All Forum Posts by: Sharon Powell

Welcome to BP and SA, Francisco! Congratulations on your investing decision. You’re on the right track already, taking steps forward even when it’s scary. Always read, always educate yourself, and keep connecting with people you can learn from. Checking out the REIA’s here in town is a good start if you don’t know many like-minded people yet. Set your strategy, fix your eyes on your goals, and take action, even when it’s uncomfortable, because that’s where the good stuff happens. Do one thing every single day to move forward. This is a great family to lean on as you begin your journey. Best of luck!

The listing agent isn’t supposed to be unbiased- he/she works for the seller and is loyal to their interests. It’s better to have your own representation; a buyer’s agent doesn’t cost you anything and you’ll have someone looking out for your best interests.

Your broker might be connected to a referral system. Or you can check out Agentdesks online.

I don’t see it on MLS, and he mentioned that it’s off-market.

Is he the broker? If not, you can contact the broker in writing, explaining why you want to be released...lack of performance, lack of communication, you don’t feel like he’s acting in your best interests. Read through the listing agreement to see what the acceptable reasons for early release are. The broker will either try to rectify the situation or send you a termination of listing contract. Some brokerages will assess a fee to recoup all the marketing to date, but at least you can move on.

Memphis Invest is definitely one to check out for Houston or Dallas market.

Give Allen Jones Insurance in La Vernia a call. He takes care of my investments and is worth the phone call. You’ll see why. :)

I see it a bit differently. In my business model, it takes more time to analyze deals than to run comps. I’ll do that all day long for someone, but I ask investors to do their own due diligence. Each investor has their own individual strategy/strategies and numbers they need to hit. Learning each person’s strategy and comfort level intricately, then hunting and analyzing deals that hit that sweet spot is more time-consuming than checking comps. I often wonder why investors complain so much about agents, but I think it could be because they don’t (or can’t) explain the numbers they need to hit, but then agents are expected to deliver the perfect deal on a silver platter at a discount. In my experience so far, investors call me asking about a specific deal, then disappear after I give them the details they want. I can’t be helpful on the buy side if someone isn’t able to communicate to me exactly what they need in a deal, and I’m no longer willing to find and analyze without building a relationship first and knowing the investor is funded and ready to pull the trigger. I do realize that most ‘investors’ who contact me cold are either just out of a get rich seminar or have HGTV on all day, so I get it. And i wish I had time to hold their hand, but i just don’t. On the sell side, a savvy agent can an investor’s best friend. Professional photos, drone shots, video-and not just a slide show of the still shots, marketing across thousands of websites and platforms, negotiating to meet and hopefully surpass the needed numbers... the list goes on.

You are spot on, friend. This is the strategy I am most passionate about. All these points are good ones, plus providing a good solid affordable home is a great way to say thank you to those who defend our freedom.

Owner financing has been my workaround. Is that a possibility?