So you decided to get into real estate investing. Good for you! While at first, real estate investing can seem a bit overwhelming, if you pay attention, you will be paid in rewards and dividends for years.

How does one start with the business of real estate investing? Let’s look at plans to get started buying and selling real estate property:

Everywhere you turn these days someone is a member of a Real Estate group. Find where they meet and be willing to ask the most basic of questions.

People gathered together with like minds create a social atmosphere that motivates new investors to take action. Club members share ideas with other members, discussing what works and what does not work in real estate investing.

Now dont buy anything just yet. You need to map out your “battle plan”. What type of real estate are you interested in? What are you willing to do with it? And what is your exit strategy with it?

So know you need to decide on the type of investment property you want to invest in. do you like the idea of duplexes? Single family homes? Small apartments? Remember this, if you start out with one type and become familiar with it, then you will learn exactly what you need to do to make the profit from it. Being a specialist in this manner can lead to faster profits.

Begin to get together a group of contractors and sub-contractors who you can trust to work within your new system and according to your business plans and your budget.

Lets say you choose a “fixer” for your first project. Be ready to put on your team a contractor, an electrician, heating and AC guy…and of course a plumber. Now a word to the wise. IF you can find one…a GREAT handyman will be able to do all the above mentioned and normally at a far cheaper cost.

Find a good agent. This is harder than you might think. You see most agents dont work well with investors. Why? Investors want the agent to do tons of work the normal buyer doesnt. Offers counter offers…spread sheets to show profits and losses…not to mention all the surrounding research on the sales in the area in the last 6-12 months. A good agent will do this. A good agent understands that they may sell you more than one house in a years time…and that means repeat business for the agent.

Exit Strategy. How to unload your investment. Think about how youre going to sell it. Are you listing it yourself?? Or using the great agent you found. How long will you stick with a price before you lower it? These are things to make sure you have set up in your plan already.

Every beginning real estate investor will make mistakes that cut into potential profits. It is imperative to recognize these mistakes and correct them before they can cripple the business.

In the end, the investor who runs their business in the most efficient ways will profit, succeed, and grow in real estate investing.

Doc Schmyz has worked with investors all over the US. He owns a free website that shares Real estate investing information for all over the US. Find real estate information by state

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OK a few ground rules for this article first.

1) Bad markets have happen before…and people still made money.

2) Not every deal will fall into a cookie cutter format keep your eyes open…and your mind even more so.

3) Not every tactic or idea works in EVERY state/province. Check local laws pertaining to real estate transactions.

Ok…now on with the article.

Just because a drop in the market has taken place doesn’t mean that you, as a real estate investor/professional, are out of luck. It only means you need to add new tricks and tools to your tool box. (Be warned I use “tool box” a lot.)

Finding and Marketing property

Besides the normal channels of real estate agents and brokers (still the best way to find good investments in my opinion) you have a vast amount or resources at your fingertip with the Internet.

You can join website communities for investors, follow blogs, get in on group discussion etc. You can even start your own website for investors and network. All of these things can lead to new and interesting deals.

Several of my investments have come to me via a web community of some sort. I also have gotten countless tips from other investors on investments and financing issues. Do not over look the value of belonging to an “investor community website.”

I truly feel that the future of investing will be web related. Not just in finding investment projects but in doing the research for them as well as finding the funding and the marketing/exit strategy as well.

Finance

Right now we are hearing everyday about how the current market and credit crunch is making getting loans harder for everyone. This is currently a fact. No way around it. The loan process has changed. So what options are left?? The answer is several.

Lease options. Assumable loans. Seller financing. Just to name a few.

The above mentioned may well become the big trends in the next couple of years. I am waiting to see how the lenders change the loan guidelines in the next few months to “re introduce” the assumable loan. We are already seeing a HUGE trend in short sales. (This was a practice that was used only in limited capacity in the last 10 years by most lenders now it seems like every other distressed listing is a short sale in some cities.)

Do not let the current market conditions scare you in to sitting this investment period out. To the contrary use it to inspire you. Take the time to do the research on finance options look into building a LLC perhaps. Find out about buying real estate with your IRA. Etc, etc.

Buy books. Read investment strategies of the big names in investing. Use the time to educate yourself and above all be creative.

Don’t let panic drive you off with everyone else.

Doc Schmyz has invested all over the US and Mexico. His free website shares Real estate investing information for all over the US. Find real estate information by state

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