday Volunteer Workdays on Project Lakewood. We’re looking for volunteers this Saturday and every other Saturday to come out and help us eliminate sub-standard housing for local area residents. We meet at 9:00 AM at 1125 Oak Knoll Terrace SE in Lakewood (Atlanta, GA) and usually work until 3:30 PM. Snacks and beverages are provided and you can bring your own as well. Join us and you will get hand-on experience as we renovate and repair homes for some of Atlanta’s neediest families.

Sunday, Mar 6th @ 6:30 PM

Cashflow Game Night in Sandy Springs

Atlanta REIA Cash Flow Players GroupCashflow Game Night is a meetup where individuals can learn to take control of their financial future by playing Robert Kiyosaki’s educational Cashflow 101 and Cashflow 202 board games. The Cashflow Players Group meets again on Sunday, March 6th at 6:30 PM at Taco Mac located at 5600 Roswell Rd in Sandy Springs, GA (map). Atlanta REIA Members play for FREE. Come eat, drink, play and network with us!

Monday, Mar 7th @ 5:30 PM

Atlanta REIA Main Monthly Meeting
with Don DeRosa & Pete Youngs on iPad Investing

Don DeRosa & Pete Youngs on Using the iPad for Real Estate InvestingCome to the Atlanta REIA Main Meeting on March 7th at the W Hotel Atlanta Perimeter for a SNEAK PREVIEW to find out how the iPad gives you a HUGE competitive advantage and all the confidence you need in your real estate investing business. See Don DeRosa and Pete Youngs show you how the iPad will totally change the way you do business…saving you countless hours of time, and giving you access to everything you need to run your real estate investing business, wherever you are.

Webcast Replay 24/7/365 – Recorded Live Feb 24, 2011

Evening with 2 Experts Webcast Replay
with Don DeRosa & Pete Youngs

Pete YoungsDon DerosaPete Youngs and Don DeRosa were our special guests on this month’s Evening with a Real Estate Expert Webcast. Don and Pete talked about how new investors can get started investing in real estate with little money and no credit by wholesaling houses or wholesaling lease-options. Don and Pete also talked about what they will be teaching on March 7th at the Atlanta REIA Main Meeting as well as their 5 Day Investor Bonanza Boot Camp on March 16th – 20th. Overall, Don and Pete had some great advice for investors. Watch Webcast Replay Now!

Webcast Replay 24/7/365 – Recorded Live Jan 18, 2011

What’s Hot in Real Estate Investing
with Don DeRosa on the iPad

Don DerosaDon DeRosa was our special guest on the January 2011 What’s Hot in Real Investing Webcast. Everyone has probably heard about the hot new iPad by now, but many think its just a cool new toy. On this webcast, Don showed us how he uses the iPad as an integral TOOL to run his real estate investing business and not just as a TOY. Watch the webcast replay to see how the iPad and the right training can totally revolutionize your real estate investing business in 2011 and beyond!

Special Offer of the Week

Subscribe to the Atlanta REIA News Letter & Get FREE eBooks from Don & Pete

Subscribe to our Email NewsletterSubscribe to our Atlanta REIA Email Newsletter and receive Don DeRosa’s ebook entitled “Private Money – How to Get it Without Asking For It” as well as Pete Youngs’ ebook called “Fix It Up and Find a Fortune… A Step By Step Guide to Creating Wealth Through Real Estate”. You’ll get a download link in your email once you subscribe and verify your email address. And don’t forget, Don and Pete will be our keynote speaker at our Atlanta REIA Main Meeting on Monday, March 7th at the W Hotel Atlanta Perimeter.

Subscribe to The Atlanta REIA Newsletter
& receive Don DeRosa & Pete Youngs eBooks!

Pete YoungsDon DerosaSubscribe to our Atlanta REIA Email Newsletter and receive Don DeRosa’s ebook entitled “Private Money – How to Get it Without Asking For It” as well as Pete Youngs’ ebook called “Fix It Up and Find a Fortune… A Step By Step Guide to Creating Wealth Through Real Estate”. You’ll get a download link in your email once you subscribe and verify your email address. And don’t forget, Don and Pete will be our keynote speaker at our Atlanta REIA Main Meeting on Monday, March 7th at the W Hotel Atlanta Perimeter.

Subscribe to The Atlanta REIA Newsletter
& receive Don DeRosa & Pete Youngs eBooks!

Pete YoungsDon DerosaPete Youngs and Don DeRosa were our special guests on this month’s Evening with a Real Estate Expert Webcast. Don and Pete talked about how new investors can get started investing in real estate with little money and no credit by wholesaling houses or wholesaling lease-options. Don and Pete also talked about what they will be teaching on March 7th at the Atlanta REIA Main Meeting as well as their 5 Day Investor Bonanza Boot Camp on March 16th – 20th. Overall, Don and Pete had some great advice for investors. Thanks Don, Pete and all who participated! Watch the replay below. Read More→

Russ HinerThis was a specially scheduled Evening with a Real Estate Expert Webcast that took place on Tuesday, February 22nd at 6:00 PM with local real estate expert and mentor Russ Hiner. Russ talked about how new investors can buy houses at huge discounts will little or no money down and pass these bargains along other investors for quick cash paydays. Russ will also talk about his upcoming Wholesaling 101 Workshop on Saturday, February 26th and answered many questions from the live audience. Read More→

Jay Conner

Posted on February 23, 2011 by

Jay ConnerJay Conner is a proven real estate investment leader. He locates, buys, and sells multiple real estate deals, even in the new economy. Jay is a recognized investment genius, having graduated as a Master in Real Estate Investing; and he accepted Ron LeGrand’s invitation into the prestigious Platinum Inner Circle.

Without using his own money or credit, Jay maximizes creative methods to move properties for substantial profits with little to no risk. “Jay is a real estate magician,” noted a business networking associate. “He works seemingly magical deals for buyers and sellers alike.” When he started investing, he did it all THE WRONG WAY. (Those are his words) He went to his local banker and was able to do a few deals. But you know what happened? He had come up with the big down payments, origination fees and he had to play by their rules. Then the Market turned and Jay’s Banker cut him off with NO WARNING! And Jay was never late on a payment… Read More→

Steve Brown

Posted on February 23, 2011 by

Steve BrownSteve Brown has been an active real estate broker and investor since 1980 and has over 30 years experience. His very first deal was with the Coca Cola Company on the lease of a large commercial building that he was rehabbing and planning to turn into a self storage facility. From there he went on to build his first shopping center that he pre-leased to 80% capacity before purchasing the property.

Steve came to Atlanta in 1968 with an MBA degree in finance and marketing. His last full time employment with a REIT, Tri-South Mortgage Investors, as the money market manager. After watching all the developers get wealthy, he got excited and left his job and started investing in commercial real estate. Steve has built and renovated low and high end houses and has built and sold all types of commercial buildings and continues to do so to this day.

Steve is currently the leader of the Cash Cows Commercial Real Estate Group that meets on the 4th Thursday of the month at 11:30 AM at 5 Seasons Brewing located at 5600 Roswell Rd in Sandy Springs, GA. Steve’s goal is to help you take your real estate investing career to the next level and achieve financial freedom by investing in commercial real estate the right way.