Blog entries

Marketing Without Money

Jarek Bucholc — Sat, 19 May 2012 06:00:00 +0100

Marketing Without Money

There's an old saying, "If you build a better mousetrap, the world will beat a path to your door." That's just not true anymore. There are plenty of wonderful mousetraps out there that no one will ever buy because nobody knows they exist.

And you don't have to mount some expensive marketing campaign to get the word out. The truth is there are plenty of ways to market that mousetrap even if the only thing in your pocket is lint.

1. Fr...

Is renting better than buying?

Marcin Drozdz — Tue, 15 May 2012 03:50:19 +0100

I came across an article in the Winnipeg Free Press called "when renting is better than buying" and seeing how Winnipeg is one of the most affordable markets in Canada...I had to read it. The article starts out with an example of a friend renting a 750K home for $3500 per month and goes on to say how much better it is in that case to rent. Agreed. In my opinion the investor who bought that house made a poor investment decision and now someone can benefit (i.e. tenant).

I'll approach th...

Squatters Rights

Navtaj Chandhoke — Tue, 08 May 2012 22:21:00 +0100

Getting Rich by occupying other people's property

This ancient remedy was helpful in resolving disputes in the latter part of the Middle Ages. If one farmer continued to cultivate a piece of land at the back of his farm and the farmer’s neighbor did not object, then after 7 years, he owned the land. At the time of course, it was not worth much.

What is the purpose of squatter rights?

The purpose of squatter rights was to regularize the boundaries of the properties. The add...

Everything is about ATTITUDE!!!

Cathy Shen — Sat, 05 May 2012 06:00:00 +0100

The 'Big 5' Challenges People Face
Don't let your attitude set you back.

It’s easy to have a great attitude when things are going our way; everybody can do that. It’s when difficult challenges rise before us, and the attitude within us rises to overcome those problems, that attitude becomes the difference-maker. Unfortunately, it’s more common for our attitude to fall short of rising to life’s challenges. I have come to the conclusion there are fiv...

Six Ways To Boost Your Human Capital

Matthew Tamburello — Wed, 02 May 2012 05:21:49 +0100

Imagine two millionaires in a room and assume that their net worth was exactly $1 million including all investments, estates and assets. Neither person had anything hidden and both were happily married. The only difference between the two was their age. One millionaire was 65 years old while the other was 30. Looking outside of their balance sheets, is one worth more than the other? Because of the idea of human capital, the 30 year old may be worth more than the retirement age pers...

Rental Properties: Cash Cow Or Money Pit?

Matthew Tamburello — Wed, 02 May 2012 04:39:36 +0100

Real estate investors must have basic valuation skills to make buy, sell, or hold decisions. Real estate investment companies have developed sophisticated valuation models to aid them in making investment decisions. However, by using spreadsheet tools an individual can produce an adequate valuation on most income-producing real estate. This would include residential real estate purchased as residential rental property. Valuing real estate using discounted cash flow or capitalization met...

Relationship Building vs. Networking

Travis Edwards — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 22:33:54 +0100

There other day I was at a real estate networking event and a discussion came up regarding building relationships. One person in the discussion said something interesting, he said "People only think short term, they never try to establish a relationship with someone. They give out there business card and tell you to call them. Am I going to call them? No." I thought to myself, that's interesting, but after thinkin...

Mid-West US a Wake-Up Call for Investors

Shawn Holsapple — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 06:27:08 +0100

"Naptown" a Wake-Up Call for Investors

Hey there - if you didn't know already, then let me make it loud and clear - investors are increasingly waking up to the investment potential "Naptown" (i.e. Indianapolis) has to offer.

For real estate investors, particularly, this "sleeper" Midwestern community is rapidly emerging as one of the best values in the U.S. housing market.

For its size, Indianapolis boasts one of the lowest costs of living in the country and ...

Improve your cashflow

Jarek Bucholc — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 06:00:00 +0100

Cash flow is the lifeblood of any enterprise from a street stall, corner shop or charity, right through to a trans-national conglomerate. When cash flow plummets (or isn't there right from the word go), then the enterprise faces, at best, challenging times.

The same applies to property investment. We may delude ourselves into thinking that as long as capital growth is attractive, we are willing to take a hiding on cash flow. Many people don't even mind having negative cash flow (being ...

Warren Buffett's recent CNBC's Squawk Box interview

Shawn Holsapple — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 01:14:57 +0100

I'm sure most of you have already read or heard this recent statement from Warren Buffett. I thought I would just pass it along for those of you who haven't.

Food for Thought,

Shawn Holsapple

CrossBorderProfits

"... if I had a way of buying a couple hundred thousand single-family homes in the mid-west and had a way of managing.....I would load up on them and I would... take mortgages out at very, very low rates. And if I- literally, if I was an investor that was a handy type, which I'm not,...

A Homeowner's Guide

Matthew Tamburello — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 01:29:57 +0100

Every homeowner must pay for routine home maintenance, such as replacing worn-out plumbing components or staining the deck, but some choose to make improvements with the intention of increasing the home's value. Certain projects, such as adding a well thought-out family room - or other functional space - can be a wise investment, as they do add to the value of the home. Other projects, however, allow little opportunity to recover the costs when it's time to sell. Even though the cur...

Blue Collar Can Mean Big Money

Matthew Tamburello — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 01:27:19 +0100

One of the curious outcomes of this recent recession and slow recovery may be a rethinking of how North Americans view their careers and go about training for them. While attending and graduating from a four-year college has long been billed as the golden ticket to a quality life, there are signs that this may be changing. Although some sort of post-high school training and skill development is very important, it may be the case that blue collar skilled trades should get a second look.

6 Reasons Indianapolis is a Great Place to Invest

Shawn Holsapple — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 05:21:43 +0100

Whether you’re looking for a fix and flip or cash flow properties, Indianapolis is a great market for real estate investment.

Here’s why……….

3rd Safest Real Estate Investment Market

Local Market Monito...

Mistakes to Avoid When Renting Out a Property

Jarek Bucholc — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 05:52:01 +0100

As a realtor, you’re seen as a trusted advisor and often called upon to give advice on various aspects concerning the housing industry. What happens, though, when you get clients whose real estate interests – investors, for example -- are beyond your scope of knowledge?

You bone up. You ask fellow colleagues. You read everything you can get your hands on. And you learn. So in an effort to broaden your horizons and in honour of real estate investors everywhere, we put to...

Risks of Real Estate Investing

Cathy Shen — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Everyone would be a millionaire if real estate investing were 100% risk free. No one would have any reason not to invest. Only those real estate investors who are not afraid to face risks and know how to deal with them will be successful in real estate investing. If you want this to be you, take a little time to learn the risks involved with investing in real estate.
Potential for Negative Cash Flow: Like many other investments, real estate has the potential to create losses. Whene...

Negotiating A Perfect Real Estate Deal

Jarek Bucholc — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0100

In order to be able to negotiate a perfect real estate deal you must make sure that your negotiation proceeds in line with the under mentioned principles.

1. Always get the other side to commit first - When you are into serious negotiations you will be better placed if you steer the talks in a direction that makes the other party commit their position before you are required to make a commitment from your side. There are many valid reasons for this. You may find their first quote more ...

The Incredible Importance of Networking for the Real Estate Investor

Jarek Bucholc — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Networking is an important skill in any business if the goal is a profitable business. The same holds true for real estate investing, at least on behalf of those who are serious about pursuing real estate investing as a business rather than a part time hobby. Either way, in all honesty, the ability to network for potential business partners, investors, and join ventures along the way can be critical to providing the type of diversity your real estate portfolio needs in order to be solid in a ...

How To Keep Your Renovation Budget On Track

Matthew Tamburello — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:45:00 +0100

Canadian households spent a total of $22.8 billion on renovations in 2010, according to a recent survey conducted by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. While 51% of those home renos finished right on budget, about 34% of homeowners spent more than they anticipated, the findings suggest. While renovation costs can go up for all kinds of reasons - change of plans, structural problems, price of materials - here are a few steps you can take to anticipate and rein in expenses for pr...

Global Economic Crisis May Have A Silver Lining In Canada

Matthew Tamburello — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:42:12 +0100

The ongoing financial woes in the US and in countries in Europe are one of the contributing factors to Canada's stable housing market and historically low interest rates, and these rates will continue right into mid-to late 2012. The variable rate, which is based on the Bank of Canada's Prime rate is sitting at 3% and is likely to stay there right up until mid-to-late 2012. The main reason for this is the very slow economy in the US. The Federal Reserve there has already announced ...

Getting the Most From Your Mortgage Broker

Jarek Bucholc — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:00:00 +0100

If you have decided that a mortgage broker will best suit your buying needs, you will want to ensure that you know how to make your broker work for you. Getting the most from your mortgage broker is relatively easy, but you must make sure to ask all the right questions.

To begin, let's talk about your money. You have probably heard about those dishonest brokers that manage to wrangle extra fees and rates from unsuspecting customers - don't wind up one of these victims. Instead, make su...