Menunes wrote:
…Not that im an expert by any means but I feel the "one-stop-shop" companies are to be avoided…

I wouldn't knock all "one-stop-shops" (a very general term) and recommend people avoid them just because they charge a fee. Some of these guys are superb at what they do (Emma, Kyler, Alex, Jay, to name just a few on these forums,…[Read more]

NealeinMI wrote:
…Why not spend your money on Australian Real Estate.  You can control it yourself, and you don't have to fly to the US to check on your investments.

Agree with everything except 5.I have good, reliable Australian investments. The cashflow sucks. It's hard to find profitably geared, long-term, affordable deals. And they cost…[Read more]

that's a great start, thank you as it was inherited (by an individual), and there's no mortgage and no agent involved (also not much CG), I'm guessing it'll be on the lower side of those 5% – would this be a correct assumption?

Freckle wrote:
…a row of about 10 terrace houses in the middle of nowhere. Go figure. More room that you can poke a stick at and they want to live on top of each other…

Been wondering about that one myself, seems to be the go in more than one "middle of noweheres" (which we have far more of than "middle of somewheres"). What's on with…

Ilovehouses wrote:
.
I have found name and shame to work just as well or better. A story to the local press here and there, Internet websites, I have even used TV

100% with you there, out the shonks, they’re the ones who shold be hanging their heads in shame, not their victims! It works for every field, not just investing and realty.

As they’re the ones supposedly bringing in customers to pay YOU the money, you’re the one who needs to answer those criteria, not them

You can get references and draw your own impressions, but what’s the worst that can happen to you as the provider? A customer who backs off at the last minute? Can happen anyway, and isn’t the channels fault.

Of…[Read more]

I think they're called the BBB (Better Business Bureau) or something similar.

I do, never said you did

I deserved that, I think

We certainly do, and as buyers'/proxy agents who only sell services and not actual properties, it's easy – option 1) – same country/"around the corner" – they advertise a general service and some sample listings to their existing lists/contacts, we share the comission on the first purchase – then they end up getting handsomely paid for what's not…[Read more]

Aye, concur. Buy safe and stable, be realistic, learn from local expertise then carry on yourself if you really want to.
No blind opportunistic gold-rushing, just safe and sane cash flow, and your investment will live to tell the tale wherever on the cycle you may be. And that’s usually one step ahead of the masses anyway.

emma171 wrote:
…interestingly enough with the Asian/Israeli/Arab contingents…

lol being an ex-Israeli I know the type – we come in thinking we're the smartest folk in the world – "I can spot a fleecer from three continents away" – we just forget it's only the middle-eastern type fleecers we've been exposed to.I'll never forget the first…[Read more]

I think only participants can access direct conversation threads…if you’ve got a user there Kyler or I can just reply to the thread including you, then you’ll probably see previous messages too?

As far as Bigger Pockets are concerned, the matter was brought to their attention, and they've taken quick action to remedy their part in the shonk's activity – not really compensation for the injured party, but I hope ilovehouses can at least find some comfort in the fact that, from now on, at least, their ability to continue shonking others…[Read more]

Absolutely – that's why I always jump at the chance to help Tal – I KNOW he's for real (known him personally for just under a decade now), and not some obscure entity on the net – he's also small and nimble, as opposed to Red Cross, etc, so zero waste on admin fees etc – your money goes straight where it's needed. Win-win-win ))

To all of you who donated – here's what you helped make – http://www.tal-gur.com/blog/index.php/archives/helping-in-the-dominican-republic#juneMaybe it's just me, but this makes me much prouder than any cashflow, equity etc in the bank. ))

jayhinrichs wrote:
These web site and bigger pockets site which I am aware  are just amatures preying on those looking for unrealistic returns..

That's a bit unfair, Jay, there's plenty of decent content on BP (and I thought so before I was writing for them, that's why I contacted them in the first place) – while there's certainly alot more…[Read more]

The short answer is “yes”.

As to the exact nature of the Singapore strata system and it’s implications, I’d suggest contacting some local professionals, as my knowledge is extremely superficial. I don’t live there and have never bought (nor do I think I will in the foreseeable future)

That wasn’t actually me

Amit Thaker wrote:
Ziv, Sounds like a interesting concept and I am not sure how much experience one would need to invest in Japan as a individual. 12% before tax is still pretty good. From few contacts I have with Japanese and Korean community unexpected maintenance and vacancies are rare things – I do agree. Keen to know more. Best to talk…[Read more]