All Forum Posts by: Gregory Emmer

@Ryan Taylor I feel the answer is two-fold. If you get your real estate license, you will have access to the MLS, which is far more accurate with their data and information than a website like Zillow, for instance. Plus, being a realtor obviously gives you access to see which listings are available, and you can place offers on those listings without having to pay a cooperating real estate agent a commission. Then, on the back-end, when you are selling the property, you can list it yourself, place it on the MLS without having to pay for a listing agent's services and the 3% that goes along with it.

Secondly, and at least here in South Florida, the local real estate agent's association puts on various networking events which is great for meeting fellow agents.  These people could not only offer useful information to you, but also connect you to purchase opportunities or to individuals you can sell your properties to.

What does the contract say exactly?  Are there any provisions relating to craftsmanship that can negate payment or force them to either re-do the job or refund you your money?

Hi @Ezhil N. Congrats on passing your exam...no easy feat!  I would strongly recommend building out your network.  A real estate transaction as you know can be very complex, with many moving parts.  That's why I suppose the industry employs so many different trades.  Get out there and engage with everyone...agents, loan originators, lenders, appraisers, contractors, handymen, insurance providers, etc...you never know when they will come in handy and lead you to your next client or deal.

@Anthony Butcher I would engage in your local real estate investment communities and see where that takes you. CFRI has a huge monthly meeting at Edgewater High School the first Wednesday of every month, and they also have several other affiliate/sub-group meetings throughout the month. And GOREIA is another competing club that meets later on in the month (I believe the 3rd or 4th Thursday) at the Hilton in Altamonte Springs. The clubs allow first-timers to come for free, so it's a great no-obligation opportunity. We'll be at CFRI with as a table vendor, so stop by if you come. Good Luck!

@Mona B. Before ponying up the cost of a mentorship program, I'd source the local investment community groups (DREIA, BREIA, PBREIA, Weston REIN), and see if you can partner with an investor there.  There is an asset you have that is coveted by a potential partner, even if it's time, for instance.  Being able to search the streets for properties, follow up buyers, sellers, agents, etc...Time is an asset that any partner in a Joint Venture would appreciate since one person can't always do it all.  Perhaps skip the costs of a mentorship program and see if an investor can take you under his/her wing in some capacity in exchange for something beneficial that you can bring.

@Victoria Cole  Gold Coast Schools 100%. They are the source for Real Estate pre-licensing, post-licensing, and continuing education across a diverse group of real estate-related licenses.  I'd check them out.  Everyone I know that takes their courses in South Florida does them through Gold Coast.  Good luck!

@Sheri Taylor I would engage in your local real estate investment communities and see where that takes you. As @Tammy Workman mentioned, CFRI has a huge monthly meeting at Edgewater High School the first Wednesday of every month, and they also have several other affiliate/sub-group meetings throughout the month. And GOREIA is another competing club that meets later on in the month (I believe the 3rd or 4th Thursday) at the Hilton in Altamonte Springs. The clubs allow first-timers to come for free, so it's a great no-obligation opportunity. We'll be at CFRI with as a table vendor, so stop by if you come. Good Luck!

Welcome @Jerald Belofsky if you ever make your way to the FL investment community, let us know!

@Brian Haywood It is never too late to start investing in real estate.  And the beauty is, there are so many sectors of the business to engage in, so don't ever forget that.  You may start out as a fix and flip investor, and then you may realize it's too much running around.  That's what happened to my father when he began investing, and after a year, he became a hard money lender.  If it's not investing, you could be an agent, loan originator, property manager...The possibilities are nearly endless.  Knowing this is what you want to do is the first step.  So congratulations on that.  Good luck!

@Lance W. Are you looking to leverage your portfolio to finance these acquisitions, or do you want to purchase these additional properties stand alone?  If so, what specific markets do you want to focus on, given that you have invested in both Tampa and South Florida.  I'm sure there's a lender out there that would cash-out refi you if you wanted, especially if there's equity in the current properties you own.