Tuesday, May 22, 2007

The Beginner's Plea! Where Do I Start?

I have been to all the seminars and read all the books. I have even listened to the CDs but I just do not know where to start my investing career!

Ah...the all too common beginners plea for help!

Knowing how and where to begin investing is a valid concern. Though, I am more than 12 years into my own investing career, I remember as though it were yesterday my feelings of uncertainty about how to take the first steps in what would become my livelihood.

Anyone around this business 12 years ago can tell you about the information scarcity about real estate investing compared to today.

Investor clubs? I could not even find one in my area in those days. Also, unlike today, where major book stores dedicate entire business sections to real estate investing, I had to scrounge the shelves of local libraries for out of print, dusty, moldy smelling, real estate reading materials.

What a difference time makes. The person starting out as a real estate investor today is faced with the opposite as a challenge.

There is an overload of information about real estate investor strategies. This overwhelming information is the main reason so many become confused.

Believe me, I have discussed this dilemma with enough people in search of their first steps as an investor. I feel your pain!

The goal of any investor is to make money. And making lots of money fast is perhaps the biggest focus of most of those.

It is no secret real estate investing is full of fortune hunters clamoring to get into the gold rush, tripping over their own two feet, they stumble and bumble in perpetual darkness.

Many unfortunately give up and go back to their cubicles of life, off comes the cape. The super hero retreats, slinking back to the land of dreams deferred.

To choose a clear path, you must first know why it is you want to take the trip in the first place. Sounds simple does it not?

Well it is not! It has been said a good salesman can sell to most anyone because 90% of the people wondering around aimlessly do not know what they want. Same thing with investors, their only goal is to be rich! A millionaire!

Never taking a moments notice, that to make money in this business means solving problems for others. Oh yes, and to work at it!

That is right, the person who solves the most problems in life is rewarded the greatest.

Still sounds simple does it not? Your mission is to go out and solve problems for as many property owners as you can find. Do that and the money will follow.

That is where the missing link can be discovered. Come home from real estate seminar, all fired up to be a rehabber. Fix it and flip it! ( you know I hate the word flipping) Only problem is, your area has a soft market of resells.

Who you gonna sell it to?

That was my first amateur challenge. I found the properties. Fixed them nicely enough, but no one was buying in those days. I was stuck, or so I thought. It did not take me long to figure out instead of selling my rehabs,

I could rent them out easier. With that, beginners luck, I accumulated many rental properties, which quickly surpassed my salary at my day job.

Here in the Washington DC area gurus come to town teaching strategies which are a waste of time for our market.

An example of this is just a few months ago our market was on fire. Prices were climbing 2% per month, banks were handing out money to any buyer who could fog a mirror, yet some gurus sucked in the naive to their ineffective strategies like Short Sales and Lease Options.

That was crazy! No demand existed for the two. It was pitiful watching the bamboozled newbie spin his wheels.

Your mission, find the demand in the market where you plan to invest. You would be wise to know what is going on before you too spin your wheels.

Figure out what is going on in your market. Far too many newbies attempt to bring a supply of goods(strategies) where there is no demand.

What is going on? Are rehabs selling like pancakes? Or are the rehabs being kept as rentals? Are home owners suffering huge numbers of foreclosures?

If so get in, set up the plan to rescue these people with a quick purchase.

Do you live in an area where the home owners are aging and moving to retirement communities?

If so, the opportunities are many to buy these properties with huge equity margins, keep them as rentals, rehab or whatever.

If you live in a declining market where sales are slow, short sales and lease options are awesome strategies.

Keep your ear to the ground. Find out what the needs are. Find the demand, and then fill it!

Those most successful in life are the men and women who have found a way to make life easier, more bearable for the rest of us.

Gotta go now, it is time for me to order my groceries online. And you know what? I am eager to pay the company who created the online grocery ordering service.

They save me from having to jump in my car and trudge up and down the food isles in misery.

They sure solved my problem and made my life easier, And I am willing to pay a premium for that convenience!

Take Action!

Ken Williams
http://www.thewholesalewizard.com/

Monday, May 14, 2007

Location! Location! Location!

How many times have you heard that location is the key to real estate? Yeah, sure you have.

Ever thought about its validity? I mean, by far its perhaps the most used marketing cliche in real estate.

Well just how potent is such a statement? It certainly rings of logic on the surface.

A few weeks ago I wrote an article about beware of the so-called "up and coming" areas some sellers try to use to justify their outrageous prices.

In that piece I also detailed what I call the BIG Dog factor. Which is when the big name developer in town show's an interest in a particular area, that area can have mass appeal seemingly overnight, thus kicking up values as well.

When people use location as the most prominent marketing and advertising benefit they're usually talking about emotional selling points. Such as good schools, close to shopping, prestige zip code, water front etc.

Now, those things WILL impact the value of a property, usually for the better. However, let's have a look at an opposite scenario. Just as is the case of a Big Dog bringing value to a depressed area, so can a knuckle-head killed value in an already established area.

In my hometown of San Diego California, my family was one of the first to move into what was then a far out place called Mira Mesa.

It was a quiet, newly developed desert town which housed many navy and marine families like mine. The place was solid as far as living standards and a utopia for an energetic kid like me.

I was able to be a free spirit roaming the canyons with my buddies in search of animals or playing baseball and football all year round in the beautiful warm weather.

What comes to mind as I write this is that I remember vividly when the first retail shopping strip was developed. Mira Mesa Mall is what its was called. It was our first entertainment/real retail space.

Therefore this small mall was a big deal then and for years to come. I mean we finally had our own movie theater.

This place was the center point of attraction for years after. Development spread from this retail center as the bull's eye, until the place lost its footing as the main spot to be.

During the mid to late 90's the place changed! The whole look and feel seemingly changed overnight.

Someone came in with a lame brain idea to change the movie theater into a fish market. Supposedly (I haven't seen it) each movie room was converted into separate fish store of some kind.

Needless to say, that idea really changed the pace of things in that area. As a matter of fact a new entertainment and retail center was developed over the last four or five years way across town.

That fish market idea was one that put out the flames of entertainment in what was once the location we kids watched Bruce Lee movies.

This is not the only factor which affects location, the closing of a school, a poorly constructed, and poorly managed building can do damage to an area's values as well.

So when you're out looking at location be sure you understand what really is going on there. Transition can be a tricky thing. One bad decision can turn things around quickly.

Take Action!

Ken Williams
http://www.thewholesalewizard.com/

Monday, May 07, 2007

Why People Should Rent/Invest Savings In Stocks

I had another tip planned for you today until I read an article on my MSN page which totally refocused my thoughts.

It was entitled Why People Should Rent Put your Savings in Stocks Not In a House

In all fairness to the author he provided many thought provoking points of view regarding his claim that renting was a better financial plan for both home owners and investors.

Hey, I am a fair guy, I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, however, I see things totally differently than the author of that article.

Let me preface my response with an acknowledgement of the obvious. I do not have before me a stack of mind boggling statistics going back to 1870 to support my point of view as the pro-stock writer evidently did.

What I do have is real world common sense knowledge and experience in the trenches of real estate investing. I have witnessed first hand how owning houses to be parallel, has improved a family's entire financial future in less than 45 days.

Funny how the author only picked on houses to compare to stocks as investments, no mention of other types of real estate. Hmmmmm?!

So, I will stick with houses. I think I am smart because I know what I do not know. Stocks have never been my thing. Never had the patience to figure out the details enough to bet my money.

My mutual funds and IRA investments are the closest I have come to dipping a toe into the tricky waters of the stock market.

Now houses I know! So does the typical adult in this country. We all have a good idea how renting a house for more than your monthly expenses is supposed to work. It is called cash flow.

I believe you could stop the average Joe on the street and ask which he understood more, the stock market or rental houses.

I would bet my money that rental houses would be far better understood by most than the stock market-all day long.

The premise of the article was that you would be much better off renting an apartment and investing your difference saved in the stock market. The stock market would realize you a better overall gain with no expenses to maintain. I have simplified the point but that is what states.

Well, that sounds a little like the idea behind whole life insurance. Pay a bare bones premium and invest the difference.

Sounds logical, however, how many of us has that discipline required to keep our paws off the difference and NOT run out to buy a new car or other toys?

Not only that, but the research involved with choosing a winning stock is not something most people will find enjoyable. In comparison, choosing a winning neighborhood to buy a cash producing rental property would be far more appealing.

Owning vs renting. I believe most families will be better off owning their home. Renting would leave you vulnerable to the whims of far more arbitrary forces. Owning your home gives you more control over your residential destiny.

Now when I turn my thoughts to comparing stocks and houses as investments, there's no comparison. NONE!

With stocks you are at the mercy of the invisible others who are calling the shots. One bad CEO or management team and there goes your money in his/their severance package. With houses YOU call the shots.

Also, you as my savvy subscriber know you will never purchase a house at retail price as a rental. Your strategy is not as was implied by the article, you are not buying rentals to sit back and wait on appreciation or a good economy.

As real estate investors we create our own appreciation. We buy low, sell high. We do not wait on market conditions to make money. We seek out situations where we can solve someone's real estate problems to be rewarded with a BIG check.

Our approach is totally hands on.

This suits us fine. We do not conform to conventional wisdom. Rather we seek it out to know what to do to the contrary. Call us what you will, Renegades, Mavericks, Wildcatters, or whatever, just do not call us late to settlement. We want our money, NOW!

Nothing makes me cringe more than when I bump into a person who refers to themselves as a real estate investor who buys everything retail and waits for appreciation and/or tax write offs to take care of them.

In my world given the choice between stocks and real estate, there is no competition. Some day I may look into stocks as another passive stream of income. Maybe.

For now I prefer real estate investing as an active and passive investment. I even prefer the two MLMs I am involved in for passive monthly income. At least I can have a hand in what happens day to day. No offense stock investors.

I just had to vent today!

To YOU, my action oriented subscriber, I say remember to always.....

Take Action!

Ken Williams
www.thewholesalewizard.com

PS. Real estate investing offers more hands on opportunities than any stock.

Monday, April 30, 2007

Controlling The Deal Is Most Challenging

Control is the most important part of any deal.

I realize for the new investor it seems like finding motivated sellers is the most challenging part of the business.

You will soon discover that staying in control of the deal will be most challenging of all

Any successful investor will tell you that finding the deals will become easier as you establish yourself in the market.

Control should begin the moment you make contact with a seller, either by phone or in person.

Your objective is to determine if you are able to help the person on the other end as quickly as possible.

Ideally within the first 3 to 5 minutes of a conversation you will get an idea of the possibilities. There is no time to waste barking up the wrong tree.

The quicker you are able to process leads the sooner you will get to the deals which produce CASH!

I have witnessed many new investors trying to get cute with their solutions to a sellers problems. Cute is not the same as creative.

As a wholesaler, the name of your game is Speed Propelled by Cash. It is okay if you cannot solve everyone???s problem.

Not until you have a number of deals lined up for settlement should you spend your time on those difficult and time consuming deals.

It is like a multiple choice question test answer the easy questions first. Remember that advice from school?

Not long ago, I completed a wholesale deal which took me 18 months from start to finish.

However, I would never have given my attention to such a challenge if it were my only deal.

You better believe that during those 18 months, I had other transactions of all kinds going on each and every month.

It is about your opportunity costs. Spend your time wisely. Do not get bogged down early in the game. You may find yourself discouraged and as a result, you may quit.

Be Forewarned! Prior to vesting your valuable time with anyone by phone claiming to be the legal owner or the owners representative, you should verify as much as possible.

To do this, simply search the property records. Another way is to ask them directly if they are the legal owner.

Still suspicious? Send them a simple affidavit to sign by notary - that'll flush out any weasels.

If there are other owners on the title, ask the person on the phone if they expect the others will be cooperative? Dealing with multiple owners can be tricky.

TRUE STORY

I dealt with a seller once who by all accounts was the legal owner of the property she called to discuss.

I verified the tax records for owner information, which listed her name.

However, as time went on, I realized her memory was slipping.

During each successive phone call I had to re-introduce myself and refresh her memory as to the details from when we last spoke.

I knew she was an elderly lady and I also suspected some sort of memory loss.

It was not until I returned to one of her properties for an inspection that I saw the real estate agent sign in the window.

When I called to inquire the agent kindly explained how she was hired by an attorney who was the custodian of the sellers legal and financial affairs. Wow!

The owner had been found mentally incompetent to handle her own affairs.

I had spent nearly two months going through what I thought was follow-up with the legal owner. Instead, I had been only going through the motions.

This was a rare occasion. As a matter of fact, it has been the only one of its kind in all my years of dealing with sellers.

There was no way of my knowing any different about the ownership situation. Do the best you can to ensure that you are talking to the person who can legally sell you a property.

If you found this tip valuable I suggest you share it with a friend.

Take Action!

Ken Williams
www.thewholesalewizard.com

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

A Negotiation Strategy

In our quest as investors to secure great deals we encounter all types of sellers. I have a special CD in my Wholesale package dealing with Flakey Sellers.

Here's another technique I've used over the years to ease sellers into my way of thinking.

My assistant Valerie handles most of the contacts for our residential leads and she does a great job of it. Occasionally, she'll arrange for me to speak to a seller to close the deal, besides it keeps me sharp.

In this case last week we were talking to a seller who owned a real junker of a property in a decent neighborhood. The seller had been straddling the fence with regard to making a decision. I was intent on nudging her off the proverbial fence.

I let her do most of the talking, so I could note the major concerns. Her thinking was that she wanted to renovate the house herself to grab a bigger profit. I've heard that one before!

Why people underestimate what it takes to do a quality renovation needed to sell a home is beyond me.

I guess some of the blame can be placed on that TV show Flip This House. The show gives the appearance of having a ball while picking out materials, laughing and scratching with the contractor and magically the project is done.

That???s show is painting a rosy picture. Anyone who does or attempted to do a renovation knows how much of a challenge it is.

After hearing the seller out, I politely asked her if renovations were what she did for a living? She said no. I asked had she ever done one before, again, she answered no.

Next I asked what she did for a living? She responded she was a computer technician. I then asked how long had she been in that field. She said about 15 years. I complimented her by saying I was sure she was good at what she did, she agreed.

I bet it is hard detailed work on your job, I said. It sure is, she responded proudly. With the setup in place, I went for the close. So, I asked her, what would you say my chances are of walking into your workplace next week with no previous experience and be able to do what you do?

She chuckled, and said she wouldn't give me any chance. She went on to describe all the training she'd gone through to become the high tech she was. As she talked, her pace started to slow, as the sobering realization started to ease into her mind.

She got the comparison. But to be sure, I made it clear. I told her that???s exactly how it will be with renovations. It's taken me years to build a team, the skill, the money contacts, etc.

Renovations are a skill that she believed she would be able to to do, and do it well. She thought she could manage a major renovation gut job. I mean this house was in such bad shape it would intimidate most rehabbers who had any good sense.

I turned it back over to Valerie who asked on cue, when would be a good time to send our contract?

This is a powerful approach to use on the seller who is not being realistic. Some sellers simply see dollar signs while discounting or downplaying in their minds the amount of serious work required to make things happen.

It's your objective to point this out to them. It's your objective to save them from themselves.

I can't tell you how many owners over the years shared with me their plans to renovate a property. Before, I knew better I'd scratched them off my list, only, to notice after awhile they never even got started OR they actually made the home worse.

In my city of Washington DC, there's still many abandoned properties where some would be rehabber started out only to get in over their heads.

During conversations with sellers, be sure to listen closely. Be ready to point out any flaws or weaknesses in their thinking but in a non confrontational manner. Never brow beat a seller into your way of thinking. You'll loose ???em for sure.

If you found this tip helpful send it to a friend.


Take Action!

Ken Williams
http://www.thewholesalewizard.com/

Friday, April 20, 2007

Finding Motivated Sellers Without Spending A Dime!

Contrary to popular belief it is possible to locate hot leads with motivated sellers on the other end without spending a dime

Conventional wisdom says you need to spend a ton of money subscribing to lists to sniff out motivated sellers. Not necessarily so.

Last night I interviewed two of my students who are finding great leads right in their own neighborhoods without spending any new money.

If you missed the call last night you have another chance to get the scoop.

Click here or copy and paste into your browser to listen to the replay

http://www.thewholesalewizard.com/audiorec19april.html

Also, a reminder, my five week telecoaching seminar starts tomorrow, Saturday April 21st you will discover many money making strategies and time saving techniques.

You still have time to sign up and have me lead the way to your next deal:

Go to this link now to register:

Take Action!

Ken Williams
Aka The Wholesale Wizard.....

Get involved by going now to:
http://www.thewholesalewizard.com/Register

Register now and get on the Fast Track to Cash!

Take Action!

Ken Williams aka The Wholesale Wizard....

P.S. To discover simple team building strategies and
more, join me on April 21st for my 5 week teleseminar/
coaching series: http://www.thewholesalewizard.com/

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Listen In While I Interview Students With Deals

Be a fly on the PHONE this Thursday night April 19, 2007, see call-in details below.

Tomorrow night I will interview via a FREE telecall two of my students who have identified properties the easy way. Both are in conversation with the owners now.

Normally, you hear about the deal once it's over and the check amount is what is emphasized.

I know that kind of call may leave you wondering just how they found the lead? what did the owner say? and other things

So be a fly on the wall and listen to me interview my students and provide them with direction.

I'm making this telecall totally easy for you to join us. There's not even a link to click. Mark your calendar for this Thursday, tomorrow night, at 9pm.

Call this number 712-432-3000 PIN 462467 and

PRINT THIS PAGE AS YOUR REMINDER!!!

Take Action!

Ken Williams
Aka The Wholesale Wizard.....

Get involved by going now to:
http://www.thewholesalewizard.com/

Register now and get on the Fast Track to Cash!

Take Action!

Ken Williams aka The Wholesale Wizard....

P.S. To discover simple team building strategies and
more, join me on April 21st for my 5 week teleseminar/
coaching series: http://www.thewholesalewizard.com/

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Fast Track Telecoaching Programme.

Got an email from one of my subscribers the other day who commented on my previous E-zine article about the frustrated guy who attended a three day event with a big seminar company.

This recent emailer hit the nail on the head when he made the following statement:

"All any investor wants is a blue print to follow which leads us to the most money with the least amount of our own effort"

Sounds like a quote from J. Paul Getty or someone like that, but he's right. How to use minimum units of effort to gain maximum units of profits, is every wage earner's and business owner's dilemma.

After coaching investors of all experience levels I know his to be an honest statement. Sadly enough there are folks who wish to make money with zero human effort.....now that just ain't going to work yet. The all robotic McDonalds test even failed back in the 90"s.

I do know that many are confused about what to do and how to get on track as an investor; and others want to get back on track with their real estate investing. The time is right for those folks and yourself if you too want to get on track..."The Fast Track To Cash" that is.

I have an awesome telecoaching program complete with PDF handouts where I walk you through step by step on how to get to the money, all from the comfort of your own home.

This is the 3rd time I'm teaching this program, my students of past coaching programs have loved it and many have prospered in a big way.

If it's your time to cut out the frustrations or the lack of belief that you too can start making money as a real estate Wholesaler, then waste no time;

Take Action now and jump on this link to register:
http://www.thewholesalewizard.com/

This training starts on the 21st of April so don't procrastinate.

Take Action!

Ken Williams

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Tax FREE Real Estate Wholesaling!!!!

How to keep your wholesale profits Tax Free! Legally!

Sound too good to be true? Well, check out this amazing technique below.

Earn tax deferred or Tax FREE wholesale profits using your IRA account. Just think those $5,000 - $10,000 or $15,000 wholesale profits can be yours without Uncle Sugar taking a bite. Boy, once you get good at wholesaling properties, your averages could exceed $20,000 or more per deal!

Hold your hat! Here’s how it works. First convert your IRA to a true “Self-Directed IRA.” This is done by transferring your account to an IRS-approved securities company who will act as a custodian for your IRA on your behalf. There are a few such companies who are approved to do this.

I have my Roth IRA account with Equity Trust Company located in Ohio. I highly recommend them to anyone interested in doing this. Their website is www.trustetc.com. They also understand investors and what we do.

The transfer of your existing account will require completion of a simple application and request form provided by Equity Trust. If you don’t have an IRA, you’ll want to contact Equity Trust as well for guidance on setting up an account. By the way, I get no cut from ETC. I’m only looking out for you!

Mechanics of a Wholesale Deal into Your IRA

Identify a property; negotiate the price and terms with the seller. Next place a contract to purchase on the property with your IRA as the buyer. Complete a simple form called a Direction of Investment Form, provided by Equity Trust. Send this completed form back to ETC along with your ratified contract as verification of the deal. Equity Trust will wire funds or send a check to the appropriate payee.

Example: You find a property – 123 Main Street, Anytown, USA – you negotiate a purchase price of $250,000 cash and agree to settle in 45 days. You offer to pay $100 Earnest Money Deposit to the seller.Your IRA must make an investment in order to receive a return. Remember, we’re talking investments – not contributions.

On the Direction of Investment Form, you instruct that $100 be mailed or wired to the ABC Title Company as an Earnest Money Deposit for the purchase of 123 Main Street.

Complete the contract identifying the buyer as your IRA. Here’s what it would look like: buyer: Equity Trust Company, FBO (Your Name), IRA.

“FBO” stands for “For The Benefit Of”. You send this contract along with the Direction of Investment form to Equity Trust. They send the $100.00 from your IRA account. Your IRA now has a ratified contract.

Wholesaling this contract works the same as any other. You Simply contact a cash buyer and assign the deal to them. Complete the same assignment document. Only now, your IRA becomes the assignor and the assignee is the cash buyer. Simple!

Once the deal goes to settlement, your wholesale fee of let’s say $20,000 is sent right back into your IRA, tax deferred or better yet Tax FREE! depending on what type of IRA you have, beautiful, isn’t it?

The IRS will allow a company like Equity Trust to do deals on your own behalf five or six times per year. You’ll want to discuss this rule with the Equity Trust Company. While you’re at it, have your Equity Trust advisor explain to you the difference between the Roth IRA and other retirement accounts. Investing in your Roth means tax-free profits.

This is an awesome strategy to add to your tool chest of money making and money keeping moves as a real estate investor.

If you liked this tip, there’s more where that came from in my world’s best Wholesale system. I’m offering a five week telecoaching series to get you on the Fast Track To Cash starting this Saturday April 21st. If it’s Cash you desire in your life to turn a few things around you can’t afford to miss out on this training.

Go now to http://www.thewholesalewizard.com/ to get registered.

Space is limited, since my bridge line will only hold so many participants.

Take Action!

Ken Williams

PS. Learn techniques like the one above and more at
www.thewholesalewizard.com…….

Monday, April 16, 2007

Set Up Your Core Wholesaling Team

Taking steps to set up your Wholesaling team.

(be sure to pass this to a friend)

To survive as a successful Wholesaler you cannot be a lone wolf. I see some investors handle everyone like an opponent. That tactic only lasts but so long.

To be in this business any length of time you will have to depend on others in a give and take relationship. To survive as a Wholesaler you must assemble a small core team of players to help you get things done.

I use the analogy of a basketball player position, the point guard. He may be the best ball handler in the world but unless he has someone to pass to, block, or screen the opposition he'll be ineffective. even overwhelmed!

The Wholesaler is no different. They are the first one in to set things up. Unless they have others to pass things off well, their deals wither away before their very eyes, and they becomes ineffective very quickly. Soon they earn a reputation as someone who can't close deals, as word gets around quickly.

So who should make up your core teammates?

1) Settlement Attorney/Agent
2) Cash Buyer

That's it! With these two players as a minimum you're in business. Of course your team members will grow as your business does.

Notice I didn't mention a CPA, a Realtor, Tax Advisor or Asset Planning Attorney! These are all valuable players you will certainly want to add to your team eventually, but for starters your two most valuable players are your settlement attorney and a cash buyer.

Ironically, I see far too many Wholesalers abuse both. They mistreat the buyer by deceiving them of the facts then getting into a tug of war over price, etc.

With the settlement attorney they waste their time with empty promises of deals they're working on. Or have the attorney/agent pull title searches on property they've miscalculated. And worst of all some Wholesalers attempt to trick the settlement attorney/agent into doing an illegal or awkward transaction.

That's counterproductive. When treated as part of your team both players will make your real estate life so much easier. Everyone will be working on a common goal, which is to get the money as quickly as humanly possible and hassle free.

When you take the win-win approach you eventually won't have a need to show up at settlements. Your cash buyer and attorney will know their roles and take care of everything at settlement;. meanwhile, you'll just wait for a wire transfer.

You as the Wholesaler will have your attention on the set up. Bringing the deals in to pass off. Your two core team members will appreciate your business and respond accordingly especially if and when you need help in tough situations. There's nothing like back up.

Contrary to the scenario above which will run like a well oiled machine with just three people, many Wholesalers complicate everything.

But-but-but, what about setting up my LLC? What about my tax planning? What about a realtor on my team?

First of all don't waste your time and money setting up an LLC before your first deal. I've seen many waste both time and money on an LLC only to never get around to doing a deal.

If you really must have an LLC on your first deal, your settlement attorney can create one for you at settlement using your proceeds from the deal, no old money spent. Remember your revenues should always precede your expenses in any business.

Tax planning can be placed on the back burner until you get some deals flowing. There's no bigger waste of time than tracking down a busy CPA to talk about your hypothetical deals. Once you have one or two under your belt, the CPA will be more open to talking to you about "what is" instead of "what might be."

As for real estate agents, I love em! But, not many of them understand what we're looking for and how we figure our profits. Besides, to be an effective Wholesaler, you must repeat this motto to yourself everyday until it's second nature. "GET THERE FIRST!!!!"

The more people between you and the money means less money and more time to close a deal. Like the other eventual players, a realtor should be added at some time to your dream team, but under your directions.

Take this tip, and tuck it safely under your cap for future reference. Resist getting off track and plunging yourself deep into the weeds of counter-productivity.

You'll discover more strategies such as this one straight from me, The Wholesale Wizard by joining me on April 21st. That's this Saturday which is the start of a 5 week teleseminar/coaching program. I will fill you with plenty of useful money making techniques.

Get involved by going now to:
http://www.thewholesalewizard.com/
Register now and get on the Fast Track to Cash!

Take Action!

Ken Williams aka The Wholesale Wizard....

P.S. To discover simple team building strategies and
more, join me on April 21st for my 5 week teleseminar/
coaching series: http://www.thewholesalewizard.com/

Friday, April 13, 2007

Major Announcement Coming Your Way

"Heads Up!" As we used say on the baseball field when a ball was coming ones way. Some heads would crane upward in search of the errant white missile (baseball) others would duck between hunched shoulders.

Well, you'd better not hunch your head between your shoulders or anywhere else for that matter, cause I've got a real doozy coming your way in a few days.

I want you to stay glued to your PC each day in search of my emails, because I'm planning a real special deal just for you, IF you act quickly.

Ok, enough said, please monitor closely your inbox for emails sent from theWholesaleWizard.com.

As always, when you see what I have in store for you I want you to live up to our motto which is........

Take Action!

Ken Williams

Much success to you.
Go to www.thewholesalewizard.com for more information.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

He's Located His First Lead - Already!

He has located his first lead and is talking to the motivated owner after just one day of receiving my Fast Track to Cash Wholesaling system.

During his morning walks in his OWN neighborhood he found a cleared water front lot which apparently had something go wrong.

There had been a foundation poured, framing materials delivered and stacked on the ground. He could tell it had been some time since any action took place on this project. The grass had grown all around the pallets and materials.

He used my system to locate the owner and called. He made contact with a very motivated owner. He then got the scoop on what happened with the project. Turns out a minor squabble stirred up between the owner and his contractor.

Each not willing to budge, (testosterone at work no doubt) they are in court fighting it out.....over a very minor cost, as the story has been relayed to me. My opinion is they'd both be better off cutting their loses, move on and save the thousands in legal fees and wasted time.

Ok, back to the story. The owner's self description was that of a motivated seller ready to get rid of this lot (his headaches) as soon as the judge makes a decision on the case in 60 days. Whoa Nelly! that’s a long time for us Wholesalers to wait.

My student emailed me with the details and for advice. I gave him a few suggestions which he will now take and run with. My main objective is to get the owner to sell prior to the final court case in 60 days. But how?

I gave him some verbal ammunition to work on both the owner and the contractor to reach a resolution. Convince both of all the money they'll save, while keeping each one's pride in tact. After all, solving real estate related problems for others is what we do to generate our profits.

Now my point to this story is to illustrate how easy it is to locate HOT leads when you know what you're looking for. In the case of my student above he has no competition from other investors on this lead. This lot is off the beaten path, tucked away out of the public's eye. A true Pocket Property and that’s what I teach.

These properties are everywhere. There's one waiting for you, right under your nose, probably in your own neighborhood.

Funny thing is this same student, mentioned above, just registered for my Fast Track Coaching program which starts April 21st. He came to me after taking another training program which he said took his money and time offering little direction.

He'd been instructed to look for REO's (Bank owned properties) until he realized the good deals with REOs were few and far between in his area. He suspected (his words), that the trainers just wanted to sell the list of REOs to him and others.

Hmm. . . ., no comment there.

If you too are tired of the run around about how to put the Fast Cash into your life then join me on April 21st for a five week coaching program that will get you on the Fast Track To Cash. Go now to:

www.thewholesalewizard.com and get registered.

As soon as you register I will send you your Wholesale Manual so you can get started. If you find a lead before the training begins you'll still have access to me via email for support once you contact the owner.

Take Action now and go to: www.thewholesalewizard.com

You can’t loose with this step by step program.

Take Action

Ken Williams aka The Wholesale Wizard

P.S. You too may find a HOT lead in your own neighborhood during your daily walk. Don't know what to look for?

Go now to www.thewholesalewizard.com

Monday, April 09, 2007

Get your Envelopes Opened

I got a call the other day from a lady who owns a house I targeted with my "Harpoon Marketing" approach. In my Wholesaling System, I explain how to set up your marketing with a low cost approach.

This lady called me after receiving one of my hand written letters stuck inside of a hand written envelope. We went on to have a most unusual type of conversation. One you might not expect under the circumstances, read on.....

First of all she introduced herself as the Mrs. of her home, then immediately wanted to know how I'd found them? Why I targeted their house? She had so many questions for me in her energetic, straight to the point manner of speaking, I could only respond.

As she put it, she was stunned! Stunned by how I'd found her house tucked away at the end of a quiet street, and why? This was different, I thought to myself, since I'm supposed to be the one asking the questions.

Now, I realize my marketing is much different from what's being taught by most gurus as the norm, but "stunning the recipient" was a new way of describing it. This lady, let's call her Mrs. C. wanted to know "what" about her house caught my eye? "Careful now Ken," I thought to myself.

I almost said well, "I look for unkempt houses," but knew that would make a short version of our conversation. Instead I told her with tact and a ton of charm, that I lived in the neighborhood and during my morning walks, I make note of houses which catch my attention.

I notice houses because of their fine detail of architecture and potential. (That's only part of it. Between me and you I look for houses which need a little or a lot of TLC)

I further explained that I restore properties for a living. I bring them up to a standard of stunning beauty (I used her language to connect with her). You can use this same explanation even if you don't do rehabs, just by saying you work with a team of investors who restores properties.

"Why are you still interested in real estate?" She asked innocently enough. She went on to say, "I thought real estate was pass? as an investment. I've been in my house since 1984 and everyone else I know wants to stay put for now."

I continued to talk to this lady sensing a possible bird dog. (you know, a scout for more properties). I explained how I didn't care what the rest of the world did, as long as there was one person looking for real estate I would have something for them to buy.

I added that I also pay a referral fee to those who put me in touch with an owner who sells to me. I worked her again, asking if she was sure she didn't know a single person who wanted to sell their property. She couldn't think of anyone at the moment but agreed to keep my name and number in just case.

Finally, I had to ask her a burning question. I asked Mrs. C, "what about my letter caused her to call me?" She said first of all inside the envelope she heard a jingle sound. The fact the envelope was hand written caused her to believe it was someone whom she was acquainted. Once she opened the letter she was overcome or "stunned" by curiosity.

"Curiosity" will get more of your mail pieces opened and read. With regard to envelopes, the recipient has to be compelled to open the darn thing before they read what's inside.

That's why I hand address my envelopes and place something inside to make noise. My favorite stuffers are coins. That's right I place pennies and nickels inside to feel lumpy and jingle. I usually mix things up with the envelopes themselves, using colorful party style envelopes. In this case Mrs.C. received my white No. 10 envelope which I hand addressed with "Neighbor" followed by her address.

This technique is just one of the many I use to get to my property leads to respond. I mailed only four (4) envelopes along with the one I sent to Mrs. C. and received one call in a matter of two days. That's a 25% response ratio.

In case you didn't' know even the best direct marketers hope for a 1 or 2% response ratio. I can expect another call in a few days or weeks from that small batch as is usually the case with my marketing. Why? Because I approach things in reverse of the norm.

I first spot the property, research it, or scrub it as my students are taught, then I send out a letter or post card to a laser beam focused list. I've been using this same approach for over 12 years now. I've never mailed out more than 100 marketing pieces at a time for houses - ever. It's usually more like 10 to 15 at a time, and my deals are more lucrative than most wholesalers.
I believe in spending time doing a bit more research to ensure a better success rate. It was Abraham Lincoln who said "given eight hours to cut down a tree, it's best to spend seven hours sharpening your saw." I love that quote.

This is only a snippet of what's in my wholesale system which is still on sale with only a few sets remaining. Also inside the pages of my awesome system are phone scripts for you to use. If you're strictly a Wholesaler, I tell you what to say, and how to say it, you can't go wrong.

If you want to know more about my "outside of the box" strategies to real estate wholesaling, you must take action now to order my system while it's at half price.

Go to or paste this link in your web browser: www.thewholesalewizard.com/basementsale.html

This SALE price is good only as long as supplies last, and they're going fast. I expect my basement to be clear of books very soon, then it's back to full price again.

Save this tip for yourself, then forward it to a friend and remember to.....

Take Action,

Ken Williams aka, The Wholesale........

PS. To get my Wholesale System at Half Price and discover more "outside of the box" money making strategies like the one above. Be sure to hustle over to:

www.thewholesalewizard.com/basementsale.html

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Get The Landlord’s Advantage Using Wholesaling

“Less is More. . . . .” Most investors who have the goal of owning rental properties usually have one thing in mind – “Accumulate as many rentals as possible!” They lock onto this goal without any regard to the negative effects it could have on their quality of life.

They make the all too familiar mistake of over-leveraging their properties and their time. The objective for owning any investment property should be for the sake of it serving you, to make your life easier.

Instead, what happens is the reverse. The investor starts serving the investment. This is especially true of rental property owners. Ask me how I know? You guessed it! I made the same mistake, and I learned my lesson – the hard way! Now I try to share with with others what I learned to avoid them having to make the same mistakes.

Think about this for a moment. Wouldn’t it be more appealing to own half as many rentals, but earn a higher return? of course it would. This business should be fun. It should make our lives more enjoyable not miserable. Attention, land lords! I’m about to share something with you that will turn you into believers!

Instead of owning 20 properties leveraged up to 75%-90%, I’m going to share with you what I call “The Landlord’s Test”. Some of you will have to see for yourself before you are believers. So, take a look at the example below:



Example 1
20 Properties Owned $100k value each
$80k 1st @ 8% / 30years = 587 PI
PI $587 + Insurance $20 + Taxes $75 = $682 monthly costs
Rent $900 ($900 - $682 = $218 x 20 properties = $4,360 monthly

Example 2
10 Properties Owned $100k value each
6 properties (same financing as above)
PI $587 + Ins $20 + Taxes $75 = $682 monthly costs
Rent $900 - $682 = $218 x 6 properties = $1,308 monthly

Example 2 continued
4 properties (owned free and clear)
PI 0 + Ins $20 + Taxes $75 = $95 monthly costs
Rent $900 - $95 = $805 x 4 properties = $3,220
10 properties $1,308 + $3,220 = $4,528 monthly




In this example, I used properties with the same values. Most property owners follow Example #1 and are always scrambling to keep up with their properties. They’re consistently in “Catch-Up” mode. Owning less properties, affords you more time. Time for yourself, time to carry out the “Twice A Year” preventive maintenance. Before long, you’ve saved money on your overall expenses.

The way to accomplish this is to wholesale properties. If you wholesale consistently, you can pay the loan balances down on your rentals until you own a few properties free of debt. Keep this up and before you know it, more of your rentals are paid off.

Just because my example shows the ownership of 10 properties with 4 owned “free and clear”, shouldn’t mean you stop there. My only emphasis is on quality versus quantity. You should continue, your goals should be accumulating rental properties at a pace where you keep quality ownership along with maximum profits. Learning to wholesale will certainly enable you to do just that.

This strategy is straight out of my Wholesaling manual. If what you just read makes sense then you ought to have the world’s best Wholesaling system called “Fast Track To Cash.” In it you will find this and many other simple to understand money making strategies, minus the hype.

As a matter of fact, your timing is perfect since I’m including with the purchase of my “Fast Track To Cash” manual, a five week, get you started coaching program which starts April 14th. I will help you get on the Fast Track to Cash.

Take Action and go now to this link

http://www.thewholesalewizard.com/

Take Action!

Ken Williams aka The Wholesale Wizard

P.S. Get involved with my 5 week coaching program you need to Go to this link now: http://www.thewholesalewizard.com/

Monday, April 02, 2007

Feeling Confused and Abandoned

I got a call yesterday from a guy who was really frustrated and needed to make money in a hurry. He was referred to me by a mutual friend, which happens all the time. What made this guy different right off the bat was unlike most friends of friends who claim they want to get into real estate investing, this guy had been taking action, most just talk and never make a move.

This gentlemen’s problem was not lack of action, his troubles stemmed from misdirected action. He was so excited to be talking to me about wholesaling he rambled on a warped speed.

Whoa there! I had to slow him down and get him to relax. Sometimes I feel my role is that of a therapist. He went on to describe all the things he had been doing in search of his first wholesale deal.

Wow! I was blown away! Just about everything he told me was dead wrong, essentially he was spinning his wheels. I asked him where on earth did he get those ideas?

That’s when his water fall of words came pouring out. He’d just spent over $1500 to attend a two day event with one of those big seminar companies which blow through towns leaving a wake of confusion and empty pockets.

He bought into this program because they promised to talk about wholesaling, the only thing he was interested in learning about. But much to his dismay the speakers spent all of 15 minutes on wholesaling and somehow managed to send him down the wrong path for the money.

He went on further to say he and others in attendance felt confused and abandoned, not knowing what to do first or what to do next, the speakers left them to their own interpretations.

Now, it’s not my style to knock anyone’s training program, but I had to tell him he was barking up the wrong tree, - big time! I then reassured him he was in good hands now – mine.

I corrected a few things he was doing wrong and shared how I instruct in wholesaling. He was even more excited and ready for what I had to offer.

According to him I was the “go to guy” when it came to wholesaling properties. I will have to agree with him on that point! I have spent many years testing what works best and what doesn’t work, and what things are just hype.

If you know me, then you know I dislike anything that even smells of hyperbole. I’ve put a microscope on the subject of wholesaling where many gloss over the subject leaving it to a student to make interpretations.

So my caller was ready to do things right this time. He needed money in a hurry to take care of some bills and other pressing matters.

I invited him to my Fast Track To Cash Wholesaling five week coaching telecalls. I told him I would provide step by step instructions and take his questions after each call. I will even assist him with his deals. He was ecstatic, and replied by stating “let’s start now!”

Well pump your brakes, I told him. This training is a group deal which starts April 14th, yes, that is a Saturday. I want to get your ball rolling in a hurry, I directed him to: www.thewholesalewizard.com

If you are one of my current students who has my Wholesale Manual you’ll get a $200 “wizard coupon” good towards any of my products, live events or co-sponsored events. That’s everything with the exception of my Inner Circle Programs.

When you go to the web site to register be sure you scroll to the bottom to listen to what others who took this same training had to say.

Click on now, or paste into your web browser to register: www.thewholesalewizard.com

Take Action!

Ken Williams

Much success to you.
Go to www.thewholesalewizard.com for more information.
What is Real Estate Wholesaling?

I received an email from a lady, who asked, what exactly is Real Estate Wholesaling?

You see my 50% Basement Sale promotional emails are going to my entire subscriber list. Some people like this lady are on that list but not yet students. They are very interested in what I teach, Even though they have never met me in person.

Click here or paste into your browser for the sale information www.thewholesalewizard.com/basementsale.html

I’ll let you read her words

“Hi Ken,

Your offer to buy your course for 50% off sounds real good, except for one thing. I’m not all that sure what real estate Wholesaling is. Sorry to sound so uninformed. I recently signed up for your weekly tips because I have an interest in real estate and I also find your tips entertaining while still informative.

I know you’re busy but please have someone respond to this email so I can determine if this is something for me. I’m a mom without a whole lot of spare time.

Thanks”

JoAnne, Oregon

(My response to her) Hello JoAnne,

Thank you for the opportunity to clear things up for you and anyone else who may have the same question, because I don’t want you to miss out on this great offer. (By the way, I have many students who are moms and dads with little time, going full force in this business!)

Wholesaling in a nutshell is taking control of a property with a contract then assigning your rights to that contract to a CA$H paying buyer. My students all over the country are averaging $10,000 to $15,000 per deal. Fast Cash Deals!

This requires very little money ($10) out of your pocket with little risk to you. Follow my system and you’re in and out of the deal in 30 days or less.

There is no Faster, Safer, Easier, Money Making Strategy known to real estate for putting Cold Hard CASH into your pocket.

Wholesaling is the undisputed KING of CA$H!

This sale 50% off means an investment of $597, to make $10,000 on the low end. That’s more than 16 times your investment. Need I say more?

To take advantage of this sale, while supplies last click this link or paste it into your browser: www.thewholesalewizard.com/basementsale.html

You have nothing to loose and everything to gain. I’m offering my 30 DAY Money Back Guarantee!

If this is not for you, send it back no questions asked. I'll refund 100% of your money!!!!!

Take Action and go now to: www.thewholesalewizard.com/basementsale.html

Ken Williams aka The Wholesale Wizard....

PS. Don’t miss out on the Quickest, Easiest, Least Risky, Money Making Strategy in real estate investing. WholesalingIs the KING of CA$H!!!!!

www.thewholesalewizard.com/basementsale.html

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Calling Owners of Properties

Notice I didn't say calling sellers? That was intentional, mainly because due to my deal making approach, most owners you'll call aren't sellers yet! That's where you'll come in.

The best, meaning the most profitable deals, I and my students make aren't listed, for sale, or in the public's eye in any way.

My system instructs, the best fast cash approach is to find the property first, then back into the owner. There's little competition for your deals using this approach.

Remember, if it’s public (the property), it’s been picked over,picked over by those investors with contacts with agents and banks.

Therefore, you must be shrewd and economical about your movements, no wasting time, energy, or money. Get straight to the heart of the matter.

Speaking of which, the same objective is true when making outbound calls to owners; getting to the heart of the matter as quickly as possible without sounding like a robot.

How to do so? First, become very familiar with the script for Outbound Calls to Owners located in the back of my Wholesale manual.

Next, take the pressure off yourself.By that I mean, lighten your mental load with the realization that your goal is not to come away from the call with an agreement to sell from the owner. Sure, getting a deal on the first contact can happen - but on occasion.

More often however, your call will get the owner's mental wheels turning. Your call should stimulate thought in the other person. Believe it or not, many of these owners will be shocked that someone is sincerely interested in their property, especially if it’s ugly.

That all said, I want you to keep one thing in mind: When calling on owners of your property leads your main objective is to simply break the ice.

That's it, break the ice and begin to build rapport with the other person. Do so with some personality and lots of patience.

Then similar to shifting into the next gear of your car, segue into the questions on your script, located in the bonus material section in the back of my Wholesaling Properties Manual, available at: www.thewholesalewizard.com.

Remember, avoid sounding as though you're reading from a script. Once familiar with the questions on the short, yet powerful script you'll be comfortable with its objectives, which is to find out all you can about their property and the owner without sounding intrusive.

Try not to come off as if you’re probing and you'll be amazed how cooperative most will be. Oh sure, there'll be some grumpy bears you call on. Don't take it personal. You're a professional, who never gets into a tiff with a potential seller.

I've made calling owners so amazingly simple for you in my Wholesaling Properties manual, you won't have to reinvent the wheel. It’s all done for you.

You can check out this awesome system, described by many as “the best on the topic.”

Don't take my word for it. Check it out for yourself by clicking on this link or copy and paste it into your web browser: www.thewholesalewizard.com.

There's no risk to you. Take 30 days to check it out and if my system doesn't make absolute sense to you within the 176 pages of powerful yet simple to understand money making strategies, send it back for a 100% refund. No questions asked.

You have nothing to loose.
So go now to: www.thewholesalewizard.com
Ken Williams
aka The Wholesale Wizard

Much success to you.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

How Many Houses Have I Bought and Sold?

Last Friday I was working with a mortgage broker going over the executive summary for a commercial land project I own.

He had included two spaces on the form for me to fill in the number of houses I'd bought over my 12 year career. The second space was for the total dollar amount of real estate value those transactions were worth

Well, if you've paid close attention to any of my marketing, I never state a number of houses I may have bought and sold in my career. First of all, I don't measure my success in that manner. Second of all, who really cares?

I'll get back to that in just a minute. First I informed the broker those were stats I just don't find important. Instead, I emailed him my "Killer Credibility Package" full of photos of the beautiful renovations I've done over the years, which by the way, I purchased all at wholesale prices.

My Credibility Package also had stunning letters of recommendations from peers, attorneys, private lenders and happy sellers. Perhaps the most powerful letter was from a business associate, who wrote "Ken Williams is only one of three people I'd ever done a business deal with on only a hand shake."He went on to say "Ken is a very intelligent investor and is one of the first I call for real estate advice."

Wow! And....this guy is no light-weight either- an established businessman with over 40 years in the Washington DC area. Along with that letter are others from real estate attorneys professing my skill and knowledge about real estate investing.

Letters like those will go much further than any hyped up claim of how many houses I've transacted over the years. By the way, no one cares how many houses I've ever done, right? Right!

Take yourself for instance. You don't care how many deals I've done in my career, do you?. Nope, you sure don't. What you care most about is whether I'm trustworthy and will my training materials work for you. You don't want to waste your money on a Con Artist. That's it.

So when you read the many testimonials from other students who rant and rave how my wholesale system is the best on the market because they made X number of dollars, that's what you and every potential student wants to know.

Here's another, more important reason why I don't keep track of the number of deals I've done because I measure success based on quality of life, not how many transactions I can do in a month. Many investors treat this business as though it were a race.

That is a dangerous approach to the business. I recall one tax year, sharing my gross profits with an investor friend who'd done 50 deals that year, a combo of rehabs and wholesale deals. While I did only 12 wholesale deals that same year, I nearly made the same amount he did, with less hassles and a better quality of life mind you.

That's why my motto is "Less is More." I choose to lay back and pick the low-hanging fruit. I'm not interested in running myself ragged (anymore) trying to do 10 deals a month. See, I know the true story behind those numbers.

Out of the 10 deals the investor makes a profit on 3, breaks even on 4, looses money on the other 3. Meantime he takes no vacations, has little family time and his quality of life isn’t good.

Me, I choose to hang out with my family, and travel when I want to. My business is set up to serve me, not me serving it. I gleaned that lesson the hard way early in my career.

So the choice is yours whether you want to leave the 9 to 5 rat race and jump into the investor rat race. Sounds like jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire!

This business is supposed to be fun, not tiresome and stressful. That's why I named my publishing company Pace Yourself Publishing to remind myself and my students to P.A.C.E Yourself. Pace is also an acronym for Positive Attitudes Change Everything!

I'll chat with you later and remember to always

Take Action!

Ken Williams

Much success to you.
Go to http://www.thewholesalewizard.com/ for more information.

Monday, March 26, 2007

Up and Coming Neighborhoods, Beware!

Beware of the seller who will try to convince you to buy their property at a premium price based on an up and coming so called improvement.

If you haven't heard it yet, you will.Some sellers make out that their property has premium value based on a local paper running an article about a revitalization plan near the seller's property. Or a new a new school has been announced to go up across the street, in the year 2011!

Let's think about this for a moment. It's a wellknown fact these days that real estate as a whole has cooled off quite considerably. Some markets in the country have gone stone cold sober over the past year and a half.

Despite all the blatant evidence of slow sales, such as, houses sitting on the market for six months or more, price reduction signs all around, fewer renovation projects, residential developments grinding to a halt, half completed, resembling a ghost town?

Can you believe there are sellers out there who still believe we're in 2004 when sales were on steroids? I've been running across my share of pipe dreamers and so have many of my students around the country which we discuss during our group talks. Matter of fact here's a prime example of what I’m taking about.

I've been dealing with a pair of sisters who are interested in selling their house which has been in their family for years. This house is a real junker.As we rehabbers say, "It needs everything!"

The house is located in a decent neighborhood in Washington DC, called "Columbia Heights" for you locals reading this.

The sister, who is the family spokesperson, said to my assistant Valerie last week "well, we know this is an "Up and Coming area, just look at all the development over on 14th street."

Well my friend, this lady couldn't have been more wrong about anything else as she was about that statement. I assure you, she is not alone as a seller. In her case I can see how she based her thinking.

Hey, new development, must be hot! Right? Not always, it depends.......

.........on what kind of development. In this case the development on 14th Street the seller was referring to are mostly commercial projects. Some large condo buildings and mixed use projects are going up as well. Here's the deal with real estate price trends.

As an investor your objective is to spot trends and market movements. Is the market emerging, stagnant or declining? A general rule of markets is this:

First come jobs, then the people, creating a demand for housing.Next comes the new residential developments to serve the new population growth. Once the population swells in the new residential areas, the commercial guys start planning their move.

Scoping out the demographics and population growth the big box stores i.e. Wal-Mart and Home Depot move in to serve the masses. Small retailers follow suit along with entertainment (movie theaters, restaurants etc). This is economics 101, supply feeds demand.

Once the influx of commercial development begins to take place usually the residential markets have peaked as is the case with the Columbia Heights neighborhood in Washington DC. The residents naively believe their property will continue to increase because of the commercial and retail activity nearby.

Now there are exceptions to every rule. One such exception is what I call the "Big Dog" factor. Yup when the Big Dog breaks ground in an area, their very presence can influence the market appreciation seemingly overnight. Does the name Trump mean anything to you? Mr. Trump can and has influenced market appreciation with just the announcement of a proposed project.

You should know the local Big Dogs in my area. Here in DC it's guys like Douglas Jemal, Steve Abdo, and PN Hoffman. These fabulous developers can go into uncharted territory and create a sizzling market. This is the exception, remember, not the rule.

So when you're out problem solving for your deals don't fall for the “okee dokee” some sellers try to feed you. You'll see it with apartment and office building managers who fax you the pro forma (future best case numbers) instead of actual dismal numbers.

You my friend, will make offers based on the current condition and/or circumstance. NOT, what's coming in the future. Not based on future increases in rents. In the case of buzzing commercial and retail projects remember, those folks have done expensive studies to locate population growth before they send in the first bulldozer.

In the case of commercial projects going up before population and residential swelling, that's pure speculation on the part of the “Big Dog” with deep pockets that can wait it out, it doesn't always impact housing sales. For instance, the MCI Center, home of the Washington Wizards comes to mind. Owner Abe Pollin started, albeit slowly, the revitalization of downtown DC neighborhoods. We're talking four or five years before any real action revved up.

Forget the new school that's coming, or new subway stop, and the harbor plans, yadda yadda yadda on and on. Make your offers on what you can verify TODAY!

In the case of two sisters and their Columbia Heights property, Valerie just printed out a new MRIS report showing their zip code's housing prices dropped 15% during the 4th Quarter of 2006. Our current research also endorses those stats.

Valerie will meet with the pair in an attempt to shed some light using the mighty black and white 3rd party report. The sisters should get it, don't cha think? Not always. In my 12 1/2 years of experience in the trenches some sellers (people period) only see what they want to see. In that case......

NEXT! Someone else is waiting for you!

Take Action,

Ken Williams

Much success to you.
Go to http://www.thewholesalewizard.com/ for more information.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

The F-Word, and Why I don't Use it

I refuse to use the F-Word to describe what I do as a real estate investor.

No I’m not talking the usual profanity laced F-word, I'm talking about the other one, you know "Flipping." Matter of fact I've never used that word in my more than 12 year career. Why?

Well, the reasons are many, I will be glad to share with you what my reasons are on my next monthly telecall this Thursday, which is FREE to you for now.

The call Thursday at 8pm will last about an hour. I will spend that hour going over why Wholesaling is NOT flipping

I will also provide some real life case studies of wholesale deals and how to streamline your operation. Even if you are a one person operation.

To register for this go now to this link: http://www.thewholesalewizard.com/monthlycall/

Oh, I mentioned this call was FREE, followed by for now. What that means is I'm running a few tests for my coming Inner Circle coaching program. The IC will be a small monthly fee to give you constant access to me and the wholesale/retail community.

Eventually this IC program will have ascending levels for those folks who want more access to me and my programs.

For now the calls are FREE, so take action and lead your cursor onto this link and click away to get registered.

http://www.thewholesalewizard.com/monthlycall/

I will talk to you Thursday night. Remember, if you have a friend, forward this email to them. Get them going while the calls are FREE!

Take Action!

Ken Williams aka The Wholesale Wizard....

PS. Join me this Thursday night to hear why I don't use the F-word, and other awesome money making strategies click here to register or paste into your browser:

http://www.thewholesalewizard.com/monthlycall/