All Forum Posts by: Benjamin Clark

If you’ve ever read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Dr. Stephen Covey, you may remember Habit #2: “Begin with the End in Mind.” It’s a timeless principle — and it applies perfectly to real estate investing.

When you know your why, you make smarter decisions, stay focused during setbacks, and avoid chasing every “rabbit trail” that pops up. Without a clear destination, it’s easy to spin your wheels.

Why Goals Matter for Investors

Real estate isn’t just about buying properties. It’s about creating a strategy that serves your bigger vision. Goals keep you moving in the right direction, even when challenges arise.

Examples of Real Estate Investment Goals

Every investor’s “end game” looks a little different. Here are some common ones I’ve heard:

• Build enough passive income to leave your job.

• Use rental cash flow to pay for children’s or grandchildren’s college.

• Revitalize neighborhoods while creating affordable housing.

• Rehab existing properties to boost rents and long-term value.

• Grow your net worth and leave a lasting inheritance.

• Supplement your paycheck with monthly cash flow.

• Capitalize on future market upticks by holding and renting now.

Your Next Step

Set aside 15–30 minutes this week to clearly define your real estate goals. Write them down. Picture what success looks like for you.

Once you know your destination, every investment decision becomes easier — because you’ll know if it moves you closer or further away from your end goal.

What about you? What’s the end goal driving your real estate journey?

 EXACTLY!! 

I wish more principles understood the limitations of what the agents can and should say. I wish more agents did too. You get what you pay for folks... 

Formula for "getting the good info to determine how much you'll offer from the LA, because the LA 'makes more money'.."

PP of Property -$XYZ

6% (just an example) worth of total commission, regardless of who the agents are.

"saving" that 3% because of the "good intel" - which didn't actually happen. 

= "YAY - I made money" Ending PP. $XYZ

vs. 

Seller finds out information he told his agent in confidence is used to compromise the purchase price, influence the principles, and therefore the deal becomes a deal in bad faith.... 

Seller sues EVERYONE. Principles, Agents, brokers, etc... 

Wonder if the cost of even just defending that would have been worth the perceived percentage of "deal" you got. 

or just hire a buyers agent and let them work for you. 

If the LA is also the principle/seller... why would you NOT want someone in your corner? I would strongly encourage a buyer's agent. Even if you did have to pay for them, they'd be worth every penny. 

Real estate investing is like asking a girl to marry you. Nearly all of them would way Yes to the offer.... especially if the "ring" is pretty and they can show their friends. But getting her from saying yes to the altar (offer to closing) is a whole other ball game entirely, and in some state you just lost your ring AND your girl... Just hire an agent and don't look back. Do NOT use the listing agent if they are also the seller. They should be telling you that they can't be your agent anyway. I would never let an unrepresented buyer purchase something I am selling. Wouldn't even want the smell of impropriety. Good luck with your deal. 

Speak to your agent and your mortgage lender about buying a multi unit property (up to four units with FHA). Live in one unit and rent the other three, or how ever many there are. Lenders' can use upwards of 75% of the projected or historical rents of the rental units to assist you in qualifying for the larger purchase price. It's the next step up from house hacking. Good luck! Congratulations on starting your journey.

Typically you can not work for more than one Broker in one state. Although I'm not familiar with all 50, I doubt that it would be possible in any of them. I am licensed in two states. Theoretically, I could hold my license with a Commercial Firm in one state and a Residential PM firm in the other. Your other question describes what we call a "rent-a-broker". Although technically possible, it is my understanding that the practice is frowned upon. 

As a new licensee starting out, regardless of specialty, I would highly recommend choosing a Broker who can offer the best training possible in your preferred niche. We all think we know what we're doing, I know I did, when starting out but you'd be amazed at what the experienced brokers can show you and of course, offer up in the way of connection opportunities. Best advice I can give is to allow yourself to learn. I learn new things about real estate every day. Good luck with your decisions, and welcome to the business. 

Online ACH is absolutely the best way! You can even set up Paypal and it would be a safer option. 

Hello Folks. Some have had PM's sent to them if you asked for a PM. Here's the gist of property current status. Property owner has dropped price to generate an offer. He had two vacancies in May which brought his revenue down to only the one unit at 650. We are currently turning those units for owner and expect to achieve the same rents. Although there is a significant influx of Oil & Gas workers who could rent these units month to month at higher rates, this owner is wanting us to rent the units as we would normally do. Owner is elderly and after many years of ownership wants to simply sell. They are not interested in financing the property; would need a cash buyer or a financed buyer. The property could go FHA if the new owner lived in one of the units. Our company could manage if the new owner would like. We charge currently 10-12 percent depending on how many units are signed up with our management company. There is a pro-forma attached to the MLS listing. You should be able to simply click the link and find the owner provided spreadsheet. If you have trouble feel free to email me and I can send you an attached copy. This is a solid property with many years of capital improvements. easy to rent and manage. Again, owner wants an offer as he is elderly and would like to sell soon. Give me a shout and we can write something up for him to look at! [email protected] Thanks.

PRICE DROP!!!! Seller wants an offer and dropped the price to get one! $69,000.00.

http://neohrex.mlsmatrix.com/matrix/shared/PxdS1t2...

hey there. Akron is roughly an hour or so from here.

@Anthony Pimentel This property is still available.