Real Estate and Beyond Blog

IT IS GREAT TO HAVE A MENTOR IN MY LIFE. HOW ABOUT YOU?

Real estate is heating up. There are many more real estate agents entering the market because they see easy money. We have to love these seasonal agents. However, professional agents make the difference. Personally, I have had a mentor since I came into the business. I believe this is why I am still in the business.

Why have a mentor?

1. Accountability
2. Learn from a master in your field
3. Learn to reflect
4. Solve problems faster
5. One is not alone in life
6. Get an honest opinion
7. Brainstorm
8. Have balance in life
9. Friendship
10. Networking

Great Hints to Find a Mentor

• Do not settle for second best. One must have a direct relationship with the mentor. I would advise having a real person and avoid long distance mentoring.
• Set up realistic times to meet. There will be a time commitment for both sides.
• Ask for character references
• Complete a thorough background check on the individual

Conclusion

Having a mentor is the best investment at this given time in one's life in my opinion. I truly believe that the right mentor will have a direct impact in one's life personally, professionally and financially. 

OPEN QUESTION TO AR

DO YOU HAVE A MENTOR IN YOUR LIFE TODAY?

ARIZONA REAL ESTATE INVESTORS EDUCATE THEMSELVES FOR LONG TERM RETIREMENT PLANS

Real estate investors are realizing much more attractive returns due to the multiple income streams from real estate investment that include the following:

Appreciation: The Greater Phoenix area has a track record of steady appreciation between 5-6% in a normal market based upon historical data. This is an automatic savings account for many people. The offers opportunity down the road as one holds onto the property as the value continues to appreciate. This provides to open a line of credit to invest in other investments offered by Real Estate and Beyond Network.

Rental Yield: The percentage yield from the rental income. This can be calculated as either gross or net. Experienced real estate investors use the net method.

Inflation: Inflation has a direct relationship with rents since rents increase as inflation increases. Mortgage payments are set in stone on a 30-year fixed mortgage. Currently, the Phoenix market is experiencing heavy foreclosure activity. There are plenty of renters here in the Valley of the Sun.

Leverage: If used correctly, this is one of the ways many people increase one's personal wealth. Leverage does involve risk that must be considered into the equation.

Principal Reduction: An investor will be in much great position if one uses the monthly cash flow to pay down the principal of the loan over a period of time. So, the principal of the loan decreases as the appreciation of the investment increases over time. Again, this is part of the leverage as discussed above.

Distressed Homes: Educated investors seek distressed properties to take advantage of the equity opportunity. The Real Estate and Beyond Network provides services to find, fix, finance and fill with a tenant. We have provided a one stop shop for our real estate investors. Please feel free to visit www.deliateam.com to search for homes.

Tax Advantages: One of your best partners in real estate is Uncle Sam. Everyone has an Uncle Sam on their side. The US Government forces all real estate investors to depreciate one's residential investment. Plus, one can deduct any expenses to the property such as any improvements, property management fees, closing costs, etc. The Real Estate and Beyond Network has a CPA to go over these tax advantages for every investor.

Retirement: The rules have changes on Wall Street. Many people are looking at real estate to be part of their retirement plans. However, many people shy away from real estate because one does not understand the power of real estate. The Real Estate and Beyond Network is here for you. We walk people from A to Z when it comes to real estate investing. Learn more on how to use Self Directed 401k monies to purchase real estate for retirement.

Leave a Legacy: Webster's dictionary defines legacy as money or property bequeathed to another by will. Tell me which parent does not want to better the next generation. We all strive for leaving a legacy. We at the Real Estate and Beyond Network strongly believe in this philosophy.  

GARAGE SALES GREAT BARGAINS AND GREAT PLACES TO DO REAL ESTATE

It is that time of year again. I am starting to see garage sale signs all over the Phoenix area. How many people love garage sales? Personally, my wife and I have a garage sale one time per year in order to remove junk from our house. Plus, it shows our kids not to be pack rats. Furthermore, it is a great way to make a few hundred bucks in a few hours depending on what one has for sale.

We have been doing garage sales for the last seven years. It is a great way to meet people in your neighborhood. I have a stack of cards ready to hand out to every person who comes my way. Hey, it is my house so I pass out my card. I have received on great lead each year. Now, I have some people that  refer me because they met me at a garage sale.

It pays to clean! A garage sale is another great sign that people might be moving. So, I stop at a few garage sales as I am driving around on the weekend. I always ask the people their motivation for the sale. There are times when they are moving and they do not have a Realtor. Great place to obtain listings and buyers.

Tell us more about your experiences when you attend neighborhood garage sales.

TOP 9 TIPS WHEN FOR FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS PHOENIX REAL ESTATE MARKET

You are about to make what will most likely be the largest transaction of your life: your home mortgage. Unfortunately, many home buyers do not take the time to research some of the little but weighty intricacies of mortgages. Researching the mortgage process takes little time compared to the tens of thousands of dollars it could save you.

Doesn't it make sense to become as completely informed as possible before you buy your next home? This special report is designed to help you avoid nine common mistakes. Remember that the right lender can help you make good, sound business decisions based on your personal financial situation.

1. Find a Reputable Lender - This is the most important choice you can make when starting the mortgage process. If you don't trust your lender, you are in for a long and stressful home-buying experience.
   
   
2. Pricing - Don't be lured into a mortgage company strictly by promises of low rates. Find out how long the advertised rate is guaranteed for. Make sure there is enough time to close on your loan. Some companies may make these "promises" but will try changing the rate prior to closing. They may claim that your "lock-in" rate has expired so make sure you have the expiration date in writing. In some cases, the lender may even try to delay your closing to break the "lock-in" rate. In other cases the delay may be beyond the lender's control. Make sure to allow yourself plenty of time for closing. Delays in the process are common and everyone (builders, title companies, even yourself) is responsible.
   
   
3. Programs - You will see several programs that offer special low-interest rates. Keep in mind that they may not be the best program for your situation. Make your lender explain what programs they feel best serve your needs and more importantly, why.
   
   
4. Fixed or Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) - Conventional thinking is that fixed is always better and while this is sometimes true, it is not always the case. The key here is to ask, "How long am I going to live at this property?" An ARM can actually be a better choice if you are going to be in the home for a short time. The average for how long a first time homebuyer keeps their mortgage is less than four years. In general, the longer you plan on staying in your home, the better a fixed rate mortgage will suit your needs.
   
   
5. Don't try to bottom out the market - Deciding when to lock in to a mortgage rate can be difficult. Many people will float, trying to guess when rates have hit bottom. Unfortunately, a lot of times they will wait too long and end up with a much higher interest rate. There is nothing wrong with floating but keep a close eye on economic indicators. Your daily newspaper or even the nightly news can be an excellent source of information on the latest interest rate activity. As closing nears, it might be worth locking in.
   
   
6. Negotiate problems prior to closing - Its common for a problem to arise before closing. Waiting until closing will rarely be in your best interest. For instance, if you accept $400 at closing in lieu of the seller making a repair and after closing you find that the repair will actually cost $600, you've obviously made a poor decision. Whether the builder agreed to add an item and has not or the seller has made a repair that is not acceptable to you, discussing a solution prior to closing will give both parties time to analyze and determine options.
   
   
7. Be prepared for closing costs - In addition to the down payment, you will be required to pay fees and other closing costs at the time of the final transaction. Closing costs typically range from 2 percent to 6 percent but will be dependent upon your situation. Lenders must provide you with a "Good Faith Estimate." The "Good Faith Estimate" will breakdown all costs so that you may know what to expect at closing.
   
   
8. Close at the end of the month - When making a mortgage payment, you will be paying interest that has accrued from the previous month. Upon closing however, your lender will charge you prepaid interest for the date the loan is recorded through the end of that month. Therefore, one way to lower your closing costs is to close in the latter part of the month. This will lower the adeliajos of prepaid interest that you must pay.
   
   
9. Look out for hidden fees -- Check for certain miscellaneous fees such as inspection, notary, and document preparation. These types of fees can mean hundreds of dollars in closing costs. Remember that this is your money at stake. Never should you be afraid to ask for explanations of fees you are being charged.

Please let me know if the above tips help you. I like number 9.

WHAT ARE REASONS TO INVEST IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA REAL ESTATE MARKET TODAY?

Real estate investors are realizing much more attractive returns due to the multiple income streams from real estate investment that include the following:

Appreciation: The Greater Phoenix area has a track record of steady appreciation between 5-6% in a normal market based upon historical data. This is an automatic savings account for many people. The offers opportunity down the road as one holds onto the property as the value continues to appreciate. This provides to open a line of credit to invest in other investments offered by Real Estate and Beyond Network.

Rental Yield: The percentage yield from the rental income. This can be calculated as either gross or net. Experienced real estate investors use the net method.

Inflation: Inflation has a direct relationship with rents since rents increase as inflation increases. Mortgage payments are set in stone on a 30-year fixed mortgage. Currently, the Phoenix market is experiencing heavy foreclosure activity. There are plenty of renters here in the Valley of the Sun.

Leverage: If used correctly, this is one of the ways many people increase one's personal wealth. Leverage does involve risk that must be considered into the equation.

Principal Reduction: An investor will be in much great position if one uses the monthly cash flow to pay down the principal of the loan over a period of time. So, the principal of the loan decreases as the appreciation of the investment increases over time. Again, this is part of the leverage as discussed above.

Distressed Homes: Educated investors seek distressed properties to take advantage of the equity opportunity. The Real Estate and Beyond Network provides services to find, fix, finance and fill with a tenant. We have provided a one stop shop for our real estate investors. Please feel free to visit www.deliateam.com to search for homes.

Tax Advantages: One of your best partners in real estate is Uncle Sam. Everyone has an Uncle Sam on their side. The US Government forces all real estate investors to depreciate one's residential investment. Plus, one can deduct any expenses to the property such as any improvements, property management fees, closing costs, etc. The Real Estate and Beyond Network has a CPA to go over these tax advantages for every investor.

Retirement: The rules have changes on Wall Street. Many people are looking at real estate to be part of their retirement plans. However, many people shy away from real estate because one does not understand the power of real estate. The Real Estate and Beyond Network is here for you. We walk people from A to Z when it comes to real estate investing. Learn more on how to use Self Directed 401k monies to purchase real estate for retirement.

Leave a Legacy: Webster's dictionary defines legacy as money or property bequeathed to another by will. Tell me which parent does not want to better the next generation. We all strive for leaving a legacy. We at the Real Estate and Beyond Network strongly believe in this philosophy. One needs a team of advisors to reach this level. The Real Estate and Beyond Team is here to fulfill that void in one's life. Please listen to Harry D'Elia, host of the Real Estate and Beyond each Saturday from 12-2 Phoenix Time on KKNT 960AM or catch our podcast at www.deliateam.com.

TOP 5 STEPS TO TAKE WHEN MARKETING A VACANT HOME FOR SALE OR LEASE TO AVOID VANDALISM

We see many homes are vacant across the county. Also, many of them have been vandalized because they were vacant. I have seen many homes where the copper was pulled out along with the hot water heater and AC. The bank will not be able to sell a home without those things. Otherwise, the bank has to take a hit on the house to move the property. So, what is one to do? Please read over the simple suggestions to avoid vandalism on a vacant home:

1. Stage the home-put furniture in the house. One can hire a professional staging company or just purchase furniture from garage sales or other sources.
2. Lived-in look-Ask the neighbor to park their car in the driveway. People will think someone lives in the house.
3. Landscaping-Keep the landscaping up so the house has curb appeal and not neglect.
4. Paint-Paint the walls on the inside one neutral color to give it a new look.
5. Utilities-Keep the utilities on so one has electric and water to the house.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY?

BECOME THE LOCAL EXPERT BY POSTING ONLINE ARTICLES PHOENIX REAL ESTATE MARKET

I developed an overall social marketing plan for my business real estate. Yes, ActiveRain is part of my plan. However, I am writing articles to market my services at the same time. I have developed a list of areas to write articles on when it comes to real estate. Then, I submit the articles to different sites. My plan is to write two articles per week to submit. Then, I will have over 100 articles submitted over the course of a year on the Internet. Then, I will continue this strategy each year.

Here is a strategy that I am using to write articles at this time

1. Pick a subject and create bullet points as many as possible. This create an outline for you to create a simple outline. Then, write three to four sentences on each bullet point. Then, bring it all together to create an article. Edit and complete.
2. One must pick a strong title for the article to catch the eye of readers on the Internet. Key words are a must both in the title and throughout the article to ensure proper SEO rankings. One wants to be noticed for their expertise.
3. Quiet. Turn off all the distractions on one's life in order to focus on writing. It does take focus and dedication for this type of marketing strategy.

This is my strategy when writing articles on real estate. I will continue to share more successful techniques as I continue to perfect this marketing process. Please tell me some of your successful strategies so we can all continue to learn from one another.

FROM KINDERGARTEN TO REALTOR IT MAKES SENSE TO ME NOW

Here is an old black and white picture of me when I was actually in kindergarten. I still remember the first day like it was yesterday. I kissed my Mom on her cheek and told her I would see her later. I was not afraid like most of the kids in my class. I was a natural born networker on the first day of class. It seems I befriended everyone in the class within the first week. I had other kids following me on the playground. It felt very natural for me.

I learned the following basics that I learned in kindergarten in my business today:

1. It is OK to take a siesta during the day

2. First Impressions do mean something

3. Network Network Network

4. Take charge the first day and people will follow

5. Keep It Simple and Straight Forward

I have witnessed too many times that other Realtors make the real estate game too complicated for themselves. I truly believe that Real Estate is a Team Sport just like the great spirit we all felt in kindergarten. I still remember the first day when I learned to tie my own shoe laces. It was an accomplishment for me.

Another thing that I truly enjoyed was the cardboard building blocks that we played with in kindergarten. I would play with these blocks all the time. We were allowed to use our imagination and creativity in class compared to today. I believe that kids of today watch far too much television in my opinion. Personally, I do not own a TV in my house for this such reason. I want my kids to use their minds.

The blocks allowed us to build a structure and knock it down to start all over. This time we can build it better with a group of friends. I was able to develop teams and able to see others talents to ensure a WIN WIN. I do the same thing today in my real estate business.

Kindergarten was my best real estate class to this day.

I AM GOING TO WITHHOLD MY RENT UNTIL YOU MAKE THE FIX THE REQUESTED REPAIRS ARIZONA PROPERTY MANAGENEMT

The Phoenix rental market continues to rise as more and more people are forced to rent due to unemployment and bad credit. There are a number of people that are unable to obtain a conventional mortgage. The only other alternative for people is to RENT a Home. I have witnessed families coming off mortgage payments of $2,200 per month to $1,000 for monthly rent. There is a sense of relief for them.

We are in the heat of the summer here in Phoenix. Yes, air conditioners are a hot topic in the summer time when they do not work correctly. People become just irate when the A/C goes down. Luckily, we are able to respond quickly with our contacts in the field. We do our best to make things happen.

I received a phone call last week from a tenant that report her A/C out and expected us to get someone to her house that day. I informed her that I will do the best I can. The temperature hit 110 degrees that day. We had four other A/C units down that day. I explained this to the tenant. Then, she threatened not to pay the rent for the time of her inconvenience. I listened to her patiently while she explained to me her frustration.

The lease clearly states that tenants are to inform us of all repair requests in writing so we can respond them. Tenants are not allowed to hire their own repairman and expect to be reimbursed. Many times the part has a warranty on it or we can obtain better pricing from our source of contacts.

Stay calm and we will dispatch someone right away to ensure that the A/C is fixed so you stay COOL.

TOP 10 REASONS TO BECOME A ACTIVERAIN BLOGGER HAVE BLOG?

I have developed the TOP 10 REASONS TO BLOG ON ACTIVERAIN. I was one of those people that did not really give ActiveRain a chance. I told myself every excuse in the book on reasons not to blog such as

• Not enough time
• Nothing to write about
• Nobody will read my material
• Waste of time
• Do not really understand the concept of blogging

I am sure many of us went through these negative emotions when introduced to ActiveRain. Hey, it is new to all of us. However, I decided to do more research on blogging and the reasons to start a blog. Boy, I was missing the mark. The only ways I advertise at the current time is radio, Internet and referrals. Print advertising does not work for me at this time. So, I was missing the boat. That is when I discovered ActiveRain. I was hooked on it right away. It has become part of my social networking plan.

TOP 10 REASONS TO BLOG ON ACTIVERAIN

1. Express ones viewpoints to other people
2. To Become Local Real Expert On-line
3. Network with other professionals around North America
4. To honestly help other people
5. Learn from others from their blogs
6. Keep up to date with national and local news
7. To make money
8. Have fun and be creative in blog entries
9. Obtain better search engine rankings
10. Blogging and coffee go great together