Exclusive Hotel Price Drop: Miami

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Why Miami?

Miami is an unforgettable tropical vacation destination with beautiful beaches, sunny weather, diverse culture, nightlife, and endless entertainment offerings. Visitors of this glamourous city can enjoy great shopping, golfing, deep-sea fishing, diving, surfing, and more. Make your 2022 spring break getaway one to remember with savings to one of the most sought after places in the world — Miami Beach.

Safe Stay Guest Checklist »

Coronavirus Travel Advice »

Save on the go with your Access Perks app!

Use your email address ([email protected]) and your savings site password to get started! (You may be prompted to enter your Program ID:202306)

Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.

*The extra hotel savings above are only for a booking window of January 7, 2022 to January 21, 2022, traveling anytime between January 7, 2022 and June 30, 2022.

**Hotel original rate examples were pulled from prices on December 10, 2021 for 2 people checking in on March 25, 2022 and checking out April 1, 2022. Hotel prices and availability are subject to change.

US. Offers are subject to availability and restrictions may apply. See each offer’s Details & Exclusions.

Contact: 1-888-503-1005

Realty411’s Virtual Investor’s Summit

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Join Realty411’s complimentary investing summit and learn from experts who are sharing important knowledge about real estate investing.

Join us at 9 AM PT for a special educational online REI event. Don’t miss this day as Realty411 will virtually unite some of the most successful, knowledgeable and savvy investors in the REI (Real Estate Investing) industry to help our readers make educated and informed decisions.

Joining us on this special conference to help guide our readers will be top industry experts ready to spill their secrets of success. Get educated, motivated and prepare for an amazing 2022 and beyond.

Normally, online events of this caliber have a hefty admission price, but Realty411 is making this special investor conference COMPLIMENTARY for investors of all levels who have a sincere desire to begin and/or expand their real estate holdings.

Since 2007, Realty411 has produced real estate-investing events and expos throughout the nation. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience this day in the comfort of your home or office. Be sure to read about our amazing featured educators.

Jan 22, 2022 09:00 AM in Pacific Time (US and Canada)

REGISTER NOW

SPEAKERS

Kathy Kennebrook
Founder @Marketing Magic Lady

Kathy Kennebrook is the ultimate success story. She spent over 20 years in the banking industry before discovering the world of real estate. After attending some real estate seminars this 4 foot 11 mother of two got really excited and before you know it she’d bought and sold hundreds of properties using none of her own money or credit. Kathy holds a degree in finance and has co-authored the books- The Venus Approach to Real Estate Investing, Walking With the Wise Real Estate Investor, and Walking With the Wise Entrepreneur. She is the nation’s leading expert at finding highly qualified, motivated sellers, buyers and lenders using many types of direct mail marketing. She is known throughout the United States and Canada as the Marketing Magic Lady. She has put together a simple step-by-step system that anyone can follow to duplicate her success.

Jeff Dixon, MBA, CISP, SDIP
Vice-President of Business Development @uDirect IRA Services

Jeff Dixon has been involved with financial services for over 30 years. He worked in the Mortgage field for many years helping clients understand the best way to finance and leverage properties. Currently he is with uDirect IRA Services, a self directed IRA company which helps people understand how their retirement accounts can be used outside of the stock market, into assets like real estate, loaning money and syndications, just to mention a few. He has owned investment properties and is very familiar with what landlords have to deal with. He has an MBA in Business Administration and is a constant reader.

Jim Biggs
Founder @GOB Network

The GOB Network of Apartment Investors, an open source, democratized all inclusive platform for apartment investors to source deals, partners, capital. The platform also provides coaching, mentoring, teaching and access to partnerships as GP, KP, LP, JV and other creative deal structures. Mr. Biggs has held a professional license in real estate, as an agent in the state of Florida’s Department of Professional Regulation, presided as President of Chesterfield HOA, held an insurance license and Series 6 Securities License with the Department of Professional Regulation in Illinois and is currently a Managing Broker for the State of Indiana. He is a member of the National Association of Realtors, Illinois Rental Property Owners Association, National Real Estate Investors Association, Northern Indiana Creative Investors Association, Chicago Creative Investors Association, Chicago Real Estate Investor Networking Group as well as several other community and professional associations.

Dr. Chander Mishra
Founder @Blue Ocean Capital

Chander Mishra MD MBA is an MF real estate investor and a sponsor, who has invested in over 3000 units across the US, worth over $200MM. Chander is the Founder and Senior Managing Partner of Accel Equity Group LLC, and Blue Ocean Capital a real estate investment firm specializing in multifamily investments, where he helps investors create wealth by generating double-digit returns by investing in the apartments. He is an author speaker and has appeared as a guest on multiple podcasts.Chander graduated from the MBA program at NYIT Ellis school of management and is a physician with a specialization in Cardiac Anesthesiology. He is an experienced entrepreneur, VC who has helped build and scale companies by improving their business operations and customer relations. He manages a portfolio of over 125 million at Accel Equity Group LLC, and Blue Ocean Capital he created an opportunity for investors to invest in large multifamily assets they usually don’t have access to.

Iva Mishra, MBA CPC
EXECUTIVE @Blue Ocean Capital

Over 14 years of property management, business consulting, HOA management, real estate, and asset management experience. She is a certified business coach, franchise consultant helping businesses grow by achieving goals. Iva continuously shares her knowledge and time with the local business community, nonprofits, school districts.

Happy New Year from New Sphere Capital and Realty411

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New Sphere Capital and Realty411 would like to wish our colleagues, clients, and future clients a Happy and Safe New Year!

Ring in the New Year with funding for your next deal or business.

Introducing New Sphere Capital, a national finance company, offering Flexible Rental Loan Options for all Realty411 investors.

New Sphere Capital offers flexible long-term rental financing is designed to help investors reap the benefits of both property appreciation and rental income with rental property interest rates as low as 3.875%.

  • Rates as low as 3.875
  • No hard credit pulls
  • Individual and entity borrowers eligible
  • No prepayment penalty after year three
  • Cash-out up to $500k
  • Loan Amounts: $25,000 up to $500,000
  • Terms: 1 to 5 years with monthly payments
  • Rates: Range from 6%-18%

TO GET STARTED, CALL:
William Robinson (951) 546 – 6453
OR CLICK HERE

The New Sphere Capital network is made up of many financial institutions that focus on providing small business loans, which include:

SBA Loans | Equipment Financing | Asset-Based Loans | Revenue Based | Startup Loans

When you call or register, New Sphere Capital will send a download of their eBook “What You Didn’t Know About Building Business Credit” as a New Year’s gift.

GET STARTED NOW

Since 2007 Realty411.com has assisted top companies expand their visibility and quickly grow their business. Contact us for a complimentary marketing session, CLICK HERE.

Deeds & LLCs: Finding Success In Real Estate Investing In 30 Days

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By Tim Houghten, Staff Writer

Whether you’ve spent substantial amounts on real estate education and are still struggling to get results, or you are ready to make a big splash and claim your piece of the pie and invest, how can you start really gaining traction in the next four weeks?

Real estate investor and entrepreneur Jason O. Myles has become a magnet for people in both of these camps. He specializes in helping those that want to get real, and meaningful results from investing in real estate, quickly.

That’s true whether you’ve been hustling and grinding hard, but just haven’t gotten in your zone yet. As well as those with capital to invest, but who need to do it efficiently and effectively, while staying on track to their real objectives.

Deeds & LLCs – An Investor’s Toolbox

No matter where you are on your money and investment journey, Jason O. Myles has been there already. He has run into the frustrations and roadblocks, and has found how to consistently navigate them for optimal success.

Twenty years ago, Myles discovered the life changing advantages of making the leap into real estate. Before there was Facebook or Siri, he spent his spare moments going to the local library to read and learn everything he could about investing in real estate. He tried reaching out to educators and the experienced by writing them letters.

He admits that he didn’t make much money in those first few years. He saw others making money in real estate and knew it was real. He just wasn’t putting those dollars in his own pocket. He had tried to piece together some strategies and tactics from gurus, but when he took them into the field most people thought he was crazy or deluded.

He got frustrated, but wasn’t going to give up. Myles started calling everyone he could find to get answers. Finally, with a few tweaks, he put his first $6,000 check in the bank in just three weeks. Then, the next week he put an $18,000 check in the bank. He was hooked. It was real.

He got noticed by Robert G. Allen for the deals he was doing, and ended up crafting the manual they would acquire to train others to invest in real estate.

Robert G. Allen has of course become a mentor to many, and has been praised by successful leaders like Brian Tracy, Jack Canfield, Robert Kiyosaki and Stephen Covey.

It turned out that Jason Myles had quite a skill at creating systems and processes. That has since led him to be involved in tens of millions of dollars of real estate deals from Florida to Georgia, to the Carolinas, Ohio, Indiana and Texas.

Going beyond just starting in single-family homes, he has engaged in multifamily, land, and commercial and industrial deals.

Today, many come to him that have invested heavily in other real estate programs, and have come out without all of the tools and organization they really need to start knocking out those deals. As well as many with over $1M in liquid capital they want to put to work in real estate. Like the dentist from TX who started investing passively with Jason, and pretty quickly was able to move on from tinkering in people’s mouths all day to operating his own real estate investment firm.

How To Be Successful In 30 Days

It is important to point out that Jason O. Myles is adamant that he is not selling get rich quick and fast money programs. There are plenty of other people out there on the web that do that, if you are just looking for the next scheme to make a quick buck.

Instead, Myles has differentiated himself and his tools, by aligning his interests with his investors, and by structuring the processes that will help them start seeing actual progress inside 30 days.

Through several programs he has structured guides and systems that mean he isn’t making money unless his clients and students are. A refreshing change from what we’ve seen in the industry over the past few years.

Additional Resources For Active Investors

Via his website, www.RealEstatePro360.com, Myles¬ provides access to a variety of paths to take you to the next level financially through real estate investing.

For those limited on capital, who are ready to hustle to achieve things and make them happen, there is Ultimate Real Estate Hacks. A process designed to help investors put everything they need in place and at a minimum get their first deal under contract inside the first 30 days.

This includes using strategies like virtual wholesaling and flipping. Along with the documents, spreadsheets and calculators you need to quickly and accurately value properties, assess renovation costs by region and types of materials, and to connect with your success team. There are weekly calls and an online support group to get answers fast.

There are funding programs and partnership programs, which provide investors the resources and support they need to do real deals and make real profits.

For Passive Investors

For those with capital to invest, Jason provides guidance and processes to put that money to work simply, efficiently and passively. Methods that generate strong returns, in solid investments, without having to deal with contractors and property managers. It is about making your money work hard for you for cash flow and returns, while you actually get to enjoy your life. Get your piece of the pie and have a life worth living too.

What’s Next For The Real Estate Market: Blood In The Streets

It’s going to be okay Chicken Little.

During Realty 411’s exclusive interview with Jason O. Miles, he told us that he is “always bullish on real estate.”

He has certainly been in the business long enough to know what the cycles look like. As well as that there is always money to be made, and how to do it.

His newest book Blood In The Streets tackles some of the fear and pessimism out there, and busts some frequent myths about the market and investing. He doesn’t believe there is impending doom. In fact, he sees ongoing growth.

When there is a cooling in markets, he says it is all about positioning yourself in advance to take advantage of the great deals.

One of the ways that he is preparing investors to do this too is through the CARV Method. A way to evaluate potential real estate deals and to structure them for multiple exit strategies and to avoid leaving money on the table in these times as most do.

Get Your 4-Week Action Plan

If you are among those craving better results from real estate investing in the next 30 days, and to be able to invest with confidence, you can download your complimentary 4-Week Action Plan at www.RealEstatePro360.com.

There you will also find more of his story, books, courses, and how to get in touch with him directly. Or connect with him on social @jasonomyles. Then be sure to stop by and meet him in person at one of our upcoming live real estate events.

No matter where you are on your financial journey in real estate Jason has probably been there already, and can show you how he found the breakthrough and process to make it through to the other side.

Forbearance Bailouts and Refinances

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Image from Pexels

By Rick Tobin

The 2020 and 2021 years have been two of the most unusual time periods in world history, especially for the real estate sector. For example, millions or tens of millions of homeowners and tenants have been severely delinquent with their mortgage and rent payments while unemployment numbers rose incredibly high. However, home values have absolutely skyrocketed to all-time record high annual percentages and prices.

How is it possible for us to see record delinquencies with or without approved forbearance (“no mortgage payments paid and the lender agrees not to foreclose”) or loan modification agreements in place and record price growth at the exact same time? Don’t these two opposing situations contradict one another in a cognitive dissonance sort of way? In past years, record mortgage delinquency numbers would typically cause declining property values nearby because these home delinquencies or foreclosures would become the latest lower sales comparable for the neighboring homes.

The true irony of record delinquency numbers is that most homeowners created much more equity in their properties by just sitting there and not making any mortgage payments. As reported by CoreLogic’s Homeowner Equity Report, the total US homeowners’ annual equity grew $2.9 trillion between the second quarters of 2020 and 2021 with an average individual mortgage borrower’s gain of $51,500 in just one year. A deferral of 12 months’ worth of $2,000 per month payments that totaled $24,000 would still be less than half of the new equity gains.

Image from Pexels

In this article, you will learn about how you can refinance out of a forbearance or loan modification plan instead of losing all of your equity in a future foreclosure sale. For most American families, the bulk of their net worth originates from the equity in their owner-occupied residential property (single-family home, condominium, townhouse, duplex, triplex, or fourplex), so this topic point is quite relevant to millions of people today.

Let’s review next some of the most mind-blowing delinquency data that’s been published here in 2021:

$833 Billion in Unpaid Mortgage Balances

  • An estimated 15 million people lived in households that owed more than $20 billion in unpaid rent as of July 2021.
  • 7.43 million rental property units were not current.
  • 5.95 million owner-occupied housing units weren’t current.
  • 8.71 million lived in owner-occupied homes where the homeowners have little or no confidence in their ability to pay their mortgage.
  • 12.71 million lived in rental properties where the heads of household had little or no confidence in their ability to pay their rent.
  • Serious mortgage delinquencies were up 20% in July from June and were the highest recorded since 2010.
  • By mid-August 2021, 3.9 million homeowners were in active forbearance, which represented 7.4% of all mortgages nationwide and $833 billion in total unpaid principal.
  • An estimated 11.6% of all FHA and VA loans were in active forbearance.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau and Black Knight Mortgage Monitor

How Hyperinflation Creates Wealth

Most people should know by now that historically low mortgage rates for borrowers is one of the main reasons why real estate values have boomed since 2013, depending upon the region. The vast majority of homeowners need third-party loans to buy their properties. Over the past decade, a very high percentage of homebuyers purchased their homes with 0% to 3.5% down payments with or without their own personal funds for loan programs like FHA, VA, or conforming that allowed gifted funds from family or seller credits.

Image from Pixabay

Historically, 7-year to 10-year boom cycles for real estate have been the norm. Yet, we haven’t seen significant price drops in a major metropolitan region, state, or across the nation. Do we still have at least another few years of potential double-digit home appreciation growth in our future or not?

Few investments have been a better hedge against inflation than real estate. On an annualized basis, home values generally increase in value on average at least as high as the published annual rates of inflation. The Federal Reserve must continue to keep rates artificially low or they may risk causing the housing bubble to pop.

The Federal Reserve’s ongoing policy of Quantitative Easing (create more money to boost asset values related to housing and stocks, especially) and their lesser-known Operation Twist policy (the simultaneous buying and selling of long-term and short-term bonds to artificially drive down mortgage rates) that they seem to turn on and off as needed with or without notifying the general public. With record high government debt levels today, the Fed has really no choice but to keep pushing inflation higher because one of their biggest fears is massive asset deflation like seen in Japan in the early 1990s after their own Quantitative Easing program failed miserably.

Rising inflation trends for various consumer goods and services like food, clothing, cars, and gasoline are not usually viewed favorably. However, rising home values tied to meteoric inflation trends are welcomed by homeowners who see their home values rise $50,000 to $100,000+ in a year.

Year-over-year inflation trends for August 2021:

  • Used vehicle prices: +31.9%
  • Energy costs: +25%
  • Southern California home prices: +22.1%*
  • National home prices: +19.7% (a new annual US record)*
  • Export prices: +16.8%
  • Apparel / clothing: +15.52%
  • Import prices: +9.0%

*July year-over-year housing price trends

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CoreLogic, and California Association of Realtors

Forbearance and Loan Modification Refinance Solutions

A homeowner who hasn’t made a mortgage payment in several months, a year, or almost two years probably has a few options to exit out of this dire financial situation. First, they can sell the home and lease another property if their credit scores aren’t too negatively impacted.

In September 2021, multifamily apartment units reached an all-time record high of $1,558 which was an all-time record annual 11.4% increase, according to Yardi Matrix. For single-family home rentals, the monthly rents are normally much higher in the $2,000 to $5,000+ per month range, depending upon how close they are to an ocean or prime metropolitan region.

Image from Pixabay

Or, the homeowner can attempt to save their home and end their existing approved or unapproved forbearance (“no payment, no foreclosure”) or loan modification situation, and refinance with a new loan that may allow cash out, a lower rate, and better monthly payments. The mortgage companies or lenders that will consider refinancing a mortgage which is severely delinquent are likely to request that the homeowner exit out their forbearance agreement, make a few payments, and then complete the new refinance closing.

Oftentimes, a homeowner who has been in forbearance cannot provide tax returns or more formal income verification. As a result, more lenders today may consider qualifying the borrower applicant with anywhere between zero and 24 months’ worth of bank deposits while closely analyzing the averaged bank deposits. In some cases, a government-backed mortgage product may allow an almost “No Doc” loan program with a financial hardship letter that may reduce the monthly principal and interest amounts by 25%, as recently announced by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).

For more details in regards to these new financial solutions to exit out of forbearance and loan modification programs, refinance, and save your home, please visit my website at www.realloans.com.

Rick Tobin

Rick Tobin has a diversified background in both the real estate and securities fields for the past 30+ years. He has held seven (7) different real estate and securities brokerage licenses to date, and is a graduate of the University of Southern California. Rick has an extensive background in the financing of residential and commercial properties around the U.S with debt, equity, and mezzanine money. His funding sources have included banks, life insurance companies, REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts), equity funds, and foreign money sources. You can visit Rick Tobin at RealLoans.com for more details.

Learn live and in real-time with Realty411. Be sure to register for our next virtual and in-person events. For all the details, please visit Realty411.com or our Eventbrite landing page, CLICK HERE.

Caveat Investor (Part 2)

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Image from Pixabay

By Bruce Kellogg

#6 – Lending

Here are four things to know about lending:

A) On a purchase situation, the appraiser will bring it in at the contract price if they can. (That’s why they ask for the sale price in advance!) They try not to come in below the contract price, but they scrupulously won’t go above it.

B) On a refinance, appraisers tend to come in lower to protect the lender. Don’t expect a high appraisal because you’ll be disappointed.

C) Do not think “No Points” is a bargain. It’s a “come-on”! Lenders seek a certain yield, so any concession on points they make up with the interest rate. There’s no free lunch.

D) My adult son started a refinance with an online lender. Part way through, he found a better deal, canceled the application, and pulled the loan package. The former loan agent howled. What do you think? Is loyalty required when you are getting a loan online?

#7 – Property Managers

Image from Pixabay

Most property managers are honest and hardworking. They deal with tenants. WHEW! No fun! But here are some caveats for you.

A) Most property managers do not make the effort to inspect unit interiors regularly, so some tenants run down the unit.

Insist on quarterly inspections. Pay extra if necessary. It’s cheaper than accumulating unit damage. If your manager won’t/doesn’t do it, it’s time for “NEXT!”

B) Some managers make work for their contractors and handypersons, some of whom are often relatives and friends. They authorize unneeded repairs. Be alert to this. (I got conned out of an $8,700 septic tank installation once. The manger was in cahoots with the county sanitarian.)

C) Some managers have “kickback” arrangements with the people they hire.

D) Some managers apply a percentage “markup” to the parts they buy. They say this compensates for the purchasing effort. This is a load of fertilizer! Simply buy the parts yourself after getting a detailed list from the manager or the contractor.

#8 – Education and Training

One buzzphrase in real estate lately is “move to the next level” or “scale up”. This is accomplished only by education, training, and experience. Yet as the real estate boom has grown, teachers, trainers, and mentors have proliferated.

Image from Pixabay

Consequently, it is essential that you pick quality contributors to your growth. Sometimes, it is hard to tell amidst all the hype.

You can be pretty confident of quality if you are involved with Realty411. Linda Pliagas, the founder and publisher, has had a career in real estate of several decades as a Realtor®, multiple investor, and journalist/publisher. Her mission is to help investors grow and succeed. Realty411 Magazine and REI Wealth Magazine have high standards for their articles, and their expos nationally have high standards for their exhibiters and presenters. Charlatans are not tolerated!

Another resource is the myself. With 40 years as a Realtor® with over 800 transactions of all kinds, including owning over 300 investment properties myself, I offer readers the benefit of my experience. See the accompanying biography for contact information.

#9 – “The Rise of the Fake Gurus”

Please go to YouTube and watch “The Rise of the Fake Gurus”, which is a 21 minute detailed expose how fake “gurus” lure their victims from free “workshops” all the way up to $40,000-60,000 “bootcamps”. Definitely watch it at least once!

Wrapup

As the market continues to heat up, new investors are entering real estate all the time. This article is meant to highlight some of the larger risks, pitfalls, and cons they will want to avoid as they grow. Best wishes with that!

Bruce Kellogg

Bruce Kellogg has been a Realtor® and investor for 40 years. He has transacted about 800 properties in 12 California counties. These include 1-4 units, 5+ apartments, offices, mixed-use buildings, land, lots, mobile homes, cabins, and churches.

He writes and edits copy for Realty411 and REI Wealth Monthly magazines.

Mr. Kellogg is a recipient of an Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, listed in Who’s Who in America – 2019.

Mr. Kellogg is available for consulting about syndication, “turnkey” investments, joint-ventures, and other property purchases nationally, and other consulting assignments. Reach him at [email protected], or (408) 489-0131.

Learn live and in real-time with Realty411. Be sure to register for our next virtual and in-person events. For all the details, please visit Realty411.com or our Eventbrite landing page, CLICK HERE.

Realty411′ South Florida Real Estate Summit

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When:
April 2, 2022 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where:
Embassy Suites by Hilton Boca Raton
661 Northwest 53rd Street
Boca Raton, FL
33487
Cost:
Free
Contact:
Realty411.com
805.693.1497

Realty411 Celebrates 15 Years of Publishing Life-Changing Magazines that Have Helped Thousands of Readers Learn about Real Estate Investing

We are going ALL OUT for our South Florida Real Estate Conference and Networking Summit on SATURDAY, April 2nd in Boca Raton, Florida.

This is an educational and fun networking expo, featuring both local and national educators and real estate investing professionals.

Join us early at 9 am for a complimentary network breakfast with fellow investors from throughout Florida and around the nation.

Realty411 will virtually unite the most successful, knowledgeable and savvy investors in the REI (Real Estate Investing) industry to help our readers make educated and informed decisions.

Joining us on this special conference to help guide our readers will be top industry experts ready to spill their secrets of success. Get educated, motivated and prepare for an amazing 2022 and beyond.

Normally, in-person networking events of this caliber are hundreds of dollars to attend, but Realty411 is making this special weekend conference COMPLIMENTARY for investors of all levels who have a sincere desire to begin and/or expand their real estate holdings.

Since 2007, Realty411 has produced real estate-investing events and expos throughout the nation — now in 12 states across the United States. Now, it’s time to connect with our readers in person.

Realty411.com is the longest-running real-estate investor media company publishing online and print magazines, e-newsletters, webinars and podcasts. Our mission to educate and empower everyone to invest in real estate.

Please register and further details of this event will be sent, click here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/realty411-south-florida-real-estate-summit-tickets-230614573397

Do you have questions about participating in one of our virtual or in-person events? Please contact us directly for additional information or for information about exhibiting at this event: 805.693.1497 | email: [email protected]

Realty411’s Silicon Valley Investor Wealth Summit

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When:
February 26, 2022 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where:
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Jose
2050 Gateway Place San Jose
CA 95110
Cost:
Free
Contact:
Realty411.com
805.693.1497

Learn the latest new niches and insight in real estate, plus connect with influential investors from across the nation!

Join Us at Realty411’s Silicon Valley Investor Wealth Summit

Guest will discover the benefits of real estate investing, plus learn to expand an existing portfolio.

Learn the latest new, niches and insight in real estate, plus connect with influential investors from across the nation in San Jose, California.

Realty411’s Silicon Valley Investor Wealth Summit will be held Saturday, FEBRUARY 26TH, beginning at 9 am to 5 pm.

This complimentary one-day event hosted in the heart of San Jose, the tech center of the nation, is designed to foster a premiere networking environment for real estate investors, brokers/agents, entrepreneurs, private lenders, mortgage originators, business owners, real estate educators, and interested individuals ready to learn to invest.

Other events charge hundreds of dollars, but this day is truly PRICELESS.

Our mission is simply to provide real estate resources so that others can also learn about the benefits of long-term real estate investing, in and outside of California.

Since 2007, Realty411.com, the home page of Realty411 magazine, has been the leader in REI resources for real estate investors around the nation, as well as our readers internationally. Join us and network with industry leaders right in the heart of America’s technology industry: Silicon Valley.

OUR COMPLIMENTARY CONFERENCE HAS BEEN THE #1 REI SOURCE IN SILICON VALLEY FOR 15 YEARS!

THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO LEARN IN PERSON AGAIN.

  • Meet Local + Out-of-Area Investors
  • Learn from Leaders & Industry Pros
  • NON-Stop Tips for Real Estate Success
  • Meet TOP Leaders in Real Estate Investing
  • Bring Numerous Business Cards & Connect
  • Both Local & National Experts in Attendance
  • Meet Others with Common Goals and Mindsets
  • Learn with long-term leaders in the REI Industry
  • Receive the latest REI Knowledge from Real Investors
  • Save money with Realty411VIP.com‘s Merchant Discounts
  • Network with Other Professionals in the Real Estate Industry
  • We Have Been Sharing Life-Changing Information for 15 Years

The agenda for this event, as well as details about our special speakers, will be released soon. Please register to receive all event updates.

Realty411 magazine is based in the Central Coast of California, Santa Barbara County. Since 2007, we have dedicated our time, resources and energy to help expand real estate knowledge and education by providing complimentary magazines and expos to the general public.

Learn more about Realty411 at:

http://realty411.com or http://realty411guide.com or http://realty411expo.com

Our second publication, REI Wealth, was specifically developed and designed for online readership.

Learn more about our digital-friendly publication, which is now also available in print: http://REIwealthmag.com

Guests can enjoy complimentary copies of both publications at this special one-day Silicon Valley Investor Summit.

Realty411 Has Helped Investors Grow Their Portfolios Since 2007

Realty411 magazine was first published in 2007 and is now the longest-running publication owned by the same owner. Based in Santa Barbara county, Realty411 has reached thousands of readers and online followers in person with their national events. Realty411 has hosted events in 12 states reaching thousands of readers.

In 2020, when the pandemic began, Realty411‘s virtual events began with much success. Since then, Realty411 has reached close to 10,000 investor/readers across the nation. Realty411‘s publisher and founder, Linda Pliagas, has over 17 years experience as an active real estate agent in the State of California (CA DRE #01355569), plus a bachelor’s degree in journalism from California State University, Long Beach.

Linda has implemented creative real estate investing strategies since “Day One” — She purchased her first property in Los Angeles with zero down by uniting private capital and a traditional mortgage wrapped with a seller-financed second trust deed. Currently, Linda and her family own and manage a multi million-dollar portfolio of rentals, in and out of state. Linda has been a landlord consecutively for over 20 years and has owned rentals in five states (California, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, and Louisiana).

Please check back here or Realty411.com for regular updates on how we are coping with the new norm of “social distancing”, thank you. We are abiding with all CDC guidelines and State of California mask mandates for this event. Realty411 will continue with more events throughout California and around the nation in 2022.

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Caveat Investor (Part 1)

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Image from Pexels

By Bruce Kellogg

Why Caveat Investor?

There have been many changes in real estate since the boom began in 2010 after the Great Recession. To name a few: 1) Real estate licensees have increased about 40%. 2) Syndicators are gobbling up apartments, self-storage, mobile home parks, and industrial warehouses. 3) Brokerage companies are paying cash and “flipping” houses using venture capitalists’ money. 4) Brokerages are hiring agents like employees with salaries, vacations, health insurance, retirement plans, and stock options. 5) Developers are building whole communities of houses for rent. There’s a lot more, of course, but no time to exhaust the subject.

See the accompanying chart. Markets appear to be in the late stage of their up-cycle. As always, change is coming.

This article is my survey of many aspects of real estate where readers and investors need to be cautious and diligent in this expansive and innovative real estate environment. Every effort was made to address the major places where investors could get cheated or financially hurt in other ways. So, here goes.

#1 – Homebuying

Many homebuyers are making offers without inspection contingencies in an attempt to win in competitive bidding. The same is true of “as is” purchasing. Buyers are also not scrutinizing property condition disclosures from sellers. All of this is risky and imprudent. Deal with this as best you can. You can always walk.

#2 – Brokers and Agents

Reportedly, 40% of the new agents in California were licensed only in the past two years. (Other places are probably similar.) The average agent does 3-4 deals per year, so they might have 8 transactions under their belt. These are beginners, or novices, even though their business card might have “senior” in their title. “Junior or apprentice” would be more like it. Pick an agent with 10 years or more of full-time experience, and over 6o closed transactions, primarily with the type of property you are working with. Hire a pro.

Image from Pixabay

The other thing you need to watch out for is agent/brokers exaggerating their accomplishments and/or qualifications. I saw a flyer recently where a pair of new agents boasted of selling 250+ listings worth $250+ million. What they had done is taken the whole company’s production and taken credit for it. Brokers and sales managers are supposed to review and approve all agent advertising, but they don’t. So protect yourself. Be skeptical of “puff” in the advertising you receive. Or ask for proof, if there is any.

 #3 – Syndications

There are a lot of trainers and ”gurus” traversing the countryside teaching how to do syndications. The attraction is that you can quit your job and become wealthy. They present testimonials, picture luxury homes, and stand next to exotic automobiles. So, a lot of sincere but inexperienced people sign up. Lately, there is a huge demand for apartments by syndications that might overpay, buy wrong properties, or mismanage the 5-7-10 year project. It’s easy to make faulty or fraudulent projections on a 10-year EXCEL spreadsheet.

The other thing is that new syndicators are taught to pay experienced syndicators with good credentials to lend their qualifications to the project for a portion of the ownership. This makes the new syndicator look better. But are they really better, or still inexperienced beginners? Would you bet your money?

#4 – Turnkey Investing

Image from Pixabay

Distance investing in “turnkey” properties can be viable if it is done right. Needed are a rehab with quality materials, all necessary inspections, and all permits signed off. Many turnkey operators skimp on these to increase their profits. A prudent investor would visit the area, inspect the property, review the  inspections and permits, and interview the potential property manager. “Armchair investing” is not enough because once you buy, it’s yours. The others could split, and you’re on your own.

I had a client who wasn’t given promised repairs. The city inspected and threatened to prosecute him in Cleveland while he lives in Palo Alto, California. He fired the do-nothing property manager, hired a new one, got the repairs done, and salvaged his situation. It’s a quality, brick home in a good area with a quality tenant and good cash flow, but a “passive investment” it was not.

#5 – Fix & Flips

Image from Pixabay

Much of the talk on TV, in the media, and online is about “fix & flips” of houses, and even larger properties. Every now and then the news reports the average profit is $60,000+ per flip. You can do one every six months, part-time! Really? Well, the $60K “profit” is not calculated to include materials, labor, permits, advertising, and holding costs. Big difference! Perhaps this is why 80% of “fix & flip” entrepreneurs reportedly quit after their first project.

Now, if you want to try it, do it right. 1) Estimate the costs accurately. 2) Estimate the “After-Repaired Value” (ARV) accurately. 3) Hire a competent, reliable contractor. 4) Select the right type of house. No two bedrooms. Too small. No Victorians. Antique money pits! (Disclosure: I live in one, built in 1898.) Ideal are 3-5 bedroom, modern-construction “tract” homes on standard city lots, bought right. Do not compromise and “reach for a deal”. Pass, and keep looking. As they say, “You make your  profit when you buy.”

Bruce Kellogg

Bruce Kellogg has been a Realtor® and investor for 40 years. He has transacted about 800 properties in 12 California counties. These include 1-4 units, 5+ apartments, offices, mixed-use buildings, land, lots, mobile homes, cabins, and churches.

He writes and edits copy for Realty411 and REI Wealth Monthly magazines.

Mr. Kellogg is a recipient of an Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, listed in Who’s Who in America – 2019.

Mr. Kellogg is available for consulting about syndication, “turnkey” investments, joint-ventures, and other property purchases nationally, and other consulting assignments. Reach him at [email protected], or (408) 489-0131.

Learn live and in real-time with Realty411. Be sure to register for our next virtual and in-person events. For all the details, please visit Realty411.com or our Eventbrite landing page, CLICK HERE.

Avoiding Package Delivery Holiday Horrors

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By Mo Cheema, Position Imaging

Adobe Digital Economy Index predicts online shopping spending during the 2021 holiday season is poised to break all previous records. According to Adobe’s Holiday Shopping Report 2021, “Record demand for ecommerce expected to drive holiday spending online to $207B.” In addition, the same report cites that “Cyber Weekend is projected to draw in $36B, 17% of the whole season,” and that “Cyber Monday will draw in $11.3B, Black Friday $9.5B, and Thanksgiving $5.4B.”

To say that all this cyber shopping creates an enormous amount of items to be delivered is an extreme understatement. Postal Analytics places the amount of packages the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) expects to deliver at 200 million starting the week of December 10th through Christmas, and CNBC states that UPS expects to ship 750 million packages this holiday season.

To prepare for this massive volume, FedEx said it was hiring 70,000 seasonal employees, and UPS said it would hire 100,000. This type of preparation is within the budget if you have billions of dollars in revenue, but what about those on the receiving end of all these packages? How do large apartment complexes deal with this onslaught of items? How can they protect all these packages from theft? For them, hiring seasonal help to process and secure every package is not in the budget.

Lobby Grinches

Unfortunately, the increase in package delivery heightens the opportunity for theft, and apartment complexes are no exception. According to the researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, thefts equate to 1.7 million packages stolen or lost every day in the U.S. All these thefts have left people on edge, especially in densely populated cities where residents are now pointing their finger in the landlord’s direction for a solution.

A New York Times article titled, My Packages Keep Getting Stolen. What Can I Do? says, “The landlord could argue that they were taken when a tenant buzzed in the wrong visitor; that a tenant mistakenly took the wrong package; or that the delivery was lost in transit and never arrived.” These statements claim the landlord has no responsibility for residents’ packages. This sounds a bit absurd since e-commerce is now such a critical part of our lives.

It seems the landlords whose opinions helped shape this NY Times article, were not aware of recent developments in apartment package delivery systems that combine Artificial Intelligence (AI) and computer vision to provide a complete self-service experience for residents receiving packages. These automated systems don’t require a fork-lift upgrade construction process—but rather offer an elegant shelving system that typically installs in a day.

Apartment Residents On The “Nice” List

Staff members at large apartment complexes are not trained to logistically process and protect hundreds of packages that arrive in the lobby during the holiday season—they need a secure and automated system to govern these items to their final destination.

The Dime is one large apartment complex that has embraced this new package delivery system to help address these concerns. Located in Brooklyn, NY, The Dime boasts breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline and Williamsburg Bridge and offers 177 rental residences in studio, one, two, and three-bedroom layouts. Assuming each of the 177 rentals has at least two individuals, and they are on the Nice List, a conservative estimate is that each individual will receive at least three holiday gifts via mail. That means that there is a potential of 1,062 additional packages being sent to the lobby for processing over the holiday season.

As part of The Dime’s residential amenities program, their package delivery system, called Smart Package Room, eliminates inefficient basic package rooms that require human interaction to retrieve items. Couriers simply scan package labels at the system to automatically assign items and notify residents of arrival. Computer vision technology watches each package until residents scan their QR Codes at the smart kiosk showing package location within the package room. Using laser guidance, the system provides visual and audio prompts to ensure the correct item is picked up.

If landlords want to reduce holiday stress on both the staff and residents, they need to start automating the package delivery and resident reception process. The volume of e-commerce deliveries will not be diminishing anytime soon.

With 68% of the world’s population expected to live in urban areas, according to the United Nations, package delivery management solutions need to be considered seriously at apartment complexes. Why not avoid the holiday horrors and make it more convenient to process e-commerce deliveries—all year long—for everyone involved— including the carriers?

Mo Cheema

Mo Cheema is the Director of Solutions Design and Implementation at Position Imaging. He is designing omnichannel retail fulfillment solutions using the iPickup platform. He also had a highly influential career at UPS, where he spearheaded several new product and business concepts, developed a strategically aligned product road-map to streamline the global last-mile delivery for drivers, and routinely engaged with the senior-level executives to influence investment decisions.

Learn live and in real-time with Realty411. Be sure to register for our next virtual and in-person events. For all the details, please visit Realty411.com or our Eventbrite landing page, CLICK HERE.