Ted Thomas, the scheduled speaker for our March WREIA meeting,  has been a long time colleague in the real estate world.  We have known each other for a long time.  

We recently shared with each other in a conference call that we both had concerns about him traveling from Florida and asking our community to gather for our March WREIA meeting – just a few days away on March 23rd.  

His office and mine have agreed that we should postpone his guest appearance at WREIA until later in the year – after we all get a better handle on this virus situation.
While disappointed, we both agreed it was the right decision.  

Which led our office to discuss internally – “What do we do instead?”

We could cancel the meeting altogether, which we quickly disregarded – or we could go virtual.  

Virtual – as in our next WREIA meeting will be 100% online. 

You can attend WREIA in March from home, or work, your car, on your phone, laptop or desktop computer.  Basically, join us at the March WREIA meeting from anywhere you feel safe.  

We will have a very similar format to our regular WREIA meetings – although the meeting will be shorter, completely online (if you sign up, you will get a link to join us) and you will have a chance to ask questions.

So, what are we going to talk about and discuss at WREIA this month?  

The topic has changed to “How to Invest in Times Of Chaos”

I will be sharing what we have done in the past as we went through 9-11 and the 2008 financial crisis that ultimately led to the Great Recession. 

You are going to hear what myself and a few other DC area investors did right – and wrong – and also what we plan to do in the coming months when it comes to our personal business. 

For those of you who registered for the meeting with Ted, we will happily refund your purchase immediately upon request.  Or, you can stay signed up and we will send you details with the link to find us on the 23rd.  

We will have more details over the next few days.  

Stay tuned as we update our site and social media channels. 

More importantly, I hope to see you – online – on the 23rd. 

Stay safe and stay healthy, 

John Peterson

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.

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.

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.

Yet another topic for us to talk about at our February WREIA meeting TONIGHT!

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

See you tonight – Feb. 24th , 2020 – at our monthly WREIA meeting!

John Peterson

Founder, Washington Real Estate Investors Association

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

A new video we just posted on one of my favorite topics – generating leads.

Make sure you grab a seat for the February 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. 

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

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.

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.