All Forum Posts by: Tom Smith

Real estate investing in Texas worth it or invest in other state? I am primarily concerned about the high (2.6%) property taxes. Does it make sense to invest in other states with low property taxes if you live in Texas? 

Do real estate agents have MLS access to all homes in US on the MLS or just the state they are licensed as a real estate agent in?

 Okay, so why do agents not move to a more expensive area to establish local expertise and large network of people to 10x their earnings?

Why do not all real estate agents sell houses in more expensive areas like the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and New York? Why do real estate agents choose to sell houses in lower priced real estate areas when they can be getting huge commissions on million dollar homes that have extremely high demand? 

 I don't get how you get more return with 20% down compared to more down with all of the interest payments you pay over the life of the mortgage. Wouldn't this be like saying to finance a car by putting 20% down instead of buying the car 100% with cash? 

How much to put to down to get the BEST returns?

Should you always put in 20% down, or is there another percentage to put down to get the best returns? 

Let's use an example:

$80k purchase, $1,200 rent/month. Total interest would come out to $56k over 30 years. Is it better to buy this condo/house all in cash, better to finance with 20% down, or finance at another percentage? 

Would it ALWAYS be best to finance with just 20% down? Does it depend on how much money you have? Let's say you have 1 million dollars and are buying a $80k purchase, should you still only put 20% down or should you just buy the whole property with cash? 

Will buying condos in cash in any market always cash flow positive? Any cases where buying condos in cash would not cash flow positive? Is the return for condos better if financed or purchased in cash?  

Do buyer's real estate agents try to get you the lowest price possible, or do they usually not bother to negotiate? What is the incentive for them to get you the lowest price on a home you are trying to buy? When you are buying a property, can you tell them what price you want to try to negotiate for? Do buyer's real estate agents always haggle for you or do most not bother? I assume it depends on the agent's ethics and whether the agent is serving your best interest. 

Are there really real estate agents that HELP investors? I am asking because so many real estate agents invest in properties and deals themselves. How many real estate agents actually help and work for other real estate investors (who are not real estate agents)? If they find a really good deal, what are the chances that real estate agents would just keep those for themselves instead of giving it to other real estate investors? Do real estate agents help other investors because they need more money from commissions and don't have enough money to buy all deals? Are all real estate agents investor friendly or do most real estate agents HATE investors and finding the best deals for them that fit their strict returns criteria? 

Then how are you supposed to ask if the HOA allows for rentals or things like airbnb??