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Young South Florida Entrepreneur Leads the Way in Enhancing the Community

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By Tim Houghten

John Aaron reveals his thoughts on the direction of the Florida market, and where he sees the most attractive opportunities ahead…

Going from small town to leading a popular brand in the Magic City of Miami, John Aaron demonstrates where his company is going and what’s possible with serious focus, commitment, and a leap of faith.

If you’ve ever heard of Sebring, Florida, you know it is a little town without much going on. That’s were John Aaron grew up. There aren’t many options when you grow up in that type of environment. If you do really well you might eventually get a job at the local hospital, or perhaps get a football scholarship and a pass to a faraway college. Sebring doesn’t even have any interstate highways going through it. That didn’t stop this hungry entrepreneur from pursuing his passion and dream.

During a recent interview with Katrina Campins (The Apprentice) he is described as one of the few next generation young entrepreneurs that have both hustle and work ethic. Early on he knew he wanted to do something with real estate, and he believed Miami was the place where you could really make the magic happen.

Initially starting as an agent John quickly through in the towel and started investing. John formed the Aaron Organization in late 2012 and began hunting for his own property deals. While he insists that real estate investing is not a get rich quick gig, his first deal which landed him a check for $19,000 got him hooked and only emboldened his mission.

In the last four years the Aaron Organization team has flipped over 200 single family homes in the tri-county area of South Florida. However, John tells Realty 411 that more than just being about the money, his focus and persistence has really paid off in proving the ability for you to achieve what you believe in, in whatever field you are willing to take a leap of faith towards. The Aaron Organization has a great brand and blossoming company culture, but in John’s words the team is also winning in “creating something positive.” By enhancing the community and giving job opportunities

As John experienced; there will always be the pessimists, the bears, and those that have given up on their dreams willing to offer their negativity or two cents. Aaron Organization’s founder insists “It’s always a great market, if you have the right strategy.”

Aaron Organization is definitely on the rise in South Florida, and boasts a growing team including Acquisition Manager Darlenys Castillo who is young, hungry, and has been with Aaron organization for 2 years. Darlenys has helped acquire of over 80 homes and counting. Paola Vizcaino has been with the Organization for over a year and is closing transactions every week.

Aaron Organizations thoughts on the market now is that there may be more Florida buyers and investors using loans for leverage today than a few years ago, but for those that have ever visited Miami; you already know the international attention it commands and its role as a major global banking stronghold, playground for the wealthy, and investment haven for wealthy domestic and foreign investors. These are trends only likely to continue and grow with the recent finishing of the Panama Canal widening which is pegged to dramatically bolster the Florida economy.

John reveals that Aaron Organization has gone beyond its stronghold of renovating single family homes to enhancing the way of life in the region through developing commercial properties. Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach have well built up areas, but despite that fact they still have pockets which are ripe for development and revitalization. John tells us that this is where the biggest opportunities are for both having the greatest returns for investors who are seeking better value and spreads than can be found in Miami’s more congested neighborhoods and districts and also have positive impact for the community,.

For investment and partnership opportunities for qualified investors find out more about this firm, its founder, track record and vision online at AaronOrganization.com.

Improving Quality of Life through Real Estate Investment

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Featuring Dennis Henson

An exclusive interview with Dennis Henson on enhancing life while making fortunes on single family…

Dennis Henson has been investing in real estate longer than most real estate experts have been out of diapers. He’s seen the market from every angle, seen it rise and dip, and rise again. Today Dennis Henson heads up the Arlington Real Estate Association, and the comprehensive training portal Single Family Fortunes, which has seen one student recently soar to acquiring 23 properties in just 8 months. So what’s enabled him to not only maintain success, but successfully train others to get in and win?

Here’s the inside scoop…

How did you get started in real estate?

Dennis: “A combination of moving up from living in a small house to a large one, and badly renting out the old home, and then reading ‘How To Wake Up The Financial Genius Inside You’ by Mark O. Haroldsen.”

If there is one thing you could credit your success to, what would it be?

Dennis: “Maintaining a burning desire to succeed.”

How did you make president of the Arlington Real Estate Association?

Dennis: “I started the group in order to become more knowledgeable about REI Topics. For example; probate. If I had to do a class on that subject in front of 50 to 100 people – you can bet I was going study, learn about that topic, and master it.”

What’s different about your training system from what else is out there?

Dennis: “Many of the other teachers focus on one technique for examples Short Sales or Wholesaling. The biggest difference is that my training covers all areas of REI. I call it the 5 M’s of Real Estate Investing.”

  1. Mining
  2. Money
  3. Maintenance
  4. Marketing
  5. Management

You have students who report achieving very significant results, very quickly. What makes the difference between them and the rest of the wannabe investors out there? 

Dennis: “My training is one on one, and I am very interested in their success. There is nothing magic about my training. It is just combining knowledge with hard work. I have a system that works, if they do. ”

You have a slogan “Improving the quality of people’s lives through real estate investing” – what does that mean to you?

Dennis: “Well that is my motto. My goal in life is helping others become more successful so that they can enjoy a better quality of life.

What is a better quality of life?  It is being able to have the freedom to do the things you want to do, going to the places you want to go, and having the things you want to have.”

Where do you see the best opportunities in real estate ahead?

“I believe that REI always has, and always will have the greatest opportunities for those who are willing to learn and work hard. The number one need for a human is shelter. Do you ever watch those survivor reality shows where they leave someone stranded in a jungle or on an island? What is first thing they need? Not water, not food, but shelter. It is the most basic human need, and always will be. If there is a disaster people will not be needing stocks or bonds, or gold or silver, but they will be needing shelter. So I think REI will always be a great business for my students and association members.”

What’s the best strategy for those that fear the market may be in for a correction soon?

Dennis: “Buy lots of properties. When the people are not buying houses, what are they doing for shelter? Living in a cave? No, they are renting; so the rental market will be booming.”

Interested in learning more about Dennis Henson, his training, and the Single Family Fortunes he has empowered others to create? Look out for Dennis and his wife Norma at upcoming Realty 411 Expos, listen in to him speaking on Blog Talk Radio, and visit his website at SingleFamilyFortunes.com, where you’ll find a FREE TRIAL for an online app that helps you evaluate your deals faster.

 

Foreign Investors Approach to Real Estate Investing Under $50K

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By Priti Donnelly

Real estate investing does not necessarily have to be in your backyard. In fact, with volatile markets around the world, many investors are expanding their criteria to more diverse international real estate portfolios.  International properties can be much more rewarding, both in affordability and higher yield. To qualify for the under $50K option you must meet the following requirements:  have an open mind to foreign real estate, an interest in cash flow rather than capital appreciation;  and interested in investing under $50k.

The Prospect

Now that you qualify, let’s take a look at properties in the Japan market. Outside of Tokyo you can easily find properties from $30K to $50K. Even more impressive is the yield of 6% to 12% because prices haven’t risen as sharply as they have in other cities. For example, in the center of big cities, or first tier cities such as Fukuoka and Nagoya you can expect a yield of 6% to 8%. In second tier cities such as metropolitan Sapporo, you will find properties with a yield of 9% to 10%. In the third tier are smaller townships, albeit with good profiles, a yield of 10% to 12%, all net pre-tax. With an occupancy rate of 93% to 94% properties are usually occupied bringing your investment property immediate income of $250 to $400 a month on average. 

Method

To invest in real estate in Japan, investors work with an agent/proxy acting as an extension of themselves for the property purchase and management. This is mainly because of the language barrier. As agents/proxies ourselves, we communicate on investors’ behalf with the property/rent manager, building management company, tax authorities, and insurance company. Since non-residents cannot open local bank accounts, by having a physical address and telephone number in Japan to manage the portfolio, we are able to pay bills, collect rental income, and transfer/accept overseas funds.  In fact, you actually never need to travel to close the purchase, unless of course, you want to take a leisurely trip to take in the culture, historic traditions and breathtaking scenery.

Tenants

Japan is a landlord’s paradise — high, stable and reliable cash flow, very affordable, and because of Japanese ethics, tenants are polite, docile, trouble free, and honest. Living away from your investment property, you will not need to worry about destruction to your property or evictions.  Of course, the same tenant will not last forever but the average turnover is quite stable at 4.5 years for singles’ units, and higher for larger family sized units, sometime up to 15 years.

Earthquake Concerns

While the recent earthquakes have not deterred investors from properties in Japan, we have had concerns about the effect of earthquakes on properties. Under a standard policy, earthquake, tsunami, volcano and flood damages are covered by insurance policies and insurance is surprisingly inexpensive, only a few dollars a month. Since the building itself carries an accumulated funds pool, any remaining losses not covered by insurance are generally covered by the pool. As part of the due diligence process at the time of the purchase, we check the status of the accumulated funds to determine whether 100% coverage is necessary.

Selling Your Property

Since the market moves very quickly in Japan, properties are listed only a few days before they are sold. Therefore, if you decide to sell your property, there is usually a buyer ready to purchase.  Keep in mind the tax implications. A property owner, whether foreign or local, who sells a Japanese property within five years can expect to pay 40% capital gains tax. After five years, the tax drops to 20%.

Generally, our clients invest in properties for cash flow purposes rather than capital gain. If capital appreciation is what you are looking for then your ideal market would be Australia, U.K., U.S. and even Tokyo and at a considerable price.  But, for steady monthly income, where yield is high, cash flow is immediate and properties are incredibly affordable, the real estate market in Japan could be an option to consider to let your cash flow investment journey begin.

 

Priti Donnelly

Priti Donnelly is the sales and marketing manager at Nippon Tradings International, a proxy and buyers’ agency representing foreign investors with purchasing, selling and managing real estate in Japan. She understands the importance of transparency in today’s international market. Through her insight, she focuses on breaking barriers and helping investors feel confident about their overseas property investments.

Website: http://www.nippontradings.com

Using a Probate Lead Service Can Make Your Business Efficient and Profitable

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By Leon McKenzie

Have you been working in the probate business for a while and aren’t sure you are making any progress?  Do you find yourself dreading your trips to the local courthouse, frustrated by the amount of paperwork to sift through, when you could be spending time with friends and family?  If this describes your situation, then it may be time to take a hard look at how using a lead service can save you time and help make you money. 

Professional probate leads services are designed to fulfill the needs of probate investors in two major areas.  First, by using a probate leads service, you can have access to a customized list of probate leads that are located in the areas that you choose to target.  Secondly, taking advantage of a leads service can make your business run more profitably and efficiently.  These are the main reasons that highly successful probate investors take advantage of a leads service.

Probate Leads Fuel Your Business

When a loved one passes away, they generally leave quite a bit of property behind, which has to be sold by the Executor of the estate.  The Executor is the court appointed representative of the individual who has passed away and has the job of making sure that legal and tax paperwork is filed in a timely manner and, once the assets are sold, will make distributions to heirs as noted by the will or the court system.  

Gary Digrazia writes, “In my Probate Real Estate business our life blood, of course, is the leads we work.  Estates have real property which needs to be sold to settle the estate.  Where do we receive the leads and how do we have a constant supply for now and future business?”  This is really a core question for every probate real estate investor to answer.  If you are working in the probate business, then you know that having access to data is critical in order to move your business forward.  As an investor, you certainly can take the time to visit your local courthouse to see the records in person.  When you are beginning your business, this is probably a good exercise in understanding the process of how probates are filed and what is necessary in ensuring that the property is sold and the profits are distributed.  Taking the time to see and understand the process can be helpful in gaining a broad understanding of how the probate process works.

That said, taking half a day on a regular basis to visit your local courthouse can become a drain on your business.  In addition to the travel involved in going, there is the use of gas, the time spent parking, paying for parking if necessary, and then the hours spent finding and locating viable leads.  While having access to viable probate leads is a necessary part of the business, it frankly might not be the best use of your time.

Using US Probate Leads Gives You an Edge

As an entrepreneur, how you spend your time directly influences the ability of your business to succeed.  Going to the courthouse week after week can eat up a good deal of the time that you have available to actually work your business.  While you are at the courthouse, you could be sending communications campaigns, meeting with potential sellers, networking with attorneys that specialize in estate law or speaking to business and community groups in the area, getting more exposure for your business.  Taking the time to dig through records simply might not be the best use of your time.  This is the reason that many probate professionals choose to use a probate leads service.  Said Leon McKenzie, the CEO of US Probate Leads, “Our researchers, numbering into the hundreds, are in county courthouses across the country finding a never ending stream of probate real estate leads. This really puts us in the unique position of being the only source of probate real estate leads with such a broad reach into this niche market. US Probate Leads is second to none when it comes to both the quality and the breadth of research that goes into providing you with prospects that are both well vetted and favorably located for you.”

Having probate leads that are focused on areas and types of property that you are looking for gives you an edge in the real estate market.  While other probate entrepreneurs might prefer to get their leads the “old fashioned way” by going to the courthouse, you can move right to contacting the Executor and visiting the property.  By the time a competing probate investor finds what they are looking for, you may have already made a deal!  This is one of the most compelling reasons to use US Probate Leads. 

Why Do Executors Want to Sell?

Once a probate has been filed with the courthouse, in order to have the best opportunity to purchase it at a low cost, you’ll have to move quickly.  Having access to a lead service can keep you abreast of the changes in your area and immediately shows you new filings.  Finding out as soon as a filing has been made gives you a distinct advantage in providing you time to drive by the property and also in contacting the seller.  There are real reasons that you want to have access to this information so that you can make a deal.  While leads are generally good for up to eighteen months, there are many Executors that move at a rapid pace once a loved one has passed away.  They may do this for a variety of reasons.  If the Executor is struggling with grief, it may be easier to simply sell the family home to eliminate the painful memories.  Also, if the Executor lives out of state, they may feel the need to sell as soon as possible.  This is because they will be facing repairs and maintenance of a home that they cannot easily supervise.  Selling the home quickly is a way to eliminate that stressor.  Executors also may need cash in order to pay bills that have accumulated in the individual’s name, such as funeral expenses, tax bills, medical charges or credit card expenses.  By selling the home quickly they will have cash to cover these financial needs.  The Executor may also have no one who is willing to live in the property and may not want to be in the position of having to rent it out. 

All of these reasons are what compels an Executor to move quickly when selling a probate property.  If you have access to professional probate leads then you can take advantage of making a deal to assist them in moving on from their family home.  This is an important reason to have a professional lead service identifying options in your area. 

The Professional Probate Leads Process by US Probate Leads

It might seem too good to be true to be able to have probate leads delivered into your inbox on a regular basis.  With the US Probate Leads service, you can have just that.  Said McKenzie, “We have relationships with banks and credit card companies that utilize our service. These contacts have allowed us to establish a network of Data Researchers throughout the US. This network coupled with our proprietary data mining tools and processes allow us to access probate data at a cost which allows us to provide reasonably priced information to you. Our network of Data Researchers located throughout the US provides the first wave of data access. We couple that with proprietary tools and processes which allow us to access the data you need.”

What this means is that every probate investor working with the experts at US Probate Leads can have access to probate real estate records without the hassle of sifting through tons of other types of filings, saving time and effort.  McKenzie went on to say, “We provide all estate-related probates. Most probate courts also handle guardianships, conservatorships and cases pertaining to minors. There can be a great deal of excess information in these records – information that does not benefit you as a Probate Investor. We cull those records out and provide you records that have the potential for having real estate as part of the estate.”  Once the record has arrived to your inbox, all you have to do is to contact the Executor and follow up on a regular basis if it is a property that you are interested in pursuing.  This streamlined process is what allows probate investors to net huge profits each and every year.

Finding More than Just Residential Real Estate with Professional Probate Leads

When you choose to use a professional probate lead process like the one offered by US Probate Leads, you may find more than just residential real estate.  Many probate cases have homes, vacation homes, businesses, commercial property, apartments and personal property attached to them.  This means that there are many ways to profit.  Having access to information that will propel your business forward is a powerful tool in a competitive market. 

Being able to access information about more than just residential real estate offers your business the ability to diversify as well.  Instead of simply buying and selling or holding and renting residential real estate, you may be able to find a business that will generate additional cash or add commercial or vacation homes to your portfolio.  Having leads gives you this type of flexibility which will allow you to adjust to changing market conditions quickly. 

US Probate Leads is the Expert in Probate Leads Service

Now that you understand why it is critical to have access to a probate leads service and how the process works, it is time to take advantage of what US Probate Leads has to offer.  Whether you are a new probate entrepreneur or you have been in business for a long period of time, you can be sure that adding automated data retrieval will give you a competitive edge in your business investments and access to the newest properties coming on the market.

Contact US Probate Leads today for more information on how we can assist you in accessing probate leads for your county.  Our trained, friendly team of probate associates will help you get set up in just minutes.  And, if you are looking for additional support, look to US Probate Leads for software, books, webinars, seminars and individualized mentoring programs that can take your business to the next level.  Call today!

 

Sources:

http://activerain.trulia.com/blogsview/1936988/how-do-we-find-probate-leads

http://www.usprobateleads.com/FAQ.aspx

 

 

US Probate Leads
Leon McKenzie
Chief Operating Officer

Leon cofounded US Probate Leads more than 12 years ago and has witnessed its growth during that period from a one city lead provider in the probate space to the only national provider of probate leads for virtually every county in the country.

Leon likes to point out that US Probate Leads is the only company providing Probate-related Real Estate-related leads to Investors and Realtors based on data collected directly from individual probate courts in virtually every state. This has been achieved by building a National Network of Researchers that visit each county one time each month. Leon’s team processes this incoming data and makes it available to individual subscribers for their use in reaching out to highly motivated property sellers.

Vast Inventory of Underwater Homes Causing Lead Shortage

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By Leon McKenzie

Professional real estate investors who are looking for properties have had a hard time finding a good supply recently.  Market forces, issues with the overall banking industry and consumer perception have all created changes to the real estate industry that have certainly hampered the purchases of homes and other forms of real estate.  These changes have made it difficult for real estate investors to find properties that fit the needs of their portfolio.

Underwater Homes Part of the Problem

You may have heard the phrase “underwater” used in the real estate market.  What it means is that the value of the property is less than the amount that it was originally mortgaged for.  This is common with homes that were purchased before the recession that started in 2008.   For the homeowner, this means that they are prevented from many options that would allow them to move to a bigger home or even to downsize. 

When a home is underwater, the owner, in order to sell the property would have to provide the gap between the sale price and the mortgage value.  Most homeowners don’t have the financial wherewithal to come up with the thousands of dollars that it would cost to get out of a current property and move into a new property when they have to come to the closing table with cash. 

Homeowners with properties that are underwater are also generally unable to refinance their homes as most banks require a full appraisal of the property before they will close on a new loan.  When a home is underwater, the new appraisal will establish the current value of the home, which may be tens of thousands of dollars below where the home was originally appraised when it was purchased.  This means that many, if not most, homes won’t be able to be refinanced. 

What is the result?  For the most part, homes that are underwater stay with their current owners until their mortgages are paid off because the owners can’t afford to sell them.  This situation in the market is a direct contributor to the shortage of real estate in the market.  Trey Garrison writes, “Redfin asks what’s causing the inventory crunch and what they found is that, according to RealtyTrac, more than 7 million homeowners can’t sell because they’re deeply underwater, meaning they owe more on their properties than they’re worth. That figure is falling as rising home values put more homeowners into the black, but those same price gains, coupled with weak wage growth and tight credit, are discouraging many from selling and trading up.”

Overall Inventory is Well Below Average

Due to the challenges with home values, there are fewer homes on the market than need to be in order to support a strong real estate investment market.  Garrison said, “Nationwide, the total number of unsold homes rose 5.3% in March to 2 million, but at the current pace of sales, that supply would be exhausted in only 4.6 months, according to the National Association of Realtors.  In the 50 markets Redfin analyzed, about 30% of unsold houses were fresh as of March 31, up from about 24% three years ago.  In Charlotte, where the number of properties for sale is at its lowest in at least three years, fresh listings — those less than 30 days old — accounted for only 5.5% of Charlotte’s inventory as of March 31, also a low. Last month, only 55 new properties came on the market, compared with 225 a year ago.”

This is a phenomenon that is being seen all over the country, though some areas are better off than others.  The shortage in real estate inventory means that prices are increased and real estate investors are having a much harder time finding properties that meet their budgets.  Garrison goes on to say, “In Indianapolis, even a 26.6% year-over-year surge in new listings in March wasn’t enough to replenish depleted inventory. Inventory is so low in Oakland, Denver and Dallas-Fort Worth that fresh listings abnormally accounted for a larger share of inventory last month as buyers whittled away at less-desirable properties and builders raced to keep up with demand. Dallas-Fort Worth added more than 100,000 people between 2013 and 2014. Last month, there were 14,332 fewer properties for sale than in March 2012. New listings fell more than 27%.  ‘All the desirable properties are getting snatched up in three days. The ones that are left become our stale inventory,’ Dallas Redfin agent Connie Durnal said. ‘It’s driving the prices up and increasing multiple offers. I don’t see it ending.’”

California is one area that is seeing both contraction and expansion in real estate inventory. Nick Nisperos writes, “Sales growth could be stiff where inventory is tight, experts said, such as the San Francisco Bay area. But in less expensive areas, such as the Inland Empire, demand will remain strong thanks to solid job growth in warehousing, transportation, logistics and manufacturing, experts said. John Husing, chief economist for the San Bernardino-based Inland Empire Economic Partnership business advocacy group, said sales are ‘gently rising’ during the economic recovery. ‘I think what is starting to come online a little bit more is migration from the coastal communities because a large share of the market has been priced out of the ability to buy anything,’ Husing said. ‘I think we’re going to start to see more of that migration with the economy of Southern California as a whole strengthening and the inability of a very wide percentage of the population to afford housing in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties.’”

Certain geographical areas are seeing a rise in prices due to low inventory and other areas are more affordable.  What is happening in California is typical of what is happening throughout the country. 

Slow Construction Another Factor in Lead Shortage

The shortage of homes on the market has also been impacted by slow construction. Decreased construction means that there are fewer new homes for people who want to move into another form of housing.  Construction has been slowed by a lack of demand as well as challenges for builders in finding financing in order to move forward with new developments.  Garrison writes, “Builders haven’t kept pace, either. They’re breaking ground on 1.07 million houses, condominiums and apartments a year, but the U.S. requires between 1.6 million and 1.9 million new units just to accommodate population growth and household formation, according to the Harvard Joint Center for Housing.”

New construction is an important way for the real estate market to create opportunities for people to move.  When enough new construction isn’t being created, then it decreases the overall amount of housing inventory for possible buyers and sellers, driving prices upward as supply slips.  Memphis is a prime example of where new construction has taken a nosedive, resulting in fewer leads overall for the total area and forcing companies to take radical steps in order to continue to build.  Not only is there shortage of homes being built, but a shortage of lots on which to build them.  Amos Maki writes, “’The lot situation in Shelby County is getting critically low,’ said David Goodwin Jr., owner of David Goodwin Jr. Cos. LLC and president of the West Tennessee Home Builders Association. ‘We know what the problem is. There is very little coming online as far as new developed lots are concerned.’ Some builders, including Grant Homes, even waded into the development world, developing lots and other subdivision infrastructure that developers normally handle. ‘Quite frankly we’d rather be a homebuilder but right now we’re a developer, too, because we need lots to be able to build on,’ said Kim Grant-Brown of Grant Homes.”

With a slowing of growth of the economy, fewer lots to build on and homeowners that are underwater, the stage has been set for investors to struggle in finding new homes and properties to add to their portfolio. 

Probate, Divorce and Bankruptcy Lead Sources Offer Hope to Real Estate Investors

Savvy real estate investors have come to the conclusion that current market forces are not that favorable in the traditional market.  There are other ways to find properties that do fit within most investors’ criteria.  Probate leads are one of the most popular and productive ways for investors to find homes and commercial property that can be purchased at a discount.  When a loved one passes away, an Executor takes charge of dispensing with the personal property that has been left behind, as ordered by the court system.  Due to the fact that items need to be sold to pay for funeral expenses, medical bills, taxes and unpaid credit cards, Executors are generally more than happy to sell property for thirty to fifty percent off. 

Divorce and bankruptcy cases are another area where investors can take advantage of discounted prices.  Like Executors, those going through a divorce or a bankruptcy may be ordered by the court to sell a certain amount of assets in order to complete the case.  Many times, the owner is happy to let these go for a discounted price so that they can move on with their life.  It is important to note that the language used in these types of purchase agreements may be different than the typical forms used.  Check with your attorney to ensure that you are comfortable with the requirements of the court.

Finding Probate, Divorce and Bankruptcy Leads

Do you need to go to your local courthouse and spend hours digging through filings?  Smart investors use a lead service to avoid this frustration and streamline the process.  Professional lead services can deliver the results of a specialized search in your area directly to your inbox on a weekly basis, giving you the information you need to begin to evaluate these properties and connect with the individuals who are the current owners. 

Using a lead service allows you to concentrate on the money making end of your business – evaluating properties, making deals and getting estimates completed.  This is especially critical when you are starting your business.  A lead service can provide you with a steady stream of viable, timely leads that will help you to find the best properties in the area to add to your portfolio.  In addition to residential homes, a lead service can help you find businesses, vacation homes, vintage cars, antiques and other personal property that can be purchased and resold. 

Get more information now!  U.S. Probate Leads is the top provider of probate, divorce and bankruptcy leads.  Contact us today for more information on how we can assist you with lead services as well as individualized training to help your business succeed.  We offer webinars, seminars, books and even individualized mentoring to help you build your best business.  Call today!

 

Sources:

http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2015/jan/28/lot-shortage-leads-to-fewer-new-homes/

http://www.housingwire.com/articles/33654-redfin-home-inventory-shortage-worse-than-it-looks

www.dailybulletin.com/business/20151009/housing-shortage-in-california-expected-to-continue

 

US Probate Leads
Leon McKenzie
Chief Operating Officer

Leon cofounded US Probate Leads more than 12 years ago and has witnessed its growth during that period from a one city lead provider in the probate space to the only national provider of probate leads for virtually every county in the country.

Leon likes to point out that US Probate Leads is the only company providing Probate-related Real Estate-related leads to Investors and Realtors based on data collected directly from individual probate courts in virtually every state. This has been achieved by building a National Network of Researchers that visit each county one time each month. Leon’s team processes this incoming data and makes it available to individual subscribers for their use in reaching out to highly motivated property sellers.

Outdoor Features That Help Sell Homes

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By Damien Justus

If your home is for sale by owner, you’ve probably heard that you’re at a disadvantage. Using a professional real estate agent is helpful to some, but numerous homeowners can focus on selling their own homes on their own terms regularly. By doing your homework and learning what it is that goes into selling a home effectively, you can sell your home quickly. For many, it’s outdoor features that sell houses in many neighborhoods. These outdoor features sell homes faster than any others, and they’re the kind of features buyers won’t soon forget.

Water Features

Beautiful landscaping is always attractive, but it’s not the only thing that sells a house. Outdoor features are meant to enhance lovely landscaping, and nothing does this better than a water feature. Whether you have a small pond installed in which the koi can swim freely or you install an in-ground pool with a resort-style waterfall and hot tub, buyers are going to remember your yard before that of someone else.

Resort-Style Backyards

This might not be such a benefit to those who live where the weather turns cold in the fall and winter, but southern homeowners get miles out of their resort-style pools and backyards. Think along the lines of natural stone pool decks, pavers, waterfalls, hot tubs, sun decks, and outdoor bars where cocktails flow nicely on a hot summer’s day. This sells homes for many buyers, especially those who love to feel as if they’re vacationing in the summer in their own yard.

Outdoor Kitchens

These are one of the most enjoyable outdoor features in any home. People love to spend time outdoors, and they love when they can cook out there. Buyers an easily imagine their kids running through a lush green lawn while they grill some steaks and sip a cold beverage with good friends on the back patio. They want to sit down for dinner as a family with the setting sun before their eyes, and they want to spend time outside. Outdoor kitchens make it easier to want to spend time outside, so people love to have them.

Built-in Fire Pits

If your home is located somewhere with low temperatures in the fall or winter, this could be the best feature to add to your home. A lovely fire pit makes buyers envision cold nights by a hot fire roasting marshmallows with their kids, laughing with friends, and sipping hot chocolate. It’s all about helping potential buyers see their own family doing something enjoyable and fun, and this type of feature helps tremendously.

Decks

Wood decks are an all-time favorite. Homeowners love to have somewhere to place tables, chairs, couches, and even bar areas outside. They love to entertain, to get the family outside, and to enjoy their space. Decks are easy to maintain, they are also quality features, and few people ever look at a home with dismay when they realize they have ample space in which to entertain in their backyard.

Landscaping

It should go without saying your landscaping is the most important outdoor feature in your home. A closely cut lawn, trimmed hedges, and gardens that are well cared for speak loudly. It’s also helpful to have a pressure washed driveway, house, and a pretty front door. You want buyers to feel welcome, which is far easier when everything is clean and welcome.

Selling a home for sell by owner means putting up the best features in your home on your own. Outdoor living is popular no matter where people live, and playing that up almost always helps buyers sell. If you have something no one else has, you could be holding the key to a successful sale in the palm of your hand. Play up these features by adding a few if you haven’t already added them, and watch as buyers salivate over the idea of so much indoor-outdoor living in their new home.

Damien Justus

Damien Justus writes in the home improvement and real estate spaces, and is very passionate about health, cooking, diet plans, and anything that has to do with staying fit. He grew up in Oregon but now is a resident of Salt Lake City, where he has fallen in love with the snow and the people.