Archive for October, 2006

The Essential Contractor

Saturday, October 7th, 2006

Just be engrossed in this write-up to perceive more. Make the exemplary usage of this piece of information to absorb the technicalities of real estate.

The Essential Contractor
By Brian L. Pruitt

The Essential Contractor is defined as one who is reliable and honest, completing his job when promised at a fair and reasonable predetermined price and without question standing behind his workmanship. There are many contractors out there in the world. However there are few and far between that are competent in several areas of workmanship. That in itself is not totally a bad thing. If you have one contractor that you use for everything it is obvious that he will take longer to complete your list of projects on your property. On the other hand if you have a select few contractors that you utilize, you will have a more diversified contractor force, that in theory will complete the tasks in a more time efficient manor.
Constructing a list of essential contractors is vital to your success as a real estate investor. These contractors will not only perform a variety of repairs, but will give you bids on suggestive repairs allowing you to make wiser decisions when it comes to your current and future investments. Having a list of selective contractors will also allow you to keep your contractors in check with their bids.
On your search for the essential contractor you can either choose a general contractor, who will hire all the sub-contractors that will be needed to complete your projects. Or you can decide to be the general contractor yourself which can save yourself some money in the overseeing of the projects. If you have some basic understanding of remodeling and construction work this may be the way to go. However, if you are too busy, or don’t have a clue when it comes to rehabbing a home, then leave it to the professionals.
Your essential contractor can be found in many ways. You can let your fingers do the walking through the yellow pages. Watch for the BIG ads, as they tend to be the most expensive. Check the classified ads in your local paper. Look for business cards at your local Lowe’s or Home Depot. You may even be able to spot some essential contractors “to be”, on the job of another investor. Another great source is asking your local real estate investing club members. They can help you in many ways and possibly save you some of your hard earned profits.
Once you have made a list of possible essential contractors you need to meet with them one on one.
1. Set a specific time to meet with them. See if they are punctual.
2. Ask how long they have been in business. Usually the longer the better. But don’t rule out someone who has great talent and is now in a new career field due to layoffs in the area.
3. Do they have references. Get addresses and phone numbers along with the names.
4. Do they have their own truck and tools. If not beware.
5. How well do they communicate with you. Communication is vital to the success of your project.
6. Do they have liability and workman’s compensation insurance? Get a copy of their insurance policy prior to allowing them to perform any work.
7. Do they seem to have the big picture when it comes to what you are trying to accomplish in your real estate projects.
8. Are they looking for a long-term relationship with you. If you plan on a lot of projects don’t get a weekend-warrior.
9. Inquire about seeing some of their former projects. See their workmanship.
10. Talk to their former project general contractors. Whether it be an investor, such as yourself, or a general contractor who hired the prospect as a sub-contractor in the recent past.
Never, never, never pay prior to the completion of the project. Paying on the draw system is expectable. Once a certain pre-discussed part of the project has been completed, then you would pay your essential contractor a portion of the entire bid amount. Keep in mind when you owe the contractor, that is your assurance that he will be around to complete your project. Now this sounds harsh but once you have developed a relationship with your essential contractor you may want to ease up on the reigns slightly. Remember, your essential contractor is a vital part of your team and once the relationship is established and proven, this person should be recognized as such.
Contracts. Get everything in writing from your essential contractor in a contract. Put everything in this document including the small stuff. When things are in writing and signed by both parties there is nothing to debate.
Last, but by no means least, have your contractor sign a “release of liens” prior to final payment. This document, in a nut-shell states the contractor has been paid in full and relinquishes his rights to place a lien against your home. This is a safeguard for yourself against any crooked contractor who, even thou being paid in full, claims he has not, and places a lien against your property in hopes he can get some “free” money out of you. I recommend you seek advice from your attorney on this process.
Now, get started searching for that Essential Contractor.

Keep Reaching, Keep Dreaming!

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Not All REALTORS Are Created Equal: 10 Tips For Finding One

Thursday, October 5th, 2006

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I have seen home buyers and sellers less than satisfied with REALTORS who were not providing them the level of service they felt they deserved. If you take the time to find a good match, you may find your search for a home to be a rewarding experience. Here are some tips on evaluating a REALTOR.

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1. If you are a seller, select a REALTOR who will advertise your property individually and distinctly.
2. A REALTOR must have a hot, up-to-date web site that changes to reflect the market.
3. Take into account the busy lifestyle of today s professionals. Consider that most people use the internet to search for homes. Understand a REALTOR S presence on the internet is crucial to their effectiveness.
4. If paying commission is a huge point with you, find a REALTOR who will be flexible.
5. Use a REALTOR with a national presence in the real estate market. Analyze the REALTOR S web site as an indicator of this.
6. Choose a REALTOR with experience. If they are newly licensed, ask if the REALTOR is in a mentor program.
7. Check the REALTOR S license by visiting your state s department of occupational professionals web site. You can determine if the license is in good standing, read about any complaints or investigations, and see how long the REALTOR has been licensed.
8. Find a REALTOR who will research and obtain information from the source. This includes visiting a tax office or courthouse to research things like zoning or mapping topography of a home site.
9. Ask your REALTOR if they have access to more than one Multiple Listing Service (MLS) if this is applicable in your area. Access to more MLS means increased opportunities to sell you property to qualified buyers or find the home that meets your criteria.
10. Open houses are not the way to sell homes, so do not be dazzled by a REALTOR who hosts them frequently. Often open houses attract neighbors and people not yet ready to buy.

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If you take the time to find out more about the REALTOR you expect to use, you could land yourself a dream home, or a nice net gain on the home you are going to sell.

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About the Author

Elaine VonCannon is a REALTOR with RE/Max Capital in Williamsburg, Virginia, and she manages investment property as part of her business. Elaine is also an Accredited Buyer’s Representative as well as a Senior Real Estate Specialist. She has helped numerous clients invest in and make money on property in Southeastern Virginia.

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Guidelines For Choosing A Guru, Coach Or Mentor

Monday, October 2nd, 2006

Does Charleston SC real estate entice your consideration? Have you ever tried to comprehend Charleston SC real estate?

We assume your perseverance to scan it thoroughly. You just have to glance over it to appreciate it.

The following tips are meant as a guide for those of you who wish to enter into a coaching or mentoring relationship with a Guru, Coach or Mentor.

1. If you are not going to work with the individual you are paying, don’t do it. You need to work with the individual who’s charging you, so you can have accountability from him/her.

2. Take a very close look at the cost/benefit ratio of the relationship. Is similar information or help available at a lower cost or from other sources. Please understand that most of the information needed to succeed in Creative Real Estate or Home-Based Businesses is available for free if you have the time and ability to research it yourself.

3. Be very careful of those who claim to have secret or proprietary ways of doing business. The dictionary defines proprietary as made and sold by one with the sole right to do so;
exclusively owned; private; benefiting an owner; owned by a private individual or corporation
under a trademark or patent.

Now ask yourself, does anyone in the field of Creative Real Estate own an exclusive method of
doing business. The answer is no. It is just marketing hype designed to entice someone into
parting with his/her money.

Most of the methods for finding, acquiring, renting, selling, optioning property have been
around for years. Can someone bring a slightly different twist to these methods, yes; but this
is hardly proprietary.

Take Lease Options, people have been doing options for well over one half of a century. There is nothing new about sandwich leases, assignments, etc.

Wouldn’t you think that if someone had a proprietary method and he or she shared that method, that it would no longer be proprietary. Of course! Once shared, it is no longer exclusively owned, therefore not proprietary.

Which really leaves the part of the definition about benefiting the owner. As we have seen,
there are truly no proprietary or secret methods; so who does this claim benefit? Why the one trying to separate you from your money with this hype.

4. Be careful about long term relationships. Be sure any contract you sign can be canceled if
you are not satisfied with the service being provided to you. You should be the final
arbitrator of whether or not a relationship is worth your money.

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Do not pay for the entire period up front. Many Gurus, Coaches and Mentors have a non-refundable clause in their contracts. By paying the entire fee up front, you lose leverage in case of dissatisfaction with the services provided you.

5. Be sure any material supplied to you and any services to be provided during the course of the relationship are covered in detail. Get a listing of what will be covered and the order in
which it will happen. Do not accept generalities or vague comments like “We’ll get to that”.

Know exactly what you are paying for.

6. Don’t be led on by overly high prices. The most expensive is not always the best, especially for you. This is one area, where cost does not equal caring or commitment to your needs. Nor, does a high price indicate quality. Don’t be fooled by the “I’m worth it” line.

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7. Speaking of quality and caring, don’t settle for lip service that someone cares about your
future, make them demonstrate it. Speak to them a number of times. Do they give you the bum’s
rush if you can’t afford their services right now, or do they take some time with you. Do you
get the sense that they are more interested in selling you something? If you do, think very
carefully before agreeing to enter any relationship with someone like this. What makes you think that their underlying attitude will change with the passing of money.

8. Do they seem to get more benefit from the relationship than you do? By this we mean, do they ask you to help promote their activities or products in your marketing material or promotional material. Do they ask you to do things for them, but are reluctant to do things to help promote your business? If they do, these are warning signs that this could well be a one sided relationship. Don’t fall for the line “Well, you’ll receive some back end benefit from this”.

Remember, you’re in business to promote yourself, not someone else.

9. If your Guru, Coach or Mentor makes a promise to do something for you, get it in writing,
particularly if it has a monetary consequence to you. By getting it in writing, you avoid any
misunderstandings and you have recourse if he/she does not follow through.

10. When you speak with your Guru, Coach or Mentor, does he/she remember the details of your
last conversation or do you need to start at the beginning each time. If you need to start over
with each conversation, this may be a sign that he/she is too busy to keep track of all the
people they are working with. Is this what you are paying for? The last thing you need, is to
feel like a part on an assembly line. It’s common sense that anyone can only work with so many individuals before the quality starts to suffer. You may want to ask before you get started, how many others the person you are considering is currently working with.

11. If your Guru, Coach or Mentor provides material for you, be sure you understand where and how it can be used in your business. Get it in writing. Don’t depend upon verbal representations as to its use. You want to be sure that any material, particularly contracts,
can be used in all facets of your business. If the material can’t be used in all facets, what
are the restrictions? Can you live with them? How this material can be used, may well influence what you are willing to pay. If you can, try to arrange to examine the material included before you make a final decision. You want to avoid material that is more fluff than substance.

Understand, most Gurus, Coaches or Mentors will not mail this material to you first.

Unfortunately, there are too many individuals who would take and copy this material with no
expectation of ever working with someone. If you don’t live in geographic proximity to the
person you are considering, they should at least be able to provide you with a very detailed
Table of Contents and Sub-Headings for their material. If they are not willing to do that,
Pass.

12. Does your Guru, Coach or Mentor give you realistic suggestions to help you, or are they
unfeasible given your situation. In other words, are the suggestions given within your
financial means to carry out. Will they have an impact on your bottom line within a reasonable
time frame? Do you have the technical expertise to carry out the suggestions? Or, do you get
the feeling that everyone your Guru, Coach or Mentor works with receives the same suggestions.

Remember, he/she is there to help support, guide and nurture you. Any suggestions given should
have those principles in mind.

13. If suggestions are made, be sure to get specifics. Don’t accept generalities. If a
suggestion is made to write a book, do a tape set, give a seminar, etc., be sure your Guru,
Coach or Mentor gives you details as to how to do it, if you’ve never done something like this.

He/she should be able to give you a step-by-step plan of action to implement these suggestions.

If they can’t or won’t, this is red flag. After all, you are paying for their expertise, be
sure you receive it.

14. Be careful about references. No one in business is going to give you the name and telephone number of someone who is dissatisfied with their service as a reference. So understand that any references you receive are going to be positive ones.

In fact, I d go so far as to say that not only will any references be positive, they ll be
glowing. Why, every business has some customers who believe the business can do no wrong.

Therefore when you ask for references, any names you re given will come from this pool.

Rather than references, look to see if the guru, coach or mentor offers the type of programs
where you pay an amount up front (which is reasonable to cover the initial time with you and materials you receive) and the balance as you succeed. In other words, the guru, coach, or
mentor covers some expenses up front, but gets paid the balance of his/her fee as you do
transactions.

Or, does the guru, coach or mentor have a program where you pay an initial fee and the balance at the end of the time period, if and only if, you are satisfied with the help you received.

In both of these types of programs, the guru, coach or mentor is demonstrating his/her
confidence in their ability to help you. In other words, they are putting their money where
their mouths are.

In this type of program, the guru, coach, or mentor has a real vested interest in your success, not just lip service to your success. If you don t succeed, he/she doesn t get paid.

I would be much more confident in this type of program and guru, coach or mentor then in one
who only offers suspect references.

15. Most Gurus, Coaches and Mentors will look to sign you up for one to two years, or longer.

One thing most will not tell you, is that they expect that your calls will diminish over the
first few months. Therefore, you may be paying for service that you will not need in the long
run. Avoid long term contracts if at all possible. It may be better to pay as you go if you can. The extra money you save may be better spent on your business.

We hope these guidelines will help you in choosing someone to work with if you decide that is the best way for you to accomplish your goals. The bottom line, be very careful before
committing yourself to a long term relationship. A good one can greatly accelerate your
learning; a bad experience can set you back years, and possibly even kill your dreams.

We wish you the best.

Copyright 2004, DeFiore Enterprises

Okey-doke. Just restrict yourself from the other casual hierarchy of facts as this report is among the best of the bests. Your appetite for facts will get quenched in subsequent paragraphs.

About the Author

Interested in having your own successful, home based creative real estate investing business? Chuck and Sue have been helping folks start successful home based businesses for over 19 years, and we can help you too! To see how, visit http://www.homebusinesssolutions.com

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