Self Improvement Site
On The Internet! Take the Self Improvement Tour
On The Internet! Take the Self Improvement Tour
Real Estate Articles
We are currently looking for an Official SelfGrowth.com Guide to "Real Estate". If you have expertise in Real Estate and your own website and/or product for this topic, please review this form for complete details. The Official Guide Position is part of our Premium Placement Package
- ***Beyond Location: A Potent Way to Boost the Value of Investment Properties - by Submitted on Apr 13, 2009 from John AOVWhen you investigate properties to buy, look ahead. What will their neighborhoods look like in the years and decades to come? Take a close look at what needs improving, because the problems you see are opportunities. The more of them you can correct, the faster your property values will soar. ...
Views: 484 - ***Avoid the Mistakes that Kill First-Time Property Investors - by Submitted on Apr 13, 2009 from John AOVIs it a great time to invest in real estate? Or is it a terrible time? Today and every day, those are difficult questions to answer. Some things are bad about the current market ... we’ve all read that housing starts are down and that there are many houses sitting unsold on the market. But we ...
Views: 662 - ***How to Make Banks Want to Loan You Money - by Submitted on Apr 13, 2009 from John AOVA power strategy from the pages of George H. Ross’s book, Trump Strategies for Real Estate George Ross, Senior Counsel for The Trump Organization, is a formidable negotiator and businessman. In his book Trump Strategies for Real Estate, he sets out this simple strategy that can actually make ...
Views: 621 - ***Don't Let Mold Steal Your Real Estate Riches - by Submitted on Apr 13, 2009 from John AOVBack in 1997, a copper pipe burst in the wall of one of my properties. My plumber and I tore the wall open. He patched the leak. I let the hole stay open for about a month before I closed it up again. I repainted the room and moved on to the next job. Then a few of my friends started asking me ...
Views: 549 - ***Dig Big Profits from Properties that Other Investors Ignore - by Submitted on Apr 13, 2009 from John AOV“I have been doing great during the recent slump,” a Michigan-based developer named Jonathan told me recently. “I buy, renovate and resell one and two-family residential houses in inner cities. Other developers ignore these properties and prefer to work in more upscale locales. But there are ...
Views: 738 - ***The Five Critical Habits of Real Estate Success - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2009 from John AOVIn his book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen R. Covey observed that a lot of our success is built on the small habits that we cultivate daily. That principle applies to real estate investing too. If you observe successful real estate investors and developers, you will see ...
Views: 534 - ***Spot Real Estate Opportunities the Donald Trump Way - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2009 from John AOV“Education, research, knowledge - learning in general - are at the core of my success.” - Donald J. Trump We’ve been working on a new book here at Trump University, Trump University Wealth 101. It won’t be published for a few months, but I didn’t want to make you wait that long to learn some ...
Views: 521 - ***Property Selling Secrets of the Masters - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2009 from John AOVWhat is the best way to sell a property today? Keep it simple. The more unsettled the market becomes, the more important it is to stick to the basics. Identify your ideal customers. Are they young couples just starting out, baby boomers nearing retirement age, or something else? Identify ...
Views: 547 - ***Leverage Huge Profits in Multi-Families and Multi-Units - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2009 from John AOVIn response to my post of May 6, Trump University Member 8230 posed a question that will interest all our members: “Three years ago I decided to expand a small one-room business into a four-room Day Spa in the No. VA area. I spent my own money with not much wiggle room financially. I have seven ...
Views: 486 - ***Don't Let Foreclosure Riches Pass You By - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2009 from John AOVEvery day brings new data about the current foreclosure boom. Just yesterday, Foreclosure Bank released statistics indicating that property foreclosures across the 50 states are running at a rate 46% greater than last year at this time. And during the first quarter of 2007, foreclosures rose ...
Views: 477 - ***No-Fail Financing Strategies for Today's Market - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2009 from John AOVWhen history books are written, the year 2007 will probably be called “The year of real estate upheaval.” First there was all the talk about the real estate bubble. Then came the subprime lending crisis, followed by a surge in the number of foreclosed properties hitting the market. Then just ...
Views: 611 - ***There's More Profit in Multi-Unit Properties - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2009 from John AOVFor some great insights about why multi-unit properties offer great investment opportunities, I urge you to read last Friday’s post on this blog. But to invest safely, you also need to be aware of the risks. If you fail to ask these questions before going into a deal, you could be making a very ...
Views: 623 - ***Don't Be the Missing Link - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2009 from John AOVI had a conversation last month with the programming director of a radio station in Boston. He was complaining about how difficult it is to convince companies to advertise on his station. “Why is it so tough?” I asked. “Because we have no way to document how many people actually hear the ads ...
Views: 447 - ***Winning Real Estate Strategies for Uncertain Times - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2009 from John AOVHow do the smartest real estate investors minimize their risks in uncertain times? “Five Ways to Reduce Commercial Real Estate Risks” an article by Will Moore on Pacific Security Capital’s Website, offers some excellent ideas. Although the article is written from the perspective of a company ...
Views: 533 - ***Profitable Lessons from Multi-Unit Foreclosures - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2009 from John AOVA real estate developer I know said something interesting to me last week. “Virtually all the foreclosed properties out there are single-family homes or condos,” he said. “If you can find me more than a handful of foreclosed multi-unit properties, I’ll eat my shirt. It’s because people almost ...
Views: 630 - ***Marketing Secrets for Real Estate Success - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2009 from John AOV“I don’t just build to a market. I create the market. I deliver to my customers more than they expect.” - Donald J. Trump The secret of marketing properties all comes down to three letters: MVP. If you make the property you have to sell into an MVP, you will sell it quickly and profitably. So ...
Views: 459 - ***The Art of Negotiation - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2009 from John AOVPower is the ability to convince people to accept your ideas. Negotiation is a form of convincing. Power is ability. Ability is the result of practice and application. Think about these things carefully and let them sink in. After you have, remember this one: If you have them by the balls, their ...
Views: 501 - ***Don't Invest in an Insolvent Community - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2009 from John AOVHow solvent is the community where you are planning to invest in real estate? Some cities, counties, and states throughout the United States are incurring revenue shortfall. The results are usually the same: higher taxes and cutbacks in schools, libraries, street repairs, fire and police, and ...
Views: 566 - ***Why a Real Estate Mentor Could Be the Key to Real Estate Riches - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2009 from John AOVWhen people ask our Chairman Donald J. Trump to name the person who had the greatest influence on him, his answer is always the same. Mr. Trump always says that it was his father, Fred Trump, who offered him the greatest advice, encouragement and support. In other words, Fred Trump was a great ...
Views: 621 - ***Thinking About Refinancing? Maybe It's Time to Think Again - by Submitted on Apr 12, 2009 from John AOVJust 25 years ago, most homeowners optimistically counted off the years and months that would pass before they could pay off their home loans. Take out a second mortgage (as home equity loans were then called) - unthinkable! Only dire emergencies could force such imprudent borrowing. That’s why ...
Views: 523 - ***Quick Ways to Change the Appearance of Property - by Submitted on Apr 09, 2009 from John AOVI tell my clients that there are 2 things that we can’t cost effectively change to make their property more desirable when trying to sell an investment property...location & floor plan. Everything else is fixable. If you bought a property in an undesirable location and are trying to sell you ...
Views: 456 - ***Real Estate 101: Why Banks Short Sell Pre-Foreclosure - by Submitted on Apr 09, 2009 from John AOVLast month I was coaching about a hundred or so seasoned real estate agents on how to buy and sell pre-foreclosures. It occurred to me that for most, it was a mystery that the best deals are found before the bank forecloses rather than after. The reason this happens is that not only in today’s ...
Views: 617 - ***You Asked for a Powerful New Way to Find Foreclosures . . . And Here it Is! - by Submitted on Apr 09, 2009 from John AOV“I hate the feeling that foreclosure opportunities are slipping through my fingers daily,” a young real estate investor named Joanne told me lately. “A few years ago, I knew just where to go to locate promising foreclosed and pre-foreclosed properties. But with the current explosion in ...
Views: 585 - Uncle Sam Wants to Pay 10% of Your New Home Loan - by Submitted on Apr 09, 2009 from Krista ScruggsIf 2009 is the year of your first home purchase, then Uncle Sam is ready to give you a gift that equals up to 10% of your entire purchase price. Known as the homeowner tax credit, the Obama Administration has finally figured out a way to make home buying a much more delectable proposition. Add ...
Views: 589 - What the Obama Administration Offers to Do For Homeowners - by Submitted on Apr 08, 2009 from Krista ScruggsBailouts are in the news every single day, but more and more homeowners and those hoping to qualify for a mortgage loan any time soon are wondering what is in it for them. When Treasury Secretary Geithner finally came out with a mortgage plan and bank bailout scheme, it seemed like it might have ...
Views: 464 - Handy Tips for the Real Estate Investor - by Submitted on Apr 07, 2009 from San UniverseReal estate investing is one of the fastest growing industries in the world today. Though to a substantial extent the global economic recession has hit the industry, the future looks bright and thus as a real estate investor, you stand to continue gaining in the long term. In fact, some wise ...
Views: 466 - A Guide to Real Estate Investing - by Submitted on Apr 07, 2009 from San UniverseOne of the best and rapidly growing investment options is real estate investment. If you wish to put your extra wealth into a venture which is bound to appreciate with time, then the housing sector is the best choice. Real estate is an investment dream which if it comes true, the returns are ...
Views: 502 - Investing in Real Estate Made Easy - by Submitted on Apr 07, 2009 from San UniverseOwning a home has always and still stands as a priority to many. Over the years, real estate has become a hive with many people looking to take a deep into the world of real estate investment. Presently real estate investing has sky rocketed with the diversity in homes and the favorable ...
Views: 506 - ***Think You Don't Want to Be a Landlord? Maybe You Should Think Again - by Submitted on Apr 07, 2009 from John AOVIn the eyes of many potential investors, owning rental properties entails too much hassle. “I’d never invest in property,” some say. “Who wants to get called out at 2 a.m. to fix a stopped-up toilet?” No doubt, if you self-manage real estate, you will get those unpleasant calls. You will put ...
Views: 517 - ***Two Reasons Why Real Estate Outperforms All Other Investments - Even Today - by Submitted on Apr 07, 2009 from John AOVSince the late 1990s, sharp increases in property prices, along with a corresponding relative decline in cash flows and rental yields, have led the major media to persistently babble about real estate “bubbles.” Taking a cue from these misguided journalistic missives, many people now believe ...
Views: 527 - ***People (Not Property!) Cause Real Estate Losses - by Submitted on Apr 07, 2009 from John AOVExperience testifies to the low-risk nature of property investments. However, you shouldn’t naively interpret the words “low risk” to mean “no risk worth noticing.” Tens of thousands of homebuyers and property investors, often speculators, have lost vast sums of money in real estate. And these ...
Views: 481 - ***Investing in Foreclosures? The Fundamentals Still Apply - by Submitted on Apr 07, 2009 from John AOVWhen you’re buying foreclosed properties, you can throw away all the classic wisdom about real estate investing, right? It’s a whole new world with new rules. No, wrong. The fundamental rules apply, only moreso. Let’s take a closer look. Rule One: Foreclosure or not, location is still of prime ...
Views: 487 - ***Taxes: Do You Really Know What You're Up Against? - by Submitted on Apr 07, 2009 from John AOVEye-opening financial wisdom from Trump University Asset Protection 101, the latest book from Trump University Many of us spend more on taxes each year than on food, clothing, and shelter combined. Yet, amazingly, we really don’t know much about taxes. If you’ve received a paycheck, you know ...
Views: 535 - *** Investing Tactics to Navigate Wisely in All Types of Real Estate Markets - by Submitted on Apr 07, 2009 from John AOVLast week Levitt & Sons, the homebuilder whose Levittown developments were the emblems of America's postwar economic boom, filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy for reorganization - and its fate as a continuing business remains in limbo. Here's how David Streifeld in the International Herald Tribune ...
Views: 563 - *** In Real Estate, the Wisest Negotiators Always Win - by Submitted on Apr 07, 2009 from John AOVWhen most people hear the word negotiation, they usually picture stone-faced adversaries who glare at each other across a conference table and argue over every little point. That's not how I work. A better example is how I went about buying 40 Wall Street. I was interested in acquiring 40 ...
Views: 576 - *** Tax-Slashing Secrets for Real Estate Wealth - by Submitted on Apr 07, 2009 from John AOVThere are very few business opportunities that allow you to build wealth without paying taxes - and then subsequently pay reduced rates when the time comes to settle up with Uncle Sam. Real estate, however, is a prime exception. Today I will focus on two strategies that can slash the taxes you ...
Views: 615 - *** Real Estate Investing: Beware of Red Flags - by Submitted on Apr 07, 2009 from John AOV“On this April Fool’s day, vow never to become the fool.” - Gary Eldred, PhD Although I love real estate and believe it offers most people their best opportunity to become wealthy, no one should assume that every great-sounding offer actually represents a great deal. In fact, investors are ...
Views: 696 - *** Defend Yourself from Scams and Flimflams - by Submitted on Apr 07, 2009 from John AOV"I went to a foreclosure auction the other day," said a woman who called our offices last week. "And do you know what? There was no point in bidding on any of the houses, because they were the same ones that I had already seen on realtors’ Websites and in newspapers. Other people didn't seem to ...
Views: 686 - *** Starting a Business? Why Not a Real Estate Business? - by Submitted on Apr 07, 2009 from John AOVWant success on your own terms? Consider this unique path to success. When prospective students call Trump University to inquire about our classes in entrepreneurship, our admissions counselors always ask, “What kind of business do you have in mind?” Most often, the replies are like these: ...
Views: 557 - *** Yes! You Can Use Your Retirement Funds to Buy Real Estate - by Submitted on Apr 07, 2009 from John AOVMany people are surprised to learn that a retirement plan such as an IRA or 401(k) has the flexibility to own real estate. If you're one of those people, don't feel bad. You're certainly not alone! Currently, more than 90 percent of all retirement plans hold nothing but “traditional” assets ...
Views: 620 - *** How to Have the Government Pay Your Rent - by Submitted on Apr 07, 2009 from John AOVThe Power of Section 8 Housing How would you like to own rental property where all or most of the monthly rent comes to you by check from the government? If that idea appeals to you, welcome to Section 8 housing! Section 8 is a program setup by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban ...
Views: 2185 - *** Valuing Commercial Real Estate - by Submitted on Apr 07, 2009 from John AOVIt’s Based on Cash Flow, not Comps If you’ve ever bought a house, you know how it works. The value of the house is almost always based on comparable sales. Comparable sales--or “comps,” as they are called--are homes similar in location, square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, lot ...
Views: 724 - *** You Can Do Well by Doing Good - by Submitted on Apr 06, 2009 from John AOVArizona's housing crisis was deepening. Homeowners were losing their houses. But that got Kevin Andrews thinking. Andrews, a Trump University real estate student, started to wonder whether he could help homeowners and help himself at the same time. And then he hit on a way. Kevin heard about a ...
Views: 835(85 votes) - The Market is for Sale ... at Great Prices - by Submitted on Apr 06, 2009 from Marcus BanksThe commercial real estate industry is looking at some of the worst times ahead of itself. The market trends show downward pressure on prices and an increase in the capitalization rate. This is just one element of the positive movement in the industry for potential investors. With prices ...
Views: 502 - Tips on Buying Your First Investment Property - by Submitted on Mar 31, 2009 from Jon SwireAre you finally ready to take the plunge and buy your first investment property? Have you finally saved enough money to start investing in real estate, but don’t know where to begin? If so, you’re going to want to read these tips on what to buy and where to start to maximize your ...
Views: 748 - Taking Advantage of Today’s Real Estate Market - by Submitted on Mar 31, 2009 from Jon SwireThe old adage ‘Buy Low and Sell High’ has never been truer. Real estate prices around the country have fallen to 2002 levels and below, and with interest rates at historic lows, there’s never been a better time to invest in real estate. Tomorrow’s fortunes will be made today. For many long time ...
Views: 570 - Rental Property Deductions - Tremendous Tax Savings! - by Submitted on Mar 30, 2009 from Timothy DereyThese tips on rental property deductions that we're going to share with you will provide you with an immense tax shelter. You'll see that there are several tax deductions that you can take by owning even one rental property. I know this because I've owned rental properties for several years and ...
Views: 1480(2 votes) - Put Some Focus on Your Focal Points - by Submitted on Mar 27, 2009 from Colette RobicheauA focal point is the element in the room which the eye is drawn to as soon as you enter the room. Every room must have a focal point because it makes the room complete and creates purpose. If a room does not have a built in focal point, for instance a picture window, you can create one yourself. ...
Views: 694 - Bringing Your Basement to Life - by Submitted on Mar 27, 2009 from Colette RobicheauPeople don’t always spend a generous amount of time in their basement and therefore, it often doesn’t get the attention it deserves. This often carries through when the home is for sale. Research shows us that kitchens, bathrooms and living rooms are main areas of interest to buyers, so when we ...
Views: 784 - Working With Your Home's Positive Features - by Submitted on Mar 27, 2009 from Colette RobicheauHighlight and draw attention to elements in the home, such as a great view, architectural details, even repairs, renovations or equipment upgrades. Your kitchen and bathroom are prime selling opportunities, so pay special attention to these areas. For example, keep your kitchen counters clear of ...
Views: 698