All Forum Posts by: Catherine Emert

I have used Facebook ads and continue to use them. The problem right now in our area is that prices are so high that we get a lot of negative comments about our market. One thing that we had a lot of success doing when the market wasn't so great was post cards with a landing page on our website specifically for information on the foreclosure process, how we can help and a free valuation form for them to fill out.

Oh this is such a great question that so many want an answer to. We have found one lender in our 20 years in Central Oregon that goes above and beyond every single time. I am not sure how you find one...but call, interview, ask. Get referrals from locals you know that have worked with lenders. Keep your list. Call again and again, as rates change often. Once you find your list keep it near and dear. 

Hunter,

I think here is a great place to start, look for members that are local to where you are going to land, my partner is from Houston, so we may be able to share some contacts with you. I think that he may actually know someone that could mentor you. Look for forums in the local area. Reach out to anyone and everyone on every platform you have. You can never know enough people in this business.

Good luck!

Yolanda,

This seems to be a problem even in larger areas. We work with a lot of contractors and most are booked up for months. We try to just keep a running list from our CCB site of ones that are licensed and call and call until we find one. We also attend a lot of networking events to build a relationship with some, this moves us up the list sometimes especially for small jobs, they are willing to squeeze us in more. 

Kay,

Welcome to Bigger Pockets! As a REALTOR, I always recommend using one (yes I know that is a biased opinion). But I work with a lot of investors, both commercial and residential, and most agree that having us do the research, backing them in the negotiations, having legal contracts drawn, is a huge stress relief. If you are cash most likely you won't need a bank to back you...depending on the deal. We are working with one commercial investor currently that they did require a credit check, a letter from their banker, etc. but they are all cash. 

Good luck

Laurie,

Check out Contactually - its affordable and would allow you to tag each contact so that you can know which is which. Instead of using two separate ones. We have used it for years. 

Run your LLC as an SCorp - that's what we do and then we are able to have a group insurance policy and payroll.

You will want to start with a cover letter then attach to a business plan that goes over at least the following:

Mission Statement - including executive summary and financial overview.

Business description - name and location of business, principal owners, legal structure, status and type, definition of products/services, major strengths and challenges, strategic goals and objectives.

Operation Plan - location, physical facility, labor, suppliers.

Market Analysis - industry trends, description of total market, target market, analysis of competition, production/services differentiation.

Sales Strategy - Pricing policy, distribution, promotional efforts.

Management Profile - personal history of key participants, duties and responsibilities of key participants, compensation, available resources.

Financial Analysis - sartup costs, source and use of funds, capital equipment list, income statement projection, monthly cash flow projections and assumptions, balance sheet projections, personal financial statements, personal income tax returns.

It all a numbers game - make sure you present your number truthfully and make sure you educate yourself on every aspect of the business. If your plan isn't detailed enough they will ask for more information or reject it completely.

You would want to contact the MLS office of each of these and see what all they include. Most MLS' do not share information unless they have some sort of an agreement in place and use the same MLS there are so many MLS platforms out there this is pretty rare.

@Alik Levin - in Oregon you can send it "to the last known address" if they have put in for a forwarding this will help. But make sure to send it certified to prove you sent it. Take a photo of the envelope and your receipt