All Forum Posts by: Benjamin Barredo

@Danny Johnson

"Do They Like and Trust You?

People want to do business with people they like and trust. The trust part is boosted with testimonials and trust badges (like Better Business Bureau and Google Reviews 5-star rating badges etc.). Your About Us page should help with the 'like' part of the equation."

I know you can pay for a BBB badge but what about Google Reviews? Is that something I need to get my customers to act on? 

Thanks in advance? 

Hello BP Agents. 

My name is Ben Barredo and I am a brand spanking new Real Estate Agent working for KW in Knoxville, TN. I'm so new that my application hasn't actually processed yet. However, I am ready to hit the ground running. Unlike a lot of new agents, I understand that getting a license isn't the only thing required to make money in this business. Additionally I'm planning to use my commission/income to both live off of and to launch a RE Investing journey into buy and holds. 

I was hoping I could get some advice and tips from some of you more seasoned agents. 

1. I will be starting out part time until the end of the year (I hope) at the latest. I don't have money to pay for GoogleClic ads or mailers so I'm going to have to initially depend strictly on my own hustle. Which do you think has the best return for the time put in - Door Knocking, Cold Calling, Attending Social Functions, or something else? I've been watching a lot of YouTube videos on door knocking and cold calling and while researching I get an almost even split on which is better but I also come across some threads (on FB) that say cold calling and door knocking are both a waste of time. 

2. Because I'm going to be part time, I plan to focus on sellers because listings seem to be less time consuming than being a buyer's agent. What do you think? Of course I won't only do listings, I'll be open to both but as far as marketing myself and creating my brand, I want to focus on sellers. 

3. What are some cheap ways to start building an instant lead generation? What are some ways to start building long term lead generations? 

4. I plan to take advantage of leads that fit my investment strategy (BRRRR) and make my own offer on those. I want to work them as a investor and not an agent. Any advice on how to approach that? I know in my state I am required by law to disclose my agent position and from there I can make an offer. Should I go through another agent or can I work the contracts on my own and with a title company?

5. Any other advice or stories on how you got started? What was your first year like? How'd you do? What was the most important lesson you learned that year? Where are you now? 

6. Any books that you suggest I add to my "Must Read" list? 

Thanks for your time. I look forward to learning something from you guys. 

One more thing - do any of you work for KW and if so, I know they offer websites and a mobile app in their technology package but does KW have its own CRM software like Podio, RealGeeks, etc.? I currently use Podio for my wholesaling but I'm thinking of switching to RealGeeks.com

The problem with driving for dollars is you still have to either mail, skip trace and call, or knock on the door. Which are all cheap options but may take some time to get a bite. I'm not discouraging you at all. I think you should do a combination of all of the above. It all depends on how much time/money/drive you have and how far outside of your comfort zone you're willing to get. 

Just remember - Always Forward. That's my new mantra. 

Hey guys. Just wondering if any of you successful (defined however you want to but mostly those of you that have closed more than 1 deal in the last year) wholesalers currently or have cold called leads from real estate websites and found success. If so, what leads are you calling (rentals, FSBO's, etc.) and how are you choosing the ones to call?

I decided that I want to use this method as it doesn't take me away from my family to "pound pavement" (which in my neck of the woods could get you shot) and is not going to cost me money like direct mail marketing does. But I jumped on Craigslist and found too many home being marketed for top dollar and the same problem on Zillow (talking about FSBO's). Then I looked at rentals and saw they were mostly through property management companies.

Any advice is good advice...unless your being a hater, then it's bad. Really bad and better off left unsaid.

Just throwing this out there (personally, I've not done this but that's only because I am a procrastinator by heart and I'm not sure if wholesaling is something I want to get into) but if you don't want to pound pavement you could also go to real estate sites (like Zillow, Redfin, etc.) and call FSBO's and Rental properties.

Get a script (I'm sure you can find free ones on here at BP) and call For Sale By Owners (FSBO) if the house is already selling for less than the homes around it and it looks like it needs work. The problem I've had with this is that 90% of the homes I've seen are nice and are being sold for top dollar.

The better route is calling the rental homes because it's likely that the landlord has other properties that they might be willing to sell. The obstacle with this is many of the homes for rent are through property management companies and if you want to haggle with them to get the owner contact information - Good Luck.

My current approach is this (but it is costing me some money initially): I've gotten my real estate license and I'm going to work part time as an agent. My plan is to learn through the firm on cold calling and generating leads. Then when I come across leads that aren't a good fit for traditional selling I will try to work them on my own as either a wholesale deal or try to snatch them up myself through owner financing.

I am currently waiting on my licensing application to go active then I have a couple more hoops to jump through (orientation at my local Realtor's Association which is also the same entity that manages my local MLS which I need access to in order to hunt leads) and a orientation at my firm. Once all of that is done, I'm going full force ahead at my strategy.

I guess it's all up to you. I have a friend that has found great success in cold calling rental leads on Zillow, Craigslist and Redfin. He's much more of a go getter than me. I'm more of a "get my ducks in a row and have a strategy" kind of guy. Which is why wholesaling has caused me more frustration than anything else. I don't like calling people without having anything to back me up and since I don't have money I feel like having a license will at least give me some credibility. Probably means nothing to the seller but it makes me feel better just thinking about.

HOpe that helps.

Hey guys. Just wondering if anyone is having luck with finding lenders in the Knoxville, TN area? Lenders that will work with non-accredited, first time investors that have a deal but no history of successful investing are what I'm looking for. 

HML, large and small banks, credit unions, etc.

I'm thinking about applying for a unsecured line of credit to come up with enough money for a down payment. My plan is to use the BRRRR method to acquire quickly and build a portfolio. I have lost time to make up for.

How did you start out with no money? 

What exactly does a realtor do for you as a wholesaler? Judy curious to  learn more ways to use a team. 

My endgame is to get into multifamily rentals. When approaching a seller financing deal, how much EM or a deposit do you plan to put down? They same percentage down as a loan? 

I'm also getting my license and would love to work with investors. The license is to be able to access the mls but i also figured i could offer another option to sellers instead of sending them away plus offering services to buyers.  What type of services do you suggest i offer? Similar to your partner? 

hello. My name is Ben and I'm a wholesaler in Knoxville Tennessee. I'm considering branching out into mobile homes but my current buyers list is chalk full of SFH landlords and rehabbers.

If you're a mobile home (Trailer, manufactured home, etc) investor,  hit me up with an email.  

Thanks. 

so I'm reading a book ad the guy is talking about researching cities for virtual wholesaling. he goes two types of comps. He does a am inventory and sales comp for each city and the numbers he comes up with he says "if the cities were the same size" i have no idea how he comes up with comparables if the cities were the singe size. i guess it's similar to comparing homes of different sizes, adding and subtracting where necessary. still, i need a simpler way. what do you all look at when researching investment areas?

im sorry but I've been absent a while... what's NOD?