• About

setx411

~ What's Happening in Your Neck of the Woods!

setx411

Monthly Archives: September 2014

Which comes first: The real estate deal or the buyer’s list?

30 Tuesday Sep 2014

Posted by SETX411 in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment


This question is kind of like another question where people can’t seem to agree on the answer; “Which came first; the chicken or the egg”? Real estate investors all have a different opinion when they are asked whether you should find a deal first or start a buyer’s list and then find a deal.  For me, the answer has always been “the deal.” If you have a great deal, you can always find a buyer for it.

I had someone email me recently that said they had wanted to begin wholesaling houses for a couple of years, but he just couldn’t bring himself to buy that first investment property. He was afraid he wouldn’t be able to sell it. This man had spent a number of years learning the business, but had become paralyzed with fear over this prospect of putting a house under contract that he wouldn’t be able to sell.

If you are just getting started and you find yourself having the same problem, here are 4 tips for you.

1. Know What a Good Deal Looks Like

This is no doubt the hardest part when you are brand new. You almost always pay too much for your first couple of deals. Before you sign on the dotted line, run your potential deal by someone that is an experienced investor. Marginal deals are hard to sell.  If you have any doubt about the numbers or the area where the house is located, just walk away and find another deal. There’s always another one around the corner.

2. Know Where Investors Like to Buy

It won’t do you any good to get a house under contract at a great price if it is in an area where investors don’t like to buy.  Ask experienced rehabbers and landlords where they like to buy. Be sure to find out what types of properties they like, and the price range they prefer. In general, you will be pretty safe in bread and butter neighborhoods; the kinds of neighborhoods for first time homebuyers.  In my area there is a market for more expensive houses, but there are fewer investors in this group.  Buy houses that would work for either a rehab that would be sold to a retail buyer, or a home that would make a great rental and they will always be in demand.

3. Put an Escape Clause in Your Contract

This is vital especially when you are brand new.  Make the deal subject to inspection or partner approval. This is your safety net. It will make it easier for you make offers with confidence.

4. Begin Immediately to Build Your Buyer’s List

There is nothing like having a good buyer’s list to call or email when you have a property you want to sell quickly. It is truly a wholesaler’s secret weapon.  These folks will be loyal repeat buyers if you always have great deals for them, and if you conduct your business with them in an ethical manner 100% of the time.

Implementing these 4 tips will make it easier to make those first offers and get your first few houses under your belt.

Finding a Buyer for Your Deal

There are a number of ways you can quickly find a buyer for the property you have under contract even if you don’t have a buyer’s list.

You can take the deal to your local REIA group where you will find a group of people that are looking for their next house.  At my monthly meeting, we have a table set up for vendors and for folks that want to put out fliers about properties they have to sell. This is usually the first place people head after signing in.

You could list the house on Craigslist. I have sold several properties there, but I would rather much sell to someone at my REIA group; they are usually more experienced investors.  But even if they are brand new, they will almost always be educated to some degree if you find them at this meeting. Most investors are more than willing to help them if they can close the deal.

Concentrate on getting a great deal, and you can be sure you will find a buyer.

Author: Sharon Vornholt

Sharon’s Website: http://LouisvilleGalsRealEstateBlog.com

New ways to enjoy fall’s bounty

23 Tuesday Sep 2014

Posted by SETX411 in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment



Here’s a sophisticated plate to serve while friends and family are watching the game at home, or for any gathering that calls for some creative gourmet cooking. The spicy grape chutney is a natural with roast beef.

Roast Beef Party Platter with Grape Chutney

Grape Chutney

Ingredients:

1/2 cup chopped red onion

1/2 cup tawny port

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

1/4 cup raisins

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger

1 teaspoon mustard seeds

1 cinnamon stick

2 cups seedless red California grapes, halved

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 450 F. In a medium saucepan, combine the onion, port, vinegar, raisins, sugar, ginger, mustard seeds and cinnamon. Bring to a boil and simmer until reduced to 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of liquid, about 15-17 minutes. At the same time, spread the grapes on a baking sheet and roast until soft and juicy, about 10 minutes. Add to the chutney, season with salt and pepper and let cool. Can be made a day ahead and refrigerated. Makes 2 cups.

Party Platter ingredients:

2 pounds thinly sliced roast beef

1 pound thinly sliced sharp or mild provolone

Red, green and black seedless California grape clusters

A variety of rolls

Directions:

Arrange roast beef and provolone on a large platter along with the grapes. Place rolls in a basket and serve with the chutney. Serves 8.

Here’s a refreshing way to use grapes and apples to balance the strong flavor of cabbage with tart sweetness. Plus, the bold red and green colors make for a striking salad that is also easy to make. This versatile slaw pairs well with roasted chicken, hamburgers, pork chops and many other family favorites.

Grape and Red Cabbage Slaw

Ingredients:
 1/2 small head red cabbage (about 1 pound), finely shredded

2 cups halved green seedless California grapes

1 Granny Smith apple, julienned

1/4 cup cider vinegar

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine the cabbage, grapes and apple. In a small jar, combine the vinegar, honey, mustard and olive oil. Shake well and pour over the cabbage mixture. Season generously with both salt and pepper and let stand 30 minutes at room temperature. Serve at room temperature or chilled. Serves 8.

Grape and flower centerpiece

Instead of using glass or plastic marbles to secure autumn flowers in a vase, consider filling your vase with grapes instead. Green, red and black grapes can easily complement your flower colors as well as securely holding the blooms and greens in place.

Directions: Fill a tall vase with grapes until about 2/3 to 3/4 full. Fill with water and arrange the flowers. Grapes can be placed in single color layers or mixed together like a mosaic.

For more grape ideas, go to grapesfromcalifornia.com or facebook.com/grapesfromcalifornia.

Includes recipes

How women can take control of their financial future

17 Wednesday Sep 2014

Posted by SETX411 in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment


As women continue to break the glass ceiling in the working world, they also need to keep in mind their potential vulnerability in the financial world. Women tend to be more concerned about monthly expenses than saving enough for retirement, according to a recent survey sponsored by the Retirement Services Division of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual).

 
But the reality is that women often live longer than men, and therefore will have to figure out how to stretch retirement dollars longer, says Elaine Sarsynski, executive vice president of MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division and chairman and CEO of MassMutual International LLC.

 
Only 39 percent of women report being confident they know how to calculate how much money they will need in retirement, according to the nationwide survey. And compared to men, women were less likely to increase portions of income saved through work retirement plans, or contribute to a regular IRA account.

 
“Women need to pay attention to personal finances, because one way or another there is some likelihood they will be doing it alone,” says MassMutual Financial Professional Robin Weingast. “More than  50 percent of women age 75 or older live alone, and the median income of women 65 plus is now $15,000, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2011 report on older Americans.”

 
Sarsynski says it is also troubling to note that when people retire early, they are often doing so for negative reasons like declining health, disability issues or unemployment.  A Retirement Confidence Survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute and Mathew Greenwald & Associates found that to be the case for 50 percent of their respondents.

 
“If you are a woman in this situation, you may be even less prepared to handle such a sudden challenge,” Sarsynski says.
For women in all stages of life, here are some financial aspects that should be reviewed and added to a retirement planning program:

 
* Bank accounts – If you’re married, sharing joint bank accounts can help highlight how the family income is spent. Chances are you and your spouse don’t earn exactly the same income. Some couples decide to split expenses evenly, while others appropriate the larger income toward the larger bill payments. Whatever you choose to do, consider creating a personal savings account in addition to the household financial contribution responsibilities you already have.

 
* Debt – Debt accumulation can cause a strain on a spouse’s credit – and finances – even if it happened prior to the wedding. Determine if you will be held responsible for your spouse’s prior debts, and if so, to what extent? If you are able to keep your prior debts separate, it will help to ensure each other’s property remains out of reach of creditors, protecting your individual credit ratings.

 
* Retirement – On average, women tend to spend 12 years out of the workforce due to care giving responsibilities for children, parents and spouses, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. To top it off, women typically earn 77 percent of what their male counterparts earn. This traditionally results in women contributing less to retirement via 401(k) accounts, or receiving less through pensions and Social Security benefits. Because of these factors, women need to start a retirement planning process earlier in life, either setting additional money aside, or meeting with a financial adviser to discuss options.

 
* Insurance – Even with a great retirement plan in place, unplanned factors can impact savings. Disability income insurance can provide a source of income in the event you are unable to work because of an accident or illness. And life insurance can help provide financial security upon death by providing funds for children to attend college, or to help continue with mortgage payments.

 
* Maintenance – Make sure to keep retirement savings and insurance on pace with income. It’s important to keep your retirement savings on par with what you earn. If you receive a raise, consider using a portion of that money to increase your contribution to your 401(k) plan. The same goes for disability income insurance protection. As your income rises, so should how you allocate funds to protect it.

 
Taking a good look at personal long-term plans can help women be better situated for their futures financially. Retirement is an option for all women no matter their life situations, and can become a reality with good planning.

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Recent Posts

  • How to judge your home’s curb appeal
  • How canned foods help you cook like the pros
  • Three simple ideas for creating an amazing cheese platter
  • How to balance your life goals with your finances
  • Three ways to give energy savings the green light in your home

Archives

  • June 2016
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • September 2012

Categories

  • Events
  • Uncategorized

Ben Rodriguez

Triangle Real Estate LLC

Triangle Real Estate LLC

SETX Events

September 2014
M T W T F S S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
2930  
« Aug   Oct »

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com
The Big DayOctober 3, 2012
The big day is here.
  • RSS - Posts
  • RSS - Comments

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy