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Showing posts with label bob burns. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bob burns. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Real Estate Investing

Tricks to make it Big with Real Estate Investing

Real Estate Investing is one of the most attractive ways of making large amount of money in a short amount of time (if done correctly). Moreover, Real Estate Investing can be very stressful but if you make a mistake it can be very forgiving. When you see the rewards of your efforts it can be very satisfying and addicting.

Real Estate Investing is really a skill and, like any skill, it takes time to master. The main objective is to buy low and sell high and make a profit after paying all the costs involved in the transaction.

Generally, people are of the opinion that Real Estate Investing makes sense only when the market is on the rise. However, Real Estate Investing for profits is possible just about any time. You just have to know when and how to apply different investing strategies when the acquired deal parameters are analyzed. This is part of the Due Diligence process that you will acquire through Real Estate Investing experience.

Here is a list of tricks that can make Real Estate Investing profitable for you:

  1. Join a local Real Estate Investment Club. Their name usually end with "REIA" which stands for "Real Estate Investor Association" so MREIA would stand for
    Miami Real Estate Investor Association.
    MREIA Logo
    This will provide many advantages and cut done on the learning curve. I like to use CRE Online web site to find an local investment club near you.
  2. Look for public auctions, divorce settlements, foreclosures (bank REO's/FHA/VA). Since quick settlement is the preference here (and not price), you might get a property at a price that is much lower than the prevailing market rate. You can then make arrangements to sell it at the market rate over a short period of time. However, make sure that the property is worth the price you are paying. Also be Very Careful with auctions! Know what you are buying by doing your homework. You might end up buying an easement that you can’t build on or a second mortgage.
  3. Looking for expired listings. The old listings that are still unsold may provide you with good Real Estate Investing opportunities. Just get hold of an old newspaper, MLS expired listings and call up the sellers. They might have given up hope of selling that property at all and with a bit of negotiation you can get the property for a real low price.
  4. The hidden treasure or Distressed Property. A really old, high grass, mail coming out of the mailbox, dirty, unpainted looking house may scare off retail buyers but this might be your chance for Real Estate Investing that can yield good profits. Explore these properties and check if spending a bit on them (rehabbing them) can make them shine. You can get these at very low prices and make a big profit in a short time. Have a GOOD contractor lined up if you decide to rehab a property. Time is Money!
  5. Team up with attorneys: There are a number of attorneys who handle property sales on behalf of sellers or in special circumstances (like the death of the property owner - Probate). They might sometimes be looking to dispose a property rather quickly for a lower price. Be the first one to grab such Real Estate Investing opportunity and enjoy the profit.
  6. Keep tab on the newspaper announcements! Be prepared to act quickly. This means have CA$H on hand to act quickly! Property sell offs due to deaths, divorce settlements, immediate cash requirements and other reasons are frequently announced in local newspapers or on the internet (Craig’s List). Keep track of such Real Estate Investing avenues.

Education

These are all great tricks and tips but the most important objective is to invest in your education. Take every opportunity to absorb Real Estate Investing techniques by hiring a mentor or coach to learn from the Pain of Others! Look at any profession and you will see an entity, person / coach or a system involved to train individuals to be successful! Real Estate Investing is no exception!

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Written by +Bob Burns.
 
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Bob Burns at MREIA meetingYeah Baby!
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+Real Estate Investor
about.me/RobertKBurns
Tel #: 305-586-5280
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Monday, June 27, 2011

Top 10 Real Estate Gurus I'd have a BEER with!


As I was starting out in real estate investing, I took the grand tour of the usual seminars, workshops, boot camps and REIA clubs. Webinars were not around and the internet was just grabbing our attention. I had the benefit of helping run the Miami Real Estate Investor's Association MREIA which provided us the conduit for all the Real Estate Gurus that were currently HOT at the time and are still going strong today.

I am creating this TOP 10 blog list for the benefit of people that are coming into the business and need some guidance. Some are local to Miami, Florida and some national.

Again, this is only my opinion and you may disagree with me and that's OK. Please forgive me if I leave someone out of the list but I am providing the names that taught or brought us into their inner circle of influence.

Here goes:

  1. WOW, what can I say about Preston? I met Preston Ely in New Orleans but we didn't know each other. We know each other through Freedom$soft affiliate campaigns but if I ran into him on the street, I don't think he would recognize me. That's OK because he is an awesome internet marketer whose niche is real estate investing! I like his style and his humor. He goes against the grain but it works. I enjoy his outlook on life and business acumen. He is refreshing and made me a lot of money! That is why he is number one on the list.

  2. Mike Collins invited me to a Tampa workshop on real estate investing years ago. Mike was one of the first gurus to adopt the internet as part of his business. I drove up to Tampa Florida for the weekend and attended the event. I learned more about investing and realized that I had to adopt the internet as a channel for marketing my properties and business. Michael and his staff were very fourth coming with information about real estate investing and made me feel like I was very important to his success.

    Over the years I have seen Mike Collins speak at various real estate events and never lost that feeling that he was someone with a special gift of sharing his wealth of knowledge.


  3. I sat right next to Sam Bell in New Orleans in the front row. Same place I met Preston Ely. I like to think that I knew everyone that was a player in the real estate investing world but I didn't know Sam. He was quiet and didn't say much but we did introduce ourselves by the end of the event. Next time I saw Sam was in Tampa, Florida and to my surprise he was presenting. Man did he surprise me! He delivered BIG TIME. He combined hardcore internet marketing with Real Estate Investing. Every time I listen to him I learn something new. You have to place him on your blog reading list! You won't be disappointed. Light years ahead of me.

  4. Pete Youngs was the first guy I ever saw when I decided to start my real estate investing business. I started out as a rehabber and Pete was the guru's guru when it came to rehabbing houses. He was one of the very first GURU presenters with almost all the real estate investing clubs. I always enjoyed his rehabbing stories and his sense of humor. Also, due to his broad footprint among the real estate investment community, Pete would always have great investment deals or opportunities for his inner circle.

  5. Josh Cantwell is fairly new to my sphere of real estate gurus. I just finished an affiliate campaign in December 2010 with Preston Ely (See #1) and was still fired up about the campaign even though it was over. I received an email from Britt Walker (great contact for affiliate campaigns) who was promoting Josh's "Instant Cash Infusion" product. I said what the hell, since I trusted Britt. Wow, I was impressed! Josh's foreclosure system content was really fresh with current market trends. Home foreclosures vary from state to state but Josh and lawyer Jeff Watson seemed to be on top of their game concerning nationwide foreclosures. Check them out, you'll learn something.

  6. I have been working with Paul Woods since I started this business. Paul is a real estate attorney that has spoken at our real estate investment club many times. His strengths are Asset Protection using the Florida Land Trust and foreclosure defense. When building your team for real estate investing you must have an attorney that knows the legal structures (example: Florida Land Trusts) and contacts associated with real estate investing for your protection and success. Paul is your man!

  7. I met Joel Bauer at an information seminar in Broward, Florida. You know, Fort Lauderdale, college..etc. From my understanding Joel does not come out to the east coast (USA that is...) often so I decided to catch his presentation. He is not a real estate guru but was considered a Info. Marketer. I always want to get ideas about how I can enhance my marketing skills so off to see Joel. It was the fastest workshop I ever attended. He crammed more information into one day than anyone else I ever saw. I thought he was a little strange at first but this was part of his presentation. He kept it real and didn't sugar coat anything. I learned about photo and video editing, business card development, testimonial development, on and on and on...I was very impressed and would see him again in a heartbeat. He's different but that is what I like about him. Never boring and you never know what to expect. Either you like him or you don't. There is no middle of the road with Joel. Pure Energy! He brings it...Baby!

  8. Wayne Wagie is a different kind of real estate guru. He looks at the deal without money by negotiating the deal with the exchange of assets and or terms. Usually no money exchanges hands or very little. He runs a group called the "The Greater Miami Real Estate Exchangors (GMREE)" which meets weekly in Miami-Dade, Florida to discuss different strategies of exchanging real estate. You can exchange a piece of land for a boat or a car. Swap a house in Hawaii for one in South Beach, Florida. Create a note on your property and exchange the note for a percentage of another deal. Wayne teaches you to view and negotiate the deal using NO CASH! Awesome concepts! Check him and his group out.

  9. Paul J. DaCosta runs the Port Charlotte Real Estate Investor's Association on the Gulf Coast of Florida. When I first went to the meeting, I didn't know anyone but Paul had me introduce myself and the rest is history. He has spoken at MREIA several times about real estate investing. Paul is an investor, speaker, author, blogger, internet marketer and is very generous with his time. Paul makes you feel welcome into his social community and if you are ever on the Gulf Coast of Florida make sure you catch Paul at one of his meetings in Port Charlotte, Florida. Right down or across Rt. 75. You won't regret that you did!

  10. Last but not least, Donna Bauer is the first lady on our list. Donna is a real estate guru specializing in purchasing real estate notes. She was one of the first speakers I asked to present at MREIA since my first deal was a note purchase for 15 condo units. Controlling paper on a property is a great strategy for controlling an asset without managing the property. No cleaning toilets for me! She has a wealth of contacts and knowledge for anyone starting out in this business and wants to learn a very unique strategy of real estate investing.

Whew, that took me a long time to put together. There are so many gurus out there that it was difficult to narrow down the people who taught me the business. I Thank all of You!

Now it is your turn! Do you have a real estate investing guru that made a difference in your life? Please tell us about HIM or HER in the comment section below.


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Written by +Bob Burns.
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The Internet Kahuna Bob Burns MREIA LogoSweet......
Bob Burns Print Signature for MREIA
MREIA's President
about.me/RobertKBurns Telephone #: 305-300-6242
email: rkburns@investmentpropertiesmiamiflorida.com
MREIA's Web Page: www.miamireia.com
Hypersmash

Friday, January 7, 2011

Using the MAO rule for determining your
Investment Property Offer Price

As you know I run, along with my partner Luis Maqueira, the Miami Real Estate Investor’s Association MREIA monthly meeting every fourth Tuesday of every month.

One of the most common questions from our MREIA group is how do we determine the property’s value so we don’t pay too much? By paying too much would prevent the investor from making any money on the deal. Most investors want the deal to be a win-win-win for everyone involved in the transaction:
  • Win for Seller,
  • Win for the Investor,
  • Win for the Buyer that purchases
    the asset after it has been repaired.

The Maximum Allowable Offer MAO rule allows the investor to determine the property’s value so the transaction will be a win-win-win deal. It creates a maximum ceiling price for the investor. Go passed the ceiling and you won’t make money. It is always said among Real Estate Investors, "You Make Money on the property when you purchase it, not when you sell it."

Below is a brief video that explains how the MAO rule is processed and how the derived number is of value to the Real Estate Investor:



Written by +Bob Burns.

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The Internet Kahuna Bob Burns MREIA Logo"You are the Message"
Bob Burns Print Signature for MREIA
MREIA's President
about.me/RobertKBurns
Telephone #: 305-586-5280
email: sec8@planocho.com
MREIA's Web Page: www.miamireia.com

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

The 8 BIGGEST Mistakes in Offshore Real Estate…and How to Avoid Them

It doesn’t matter if you are a broker, agent, loan officer or an investor, whatyou DON’T know exceeds that which you DO know when it comes to investing outside of the United States. For most people, this “unknown” is enough of a hindrance to prevent us from enjoying the tremendous upside of investing abroad.

If you have watched the real estate markets for more than a dozen years, you’ve seen ups and downs before, of course. Why is it then, that THIS particular downturn seems different? Is it the rapid decline of values? Was it the news thatFannie Mae and Freddie Mac were in trouble? Even the most optimistic agent or investor understands that the majority of potential buyers currently suffer from a “deer in the headlights” approach to real estate. Many investors and Realtors are frozen with fear and indecision regarding how to clearly capitalize and thrive in the current market.

Some savvy investors saw this downturn coming years ago. Many did not. Those that did already made the shift in their strategy, marketing, sales and investments to use the slump to their benefit. The ultra-wealthy have ALWAYS made more money during volatile times than in good times. Who do you think is buying up all those stocks and real estate when the market tanks? Wealthy, fearless and wise investors, that’s who.

You can too.

We all start with the premise of not understanding enough about foreign markets in order to make a decision. Therefore, the ONLY decision you can make right now is the decision to learn about how, where, and why to invest abroad.

It is safe to say that most people in the United States are comfortable with understanding the basics of our economy and the relationships they have with their brokers and advisors. We trust others with our financial future because it is the details and nuances that most of us either don’t understand or don’t have the time to learn. The fears most people have are normal, but they do not have to prevent you from expanding your reach, diversifying your portfolio, and earning tremendous returns for yourself and your referrals.

Investing offshore is actually SIMPLER and EASIER than trying to understand the beta and QMV price of a stock. Knowledge and the comfort that knowledge provides us when it comes to our money is easily acquired when you know WHO to talk to and


String Ray off Pier in San Pedro, Belize
WHY they are talking to you! Obviously salespeople make commissions and developers have land to sell. Their information is relevant as long as you acquire it with the context of THEIR interest. When it comes to moving and investing your money, it is always a wise idea to also get information from current investors who have already been researching, analyzing and investing what you are interested in. Investing offshore can dramatically accelerate your retirement plans and give you the opportunity for a tax-haven previously known only to the ultra-wealthy.

There are 3 KEY factors that one should consider to set themselves up not only to survive this market, but to thrive. It is not the acknowledgement of these 3 keys which is important, but the full confidence and belief that without them, you will be ignorant of the philosophy and actions of the ultra wealthy, especially in matters of offshore and worldwide money, assets and wealth.

A. Economic Give and Take. When one area of the world has a slowing economy, often there are other areas which thrive in relation to it. (A weakening US dollar provides currency volatility for FOREX traders) Natural markets act very similar to nature. Nature abhors a vacuum. When panic or fear hits a market, more people are selling than buying which often lowers prices below their true value. The contrarian investor is there to pick up the bargains and realize the gains.

B. Different Rules for Different Investors. Ultra wealthy investors don’t participate in the financial markets the same way the average person does. They don’t necessarily “cheat” but they do set their own rules. These rules are not truly “secret” but often take a re-framing of our mindsets to learn their code. Wealthy people don’t think or believe that the masses do. As sad as it sounds, the masses are nearly always wrong when it comes to investing.

C. Fear Keeps You Ignorant. Fear and ignorance of IRS rules keeps most people from even learning how offshore investing/banking/finance works. The US government, particularly the IRS is professional intimidators. Every year there are billions of dollars scooped up by the IRS from taxpayers and their accountants who fear an audit more than being accurate with their deductions. When it comes to offshore, the easiest and simplest methods are always the best. Pay your taxes. Using an offshore entity to shelter what is owed is not good advice.

NOTE: The IRS taxes all worldwide income of its citizens. Therefore the trick is not to try and hide your income. That is a HUGE red flag and you will probably get caught. The trick is to have equity gains abroad, not income. Additionally, the proper entity structure can reduce or eliminate your exposure to IRS taxes. The only way to do this is to use their own rules to your advantage.


Walking onto Belize Property Video


Nearly half of ALL equity funds are not marketed in the United States. The stringent rules of the SEC have made it too expensive for many companies, funds, and securities to be marketed in the USA. Most people are unaware that there are savings accounts available with double digit returns in other countries. US citizens are unaware because those banks are not allowed to advertise in the USA.

When it comes to investing in real estate beyond the borders of the USA, these same issues are compounded by fear, lack of knowledge of foreign exchange rates, governments, culture and language.

When one opens their mind up to the possibility of investing in foreign markets, these limitations begin to fade away. Once the limitations are gone, the opportunities are sure to keep you awake at night with excitement! The possibilities of secure wealth, lifestyle, and a reduced tax-burden are enough for anyone to “get in the game,” learn all they can, and get started!

Here are the 8 things to INSIST upon when it comes to investing abroad:

1. Government. After speaking with hundreds of investors, the question of banana republic’s and dictatorships comes up a lot. When you preview property in a foreign land, check out the history. How did it become a republic? Who was in charge before? What legacy did the previous government leave behind? No matter who is in charge now, there are ALWAYS people and power centers left from previous administrations. Be sure to work with countries with a long history of stability. Even if the new administration seems democratic, we all know from experience that graft and corruption are everywhere. How is it handled in your target country? (For example, in the USA, a lobbyist with tremendous money and influence can do more to influence legislation than a group of concerned citizens from a small county) How does your targeted country handle itself?

2. Tax Haven. It is important to not only work with democratic governments, but ones that are friendly…very friendly to foreign investors (That’s you!). Owning property abroad may relieve you of income taxes (The USA doesn’t tax assets, just income). What are the real estate and income taxes of your targeted tax haven? Do they allow foreign corporations to own property? What are the costs and procedures for establishing a “domestic” corporation in your country of choice? What about anonymity? In the USA, if a banker does not disclose private information to the authorities upon request, they can be prosecuted. In tax-haven friendly countries, the opposite is true. If a banker reveals private information to the authorities, the BANKER can be prosecuted! A low or non-existent tax rate for foreign investors is preferred. Any lack of banking privacy is a non-starter. For example, in November 2001, the Cayman Islands concluded a tax information exchange agreement (TIEA) with the U.S. that provides for exchange of information relating to U.S. federal income tax. In the summer of 2009, UBS was required to reveal the names of 5,000 of its customers who had bank accounts in Switzerland! The old story about a numbered Swiss bank account being anonymous is now old news.

3. Land Ownership. US land owners take for granted the idea of property rights. Even countries based on English common law don’t have the same protection that we take for granted. In the Turks and Caicos, deeds are the responsibility of the crown and not supervised by a third party. A US based title insurance company is best for security, peace of mind, and reduces the learning curve. Title insurance is vitally important in a country where you may not have your domicile. In Costa Rica, squatters have reclaimed thousands of acres of land from foreigners who were unable to keep them from simply homesteading on land that did not belong to them. In some cases, foreigners were hiring people to simply watch over large tracts of land they had purchased, not to protect it from vandalism, but from squatters who after a certain amount of time, can RIGHTFULLY claim and take possession of land that they didn’t pay for. Can you even own property in the country you are investigating? Mexico, for example, requires a foreigner to co-own property with a domestic person or entity. Yuk! Equally important, does the developer “own” the land? Not only on title, but what about encumbrances? Select developments where the land is paid for, that way, any delays in development won’t compound the developers’ finances.

4. Team. A project is only as solid as the team behind it. When it comes to getting permits, title, surveys, and entitlements, does your project have a manager who is local? Is the manager experienced? What are his credentials? Do they have an inside track on the national, regional and local regulations? Does the project manager have friends in the government? It doesn’t matter WHAT country we are discussing (USA included) the more connections your project manager/developer has with his suppliers and governments, the easier the project will be completed. Is the developer perceived as a foreigner or a local? Are they using local labor? Is the master plan designed by professionals? Are there any sales? How have the sales been proceeding? Has anyone asked for a refund of their deposits? Why? What is the reservation and refund policy? Analyzing the team is as important as understanding the project and you must know WHO you are dealing with.

5. Language & Culture. Going offshore means you WILL be experiencing a new culture. The only way to become comfortable is to understand that culture, accept the differences and embrace the common elements. With regards to language, be sure you speak it. Using a translator is inefficient and dangerous. Contracts not written in a language you understand is like playing with fire. Even if the contract is bi-lingual, in a court of law, the dominant language is the one that will prevail.

6. On-site Visit. In order to truly understand a project and the opportunity, an onsite visit is a must. This is only true for investments of a significant nature (In my opinion any investment in the six figure range or higher is significant, regardless of your wealth). For investments in the 5 figure range, you should be able to conduct enough due diligence in order to feel comfortable and secure. Ask the developer if there is a “window of opportunity” where you can come and visit the project at a later date. As an investor, I would never trust an agent who had not taken his time and money to travel to the project and “put their feet in the sand.” As an investor, it is a great tax-deductible trip…and gives you firsthand knowledge of the area, people and project.

7. High-end usage. Many investors start out with affordable housing rentals as their entry into the market. It appears less expensive, but management headaches are going to be high. When investing abroad, it makes sense to cater to people of high net worth. They travel more, sale prices and rents are higher, and the wealthy are immune to economic swings. With proper management in place, upper-end properties are safer and more lucrative.

8. Location. Yes, the old adage, “Location, location, location” is still true when investing in other countries. Understanding values, appreciation, and market demand is very similar to what we do when performing due diligence in the states. For an extra layer of comfort, be sure to invest in properties that not only have great locations but have stellar locations! When investing in tropical areas, be sure to check out the neighbors. The Caribbean is known for having beautiful resorts residing next to dilapidated shacks. Proximity to activities, shopping, and services is important, so be careful if you find that perfect private island getaway! If it is too far from civilization or any amenities, demand could be weak.

There are other, less significant areas which you need to become informed on when investing abroad. The biggest hurdle will be your own fears and “ramp up” time on the culture, opportunity and the people you are looking to become involved with. Don’t ever say “no” because you don’t understand something. It is always better to simply ask for more information so that you can make an informed decision. A confused mind always says no and closing the door to the opportunities of the world never made anyone rich.

BONUS:

If you truly want to make a TON of money in this marketplace, you need to invest in it yourself. Nothing compares to the credibility of being an owner AND an agent. By owning a part of the project yourself, you set yourself apart from all other agents/ Your referral commissions can increase exponentially when you have not only taken the time to learn about a project, but have the confidence to invest in it yourself.

I love my country and like having more than one child, I have learned to love other countries as well. Foreign real estate investment and ownership has more…more growth, more tax advantages and more lifestyle. Now is the VERY BEST TIME to learn more, and take action!

This was an article produced by Doug Crowe. Doug has spoken several times at MiamiREIA www.miamireia.com meetings about the advantages of investing offshore. Doug is currently constructing a major offshore development in Belize. For more information about Doug go to: www.dougcrowe.com

Written by +Bob Burns.

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For more information please contact:
Bob Burns
about.me/RobertKBurns
Email:sec8@planocho.com or
call (305) 586-5280