All Forum Posts by: Daniel Francis

If you are confident that there is money in them, hire a private eye.  I can get that info pretty detailed from my PI for about $95.00

There are also much cheaper skip tracing services (google "skip trace").

Property taxes or IRS taxes?  If its property taxes, you are pretty much out of luck.... they will be paid at closing or it won't close (at least not with title insurance, but whey would you want to buy a property with a tax lien?)

If it's IRS taxes, if you are buying the house for less than what they owe, you can get a partial release... they will still owe the taxes, but you can buy the house.

Not only would I recommend getting your license, I think you are missing way too much if you don't.

When you realize the power it gives you, combined with your ability to buy and do creative deals, you realize that you are primed to beat out your competition.  I believe this so strongly, I have an hour long speech I give once a month on the topic!

With having BOTH tools under your belt (creative and traditional), it is so easy to beat the competition to the door.  While they are busy screening calls for equity, you are walking away from the house with a contract (sometimes to buy, sometimes to list).

Especially in a hot market like this, where leads are tough and expensive, you can't leave them wasted.  I have not once lost a deal over a license.  I have missed out on deals not having one.

No brainer.

P.S. getting your license doesn't mean you have to sit at an office doing phone duty.  I sit in my car and meet sellers!

I agree with the general assessment... it depends on the situation.

However, I would say, that if you spend time cultivating some good relationships with buyers.... ones you can trust and you go to again and again (rather than mass marketing your wholesale deal), then it is so much easier to just assign.

You can always use a blind HUD so the seller doesn't see assignment fee as long as you have a good enough relationship with the buyer.

When you get a good buyer, treat them well!

Hi Jeffrey,

Another great one is http://www.austinrenc.com/

It meets the third Thursday every month.  The first hour is a good class put on by Phill Grove about various strategies you can take in real estate.  Nice "base" of knowledge for anyone.

We have a table set-up there for my brokerage, StepStone Realty.  Be sure and stop by and introduce yourself and just say "hi".  I've been investing in the Austin market for 10 years... always happy to meet someone new and offer a quick bit of advice.

Happy investing!