All Forum Posts by: Ray Corkran

Hi @bill  I keep all the business cards I can.  Keep them in a box.  No really, they are however before they make it into the big box I enter them into my contacts (gmail). The amount of detail I enter depends who and what they do.  The nice thing about gmail contacts is that it works pretty good with my iphone and when I enter notes about the person or what they do it also automatically search the notes. So if I'm looking for a drywall guy but don't remember the 5 drywall guys names I just search drywall and they all pop up.  You can also make fancy groups if needed, plus many other options.  

I'm sure there are better options for some out there however it works just fine for me and it's free!  

Tip, also after I meet someone and I am back in the car or wherever I make notes of anything important on the back of the card and that gets entered also. 

Currently have about 600+ contacts and and it hasn't slowed anything down at all. 

I also do have a group for investors, agents, inspectors, painters etc. 

-Ray

@Bill B.

Hi @Mooro El , I like the way you are jumping right in. Network, network and do your due diligence. Sounds like you also have your plate pretty full, I can relate to that. If you haven't already checked out the podcast's you need too. There was a great one with a wholesaler from Richmond, Va. Can't remember his name but he had lot's of good idea's and tips. Best of wishes on your adventure and if I can be of any assistance let me know. I'm in Baltimore too.

HI @Adrian Rice as mentioned ZIllow is nationwide and.... they themselves are not a broker. Franklymls.com is owned and run by a broker. I viewed the html source of a search results page and guess what... it's simply data directly from our local MD/DC/VA area's MLS which is called MRIS, you can see the main site at www.MRIS.com - What they did was build front for the user. Anyway, what I am saying is that the information he is supply is accessible to anyone with MLS access and if you are working with an agent they can give you the exact thing. MRIS and agent purchasable plan that allow an agent to build an interface such as the one at frankly...

If are looking for something specific on a search in MD let me know and I will search it and email it right over to you.

-Ray

HI @Lynette Scott and @Adrian Rice Welcome to BP. Lynette it seems you are off to a great start, local REIA's are a great way to network and learn learn learn... I know I do. Best wishes on your investments! Check out the podcasts if you havn't already. You will enjoy the great interviews of people in the trenches.

Have a great day!

@Andrew Hofing I'm not a fan of paying to have access essentially a "list" / inventory, It usually comes with some sort of hook; like $1500.00. As @Ned Carey said, "Make sure you know what you are buying." and "knowing the rules is key" so with proper research one can avoid wasting money. Not to say avoiding risk, but at least you can favor the odds...

It's amazing how much information you can get online. Not sure what State and counties you are looking into but I'm sure that you can find the inventory either online for free or find the phone numbers to call. I make it a practice to be sincerely friendly on the phone when asking questions.... how is your day going. have you been busy, forgive me for asking but I need help with something, If you could please tell me who to talk about... , etc... and if I can get a conversation started they will usually give me all the information I need or tell me how to get access to what I am looking for. So many people call and demand information that they get sick of it. I have called many counties in Maryland about tax lien info and they seemed happy I called and went out of their way to help me. One lady even put together a whole package and express mailed it to me.

Hi @Edward Glassman welcome to BP. Make sure you check out the podcasts, they are great and filled with interviews of people doing exactly what you want to do.

Here is a link to the National REI site, pick your state and it will show you the local groups. http://www.mynationalreia.com/clubportal/795files/directory.cfm?clubID=795&pubmenuoptID=11912

Another way to find local investor groups is at www.meetup.com it will search locally for you. Just enter a keyword like "real estate" and search.

Best wishes on your journey!

@Ramon Jenkins I third KW, and I believe that you would be able to do what you are talking about with your local KW office. When you go in to speak with them I suggest you let them know exactly what you plan on doing. Most likely they will tell you ok, and that they already have several agents doing the same thing. I'm in Baltimore (Canton) and my office is very flexible and supportive of me.

As @Thomas Johnson said, KW is very geared towards "Your Goals" and they want you to reach them and grow. I was with another broker who I won't name and is local to a few states only and they weren't too supportive of my goals and interests of investing and working with investors. Could have just been my office, but I knew that I needed to change if I wanted to grow... and I did.

I wish you the best wherever you go!

@Dacia Bell Hmmm.... I'm not sure what the purpose of that would be. Did someone tell you that had to be done? As an agent when you sign on with a broker there should be a page in your contract asking where / who do you want the commissions paid. It can be paid directly to an individual or a business (LLC or Inc.).

The only reason I am aware of that would require you to register your business LLC or Inc. with the MREC is if you are a broker opening your own realty company or if the ownership has changed. Example, if a franchise is sold to a new owner, the franchise sign on the building stays the same but the actual owners name / LLC or Inc. changes. Hope that made sense.

I'm interested to know what you find out.

Hi @Thad Rush welcome to BP! If you haven't already checked out the podcast you will love it. Lots of great information and killer interviews with people who active in the industry all over the country. Enjoy!

Hey@Javon Dixon i'm in Baltimore and always up for talking real estate.