I think I was about 40 when I had the epiphany that super-charged my life. I didn’t need to save a massive nest egg to retire, I just needed enough monthly, passive income to exceed the amount of my monthly bills.
Once I achieved that, I’d be free of jobs and work schedules forever. No commute, no kooky bosses or coworkers.

If you have enough experience investing in real estate, you can make money almost anywhere.
But there are always places that are better or worse for real estate investing…

You shouldn’t think the home’s curb appeal is irresistible, its countertops are gorgeous, and its amenities are impeccable. In fact, you should probably think everything about it is ugly and tacky.
View the house similar to how an artist looks at a blank canvas: full of potential. A good investment is one that’s forward-thinking.

The Credit Crisis has impacted housing price movements somewhat like a Yo-Yo toy, swinging from peak highs to peak lows in short periods of time.
Some regions have rebounded quite strongly, while other regions are still struggling to get closer to their once peak-price highs of the past decade or so. Let’s take a look…

We’ve seen an increase in the number of Millennials (those born after 1980) investing in real estate. This has some of us wondering, why and how?
It also has many of us exploring the channels that enable Millennials to invest and the new resulting opportunities for all players in the real estate industry.

The latest advances in technology have given birth to a flock of web-based startups, simplifying processes and saving time.
The real estate industry is finally catching up with innovation and there are now several startups offering diverse services, making real estate easier, and contributing to one of the leading industries in the world.

In December 2015, President Obama signed into law the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015.
The bill eases 35-year-old restrictions on foreign investment in U.S. real estate and is expected to increase the amount of foreign money flowing into U.S. real estate investment trusts (REITs).

It’s amazing how utterly uninformed the general public is about real estate investing and what it means to be a real estate investor.
Here’s a list of some common misconceptions about real estate investing and the people who earn a living or grow their retirement by investing in real estate.
Let’s take a look at these misconceptions, and contrast them with the facts…

TRID is The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s “Know Before You Owe” TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure form.
Any time new paperwork is added to mortgage and real estate closings, it takes some time to learn:
1. How to best complete the forms, and
2. How to explain the new forms to clients or other investors
U.S. home sales slowed in November 2015 – partly as a result of the new TRID paperwork traffic gridlock, which reduced the number of closings.

Real estate was on a fairly smooth ride for the majority of 2015, despite warnings that another housing bubble is imminent.
With the arrival of 2016, it’s a good time to take a look at where the market is headed over the next twelve months. Here are some of the trends we can expect to see unfold…

What is the magic pixie dust that successful investors have found that makes it so easy for them?
I have some news for you: There is no magic pixie dust, and there is no get rich quick button.
Success comes from commitment to small steps, repeated each and every day of the year.

The #1 location that supports the highest property values is adjacent to a large body of water, such as an ocean, lake, river, stream, or wetlands region.
Ironically, water can also cause the most damage to real estate due to flooding, mold, and storms. As such, water can be a property’s best ally or worst foe…

One thing I’ve learned over the years and after closing hundreds of deals is that there are ways to cut down the amount of offers you write and save yourself a lot of time.
But there’s much more to this strategy than saving time. You’re building trust and rapport with the sellers, which will increase the likelihood of them signing your offer!

Population trends, job growth, and access to capital are three of the primary catalysts for any type of boom or bust housing cycle. Money and jobs attract people. People need a place to live.
So pay attention the numbers, such as home values, vacancy rates, and most importantly, the direction of the population…

One of the biggest reasons for failing to put a contract together with motivated sellers is that they’re not realistic on price. For one reason or another, they feel that their house is worth much more than it is.
You really can’t blame them. They are most likely uninformed and looking out for their own best interest–to get the most money possible.

In recent years, dramatically falling interest rates, housing inventory, vacancy rates, and cap rates have lead to rising residential and commercial values because they’re inverse to one another–like a see saw on the playground.
Let’s enjoy the good times…

Landlords and “fix and flip” investors upgrade their properties to increase profitability before acquiring tenants or selling units.
Rather than overspending on large or unnecessary improvements, make small updates to your investment properties and reap the monetary rewards through increased rents or higher list prices.
Consider these five upgrades….

Can you feel safe investing in the Dow Jones Index, which has increased by approximately 10,000 points in just the last 5 years since hitting market lows near 6,500 in 2009?
Real estate offers a better combination of higher potential upside and much better collateral investment protection during sluggish economic times compared to stocks, bonds, banks, or other investments. Find out why….