I Gave up on Trying to Find a Balance Between Work and Family

I am so thankful for everything I’ve built and experienced.

Being the CEO of multiple companies is incredible. Closing over 1,000 real estate deals in my 15 years of real estate has been life changing. Getting to speak at events across the country and inspire others to chase their goals through real estate investing has been unbelievable. Everyday I am ridiculously thankful to teach my students how to find freedom through real estate investing.

The one thing I’m most thankful for is my family.

I’ve always known family is not only the most important thing in my life, but it’s also the only thing that truly matters. In the last few years, I’ve began to understand and truly internalize what that statement truly means.

I’ve spent over the past decade obsessing over my career, businesses, and goals. Eventually, I had to sit down with my wife and tell her she would have to take backseat and be tough so I could pursue my entrepreneurial dreams. Thank goodness she agreed.

She was independent, she was supportive and she pushed me to put my business first. That’s not to say there were never any fights over working too much or being hyper focused on my business because there were plenty, but we made it work. We found ways to continue living our life’s purpose and work through those things.

Then, later down the road my son Hudson was born. I knew deep down my wife secretly hoped I would slow down, take a break and make them a priority, but I didn’t.

Hudson coming into Shannon and I lives only made me want to work hard. I was even more adamant to find success and reach my goals so I could provide for my family in every way I could.

I’ve realized now that my change in mindset probably made things even more stressful for my wife. The uncertainty and anxiousness of being married to an entrepreneur has to be overwhelming. I’ll be honest. If the roles were reversed and I was in Shannon’s place, I don’t know if I could have been able to be as strong as her.

I told her probably the 20th time during our time together: “One more year, next year will be different. It will be better.”

Just a few more houses, after this product launch or after this partnership takes off. She’s heard this many times and still hears it to this day.

I told her I would settle down, take a break, be the partner and father she wanted. The weekend type of father and husband. The one that barbecues on the weekend with a cheesy apron, that coaches little league, a regular schedule and spend all of his weekends with his wife and kids. That’s not me and both Shannon and I have come to that realization.

The one thing that Shannon has reminded me repeatedly is that my kids don’t care how much money I make. They don’t care that I have nice cars or own multiple business.

They just want a dad that’s present and around. They want to spend time with their dad, family game nights, and get to spend their free summer break days with their dad swimming in the pool — jumping on the trampoline.

I’ve realized I only have a couple years left with both my kids, Hudson and Brynlee, until they become young adults, their friends are their primary focus and I’m no longer “daddy” and just “dad.”

I gave up on trying to find a balance between work and family. It’s non-existent.

Instead, I’ve learned to set boundaries with my team and work.

There’s nothing wrong with having a passion for you career and goals. Get hyper focused on finding success, but make sure you leave your work in your garage.

As soon as you walk through the front door of your home, your significant other, kids or whoever you value should be your focus. Be present for the people you care about and give them the attention and love they deserve.

Speak the right love language to them, ask them about their day, give them your undivided attention in order to give them the most positive and impactful amount of your time.

Just know success, entrepreneurship, and your goals should be a huge part of your life and passion but don’t forget the people you do it for.

Take care, comb your hair.

Cody Sperber

PS: Check out my YouTube channel for more great training!

PPS: Before I let you go, I wanted to give you my eBook! Download it here!

The post I Gave up on Trying to Find a Balance Between Work and Family appeared first on Clever Investor: Real Estate Investing Educational Training.

* This article was originally published here

460: From Sleeping on a Couch to Owning 20 Units (in 2 Years!) with Robert Charles & Ayoka Moss

If you’re listening to the BiggerPockets podcast, you know that the only way to reach financial success is to climb the corporate ladder, right? Nope! Yet, many people still believe that the only way for them to get rich is by going above and beyond for a job, only to be let go when the company is sold or merged. This is exactly what Ayoka Moss and Robert Charles thought, until they were put in a situation where entrepreneurialism and real estate was the only option.

Ayoka had serious drive, especially after reading Rich Dad Poor Dad (a favorite of the BP community). Robert, on the other hand, was working as hard as he could, selling cars, breaking sales records, but once he was let go due to his company being bought out, he had open ears for Ayoka’s proposal. Ayoka and Robert decided to start wholesaling real estate, and had 6 failed deals before they finally found themselves making a profit. Once the money came in, they knew they had to do whatever it takes to reach success in real estate.

Now, only a couple years later, Ayoka and Robert are living rent free, with 20 units, and 35 deals done! That’s some serious change when compared to their old W2 lifestyles. Ayoka and Robert go through how they got deals done, found mentors, and most importantly, changed mindsets to tackle what really matters.

In This Episode We Cover:

• How real estate wholesaling works
• Why the corporate lifestyle doesn’t last forever for most people
• Understanding real estate before you jump in head first 
• “Un-Labelling” yourself so you can accomplish anything
• Balancing wholesale fees with cash flowing rental properties 
• Finding mentors and providing value so they trust you
• And SO much more!

Links from the Show

• BiggerPockets Forums
• Grant Cardone
• Breakfast Club: Mark Whitten Explains How Easy It Is To Build Wealth With Real Estate
• Linkedin
• Amway
• Hertz
• Ty Flip Man Taylor Shares How He's Created Multiple Millionires and Many 6 Figure Earners
• Real Estate Disruptors
• PropStream
• Zillow
• Homevestors
• Grant Cardone
• BiggerPockets Podcast 452: Landing Incredible Deals Using This “Scary” Technique with Steve Trang
• Steve Trang
• Yahoo Finance

Check the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/show460

* This article was originally published here

461: Defeating the "Enemy of Success" with Steven Pressfield (The War of Art)

It’s daunting to wake up every day and try your best at whatever it is that you do. Maybe it’s your job, maybe it’s real estate, maybe it’s writing a book. When you sit down at your desk, there’s that little voice that says “get another cup of coffee” or “just take a little email break before you start” or “you’re not going to get anything done, who are you kidding?”

This is the voice of resistance, and to author Steven Pressfield, it’s a voice that needs to be silenced and controlled at all costs. Steven should know, he wrote the book on fighting resistance, The War of Art, where he talks about how to keep up inspiration, even when there isn’t any to be found. As Steven puts it “an amateur does things when they feel like it, a professional doesn’t care how they feel, they just do it.”

This is something many real estate investors struggle with. We want to buy another property, but we get stuck in analysis paralysis, or scared off by some new type of financing, or don’t want to take on another rehab. Professionals don’t let their environment (or their own mind) tell them what they should and shouldn’t do. Professionals do what has to be done.

We also talk with Steven about his latest book A Man At Arms and why the ancient world of nobility and strength intrigued him so much. If you’ve seen any of Steven’s films, read any of Steven’s books, or just want to push through to success, you’ll love his take on writing, success, and failure.

In This Episode We Cover:

• How to push past failure, regardless of the line of work you’re in
• Overcoming the “analysis” phase of any new venture or life dream
• How resistance plays a role in failure for many real estate investors
• How to fight resistance so you can push through to your goals
• The villain on the outside, and the villain within you
• And So Much More!

Links from the Show

• BiggerPockets Podcast
• Open Door Capital
• BiggerPockets book store
• Brandon's Instagram
• David's Instagram
• The 90 Days Challenge
• Steven's Website

Click here to check the full show notes: https://www.biggerpockets.com/show461

* This article was originally published here

BiggerPockets Podcast 461: Defeating the “Enemy of Success” with Steven Pressfield (The War of Art)

It’s daunting to wake up every day and try your best at whatever it is that you do. Maybe it’s your job, maybe it’s real estate, maybe it’s writing a […]

* This article was originally published here

Why Won’t My House Sell In Las Vegas?

You’re trying to sell a Las Vegas NV house that just won’t sell?

And yet – the news says the real estate market is heating up. The media is practically shouting again about multiple offers, high demand, and record-setting prices.

So where’s your contract?

These tips could be just what you need to help you sell your Las Vegas home.

Why won’t my house sell in Las Vegas? – 6 Tips To Cure It

1) Get good help.

Just like before, there are novice agents and investors rushing into the booming market trumpeting that they know what they’re doing.

But they don’t. They’re getting hit hard with the nuances of financing, deal structure, and evaluation. Seriously, chances are good that real estate is your biggest investment – don’t trust just anyone’s advice. If you want great results, partner with the pros.

2) Don’t make too many improvements.

Too often we see over-improved properties – those where the owners have gone too far. Even with the best of intentions, exceptional craftsmanship and true artistic talent, it’s incredibly challenging to exceed what the market is paying. Plus, most buyers want to add their own custom touches. Get rid of all the clutter and think “neutral”.

3) Do make necessary improvements.

Unfixed stuff scares buyers. Show that you’ve been a responsible property owner and get all the little details fixed.

Don’t leave gaps in the trim or plates off of the switches. Get it inspected by a professional home inspector, and show off the healthy home report. This goes a long way towards establishing confidence that they’re making a good purchase.

4) Style and design matters.

Curb appeal is as important as the inside – so don’t neglect one part of the property to improve the other. Give buyers a cohesive impression of great style. Paint the walls, update the landscaping, and most of all – keep it immaculately clean. Consider hiring a professional designer to help tastefully stage the property.

5) Pricing matters a lot.

If you’re getting a lot of showings but not a lot of offers, you might not be too far off in price. If your best efforts to advertise your property aren’t making the phone ring, you’re probably overpriced.

6) Every property will sell – sometime.

There’s no magic formula – but there’s no substitute for experience.

****************
If you need to sell a house near Las Vegas, we can help you. We buy Las Vegas NV houses.

We buy properties like yours from people who need to sell fast.

Give us a call anytime (702) 572-6293 or fill out the form here today!

* This article was originally published here

Rookie Podcast 70: Rookie Reply: Should I Sell or Rent Out My Primary Residence?

This week’s question comes from Dane through Ashley’s DMs on Instagram (you can find her @wealthfromrentals). Dane is asking: should I sell or rent out my primary residence?   Whenever you’re […]

* This article was originally published here

5 Reasons Why Your Las Vegas Real Estate Agent Should Also Be An Investor

While hybrid real estate brokerages may be a new concept, you will understand why the idea is catching on once you know how they benefit both buyers and sellers. This new type of hybrid licensed real estate agent is also a professional investor. Hybrid brokerages are fast becoming the model of the future. We will explore five of the reasons why your Las Vegas real estate agent should also be an investor.

Options

Typically, most sellers associate real estate agents as the go-to professional for the task of selling their home. However, not all homeowners or their properties are typical. Combining a professional investor’s skills with being an agent can resolve sellers’ challenges through a different home sales method. Should a seller wish to sell their home directly themselves, this hybrid agent can help them successfully through the process. This flexibility is one reason why your Las Vegas real estate agent should also be an investor.

Time

For some sellers, time is not on their side. Real estate agents can only advise you of an average period that homes are on the market. They cannot provide you with a closing date or even promise your home will sell. At the same time, they may realize a higher profit through a traditional listing. Urgent personal or financial matters mean they cannot wait out a listing on the MLS. Your closing date can be within 30 days or even less with a professional investor because they buy in cash. The flexibility of being a cash buyer and the freedom from the red tape of mortgage qualifications is another reason your Las Vegas real estate agent should also be an investor.

Money

Often, sellers lack the finances or simply have no interest in investing time and money into rehabbing their home. Properties that are not move-in ready and in need of updates or much-needed repairs usually linger on the MLS and receive insultingly low offers from bargain hunters. Working together with a professional investor who will clearly explain how the offer’s figures were determined, you can reach a fair agreement. You will not be paying high commissions off the top at closing. And, you won’t have to worry about paying to hold the property while you wait for a buyer to come along. Relieving you of the risks and expenses of repairs is a great reason your Las Vegas real estate agent should also be an investor

Closing Date

In a typical real estate transaction, the closing date cannot be guaranteed and is rarely flexible. Your buyer may have everything they own in a moving van, counting down the minutes until closing! When you sell directly to a professional investor, they don’t plan on moving into the home, so you can set the closing date to suit your particular needs. This flexibility with the closing date is a great reason your Las Vegas real estate agent should also be an investor.

Convenience

Showings are one of the main reasons sellers would prefer to avoid. Some sellers prefer trading in their property, skipping all of the traditional listing steps. A hybrid brokerage has become a one-stop-shop for real estate transactions, much like car dealerships now offer. Providing this convenience is an additional reason that your Las Vegas real estate agent should also be an investor

At RjRebel Real Estate Investments L.L.C., we are licensed agents who can help you list your house for top dollar. RjRebel Real Estate Investments L.L.C. can also offer services to help you sell your home directly. RjRebel Real Estate Investments L.L.C. is happy to help you learn about even more reasons why your Las Vegas real estate agent should also be an investor. Send us a message or call RjRebel Real Estate Investments L.L.C. at (702) 572-6293 today!

* This article was originally published here

Build a Six-Figure Student Housing Portfolio in Just Eight Steps

Real estate doesn't have to be frightening. Investing in college rentals may seem like a good way to find trouble, but careful analysis and screening solve most potential issues.

* This article was originally published here

How to Find a Good Real Estate Agent in Las Vegas

Hiring a real estate agent in Las Vegas can be frustrating. So what are the steps on how to find a good real estate agent in Las Vegas?

Many local large real estate brokers will spend thousands of dollars each month to ensure that their agents are the most visible, whether it be online, in the Yellow Pages, or by erecting giant billboards in the most trafficked sections of Las Vegas.

However, the agents backed by the most promotion dollars aren’t always the best, and may not be a good fit for your circumstances. In today’s piece, we’re going to look at how you can find a good real estate agent in Las Vegas.

[NOTE: If you need to sell your Las Vegas house fast and can’t wait the 3-6 months+ it is taking to sell a home on the local market… we may be able to help by buying your house from you. We can make you an all-cash offer within 24 hours on your house in as-is condition. ]

How To Find A Good Real Estate Agent In Las Vegas – Get Reviews… Real Reviews

Online reviews of real estate agents are easily manipulated, and can be often times little more than paid advertisements. It’s important to get honest reviews from any agent that you’re considering, and any reputable agent will be glad to provide you with recent clients.

Also, reviews are one of the best ways to see how any real estate professional does out in the marketplace.

As a last way to check out the agent… hit Google and type in “[name of agent] reviews” and see what pops up in the Google search. If you see a bunch of bad reviews on websites like yelp and others… see if the agent tried to engage with those negative reviewers online to resolve the situation.

Ask the Right Questions Of The Local Las Vegas Real Estate Agent

Ask the agent (or better yet, his or her former clients) the following questions to gauge the agent’s skill, and ability to represent you as a buyer or a seller:

• Was there any part of the process of buying or selling a home that clients were pleased or particularly displeased with?
• What was the asking price?
• What was the sales price?
• What properties have you worked with in my location?
• What about similarly sized properties?

It’s important to choose an agent who has experience working with homes similar to yours.

Check The Real Estate Agent’s Credentials

Check with your state’s real estate regulatory authority to verify the agent’s licensing. While you’re on that website, you’re also often able to look into regulatory actions and complaints against the agent.

You should also ask the agent how long they’ve been buying and selling homes. If they’re representing an agency, ask how long they’ve been with that particular agency, and their history with other firms.

Above all, it’s important to choose a real estate agent in Las Vegas that you can trust. Regular communication is extremely important when selling your home, as in many cases, a house represents the majority of your net worth. A good agent will be able to answer questions such as:

• How many inquiries have been made about my home?
• How many of these inquiries came from people likely to make a purchase (not just window shoppers)?
• What other properties in this neighborhood are for sale? What is the asking price of those homes?

Ask The Local Real Estate Agent How They Plan On Selling Your House

Sometimes going the direct route is the best. In the case of looking for a local Las Vegas NV real estate agent, ask them how they intend on selling your house for you that the other agents in town won’t do. And see what their answer is.

Usually the great ones actually have a marketing plan and will get your house out there and on the market in a big way.

This Is Where Low Priced Isn’t Always The Best

Often times Las Vegas NV home sellers want to go with the lowest priced option.

Heck, when you look at the numbers… if a real estate agent is earning 3% on a $100,000 sale… that’s $3,000 in fees just to 1 real estate agent (usually both agents representing the buyer and the seller earn commission)… it isn’t cheap.  But just really do your research before you go with a cut rate agent or a flat fee agent… because that usually means that the service you’re getting is also a lower level service.

Some of the best real estate agents in Las Vegas have great marketing systems and are able to sell homes faster and for higher prices.  So even if you find someone to sell your house at a 1.5% fee… look long and hard at whether you’ll be saving money long term.

The same goes for selling your house to a local real estate investor like RjRebel Real Estate Investments L.L.C..  The highest priced offer isn’t always the best. Look at the terms of the deal the house buyer offers you… and ensure they can close on-time… because every month that goes by costs you money (your mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities, etc.) to hold the property.

It’s important to avoid low-quality real estate agents. These could be “rookies” who will do anything to make their first sale (including leaving dollars on the table). A good real estate can make selling your home an extremely smooth experience, and will work in your best interest.

So go out there and do your research and find a local real estate agent.

If you need to sell your house fast… we’d love to make you an all-cash fair offer on your house.

We can make you a no-obligation offer in 24 hours or less and you can weigh that option against going with a real estate agent.

Just click the link below and fill out the short form on the next page to get the painless process rolling.

Need To Sell Your Las Vegas NV House Fast?

Submit Your Basic Property Info For A Fast Cash Offer >>

* This article was originally published here

Here’s What $27 Trillion In Debt Looks Like

The United States is awash in debt—trillions of dollars of debt, in fact. But understanding the sheer scope of that debt is difficult. Here are some charts to help you visualize.

* This article was originally published here

How to Take the Road Less Traveled to Financial Freedom

After years in the real estate investing business, I’ve come to realize that there are two roads you can travel.

The first road looks faster and easier, but ends up being much slower, harder, confusing and often ends up going nowhere.

The second road typically goes unnoticed by most investors though, it’s available from the get-go if you know where and what to look for. It’s also a much shorter path for those who are lucky enough to discover it.

Road #1:

We all get into real estate investing understanding that the end-game is ultimately to gain financial freedom. You typically start right about there and you jump in with both feet and start mixing it up.

Aimed as best you can towards the “real estate dream” you’ve hallucinated and fueled by heaps of excitement. You start soaking up everything you can, and throw as much spaghetti up against the wall as you can, hoping as much of it will stick as possible.

Meet Average REI Joe:

Maybe you start off with a newfound burning desire to build some serious passive income with rental properties. Then, you come across a book all about how to make money from buying, fixing and selling houses.

Then, you discover your local REIA group. In your very first meeting, you enjoy a compelling message revealing how ripe the harvest is for lease options and owner financing in today’s market.

Now, you have to start calling landlords and drop some of those fancy “yellow letters” you learned about.

Then you learn that a famous guru is coming to your town and you suddenly realize how much you’ve been leaving on the table. You attend in hopes of becoming a real estate rock star!

You purchased the latest “get rich with no effort” investing course and now you feel like a mogul and you take action!

Suddenly, the doubt creeps in. You ask yourself, “How come I’m not making any real money?” “This real estate investing thing must be a scam. I should just give up.”

Any of this sound painfully familiar?

Sadly, this is the only road many people are ever aware of. This is the slow lane.

It may not feel slow at first, because you’re learning about real estate like a madman. Nevertheless, it’s a painfully slow path that leads far too many to basically nowhere. It’s the lane of frustration and frankly it’s where investors fail.

I Get It:

This is the lane I was on in the beginning.

I just winged it. Using mostly the web, I researched about every aspect of every kind of investing you can imagine. It’s very difficult to consume and digest all that information, then actually implementing it without going in five or six directions at once and most of which are actually the wrong directions for you.

Whereas, if you have somebody in your life that grabs you by the collar and points you in a direction and says:

-Do these six things…

-And when you’re done, let’s go ahead and give you the next six things to do…

-And when you’re done with that, we’ll give you the next six things to do…

If you have someone who can force you to articulate the ball down the field, so you’re nearly guaranteed to score a touchdown you’re on the right track.

You know exactly where you’re trying to go and how to get there, because you’ve seen the map. You’re able to just mirror the exact path somebody else has already proven successful.

This is the second road and you need to get on this road.

Take care, comb your hair!

Cody Sperber

PS: Check out my YouTube channel for more great training!

PPS: Before I let you go, I wanted to give you my eBook! Download it here!

The post How to Take the Road Less Traveled to Financial Freedom appeared first on Clever Investor: Real Estate Investing Educational Training.

* This article was originally published here

5 Things You Should DIY and 5 You Should Leave to the Pros When Buying Las Vegas Investment Properties

Saving money is a motivating force. When you’re renovating an investment property, the value of sweat equity cannot go unexamined—doing work by yourself when buying Las Vegas investment properties, you can save substantially. It is essential to do your research before getting started and have everything you need on hand before jumping in. To do the job correctly, including learning what tools to use, you’ll find step-by-step instruction and even videos to help make your DIY project a success.

Unless you’re an experienced renovator, much of the work that adds value to investment properties will require professional know-how. While the initial price tag may be costly, the alternative of fixing mistakes could be financially devastating. Unless you know what you’re doing, you could cost yourself more in damages to your property than you save by attempting this work yourself. There are five things you should do and five you should leave to the pros when buying Las Vegas investment properties.

Things To DIY

Demo

Simple and straightforward in most cases, you can handle demolition on your Las Vegas investment properties. Just be sure you’re following safety guidelines for protective wear. When it comes to taking a sledgehammer to cabinets, you may also experience a side benefit through stress relief brought on by physical exertion. 

Patchwork

Once you’ve completed your demolition work, areas may need to do some patching or install new drywall when you make updates to your Las Vegas investment properties. Drywalling is heavy work that may require help but should be simple enough for most investors to handle.

Staging

Keep in mind the basic theory behind staging when it comes to making selections for the color scheme in your Las Vegas investment properties. People who touch items assign ownership, and a higher intrinsic value to them, previously owned belongings hold lower value. By refreshing surfaces, depersonalizing, and using neutral tones, you increase worth and decrease vacancy periods.

Floors

When buying Las Vegas investment properties, flooring, in most cases, is something that many are willing to take on. If you already have attractive flooring, consider taking on a facelift with a resurfacing or deep cleaning of grout and tile work. 

Painting

With the right equipment, you can paint your own Las Vegas investment properties and make it appear as if you hired a pro! Invest in the best paint you can afford, along with painter’s tape for super clean lines and lasting value.

Leave It to a Pro

Roofing

Getting on a roof is extremely dangerous. Leave everything from minor repairs or a new roof to the pros when buying Las Vegas investment properties. You should check your insurance policy on the property to ensure that a roofing job done without an approved contractor won’t cause them to deny a claim in the future.

Plumbing

Leave plumbing to the pros when buying Las Vegas investment properties, the potential for causing water damage runs high with what may appear to be a seemingly simple bathroom redo.

Concrete

When pouring cement in areas of your foundation, mistakes could compromise your structural integrity. Even a driveway improperly formed could end up causing damage or even injury to visitors and lawsuits. These the pros when buying Las Vegas investment properties

Moving Walls

If a load-bearing beam is involved, call in an architect and save yourself from the standard error of moving walls. Leave this task to the pros when buying Las Vegas investment properties.

RjRebel Real Estate Investments L.L.C. will help you find the best flips and handyman specials for your Las Vegas investment properties. If in doubt, it is most definitely worth your while to give us a shout at RjRebel Real Estate Investments L.L.C.. We’re here to help! Contact RjRebel Real Estate Investments L.L.C. at (702) 572-6293 today!

* This article was originally published here

5 Reasons Why Las Vegas Real Estate Investors Should Also Be Licensed Agents

If you haven’t already heard about hybrid real estate brokerages, you very soon will. This new approach to real estate transactions is quickly growing in numbers, combining a professional investor’s skills with a licensed real estate agent’s experience. These professional investor agents work to fulfill any buyer or seller’s needs with one-stop! We will walk you step by step through each process, explaining how much profit you would realize through each method of selling your home. Read on to learn five reasons why Las Vegas real estate investors should also be licensed agents.

Options

When you initially meet with a hybrid agent, they will take the time to listen. Understanding your challenges helps them work with you on your property’s best sales method, serving in either capacity. As a professional investor, you can make a direct sale to them. As an agent, they can list your home or help you with your listing on the MLS. This flexibility is one reason why Las Vegas real estate investors should also be licensed agents.

Experience

Because a hybrid agent is not only a professional investor but also a real estate agent, they know the ins and outs of the Las Vegas market and have expertise in the processes of a traditional real estate transaction. If selling through a traditional listing on the MLS works best for you, a hybrid agent has top-level marketing skills, utilizing the most current technology, your listing will stand out in the crowd. These are more reasons why Las Vegas real estate investors should also be licensed agents.

Straightforward

Our easy-to-understand and straightforward method of working with sellers is another excellent reason why Las Vegas real estate investors should also be licensed agents. As an investor, we will work with you to reach a fair agreement. As an agent, we would provide all of the steps used to set the listing price. You can decide if you would rather pay the convenience fee for a fast cash closing in a matter of days or weeks against realizing more profit through a traditional transaction. With nothing hidden, you will understand just what to expect from either option, and this is a significant reason why Las Vegas real estate investors should also be licensed agents

Money

Typically, you will pay less by working with a hybrid agent. While working to bring you the best price for your property, the combination of investor and agent helps to save you money overall. If your house needs repairs, we take on making the repairs, investing the time, money, and effort required to rehab the home. Should you decide to take on the work yourself, as an agent, they can guide you on the best selections as you make improvements to meet the needs of today’s homeowners once the home is listed. This savings is one of the best reasons why Las Vegas real estate investors should also be licensed agents.

RjRebel Buys Houses buys houses directly – and if that doesn’t sound good to you, we can help you list on the MLS and sell for top-dollar, or, we can do all of the work for you, you choose! There are many more reasons why Las Vegas real estate investors should also be licensed agents providing the most beneficial aspects of each and the conveniences of both. No matter what obstacles you may be facing, RjRebel Buys Houses has the right option in Las Vegas for all of your real estate needs. RjRebel Buys Houses answers concerns about selling your property or any questions you may have with absolutely no obligation. At RjRebel Buys Houses, our hybrid professional buyer real estate agents are ready to help you today. Send us a message or call RjRebel Buys Houses at (702) 572-6293!

* This article was originally published here

5 Reasons Why Las Vegas Real Estate Investors Should Also Be Licensed Agents

If you haven’t already heard about hybrid real estate brokerages, you very soon will. This new approach to real estate transactions is quickly growing in numbers, combining a professional investor’s skills with a licensed real estate agent’s experience. These professional investor agents work to fulfill any buyer or seller’s needs with one-stop! We will walk you step by step through each process, explaining how much profit you would realize through each method of selling your home. Read on to learn five reasons why Las Vegas real estate investors should also be licensed agents.

Options

When you initially meet with a hybrid agent, they will take the time to listen. Understanding your challenges helps them work with you on your property’s best sales method, serving in either capacity. As a professional investor, you can make a direct sale to them. As an agent, they can list your home or help you with your listing on the MLS. This flexibility is one reason why Las Vegas real estate investors should also be licensed agents.

Experience

Because a hybrid agent is not only a professional investor but also a real estate agent, they know the ins and outs of the Las Vegas market and have expertise in the processes of a traditional real estate transaction. If selling through a traditional listing on the MLS works best for you, a hybrid agent has top-level marketing skills, utilizing the most current technology, your listing will stand out in the crowd. These are more reasons why Las Vegas real estate investors should also be licensed agents.

Straightforward

Our easy-to-understand and straightforward method of working with sellers is another excellent reason why Las Vegas real estate investors should also be licensed agents. As an investor, we will work with you to reach a fair agreement. As an agent, we would provide all of the steps used to set the listing price. You can decide if you would rather pay the convenience fee for a fast cash closing in a matter of days or weeks against realizing more profit through a traditional transaction. With nothing hidden, you will understand just what to expect from either option, and this is a significant reason why Las Vegas real estate investors should also be licensed agents

Money

Typically, you will pay less by working with a hybrid agent. While working to bring you the best price for your property, the combination of investor and agent helps to save you money overall. If your house needs repairs, we take on making the repairs, investing the time, money, and effort required to rehab the home. Should you decide to take on the work yourself, as an agent, they can guide you on the best selections as you make improvements to meet the needs of today’s homeowners once the home is listed. This savings is one of the best reasons why Las Vegas real estate investors should also be licensed agents.

RjRebel Real Estate Investments L.L.C. buys houses directly – and if that doesn’t sound good to you, we can help you list on the MLS and sell for top-dollar, or, we can do all of the work for you, you choose! There are many more reasons why Las Vegas real estate investors should also be licensed agents providing the most beneficial aspects of each and the conveniences of both. No matter what obstacles you may be facing, RjRebel Real Estate Investments L.L.C. has the right option in Las Vegas for all of your real estate needs. RjRebel Real Estate Investments L.L.C. answers concerns about selling your property or any questions you may have with absolutely no obligation. At RjRebel Real Estate Investments L.L.C., our hybrid professional buyer real estate agents are ready to help you today. Send us a message or call RjRebel Real Estate Investments L.L.C. at (702) 572-6293!

* This article was originally published here

BiggerPockets Podcast 458: Ditching “Active Investing” for More Passive Income Streams with Tamar Hermes

Every real estate investor knows that things don’t always go as well as we’d like. What happens when you’re hit with a $16,000 bill to fix a sewer, or when […]

* This article was originally published here

Can You Still Sell? (The Short Answer: Yes)

 

Buyers are out there, and remote tours can give you an advantage while reducing visits to your home.

• APR 30 2020

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Can I still sell my home?

It’s a question many people are asking in the midst of public health orders, economic uncertainty and buyer wariness. Whether it makes sense to sell now versus waiting depends on your circumstances and the amount of equity in your home, but if you need to sell, there are buyers ready to pounce on the limited inventory of for-sale homes.

Understand potential challenges

For up-to-date information about your area, consult a local agent who is in the best position to advise you on restrictions that might affect selling activities and a buyer’s ability to close. In some places, temporary business closures are impacting key parts of the real estate transaction, namely appraisals, inspections, closing and title services and moving — but many affected businesses are finding ways to adapt.

Be aware of home price forecasts

Another thing to consider is pricing. Zillow economists predict that home prices will most likely decrease between 2-3% through the end of the year from pre-COVID levels and slowly recover by late 2021.

The predictions include two other possible scenarios: Prices decline as much as 4% and take longer to recover, or as little as 1% and recover more quickly. For example, a home priced at $250,000 in February 2020 could be priced between $2,500 and $10,000 lower, at least through the end of the year, according to the forecast.

Which scenario plays out depends on many things, including how quickly the market reopens and whether interested buyers can still afford to purchase a home.

If you’ve decided you’re ready to sell, one possible hurdle is showing your home. With varying requirements in place to stay home or practice social distancing, buyers may not be in a position to walk through a home with their agent, and agents may not be in a position to show homes. While touring in person might seem essential to the buying experience, agents and sellers have gotten creative in adopting tools and technology that allow prospective buyers to feel like they’re walking through a home, even if they’re miles away.

Show your home remotely with easy tech options

Remote tours are an excellent alternative for generating interest in your home if open houses and tours are not an option due to local MLS restrictions or public health orders.

Here are some ways to give prospective buyers a thorough look at your home:

• Record a video tour of your home and request that your agent post it to Zillow and Trulia
• Upload a 3D Home tour to your Zillow or Trulia listing (iOS only)
• Facilitate a live video tour with a prospective buyer

Recorded video tours

Under normal circumstances, your listing agent might record a video tour of your home to share on Zillow or Trulia. However, if social distancing or health reasons require that no one else come into your home, you can ask your agent for tips on how to record a tour yourself, which they can then upload to your listing. Here are some best practices agents have shared with us:

Before recording:

• Clean and organize your home as you would for an open house.
• Turn on all the lights and open all the doors.
• Plot your route. Generally it works best to start at the front door, tour the first floor, then the second floor if there is one, and end in the backyard.
• Keep family members and pets out of view.
• Put your phone in airplane mode so your video isn’t ruined by an incoming call or message.

Recording:

• Start your tour in front of the home and pan the street before approaching the front door.
• Narrate as you go, commenting on features like flooring and window treatments as well as neighborhood characteristics.
• Open closet doors and describe the storage situation.
• Smoothly pan your smartphone up and down as you film to capture every aspect of the home.
• Tell the story of your home, but not the story of your life in that home. Avoid including personal details or anecdotes.

A 3D Home tour

Anyone with an iPhone 7 or newer can produce a Zillow 3D Home tour. Simply download the 3D Home app and follow these instructions. It’s free to upload the tour to your Zillow or Trulia listing and enables buyers to “walk” through your home at their leisure. We also support 3D Home tours captured on a 360-degree camera like the Ricoh Theta V.

Live video tours

This option is more complicated, but it might be the right fit for some sellers. Talk to your agent about if and how to arrange a live video walkthrough with buyers who are interested in your home.

The Best Time to List in the Current Market

 With disruptions to the traditional spring selling season, when should sellers re-enter the market?

• JUL 31 2020

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Spring is traditionally the best time to sell a home for those interested in maximizing profit, minimizing the time their home spends on the market — or both.

This year, however, the combination of the coronavirus, historically low mortgage interest rates and high demand for the small pool of homes for sale have kept home prices stable and pushed the selling season well into the summer — and possibly beyond, according to Zillow economist Jeff Tucker.

“Right now, this is a market that is starved for listings,’’ Tucker said. “We’re seeing a really healthy pace of sales and pent-up demand from buyers who missed their chance to buy in the spring. All the data suggests you will get a good price and sell your home relatively quickly, assuming you price it appropriately.”

Tucker said most people sell a home because of life events: They need more room for a growing family, or less because the kids have moved out. Or maybe they’ve changed jobs, or they’ve retired and want to live in a warmer climate or near grandkids.  

“Most people are not treating their home like stock trading where they want to buy low and sell high,’’ he said. “But I think people are often aware that they have some flexibility.”

That flexibility helps explain why for-sale listings dropped off in April and May as people figured out how to sell during a pandemic and determined whether it was better to sell or wait.

At the time, no one knew if home buyers would show up during a time of massive job losses and business closures. A lot of homeowners who might have listed their homes held back to get a better read on the market, leading to a drop in what had already become a huge shortage of homes for sale. 

According to Tucker, there are 350,000 fewer homes for sale now compared to this time last year.

Sellers who did list their homes for sale in April and May — when alarms were sounding about the spread of COVID-19 — were rewarded with record-fast selling times and buyers willing to pay asking price for homes.

As of June, homes were going from listing to pending in 2 weeks — a full week shorter than this time last year. And sellers are getting their asking prices at a time when we’d normally be seeing price cuts from sellers who listed in the spring, Tucker said.

He also noted that interest rates are playing a big role in sustaining buyer interest and viability. Historically low interest rates — which briefly dipped below 3% in June and have been hovering around 3% for months — boost buying power and lower monthly mortgage payments. 

Remote schooling also could be contributing to the extended buying, especially since people who are making offers on homes now are not likely to close the sale before school starts. 

Tucker said he predicts the market will favor sellers at least until spring 2021, when federal interventions that enabled millions of homeowners to postpone mortgage payments expire. (Such postponement of mortgage payments is called forbearance.)

“Until next spring or summer, I don’t see anything on the horizon that will relieve this huge shortage of inventory,’’ he said. “At that point, things could really change unless forbearance is extended.”

And if forbearance is not extended? According to Tucker, “There may end up being a lot of foreclosure of homes or distressed sales from people who lost their job during the pandemic and entered forbearance, which, in most cases is up to 12 months. If those 12 months are up and they’re still unemployed and can’t figure out a repayment plan with their lender, then we could see a mix of motivated sellers and banks doing foreclosed sales.”

It’s also unclear what effect a resurgence of COVID-19 cases would have on the broader economy over time.  

It’s worth noting that local markets can have their own dynamics, especially since the coronavirus’ impacts are variable in different parts of the country. 

You can find Zillow Research’s latest market updates at https://www.zillow.com/research/.

A Cross-Country Move at 90, Complicated by a Pandemic

 How COVID-19 turned one move into two and brought a family together.

• SEP 04 2020

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Three years ago, Cyndi Lesinski’s husband got a call from his great-uncle Jimmy, who had found himself alone in the place he’d called home in Florida.

Healthy and independent at age 90, the Korean War veteran, former casino industry executive and lifelong bachelor had outlived all his siblings in Ohio and all but a few longtime friends. He wanted to be near the few family members he had left, which is how he ended up moving cross-country to Santa Clarita, California, to be near Cyndi and her husband, Mark Eddie, his great-nephew.

The couple, who had grown very fond of Uncle Jimmy during their annual visits to Florida, helped him pare down his stuff by about half, then moved him into a ground-floor condo they bought and furnished for him near their home. Cyndi, a real estate agent for the past 18 years and CEO of Lesinski and Associates, said it felt like they had found the perfect way for Uncle Jimmy to live independently while staying connected.

And then COVID-19 hit. Cyndi, a former social worker, began to worry: If Uncle Jimmy remained in his condo, he would almost certainly have to stay away from others to stay safe. And if he moved to an assisted living facility, he would likely face greater risk of exposure to the coronavirus. 

“Living alone during COVID forces seniors into isolation, which can cause someone to age years in just a few months,’’ said Cyndi, whose previous career in social work involved working with seniors and foster children. “Loneliness and isolation lead to a lot of health issues. We were very inclined to not let that happen to our uncle.”

The couple — recent empty-nesters after their two daughters moved out — had a bedroom to spare in their 3-bedroom, 2-bath house. After considering their 1,400 square-foot space, they invited Uncle Jimmy to live with them permanently.

 “We wanted to fully commit rather than have an empty condo for him to come back to,’’ she said. 

The logistics of combining households

The first order of business was selling the condo. Given growing concerns over coronavirus, Cyndi planned to limit showings to one person at a time while Uncle Jimmy stayed at their home during tours. All doors would be left open for appointments, allowing people to look but not touch.

Incredibly, the first buyer to tour the condo offered more than the list price, and the sale closed quickly.

Uncle Jimmy had already whittled his belongings by half before moving from Florida, but he needed to pare down further to fit comfortably in smaller quarters. Since charities had stopped accepting donated goods, Cyndi got creative so that Uncle Jimmy’s stuff wouldn’t end up in the dump.

Cyndi sent photos of free furnishings and housewares to her friends and associates, hopeful that they could use them. The strategy worked. The few items that no one wanted were placed in an area near the garbage at the complex, where they were snatched up within days. 

When it came time to move Uncle Jimmy’s remaining belongings, many of the same people who had claimed items during the purge pitched in to help.

In no time, Uncle Jimmy was settled into his bedroom and private bath before COVID-19 began to spread widely.

Figuring out how they would all live together, however, took a bit more planning.

From garage to great room

“Once he was moved in with us, we had to purge our stuff,’’ Cyndi said. The couple has been together for 34 years, and “we had a lot of stuff we didn’t need. But we’re pretty minimalist so there wasn’t a crazy amount of stuff.”

Most of that stuff, however, was in the garage, which Californians tend to use for storage much the way East Coasters use basements. The couple cleared out the garage and finished the space to create a sitting area, laundry room and an office for Cyndi’s business. The whole process took about two months, she said.

“If we didn’t make that living space, it would be very challenging,’’ she said.

The biggest shift has been for her husband, Mark, a musician and comedian who has been looking after Uncle Jimmy since COVID-19 dried up his gigs. Instead of performing, he’s stepped up as the primary caretaker, a new role that has its own struggles.

“It’s been a little harder on my husband. We always joke, ‘It’s a good thing I like you because we’re in this thing till the end,’’’ she said of her long partnership.  

An adjustment period

Initially, Uncle Jimmy stayed mostly in his room, and the couple had to coax him out.

“He didn’t want to interfere in our lives, and he’d say that he didn’t want to be a bother,’’ Cyndi said. 

Whatever adjustments the new living situation has presented, Cyndi is grateful to have this option for Jimmy’s care.

“There are definitely challenges, but you’re always going to face challenges whether they’re living in a nursing home or alone in a condo,’’ she said. “You have to figure out which challenge will help you live your best life.”

Cyndi said her experiences with her uncle have sharpened her empathy for her clients, who are facing a host of new challenges around the virus. 

“People are afraid,’’ she said. “They’re unsure and there’s no clarity around the situation. It’s nice to have people in the mix who have clarity. Part of what has helped me be successful as a Realtor is I’m a helper. I’m helping people get from point A to point B.”

The trick, she said, is to stay focused and keep moving forward.