Category Archives: DC Real Estate Investing

18% in one month? Here’s how…


Yesterday I introduced you to long-time colleague Ted Thomas, a 20-year veteran of one of the most unique investments you’ll likely ever stumble across.

In part 2 of this 4-part video course, Ted and I will cover:

  • What tax lien certificates and tax defaulted property are
  • How to learn more about tax defaulted property auctions
  • The “trick” that makes this strategy work in the first place.

Take a look below. It’s well worth a look if you want a safe investment without the risk.

Regards,
John Peterson

P.S. Longtime WREIA Members know I don’t recommend anything I don’t fully believe in. This is one of those rare times where the rewards vastly outnumber any risks. It’s definitely worth a close look.

Interview With Ted Thomas – Video – Part 1

I’ve got something really special for you today – the first of four video lessons I did with long-time colleague Ted Thomas.

If you don’t know Ted, you’re in for a real treat.

For more than 20 years, he’s been the go-to guy in this country for a unique type of investment that is safer than any CD and pays 16%, 18% and, in some cases, 24% (or more) interest per year.

It also doesn’t tie you down to any one place. It doesn’t have any overblown management, broker or government fees either. And, for more than 200 years, it’s been backed by every county government in the United States (in fact, they rely on it).

You can invest through LLC’s or in your own name. You can even roll it into your self-directed IRA if you want.

You’re probably skeptical. I know I was the first time I heard about it.

But if you’re willing to put that aside for 5 minutes and 44 seconds, you’re going to discover something truly remarkable: a consistent, secure and predictable investment opportunity that could provide a very healthy second income or supplement to your retirement.

To reserve your seat at the March WREIA meeting or update your WREIA membership you can find more information at this link.

Retire On The Beach On 16K Per Year?

It is never too late to enjoy a relaxing retirement. 

As you can see from this article on MarketWatch, there is still communities and countries for that matter that do not require a kings ransom to retire.

Imagine if you can find one or two solid cash flowing investments.  A good residential rental or a note that cash flows. 

 You can learn how to make that happen with just a small bit of education, time and some hussle. 

You do not need tons of cash just knowledge on how to find solid deals.

Join us tonight at WREIA to begin your journey to a retirement on the beach.

Co Buying Homes – Hot New Trend

I’ve seen this trend a few times in the last few years.

Friends buying homes with friends – or Co-Buying homes.

This can be a great way to get into real estate, own instead of rent and start “adulting” like the rest of us.

Co-buying can be a great way to get your foot in the door of ownership – but it’s not without risks.

It can be a great feeling to get out of the apartment scene and into a “real home”. But – you have to think about what happens down the road.

Situations can change. Confirmed life-long bachelors can suddenly get engaged and even married! George Clooney anyone?

For instance -a tenant couple decided it was time to buy a home. They told me they were buying a home in DC. They were great tenants and I was sad to see them move.

It was about a year later that I learned that they had bought a home with a good friend. This couple thought everything was great until their friend decided it was time to get married, move out and start a family of his own. (Not exactly in that order, but that’s another life lesson.)

Yeah – his new fiance wasn’t too keen on living in a basement apartment in DC.

My old tenant, the couple, couldn’t afford to buy out their friend.

Before you think this has a horrible dramatic ending – all is good, and everyone is still friends today.

They all agreed to sell the house – but everyone was disappointed because the net proceeds were far short of anything meaningful. In other words, the principal amount owed on the home was still very high – even though they had paid on their home for over 3 years.

While the home had gone up in value – it was barely enough to cover the commissions and other costs of selling the home. At the end of the day everyone was able to move on but everyone involved was just – disappointed.

My old tenants, now adulting friends, got off lucky in my opinion.

If their grand co-buying experiment had taken place when the market went down, or even sideways – selling the home would not have been an option without some additional financial pain. Maybe even bringing money to the closing table in order to sell the property.

Yes – that can happen. Some people PAY to sell their home, just so they can move on. This was very common in the Great Recession just a few years ago.

In the DC area, we have had a rising market the better part of 10 years now. It’s easy to forget – sometimes the market can go down, or even sideways for a while.

Co-Buying can be a great way to get into a home, or even an investment property – as long as everyone understands the risks, and is willing to ride out the eventual market changes.

As a matter of fact, according to the National Association of Realtors – co-buying is up to 4% of total first time buyer purchases – twice the number just a year ago.

Co-buying homes. Yet another topic for us to talk about at our February WREIA meeting on Monday.

Staying on top of trends can help you understand and serve your market better than the next investor.

See you Monday at WREIA!

John Peterson

Founder, Washington Real Estate Investors Association

Maryland’s Most Expensive Home – Right Now

Every once in a while you need to step back and marvel at some of the beautiful homes in our area.

We have some of the most historic homes in the country, and just up the road we may have some of the top modern housing trends cropping up as well.

DC has always been at the cutting edge of home trends, because we have one of the most transient work forces in the country. They usually bring their cutting edge desires with them.

Take for instance – the most expensive home in Maryland right now.

You can get a good look inside and outside the home in this article posted on Realtor.com.

At the top of the list for executive and uber-executive homes is privacy.

When the article says “Most people don’t even know it’s there.” that certainly checks the privacy box.

The pool, workout room, expansive kitchen and dining area – certainly checks a few more boxes.

Anyway – nothing huge to learn from this home. Other than – know your market and cater to their needs and desires.

Sometimes it’s just nice to step back and admire the work of a craftsman builder and appreciate the effort they put into their work.

I hope you enjoy the article. Home trends and knowing your market – something else to talk about this Monday at our next WREIA meeting.

See you Monday!

John

WREIA Member Profile: Stephnie Walker

Name: Stephnie Walker

Background:
I bought my first house at the age of 21. I saw how much that
investor made off of selling me his property.

Because, of that, I began to educate myself on real estate and
investing.

I met John Peterson in 1998 and began my career as an
investor.

Since that time, I have invested throughout the DMV while
raising my 9 children with my husband.

Type of Real Estate Investor:
Fix and Flip
Buy and Hold

Hobbies:
Memorizing Scripture
Going to Walmart

Favorite Vacation Spot:
Canaan Valley. I Love the mountains!!!

Words of Advice for New Investor:
Fear is a liar! Your first deal is on the other side of it.

Surround yourself with good people who are knowledgeable.

Belief in yourself.

Knowledge is priceless.

Feb. 24th WREIA Meeting – VIDEO

Februany 24th – Join us at WREIA for Part 2 on Unusual Lead Sources.

Remember the key to success in 2020 – FOCUS. 

Without focus – you will wander aimlessly hoping to bump into a deal at some point throughout the year.  

WITH FOCUS – you will be laser targeted and purposefully uncover deals in your market. 

It’s really rather easy.  

But it does require work.  

No doubt about it.  If you focus on serving your market – you will find deals.

You can grab tickets and reserve your seat here at this link.

Focus Your Energy On A Plan To Get Where You Want To Go

When we go on a trip it’s nice to have an itinerary, or a plan on when, where, what, and who we are going to see.

Most importantly, we need to know HOW to get there. 

Over the last few days I have tried to show you a few things that will make the January 2020 WREIA meeting provide benefits for your business. 

You should be able to walk Monday night with action steps you can take home and implement immediately. 

Step One on this prep was to decide what type of investor you are, or want to become in the next 3-12 months. 

You can still catch some of those details here at this link. 

Second, using a short, (well it was 7 minutes long), video I tried to describe what the day in the life of a wholesaler might be like.  

Now, I realize not everyone likes to watch Youtube on their phone, or maybe didn’t have time while you were checking email in line at the store, so below is a short description of what that day might be like as well. 

Wholesaling does not need to be complicated. We can break it down into four
easy steps.

  1. Identify Property
  2. Control property with contract
  3. Identify buyers
  4. Close and Collect CASH

Now, I realize I have skipped a few steps here but we need to begin with
something.

If you are new to real estate and laying out an action plan as a wholesaler, it might look something like this:

  • You will need to learn how to market and identify property
  • You will need to understand contracts and how to control real estate
  • You will need to create a buyer lists so you can market your deals for highest
  • profit
  • You will need to build your team so you can close deal efficiently

The good news is that all of this can be learned and implemented.

As you become a full time investor, you will eventually spend a portion of your day or week doing the following:

Planning and Reading One Hour
Generally, most people this is done first in morning.

Market Research One to Two Hours
Get to know your geographical region. You should know style of housing, rents,
prices, neighborhoods, services, schools etc.

Marketing Two Hours
You will need to decide how you are going to reach your potential customers.
Direct mail, Phone Calls, Knocking on Doors, Social Media, Networking Events

Evaluation One to two hours
You will need time to research potential deals and analyze values, renovation ect.

Networking Two Hours
You can use coffee appointments, lunch, breakfast meetings to network and build
your database

Buyer Lists/Team Building One Hour
Your buyer lists can be generated by your networking for the type of investor
based on your properties. ( Rehabber, Landlord, Builder)
Also, need to begin to find title attorney, accountant, contractors ect

Appointments and Closing Deals
As your marketing generates leads setting appointments and securing contracts is
your main focus.

I hope you are doing your prep and getting ready for our first Washington REIA meeting of the year.

Planning to be successful this year will depend on your focus and your ability to stay motivated to execute your plan.

Going from one idea to the next will keep you busy but most likely not very profitable.

Choose one technique and become really proficient at generating leads.

If you are involved in real estate now, 2020 is the time to think out of the box and add strategies to your current model.  By doing so, you will increase revenue.

Lastly – it’s Saturday morning, and we are supposed to get some “weather” here in DC over the next few hours.  Maybe you plan on binge-watching a new series on Netflix or Disney+. 

I went out this morning to check on a few properties and made a short invitation to WREIA video and give you a few more details on the meeting.  

You can check it out here. 

Maybe – just maybe – instead of binge-watching a show, you can take a few minutes and focus on YOU and expanding your business and your profits in 2020.

Make a plan and execute on it. That’s what Monday night is going to be all about.

Just do it! Come out and join us at our first 2020 WREIA meeting!

You are going to love this next meeting!  Especially if you want to grow in 2020.

I guarantee it. 


John Peterson
P.S.  If you need to reserve a seat or update your WREIA membership you can find tickets at this link.