All Forum Posts by: Ben G.

Was nice to meet you in person the other night @Sterling White 

I just choose my website as my business name, and it has my name in it and it says exactly what I do so that customers aren't guessing. 

I am doing deals and I don't exactly have a business name, unless you count my website.  I don't have business cards either.  Do deals, take action, find properties, offer a service to your clients. Help investors find good deals, help your network.  They could careless about the name of your business.  I hope this helps you move forward in your business.  Good Luck!

@Ravi Chaudhari by no means am I saying that turnkey companies don't work any areas that I appreciate.  What I was saying that it's important not to work with just any turnkey company.  If you're looking for appreciation as an investment goal then you need to look for a turnkey company that can offer you properties based on their prospects at appreciating rather than cash flow.  Not all turnkey companies are alike.  That's why it's important to vet the turnkey companies you are thinking about working with.  That's easier said than done when you live out of state.  

@Philip Cutting  makes some great points.  I'm not sure $10,000 is remotely close to enough to begin investing, unless you have more money saved up and you've allocated $10,000 out of that money to a down payment.  Then that might work.

I like the idea of starting a direct mail campaign and marketing for motivated sellers so that you can start wholesaling or syndicating to flip properties. 

This should help get you started: Ultimate Direct Mail Guide

It really depends on your overall buy and hold investment goals.  Turnkey companies do serve a purpose and they offer a valuable service, but only if their service meets your investment goals.  

There are a number of reputable turnkey companies in Indianapolis where I live, and I would have no hesitations referring family or friends to these companies.  However, before doing so I would make sure to determine their investment goals before referring them.

For example, if you're looking to invest for appreciation, then by no means should you be investing in any neighborhood in any market with any turnkey company.  There are specific markets that are better than others for appreciation, and then within those markets, there are specifics neighborhoods that are more likely to appreciate faster than others.  Some turnkey companies may  not have inventory in these markets, but it's up to you to figure that out. 

If you're not local to the area you are looking to invest in, then you need to build a relationship with someone who can be your boots on the ground in that market, and this should be someone you trust, and someone who is serving your best interest, not the turnkey providers best interest.

The answer to your question may be simple and I really think it's one that only you can answer, because only you know your risk tolerance, and only you can determine what your investment goals are.

It may get simpler than that.  If you're not worried about risk, then simply run the numbers and whatever gives you a greater return on your investment then it's a easy decision.

Good Luck!

@Allen Ayres  if you can't filter by equity go ahead and filter by the number of years the property has been owned.  I like to do greater than 10 years.  Hope this helps.

Another helpful resource for your direct mail campaign can be found here.

I think it's smart of you to hold on to that money rather than invest in a rental property.  Use that money to send letters to your D4D leads.  Keep that money as an emergency fund.  I agree with @Chris Kennedy even if you do find a rental property that cash flow might not even cover the loan payment that you'll be making.

Read this if you need some guidance on driving for dollars.

Wow!  That's a big payment on a 10k loan.  I was assuming it would be lower than that.  I'm not sure what your income is, but yes, I'd be a little more hesitant to invest in marketing with that large of a payment.