GeoffGreen

$35 down here in Arizona. BUT what are you waiting for. No matter what it costs you need to get it recorded or you may find out you are holding the short end of the stick. It's a cost of doing business. Build it into your offer next time.

How are people going to find your website??? if you think that people are going to type in bamahousebuyers into google them you might be dissappointed. If you want to end up with people finding your site by searching then you should name your website according to the search terms people typically use.

You are right, most realtors don't understand the investor approach. I am a realtor and I help people sell and purchase properties - and yet I do a lot more than plant signs. I also am a private investor. I will never object to investors approaching sellers - but wonder why you think you need to put in all the disclaimers in your message to the seller? Also, if their house is already listed and they are running an ad themselves on craig's list then you have every right to approach them directly - in my humble opinion. I frequently take listings and allow the seller to find a buyer by themselves. I've never had one find a buyer before I have though...

HA HA HA - don't listen to ceo's of large builders. They charged over double the value of the home in the recent run-up and now are scaring the dickens out of people with statements like that! Let's see, a house that would have sold for $100k in 2004 was priced at $250K in 2006. now they complain because they are now pricing the SAME house for $195 in 2007. WHO CARES? They are still up over 2004 - AND making money. Did they forget to say that?

You are reading too many newspapers with negative stories. What are you trying to accomplish? The days of throwing money at a house and banking the appreciation is long gone. However, there are more opportunities from motived sellers than ever before! this is a GREAT market if you have decided on your strategy.

I gotta ask why you spend so much time with unrealistic sellers. touch base once per month and move on to greener pastures...

If she has a legitimate forebearance agreement with the lender then the lender is prevented from foreclosing. That by definition is what a forebearance agreement is for. Now if she isn't keep her forebearance agreement up then they can re-initiate foreclosure.

Attorneys are paid to create problems. I've tried this in the past. I make sure that the person taking the contract to the attorney knows that the attorney will NEVER recommend they enter into a deal. I then suggest the attorney get shown a blank contract ie one without the numbers filled in. the thinking is that without the numbers the attorney is forced to look at the legality of the situation, not the financing of the benefit thereof. Either way, if someone is going to take our agreement to an attorney I immediately write them off as a real buyer and put the property back on the market. I've never had one come back after a visit with an attorney with any meaningful advice - they do come back with a bill for several hundred $'s though>>>

That proves you can make money in this market. Deals are all around, you just have to learn how to find them.

Doug, Not sure of the rules where you are but Realtors are for the most part breaking the law (not to mention being unethical) by refusing to present offers to owners. Yes, yes I know it happens but it is not their position to reject ANY offer, regardless of the terms. If you suspect foul play maybe you could mail a copy of the offer to the owner as a follow up? Geoff

Doug, When acting as a realtor I would never want you to buy on a RTO if the owner wants to sell the property outright. I would present a RTO offer and it would be up to the owner to decide how to react. Geoff

It all depends on how you structure the deal. IF you can re-lease the property for more than the base lease then what do you care what the value is? If I have a positive cash flow I'll do that every day in EVERY market - consider appreciation as gravy and depreciation as something you can dodge. You are never commited to buy it, just lose your option money (that you should have at least got back from yout T/B) Focus on cash flow as primary. Geoff

Hi Geoff, I can't figure out how to pay realtors. Any suggestions? How hungry is the Realtor??? How much commission is involved??? Are they getting both sides? Is the deal sweet enought to consider paying them from your pocket? All kidding aside you need to find out about them and solve their issues. In most cases it's tough. Once you have some info you may consider paying some % of the commission once you take over the property and collect the balance once it closes on the option, or maybe per month? EVERYTHING is negotiable! You may want to try negotiating some payola from the owner of the property depending on their pain level. Geoff

I would do two things. First - if the ad is clearly marked as represented by a realtor I would change your message to address working with the realtor. Most realtors don't understand lease options - they can't figure out how to get paid. You can choose to either educate them or find a more knowledgable realtor. Second - if the ad isn't marked as represented by a realtor you "could" mention that the realtor rules require that notification to be present. Insinuating that rudeness from them will result in a notification from you to their board of realtors that they are ignoring the rules. Hope this helps. Signed, A Realtor & Investor. Geoff