Atlanta Real Estate Investors Alliance Blog

Having met with numerous new investors and/or wholesalers, I am always asked, “How do I get more properties? Where can I find more deals? What kind of marketing do you do to get leads?” The questions continue with the same idea in mind. I understand that you are eager to start and begin marketing in order to get your first deal done, but are you truly ready? In most cases I would say, NO.

Marketing is not cheap and you may be throwing away money if you do not have a good foundation in sales, or better yet problem solving. Over the years, I have made more money solving problems than “selling” a person on selling me their property. In fact, I am rarely the highest bidder. I attribute this to being able to come up with the best solution to the seller’s problems. Most would assume that the property for sale is the problem but many times that is only the start. Usually a person is selling a property to get rid of a headache and/or to realize a profit in order to solve another lingering problem. Problems can be as small as not being able to repair the property to as big as being behind a year or more on mortgage payments. Let me give some examples to demonstrate what it is I am referring to.  Read More→

I am writing this article because I mentor so many people who desire to become successful in real estate; however, their life gets in the way of educating themselves.  Making offers on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is a great way to find Sellers, yet, when you submit an offer to the Seller, the Realtor really doesn’t know the answers to the following questions.  Is there a mortgage on the property?  Are the Sellers in foreclosure (unless it is a short sale)?  Is it a probate matter and how many heirs are in the estate?  What permits have been pulled for the property and what dates were items like the roof or A/C installed (this information is sometimes provided in a Sellers Disclosure)?

After talking with a Seller and/or finding a Vacant Home, the research you do is a vital part of your business success.  I provide students with over 43 ways to find motivated sellers without using the MLS.  Knowing in-depth information about the Seller’s situation, ownership and mortgage balance allows me to negotiate and close more deals than just listening to what a Seller has told me.  In fact, Sellers normally tell you what they want and not what they NEED.  In order to make a deal work for all parties, we need to find out what they NEED, not what they want, then see how/if we can create a win-win situation.  Read More→

Are Your Property Taxes Too High?

Posted on February 6, 2017 by

Are your property taxes too high?  If they are, in the past three years, how often have you attended your county commissioners’ meetings to voice your outrage? 

My mother taught me early on that silence is a form of acceptance.  Most times at these county commissioners’ meetings the silence was deafening!

If your property taxes are too high and if you don’t speak out at the public government hearings, then you lose your right to complain.  Instead, just step up to the window and pay the nice lady what you owe without one complaint!

Since 2006, Kim and I have fought our property taxes 142 times.  We’ve won 122 times – that’s an 86% success rate.  I don’t say this to brag; I say this to let you know that you can fight your property taxes and win!  Just know that it’s a learned thing, not a born-knowing-how-to-do-it thing, and it begins with standing up and speaking out!  Read More→

Ringing Out 2016 in QuickBooks

Posted on February 6, 2017 by

2017 is here. Now’s the time to do your end-of-year QuickBooks tasks.

Since early January of this year, you’ve been faithfully creating new records, entering transactions, and recording payments. You’ve run basic reports. You’ve done your collection duties. You may have paid employees and submitted payroll taxes.

Now the end of the year is rapidly approaching. In the midst of holiday get-togethers, gift shopping, and perhaps preparing for travel, you probably have a list of work tasks that must be completed by December 31.

Is your annual QuickBooks wrap-up on that list? It should be. Here are some of the things we suggest you fit into your busy schedule sometime this month.  Read More→

The recent series of wildfires here in our own Smokey Mountain region of North Carolina and Tennessee has been devastating. The fires around Gatlinburg, Tennessee late last month resulted in at least 2,460 structures that were damaged or destroyed, and the death toll has reached at least seven.

Lots of people have lost their homes and businesses – and surely many of them were uninsured for wildfire damage, or will find that they were woefully underinsured.

The real estate investment community, including real estate IRA owners, can and should be active in this environment. By offering a fair price for fire damaged properties that we have the capital to repair and resell or rent, investors will be vital players in helping a traumatized community get back on its feet and rebuild.  Read More→

Talent vs. Skill

Posted on February 6, 2017 by

Quick question for you: Are you talented? Or do you have skills? THAT is the question of the day.

And before you answer that, let me define what they each mean, because it’s vitally important to know the difference between the two. :)

Then after we define the difference, we’re going to help you leverage one in order to maximize the other so that you’ll be able to get whatever you want with minimal effort.  Sound good? Let’s get started…

What is TALENT? Simply put, it’s what you’re born with. Your God-given gifts. Your natural tools. For example, the ability to run really fast or sing extremely well. Other examples would include being mathematically-inclined, naturally charismatic, graceful & coordinated, or naturally artistic.  Read More→

Wed, Feb 1st at 7PM in Buford, GA
The Property Protégé Group
Preview Event on Wed, Feb 1st at 7PM
1960 Skylar Hill Dr, Ste D, Buford, GA
Learn How to Invest in Real Estate with a Team of Like Minded Investors at PPG

Real Estate Investors, are you getting the results you desire in your investing business? Do you want to become a better, more profitable investor? Are you having trouble getting off the ground or getting to the next level? Having trouble finding deals or getting deals closed? Would you like some coaching and ongoing training without paying an arm and a leg? Would you like to see better results in the next few months?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, the Property Protégé Group (PPG) was created just for you! PPG is an annual group coaching program that meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7PM. The first part of the meeting is educational and the second part is where we evaluate your deals and decide if they are a deal or no deal.

Join Don DeRosa on Wed, Feb 1st at 7PM at 1960 Skylar Hill Dr, Suite D in Buford, GA to find out more about PPG and see if it’s what your investment business might be missing. At this PPG Preview Meeting, Don will give you an overview of the PPG Program and what he will be covering in upcoming months such as:

  • How to locate properties and motivated sellers
  • How to pre-screen sellers and properties
  • How to analyze deals
  • How to determine repair costs
  • How to determine property value before and after repair
  • How to construct multiple offers
  • How to present and negotiate your offers
  • How to put properties under contract and complete the paperwork
  • Where to find the money to fund your deals
  • How to find buyers and sell houses fast
  • Wholesaling – What It Is and How It Works
  • Buying & selling pretty houses with creative terms
  • Finding Deals With The Most Profit Potential
  • How to avoid pitfalls and minimize risk
  • How to find leads on your mobile device
  • How to automate and systematize your business using mobile technology
  • And much more!

If you would like to take your investing business to the next level this year, don’t miss this Property Protégé Group Preview Event!

Atlanta REIA Members Please RSVP on Meetup.com
Atlanta REIA Members & Guests, Please RSVP on Meetup.com

See Atlanta REIA Events Calendar for More Events!
Mon, Feb 6th at 5PM at Crowne Plaza Ravinia in Dunwoody
Atlanta REIA Main Meeting
& Vendor Trade Show
Feb 6th @ Crowne Plaza Ravinia Dunwoody
Learn How to Wholesale Houses for Fast Cash
with 5 of Atlanta’s Top Wholesalers

Atlanta REIA Members Can Attend at No Charge. This month,
Guests Can RSVP Online Now for $20 or Pay $25 at the Door.

It’s a proven fact that real estate has created more millionaires than any other investment in history, so what’s stopping you from being the next real estate multi-millionaire? Perhaps it’s not knowing how or where to get started. Maybe you don’t know how to find good deals, how to analyze them or how to fund them? The good news is… there has never been a better time to start building income through wholesaling houses and getting started is easy!

Wholesaling is a simple, fun and highly profitable way to get started investing in real estate without a lot of training, experience, cash or cred. You can quickly learn to wholesale houses in any real estate market and can often complete many of these deals, from start to finish in a few days or weeks. This means you can often get paid thousands of dollars in 30 Days or less!

If you want dramatically increase your income in 2017, don’t miss the Atlanta REIA Main Meeting on Monday, February 6th at 5PM at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia located at 4355 Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Atlanta, GA where we are doing an Expert Panel this month on “Wholesaling Houses for Fast Cash” with 5 of Atlanta’s Top Wholesalers.

The Panel will consist of Mike “The Godfather of Wholesaling” Cherwenka of Goldmine Properties, Jack Kudron of Georgia Home Deals, Manesh Hardeo of Networth Realty of Atlanta, Rock “The Investor” Shukoor of Cash Now Deals and Frank Iglesias of Working with Houses. These gentlemen will teach you everything you need to know about wholesaling like a pro and answer all your questions during the meeting. The panel will discuss…

  • What is Wholesaling and how does it work?
  • How to find deals with best profit potential
  • How to determine value of properties
  • How to determine cost of repairs
  • How to negotiate the deal
  • How to offer all cash even if you have no cash
  • How to complete the paperwork
  • How to find a buyer
  • How to close quickly and get paid
  • Wholesaling pros and cons
  • Answers to your questions and more!

Come join us to learn how to Wholesale Houses for Fast Cash at the Atlanta REIA main meeting on Monday, February 6th at 5PM at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia located at 4355 Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Atlanta, GA.

As always, Atlanta REIA Members can attend the event at no charge and Non-Members can Register Online for $20 or pay $25.00 at the door. Be sure to bring your business cards and flyers and join us for an evening of real estate deals, vendors, networking, education and fun! See you there!

If you have Wholesale Deals, bring your flyers…
There will be plenty of buyers at the meeting!

Atlanta REIA Members Please RSVP on Meetup.com
Atlanta REIA Members Please RSVP on Meetup.com

RSVP Now!

*Meeting Day Agenda
5:00 pm: Meeting-Before-the-Meeting with Don DeRosa
5:00 pm: Vendor Trade Show & Networking
6:15 pm: Updates & Announcements
6:30 pm: Haves & Wants Speed Marketing Session
7:00 pm: Networking Break
7:20 pm: Vendor Door Prizes & Giveaways
7:30 pm: Panel Discussion with Wholesaling Experts
9:30 pm: Late Nite Networking at Taco Mac Perimeter

*Please Note: Meeting agenda is subject to change.

5 Days & 4 Nights in CancunWIN 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.

5:00 PM in Main Meeting Room
The High Tech Home Buyers Creative Deal Makers Subgroup
Feb 6th Meeting Before the Meeting
with Don DeRosa

Atlanta REIA Members Please RSVP on Meetup.com
Atlanta REIA Members Please RSVP on Meetup.com

Don DeRosaReal Estate Investors, are you getting the results you desire in your investing business? Do you want to become a better, more profitable investor? Are you having trouble getting off the ground or getting to the next level? Having trouble finding deals or getting deals closed? Would you like some coaching and ongoing training without paying an arm and a leg? Would you like to see better results in the next few months?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, the Property Protégé Group (PPG) was created just for you! PPG is an annual group coaching program that meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7PM. The first part of the meeting is educational and the second part is where we evaluate your deals and decide if they are a deal or no deal.

Join Don DeRosa at the High Tech Home Buying Creative Deal Structuring Subgroup on Monday, February 6th from 5PM to 6PM at the Atlanta REIA Main Meeting at the Doubletree to find out more about PPG and see if it’s what your investment business might be missing. At this PPG Preview Meeting, Don will give you an overview of the PPG Program and what he will be covering in upcoming months such as:

  • How to locate properties and motivated sellers
  • How to pre-screen sellers and properties
  • How to analyze deals
  • How to determine repair costs
  • How to determine property value before and after repair
  • How to construct multiple offers
  • How to present and negotiate your offers
  • How to put properties under contract and complete the paperwork
  • Where to find the money to fund your deals
  • How to find buyers and sell houses fast
  • Wholesaling and how it works
  • Buying & selling pretty houses with creative terms
  • Finding deals with the most profit potential
  • How to avoid pitfalls and minimize risk
  • How to find leads on your mobile device
  • How to automate and systematize your business using mobile technology
  • And much more!

If you would like to take your investing business to the next level this year, don’t miss this Property Protégé Group Preview Event!

5:00 PM in the Main Lobby
Monthly Vendor Trade Show

Dylon Ross with XfinityAt 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.

6:15 PM in the Main Meeting Room
What’s Happening at Atlanta REIA

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.

6:30 PM in the Main Meeting Room
Haves & Wants Marketing Session

Joe ThompsonAt 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.

9:30 PM @ Taco Mac Perimeter Roswell
Late Nite Networking After Meeting at
Taco Mac Perimeter

Taco Mac PerimeterAfter the conclusion of the Atlanta REIA Main Meeting, we will be reconvening at 9:30 PM at Taco Mac Perimeter located at the Perimeter Place, 1211 Ashford Crossing, Atlanta, GA 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, so bring a friend and head on down to Late Nite Networking and have a cold brew with us! Just be sure you order food and beverages from the restaurant and please tip their wait staff generously. When you get there, be sure to look for Joe Thompson who will be leading our Late Nite Networking.

Participating Meeting Vendors & Sponsors
Atlanta REIA Diamond Sponsor

American IRAAmerican IRA – The American IRA mission is to provide the highest level of customer service in the self-directed retirement industry.
Read More>>

Meeting Sponsors & Panelists

Networth Realty of Atlanta, LLCNetworth 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.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>>

Working With Houses, LLCWorking With Houses, LLC – Atlanta’s Real Estate Solutions Company helping homeowners along with improving communities everywhere we work. We buy and sell houses anywhere in Atlanta and its surrounding areas. Read More>>

Jack Kudron of Georgia Home Deals

Rock Shukoor of Cash Now Deals

Trade Show Vendors
Reserve a Vendor Table Here

The Small Business AdvisorThe 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>>

Advanta IRA AdministrationAdvanta 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>>

Secured Investment Lending CorporationSecured Investment Lending – A licensed direct mortgage lender specializing in non-traditional hard money loans for non-owner occupied buy/fix sell properties or rental properties throughout the GA and FL. Read More>>

Halperin Lyman, LLCHalperin 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>>

Lima One Capital, LLCLima 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>>

Visio LendingVisio LendingSimply put, we thrive on real estate. Dedicated to serving the landlord investor space, we crafted our loan products with three words in mind: fast, simple and dependable. Our suite of 30-year fully amortizing loans starts as low as 5.99%. Read More>>

Angel Oak Prime BridgeAngel Oak Prime Bridge – A direct hard money lender headquartered in Atlanta. We provide renovation/construction loans for investors and builders to purchase and renovate residential properties. Read More>>

Auction.comAuction.com – The nation’s leading online real estate marketplace, having sold over $34 billion in real estate assets. Auction.com’s mission is to provide the most trusted online real estate marketplace, making transactions easier and more transparent. Read More>>

Equitable ConsultingEquitable Consulting – Investors, wether you have a short term or long term plan, “fix & flip” or “buy & hold”, individual units or entire portfolios, Equitable Consulting is your resource at every step. Read More >>

CRS DataCRS 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>>

Legal Shield

Mane Haus Capital Group

New Western Acquisitions

See Atlanta REIA Events Calendar for More Events!

Jack Kudron

Posted on January 30, 2017 by

Jack KudronI’m originally from Massachusetts and moved to South Florida when I was 19.  I worked full time while putting myself through college, graduating from Florida Atlantic University with a degree in Marketing.

I’ve been investing in real estate for the past 30 years.  I started at the age of 21 with a 1/3 investment in a house in South Florida. We sold the house and split the $21,000 profit 3 ways, each receiving $7,000.

I then started buying properties on my own. I couldn’t afford a lot back then, so I moved into them, sleeping on the floors and using a cooler as my refrigerator.  I sold one house at a time, increasing my net worth over time.

Beginning in 1986, I moved 8 times within a 6-month period, selling the homes while I lived in them, until I could finally afford to buy a condo on the beach.  Read More→

Mike Cherwenka

Posted on January 30, 2017 by

Mike CherwenkaMike Cherwenka is Atlanta’s leading expert in residential quick turn real estate. Mike has wholesaled and fixed and flipped over 2,050 single family homes since 1996 and is known as the “Godfather in flipping homes”. Mike has also acquired 93 rental properties on the Atlanta Housing Authority Section 8 program.

Mike is known for literally transforming blighted communities into beautiful neighborhoods. His niche is “MAKING MONEY IN THE HOOD”. A true “TRANSACTION ENGINEER”. Nobody find bargains like Mike.

Mike believes learning the skills to fix and flip residential real estate correctly is the surest way to achieve financial freedom. Unlike most of the educational speakers on the circuit who have not even flipped a handful of properties, Mike is the “real deal” flipping 2-3 properties weekly. It is safe to say Mike has more experience than anyone in the market place.

A true “Rags to Riches” story on how Mike overcame $100,000 in debt to becoming a multi-millionaire through real estate investing in 1996. And lost several millions during the real estate crash of 2008-2013 and had to start all over again. Learn the TRUTH in achieving financial freedom. What really works and how to achieve it.

BIG Online Webinar Replay – Watch 24/7
Beginning Investors Group Online
How to Jump-Start Your Real Estate Investing Business in 2017!
Watch the “BIG O” Webinar Replay
with Don DeRosa

Don DeRosaDon DeRosa will helped us kick off our first meeting of the New Year yesterday on how to jump-start your real estate investing business in 2017. If you missed the webinar or couldn’t get on because the webinar was full, now is your chance to watch the webinar 24/7 whenever you get a chance to watch the webinar below.

Don is a full-time, active real estate investor, coach and trainer who had done all types of real estate deals such as wholesaling, creative financing on pretty house deals, rehabbing and retailing, rentals, short sales, foreclosures, new construction, private lending and much, much more. This year, Don is focusing on fixing and flipping and doing creative deals with his coaching students.

Beginning Investors Group Online (The BIG O)Watch the BIG Online Replay we recorded Live with Don DeRosa on January 25, 2017 and he will teach you the quickest and easiest way to get started in the real estate investing business with limited time and funds. He will also talk about his upcoming training workshops and boot camps for 2017 that he is doing in conjunction with our REIA as well as the Property Protege Group and Coaching Program. Watch the Webinar Replay Now! Read More→

Friday, February 24th @ 9AM in Atlanta, GA
How To Jump-Start Your
Wholesaling Business

Day 1 Only of the 3-Day Jump-Start Boot Camp
Friday, February 24th from 9AM-7PM at
NEW LOCATION
3125 Presidential Pkwy, Atlanta, GA
How to Make a Flipping Fortune Wholesaling Houses with Don DeRosa

Don DeRosaWholesaling houses is one of the quickest ways to start cashing checks in real estate without using any of your own money or credit. There is no one better to teach you how to get started in wholesaling than Don DeRosa. Whether you want to be a full-time investor or are just getting started part-time, let Don show you how to start wholesaling profitably today in this live training event.

During the Day 1 of the 3-Day Jump-Start Boot Camp, you will learn about:

  • Wholesaling – What it is and how it works
  • How to find the deals with the most profit potential
  • How to determine the wholesale value of a property
  • How to negotiate the deal
  • The Closing process – Step by Step directions
  • All the paperwork involved from start to finish
  • Pitfalls to avoid
  • All this and so much more!

If you want to learn how to find distressed, ugly properties and to wholesale them to other “fix and flip” and “buy and hold” investors for nice chunks of fast cash, often in 30 days or less, this is a training event you don’t want to miss… Register Now!

Register Now!

You can also purchase any of these 3 events separately or get more detailed information about each event using the links below.

Sign up for all 3 Days of the Jump-Start Your Real Estate Investing Business Boot Camp!

See Atlanta REIA Events Calendar for More Events!