You’ve probably been hemming and hawing about making your next career move and starting an independently owned and operated real estate investment business for some time now. There are lots of perks. You get to be your own boss, make a difference in your community, and you can place yourself in a good financial position for retirement. I’m
I am one of those people who learn by doing. Before I became a full-time real estate investor, my career path led me to a company that required a working knowledge of a computer language. I needed the job, so before going on the initial interview, I plowed through all the internet tutorials I
If you’ve never had a panini from Rybrew on Girard, you’re missing out. It’s one of my favorite spots to grab a quick bite when I’m visiting my friend and fellow investor, Andrew, over in Brewerytown, and their New York sandwich is something else. Andy is something else, too. He learned how to invest in
The other day, I ran into an old friend. While we were catching up, he mentioned that he was thinking about buying and renovating property as an investment here in Brooklyn. He wanted to rent it out and create a long-term cash flow for his upcoming retirement. But he expressed feelings of unease as he
My earliest memory of Philadelphia dates back to bus trips taken with my Dad to see baseball games at Veterans Stadium on Broad and Market. In the early 70s, I was fortunate enough to see Hank Aaron play against the Phillies with the Atlanta Braves. The longstanding all-time home run leader was near the
You’ve been thinking of quitting your corporate job and starting a real estate investment business. You’ve been mulling this over for years, in fact. The only thing that’s stopped you from taking the plunge thus far is not knowing if you’ve got what it takes to become a real estate investor–especially with your limited knowledge and experience–and
On my last vacation with the family, I found myself catching up with my former colleague, Ron, who happened to be at the same hotel. He was on a much-needed break from his desk job back at home and was spending his free time researching the ways he could break out on his own.
We’ve all heard those horror stories involving a tenant who lingers in a property for months, digging in their heels and slowing the eviction process as much as humanly possible. My own personal nightmare began with a seemingly very nice family who every month experienced some kind of financial crisis. At first, I was
I like to think it wasn’t that long ago that I got curious about becoming an investor, when I started reading books on real estate investing, attending weekend introduction seminars, and chatting up anyone I could find on residential construction sites. Although it’s somewhat embarrassing to admit now, in the beginning, I was just looking to
Setting up an efficient workflow, from lead generation to the closing table, is absolutely essential for becoming a successful real estate investor. Many investors still use just good old fashioned Excel and` QuickBooks to track their leads and evaluate potential properties to buy. Others realize that they need more than that and try to
Is Flipping Houses Still a Good Business Practice for Investors? Flipping houses has long been a popular real estate investment strategy. The appeal is undeniable: buy an undervalued property, renovate it, and sell it for a profit. Television shows and social media feeds are filled with quick transformations and even quicker returns, making it easy
The minute my son was born, I knew in my heart that I was going to be taking more time away from my career than I’d anticipated. I loved my job but having him in my life fulfilled me in ways that I’d never experienced before. The practical business woman inside me, however, said
When I think of startup businesses that bring innovative products and solutions to market, my mind automatically drifts west to Silicon Valley, which spawned tech behemoths such as Apple, Uber, and Airbnb. In 2018, Northern California saw more than $25 billion in seed money funneled to companies hoping to be the next unicorn—a business that
There’s something special about New York City. For some, it’s the buildings; for others, the rush of people. But as an investor, I’ve always loved the sense of opportunity. Anything seems possible here. Take NYC’s housing market, for example—prices continue to soar despite rumors of a recession. I guess the saying is true: New
When Felipe approached me after dinner one evening to tell me that he wanted to be a real estate investor like me, I told him that the news called for a celebration. I had known for some time that my son-in-law was interested in buying, rehabbing, and reselling houses, thanks to my daughter, Jenna. But, I
What is “Home Flipping” Really? This guide, written with the help of the experts at HomeVestors®, the largest home buyer in the U.S., is meant to familiarize new potential investors with what some people refer to as the “home flipping” process, but HomeVestors® prefers to address the professional home buying business with its challenges, benefits,
My first glimpse of the ocean took place a few decades ago in Spring Lake, New Jersey, a tiny seaside town between the more notable Asbury Park and Point Pleasant. My elderly aunt had a summer home there. When my uncle wanted some company on his return ride from our neighborhood in Northeastern Pennsylvania,
Real estate is an exciting industry. I’ve met some of the most enthusiastic and driven people, many of whom are now lifelong friends. But what I love most is that the market is always changing. It really keeps you on your toes! When most people think about transitioning to a career in real estate,
Since the housing market crash of 2008, Florida has rebounded to become one of the hottest real estate markets in the US. Prices have recovered significantly, surpassing pre-crash levels in most areas. The state's warm weather, beautiful beaches, and growing job market continue to attract homebuyers. Several cities in Florida—including Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville—have been
My friend, Adam, came to me recently with questions about using hard money for buying his first investment property. He’d been wanting to start house flipping houses for some time but wasn’t sure he’d qualify for financing through a traditional lender like a bank or credit union. He had no idea how hard money worked, only
