All Forum Posts by: Justin Brown

Interesting question @Tyler L..  When you don't have a true comparable I start sliding my criteria back and try to see what gets me a hit first. Initially I start with sold in last 6 months, type/style of home, + or - 200 square feet, within a half mile of subject property, same number of bed and bath.  So from their I just start dialing each back...go 12 months, 1 mile out, range of bedrooms, + or - 400 square feet, etc. Then once you find something sorta close, find the price per square foot and multiply that number by your subject properties square footage.  What stage of the game are you at? How small of a market is it? You looking for something to appraise?  Offer price? Remember the same issue you are having the appraiser is going to have too so try to think like him.  A home that is very close by sold 5 years ago is not as good as one that sold close by 7 months ago but is a split level vs a ranch. 

Good luck! 

Hey @Aaron Phillips I think the best thing you can do so they don't write you off is be the best damn cleaning company in town. Then ask for referrals from the jobs you get, if you do your job right people will know you to be a man of integrity and hard work and will be excited to refer their friends and colleagues with you. Beyond getting capital, what stands in your way of investing yourself and how are you looking for your cleaning business to get you closer? 

Hey Everyone, 

Its that time of the month again (Third Thursday) where we will be having out monthly Lehigh Valley investors meeting. Its free to join, shoot me a note that your planning on coming so that we can adjust for the right amount of people. Always a fun time, hope you can join us! (September 20th, 6:30-8:30, at 40 S. 5th St, Allentown PA 18101) 

If your new looking to listen to experienced investors discuss down to earth concepts this is the right place for you. 

See you soon! 

Justin. 

yeah man, if it's 2-4 units you can do FHA. Assuming that the property is in good condition to pass FHA appraisal.

Not a dumb question. A lot of people don’t like to commit to a realtor till they find the right home. When they come into your open house have them fill in a registration sheet and if they give your grief just mention it’s for the citrusy of the selle that is allowing strangers through their home. When you show folks around and hit it off with them, mention you are happy to show them any other places they are interested in. Then shoot them an email that night with some listings that just came on the market and bam!  If you’re lucky you can find clients that need to sell first before they buy and then you get the listing too! Hope this helps! I met My best client to date at an open house. 

hahah @Marc Middleton good thoughts! Although I would say Zillow helped me get a good foot in the game, but was a just a piece to the puzzle. 

@Rigo V. The long game is referrals as they are better quality lead, and most often pretty much free.  I always have an easier time working with someone who came to me with a strong recommendation from a friend.  Better trust leads to better communication and a smoother transaction, leaving me more time to go get the next deal. Open houses were a great way that I kick started my career in real estate too.  To get seller leads, I will knock on doors in a neighborhood a buyer client is interested in and ask them if they know anyone who is thinking of selling. At the end of the day work hard and burn the ships behind you so you can't turn back will win the day.  

@Chad Jarrah thanks for the shout out! We had a blast last week at our August meeting. All are welcome to join us every Third Thursday of the month at Forty South Co-Working Space (40. South 5th St, 6:30-8:30pm) Next one is September 20th. @Shane Ward join us after work this month! 

I completely agree with @Nik Moushon, probably put it more politely than I would. Two are better than one and a three stranded cord is not easily broken. Marriage should strengthen you as a team to attack real estate together, not something that is just about each other with business aside.   Also I think looking at one person having more "assets" than another is narrow minded. I already had a house and a business when my wife and I got married, but she was half way through a grad degree that was also a great investment. Technically I had more "assets" than she did, but as a team we have been able to build faster and stronger not thinking about what is hers and what is mine... its ours now.  As your picture showes @Chaz Mathias you look very happy with your S.O. go attach real estate as a team! 

Yup!