Well-executed wholesale deals feel like well planned checkmate.

Well-executed wholesale deals feel like well planned checkmate.

Investor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2014 · 399 posts · 156 votes

I just wanted to share in my excitement on another wholesale deal closed with my bigger pockets family. I recently closed on a wholesale transaction all by my lonesome. The reason I'm extremely excited about this deal is not because of the assignment fee I was awarded or the fact that I actually did every aspect of this deal by myself (oppose to doing a J.V.) But because of the help I was able to provide this particular homeowner. Which ultimately brings me gratification-knowing I’m helping individuals in need, who would otherwise be in a difficult situation.

The reason I love wholesaling is because generally individuals in financial difficulties have very little avenues to go about liquidating their hard assets. Often times the properties that distressed owners are selling aren't in habitable condition and most banks won't finance a loan on an uninhabitable property. Therefore the owner is reluctant to list the property with a realtor or is uncertain that it's not in a condition to post on the MLS. So the homeowner feels stuck between a rock and a hard place.

That’s when the art of wholesaling comes into play.

My last wholesale transaction was with me assigning my contract from an elderly man to an end buyer. This particular gentleman was a 74-year-old retired mechanic. He and his wife had just moved out of their three-story home to a much more comfortable and convenient senior citizen complex. The couple had contacted me through an infamous bandit sign and told me they were looking to sell their home. During our conversation about me viewing the property the gentleman “Mr. Brown” hinted to me that he would need transportation for him to show me the property, I agreed to pick him up as well as transport him back without a second thought.

After viewing the property and conversing with Mr. Brown, I detected that he was in serious need of some money and the home was in need of major repairs. The repairs included a leaky ceiling, mechanical and electrical upgrades. Selling his home of over 40 years was the only way he could get the finances he needed. I was able to make Mr. Brown an equitable offer, which he accepted.

I then began to work tirelessly on marketing this property, which was purchased 4 weeks later by a local investor. The beauty in this deal was 1) I was truly able to assist this homeowner with the finances he needed with genuine compassion and concern for his wellbeing and 2) the investor has acquired a property with great profit potential after rehab.

That my friends is why I love wholesaling, checkmate!!! 

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Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
11y

All this discussion about what is an ethical percentage commission is all useless in this wholesale deal I did a few months back:

Seller is an out of state landlord who bought a dump in Chicago southside 3 years ago. House is vacant and is a money pit for the past 3 years. He regretted this mistake. He called us on our marketing. He gave us the property for $1. What is it worth? The seller does not care. This has been a big headache for him.

We sold that headache to a local landlord for $2,000. That's a 2000% profit margin. Oh that's super unethical. Or is it? Real estate agents would never dare sell his property. He deeded me the house. I got to sell it because it was now my house and my problem. So what if I made 2000% profit on it. $2,000 on a deal is way below my average profit per deal. But someone got to help the poor guy. Real estate agents won't even list his house.

Is what I did unethical @Bill Gulley?

By the way, our buyer who bought it will put $10K into it and rent it for $700/month. Was I unethical for selling him a house that will make him money...even though I made a 2000% profit on it?

Bad mouth wholesalers all you want. The good and diligent wholesalers provide value that real estate agents are not willing, nor are able to provide.

See this reply in the discussion

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  • Investor · Detroit, MI · Member since 2014 · 755 posts · 462 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Bill Gulley:

    @Richard Dunlop

    I'm well aware of that Richard, I didn't say that, Brian Gibbons did.......  

    Yes, there are minimum costs to dispose of a property. :)

     I left a prior tag in when I was deleting from a bulky post. It could look like I was quoting you and I was not. Sorry. 

  • Investor, Entrepreneur, Educator · Springfield, MO · Member since 2009 · 21k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    11y

    Looks to me like we might have folks who have preconceived notions about something someone will post and they are caught in biased thinking before they ever read a post, or, they read into it where their bias takes them, instead of actually reading what is said.

    If you only come to do battle in the forums, you're not going to get much out of them. I am not a persuasive writer, my posts are not written to bring anyone over to any personal point of view. I'm more of a technical writer, no fluff, no puffing, no bragging, just plain English on a technical, factual style of communicating, just as you might hear in a college lecture on a subject. 

    I can also be very boring, I know. Education, a formal curriculum of study, is the best way to learn a profession in arts and sciences, business and real estate are both an art and a science. If professional degree programs were better taught by those only having ideas, we wouldn't need universities or colleges, we could just have a local bar to acquire knowledge. BP is an open social site, it's the local bar.  

    My writing style is not intended to be far off from instructional, if I get into something which becomes more of an opinion, I do try to make that clear. You will see me say "I think" or "I don't think" or IMO when I get into that realm. Otherwise, I'm on point backed by education and experience. 

    For those who don't want to hear anything contrary to what they think, there is an ignore button to the left of my posts, please use it. You may get lost in a thread and not understand following posts made, but you can certainly stay and enjoy the forum chatter that underscores a more narrow view of a topic to your liking.  

    For the rest of you, please simply read and don't skim anticipating what you think I might say. I've been misquoted, had wrong implications interjected into what I said and comments completely contrary to the point being made. 

    All I ask in return for my time here is an open mind and willingness to understand some issue that will likely 1. keep people out of trouble, 2. save them time and money, 3. save their reputation in this industry, 4. make you more successful. 

    I donate my time here, my fees for consultation at one time were on par with CPAs and more than some attorneys in my area. You're getting the same information and opinions others have paid for, some paid a lot. I'm retired now. I don't blow smoke at people in an attempt to get them to do business with me, I have no agenda here other than teaching, besides, few here could afford me anyway.

    This RANT was brought to you by previous posters in this thread, commercial free and not really for your enjoyment. 

    For those still interested in understand the points made, a simple review:

    1. Why is real estate different than selling shoes?

    2. What social impact does real estate have in our society and why?

    3. What are the economic aspects of real estate?

    4. Why is real estate regulated?

    5. Why are property owners protected more than buyers in our law?

    6. How are services valued in business? BONUS QUESTION!!!!

    Multiple choice. 

    A. Services are valued in our economy based on how hard the servicer provider worked

    B. Values of services are determined by comparable services in an industry

    C. Services can be what every someone agrees to pay

    D. Services have no value in our economy

    7. What basic functions do Real Estate Agents provide?

    8. What basic functions do wholesalers provide?

    9.  Does taking title to a property and selling it different than wholesaling?

    10. Are real estate investors or operators held to implied terms in a contract with regard to services being carried out with reasonable care and skill, in a reasonable period of time at a reasonable price as described in the Goods and Services`Act 1982? Yes or NO ?

    If you got less than three right, you're as dumb as a rock

    Got 6 or less, you need to review

    Got 7 right and you're catching on

    Got number   6 correct, you get it

    Got 8 correct and you're pretty good

    Got 9 correct, you can move to the head of the class, you're a pro.

    Got all 10 correct, you can walk on water, give blessings and kados to others (LOL) :)   

  • Colorado Springs, CO · Member since 2015 · 10 posts · 6 votes
    11y

    And this...  is the very reason I want in...

  • Charlotte, NC · Member since 2015 · 4 posts · 0 votes
    11y

    Great story man congratulations on the deal.

  • Investor, Entrepreneur, Educator · Springfield, MO · Member since 2009 · 21k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Davetta Johnson-Ajavon:

    And this...  is the very reason I want in...

     Welcome to BP!

    You posted after my last post, so wondered what you were saying in this post, the reason you want into what? Did you take that little quiz? LOL

    Not to get off topic, but how are you going with that multifamily acquisition goal with ten days left? I like your goals for the purpose you described. Thanks for your service! :)

  • Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2015 · 677 posts · 309 votes
    11y

    @Brian Gibbons,

    That lesson comes in semester #2 for newbie wholesalers. :)

    Ok, so you did good, got a deal done. However consider you took 20% off of a $30K deal from someone's grandmother, someone in their last stage in life. 

    Nauh ! I do not think the young man was fully conscious. For some reason the word,

    "common" is on the tip of my tongue.

    Come on now, he is ready for lesson #2 and so should everyone else be. 

    Yes you did good, congratulations !........................... Now step over here and have a look at it from this angle. Got it?

    Now tell me how are you going to do it better next time?

  • Investor · Sherman Oaks, CA · Member since 2008 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    11y

    @Gilbert Dominguez

    I do not believe @Jamal L.

    still thinks he did anything wrong.

    Maybe he could return $2000 to the seller?

    He still earned $2000 for posting an ad on Craigslist...And avoided a seize and desist order for brokering from the Dept of Real Estate (if he is not licensed)

    See

    http://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/mrec/mrecdodon...

    An unlicensed person MAY NOT:

    • Prepare promotional materials or ads without the review and approval of licensee and supervising broker.
    • Show property.
    • Answer any questions on listings, title, financing, closing, etc.
    • Discuss or explain a contract, listing, lease, agreement, or other real estate document with anyone outside the brokerage.
    • Be paid on the basis of real estate activity, such as a percentage of commission, or any amount based on listings, sales, etc.
    • Negotiate or agree to any commission, commission split, management fee, or referral fee on behalf of a licensee.
    • Discuss the attributes or amenities of a property, under any circumstances, with a prospective purchaser or lessee.
    • Discuss the terms and conditions of the real property offered for sale or lease with the owner of the property.
    • Collect, receive, or hold deposit monies, rent, other monies, or anything else of value received from the owner or lessee of the real property or from a prospective purchaser or lessee.
    • Provide owners of real property or prospective purchasers or lessees with any advice, recommendations, or suggestions as to the sale, purchase, exchange, or lease of real property to be listed or real property presently available for sale or for lease.
    • Hold himself or herself out in any manner, orally or in writing, as being licensed or affiliated with a particular company or real estate broker as a licensee.
    • Contact the public concerning the availability of real estate brokerage services unless an inquiry about a specific property is immediately referred to a licensee.

    Elizabeth H. Trimble
    Assistant Attorney General
    Counsel to the Real Estate Commission

  • Investor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2014 · 399 posts · 156 votes
    11y

    This is all a matter of opinion and they are the cheapest of commodities, everyone has one, therefore they aren't worth much. It intrigues me that people will ensue the smallest of issues rather than try to stand a moral ground on a macro level which would have a better chance of trickling down oppose to the opposite way around. If we want to discuss atonement let us atone for the millions of men and women who worked for nothing to build this nation. A cause highly worth fighting for if we are really fighting for those that were wronged. Who's free labor built a nation of wealth and left their decedents with the debt they inherited as well as the pseudo logic of white supremacy. From this morally correct society we live in. Lets have atonement for Redlining where there was predatory lending which caused for the economic seesaw to be tilted even greater towards one side. Lets atone the millions of subprime lending victims who were targeted by banks that did the reversal of redlining which was just as destructive and disproportionately affected African Americas. Which has created a feeding frenzy of REO and Foreclosed properties that has caused the greatest down spiral in property values since the great depression. This market that just about every investor on here has profited from, was a product of the biggest Ponzi scheme performed by the banking industry and no one seems to see fault in how the market has left them a greater chance to profit. And who were the majority of the victims in this well executed checkmate the government planned out thoroughly? inside job documentary

  • Investor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2014 · 399 posts · 156 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Brian Gibbons:

    @Gilbert Dominguez

    I do not believe @Jamal L.

    still thinks he did anything wrong.

    Maybe he could return $2000 to the seller?

    He still earned $2000 for posting an ad on Craigslist...And avoided a seize and desist order for brokering from the Dept of Real Estate (if he is not licensed) 

    This is all a matter of opinion and they are the cheapest of commodities, everyone has one, therefore they aren't worth much. It intrigues me that people will ensue the smallest of issues rather than try to stand a moral ground on a macro level which would have a better chance of trickling down oppose to the opposite way around. If we want to discuss atonement let us atone for the millions of men and women who worked for nothing to build this nation. A cause highly worth fighting for if we are really fighting for those that were wronged. Who's free labor built a nation of wealth and left their decedents with the debt they inherited as well as the pseudo logic of white supremacy. From this morally correct society we live in. Lets have atonement for Redlining where there was predatory lending which caused for the economic seesaw to be tilted even greater towards one side. Lets atone the millions of subprime lending victims who were targeted by banks that did the reversal of redlining which was just as destructive and disproportionately affected African Americas. Which has created a feeding frenzy of REO and Foreclosed properties that has caused the greatest down spiral in property values since the great depression. This market that just about every investor on here has profited from, was a product of the biggest Ponzi scheme performed by the banking industry and no one seems to see fault in how the market has left them a greater chance to profit. And who were the majority of the victims in this well executed checkmate the government planned out thoroughly? inside job documentary

  • Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2011 · 155 posts · 23 votes
    11y

    Jamal,

    So many times investors or wholesalers get a bad wrap.  Through the years I had people call me back the day after agreeing on a price and signing the contract wondering if I just made them sign their house away.  Even after I thoroughly explained what was going on. Sometimes people in distressed situations listen to the wrong people, like a family member whose never sold a home or a skeptical friend.

    However when you present yourself as the expert and you genuinely make it about the seller and their best interest, it shows to people.  Jamal keep making it about the people and not so much about the dollar and your referrals and overall business will continue to prosper. 

  • Real Estate Transaction Engineer · Jacksonville, FL · Member since 2014 · 271 posts · 74 votes
    11y

    Realtors also will try to sell the house for as much as they can get to make more on closing. Even if the house won't sell. Or they will buy it and sell it for more then they offered you to buy it. My grandmother was taken for that ride by her realtor. A real snake. So no, I don't trust realtors.  

    And if you don't go through them, then they get butt hurt because they're losing out. It's Jokers like that that caused problems for people like Jamal and other investors that have a heart for helping others and finding creative solutions to people's problems. Sure you make some scratch in the deal, but isn't that why we all love real estate? There is money to be had, no matter what your angle is. Right, @Tom V.? You, Jamal, could have cleaned them out, but that's not you. 

  • Real Estate Transaction Engineer · Jacksonville, FL · Member since 2014 · 271 posts · 74 votes
    11y

    Great reply @Andre Key

     and that gives me an idea if I ever do a wholesale deal. Contact the home owner after signing the contract to reassure and go over the whole process again. That speaks volumes when they think you have them on your mind. It also eases their fear that you might be someone they can trust. 

    Have there been bad wholesalers in the past? Sure, just like agents and home owners. If we strive to have integrity and build trusting relationships, you know you did your best for all involved. Not just yourself.

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