Month: March 2015

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” →

Because most of my marketing is to distressed sellers, it’s not often that you will find me doing a “listing presentation” for a traditional listing. I recently found myself in that exact situation, however, when I was referred to a seller, Mindy, from a friend. I didn’t know that she was interviewing other agents but I did what I normally do… I brought some comps and we reviewed them. Nothing fancy.

After we finished discussing the sales data and her listing, she told me that she was interviewing other agents and wondered if I was negotiable on my commission. This is the point where most agents have that Deer in Head Lights look. Oh no! I just got a pay cut!

For those of you who don’t know, although there is a common amount of commission that many listing agents charge, typically 6% of the final sales price. The amount is not regulated and is instead determined by the listing Broker and the seller. Continue reading “How About a Pay Cut?” →