Monthly Archives: January 2012

The Kindle Fire For My Business

DC Real Estate Investing

The Kindle Fire is pretty cool.

And in the 4th quarter of 2011, 5.5 MILLION people agreed with me.

Amazon sold over 5 million of these little tablets, and I’m sure many of them were given as gifts over the holidays.

Most of you know, I am not the guy to call about computers or technology in general. Real estate, yes, please call me. But when I can plug in a piece of technology, and turn it on, that’s enough for me. When it comes to technology, I am quite happy with the basics.

Which is why I was skeptical at first. I didn’t understand why anyone would want a little tablet to read books, or check email when they had a pc or laptop.

But then my family got an iPad. And now, I understand.

They are extremely convenient, and portable. I can sit and watch a basketball game, and reply to a few emails at the same time.

When a friend mentions a website, I no longer have to march over to the pc and check it out. If something sounds interesting, the iPad sits right there in front of me, and I can quickly find out more. Remember, for a technophobe like me, that is a big luxury.

Now, I also enjoy buying real estate – at wholesale prices. Price is always a factor for me.

Which brings me back to the Kindle Fire. It lets me do the same stuff that I do on the iPad, and the cost is much less.

It has a ton of content. A TON.

And, anything I buy, I can store on Amazon – for free. Movies, books, magazines – everything stored, for free. No worries about running out of space. Pretty cool.

Now, don’t call or email me and try to debate the iPad vs. the Kindle. I know what works for me, and using these devices has helped me improve my communication via email, and also helped me stay in touch and current in other ways as well.

Anyone who signs up for a 6 month or annual membership, not just a one night pass, will be eligible to win a Kindle Fire on Monday night.

That is going to make a pretty nice gift for someone. The Kindle Fire sells for $199 on Amazon. You can check it out here.

PDA users can see the Kindle details at http://amzn.to/wreiakindle

Don’t forget the annual membership specials that are only available in January. All the membership information is available HERE!

You can also find the pre-registration page at http://jan2012-wreia-cc.eventbrite.com

We want you to be up to speed and efficient, and in my opinion, tools like the Kindle Fire will help you.

And as always, let me know if I can help with your real estate investing here in the DC area.

Have a great weekend! See you on Monday night!

John Peterson,  Washington REIA Network, President

Federal Reserve White Paper – Link

DC Real Estate Investing
Federal Reserve System Image

Ben and his staff have been busy looking at the housing market issues, and in the interest of continuing to talkabout the housing market, they wrote a nice paper entitled:

“The U.S. Housing Market: Current Conditions and Policy Considerations.”

 

When I read it, I wasn’t happy.

Below is a 5 point “Readers Digest” version of the paper.Please note : Items
marked in all caps are solely my edits, and there is added emphasis in
some locations.

Page 4 “HOUSING IS STILL A BIG PROBLEM”

Currently, about 12 million homeowners are underwater
on their mortgages (figure 3)–more than one out of five homes with a
mortgage. In states experiencing the largest overall house price declines–such
as Nevada, Arizona, and Florida–roughly half of all mortgage borrowers
are underwater on their loans.

Page 6 “FINANCING IS STILL A PROBLEM”
Other data show, for instance, that less than half of lenders are currently offering mortgages to borrowers with a FICO score of 620 and a down payment of 10 percent (figure 5)–even though these loans are within the GSE purchase parameters

 

Page 11 “THE SHADOW INVENTORY IS REAL. AND REAL BIG.”

Finally, the number of properties currently in the foreclosure process is more than four times larger than the number of properties in REO inventory

 

Page 14 “WE THINK BANKS WOULD MAKE GREAT LANDLORDS TOO”

In light of the current unusually difficult circumstances in many housing markets across the nation, the Federal Reserve is contemplating issuing guidance to banking organizations and examiners to clarify supervisory expectations regarding rental of residential REO properties by such organizations while such circumstances continue (and within relevant federal and statutory and regulatory limits)

 

Page 22 “WE KNOW THERE WILL BE LOTS OF LAWSUITS COMING. THE BANKS
HAVE HANDLED THIS EXTREMELY POOR SO FAR”

Thus far in the foreclosure crisis, the mortgage servicing industry has demonstrated that it had not prepared for large numbers of delinquent loans. They lacked the systems and staffing needed to modify loans, engaged in unsound practices, and significantly failed to comply with regulations.
But why was I not happy when I read the report?
  • I’m OK with a choppy market, financing challenges, and even the “shadow inventory”.
  • What I am not OK with – is the banks that I have been buying properties from – now becoming landlords too.
  • There is no motivation for these banks to sell properties, if they can rent them instead.
  • I see no motivation for these banks to rent at market rates. They don’t sell houses at market rates, and I fear they will drive down market rents as well.
  • Finally, I am fine with “competing” against other small investors, and the private sector. But the federal reserve system “contemplating issuing guidance” and essentially sponsoring banks to become landlords?…. It just doesn’t sit well with me.

These are certainly choppy times to be a real estate investor.
Now is the time to surround yourself with active seasoned
investors who can give you advice and guidance.

Join us at Washington REIA Network on Monday, as we discuss this
report and how it may affect income producing properties in the
DC area.

For the first time, Jack Kiley will be our guest speaker at WREIA.
Jack is the founder of MidAtlantic IRA, and many of you know, his
business has changed my life. Jack has been my secret weapon when
it comes to putting together complex deals, and using my Self Directed
IRA in real estate investment transactions. Jack is a master at
taking a complex situation, and explaining it “in plain English”.

You can see our latest video and hear more details about Jack
Kiley and the upcoming meeting at this link.

PDA and mobile users can also access the video directly
at http://www.youtube.com/watch?edit=vd&v=fD8Nwtlq9Ww

Register early and grab the January Only membership specials
online, and then skip the registration line on Jan. 16th!

You will also find the registration link at
http://jan2012-wreia-wr.eventbrite.com

And as always, let me know if I can help with your real estate
investing here in the DC area.

John Peterson
301-881-5541
Washington REIA Network, President
Profitable Property, Founder

P.S. Mark your calendars for January 16th, and join us at the Womans Club of Bethesda for the first WREIA Meeting of 2012!

Good News & Bad Real Estate Ad Examples

DC Real Estate Investing

Weeks One of those new years resolutions is just about over. 

How are you doing so far? 

Good news first – The first Washington REIA Network meeting is on Jan 16th – AT A NEW LOCATION!  (Details Below)
You don’t want to miss the membership special we have in January.  We only provide this discount in January, and this year we have some special items to help get your new year powerfully started in the right direction.

Keep an eye out next week for more details, and a short video announcing our special guest speaker –  a LOCAL superstar, and someone who has made a major impact on my business.

It’s Friday – so let’s lighten the mood a little, and learn something at the same time.

This slideshow has some GREAT examples of what not to do when trying to sell your investment property.

You can also find the slideshow here –

Personally, I have never seen a shirtless guy in a listing photo, let alone someone ASLEEP in a bedroom photo!

If you are still on track this year – keep up the good work!  And as always, let me know if I can help with anything.
 

Happy New Year!

John Peterson
301-881-5541
Washington REIA Network, President
Profitable Property, Founder

P.S. Mark your calendars for January 16th, and join us at the Womans Club of Bethesda for the first WREIA Meeting of 2012!