All Forum Posts by: Don Levy

Welcome to the forum, Adam. It sounds like you guys have got it together down there in Mississippi. That was a very wise move you made instead of what many of your colleagues did which was stuck their heads in the sand and hoped nobody would see them until the crisis was over.
Good luck,
donrock

This is likely just the tip of the iceberg with these small banks. If the government decides not to bail them out then this is what will happen. It appears that no bank whatever its size is immune, so hold on to your hat the ride is likely to get even bumpier.
donrock

I don't believe real estate has hit bottom in hardly any places in California. With all the REOs and foreclosures yet to come and when more of the sub-primes reset I think it will be some time before we see a bottom.
If you're looking to start investing you should check out lease options. You don't need much money to tie one up and you can sell your option or do a sandwich lease and possibly create a positive cash flow. This is usually hard to do in CA. See my blog to get more info on L/Os. The blog URL is below in the sig.
Good luck,
donrock

Welcome to the forum, Tim,
It's great living away from everyone but marketing is a bear when there aren't a lot of people not to mention purchasing.
Of course the internet has solved some of that but face to face is still the best generally speaking.
Good luck,
donrock

Mark welcome to the forum. It sounds like you're making most of the right moves.
Good luck,
donrock

Welcome to the forum Roland. I don't think you will find listings for exactly what you're looking for so you'll just have to keep running down every lead and possible source of listings that might include your dream location.
You might find RE agents in that area and email them with your requirements. A long shot I know but you never know.

Welcome to the forum Erik. I wish I was only 25 years old and had your experience, because this is the part of the RE cycle when a lot of people are going to get very rich.
Not many of today's investors experienced 1989, but I did and it was not quite as bad as today's crisis The reason being we didn't have all the sub-prime loans to contend with, but it was still bad.
Good luck,
donrock

I would agree that you should do both or whichever is most comfortable for you. If you write them a letter tell them you'll follow up in a couple of days with a phone call. Many times they will call you back as soon as they receive the letter.
donrock

I don't know how title companies work in other states but I know that the ones in California are very helpful when it comes to things like absentee owners lists. Just make sure they know you'll give them your business.
Chicago Title not only gives me absentee or any other owners lists I require but they put it on a floppy for me while I'm standing there. They will also give me address labels. They have a website with a ton of info on it. Other title companies such as First American will also do this.
Talk to your title company, you will be surprised at the service they can provide you FREE!
donrock

Unless you are thinking about becoming an agent I would use the time you would spen in class to study on forums and real estate investor sites. I've had 2 real estate licenses and gave them both back because it was a detriment to working on foreclosures. I don't believe having a license is of any great help in investing and probably as in my case a hindrance.

Good luck,
donrock