Dean Graziosi Real Estate Investment Expert http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com Plunge into automobiles and real estate with Dean Graziosi Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:36:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 en Consider a Specialty When First Investing In Real Estate http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/consider-a-specialty-when-first-investing-in-real-estate.html http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/consider-a-specialty-when-first-investing-in-real-estate.html#comments Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:36:58 +0000 admin http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/consider-a-specialty-when-first-investing-in-real-estate.html Getting started in real estate seems like a great way to make money. Many investors jump in quick because of the people they see making hundreds of thousands of dollars a year—sometimes even every month and think if they can why can’t I? That’s a reasonable question and there really is no reason you can’t. In fact, what seems like a bad time for real estate investing like now, can actually be a great asset and a boon to investors who are gobbling up cheap properties and turning them over for a profit. Once new real estate investors step into the pool though, they often realize they don’t really know how to swim. So they stand paralyzed in the water and hope and pray for someone with a life jacket to pass by.
The first thing to realize if you have found yourself in exactly that situation is—it’s normal. You’re okay. Don’t drown in 2 feet of water because you panic. Take a deep breath and realize you can float for a few minutes while you get your bearings. There is a lot of information to learn to be successful in real estate and it can seem very overwhelming right at the start. The best way to get around that is to pick a specialty. There are several types of real estate investment and being great at all of them is unlikely—at least right off the bat, and for many people—never. If you have experience in business you know that no business owner is an expert in every aspect of their type of business, but if they are successful they ARE experts in THEIR type of business.
Learn everything you can about the choice of real estate investment you make. There are rental investments, flipping, foreclosure investment, condos, apartments, and many other types of real estate arenas and you only have to step into one of those to begin making a nice living in real estate without worrying about drowning in a sea of information.

]]> http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/consider-a-specialty-when-first-investing-in-real-estate.html/feed Twitter your Real Estate investing on the Fly http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/twitter-your-real-estate-investing-on-the-fly.html http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/twitter-your-real-estate-investing-on-the-fly.html#comments Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:58:40 +0000 admin http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/twitter-your-real-estate-investing-on-the-fly.html Coming up with effective ways to promote real estate can be a daunting task in today’s market.  Because promoting real estate online is no longer a new concept and competition is at an all-time high, marketing creativity is a must.  So, if you find yourself struggling to think a little differently when it comes to advertising your property, things just got a whole lot easier thanks to TweetLister.

First things first, if you are not using Twitter, you are missing out on an unprecedented opportunity to promote your rental properties, foreclosures and investment opportunities for free.  TweetLister allows you to advertise your real estate to a worldwide audience, in a user friendly format, as much as you like, until you get the results you are after.

Reaching buyers has never been so simple. With thousands upon thousands of properties being listed on Twitter, buyers will soon have access to more real estate than almost any other place online.  The TweetLister application makes it easier than ever for buyers to search for residential, commercial and vacation properties available for sale, rent and even swap.  An added benefit to having your listings on Twitter is the simplicity of the buyer-seller relationship.  For buyers, getting in touch with the seller is painless and buyers definitely like the fact that the interaction between buyer and seller, or landlord and renter is so personalized.

If you want to profit from real estate right now, you have to put yourself and your properties out there where people can see them; and that means taking advantage of huge social networks like Twitter.  Industry analysts are giving the TweetLister application overwhelmingly positive reviews.  Shouldn’t you check it out for yourself?

]]> http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/twitter-your-real-estate-investing-on-the-fly.html/feed The Real Estate System that Gave Me My Life Back http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/the-real-estate-system-that-gave-me-my-life-back.html http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/the-real-estate-system-that-gave-me-my-life-back.html#comments Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:47:34 +0000 admin http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/the-real-estate-system-that-gave-me-my-life-back.html


Who would have ever thought I would ever become a millionaire a few years ago? Who would have thought I would become Internet savvy and even be twittering on a daily basis? I mean after all I was considered the ¨black sheep” of the family. I was the lazy hippy, the guy who had no ambitions and different ideas. I was the one that would never amount to anything because I always insisted on thinking a little differently. Boy where they wrong!

 

My family always raised their brow with every new idea I brought home. When I brought home the idea of meditation, they thought I was weird and so, when I told them I was going to start real estate investing with Dean Graziosi they thought I was out of my mind. 

 

I was always into different things, like I was one of the first to go online, to go on Facebook, and then twitter. For me it was just fun! But one day I was playing and chatting on twitter when I noticed a comment from someone on this great new effective real estate investing course called the Dean Graziosi method. I didn’t pay much attention to the comment, but as I continued to chat on twitter, I noticed that other users started recommending the Dean Graziosi method too. This made me start thinking differently, I mean if these guys where just average, every day people, commenting in this program, and people are making some sort of income here then it meant something was working. Now I´m all for making money and doing less, so I went to the Dean Graziosi site and started reading. The process didn’t seem hard. In fact, it was less work than any other job I had had. So, off on one of my whims again, I invested the money in the Dean Graziosi program. I figured I didn’t have much to lose and could learn a little.

 

The truth was I didn’t go into the program with that much enthusiasm, but as I started and got involved I got more excited and did exactly as the course instructed me to do. My family again thought I was off on another “dead beat dream scheme”. They weren’t very supportive, but three months later I showed up on my parents doorstep with a $30,000 profit and invited them all out to a sumptuous dinner. Of course, they still didn’t believe this was going to make me a millionaire, but three years later, and thanks to my following the system faithfully I am that millionaire and I am one of those people that twitters about the benefits of the Dean Graziosi method.  Today, my family looks up to me, hangs on every new idea I bring in. They are all practicing Yoga and standing on their heads now!

]]> http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/the-real-estate-system-that-gave-me-my-life-back.html/feed Preparing for a Sale: Checking Hinges on Doors and Windows http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/preparing-for-a-sale-checking-hinges-on-doors-and-windows.html http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/preparing-for-a-sale-checking-hinges-on-doors-and-windows.html#comments Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:42:28 +0000 admin http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/preparing-for-a-sale-checking-hinges-on-doors-and-windows.html The little things in a home are the easiest to overlook. Investors and homeowners get so wrapped up in the details of sound siding, curb appeal, fresh paint and new carpeting that they can overlook some of the most fundamental things that make a home seem perfect.

Few things can give the impression of age or neglect quite as effectively as poorly cared-for hinges on the doors and, sometimes, windows in a home.  Hinges may eventually become loose, sag or even rust, and few people think to check them.  Pay close attention to doors in little-used areas, basements or cellars, and outbuildings as these are likely to show neglect first.

Have you ever felt a sense of annoyance at the squeaks and groans emanating from some doors? You’re not the only one, and chances are potential buyers won’t like it either. Start by checking all of the hinges in your home for noise or stiffness. Oil wherever necessary with a non-toxic lubricant, wiping excess oil off the outside of the hinge. Some may require liberal lubrication, but when you’re finished all hinges should swing easily and be noise-free.

Next, check that each hinge is attached securely to both the door or window and the frame. Years of use can slowly work screws out of their beds or even strip the wood their fastened into. A quick check with a screwdriver can also make a big difference in how well the door or window hangs. Check that all hinge pins are firmly in place.

Doors and windows that sag or hang crooked in their frame even after hinges have been tightened up may have been mounted incorrectly to begin with. Alternatively, the house may have experienced some settling or sagging since it was built, affecting the fit and hang of the doors. These will likely need to be re-hung, a process that should be done by a professional.

Finally, inspect the outside of each hinge for rust, dirt, or splashes of paint. These all detract from the overall look of a room and are easily fixed. Paint can be scraped off or scrubbed off with paint thinner.  Rust can be scoured off with steel wool; rust-busting cleaners or other solutions can help with this process.  Most dirt is easy to wipe off or wash off with soap. Always re-apply lubricant to any areas that have been cleaned to ensure the hinge is still well-protected.

]]> http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/preparing-for-a-sale-checking-hinges-on-doors-and-windows.html/feed When Should You Buy Points? http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/when-should-you-buy-points.html http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/when-should-you-buy-points.html#comments Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:36:12 +0000 admin http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/when-should-you-buy-points.html Common sense tells us that the lower the interest rate on a loan, the less money will be spent throughout the course of the loan repayment. In order to help borrowers secure the best interest rate possible, many lenders offer optional points that will lower the interest rate beyond the rate normally offered for an approved lender. Points vary in price and in the percentage decrease they buy. In some cases, they are an exceptionally good deal and should always be purchased. In others, they will only result in losing money.

The primary factor in deciding if you should purchase points on your mortgage is how long you plan to keep the property you’re purchasing. If the property in question is a primary residence for a well-established person with a stable career, or if it is a rental property intended for long-term investment, points are likely a good choice.

On the other hand, if you’re looking to keep a property for five years or less, are purchasing a “starter home”, or are not certain where your career may take you, you may want to pass on purchasing points. While points, if paid up-front, will lower the interest rate and therefore the monthly payment on a property, they need time to really be worthwhile.

Find out how much points will cost from your chosen lender. Next, determine the amount of the loan after all costs have been added in and the down payment has been subtracted from it. Calculate how much interest you will be paying every year on the property, using a good amortization table with your interest rate. This should be calculated for both the original rate and the rate with points.

After you have calculated the yearly interest charges with and without points, add up how many years you will have to keep the property for the points to pay for themselves. If you’re paying $3,000 for points that will make a $300 difference in your interest payments, it will take ten years to pay back the cost of the points. Are you planning on keeping the property at least that long? If the answer is a definite yes, then you may want to find out more about purchasing points. If the answer is no or you’re unsure, most likely you would be better off just paying the original interest rate.

]]> http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/when-should-you-buy-points.html/feed The Importance of Landscaping http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/the-importance-of-landscaping.html http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/the-importance-of-landscaping.html#comments Wed, 20 May 2009 21:26:49 +0000 admin http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/the-importance-of-landscaping.html Of all the things that a real estate investor can do in preparation for the sale of a property, landscaping is arguably one of the most important. There are a number of reasons attention should be paid to landscaping as it contributes to the look and overall health of the property. It is said that a potential buyer makes up their mind about a home within the first 30 seconds of seeing it, accentuating the importance of curb appeal.

Curb appeal is exactly what is sounds like, the overall appearance of a property from the curbside, or the first view a visitor to the property will have. Landscaping can add to curb appeal by bringing the scene to life with flowers and shrubs, by accentuating attractive points of the property, or by concealing potentially unattractive features such as faucets and outdoor power outlets. In addition, mature trees can offer protection for heat-sensitive plants in warmer areas as well as lend an area for spending peaceful time outdoors.

While curb appeal is the first factor people think about with landscaping, it is far from the only benefit. Not only are bare-dirt yards unsightly, they are also prone to erosion as there is nothing to hold the topsoil in place. Filling in with ground cover such as grass, carpet phlox, or other ground-hugging greenery will prevent this kind of destructive occurrence. Additionally, live plants help keep dust off of the house, protect the foundation from excess water, and attract earthworms and other creatures that help keep the soil healthy.

Hedges can offer low-cost barriers in lieu of a fence, additional privacy, or protection from the elements. Houses in some areas are constantly hammered by wind, rain, or dust. Hedges can help significantly cut down on how much of these get to a house. This prevents damage, promotes cleaner air, and cuts down on the amount of cleaning one has to do inside the house as less dust reaches it.

Quality landscaping takes a while to grow in, but there really are no down sides to well-done landscaping in preparation for a sale.

]]> http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/the-importance-of-landscaping.html/feed Popular Types of Privacy Hedges http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/popular-types-of-privacy-hedges.html http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/popular-types-of-privacy-hedges.html#comments Mon, 11 May 2009 19:53:00 +0000 admin http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/popular-types-of-privacy-hedges.html The benefits of a good privacy hedge are hard to ignore. These attractive additions to your home’s landscaping can take a couple of years to grow in, but once established are difficult to match. With all the choices available it can be difficult to choose the kind of shrubs you’d like for your hedge. The first step is to decide what function you want the hedge to perform. A privacy hedge must be formed from a shrub that both grows tall and has dense foliage. Determining factors for a privacy hedge are generally the speed of growth, ease of maintenance, and hardiness in cold and heat.

One of the most popular hedges is the Canadian hemlock. This can grow either as individual trees or a luxuriously dense, evergreen hedge that takes well to trimming. The Canadian hemlock grows quickly and can reach over 40 feet, if desired. Hemlocks are very hardy and do well in extremes as low as -30F, making them an excellent choice for northern climates.

Lilac bushes of all varieties are top choices for privacy hedges. These attractive bushes grow tall, and throughout the warm months are covered in compact bunches of fragrant flowers. The most common variety boasts light purple blossoms, though there are many varieties on the market with many different colors and shades. These bushes require little trimming, though they do not lend themselves to compact, orderly hedges.

Caragana, also known as Siberian peabushes, are exceptionally easy to grow and can live just about anywhere. This is a popular shrub for its thick foliage and yellow flowers. These shrubs grow in zones 2-7 and are nearly impossible to kill once established. However, care should be taken when planting this shrub as it does spread easily and sheds its seeds up to several feet from the parent plant. Some states, including Alaska, have classified this as an invasive species and have made it illegal to plant Siberian peabushes.

While many shrubs work well for privacy hedges, be certain that whatever type you choose fits your space and maintenance requirements. Some make excellent shaped and groomed hedges, while others will not tolerate vigorous pruning. Thoroughly researching your choice of hedge will ensure that you are happy with your privacy hedge for many years to come.

]]> http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/popular-types-of-privacy-hedges.html/feed Turnaround Makes Cents in Real Estate http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/turnaround-makes-cents-in-real-estate.html http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/turnaround-makes-cents-in-real-estate.html#comments Tue, 05 May 2009 18:29:06 +0000 admin http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/turnaround-makes-cents-in-real-estate.html When investing in real estate the entire concept of making money goes up in smoke if you are forced to sit on a property too long.  This applies to both rental types of real estate investments and to those purchased for resale.  Sitting on an empty rental or a lingering sale property eats away at your bottom line.  You need to make a sale in order to keep your investments performing as assets.
In today’s market quick turnarounds seem harder than before, but homes still sell and properties still rent out.  People need a place to live and that’s the bottom line.  The key to keeping things moving now, more than ever, is paying close attention to the top line.
In the past, real estate was such a lucrative investment that many investors got careless with how they spent at the onset and what they were spending on.  Anything sold – eventually, and with the prices that were possible if it took a little longer, well, okay, as long as it sold.  And if a longer sale ate away a small percent of the profit, it was still a good deal.  That’s different now.  There is no room for cavalier attitudes in any business and real estate is no different.
Smart investors doing it right can still make cents—in fact can still make dollars quickly in real estate.  Looking for homes that are undervalued to start with and selling even cheaper because of need makes more sense now than it did in the past.  Marketing and advertising that was always a necessary evil, as it is in any sales endeavor, is now more important.  Learning how to take the best advantage of the cost effective Internet advertising is more important still.
Real estate investors looking to make quick dollars are smart to scavenge the foreclosure markets, learn all there is to know about short sales and how to facilitate such a purchase.

]]> http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/turnaround-makes-cents-in-real-estate.html/feed Kicking Your Real Estate Investments into High Gear http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/kicking-your-real-estate-investments-into-high-gear.html http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/kicking-your-real-estate-investments-into-high-gear.html#comments Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:56:14 +0000 admin http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/kicking-your-real-estate-investments-into-high-gear.html Chances are if you just got started in real estate, and even if you have been investing for a few years, you’re still staggering around feeling a bit lost in the high-speed shuffle.  Real estate investment can do that to you if you let it take charge instead of grabbing it by the reins and pulling it in.  Successful real estate investors know that the key to good real estate sales is being in full control and understanding everything possible about what makes a good investment.
Tricks and Pitfalls
The real estate market has its share of tricks and pitfalls.  New investors get trapped in them often enough.  Savvy investors will learn from the pros like Dean Graziosi so that they avoid the stumbling blocks that leave others with properties that under-perform, or don’t perform at all.
The Key to Wise Investments
The path to real estate riches may not be paved in gold, but it is paved in cash that will provide a solid future for you and your family.  The key to getting down that path is learning about how to invest wisely.  Find out how the successful investors pick up properties for great prices by using pre-foreclosures, actual foreclosures and setting up short sales.  Learn how they buy undervalued properties, and even how they flip houses by purchasing distressed homes and fixing them up for a reasonable price that still allows for maximum returns.
There’s more to smart real estate investment than just buying houses.  However, spending a little time to learn the methods that work will make buying houses that sell for enough money to enjoy life, and relax while you do what you love, a reality.  Once you have the facts, you will be able to keep up with the fast and furious world of real estate.  The look in your eyes will no longer scream “lost and afraid”; it will let others know you have the keys to success in your pocket and you’re not afraid to use them.

]]> http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/kicking-your-real-estate-investments-into-high-gear.html/feed What First-Time Homeowners Should Know http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/what-first-time-homeowners-should-know.html http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/what-first-time-homeowners-should-know.html#comments Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:52:28 +0000 admin http://www.aboutdeangraziosi.com/what-first-time-homeowners-should-know.html Are you looking at purchasing your first home? Still puzzled about what you should be doing in order to obtain the house of your dreams? The first step is to research the basics about buying a home. First, you need to get an understanding of what size of house you want or need, and an idea of where you want to live. You can then start looking just to get a feel for the houses in the area. Pay attention to size, price, amenities and so on. Then, you will need to find out how much you qualify to borrow.

There are numerous programs and agencies that exist to help the first-time homeowner purchase their home. There are such things as first-time homebuyer’s grants, which are given either as a scholarship or in cash. These grants do not have to be paid back, but they must be used in the acquisition of a house. These are made to help with closing costs, down payments or other related expenses.

Talk to lenders to see the size of loan for which you are qualified. Many banks and lenders have first homeowner’s loans that are designed specifically for people who do not have a large down payment. Make sure to pay attention to the interest rates, and loan type – whether they’re fixed-rate or variable-rate. A fixed-rate loan will always have the same interest rate for the entire loan term. A variable-rate loan will have a low “teaser” interest rate for an initial period, but after that the interest rate will vary according to the market. These changes can occur as often as every payment, moving the payment up or down without warning. Sometimes, the changes can be high to a crippling degree.

Sometimes the most important thing to remember is to be patient when working with real estate and sometimes, like in the case of a “hot market” where property of good value sells very quickly, it is important to jump on opportunities. Just be sure to research the market in the area you are considering and ask lots of questions of real estate agents or other experienced individuals.

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