Atlanta Real Estate Investors Alliance Blog
The Art of The Negotiation
Posted on December 5, 2016 byDespite the obviously important role information gathering plays in the art of negotiations, very few people actually spend much time analyzing their seller’s situations or needs before jumping into the negotiating process. Even logical individuals who wouldn’t jump into a dangerous sport before learning more about it often jump into a deal where they could possibly lose thousands without first getting the information they needed in order to protect themselves from a disastrous result.
I always remind my students that they need to listen, ask appropriate questions, do their due diligence and determine what the seller’s real underlying needs are. Don’t be afraid to ask questions of your sellers in order to get the information you need to make the best deal possible. If you need clarification on some part of the negotiation, ask!
So why are investors so reluctant to ask questions? Part of it is fear and part of it is the unwillingness to admit they don’t know or don’t understand something. It used to cause me a great deal of discomfort to ask certain questions of sellers such as “how much is your mortgage balance?” That one question used to really make me choke. The main reason for this was uncertainty as to how the seller would react to my question. Even when a seller refuses to answer your question, you are still gathering important information about that seller, namely that they are not particularly motivated. Usually a truly motivated seller will answer whatever questions you have. Read More→
Working With Realtors
Posted on December 5, 2016 byIn my business model I need very motivated sellers. They need to be able to have a desire to sell at a reduced price and give me favorable terms. Most Realtors have been trained to only accept a cash deal (mortgage included), as there is no reason to do anything beyond this traditional method, especially if it is complicated financing that they don’t understand. So it is important to figure out how to work with a Realtor. Here are some tips that I have found to be effective when working with Realtors:
- Work with a Realtor that is accessible and follows through. Some are so busy that it might take too long to be able to communicate with them effectively.
- Once you are able to talk to the Realtor you will need to get some information: Is the seller motivated? What does the listing say that causes you to believe the seller is motivated? What does the owner owe? Will they consider owner financing? Most Realtors will not ask these questions because it doesn’t change the transaction (I believe they do in my business).
The Realtor’s sole job is to act as a fiduciary. The Realtor’s responsibility is to make the most commission for themselves, which has a benefit of making the maximum for the seller. The Realtor has no risk if either party makes a profit or loss. You see the conflict immediately between a Realtor and the investor. The goal of a Realtor is to get as much earnest money out of you as they possibly can. (Just like a wholesaler). This causes you to follow the money… your money. I was told by a mentor who was willing to walk from $5,000, if you do your due diligence and find the deal will lose more than your earnest money, then walk away. This was a big lesson for me. Read More→
Creating Reports in QuickBooks – Part 2
Posted on December 5, 2016 byLast month, we discussed QuickBooks’ report Preferences and The Report Center. We’ll look at report customization this month.
QuickBooks makes your bookkeeping faster, safer, and more accurate than what you could do using a manual system. Still, you may occasionally tire of your daily tasks. You want to know what all of these forms and records mean in terms of your overall financial health. You want to see reports.
The actual mechanics of creating reports in QuickBooks are fairly straightforward. You can go to the Report Center, make a selection, maybe change the date range, and voila! Your company’s related data appears in neat rows and columns. Read More→
Be Hard on the Problem and Soft on the Person
Posted on December 5, 2016 byAn investor who has owned four rental properties for the past three years called me for help. He was at his wits’ end. Because he hated dealing with tenants so much, he was seriously considering dumping all of his rentals! By the way, this is not an uncommon feeling for new, inexperienced, and under educated landlords to have.
When we met to discuss his situation, he let me hear a recording of a conversation he had had with a tenant a few days prior…and I use the word “conversation” with loosely.
The tenant consistently paid his rent six to ten days late. This sent the landlord into orbit. Over the phone, the landlord screamed at the tenant, “You are a liar, an idiot and you’re totally worthless! Pack your crap and get out of my house right dang now!” And from there, the landlord’s words really turned foul. I felt sorry for the tenant and angry with the landlord for losing control. Read More→
Insuring Properties in Real Estate IRAs
Posted on December 5, 2016 byLike all Americans, we were deeply saddened and distressed by the recent widespread flooding here in North Carolina and elsewhere in the Southeast. We know that beyond the property and investment losses, many people lost their homes, property and heirlooms that no insurance policy can replace.
But torrential rains and flooding is an ever-present risk here in the southeast, America’s Hot Corner when it comes to hurricane and tropical storm activity and a place that certainly gets its share of ordinary thunderstorm and tornado activity as well, even apart from the tropical cyclone risk.
But according to industry sources, less than 10 percent of South Carolina homeowners carry flood insurance. That’s well below the national average of 14 percent, which is still distressingly low. Read More→
Good Financing Is Your Key to Creating Wealth
Posted on December 5, 2016 byMany years ago one of my mentors told me that you can have a perfect property, (if there is such a thing), and turn it into the most horrible property with bad financing. Getting good financing is the secret to creating wealth from real estate. Let me give you an example.
Today I am seeing all too many inexperienced investors talk about using OPM, (other people’s money). Using other people’s money can be a good strategy in certain circumstances, but not in every situation you find. For instance, using hard money loans will only work on short turn around properties, or fix and sell retail properties that can be sold in a short period of time. Over the years I’ve seen all too many inexperienced investors who bought houses in lower socio-economic areas or areas where people who can’t qualify for a loan are forced to live. These investors borrow hard money at 12% to 15% with interest only payments at 50% to 65% loan to value (50% to 65% of the after repaired value of the property) that have short payback periods from 6 months to one year. The investors fix these houses then try to rent or sell them. Read More→
Real Estate Foreclosures and The Potential They Offer
Posted on December 5, 2016 byThe chance to create new investments and take advantage of the real estate foreclosures in the market should be taken. These are one of the most dependable long term investments you can make. Buying properties after foreclosure using REIA comps is a method you can use to ensure you are given the best price for each and every property you review.
Buying real estate foreclosures is one of the main sources of income for many real estate investors. For starters, foreclosed properties have a high re-sale value that is guaranteed to earn you tremendous profits in the long run. Especially if you know you have made your profit when you buy. Another benefit of buying foreclosed properties is they are sold at the lowest prices, and with affordable interest rates dominating the market, those factors combined, you’re buying property at discounted prices.
Those interested in investing in properties for the first time may find it difficult to make a decision on what is really right as an investment. You will want the best available in your most desired location, because purchasing properties is a big investment. That’s why you want to work with REIA Comps for the most up to date information. Read More→
Learn How to Earn Mailbox Money at West Meeting on November 28, 2016
Posted on November 28, 2016 byMailbox Money =
Wealth and Freedom!
With Ian Robbins
November 28th @ 6:30PM, Cherokee Cattle Company,
2710 Canton Rd, Marietta, GA
No Charge for Members. Guests Pay $10 at the Door.
Want to build long-term wealth through real estate, without the nightmares of managing tenants? Learn how to buy and hold properties without the headaches of evictions, tenants trashing your houses, and the skyrocketing costs of repairs and vacancies.
Join Ian Robbins at our Wild West Real Estate Investing Event, on Monday, November 28th at 7PM at the Cherokee Cattle Company, located at 2710 Canton Rd, Marietta, GA. In just twenty-two months, Ian has purchased 8 properties, all tenant-occupied, with ZERO missed rent payments! He holds an impressive record of being paid 176 rental payments out of 176 payments due.
What you will learn:
- How to choose the best properties for rentals
- How to choose tenants who will pay rent on time (without the stress!)
- How to manage rentals successfully
- How to remain compliant with Landlord Tenant Laws
- Why buy and hold is a great wealth building strategy
- And Much, Much More…
What people are saying about the Wild West Event…
“Leslie always has hot topics and events that have changed my life” – John S.
“Leslie genuinely cares about our success. She focuses on education & value” – Katherine P.
“This is the best networking event Ever! I have put my entire team together with people I met at this meeting!” – Jason S.
“I never miss a meeting of the Wild West Event” – Charles F.
“This is quality education for FREE, not a sales fest” – Rachel L.
Mark your calendar NOW-we’ll see you there! Always FREE for Atlanta REIA Members, and only $10 at the door for non-members and guests. Wear your cowboy boots or hat and get FREE admission for your guest!
We’re taking questions ahead of the event, so email them to Leslie at LeslieMathisMentor@gmail.com from your cell phone right now!
Atlanta REIA Members Please RSVP on Meetup.com
Atlanta REIA Members are No Charge and guests pay $10 at the door.
*Please Note: West Meeting agenda is subject to change.
Learn Extreme Online Lead Generation with Duncan Wierman at Atlanta REIA on December 5, 2016
Posted on November 25, 2016 by& Vendor Trade Show
Real Estate Investing for the 21st century!
Atlanta REIA Members Can Attend at No Charge. This month,
Guests Can RSVP Online Now for $20 or Pay $25 at the Door.
Forget investing the old fashioned way. Let technology do the heavy lifting! Today, savvy investors are using cell phones and laptops to rake in their fortunes. If you want to learn to do the same, don’t miss the Atlanta REIA Main Meeting on Monday, December 5th at 5PM, where Duncan Wierman will show you how to make huge profits in today’s real estate market by combining real estate with the power of the internet and mobile devices! The meeting will take place at the Doubletree Hotel Roswell located at 1075 Holcomb Bridge Rd, Roswell, GA.
Duncan Wierman is The Master of Strategic Marketing using Online Marketing, Social and Mobile Media for Market Domination! Duncan helps real estate investors grow their businesses by developing online lead generation strategies that will make massive differences in your sales revenues in your investing market niche.
With Duncan’s assistance, you too can tap into how to use the Internet to grow your business – more quickly and profitably. Following Duncan’s strategies, you will learn…
- How to have motivated sellers and hungry buyers coming to YOU.
- How to use the Internet as a tool which will do 93% of the work for you.
- How to effortlessly generate massive profits on every transaction.
- How to literally flip deals from seller to buyer in as little as 2 hours.
- How to have hundreds of investor/buyers knocking on your door in as little as 2 weeks.
- How you can negotiate deals at home and in your spare time.
- How you can flip a property ANYWHERE, even if that property is 2000 miles away.
- How you can run your entire business from your home computer VIRTUALLY!
At the meeting, Duncan will reveal…
- The 3 key factors that will sky rocket the amount of leads you get every month.
- How to develop an effective client nurturing process which will build your brand credibility and give you an unfair advantage over your competitors.
- How to use social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter correctly – so that they are an effective and powerful channel for marketing your business.
- The overlooked ways to advertise your business online – so that you will reach more prospects every day than any of your competitors, usually while spending much less time, effort and money.
Duncan will guide you to even greater success using his vitally effective marketing approach, based solidly on…
- How to buy and sell real estate using the internet!
- Finding motivated sellers, hungry buyers, private money lenders!
- Automating and using systems in your business!
- How to use Social Media Marketing and Mobile Marketing effectively!
- How to buy and sell REO’s!
- And much, much more!
All this is happening at the Atlanta REIA main meeting on Monday, December 5th at 5PM at the Doubletree Hotel Roswell located at 1075 Holcomb Bridge Rd, Roswell, GA.
As always, Atlanta REIA Members cand 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!
Atlanta REIA Members Please RSVP on Meetup.com
*Please Note: Meeting agenda is subject to change.
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.
with Don DeRosa
Atlanta REIA Members Please RSVP on Meetup.com
Are you spending money on marketing and not getting any deals? Are you able to take any lead and make a deal out of it? Do you know how to make multiple offers that actually get accepted? Are you using technology to your advantage? If the answer is “NO” to these questions then you MUST attend this subgroup meeting.
Would you like to learn how to structure deals so you can buy houses with little or none of your own cash and none of your own credit? 15 hours a week… That’s all you need! Imagine… taking any seller lead and being able to create a winning deal out of it… Making thousands of dollars where you thought there were none. No more wasted marketing dollars. No more wasted phone calls. No more wasted time.
Join Don DeRosa at the High Tech Home Buying Creative Deal Structuring Subgroup on Monday, December 5th from 5PM to 6PM at the Atlanta REIA Main Meeting at the Doubletree where he will be teaching about a wide variety of topics each month. Don will teach you about the state-of-the-art tools and techniques you’ll use to evaluate deals and figure out how to make them work – so you can work less and spend more time where you want, when you want and with whom you want.
Some topics Don will be teaching about include:
- Using Apps on your iPad or other mobile device to evaluate deals on the go
- Creative Techniques such as Wrap Around Mortgages, Sandwich Lease Options, Subject-To, Seller Financing, and more
- How to be a transaction engineer.
- How to be a problem solver.
- And so much more…
Bring your deals and Don will walk through them step-by-step and he’ll show you how to easily evaluate the lead, determine your exit strategy, structure the deal, negotiate with the seller, and get the paperwork done in a snap.
Its an amazing time to be a real estate investor. Don’t look back 5 years from now and wish you had acted. Learn how to buy right… Learn to Make More and Work Less, Right Now!
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.
Harp Irish Pub in Roswell
After the conclusion of the Atlanta REIA Main Meeting, we will be reconvening at 9:30 PM at Harp Irish Pub located at the Plaza at Roswell Shopping Center, 1425 Market Blvd #1330, Roswell, 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.
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>>
Auction.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 >>
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>>
Secured 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>>
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>>
Equitable 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 >>
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>>
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>>
Financial Solutions Trust
CITC, LLC (Preston Stephens)
Modernline, LLC. (Nelya Dubovaya)
FundSource Financial (Eric Barlow)
Extreme Internet Marketing Workshop for Real Estate Investors on December 10, 2016
Posted on November 25, 2016 byWorkshop for Real Estate Investors
Join Duncan Wierman on Saturday, December 10th from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Registration starts at 8:30 AM) at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia, 4355 Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Atlanta, GA for an amazingly incredible, step-by-step real estate training workshop where he will teach you how to Buy 5, 10, 15 houses or more per month, grabbing houses up fast and selling them for huge profits within hours, without risk, and without leaving your home!
You need to attend this training if…
- You want to run your own business from home, and enjoy the freedom of automatic income…
- You want to declare independence from your lousy job and your stupid boss…
- You want the freedom to spend your time any way you wish, with whomever you wish…
- You are burned out with the stress of trying to find motivated sellers and hungry buyers…
This is a breakthrough Marketing Workshop is designed to teach you “How To Create A Constant Stream Of Motivated Sellers and Hungry Buyers That Call You” and may be the most important trainings you’ve attended all year!
The absolutely, positively Most important knowledge you must have to succeed in real estate investing is NOT about buying houses… it’s about “MARKETING YOUR REAL ESTATE ABILITIES” and generating leads!
There are 100’s of ways to do a deal, but if you don’t have LEADS you have NOTHING. It’s time to face reality. You’re not in the real estate business… you’re in the business of marketing your real estate business!
If you want to succeed and prosper as a real estate entrepreneur, you require a totally new set of marketing skills. Now is your chance to acquire those skills and put them to use in 2017!
How would you like to learn a marketing system that teaches you things like:
- Attract dozens of desperate, motivated sellers so you can cherry pick the hottest deals. Uncover hidden bargain deals on the Internet at record breaking speed.
- Buy properties below 65 cents on the dollar and then sell them within 1 hour.
- Turn your business into a system that makes you over $32,756.32 a month, each and every month!
- How to set up a system that can “sniff out” hidden properties that virtually no one is competing for, so the sellers see you as the only game in town.
- The incredible way to have automatic “robots” tirelessly working for you day and night, bringing you qualified customers and hot deals.
- How to get “private money” to finance your deals. No more getting fleeced by banks! Have your phone ringing off the hook with people begging you to take their money!
- How to get insane real estate profits even if you’re holding down a day job and have no time to yourself
- The best way to boost your credibility with sellers, even if you’re new to real estate investing
- Create a HUGE list of investors who want to be notified FIRST! They will be begging to buy your houses.
- How to market, buy, sell, and/or assign property online, to make MILLIONS from home
We are going to PROVE IT to you live at this full day Extreme Marketing Workshop on Saturday, December 10th from 9AM to 5PM.
Register Now and join us to discover Duncan’s secrets that he will be to sharing with you. These are the strategies that he has perfected throughout his own Real Estate Investing ventures and he will show you step-by-step how YOU can implement them into your business today. Register Now!
*PLEASE NOTE: The 2-for-1 Early Registration Special is only for Atlanta REIA Members and is limited to spouses, adult children and corporate partners. Non-Members who join Atlanta REIA between Nov 28th – Dec 5th, 2016 can attend the workshop for FREE as new members and can bring a qualified guest. Also, Atlanta REIA Members who renew their membership for an additional year between Nov 28th – Dec 5th, 2016 can attend the workshop for FREE as well. When joining Atlanta REIA or renewing your membership, please indicate that you want to attend the workshop at no charge.
Onsite Renovation Group Meets in Marietta on November 15, 2016
Posted on November 14, 2016 byHands-On Learning “Onsite” at Real Renovation Projects
Tuesday, November 15th at NOON
3131 Vandiver Dr, Marietta, GA
Please join us on Tuesday, November 15th at NOON for the Atlanta REIA Onsite Renovation Group (ORG) to learn all about finding, funding, fixing, and flipping houses for big profits. This month’s meeting will be held at Don DeRosa’s property located at 3131 Vandiver Dr, Marietta, GA. Come join us onsite and learn how we will turn this old run down house into a profitable deal!
The Atlanta REIA Onsite Renovation Group (ORG), hosted by Don DeRosa and Dustin Griffin, is an educational and networking group that focuses on the acquisition, renovation and retail resale (fix and flip) of single family residential homes. The purpose of the 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 each month at NOON at an active renovation site, build site or rental property which will vary from month to month. As always, there is no charge for Atlanta REIA members to attend. Guests & Non-Members can RSVP Online for Only $15 or pay $20 at the door.
Atlanta REIA Members & Guests, Please RSVP on Meetup.com
Learn How to Use Your IRA to Invest in Rental Properties at EPIC on November 15, 2016
Posted on November 14, 2016 bywith Scott Maurer of Advanta IRA
November 15th, 6PM, Flat Creek Country Club
100 Flat Creek Rd, Peachtree City, GA 30290
Come Join Us for COMPLIMENTARY Appetizers!
The mission of the EPIC group is to provide a platform for success in Real Estate Investing through Education, Properties, Income, and a Community of like-minded investors. To be a place to Network and Learn the pathway to success in real estate investing through different monthly topics presented by experts inside the real estate industry.
The meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 15th at 6PM at the Flat Creek Country Club located at 100 Flat Creek Rd, Peachtree City, GA. This will be a great opportunity for you to network with other like-minded investors and to learn about getting your foot in the door to big money with rental units. This month’s speaker will be Scott Maurer of Advanta IRA who will be discussing “How to Use Your IRA to Invest in Rental Properties”. Scott will cover:
Scott will cover:
- Why invest in real estate in an IRA
- How to transfer or rollover an IRA or old 401k plan into a self-directed accounts
- Different ways to structure your purchase in the IRA
- How you can use other people’s IRAs to fund your deals
- And much more!
You are sure to meet some great individuals and make lasting connections that will help propel your business in the right direction. We look forward to seeing you there!.
Meeting Agenda*
- 6:00PM: Networking, Haves and Wants & Introductions
- 7:00PM: Information, Upcoming Events & Market Update (Chris & Donna)
- 7:20PM: Main Presentation with Special Guest Speaker
- 8:30PM: Closing Comments & Last Minute Networking
Come Out on Tuesday, November 15th and every 3rd Tuesday of Each Month. You are sure to meet some great individuals and make lasting connections that will help propel your business in the right direction. We look forward to seeing you there!
Atlanta REIA Members & Guests, Please RSVP on Meetup.com
