All Forum Posts by: Douglas Christian

To all of you who have chimed in. Great advice for the young couple Rich, Jon, and Will and the rest. Now I heard that many are loosing their homes in the Bay area. I don't know the laws in CA, but what about taking over one of the properties SUBJECT TO: You have the CASH to make up the payments to the bank and then you can choose a home that fits you. I would not do a condo. To many people are CARELESS and if they burn their property down, yours goes with it. Also, even if it is 8 months Jon I would not put my money in the CROOKS hands. I consider banks CROOKS. I feel better sleeping on my under my mattress. Hell the worse I can do with it is PISS on it like the CROOKS. Take your time and realize knowledge is POWER. Just because you have the CASH if you DON'T know how to make it work for you, you are just like the POWERLESS and CASHLESS.

After going and listening to GURU's, purchasing many different strategies. What determines or How do you determine which strategy is better than the other in your REI? Some spend thousands of dollars and NEVER use any strategy. Some spend NO money and get results. So what is it that makes the difference? Is it the DRIVE of the individual or the location or just the LUCK of the IRISH? Please tell me how you determine what strategy is BEST for BUSINESS.

Just wanted to know what keeps you going and what MOTIVATES you. Some do a deal or two or more a month. Some don't do any deals, but continue to try and stay in the game. My question is specific. What keeps you in the game if you are having a HARD time finding DEALS, MOTIVATED SELLERS, or getting a GOOD strategy in place. How do you hang on or have you given up? Pls let me know what you are doing to sustain yourself in TOUGH times.

What types of strategies and exit strategies have you implemented to help with your real estate investing? The market is dry in many areas, but some areas and some investors have figured out how to avoid the months of no calls, or responses from sellers. How have you redefined your RE investing? This question may not be for NEWBIES. If you have 3 plus years when the market was up and then took a dive then you will understand this question. Pls give some examples of how the market has affected you and how you have combated it with your implementations.

Jon the reason I say Charlotte because it sits in a GREAT LOCATION, the weather is gorgeous throughout the year. Values are very good for investors in the buy and hold market. The area is very stable as far as schools, jobs and the economy. I work in 4 counties that are within 1 hr of charlotte and the deals have been outstanding. You have a multitude of people coming from every where so the area is constantly changing for the better. It really is one of the stable markets in the US. Just heard that Charlotte is in the running with three other cities for the XGAMES. I am not a fan, but the influx of DOLLARS is great for the the economy here. Just hosted the DNC. Great place to live and play.

Hello to all in the BP Family. I have been MIA on this site. I have not been MIA in my real estate investing. I have continued to invest and help others invest to obtain financial freedom. I love my HOBBY. It comes so natural to me that it is almost as said, like taking candy from a baby. To all of you struggling with your inner selves on what or where you want to start I say just start. It is almost like how I learned to swim. I would go to the side and put a foot in and say it was to cold. Then my friend just pushed me in the deep end and I had to figure out how I was going to get out of the situation and fortunately I did. No different than real estate. If you live in a home, condo, apartment. You are helping someone else obtain there dream if you are renting. Flip the coin over and start living yours. I started this journey over 10 yrs ago and have not looked back. The bus that I am on has taken me to many stops and destinations and I still have many more to go. So I encourage each and everyone of you to start living the life.

If you live some where and are not happy, then move to a better place, which will offer a better life, but don't move to begin investing in real estate. I live in Charlotte, NC and I feel as though this is an excellent place for growth and I definitely can say that this market has been real good to me. I see many out of towners invest and move here. The weather, the cost to live and the market and family well being is GREAT. You have to consider a lot of things when moving to another location. I am use to it, being ex military for many years.

I'm back and here is my offer.
140k comps
70% 98k
insurance: $180 mth
taxes: $68 mth

REPAIRS: NOTICE IT IS IN ALL CAPS. BE CAREFUL.

I would estimate my repairs to be about 25k for this unit and for anything that might need to be touched up on the other unit while I am at it.

I would probably offer between $65k and $75k and let them counter me.

Is this a private owner or a bank. If it is private owner then I would do some sort of owner financing with some money down.

I know you are going to say it is in a good part of town and they are not NEGOTIATING, well how long has the property has been on the market. HOw long will it take to get the other side repaired and rented. My calculations about 30-90 days. See you always add in for unforseens everyone else is going to say NO, but I have been very SUCCESSFUL at the TIME AND CIRCUMSTANCES RULE and this is ALL I do for a LIVING so I must be doing something right. Let me know how it goes. Remember you are the one that is going to get stuck with ALL THE UNFORSEENS in the end so make it worth your while if they are not willing then MOVE TO ANOTHER DEAL.

Very good question and topic. The Bible for those that believe and even for those who do not. It is better to give than receive. I have received so many blessings for having a giving spirit. I give with no expectations of returns. But, they begin to come and you just continue to do what you do. I volunteer for organizations that I believe in. I help other investors try to get where they would like to be, not where I am because the level of expectation is different for each individual. Giving heals the soul. You find a cheerful giver and you have found a BLESSED INDIVIDUAL.

I agree with Rich. Every buyer is looking for the best deal and unless you have something written and signed he is a FREE AGENT to any and everyone. Now, saying that means that you can also, do the same thing and do not look at it has stealing, just look at it as being business and I will see if I have something to offer this indvidual. I have never heard of listing the person who purchased a SFH in the paper, but every city has a different view and law. Just remember I think we put to much credence in loyal and morality. This guy is obviously and BUYER so you should know what he is looking for so go and find him plenty more of what he is looking for. You should create a pretty big buyers list from who is buying in that area if they list everyone who purchases a home.

SUCCESS BREEDS SUCCESS