All Forum Posts by: Anthony Blanco

@Nicholas L.Thanks for your input. From my conversations with others in the industry, I've noticed that skip tracing software, like the ones I mentioned, can be very useful. That's why I wanted to discuss it here and get the opinions of others.

I know that adopting new software involves an investment. Before I make a purchase, I want to make sure I'm choosing the right product. My goal is to be resourceful and start with a cost-effective option, scaling up as needed. However, if you think it's better to invest more heavily in this area, especially when trying to secure off-market deals, I'm all ears.

Hey BiggerPockets Community,

I'm looking for some advice on finding off-market real estate deals. I know there are tools like PropStream and BatchLeads that offer a lot of features, but they can be a bit pricey, with monthly fees in the range of $100-$150. I'm wondering if there are any other tools or strategies you've found effective for sourcing off-market properties that might be more budget-friendly.

I've already identified my target market, and I'm hoping to find a tool that can help me implement my cold calling and marketing strategy to start generating some quality leads. Any recommendations or tips on what has worked for you would be greatly appreciated.

@Alecia Loveless, thanks for the tip! I did come across that one along with a few others, just wanted to see what else is out there that has proven to be a success for other people. 

Hi everyone,

I'm focusing on buy-and-hold properties, mainly residential—single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, and quadplexes. Sometimes these properties need rehab, other times they're ready to go.

I'm looking for recommendations on the best tools or Excel templates for deal analysis. Ideally, I want something I can confidently show to potential investors that includes all the key metrics they and I would need to consider when evaluating a property. The tool/template should cover (any other recommendation are appreciated):

Cash flow analysis

Cap rate

ROI (Return on Investment)

Rent roll

Expenses and operating costs

Financing and amortization details

Do you have any suggestions for resources or templates that would work well for this purpose? I’d also appreciate any tips on creating my own analysis model. Thanks in advance for your insights!

@Robert Rixer, Thanks for the advice! I agree with your recommendation. After doing some research and hearing the exact same thing more than once, I know this is the path I want to follow as I start out. My plan is to repay the borrowers through refinancing and assume full ownership.

@Dimitrius Kiritsis, Thanks for the great insight! I feel utilizing friends and family is a great way to start. After doing much more research and hearing the opinions of other professionals, I've concluded that it's best to utilize them for smaller deals, refinance to pay them back in full so I can take over full ownership, and continue to progress from there. I also appreciate the book recommendation. "The Hands-Off Investor" by Brian Burke seems like a great read!

@Amy Heitner, Thank you for all the great recommendations! I literally added all the recommended podcasts to my favorites list and have been listening to them during my commute to work and job sites. I'm also planning to look into the coaching programs mentioned once I've learned more about each individual and determined which one best aligns with my goals.

@Brock Mogensen, starting close to home in the greater Sacramento, CA area sounds like a solid plan for me. From there, I plan to expand gradually. I'm fully aware that in the early stages of my investing journey, I'll need to earn the trust of others. I understand that aiming for 50/50 splits right off the bat might not be realistic until I've built solid rapport. I'm more than willing to take a smaller piece of the pie as I learn and grow in this field.

I'll definitely reach out shortly. I appreciate your insights, and I'm eager to learn more and discuss further. Thank you for sharing offering to share your underwriting model as well.

@Joshua Christensen, Thank you for your response. I appreciate your insights into finding and structuring a syndication. Definitely easier said than done when it comes to finding investors. I was thinking that it would be great to structure a 506(c) and develop a syndication for smaller deals, then work my way up from there as I build rapport in the industry. I'll definitely be grabbing one of the Beasley books on underwriting.

@Evan Polaski,Thanks for getting back to me. My goal in starting a syndication and delving into real estate this way is to jump into the field without needing a huge upfront investment and gradually expand my portfolio, which aligns with some of the principles laid out in Brandon Turner's book. I completely agree that gaining experience by working for another firm and learning from seasoned professionals is crucial. That's why I've chosen to pursue a degree in real estate to further my education. At this stage, I see this strategy as one of the top three approaches for me to start actively investing.