All Forum Posts by: Jean Norton

I always get Zurich's Builders Risk, but there are other rehabbers that have multiple properties going on at the same time that like to get an umbrella policy.

I recommend a google search "quiet title attorney texas". I've had to a quiet title action due to a tax deed I got (condo) in Florida, even though I live in Texas. Good luck and let us know if it was easy.

I rehab houses throughout the country and I can say it is first a local question, then a specifically neighborhood question.

When I rehabbed properties in Bakersfield, I didn't need to use granite, etc. because my end buyer was presented with an opportunity to they never thought possible, to achieve the dream of owning their own home.

Now in Chicago, in order to make the sale, it's granite and hardwood because just a "normal" looking house will sit on the market way too long.

And then, look at the level of the house. What do the neighbors have? A higher dollar house requires high end finishes.

I agree with Jon, if you need immediate cash, get a job. However, I can say I successfully wholesale across the country - and I didn't have to take a course on virtual wholesaling to figure it out.

There are TONS of internet tools to allow you to do research on properties, communicate visually with sellers, etc. The extra step I take is solicit the help of local wholesalers in the area. I will often pay a local person $2500 to bring me a buyer and have done this several times, even if the local person is my real estate agent.

I'm not sure if this will work for you, but the one time we found this successful was a friend in need of a place to live. She lived there for free and I think we paid her 20% commission. I did the online marketing. This was a trustworthy person and we had no issues.

There was another time where he rented the whole structure to a lady for her to run the bed and breakfast - it's another model that didn't quite work out so well. Good luck!

You will create a consulting agreement with them that outlines roles and responsibilities, payment, timing, etc. Present this document at closing and your finder will get paid out of the closing process.

I had absolutely no problem with the condo I got, upgraded and sold - just like anything else, make sure it's the best house at the lowest price of the competition.

I sold it to a divorcee and her mother. Perfect!

Look to California to see the future of Austin home prices. If you can get conventional funding, or have cash, invest in Austin for appreciation. We are starting to see multiple offers whereas California had that 6 months ago. If you're looking for appreciation, check California or Austin...If you're looking for big profit spread opportunities, check the rest of the country, because already rehabbed properties are still in demand.

Sorry about the blog pointer - sometimes it doesn't work without the www - I've changed it on my signature line.

@thomas dionne - try Septbember 19 2010

I have a blog post on how to find the best spreads between foreclosed prices and retails prices by zip-code - It's not complete for every city - a little known feature in RealtyTrac - blog link on my signature line.