Real Estate Blog

As we've learned from rehabbing and flipping hundreds of properties, the success of major home improvement projects largely depends on the contractor you hire.

Yet, not all working contractors are qualified to do the job. Some may have a friendly demeanor over the phone and offer you a great deal, but then cut corners on the job site, leaving you in the dark about their progress.

With money and time on the line, it’s imperative to find a highly-qualified, competent professional you can trust with your unique job. Here are nine red flags you shouldn’t ignore when hiring a contractor for your home renovation.

• 1. Lacks Contact Information
• 2. Demands Unreasonable Payment Up Front
• 3. Solicits Your Home
• 4. Lacks Permits
• 5. Can’t Present Proof of Insurance
• 6. Refuses to Sign a Contract
• 7. Has Outdated or Missing References
• 8. Lacks a Website, Portfolio, or Reviews
• 9. Communicates Poorly

1. Lacks Contact Information

At a minimum, a reputable contractor...

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing my Pro Wholesaler VIP Program Student & Client, Chris, on how he successfully completed his first wholesale real estate deal and made $5,000 of profit!

Additionally, Chris has another deal under contract that he acquired from the MLS and plans on making an additional $5,000 from this deal, as well.

Chris is also a licensed real estate agent, and joined the Pro Wholesaler VIP Program in order to make more money, and to get more deals!

Chris is well on track to having his first $10,000 month of profit as a Pro Wholesaler! 

Watch the interview above on how Chris became a Pro Wholesaler and now crushes it at wholesaling real estate!

Here's what we cover in the interview:

• How Chris wholesaled his first house & made $5,000 profit.
• How Chris got his 2nd wholesale deal under contract from the MLS at $40,000 below the the list price.
• The #1 Real Estate Skill you need to develop to become successful...

In the past decade, technology has completely transformed the real estate industry. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, 52% of home buyers in 2019 found the home that they purchased through the internet. It's also no surprise that more and more people are working from home now than ever before.

What if we told you about an emerging group of real estate investors doing deals remotely all over the country in places they’ve never been before, buying properties they've never laid eyes on, yet are making incredible sums of money to the tune of $10,000, $20,000, $50,0000, and even $200,000 per deal?

In this Real Estate Skills exclusive article, we’re going to pull back the curtain and reveal the techniques these long-distance real estate investors would rather keep a secret – we’re talking about a real estate strategy called virtual wholesaling.

I have personally used this virtual wholesaling process to complete...

Ever been interested in buying a home in a competitive market but weren't sure how to make your offer stand out from the rest?

One of our favorite methods is to make an offer with a substantial earnest money deposit!

An earnest money deposit is a proven way to show a seller you are interested in buying their home.

It shows a level of commitment from the buyer and acts as security for the owner when agreeing to sell their property to a particular buyer.

Continue reading Earnest Money Deposit: The Ultimate Guide! Use this menu to jump to your section of choice: 

• 1. What Is An Earnest Money Deposit?
• 2. How Much Earnest Money Deposit Is Enough?
• 3. Why Should You Pay An Earnest Money Deposit?
• 4. Who Do You Give Your Earnest Money Deposit To?
• 5. Is An Earnest Money Deposit Check The Only Way To Pay?
• 6. Is Earnest Money Deposited Right Away?
• 7. Is A Larger Earnest Money Deposit Amount Better?
• 8. How Can You Lose Your Earnest Money Deposit?
• 9....

Along with each generation, advancements in technology are also made. The use of technology is widespread, connecting everyone with one another no matter where they are in the world. Businesses are able to function completely online (just like Real Estate Skills!), buying and selling products from other countries is more feasible and making social connections is easy.

With the extensive abilities that technology provides, anything that is put on it will potentially reach audiences of different backgrounds. Social media sites and online messaging platforms help make those connections, and spread of information, possible. 

While the internet is able to provide us with professional and useful information, it is also used simply for entertainment. Streaming services for TV shows and movies, as well as viral videos that spread over social media, are just a few that are utilized by many to be entertained. 

A popular trend that is also making its way around the world are memes....

When going through the process of buying a house you might find yourself having to go through escrow. So, the big question everyone seems to be wondering is what exactly is escrow?

The concept of escrow can be a confusing topic to get a firm grasp on. But, it is a very important concept to understand and learn. That's why we will break down everything you need to know about it in the article below!

Read on and enjoy What Is Escrow: The Ultimate Guide! Use this menu to jump to your section of choice: 

• 1. What Is Escrow?
• 2. Is There More Than One Escrow Definition?
• 3. What Is Escrow In Real Estate?
• 4. What Is An Escrow Company?
• 5. Is An Escrow Agent Necessary?
• 6. What Is An Escrow Account?
• 7. What Does It Mean To Be In Escrow?
• 8. What Does It Mean To Close Escrow?
• 9. What Is An Escrow Officer?
• 10. What Is An Escrow Payment?
• 11. What Is An Escrow Shortage?
• 12. What Is Escrow Balance?
• 13. What Are Escrow Fees?
• 14. How Can You I Find An Escrow Company Near Me?
• 15. How Can...

According to the 2020 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Research Group, 41% of listed homes have a price reduction before they get an accepted offer. This means there's usually some flexibility in the listing price, if you use the right offer strategy. 

Lowball is a common term when it comes to any form of commerce. We typically see the word pop up when someone is buying something secondhand from another individual.

Let’s say you go to a swap meet or a garage sale and you find something that you’re willing to purchase, but the price is too high.

You can either:

1. Agree with the price and make a purchase with no hesitation. 
2. Negotiate the price with the vendor since it’s a secondhand item, in an attempt to purchase at a lower price.

If you chose Option 2, then you chose the basic principle of lowballing.

Now that we've covered the basics, here’s everything you...

If you're about to put your home on the market, you definitely want to appeal to as many people as possible. Home staging will help gain the attention you want! 

Home staging may be accomplished to different extents depending on what you want and what your home needs. From hiring a professional home stager to turning it into a do-it-yourself project, big or small enhancements can be made. 

We'll go over the basics, show you the numbers and go over what you need to accomplish home staging!

Hope you're enjoying What Is Home Staging And How Can I Use It? Use this menu to jump to the section of your choice: 

• 1. What Is Home Staging?
• 2. What Are The Benefits Of Home Staging?
• 3. Home Staging Statistics
• 4. What Do Home Staging Jobs Involve?
• 5. What Are Some Options For Home Staging Companies?
• 6. How Much Does Home Staging Cost?
• 7. Who Pays For Home Staging?
• 8. Should You Rent Or Buy Furniture For Home Staging?
• 9. Do I Need A Certification...

Did you know that 25-27% of the U.S. population lives in some form of an HOA? The Foundation for Community Association Research estimates there are 347,000 community associations in the U.S. with 73.5 million residents!

If you're involved in the real estate industry, it's very likely you've encountered an HOA at some point in your career. Even so, there may be a number of real estate investors out there that don't really know what HOA means.

For home buyers, investors, and other real estate professionals, knowing all about HOA's meaning will help you decide on the best property investment strategies.

Even if you reside in an HOA or have just heard about them before, you may still lack an understanding of what they're all about. In this article, you'll learn exactly what an HOA is and everything else you’ve wanted to know about HOAs.

We hope you enjoy What Does HOA Mean? The Ultimate Guide! Use...