All Forum Posts by: Michael Carbonare

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲?

If you're new to real estate investing and overwhelmed by the idea of needing cash, credit, or construction crews, consider this strategy as your entry into real estate.

The 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 is one of the simplest, lowest-risk, and fastest ways to get paid in real estate without owning property or even using your own money.

Here’s how it works:

You find a motivated seller who's open to creative terms (like a lease option). Then, instead of taking over the deal yourself, you assign it to a tenant-buyer and collect a quick assignment fee. Think of it as matchmaking and getting paid handsomely for it.

No loans.

No rehabs.

No tenants and toilets.

Control the deal, connect the dots, and cash a check.

Why start with Cooperative Assignments?

It's an assignment, not wholesaling and not a flip. Think of it as a fix and flip without the labor and expense of the fixing part.

Done correctly they are risk free.

Doesn't require cash out of pocket.

Your personal credit isn't involved.

You can do deals remotely in any market across the US.

The assignment fees you earn can be rolled into more advanced, longer term strategies such as buy and hold, and fix and flip.

“I’d love to invest in real estate but I don’t have the money.”
That’s the most common excuse I hear and it’s built on a false assumption:
That you need big cash, lines of credit, and a lender in your back pocket to get in the game.
Reality Check: the best creative deals I’ve done required none of that. I'm not talking about the no-money-down gimmicks that you've studied on YouTube and TikTok.
Lease options. . .and within that varied strategy is the 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭.
They’re problem-solving tools that help sellers out of tough situations and allow you to control real estate without owning it, without risk, and without cash out of pocket. Most new investors just don’t know these strategies exist.
So they assume they need to save up or sit on the sidelines. Saving for a down payment is a losing proposition. While you're saving the housing market continues to appreciate, leaving you further behind than when you began.
It’s not a money problem. It’s a strategy gap. I’ve done deals with less than $100 out of pocket because I learned how to think creatively.
If money’s been your biggest mental block, that excuse is exactly what’s keeping you stuck.

𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐞 ‘𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬’ 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥
“I’m not a sales person.”
Neither are most of the investors closing creative deals right now.
The idea that you need to be slick, pushy, or persuasive to succeed in real estate?
Total myth.
What you really need is:
An offer that solves a problem. That problem is often unwanted or unmanageable debt.
A simple conversation that clarifies how your solution addresses that debt. For example, monthly income that covers their monthly expense.
The ability to listen more than you talk.
Sellers aren’t looking for a pitch. They’re looking for help.
Creative strategies are help when done right.
Most of the new investors I know with start off nervous, awkward, and uncertain.  I certainly did.
A few weeks later, I was having confident, low-pressure conversations with sellers.  You will too.
It’s not magic. It’s reps, feedback, and guidance.
You don’t need sales skills. You need people skills.
If you’ve been holding back because you’re “not good at sales,” DM me. I'll send you an audio file of my conversation with a homeowner who had a vacant $2.1M condo. 

Keep it simple, Alec. First things first. . .read the HOA's rules and restrictions to determine what is and isn't permitted. Then you can forge a plan.

@Ken M.  I forgot about Robert Allen. . .Sheets, Vu, and Allen, the Three Wise Men.  LOL

𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀

You're deep in spreadsheets, scrolling through endless listings, and absorbing every podcast and blog post imaginable. You're analyzing every possible scenario, every potential risk, and every projected return. You're doing your due diligence, and that's commendable. But you're stuck. 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻; 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆.

Paralysis of Analysis is a very real hurdle for many new investors. The fear of making a mistake, the uncertainty of the market, and the sheer volume of information can be overwhelming. But here's the truth: perfect deals don't exist.

Waiting for the "perfect" moment will keep you on the sidelines forever. Real estate investing, like any venture, involves calculated risks. The key is to:

𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮: Define your investment goals, risk tolerance, and target market. This will help you filter out noise and focus on relevant opportunities.

𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘀: Don't wait for a home run. Focus on getting a single, solid base hit. Even a small, manageable deal can provide invaluable experience and momentum.

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗯𝘆 𝗗𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴: Real-world experience is far more valuable than theoretical knowledge. I'll say it again: Book smarts make dinner conversation; street smarts make money. Start small, learn from your mistakes, and adapt as you go.

𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸: Connect with experienced investors, mentors, and professionals. An investment in education is an investment in yourself. Their insights and guidance can help you navigate the complexities of the market.

𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Understand that you will make mistakes. The goal is to learn from them and refine your strategy.

𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘀: Understand basic calculations like cap rates, cash flow, and return on investment. This helps to simplify the analysis.

𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Give yourself a timeframe to make a decision. This will force you to move forward and prevent endless analysis.

Don't let fear hold you back from achieving your real estate investment goals.

What's one action you're going to take today to break free from Paralysis of Analysis? Share in the comments!

Ready to dive into real estate with a lease option deal? Here are five steps to get you started:
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲: Understand the basics of lease options—how they work, key terms, and benefits for both parties. You must present to the homeowner the advantages of your offer, clearly and concisely. If not, well, a confused homeowner always says "No".
𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀: Look for property owners with a problem, in markets that favor buyers: increasing inventory, declining sales, price reductions, long days on the market.
𝗡𝗲𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺𝘀: Decide the 𝘵𝘺𝘱𝘦 of lease option you are offering and craft the terms accordingly, agreeing on option to purchase price, lease duration, and monthly rent.
𝗡𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: Ensure your agreements are clear, legal, and protects all sides.
𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗲: Depending upon the type of lease option and your objective, either assign the option to a buyer for a fee, or exercise it yourself when the time’s right.
Lease options are a low-risk, low cost entry into real estate investing—start small, take action, then grow.

One of the biggest myths new real estate investors believe? You need a pile of cash to get started. Having a pile of cash is never a bad thing, but the reality is the reason we want to start investing in real estate in the first place is to strengthen our financial position. So, what’s a cash poor but aspiring investor to do? Get creative! Strategies like lease options let you control a property for as little as a few hundred bucks upfront. Better still, using the 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 strategy, one of several types of lease options, you can do deals that are risk free and don’t require any cash out of pocket. 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘪𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘳. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲!
What’s stopping you from investing in real estate today?

Good morning, Nikol.  We're neighbors, sort of.  I'm down in Broward.  I've been investing in real estate for 30 years.  Started with rent-to-own/lease options and I still invest with this strategy today.  Although these days my preference is the Cooperative Assignment.  A short term lease option that is quickly assigned/flipped for cash.
Feel free to contact me with any questions.  Always happy to talk real estate.  Best wishes!

One of the biggest hurdles for new investors? Not enough capital to start. You want to build a long-term portfolio, but traditional financing seems out of reach. Instead of waiting years to save, you can use a short-term strategy to generate cash flow quickly and reinvest those profits into long-term wealth-building deals. For many, wholesaling is the first strategy that comes to mind—but here’s the truth: Wholesaling is tough. You need to constantly hunt for deeply discounted properties, compete with experienced investors, and deal with unpredictable sellers and cash buyers. If you don’t have a strong marketing system, it’s a grind. That’s why I recommend an easier, more predictable way to generate cash: Lease Options and the 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆. Instead of chasing distressed sellers who must sell at a deep discount, why not work 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 motivated sellers who simply want debt relief or a solution to their situation?

Lease Options let you control properties without owning them. You get the benefits of real estate without the headaches of mortgages, rehabs, or tenants.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 is a unique way to raise cash by helping sellers secure a tenant-buyer who wants to own the home in the near future. You assign the lease option agreement to a tenant-buyer and receive an assignment fee without needing to close on the property yourself. Why this approach works:

Less Competition – Most investors ignore lease options because they don’t understand them. That’s your advantage.

No Deep Discounts Needed – You’re not fighting over distressed properties; 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵, 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵, flexible sellers.

Wholesaling requires a ton of lead generation and negotiation. Cooperative Assignments offer a simpler, more efficient path to profits compared to traditional wholesaling, making them a great option for investors looking for a practical way to get started without risk and $0 cash upfront. This is one of the most effective strategies for starting out because it allows new investors to build confidence, raise capital, and transition into long term deals.