Great post.

I am also not a finance whizkid but I agree with Mattnz. I have a layman’s understanding of the goings on and am aware of the cloak and dagger operations in finance and government. I think that all that mattnz mentions is not only possible, but if we go blindly down the path we are at present, it is probable. It is a worst case…[Read more]

Hi George,

All the above are correct. Be good to know the agent you are dealing with so we can avoid them and what area of the states are you investing in? I will be in the USA from May based in New York. If what has beens suggested above doesnt work out for you let me know. Maybe I can also help.

Ian
http://theblockblog.com
Free Property…[Read more]

HiI've been looking into the options of leverage through loans within the USA. It seems that things are opening up in this area for foreign investors and at a low loan entry level.I came across this site : http://loansusa.com.au but don't know the interest rates. Also a Memphis operation offers private lending finance at 9.9% which is a stop gap…[Read more]

I dont think buying brand new is necessary either. The benefits are in the depreciation and tax advantages, a 12 mth builders warranty ( or longer) and less maintenance issues, but negative gearing territory, which buying new often is, is investing to lose money. Weird long term strategy based on property always going up in value.  Like a new car…[Read more]

I haven't been to Memphis yet and don't know the market, but will be there to check one outfit out very soon. What I do know is that the finance is through private lending (hard money) at 10% or just under. Option given is to pay cash and take the bigger return or leverage with the finance offer and possibly buy more. Both with the view of using…[Read more]

Gday SparkyIf you disagree to the point of the post, fair enough that's your right. Hundymen are not worth $66 per hour to shave doors and attach a towel rail, just the same as apprentice electricians are not worth $30 per hour standing around picking their nose and scratching their bum while the qualified sparky does the work. I dont mind paying…[Read more]

The only way out of your dilemma ttman, as I see it, is this. You have to tell your prop. manager you want quotes on everything before work is done. You want to know the hourly rate for the electricians, plumbers, handymen etc they hire and no account gets paid from rent and is sent to you personally.If the rates don't suit, then you have to take…[Read more]

Best is No 2: Offer a property option deal. You agree to buy for X amount within X time – say 18 or 24 mths. You pay a non refundable fee – say $2000 – now and have 18 or 24 mths to complete your DA and onsell to another developer or to acquire the funds to purchase and develop yourself. This way you have control of the property without…[Read more]

Go to http://theblockblog.com  There are free tools and resources available there. You can also download 600 website links to a whole host of property investing websites for Australia and NZ that I'm sure will come in handy, especially if you are new to property investing. The particular tool you asked for is here : h…[Read more]

Hi LeoFirstly banks aren't in the property business. They are in the lending business. I have heard that Fannie Mae is currently spending $10 million per month cutting lawns and they're not happy! That's how much it is costing them to maintain foreclosed properties in their portfolio and that's just the lawns.All they want to do is get rid of…[Read more]

Hi Matt,My advice, on top of all this other advice is "KEEP IT SIMPLE". Don't get caught up with too many things at once. In the current market especially, but for me at any time, the best thing is take control of your own capital gain and let the market do what it does.In other words 'add value' and increase the property value immediately, not…[Read more]

I have to agree. Buying tax deed properties is a lot riskier than tax liens. Although you have to do a fair amount of due diligence for each, tax deeds need much more and you really need to be on the ground to make the strategy happen, or have someone you trust to do the ground work. Most importantly you need to know what type of auction is taking…[Read more]

There are hundreds of these properties for sale and it is an art selecting the right one to buy, if you have the ready cash. Without getting into all the details, you look for property of this type with the right things wrong with it, not just occupancy rate.You need to have a motivated vendor of the type mentioned above, retiring and mismanaging.…[Read more]

Does anyone know about investing in Memphis Tennessee? I have heard that a local outfit there is offering 50% finance, no questions asked on all property purchases. Most houses are going to investors there for around the $40k mark.Ianhttp://www.theblockblog.comFree Property Info, Tools and Resources for Investors with a Sense of Humour.

There is a link to discussions about MYUSA Property here :  https://www.propertyinvesting.com/forums/property-investing/help-needed/4322475  Ianhttp://www.theblockblog.comFree Property Info For Investors with A Sense of Humour

Have you heard of Rookie Developer? It's run by a person known to a lot of people on this forum and is designed to help people such as yourself who are starting off with development projects. A wealth of information there. http://www.rookiedeveloper.com.auIanhttp://theblockblog.comFree Property Information, Tools and Resources for Property Investors with…[Read more]

Thanks for the info on these guys. I have a friend who was looking into investing via the myusaproperty so will pass on the details for them to look a lot closer. A reputable outfit with one of the Aussie directors a previous heavy contributor to these forums is Global Property Deals based in Houston, Texas but investing also in San Antonio and…[Read more]

Be willing to chat about US investing and my experiences over there – anytimesapphire101@bigpond.comIan – http://theblockblog.comFree Property Information, Tools & Resources for Property Investors with a Sense Of HumourAustralia, New Zealand, USA

GFC Global Financial Crises+CF / CF+  Positive Cashflow / Cashflow PositiveCoCR – Cash on cash returnROB – ripped off blindIanhttp://theblogblock.comFree Property Investment Info, Tools & Resources.

For comp sales in the US try Zip Realty and they usually give a comparison of 3 – Zillow, Eppraisal and one other I cant remember. Also maps give comps for the last 3,6,9 mths.<moderator: delete advertising>Ianhttp://www.theblockblog.com