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Lee makes some very valid points.

I would also add that Office and Industrial carry significantly more risk. The vacancy rates in offices tend to be higher and industrial property carries contamination risk as well.

That's not to say they are not good investments. IMO, if you're just starting out, smaller office buildings are an O.k. revenue generator. Just make sure the numbers work and your leases carry all the necessary items to keep it profitable.

I'm sure you're probably aware that Cap Rates can vary from one type of commercial property to another. Even though the Rental Caps may not be what you hope, as Lee mentioned we are entering a time in many areas where rentals will not only be in high demand, but will also generate very good cash flows.

In our area this is very difficult as Mortgage brokers do not have this information however tax records have some.

What we had to do in our area was:
Go to the actual apartment complex and either: Read the building numbers of how the apartments were numbered and write it down, or if they had a central postal area, read all the information there and write it down. We do not use the addressees names however, as it would have taken days to finish compiling our list. Instead we addressed them generically such as: "Our Friends at"

While this may not seem like the most efficient method, the Title companies and tax records in our area do not have individual apartment addresses or renters names, they have the owners information, not the renters information.

I hope this helps.

Hello Robin,

First off - Welcome to the forums and welcome to the world of real estate.

So, if I may let me ask a question: Are you going to the major franchise offices such as C21 and Prud etc. I think this may be your best bet in the beginning as they offer quite a bit of training to new agents.

A few things to remember:
The interview process is a two way street: Not only are they interviewing you, but you are interviewing them as well. So, try to relax if you can. They need you just as much as you need them.

One thing that comes to mind for me is your part time status and offering to do computer work. While this may seem like an advantage to you (since you are familiar with computer and know the potential) it may not be an advantage for a broker. Specially if they have to spend money to do something. My background is also I.T. (over 25 years) and I did not mention my background to the brokers I interviewed (notice I did not say who interviewed me). I did not want them to know my background in case they were bringing me in to fill a lack of computer experience. After all, I'm entering the Real Estate business, not the computer business (of which I have retired from).

Brokers are in the business of selling real estate. Some are computer savvy and realize the benefits of technology and some are computer phobic (I happen to work for one that straddles the line, hehe) or are not clear on the benefits.

Perhaps the concern from the brokers perspective may be, if you are working on all this computer stuff, when will you have time to sell real estate since you are part time anyway.

Therefore, my suggestion to you is this: Forget offering computer work during the interview process, don't even bring it up except to say something like: "I am computer literate and know my way around a computer fairly well".

Focus instead on your excitement as you enter a new career. Display your eagerness to learn, and willingness to exceed.

Once you are in the door, you can then start offering your other talents.

IMO, the best advice anyone can give you is: Be Yourself...

I hope this helps you towards starting your new career.

Do you mean 'who' or 'how'?

I assume you mean who so I will go from there.

Each agent is different in how they market a property. For instance since I focus on Commercial real estate and I use the following methods:
Heavy Internet exposure - 10 websites plus possible a unqiue website for the property
Signage
Newspaper advertising for the first month
Email campaign

My wife however, specializes in residential and she uses the following:
Internet exposure - 3 websites
Signage
Newspaper advertising for the first month
Magazine Advertising for the first month
Email campaign
Calling her clients.

As for who - we contact anyone we have who is looking for this type of property.

The commission really doesn't matter, what matters is getting the house sold. Remember - Referrals and repeat business.

The divorce may produce 2 clients, husband and wife and I want them both.

Hope this helps.

Hello all,

I have created an Investor Analysis Calculator if anyone is interested or needs this type of analysis.

It can assist you with calculating your returns on investments.

It is free to use and there's no registration required.

If you find it of value, please share your thoughts with us and others.

Thanks in advance.

Ah, the old admin "block everyone from doing anything not work related" trick. I'm surprised you can get to this website.

Try using explorer to go to the site instead of IE. There are other ways, but better I not disclose them here ;(

As a real estate agent, I can tell you this (I don't know what area you are from and am only familiar with Fl laws pertaining to commissions and the like) but...

What makes a real estate interested in your well being are the following:
Referrals - Good news travels at the speed of a snail, bad news travels at the speed of light!
Repeat Business - If you are happy with your investment, you will be more inclined to use the same real estate agent for other purchases.

As for the commission, there is no standard (not supposed to be anyway). They are what they are.

A good agent will show you properties no matter the commission because we live and breath by referrals. What we don't make on one, we hope to get a referral to make a bit more. Actually, an agent really shouldn't be telling you what the commission rate is on a listing.

The bottom line here is YOU the customer! If an agents helps you make a good purchase, you're going to use them again.

Although I personally would welcome the extra commissions you describe, I don't think they are necessary.

If you as an investor make money, then I as the agent will make money.

My 2 cents worth.

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome :)

Thanks Emdvee, where are you located?

I think I have the computer thing under control. I recently retired from 25 years in I.T. :crying:

You're very welcome JennH.

I'm from california originally, in fact I worked in Corona and llived in Rancho Cucamonga where we also experienced incredible appreciation rates.

I know zero about the stock market except that anything I ever invested in I lost money on :( However, many of my friends have made money there.

Fortunately, my RE investments recouped my stock losses :)

If you do decide to follow through with land speculation, make sure you examine the land and have it surveyed before closing.

If it's a land locked lot, meaning there is no access to it except through someone elses land, it could be quite a gamble and may pay off big time. Then again you could possibly not be able to unload it either :( All depends on what's going on around it.

Good luck :)

Hehe, Good one...

I found this one and thought it was hilarious...

Disorder in the Court...
The following is a true exchange from Attorney/Witness questioning...

Attorney: Do you recall the time that you examined the Body?
Witness: The autopsy started around 8:30 p.m..
Attorney: And Mr. Denton was dead at the time?
Witness: No, he was sitting on the table wondering why I was doing an autopsy on him!