All Forum Posts by: Tim Czarkowski

Steve Cantano Wow that's almost a record. You win some and you lose some. I heard from someone that they lost one in two weeks. lol It's amazing how many stories I here about people unintentionally buying these things. They delude themselves into thinking it like an eBay auction for homes or something. Instead of being the fiercely competitive and rather risky way to purchase a home that it is. Even cursory research into buying at the county auction would scare most people off I believe.

Rick Harmon That's how the conversation felt, like I was speaking an entirely different language. I think I articulated my position rather well however.

When someone tells me that want to move in the same day I generally figure they are drug addicts, financial disasters, flakes, or morons. Sometimes they are all of the above. No one in their right mind thinks they are going to move into a place the same day. Most people plan moves. I know I always started looking at least a month in advance. Anything less less a couple days to a week is a little sketchy. There is usually a reason.

I just had a girl that told me she needed to move in on Saturday and hasn't even looked at the place. Ends up she was evicted in August and it is completely possible she is being evicted again. I had someone last week that told me the same thing, she had 3 eviction in the last year. I think she was looking for someone who won't check her background. My ad states we don't check credit, which is true but we verify income and check the public records. She probably didn't expect that.

Another guy that called me last week and said he wanted to move in the same day made an appointment later that day and didn't show. Thankfully neither did I because I have them call me 10 minutes before they get there. That avoids most no call/no show bull-crap.

Just check him out if everything looks good then it's ok. I have had some people who had to move quickly that have been good tenant, but most are not.

Yes the classes are offered online on multiple websites. Google is your friend. This is where I took mine at http://www.nefar.com/pre-post-licensing.php

I thought the classes were done well if not a little tedious. I also thought the state exam was pretty easy. They give you three hours to take it, I finished it in 30 min flat. It was something like 100 multiple choice questions. What I really didn't like was they don't give you your grade if you pass, only if you fail. I have met people who said they took it seven times so your mileage may vary. If you can learn online I recommend it but if you need to have someone to ask questions or explain something in more deal you'd be better with an actual class. The companies that do the class also offer exam prep.

Do you have an idea what brokerage you are going to hang your license with?

I like John T Reed's books he is very direct and informative but I find him a bit negative. At least his books are not fluff and no meat.

Abdul Rasheed I second the Millionaire Real Estate Investor. I am a agent at Keller Williams so I am a little biased lol. It is a great beginner book and I particularly like the end where they have interviews with successful investors. They have a new book also called Hold. I haven't read the whole thing but it seems to be a good blueprint for someone new to rental properties. Their idea of reasonable cash flow was way too low for my comfort but I guess it's meant to be used nationwide, so that will vary.

You could try talking to a mortgage broker who does FHA loans. They know the rules pretty well and will advise just for the hope that you'll bring your business to them. Which you should if they take time help you.

No experience either but they could be a truly great buyer to work with. Pockets don't get any deeper than that. lol I wonder why they won't do assignments or double closes. They're sophisticated people as far as investing is concerned. It seems like hedge funds will invest in just about anything. They have been buying Greek junk bonds lately along with all kinds of other oddball and unique investments. I read that some were buying the rights of people who are owed money from Lehman Brothers at 100% on the dollar because they think more is actually going to be returned with the UKs required interest, if there is money left over after they pay all their debts. Pretty interesting and creative.

At this point it will probably have to be paid in full. The auction may be a good way to get it even cheaper, if the bank ends up not bidding the full amount owed to them. In that case though you must pay cash and the title would not be guaranteed.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you can only have one FHA loan at a time. So after that first one for a conforming loan your going to be looking at 20% on SFR and 25% on anything larger.

You can get a great home here in Jacksonville for less than $800 a month. Sarasota is truly a beautiful place. Paradise in my book. That part of Florida has two or three beaches that are rated best in the country. White sand and clear water. I'm going down there in December, it's the best time of the year.