Networking is such an important part of your business. You must let everyone know what you are doing. Everyone can be a “bird dog” for you – And you for them.  A great book to read if you are uncomfortable with the idea of attending events to network yourself and your business is ‘How To Win Friends and Influence People’ by Dale Carnegie. It’s a great book that helps you to understand why you need to network with others as well as knowing what to say when you meet with new contacts.

Throughout the 30 years of owning several businesses, I can honestly say this type of marketing has been the most effective … and the most fun!  Of course my belief in the benefits of networking is reflected as I founded a networking group called Women’s Success Group, (a nonprofit networking group since 1998) and now beginning and running an Investors Network in my own town.

For the sake of my audience I am going to focus all marketing strategies discussed over the next few weeks  exclusively to those involved in real estate investing, though the same principals often apply to most other businesses.

I would like to start with suggestions for some places to Network your real estate investing business.

1)      Search Real Estate Investor Clubs in Your Area.
(Mine is www.InvestorCommunityofCentralValley.com)

2)      Check meetings and trainings for local Real Estate Associations.

3)      Check meetings and trainings at local Title Companies.

4)      Check on handyman, builders and contractor associations in your area.

5)      Ask everyone you talk to for referrals for networking events that have worked for them.

6)      Of course chamber events and networking clubs that meet at breakfast and lunch are a general source to get to know the general public.

I know the biggest fear and reason many people don’t attend networking events is they don’t know how to approach or what to say to others when first meeting them. So here is an idea.

For every person you come in contact with at any type of networking meeting, your conversation might go something like this:

• “Hi there, my name’s __________.  What’s your name?”
• “Say their name – What is it that you do?
• “How long have you been doing this?”  (Don’t be surprised most investors are part timers)
• If they ask what you do for a living or about yourself, be prepared!

1)      Hand them your card.

2)      Summarize your business in 30 seconds or less.  This is where spending time writing down how you want to market you and your business is important. You want to be concise and clear in describing what you do and what types of referrals would be most helpful.  Try to incorporate something that differentiates you from the rest?

Here is an example of a 30 Second Commercial

“Hi my name is _________________. I consider myself the real estate investor with a heart. My passion is to work with home owners in jeopardy of losing their homes to foreclosure. If the home owner wants to keep living in their property I might point them direction on how to do that (www.theavoidforeclosurebook.com ) …if they just want out – maybe they lost their job and can’t afford to keep it any longer, then I offer to buy their property. My goal is to create a win-win-win. Win for the home owner/seller, win for me the buyer/ investor and win for the bank when I take the house off their hands.”

If you know anyone that can use my help I pay a $500 referral fee to you when if I end up buying their property.”

Here is my 30 second commercial to everyone:

“I enjoy buying and selling real estate having closed on over 300 properties in the past 5 years.   Some people call me the Flippin’ Queen because as you know, flipping is another term for contracting to buy and then selling real estate quickly for a profit …. Or as I say Flippin’ it.  I look to invest in residential real estate at a discount through pre-foreclosures, short sales, REO’s, bankruptcies, Probate, as these are the usual reasons a seller is motivated to sell a property at a discount. After I am in contract to buy, I will often “flip” or turn the contract or property to an end buyer at a discount too.  Are you interested in buying and/or selling discounted residential real estate?”

Here are some things to consider if your new contact is in an occupation other than an investor:

The important thing is that you are interested in what they do for a living. Don’t talk about yourself until asked. Ask them questions about their occupation and how you can be of support to them in their line of work. If this person is a potential power team member for you, ask if you could contact them in the future. (You would be able to follow your list of questions for power team members and take notes when you called them back)

However, if this person is an investor, you might want to ask some of these questions:

• “Do you buy, fix and sell or do you buy and hold?”

• “How many properties do you own and/or have you sold?”

• “What part of town do you invest in?”

• “Really, why that area?”

• “What do properties cost in that area?

• “Do you pay cash for them or what banks do you use that are investor friendly?”
• “What title company do you enjoy using the most?”

• “Do you know any of the other people here?”

• “Who are the big investors in this area?”

• “If you ever come across some good deals and you don’t want them let me know.”

• “By the way, do you have any property you want to sell?”

• “We sometimes have properties for sale as well, if you’re looking to increase your inventory.”

• “Well, Mr. /Ms. Investor based on what you told me and where you prefer to buy; if anything comes along I’ll make sure to call you first”.

Make sure to collect everyone’s card, email address, fax, cell, and correct spelling of first and last name.   Write a note or 2 on the back of their business card helping you remember the next steps you will want to take with this contact in the future.  Just a “nice meeting you” card in the mail or email is often a memorable gesture encouraging future communication re: each other’s business needs.

Networking should be a part of
everyone’s marketing plan.
ATTEND, JOIN, PARTICIPATE…
…whatever you want to call it…

The important thing is to GET IN FRONT OF PEOPLE!

Top 10 Marketing Strategies for Real Estate Investors
Part 1 -Aim-Ready-Fire- Talley The Score
Part 2 – Networking

Originally posted 2010-09-06 04:00:21. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

“Being able to touch so many people through my businesses and make money while doing it, is a huge blessing.”

One of the longest proven ways to get leads as a real estate investor is calling on FSBO’s out of the newspaper. If you are on a budget and just getting started then you can do this yourself, or if you can at all afford it I highly recommend you hire someone to do it for you.

Why are FSBO’s good leads?

Often times homeowners who place their house on the market without a realtor ( FSBO’s),  are  in a position  where they need to sell a home quickly.  When this happens,  you are able to help them by closing quickly with cash, while at the same time, you receive a great discount.  There are many reasons a homeowner might need  to sell quickly. Some are trying to avoid getting behind on payments, some are already behind on payments, others need to immediately move to new location for job, some received a property gifted through probate, may be experiencing illness or maybe the landlord doesn’t want to own a property for rent any more, etc.  Whatever the specific reason a person doesn’t  utilize a realtor and place their property for sale on the MLS, it is likely there is an opportunity for you to get a great  wholesale deal.

• Where do you get the leads?

The first step is to locate the properties not listed on MLS, however for sale by the owner direct.   How do you do this?

1.       Classified Ads Online: There are several online classifieds such as Craigslist.org or Kiji.com or backpage.com and many others.  It’s so easy to search the internet for this stuff….just type “your city” properties for sale by owner; see what comes up!

2.       Newspaper classifieds:  Checkout newspapers in the areas you would like to buy. (also often available online)

• What do you do once you have the locations for leads?

a.       Buy a copy of your local newspaper and open the real estate classified ads section.  Get a sharpie or a highlighter and begin to scan each and every FSBO (For Sale By Owner) add in the paper.

b.      Grab a copy of the FSBO magazines offered for FREE in grocery stores.  These could be great leads as someone is  paying a lot of money to put their house in a magazine. I view this as sign that the owner could be a motivated seller.

c.       Go the websites of newspapers and look at their classified section online. You can put these links in your favorites.

d.      Visit FSBO online websites. Here are a few sites I like:

• Owners.com
• ForSaleByOwner.com
• FSBO.com
• HomesByOwner.com
• Trulia.com

You will want to check the FSBO sections in these resources daily.  If there is a good real estate deal for sale, it will be sold quickly to the person who acts quickly – You!

• What do I look for?

All ads listed could be potential investments. To save time however , you want to be looking for  keywords or phrases that indicate the seller has a motivation to sell or is showing signs of flexibility.

Here are a few examples of keywords to watch out for:
“Must sell” “Just reduced” “For Sale Or Lease” “Seller Financing” “Fixer Upper” “Handyman Special”

• Create your Motivated Seller  “Hit” List

This is a list of those you will want to contact to find out more about the property and the seller’s situation. If using paper (like a newspaper in hand), you will want to mark the ads with your sharpie or highlighter as you are scanning the paper for those “motivated” words listed above.  Mark as many ads as you can!  It is better to have too many leads than too few.

If online- – -copy and paste the ads found on newspaper, classifieds  and FSBO sites to a word or excel doc, then print it out.

Remember having too many leads is a good thing as it keeps your options open.

Stay tuned for the next blog which will contain the actual script I have refined over the years when calling FSBOs. Using this system and this script, I have found great success in helping others with their situation while at the same time buying discounted real estate.

Spread the news!

Tamera Aragon
www.TameraAragon.com
Top 10 Marketing Strategies for Real Estate Investors
Part 1 -Aim-Ready-Fire- Talley The Score
Part 2 – Networking
Part 3 -Business Cards
Part 4 -Win-Win-Win with Realtors
Part 5 – Classified Ads

Originally posted 2010-11-17 10:15:21. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Do you agree that it’s important to be sure and do your own due diligence to decide what is good for you in your life?

I mean, don’t you want to do your own research on what is right for you, not just depending on what other people “tell” you to do?

I have said over and over again in real estate – you must “do the due”!

So how much more important do you think it is for you to do your due diligence on things that will affect your health?

Many of you know me as the “The Flippin Queen”, due to my extensive experience quick turning, (aka: flipping) investment properties.  I still aspire to live true to that name even in today’s crazy real estate market. In addition, I will continue to provide support and training to real estate investors through my many online tools and training. (www.managemybizonline.com)

And now, I have added a new topic to my support and training. I have added even more tools and support to educate you on what I believe to be the most important area in your life should you chose to want it. In fact, I believe, you cannot experience any kind of success without knowledge and action in this very important area… your entire life depends on it.

I am excited to begin a additional path of sharing with you in this area of expertise I have enjoyed for a good many years, (More on my personal experiences later).   I am calling this health education side of things, The Principles of Natural Health.

You see, in addition to continued real estate and personal development support, I am now going to be showing you what I have discovered to be the keys to enjoy living a healthier, longer life by following some Natural Health Principles guaranteed to enhance your life when they are followed.

Want to be part of doing your own due diligence on your own health with me? Start here…
Go here to register for this webinar bringing out the TRUTH in what are in
those products we use in and on our bodies every single day.

Register Here Now:
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/633891382

Go here to sign up to stay on top of ‘The Natural Health Principals’.
http://www.blog.bulanaturals.com
Follow these principals and you will find yourself having more energy and vitality than you hever thought possible!

Next week, stay tuned for more rock solid real estate words of wisdom .
Or Better yet – words of experience!

Originally posted 2011-05-25 11:07:16. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

“It’s tangible, it’s solid, it’s beautiful.
It’s artistic from my standpoint.
I just love real estate.”
Donald Trump

Building relationships with Real Estate agents is vital to any real estate investor’s success. Why?

They bring you buyers.  They bring you sellers.  They bring you leads before they hit the market.  They present you to other realtors for offers.  They teach you how to get your offers accepted.  They are one of the most important members of your “power team”.

Important to work with “Winning Agents”

The old 80/20 rule applies. 20% of Agents will be handling 80% of the best whole sale properties. It’s important that you get out there and meet them! Here are some ideas to get to know who the movers and shakers are in your area:

1.       Join Local Realtor Association

2.       Call  local associations and ask who their REO specialists are

3.       Scan The Internet to see who is putting up the best listings. Examples:

• www.Realtor.com
• www.zillow.com
• www.ziprealty.com
• Google  “MLS online”  in your city to see all properties online

4.       Drive the area you are interested investing in. Look for agents who have signs posted in the areas you want to invest in.

What do you need to say when you meet them?

Most importantly do not make the about what they can do for you, make it about what you can do for them!

• Get Them On Your Team By Meeting Their Needs.
• Ask them questions.
• Get to know them.

If you are not comfortable with approaching new contacts,  you might think about buying the book by Dale Carnegie, ‘ How to Win Friends and Influence People’.  This is the best book on the logistics of how to do just what the title says.

I am going to focus on 2 specific strategies you can work with Realtors to grow both your businesses.

Realtor Partnership Strategy 1: EXPIRING LISTINGS: This one consists of Realtors Contacting agents holding listings that are about to expire.

This marketing is an easy way to discover untapped discount properties.  Do you agree that Realtors and sellers might be much more motivated to accept discounted offers when their listing is about to expire. As you know the Realtor will make no money for all their efforts if this happens. Plus the seller wants to sell the property and it won’t be sold.

• Steps for working with realtors to contact listings about to expire:

1. Contact Realtors looking for those who you can work to support each other’s businesses.  I follow a script when looking to build these most vital contacts.
2. When you meet Realtors excited to support you, set up a system to do the following:
   1. Realtor e-mails you list of all listings expiring in 30 days on a weekly basis. Excel format is best. You just need basic info – address, beds/baths/ sq feet/ notes from MLS.  Most important info is the listing Realtors name and e-mail address
   2. You go through and chose those you would like to make offers on. Make an offer that is sure to include all your costs after buying and make a profit for you.  To be sure your offer is where you need it to be, you would want to run the numbers through The Bottom Line Calculator.  Either your Realtor OR You will e-mail your purchase agreement to the sellers agent along with a cover letter, proof of funds, and copy of your earnest money check.  (Who does it will be up to you both. It’s a lot of work so it would be best if you would encourage your Realtor to allow you to do this tedious task.)

This system is a great free and easy way to reach out to motivated sellers.

Here is a Sample email content/cover letter for your Realtor to send on your behalf to Realtor who has expiring listing:

Hello,

My client has asked me to forward the attached purchase agreement (offer).  Thank you for discussing with your clients their consideration of it. In making this offer, I represent serious investors who have access to cash that will allow them to close on your seller’s property quickly if necessary.   Feel free to call me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Your Realtors Signature and Contact Info

Realtor Partnering Strategy 2 – SHORT SALE LEADS – The Second way to Partner with a Realtor to help them make double their commissions is handling Short Sales for both your “buys”  and your “sales”.

This strategy works great with open-minded Realtors who understand the law and see that this is a creative, but perfectly legal strategy that does not break anything inside the Realtors Code of Ethics. You will occasionally hear from unknowing, negative, close-minded people that when a Realtor is representing a seller, they cannot also represent you, the buyer, and also seller for after you buy it. They may say this is not “legal”.  However, as of the time of this writing, as long as proper paperwork is filed and all is disclosed and agreed to by all parties involved, nothing about this strategy is illegal. However, due to new laws coming out every day, be sure and run this strategy by a qualified attorney prior to using it.  Keep in mind, they do not have to represent you to find buyers, however if they would like, it is just another way they can profit 3 ways with 1 property. If they are not comfortable helping you to find a buyer for a property not yet closed, you will find buyers in other ways. Have you looked at this incredible online system…. www.cashbuyers4flips.com ?

SIDE NOTE: Whenever anyone tells you something is illegal or legal, ask if they can tell you where to find that information in writing.  You will run across many nay-sayers in your walk as a real estate investor.  It’s important you are swayed only by the facts and the law, not by well-meaning, yet unknowing, concerned individuals.

You would want to provide Realtors very easy instructions and explanations to read for how you would want to partner with them on your short sale deals. This information is on my own Easy I Buy Houses Website. (See http://www.tamerabuyshouses.com/ibuyhouses/realtors.php ) BTW! This  17 page website can be customized and used by you too. If you do not have a web presence, go here to get this ready made real estate investors website. (very cheap, hosted and ready to go in minutes). I highly recommend you take a look!  ( target=”_blank”www.EasyIBuyHousesWebsites.com)

Here’s How We Work Together to Create A Win/Win/Win/Win/Win/Win Situation!

1. A WIN for the Seller: Relieve over–leveraged homeowners from the pain of foreclosure and having their credit report badly damaged. They can now start a new chapter in their life.

2. A WIN for the Lender: When I handle the short sale with the bank, our packets go to the lender in perfect order so that they can process and negotiate the short sale in the most streamlined way possible. A successful short sale brings them greater financial return than the alternatives of an auction or REO.

3. A WIN for the Realtor: Collect a FULL commission and do what you do best–buying and selling real estate. By using our services you will not get bogged down with the paperwork, phone calls and interactions coming from overwhelmed loss mitigation departments. Plus – If you bring a new buyer to us, you then receive commissions on both the buy and a sell transaction… 6%

4. A WIN for Us: We might end up purchasing the home ourselves and making a larger profit margin from a subsequent sale.

5. A WIN for the new Buyer when I sell it: Now that the property’s price has been appropriately discounted for the market, it is much easier to attract a new homeowner when you put it on the market for me to sell.

1. First and most important, sellers, lenders, title companies… everyone involved in this transaction, receives full disclosures in writing from the beginning, communicating our intentions to buy and sell this property for a profit should the bank agree to accept our offer.
2. You market to find owners who are behind in payments or in foreclosure and who are interested in a short sale to avoid foreclosure and save their credit.
3. Contact us when you find a solid candidate for the program. If it looks good, we will submit an all cash offer.
4. We will then personally confer with you and the seller to explain the process and coordinate preparation of the required short sale documents. All intentions and plans are disclosed and agreed upon in writing with notary.
5. I , along with my short sale negotiation team,  are available to prepare, submit and negotiate the short sale package, driving the entire process for all involved and request they postpone the foreclosure auction if necessary.  (If the sellers agent would prefer handling short sale directly with bank instead of my team , that is great as long as they have a track record for success in this area).
6. While the short sale is being worked on, you work with me and my company to find a new end-user buyer. You create listing agreement with me as the seller and re-list house at agreed upon price. Full disclosure of entire process disclosed will be in writing up front to current owner.
7. The lender orders an interior BPO or appraisal to obtain an “as is” value.
8. We prepare a repair estimate, a terms and descriptions report along with our own comps to give to the lender’s BPO agent when we meet with them at property. (As an investor, I can let them in the house to assure BPO agent notes all its flaws)
9. We seek to find out what value the BPO agent gave to the house. We negotiate with the lender to find out their bottom-line price.
10. If the price makes sense, we will negotiate as needed and purchase the property with a 30 day close.
11. If the price does not make sense for me or my company to buy; you, as the Realtor still come out way ahead!  The process has given you some very important information in order for you to sell the house to anyone else you choose. By knowing  the lender’s bottom-line  acceptance  price, plus some potential buyers you have reached out to for us,  you are now in a position to sell the property quickly at an attractive price to those buyers or anyone else on the market at a agreed upon price.
12. However, if the price makes sense for us to buy, or we have an offer from an end buyer, as promised we will purchase the property with quick cash closing as promised. Keep in mind, our purchase contract will stipulate that the lender pays buyer’s closing cost, seller concessions and full real estate commission.  No money is ever requested from the seller.

To close the transaction we use title companies that are familiar with the sometimes more complex title and escrow work in transferring our new property to a new homeowner in a short period of time.

You may enjoy a complimentary video training on this strategy here: www.CoachingU2Profits.com )

Expired listings and short sales are just 2 of the many ways in which a good Realtor and you can support each other’s businesses.  There are many other strategies you may learn as well. I have over 24 exit strategies I teach my students in just one part of my 11 part training and coaching program, in addition to how to scripts to follow when calling every member of your much needed investors power team.  If you think you could use a down to earth, step by step plan, to quick profits through real estate investing, go to www.Coachingu2profits.com to see if this is right for you.

In the mean time, the most important thing you can do for your business is Get the Word Out!  Marketing yourself is the key to your success.

Spread the news!

Tamera Aragon
www.TameraAragon.com
Top 10 Marketing Strategies for Real Estate Investors
Part 1 -Aim-Ready-Fire- Talley The Score
Part 2 – Networking
Part 3 -Business Cards



Originally posted 2010-10-11 11:26:28. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

So what is the summit? Well, according to the dictionary, the summit is the “highest level or degree that can be attained”.

The Rise to the “Summit” in life and career is the ultimate goal for many people. If you are one that is looking to rise to the Summit in Real Estate Investing, Calendar yourself to join me in Northern Ca for the most powerful Real Estate Investing Training event you will ever have the chance to be a part of.  I just attended the Orlando Investor Summit and was in awe at the experience.  This is why I am honored the Gerald Rogers, The Founder of Investor Summit has allowed me to participate in putting together his event in for the West Coast Investor Summit – a powerful 3  day real estate and personal growth event on May 21,22 and 23^rd.

Space is limited.  Go here to grab your complimentary seat – for this PRICELESS event.

One of the concepts that I learned at the East Coast Investor Summit… is this: I’ve came to the realization that it’s not possible to maintain close relationships with everyone you meet. There simply isn’t enough time in the day.

I recently discovered some success concepts that a guy by the name of Dave Stech shared that I would like to share with you.

About Dave Stech: Dave held executive positions for 2 well-known Fortune 50 companies for over 20 years, has early-retired twice, is an active real estate investor (e.g. one of his team’s strengths is research & due diligence), and places taking care of his family at the top of his list of priorities.

I recently read an article written by Stewart Hsu where 3 of Dave’s insightful and inspiring ideas were shared.  These have already made a huge impact on my life since I began applying them. These are more than just words of wisdom; if you read with your heart, I think you’ll notice there’s some other “positive energy” or “spiritual rightness” to them — that applies not only to business, but to life.

Dave Stech Success Concept #1: Give First

If you have ever been to a networking event, 90% of the people typically go with the wrong idea in mind. They walk in asking themselves, “who can I meet that can help me?” Not that this is necessarily bad, but that there is a better way. Have you ever known someone that was a “taker”? Where they’re always trying to get something from you, whether it’s your ideas, money, or time? It can be draining, right? Don’t you prefer to hang out with “givers”, i.e. people who contribute ideas, energy and time? People who help you move towards your goals? Be like the kind of person you would prefer spending your time with.

John F Kennedy said it well, when he prompted the American public to “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” The same idea applies on the smaller, more immediate scale for each one of us, i.e. with those we interact with on a daily basis. This applies to whether it’s a family member, a business partner, or someone you’re meeting for the first time at a networking event.

Offer and take steps to add value first. Call it good manners, good karma, or “paying it forward” – whatever the label, it’s like magic, and better yet, it works.

Perhaps more importantly, it’s simply a better way to be. You’ll feel better for helping others. You’ll feel more positive, and with that positive feeling you’ll accomplish more. A potential indirect benefit I should mention is that someone might feel like they now “owe you a favor”. Though I caution you not to give only because you expect to receive from that person later on. This might seem a bit self-contradicting, but the more genuine and selfless your intention when you give, the more unexpected goodness, from unexpected sources, will come back to you.

Watch for part 2 of this blog sharing a common sense approach on how to choose for your business associates and the “power of 6”.

Originally posted 2010-04-29 15:26:00. Republished by Blog Post Promoter