StepStone Blog
Success Blog
Real Estate Professionals!Join us for a Free luncheon – Friday, November 13 – at the Austin Big Daddy’s, from 11:00 to 1:00
Austin Big Daddy’s
Crossroads Center at 183 and Burnet
9070 Research Blvd. Suite 101
Austin, TX 78758
The Millennial Generation is already having an impact on the way agents work with buyers. Continue reading “Free Luncheon in Austin – The Impending Millennial Squeeze: How to Survive the Changing Real Estate Landscape”
The Millennial Generation is already having an impact on the way agents work with buyers.
Currently the largest group of buyers, Millennials — the do-it-yourself generation — are already squeezing agents with demands for fee-for-services.
Investors and Agents need to be ready for the next phase of the Millennials impact… when the biggest group of buyers becomes the biggest group of sellers.
Millennials are skeptical, tech-savvy, and used to instant gratification services. Investors and Real Estate Agents need to position themselves to be at the forefront of this ever changing market or risk being left behind. Continue reading “Luncheon: The Millennial Impact on Real Estate Professionals”
I work very hard to make sure seller’s understand two things: That I am there to help them and that my offer is not a negotiation, but a formula. I do this by first selling myself. I wrote about my techniques for doing that in a previous blog: Stop Buying Houses!
I then follow that with a very meticulously-crafted presentation of my offer. I broke that down in a blog that explained why investor offers are not low-ball. It was ironically titled: Investor Offers are Low-Ball.
As much as I would love the sellers to always be sold that I am there solution prior to the offer, and as much as I would love for them to always just accept my offer and sign, that just isn’t always the case.
Sometimes, its time to sell myself a little more. Continue reading “Be the Yes Man (or Woman)!”
I’ve been practicing creative real estate investing for eleven years. It hasn’t always been easy. In fact, there were times where it was a downright struggle. Part of that is I didn’t really ever embrace the level of networking and educating myself that I do today.
But when I look back on the long road I’ve been on, I do realize that every year gets easier. Every year I make more money. And every year the future looks brighter and brighter.
What I have done right is employ a strategy that is built for the long-term.
Which is good since I am having so much fun, I don’t ever want to retire! Continue reading “Investing Strategy for the Long-Term”
Everyone wants the best price they can get. Investors are no different.
But neither is the homeowner.
So investors often get accused of “low-balling” the seller with their offer. A significant reason for this is investors fail miserably in presenting the offer. This is another reason investors are often seen as “taking advantage” of a seller’s poor situation (deferred maintenance, pending foreclosure, etc.).
But the fact is, the cash offer we make is the offer we make because we HAVE to make that offer. There is a tried and true formula in real estate for quick-close cash-offers that significantly reduces (although does not eliminate) the possibility of losing money on the deal. Continue reading “Investor Offers Are Low-Ball!”
There is a technique Real Estate Professionals use with Sellers to bring the price down (or so they think). Whether they are trying to buy it or list it, they want the homeowner to believe the home is worth less so they can buy at a price that makes a big profit, or so they can list at a price that will sell fast.
I call this technique, “The used car technique”. The strategy is to take a tour of the home, and as you are doing so, touch every crack and grimace. Sneer at the popcorn on the ceilings. Gasp at the condition of the appliances. Generally, the idea is to give the impression that this house is going to need so much work! Continue reading “It’s a Home, Not a Used Car”
Most investors, when that lead call comes in, have a script they follow, and a bunch of questions they ask.
I cannot imagine being on the other end of that call. Being a distressed seller, reaching out for help, not knowing who I am calling…. only to be asked intrusive questions about my life. What do I owe on my house? Am I behind on payments? How much will I sell it for?
Who IS this person asking me all of these things? Its just a voice on the other end of the line.
Investors ask these questions and too often illicit a response they do not want… a lie.
And can you blame the seller for lying? I don’t think I would truthfully tell a voice on a phone call if I were behind on my payments. Continue reading “Turn Your Sellers into Liars”
Happy New Year!
The new year is always a good time to reflect on our lives, including our business life. When I look back on 2014, I realize that sometimes I don’t practice what I preach.
The investor/agents I coach all start with the same desire… to buy houses. I have to tell them to stop!
But isn’t that the business we are in?
Investors without their license are stuck in that mode. Their only hope of making money is to buy the house (even if they end up assigning the contract). So when a lead comes in, the investor focuses on gathering as much information as possible so they can make an appropriate offer.
But when the seller doesn’t take the offer, they leave the appointment or phone call disappointed. NO DEAL. Continue reading “My New Year’s Resolution: Stop Buying Houses!”
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Christmas can be a stressful time for many. And for us, at StepStone Realty, it is no different. It can be a struggle balancing our desire to work on our deals and our desire to spend time with family, especially our son who is home from college!
But as real estate investors and agents, we are truly blessed regardless of the stress involved in running a business and running around trying to get all those last-minute presents.
We are blessed because we have the freedom to decide when to work and when to spend time with our families. We decide to worship, volunteer, shop, give, or work on that final closing of the year. We love being our own boss. Continue reading “Real Estate Has Been the Best Present of All”
Not everyone is a fan of turkey on Thanksgiving. Some prefer the richness of duck, or the familiar of a chicken. Thus, the “Turducken” was born. A chicken, stuffed into a duck which is stuffed into a Turkey.
To be honest, I’ve never had one. Turkey is just fine by me. But this Thanksgiving, we have a variety of new friends and relatives joining us… including a vegetarian! That has made us think of all the dishes we need. Everyone wants to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner. Variety is more important this Thanksgiving than ever before.
But serving variety is easy for us. We do it every day. I don’t mean for dinner, I mean in Real Estate. Real Estate Without Limits, our philosophy, is about recognizing that not everyone is ready, willing or able to “eat” the same solution. Continue reading “Be the Real Estate Turducken”
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