All Forum Posts by: Jackie Patterson

Welcome, Penny! You'll find lots of good information here regardless of the real estate niche you're interested in. Don't be afraid to ask questions.....you'll find many wanting to help!

Welcome from the snowy (and 10 degrees) city of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Assuming a blizzard doesn't close the airport, we'll be in Tucson over Christmas, so we'll get a touch of the sun!

Good luck with your RE goals. Learn as much as you can, and then jump in!

Welcome, Todd.
I think your plan to get a real estate license is a good one. My husband and I are short sale investors, but we have also been licensed agents for many years, and have found it to be an advantage. It gives us credibility when dealing with other real estate agents, title companies and lenders......even in other parts of the country. You will learn alot while getting your license, and having access to your local MLS is a definite advantage. Even if the property you are considering is not listed, the MLS is very useful to determine market value. While you are taking classes, you might consider birddogging for a wholesaler or short sale investor. This is another way to gain experience and knowledge, make contacts, and provide another revenue stream. Good luck!

Welcome, Brent! What kind of RE are you interested in? Whatever the area, you will find experienced people here willing to help.

Welcome, Eric!

Good luck with your goals.

If you're flipping the home and not rehabbing it, it's not an issue. If you're doing re-hab, then you need to follow the guidelines. The penalties are too stiff to "ignore and hope you never get caught." If it is a pre 1978 property, then you need to take into account the added costs when making a decision regarding purchase and the price you want to pay. My husband, Bill is lead paint certified, but even so, if we use any contractors (painters, plumbers, electricians, etc.) we make sure they are lead certified also, and that they follow all EPA regulations.

Welcome, Jeff!

Tough luck to lose your job, but it sounds like you have a great attitude about it. If you take the same amount of time you would spend working, and devote it to REI you may be able to make lemondade out of lemons.

What kind of investment are you interested in?

Hi Reece,

Thanks for updating us. I always like to hear the results. Many newbies come on here and talk about their plans, and then we never hear from them again. It's great you actually put your plan in action! Good luck with the closing. In response to your earlier question......"If I get any short sale prospects, perhaps I could pass them over to you?".......I'd be happy to talk to you about that.

We've been looking at that. Also looking at an ipad, galaxy pad, or just a netbook which we could use with the hotspot.

Mitch,

Ha Ha!

One of the reasons we got new phones is that we didn't have good service with AT&T. A microcell for our home helped, but it doesn't transfer between the microcell and normal towers so you drop calls leaving the house or coming home. Also still had the problem with the weak signal at our condo office. Verizon has much better coverage here. It also turned out to be less expensive for monthly service! So far, I love the Droid.......and it has a bigger screen too!