All Forum Posts by: Robert Lafrance

Protect your family, your business, and your personal identity with simple, comprehensive coverage from LegalShield and IDShield.

I've been a LegalShield member for the last nine months, using it for family law, business needs, locating reputable attorneys for out of state real estate deals getting a 25% discount, and recently becoming an Independent Associate to help empower my clients after buying a new home.

I'd compare it to the AAA for legal services anywhere, anytime. 

Click here to learn more

I started at EXIT Realty Professionals and was there for about 8 months. I'm very grateful for the support and resources they provided. I switched to eXp Realty and have never been happier with my decision.

When looking at a brokerage, I suggest you really look into their training, brokerage support, resources, fees, and commission splits.

Training- How and what are they training? Are they the same material or is there new content and speakers?

Brokerage Support- Are agents there to give you the support you're looking for? Not just "you can do it" but telling you the best strategies for business, contracts, admin, any question you have within the scope of real estate getting answered completely.

Resources- Vendors and partners to grow your business. How many are offered? How much are they? Are you paying fees on top of the discounts available? Can you you successfully build and grow your business efficiently and cost effectively?

Fees- Annual fees, fees per transaction, misc fees. take the time to add them up and compare side by side

Commission splits- what's the starting split? Can you make 100% or more? 

I see that you're also interested in the residuals aspect these companies offer. You want to learn how they're paid out.

Good luck on your search! I recommend you talk to everyone providing support so you can really compare apples to apples and have the all right info for the best decision. 

@Derek Dombeck 

Hey Derek thanks for the reply! 

To clarify, I'm building my portfolio and "Cash now" retailing properties as an investor. I mentioned my license here as a bit of background experience. When I address FSBOs I'm coming from the investor standpoint to purchase their property through one of the above mentioned strategies.

BUT, if they don't like those options, I can always be put on the back burner for a traditional listing when need be!

Thanks again. 

-To your continued success-

Hello All!

I've read material through various resources that buyer pays closing costs as long as it's put in the agreement. 

My questions are... Is this happening in today's market or in your current business model?  When the "we buy ugly houses" people mention they pay all closing costs, are those for certain exit strategies and/or having the potential buyer pay for all? 

I assume for some deals and strategies there's a big enough margin to cover all but I'm curious if there's a rule or something.

I'm a licensed agent and there hasn't been a time where my buyer's have had to bring money to the table, and that's one of their biggest requests. So I feel it's definitely a limiting factor to a sale.

I feel like I'd be narrowing down my possibilities of a successful transaction telling the seller I'll cover it and expect a unrepresented buyer working on their credit to bring a huge EMD, Purchase Option, and/or pay elevated rent. 

My strategies of interest right now are sub-2, lease options with terms and ACTS. I've spoken to a few sellers with enough equity to develop a relationship but some of these FSBOs are smart. Seeing no point in paying me a fee or ability to collect the difference to be an additional resource to get it sold. Now let me add they're more on the "want" to sell side, but still bringing up good questions in which I'd like to have the answer to. 

What are some of your strategies in place for today's market? Every seller I speak to sounds like they just got off the phone with an investor who has read the same book, gone through the same course, and probably listening to the same podcasts. I remember hearing on Ron Legrand's CD all six of them from the interview table said "what competition?" for various understandable reasons, but damn am I seeing some competition. One of my investor client's I'm representing is learning the hard way that the 70% MAO rule is not applicable in my market. Highest and best essentially.

Any and all advice is welcome. Thanks in advance for all your help and wisdom. Now let's get to work!

Ah yes @Shawn Bowen I remember! I'll be sure to reach out soon.

@Kyle M. Thanks for the warm welcome!

@John J. Thanks for the welcome. That's good to hear! Have you attended any TRIG meetings? Maybe we've seen another.

Let me know what "good deals" consist of, maybe I can help you with those!

@Ramsey Blankenship Thank you! 

Yes I remember Cody! We met through a mutual friend just before transferring. Saw him at the dog park a few times. Good Dude. What a small world... 

I read your profile and I think we should have a conversation. Let's connect 

Carbondale. Go Salukis! 

Thanks @george for the welcome!

Thanks @Greg H. ! I'm glad the important things are noticed! lol

Good Afternoon Everyone and thanks for swinging by! 

If you're anything like me, running around hustling, listening to podcasts and really trying to make efficient use of your time to achieve goals, I'm grateful for you to take valuable time to read this.

I'll start from the beginning....

I served seven years in the U.S. Navy as a Navy Diver. During those seven years I taught Submarine Escape Training in Groton, CT which implemented classroom instruction as well as practicals in the water.

During my time in Groton I attended Southern Illinois University B.S. in Workforce Education & Development (Directly work with companies presidents to ensure business plans, goals, training, course instruction & development, and analysis are on track and if not implement changes). 

I also started skydiving during that time which is my second passion to real estate. B-36051

Following my tour in Groton, I transferred to Virginia Beach to Mobile Diving Salvage Unit Two where I purchased my first home and still renting it out.

I met my wife Marisa January '15, separated from the USN August 3, went  right to Budapest on the 4th spending 20 days traveling and attending Sziget.  Came back to my wonderful family and my baby girl was born Dec 23.

What an awesome year!

After the dust settled, I was a full time student studying additional classes for my degree and real estate.

I acquired my real estate license Sep of '16 and have been turning and burning since building websites, making videos, getting certifications, closing deals gaining experience during it all.

I've attended various workshops and continues to utilize my resources of local REIAs meetings and friends/ associates in industry.

My focus now is any potential opportunity whether single families via seller financing or Subject to's as a step ladder to get into larger multi families and commercial.  If I need cash, I utilize other people's money (called Private Money Lenders) in which I borrow their investment capital and repay a better interest rate than a bank's CD or the stock market.  All secured by real estate, hazard insurance, promissory notes, and title insurance providing an opportunity for great long term passive income.

I currently have footprints in MA, TX, FL, NC, VA, and AZ. And by footprint I mean close friends/family interested or involved in the industry looking to expand utilizing the same strategies building our empire and wealth together.

My role models are 

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson: "FOCUS!" 

and Wiz Khalifa: "Instead of being in the game be ahead of it, in a better whip!"