My feeling is this: part-time investors or those just starting out need training and experience in about equal proportions. Stated another way, they don’t need a lot more education than they can use or apply. They need enough education and know-how to begin; and then on a continuing basis as they gain experience from doing it.

There is no quicker way to become an experienced real estate investor than to jump right in and buy real estate. Unfortunately, the kind of experience many get using this method is not the experience they need. Frequently beginners buy properties based mostly on looks. Invariably they pay too much. Paying too much coupled with having little or no experience can turn the American dream into a nightmare.

“Invariably they pay too much.”

Real estate investing requires many skills other than simply buying properties. Classrooms and books are important and necessary in order to learn technical informa­tion. However, there is absolutely no faster or better method to learn the practical side than doing it yourself. It’s called on the job training. This learning experience is best accomplished with properties that require some personal attention.

Rundown houses that need work are ideal candidates because they’re inexpensive and because perfection is not important. Most any work you do is likely to improve the property even if it lacks professional quality, and we all get better with experience. But we can only get experience by doing.

Fix-up jobs require a multitude of skills. The investor must purchase a property cheap enough to earn a profit. Fix-up investors will be involved with employees and contractors. They must develop a specific fix-up plan to fit within a pre-determined budget. Finally, they must choose and manage tenants for rentals or negotiate a buyer into a profitable sale.

Fix and Sell or Fix and Rent

Both strategies are “best,” depending on the individual. If you need the money from your first fix-up in order to continue investing, selling may be your only option.

Finding good properties is the most difficult task. Personally, when I find one that I can fix-up and increase rents to prod uce steady monthly income, it hurts me to sell it. Positive monthly income can quickly add to your wealth. I’m a firm believer in keeping the goose that lays golden eggs.

” … more houses are becoming fixers than are being fixed. “

The key is to start fixing and try both strategies yourself. Many investors start with filers, then over time gradually switch to other investment specialties. That’s a perfectly reasonable strategy. Others like myself develop a special knack for fix-up and land lording and tend to stay with it.

When you buy right, fixers are cheap. You should expect to pay 20-50 percent below regular market prices. The largest discounts will be earned when you buy the ugliest properties. Ugly rundown properties combined with people problems, such as divorcing owners and non-paying tenants who kick in walls, often provide even larger discounts.

By the time you’ve completed a fix-up project or two, You’ll have enough experience to deal with almost any real estate trans­action. And, your confidence level will increase at least 100 fold.

To begin with, income real estate like duplexes and small apartments are caught in the downturn same as the houses we live in! The big difference however rental units earn you money – houses cost money! Since the general real estate downturn includes all real estate, houses and income units alike, an extraordinary lifetime opportunity presents itself!

Rents are actually increasing as more homeowners lose their houses and are forced into renting. Income property prices have shrunk to 20 year lows, just like houses, however; the financing for older rental units that I mostly recommend, can now be negotiated between the buyers and sellers. In other words, we’re once again back to seller financing where cash flow can be automatically structured in the deal. No longer are small-time Investors stuck with what the bank says.

If the train left the depot without you before, this is your time and opportunity to catch up! You can now buy properties with seller financing and cash flow that make sense. For many, it’s a second chance to buy real estate that can lead to financial freedom. Today, you can often start with cash flow, build a second income and even switch to full-time real estate investing. It’s truly the perfect real estate investor storm. The opportunity is right now! It’s time to learn the basics and get started without delay!

For working folks, these are very depressing times! Nationwide, employment layoffs in nearly every industry, retirement plans (401K’s) shrinking everyday and health care safety nets simply disappearing with the jobs. Even retirement savings accounts, the piddly interest earned is less than inflation.

Right now is a perfect time to consider Income-producing properties! Done correctly, these properties offer fool-proof Investing – plus the Income (rents) is indexed to regular living costs, which provides protection against inflation. For W-2 wager earners attempting to save money for retirement, acquiring small apartments offers the perfect business opportunity.

To start with, whatever amount you have to Invest can quickly be multiplied with safety, This Is extremely Important because many so-called retirement plans linked to the depressed stock market continue to collapse, dumping your dollars as you read this letter. Extraordinarily high investment returns of 20-50% are not the least bit uncommon for leveraged real estate – and when your transactions are properly structured, all positive income can be sheltered from Uncle Sam’s tax collectors.

Perhaps the most significant benefit for ordinary working folks who are concerned about their future is that affordable rental houses and small apartments can provide a quick alternate income. Also, Income property equity builds much faster than traditional savings plans because affordable houses are always in demand. Additional income, equity growth and increasing cash flows offer the best guarantee that you’ll be able to enjoy the comfortable retirement you deserve and are counting on!