All Forum Posts by: Patrick Britton

@Brock Barr here's some "advice:" stop reading books and start talking to locals at REI meetings.

Reading a couple of books, listening to some podcasts is great but you can very easily fall into the trap of analysis paralysis and wake up in 15 years having bought NO real estate ever, but having read hundreds of books. How much will your financial situation improve if you read 100 books but never actually do anything?

But please, I’m not criticizing. These books make you think that you need to learn more before starting. They make you feel inadequate and doubt yourself. Why?  They want you to buy books, more books, then subscriptions to “exclusive content,” then a 3-day “boot camp” in Vegas for $25k.    

@Jack Bobeck  i cannot tell you the number of times something similar has happened to me.  I love giving new professionals a chance to shine, but most are not interesting in working for it.  And unfortunately, most agents are pretty lazy as well as inept.  

To all:

None of you NEED a mentor. Sure, things might be better with one, but it's not a REQUIREMENT. Between BP, youtube, google, local REI and maybe a short-term coach to get things going is all any of us really need.

i am sure there are those who got a mentor and everything worked out.  but for everyone of those success stories, it seems like there's an equal number of disaster stories.  

To anyone considering getting a mentor, trainer, teacher, coach, etc., you don't need to spend thousands.  And remember that anyone using the phrase "MONEY BACK GUARANTEED" should be avoided at all costs.  The service SHOULD be so good there's no reason to need a refund policy.  

@Ryan C.  is the recorder's office massively backed up?  There had been delays with recording across the country all of last year, but i would hope/expect that by now even local gov't bureaucrats would have caught up by now.  

Are you able to have a loan officer see if this issue is happening with others who've done that program?  Frankly, when loan officers start giving the run around, it's time to run off to another lender.  Watch how quickly they start chatting when you tell them you're going to find a good lender, like Bank of America :)   

@Chad M. you could have a good case.  like someone here said, it depends on your contract.  I've had to deal with some shady agents in my career, and things always worked out when I brought it to the attention of my managing broker who in turn brought it to the attention of the other agent’s managing broker.

There's only one reason why someone would be getting an FHA appraisal and that is if they're using the FHA program itself. There are so many things additionally deficient with FHA loans that frankly, I think you have very good cause to get their earnest money. Clearly, the buyers and likely their agent are trying to pull a fast one which is the same as fraud.

@Mike Rodriguez I knew of someone who had a friend from his brokerage assist and was paid a flat fee for various services. Like $50 for an open house, $25 for a showing, etc.

@Eric Martin looks like you've been busy working :)  

@Mason Hickman @Mitch Vogatsky  what Mason said :)  

@Reggie Delphin There are actually a multitude of formulas depending on the analysis you're running. What exactly are you trying to determine?

@Alex Tabarini 

Yes, you shouldn't have too big of an issue. Refinancing condos can be a little more difficult but not for you, just the loan officer :)

maybe run a search of mortgage loan originators in your area and ask if they specialize in anything particular like single family homes condos, multifamily, etc. Don't tell them that you need somebody for a condo because 99 times out of 100 you're just going to get lied to and the loan officer is going to claim that they're an expert in condos.