Real Estate and Beyond Blog: California

POSTCARD MARKETING TO GENERATE ADDITIONAL REAL ESTATE BUSINESS

There are so many ways to market oneself in the real estate market. I remember when I first got into the business ten years ago. I spent money on anything that would get my name out there such as

• Print ads
• Ads in real estate section
• Shopping carts
• Web site
• Purchase leads
• Phone book

Luckily, I had a great mentor when I started the business or I would of been broke by spending too much money in marketing myself. The key is to develop a REALISTIC business plan for the year, Then, implement the plan with some adjustments during the year to reflect the true picture of that time.

Currently, the only advertising I currently do is focused on the Internet. I am staying away from print ads at the current time. I am able to reach more people on the Internet at a much lower price versus print ads. Again, this is my business plan. If print ads work for you, then keep doing it.

I have decided to get back into strategic postcard marketing to develop more Phoenix Property Management business. Properties R Us LLC offers full service Phoenix Property Management for $60 per month per door. One can have access to their account 24/7 along with a full service repairs department to cater to tenants needs. We have truly created the one stop shop for Phoenix Real Estate Investors and Beyond.

We will do property management on the following

• Single family homes
• 2,3, and 4 multiplexes
• 4+ multiplexes

We conducted a search for 2+ multiplex units around our office. We discovered there were about 1,800 of them just around the office. Wow, that was quite the number just around our office. We own our zip code when it comes to property management. What if we had a 2% conversion rate on 1,800? That would be 36 new customers in a 90 day span of time. Does postcard marketing really work? Yes, postcard marketing does work when it is done strategically and the postcard is well designed to capture the reader's attention.

My target market will be focused on investors that own property that live outside of Arizona. The two biggest investors in the Arizona real estate market currently are from California and Canada. Many people do not know who to contact for real estate services. I have a system in place and will start implementing today. The first 150 postcards will be going out today.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO CREATE MORE BUSINESS?

PHOENIX PROPERTY MANAGEMENT FOR 401K REAL ESTATE INVESTING SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

Many real estate investors are pulling their money out of WALL STREET and investing in MAIN STREET. They are purchasing single family homes with their self directed 401k monies. Statistics suggest that only 1% of all 401k monies is invested in real estate. That is an astonishing fact. Real estate investors must use Phoenix Property Management when investing in single family homes here in the Phoenix real estate market.

Many people have lost up to 50% of their total investments. People are looking for alternative investments to obtain a better rate of return. What is the answer? The answer is real estate. I have many people call into my radio show wanting more information on how to use their retirement accounts to invest in real estate. We give people true checkbook control over their money.

Self Directed Retirement Plans's flexible retirement plans have the following features:

• Investment Options - with Self Directed Retirement Plans, you can invest your retirement plan in real estate, tax liens, loans, local businesses, stocks, mutual funds and a host of other options. You are only limited by your imagination! Self Directed Retirement Plans TRUE Self-Directed IRA or 401(k) offers you greater opportunity by allowing you to choose the investments that are best suited to help you meet your retirement goals.
• Checkbook Control - Self Directed Retirement Plans structures your IRA or 401(k) so that you have checkbook control over your retirement plan assets. No more begging a broker to allow you to invest your own money. You are in total control. Participate in time sensitive investments, including foreclosures and tax liens, without the time restrictions of the custodial paperwork process.
• Limited Custodial Fees - Unlike many of our competitors, Self Directed Retirement Plans's fees are not based on the size of your account or on the number of assets it holds. Regardless of the account size, our IRA clients pay the same low custodial maintenance fee of $190 per year. In addition, Self Directed Retirement Plans's structure all but eliminates transnational, asset-based and holding fees. This can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars per year (when compared to our competitors).
• Support to Succeed - With Self Directed Retirement Plans you have access to the support you need to invest confidently. Self Directed Retirement Plans and its affiliates have set up hundreds of people with their own Self-Directed retirement plan. Our tax experts are available to review any transactions you are considering for adherence to tax law guidelines.....this ensures that you don't do anything that would endanger your retirement.
• Asset Protection - In many states, IRA assets are subject to the claims of predatory creditors. If properly structured, your IRA can build a financial fortress around your hard earned wealth.
• True Diversification - Your retirement holdings can now be truly diversified in a number of different assets. No longer are you limited to only the investments your custodian offers.

We have lender who will lend up to 50% on a residential property on a non-recourse loan. The minimum loan amount is $50,000. So, the purchase price will have to be $100,000 or more to meet the $50,000 minimum loan amount. If you have further questions, please visit my web site at www.deliateam.com or view my profile to contact me directly.

HARRY'S TOP 10 WAYS TO MARKETING ME IN REAL ESTATE

How many phone calls do you receive on a weekly basis from people trying to sell us something? I honestly receive about four phone calls per week. Where do they obtain our information? Well, they get our information for social media web sites such as ActiveRain and Face-book to name a couple out there. Companies use these web sites for farming purposes. They stick a person making $10 per hour to call people like us to see if we want to purchase X. Do you like receiving these calls? What do you say when they call you?

Realtors spend a lot of money on useless marketing. We are all trying to find something that works in this market. How many people would agree with this statement? Here is my advice to you.

1. Develop a niche in your local market
2. Create a one stop for real estate investing with Network of professionals
3. Each network professional refers each other's services within the group
4. Stay consistent with your brand message
5. Network Network Network
6. Create a database to send out monthly newsletters, hot properties, and invites to workshops
7. Follow up with past customers
8. Send thank you notes
9. Attend workshop on real estate and network with other Realtors
10. Blog on ActiveRain and meet great people around America

I have implemented these strategies into my real estate business along with starting a radio show focused on real estate investing. I like #10 myself.

Which number best describes you and your real estate business?

LIKE TO ORDER ONE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY AND CHANGE THE LOCKS TODAY

Our company receives many distressed phone calls from out of state owners on a monthly basis to take over their property to manage professionally. I have written many blog posts about DO IT YOURSELF LANDLORDS that manage the property from out of state. They instruct the tenant to deposit the monthly rent into a local bank account. Everything goes great when the tenant pays the rent. The fun times begin with the tenant stops paying the rent for the following reasons

• Loss of job
• Divorce
• Been arrested
• Ran out of money
• Major disruption like car broke down so spent money to repair vehicle

WHEN THE CAT(LANDLORD) IS AWAY, THEN THE MICE(TENANTS) WILL PAY

I received a call from a out of state owner describing to me that he just evicted a tenant from his property due to failure to pay rent for three months. Then, he went on to tell me that the tenant left the front door open. He found this information by the next store neighbor. Perhaps, the next store neighbor would like to manage the property. This strategy has worked to this point. The investor was worried about his asset being destroyed.

I calmed the individual down like a professional I told him here was the action plan

• Send a technician for Properties R Us to change the locks
• Obtain a bid to make this place rent ready
• Take exterior and interior pictures of the home
• Sign one year property management agreement
• Market rental before Friday for weekend traffic

We completed this steps within two hours of owner doing an electronic signature by Docusign to make me the official new property manager of this unit. Folks! It is as easy as ordering a HAPPY MEAL FROM MCDONALD'S. I sensed the owner was very relieved that we would have a sense of urgency via the phone.

PHOENIX PROPERTY MANAGEMENT $60 PER MONTH PER DOOR

ARIZONA SHORT SALE SELLER MUST MOVE BEFORE CLOSE OF ESCROW ONE DAY LEFT OR NO DEAL

There is never a dull moment when it comes to Arizona Real Estate. Let me tell you a quick story when it comes to closing on an Arizona Short Sale transaction. The real estate investor was purchasing this home as a rental. The sellers were husband and wife who were obtaining a divorce. They wanted to complete the short sale so they could get the house out of their names. OK! The bank accepted the offer.

The listing agent calls me about two weeks before closing stating that the ex-wife would like to know if she could stay in the home to rent from my investor. My first response to her question was NO. It clearly states from the bank addendum that the previous owner cannot rent back house from new owner. She will need to find another place to live.

We have a week to close this deal and the ex wife is still in the home. I informed the listing agent that we cannot close on this deal until this person has vacated the home. We have until close of business day on August 31, 2011 to close this deal or we have no deal. You got it! The ex wife did not start moving from this home until the day before to zing it to her ex husband. The buyer did not want to deal with this mess after the closing.

Here are some pictures of the final walk through taken by me Harry Delia

This picture was taken at 1:00pm

Food was all over the counter and floor

Beer cans in the backyard

Yes, we did close the deal that day. I had the locks changed at 5:01PM for the new owner. It was just another normal day in Arizona Real Estate Short Sales.

FIRST TIME HOME BUYER CHECKLIST FOR PURCHASING ARIZONA FORECLOSURES

I have represented many homebuyers in my real estate career. I consider the home inspection vital during the buyer's due diligence period when purchasing a house. The purchase of a home is the biggest investments people make in their lifetimes. Currently, we are in the middle of a foreclosure nightmare. Banks are selling foreclosed homes "AS-IS." Banks will not make any repairs to the house. So, one must be extra careful when purchasing a house from a bank.  A home inspection gives the buyer a piece of mind knowing what one is walking into before signing one's life away at title. The home inspector will develop a detailed report on the house. The realtor and buyer will review the entire to see if the they are able to take on the house if repairs are needed to the house. A buyer becomes aware of its condition and alerting them to any concerns. This reduces a lot of stress for the buyer. He/she are not walking in blinded. T

The Real Estate and Beyond Network has a direct relationship with 360 DevCo-General Contractor to review any major mechanical, safety or structural issues to the house. One can have confidence knowing that there are a team of professionals with them at every step of the way when either purchasing a house either as a primary or investment.

Here are the benefits of a home inspection below:

• No Surprises: All major problems are discovered during the home inspection
• Knowledge: Fully aware of any potential hazards before purchasing the home
• Savings: A complete home inspection runs around $300. This is money well spent on a detailed report of needed repairs to be made to the house before one owns it.
• Education: The home inspector will walk the entire house with the buyers to educate them on the entire interior and exterior of the home. The home inspector will show one where the main shutoff valves for utilities in case of an emergency.  

Do you know any good home inspectors?

The Real Estate and Beyond Network has developed a solid relationship with Double Tree Home Inspection Services here in Phoenix, AZ. Eric Villaverde has gained respect amongst his peers in the home inspection industry. He is one of the few licensed and bonded home inspectors that offer infrared technology during a home inspection. The infrared camera allows one to see what is behind the walls and ceilings of a house to discover the unknown. This is a huge advantage to the homeowner before purchasing the house. This allows the homeowner to negotiate with the seller to either fix or reduce the agreed upon purchase price or even back out of the contract with the known material fact. Please visit Eric's web site at http://www.doubletreeinspectionsofaz.com/

Do I need a home inspection if I am buying a new home?

Yes, I always recommend a home inspection whether the house is new or not. The builder is able to fix any and all known items on the home inspection list. Also, many builders will warranty up to one year on a new house. So, I call up my buyers in the eleventh month to remind them that their warranty is coming up and encourage them to conduct a home inspection. Some builders here in the Phoenix Valley have been known to take short cuts to keep up with demand during the Housing Boom.

The home inspector can conduct an inspector before the drywall is up. This provides a high level of inspection that most new home builders do not offer to the buyer. There is a greater chance of identifying defects at this point in time. Also, it is easier for the builder to fix at this time. It is a win-win for both sides of the transaction. I have read about people purchasing a new home. Then, six months later the builder must rip into the wall because of a defect found by the buyer after living in the house. Yes, one has a warranty on the house. However, this is also an inconvenience not needed for the family since everyone lives busy lives.