Here is my somewhat brief overview of how I go about looking to invest in smaller multi unit real estate. Some questions to start if you don’t mind. Knowing not your level of experience my apologies ahead of time if I sound too basic or advanced.

* -Do you own any multi’s now or will this be your first one?
* -Do you currently own any property?
* -Are you thinking owner occupied or strictly investment?
* -How would you rank these following items in order of priority?(Location, Price, Cash Flow, Appreciation, Quality of the units, Size of the Units)

I believe good opportunities can still be found in and around Portand Maine, but there is much to weigh and analyze in determining a good deal from a bad deal. My analysis starts simply at $100K per unit. From this point I weigh in many variables subtracting and adding value to this number to determine if the deal is priced fairly, what the upside potential may be and most importantly does it fit my agenda.

The basic variables:

* -Physical Location, the surrounding buildings, the desirability of the location (What is your target rental demographic?)
* -Systems (Heating/Plumbing/Electrical/Sewer),
* -Building (Siding/Roof/Foundation/Windows),
* -Units (Cosmetics, Floors, Walls, KItchens, Baths, Sq. Footage, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, Layout, etc)

The numbers

* -Utility costs – Heat, Electric, Water/Sewar- Are utilities include or paid by tenant?
* -Real Estate Taxes -Debt service – What is your loan amount? What is your rate?
* -Repair and Vacancy Reserves, Capital Account, Leasing Costs
* -The ratios: Cap rate, NOI (Net Operating Income), Gross Margins, ROE (Return on Equity)

In Rent To Own Real Estate the key is to find a motivated seller, once we have found the motivated seller and pre-screen them on the phone, we set the appointment and go see the house. On the day of the appointment, you want to call and confirm the appointment so you don’t waste your time driving to the property and seller isn’t there. The only thing you take in the house is your business card. Leave everything else in the car.

Ask the seller to show you around the house. If they tell you to just look around, ask them to give you the nickel tour. The intent is to view the house with them and build rapport with them.

* People only do Business with people they Like and Trust, you must make this connection before negotiating on their most expensive investment.

Look at their pictures, and nick-knacks for ideas to ask them questions to get them to talk to you. People only do business with people they like and trust. You can only do this by building rapport. Let them answer your questions and then respond to what they told you.

Use F.O.R.M. to build rapport:

F: FROM
O: OCCUPATION
R: RECREATION
M: MESSAGE

F: Q. Where are you guys From? Your Response: “Oh really I’ve got friends, family” or “I have visited” or “Where is that?”

O: Q. What do you guys do? (Occupation) Your Response: “Wow…..I have always wondered about that.”

R: Q. What do you guys do for Fun or Hobbies? (Recreation)? Your Response: “I do that too”, or “I’ve always wanted to do that.”

M: Q. Where can we sit down and talk?

Once seated, then give them your Message, by asking them Four Questions.

* Let them answer your questions completely, do not interrupt them, People only do Business with people they Like and Trust! Do you like people who interrupt you?

#1. So that I can better help you, tell me again, why are you selling?

#2. How else have you tried to sell your house

before you contacted me?

(What you are doing is reminding them they have a problem). #3. What do you hope I can do here for you today?

PAUSE: You are thinking on how to help them, let them see your concern and wanting to help them. *Your response is that you might not be able to buy their house today because of a lack of equity.

#4. However, I might be able to help you out of your financial problem by making your monthly payment for a while and cash you out in the future, is that something we should talk about or probably not?

If they want to talk more then explain to them you can do a Long term Lease, where your company will Rent the property for a period of time and in the future you have an Option to purchase the property at a price they agree upon today. The option will be $10 Dollars which will make it a binding contact, that you will have the Exclusive Option to Purchase the property in the term you agree to. (That is how Rent To Own Real Estate is done) You will cover most of the day-to-day maintenance up to $250 and they will be responsible for any maintenance over $250.

You then tell them you will require a long-term lease of at least 60 months to make it work. You will sublet the property to a Tenant Buyer and they will be the ones to actually purchase the property in the future. However, you will be responsible for making the payment to them and taking care of the day-to-day management. If they agree, you sign a Lease Purchase Contract that you will Lease the property for up to 60 months and you have the Exclusive Option to Purchase. Then set up a Lease Option closing with your Attorney.

All over the country, investors are seeking out good markets for their real estate dollars. It can be a difficult choice as there are definitely a few desirable markets out there. The more popular vacation destinations in the U.S. are always thriving and do not seem to be as affected by fluctuations in the real estate market. California has always been a market that has been a safe bet for investors. The fantastic climate, wealth of recreational and entertainment options have made it an ideal investment area, especially when looking for a vacation home.

California has some great communities for the investor to consider. But we would be remiss not to mention the communities at Thunderbird Country Club. As California's oldest desert golf course, Thunderbird is comprised of several communities woven about the scenic desert links. This is truly a magnificent place to live or to keep as a retreat from the hectic pace of everyday life. Living in a golf course or country club community is vastly different from the average home or community. Imagine waking up every day and seeing the freshly tended greens and lush fairways, knowing that you have a morning tee-time that will take you throughout the community in which you live. Sounds nice doesn't it?

Each of the communities that make up the Thunderbird Country Club has it's own distinct take of Country Club living. Whether you're looking for a property with a view of the club greens, or a private estate at the edge of the desert, Thunderbird has a residential area to suit you. First developed in the 1950s and 60s, Thunderbird communities are a throwback to the golden age of mid-20th century architecture. Vintage Thunderbird homes are notable for their use of clean lines, glass, and spaces blending indoors and outdoors, in an elegantly informal style known as Desert Modernism. Thunderbird real estate, like Palm Springs just to the north, is renowned for its historic architecture and attractive community layouts. New home construction in recent years has added a stylish touch of modernity and opened up the area to more buyers.

Getting started is often the most difficult part when it comes to investing in real estate. If you desire to build wealth through real estate investing you must start and build momentum. This article will help you do just that.

Here’s a real exciting way to build momentum. Follow this proven 3-step method for taking action.

1. Pick one short-term goal that you’re excited about. It may be working on your real estate investing mindset. It may be reading 5 books about investing. It may be attending a seminar. It may be to buy your first property in the next 60 days. It may be to increase your net worth by $50,000 over the next 12 months. Just pick one goal.

2. Make a list of the actions you’ll need to take to reach this goal. What type of person will you need to become? What is the first step you could take? What is another step you could take? Don’t worry about perfection. Just list all of the actions you think you’ll need to take to reach your goal.

Next, write down the actions and tasks that you will commit to completing over the next 90 days. These are actions and tasks that you promise to fulfill. You are serious, right?

Commitment is key………..story of burning boats so they couldn’t go home.

3. At the end of 90 days reward yourself for what you have accomplished, analyze your progress, and adjust your goals and actions accordingly.

It is vitally important to analyze your progress along the way and make the small adjustments that may be needed. Maybe your goal has changed a bit. Maybe you need a new goal entirely. Or, maybe you need to adjust your actions to receive maximum impact.

Without adjusting your goal from time to time you may find that you’ve climbed the ladder of success alright….it’s just that it’s leaning against the wrong wall.

When the space shuttle is flying in outer space from time to time the thrusters must fire to keep it on course. Although the trajectory at lift off was perfect, minute adjustments must be made along the way. Without those tiny adjustments the shuttle could fly into disaster.

As you move toward the accomplishment of your goal, you may need to make small adjustments in your actions or tasks. Be aware of where you are at all times.

This final step is crucial. Every 90 days, evaluate your progress and make adjustments.

Do this every 90 days. That’s four times a year. If you follow this simple formula you will be light years ahead of others.