All Forum Posts by: Oscar Pinto

Hi Jason, welcome to club. I have been having the same issue, whether I am representing myself or a client. Remember it is a number game and perseverance furthers. Don't give up. There are many ways to beat a cash offer here are some :

1. Shorten your contingency period. 

2. Get as far along in the lending process as you can. Then you can shorten your escrow period to match the cash offer. 

3. Remove appraisal contingency *warning * this means do your appraisal BEFORE the end of your inspection period. 

4. Offer to use the broker agent's lender, as long as they can match your current lenders offer 

5. Have your team ready, that is inspector, lender, etc. Shorten that time. 

6. Offer to release deposit after contingency period *warning * this is a ballsy move, so really be ready on this one 

7. Increase the initial down payment to your full down payment amount, make sure it is fully refundable if you cancel during your contingency period. 

Hope this helps 

Hi Ned, you'll need to be a little more specific. What are you looking to learn?

What type of property is this? Sounds like an sfr, so you can guesstimate some expenses and find out other true ones. Example you can calculate taxes, and get an insurance quote and maybe a landscaping quote too. You want to check the lease and see if the tenant pays their own water and trash and what else is the landlord responsible for. 

In my neighborhood, since I own a home, I know what the water and trash bill looks like. The deal looks good, it beats the 1% rule. I struggle to find  .80% in my area. 

Hi Corey, 

Welcome to the journey. I'm not clear as to what advice you are looking for. Are you working with future homeowners to help them buy their first home, like an agent? Or are you working with pre foreclosures in helping them keep their homes? 

Or are you looking to buy your first home? If so then I would look into 2-4 unit multifamily and get a 203k loan, this allows for minimum down payment and you can buy really messed up homes and use the banks money to fix it. 

It sounds like you want to sell the process and manual for building the business you have. Almost Luke how franchises sell their systems. As if youre selling an idea and knowledge, this is a form of licensing I think. 

The good news is that if you package your product, the system, well enough you can begin selling it today. Sort of like what the gurus do at their seminars, right? Just an idea. 

I feel businesses are sellable when investors can buy into them and not have to deal with the operations of it. Like a stock company. 

I'd pay a slight premium. Having two properties next to each other has its advantages. That advantage can be taken in consideration when doing your numbers. All of a sudden you own the whole block and now can rename the street Sokol Way!!! 

Good luck

Hi @Kelly Rambo,

First you have the coolest marketing name Rambo!

I do not use any dialer but I do cold call. And as long as you are cold calling you are doing great. 

This sounds like it will be your fourth marketing leg (SOI/PC, social media, DM, and dialer). I think, and hope other may agree, that four is more than enough at this stage in your career. Many agents make the mistake of trying tons of "magic bullet" marketing programs. If you ask the top agents in your office you might see that most stick to a couple religiously. 

DM can be put on auto pilot, Sphere of Influence and cold calling can be blocked together, I do not do social media (dont' judge me) so i don't know the time commitment on that one. With these four avenues your days will be packed with productivity. 

As @Steve Bracero says repetition is key and so is consistency. Track your progress and you'll see which works best for you.  

Hi Andrew!

I agree with @Jake Thomas I wish I had started my career earlier too. There is no reason someone your age and tenacity cannot thrive in this game. When some find a problem find an opportunity, right?? You have tons of friends your age who have PARENTS, and those parents need to sell and/or buy. Use that database! Since you are good at social media marketing, if you want, we may be able to work together. I am willing to trade knowledge for knowledge. If you can help me with my social media I can do the same in real estate agency.  

Hi Brandon,

Its nice how you want to help friend and family by giving back your earned dollars. If you want to be a professional then treat yourself like one and accept the payment for you work. If you feel you did not do a good job then consider refunding their money, but if you earned your pay then accept it as most professionals do. 

There are discount brokerages out there that will reimburse buyers or charge 1% listing fees, their clients get what they paid for. 

I understand wanting to change careers from sheet metal to real estate salesman, understand you'll be changing one job for another. As an agent this is my job, I use this money to live and save to invest in real estate. In my job I work with doctors, lawyers, other business people, who make money at their profession and use the extra to invest in real estate. Use your job, whether it is real estate or sheet metal, to save and invest. Eventually you and I will own enough real estate to be able to quit our jobs and only be professional real estate investors. 

Good luck

Hi Maria,

Not sure if you're still in the business, either way internet leads are great for me. I am a commercial broker and do a deal a week based on internet leads. I do not pay for leads to any company. Passive marketing (receiving calls) is going to cost you money, active marketing (calling your database and cold calling) will cost you energy. I am still able to spend energy marketing and lead generating, hopefully I can increase my passive marketing budget. And ideally all my marketing and will be passive, but until then do the active marketing. 

I think all new agents should spend 3 hrs /day calling everyone they know asking for business and do 4 open houses / week. After a month they will have enough business to get them going and grow from there.