http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/Ask-The-Rehabber-blog.html The Rehabber Blog keeps you up-to-date with all additions and changes to the ask-the-rehabber.com Web site. Subscribe here. en-us ask the rehabber Sun, 04 Jul 2010 10:36:58 GMT Sun, 04 Jul 2010 10:36:58 GMT ask-the-rehabber.com http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/investing-with-poor-credit.html How can I invest with poor credit? I have poor credit due to medical issues. Is it still feasible for me to get back on my feet financially doing this Sun, 04 Jul 2010 10:36:51 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/caulking-tub-and-shower-enclosure.html Dear Rehabber, I need some tips for caulking my bathroom shower enclosure. I have a 6 ft. wide shower enclosure, two glass panels plus a hinged glass Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:26:47 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/no-stairs.html Our insurance company has canceled our insurance because a second floor outside door has no stairs. We had originally dead bolted the door so it is Sat, 27 Feb 2010 13:11:33 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/refinancing-investment-properties.html How can I get my money out of my rehabbed property to buy another? I need my equity out to go on to the next project. Anonymous Answer: The obvious Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:40:11 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/assignment-of-contracts-to-a-rehabber.html Hi Joe, I am an independent real estate investor and I am new at this. I know it will take some time before I get used to this. I have 2 questions about Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:10:51 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/rehabber-newsletter.html The Rehabber Newsletter for real estate Investing. How-To add value with home improvements to Triple Your Profit with Do-It-Yourself Home Remodeling. Sun, 24 Jan 2010 14:51:08 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/Ask-The-Rehabber-blog.html <p><big>Real estate investing just became 90-days easier!</big></p> <p>The 90-day seasoning rule waiver was signed on January 15,2010 by David H. Stevens, the Assistant Secretary for Housing - Federal Housing Commissioner.</p> <p>The waiver takes effect on February 1, 2010</p> <p>There are conditions to prevent fraud...</p> <p><b>That doesn't affect us honest home remodeling rehabbers,</b> <br>who are taking title to a property, <br>making credible home improvements, <br>and reselling for a fair profit at market value.</p> <p>Read the full document at Hud.gov - <a href="http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/waivpropflip2010.pdf"TARGET=_blank">Waiver of Requirements of 24 CFR203.37a(b)(2)</a></p> <p><b><i>Now...</i></b></p> <p>Deals are easy to find these days!</p> <p>The Government lifted the 90-day holding period!</p> <p><b>The Difficult Part! </b></p> <p>Having a buyer waiting to buy your newly remodeled property, <br/> <b><i>Or...</i></b> <br/> <Having a <a href="http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/investor-marketing.html">marketing system <i>read more...</i></a> in place to find a buyer quickly as possible.</p> Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:08:22 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/real-estate-bookkeeping.html At the very least, organize receipts for real estate bookkeeping. Save receipts and filing receipts for investor books separate from household receipts. Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:28:25 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/index.html Ask the Rehabber how-to triple Your profit with Do-It-Yourself real estate investing, combined with, home remodeling. DIY home improvements turned into a full time business - here's how I did it... Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:40:24 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/finding-properties.html HI, The problem I'm having is: Finding Properties. I would like to Buy a House on a Lease-Option, on a 5-year Lease, with $2,500 down payment. I Tue, 05 Jan 2010 12:48:00 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/starting-the-eviction-process.html I am starting the eviction process with an evasive tenant. I have done evictions before and successfully evicted tenants, without money issues. Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:53:58 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/fireplace-inserts.html Joe, I purchase a house in Riverview,Michigan that has a wood burning fireplace insert. The fireplace has a solid 2 door Forestor cover that I Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:17:58 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/negotiating-purchase-commercial-storefront.html Hello! We are negotiating the purchase of a multi-use building commercial storefront w/ one apartment) with a land contract. The length of term we Sun, 06 Dec 2009 13:42:01 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/a-little-help-from-joe-the-rehabber.html Hey Joe I just wanted to thank you for all the tips and tricks that you have shown me. Because of you and help from others I am able to do Sat, 28 Nov 2009 12:07:04 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/sell-on-land-contract-with-existing-mortgage.html Do you know any commercial lender that will allow one to sell to an end buyer on a land contract and is willing to remove the due on sale clause? Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:22:16 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/joe-the-rehabber.html Joe the Rehabber is an expert skilled tradesman. "Broken Homes" Keep Me In Business. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:25:10 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/Ask-The-Rehabber-blog.html <p><strong>Strategy or Motivation... What is <i>Your</i> missing link?</strong></p> <p>I haven't posted on the Rehabber Blog in a while because I'm in full construction and keeping up with the emails from the Ask-The-Rehabber&reg; visitor's questions.</p> <p><strong>What is my favorite Real Estate Strategy...</strong></p> <p>Buy Low - - - Add Value - - - Sell High or Rent for Positive Cash Flow!</p> <p>There seems to be some confusion that there is a <strong>"Magic Real Estate Strategy"</strong> that is finally going to enlighten us to quick wealth and a life of luxuries.<p> <p>There are hundreds of real estate programs that describe some <strong>"Fancy Contract Lingo"</strong> that makes it sound easy to make money from real property without actually owning the property. That may be so, but...</p> <p><strong>Owning the property is where the excitement is!</strong><p> <p>Of course I'll make a handsome 5 figure profit from the property I just bought last week! I was highest bidder on a <strong>Water Front</strong> home in S.E. Michigan, on the Huron River.<p> <p><strong>Can you imagine buying a water front home for $15,000!</strong> <br>I just did but I had to: <ul> <li>Find that deal</li> <li>Arrange the money</li> <li>Make my highest and best offer</li> <li>And wait for the Bank to choose the best offer</li> My offer was accepted and I purchased that home!</ul></p> <p><strong>Here's where the excitement is</strong></p> <p>The Hunt... Looking for a great deal, a property I'll <strong>enjoy</strong> owning, working on, and managing. It's an ongoing lifestyle of a career we love to do - daily!</p> <p>It's not just about the money!!!</p> <ul> <li><strong>Exciting</strong> is the process of hunting down a great deal and acquiring it</li> <li><strong>Pride</strong> of ownership and the conversations with friends and neighbors</li> <li><strong>Respect</strong> from peers and colleagues that we're investing in one of the toughest times in American Economic History</p> <li><strong>Looking forward to</strong> adding value with rehabbing and remodeling</li> <p><strong>Strategy... Buy Low!</strong> is the easiest part of Real Estate Investing.</p> <p><strong>Motivation</strong></p> <p>Because there is <strong>Nothing You'd Rather be Doing</strong></p> <p>And the details will take care of themselves! <br>Meaning, when we want something bad enough that we know we're going to love and enjoy, we figure out the details to get what we want.</p> <p>More to come...and,</p> <p>Thanks for all the emails! <br>It's also very motivating discussing our rehabbing projects with each other from different States and Countries.</p> <p>I can't wait to hear about your latest real estate deal and tell you about mine.</p> <p>Somehow - that keeps the motivation going - and us Rehabbers Growing!</p> <p>Sign up for the Ask-The-Rehabber Newsletter or send me an email, <br>We'll keep in touch and keep the excitement going.</p> <p>Cheers to you and your real estate projects</p> Sun, 18 Oct 2009 12:53:35 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/Ask-The-Rehabber-blog.html <p><strong>Making an offer</strong> on a Bank Owned property will be frustrating and apparently it's legal?</p> <p>Negotiating with Banks changes the standard operating procedure of submitting an offer on a purchase agreement to a seller! When the seller is a Bank, the rules and practices of the Realtor&reg; industry are <strong>Not</strong> recognized.</p> <p><strong>Is it Legal? Who knows?</strong></p> <p>Real Estate Brokers are telling me the Banks can do what ever they want during the process of listing and selling their properties to consumers.</p> <p>My personal experience proves that negotiating with Banks to buy a vacant house is <strong>absolutely shocking!</strong></p> <p>Here's what Happened with my purchase offers to a Bank Owned property seller...</p> <ul> <li>I offered more than listing price, a cash offer</li> <li>The Bank did not respond to my offer for 18 days</li> <li>The Bank replied with, "Multiple Offers - submit highest and best offer"</li> <li>2 days later the Bank accepted my offer - <strong>I got the house?</strong></li> <li>2 days after I have an accepted offer - <strong>The Bank cancels my agreement and sells the house to someone else</strong></li></ul></p> </p>Negotiation with Banks are more like a <strong>request!</strong></p> <p>The Bank simply <strong>canceled my offer</strong> and sold the property to someone else after my offer was accepted, without reason!</p> <p><strong>How can the Banks get away with this?</strong></p> <p>Don't do what I did! <br>Don't get excited, move money around, or do any "due-diligence" on an accepted offer with a Bank owned property until you have a closing date confirmed...</p> <p>...And the Bank can still cancel an accepted purchase agreement before the closing without concern or reason.</p> <p><strong><So...</strong></p> <p>Don't fall in love with a property or an investment house deal until the transaction is closed and the deed to the property is transferred.</p> <p><strong>Do make multiple offers</strong> on several houses at a time because many offers are either outbid, rejected, or canceled by the Bank at any time.</p> <p><strong>Bottom Line...</strong></p> <p>Make many purchase offers on several houses when dealing with Bank owned properties and <strong>hope one property will close.</strong> Then withdraw the other offers unless you're buying multiple properties.</p> <p>Negotiating with Banks to purchase a property has been re-phrased to a <strong>"Request to Purchase Inquiry".</strong></p> <p>At this time there is <strong>no recourse</strong> on a Bank owned property that simply cancels an accepted purchase offer.</p> <p>What happened to <strong>"Specific Performance"</strong> of the offer? <br>It may be better to move on and keep submitting your purchase offers until you finally close on one.</p> <p>So far <strong>my odds are</strong> 1 in 5 offers will go to closing.</p> Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:32:44 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/rehabber-lifestyle.html The Rehabber Lifestyle of a Real Estate Investor for fun and profits with Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:29:30 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/reia-real-estate-investors-association.html Networking at your local REIA! Meeting people like yourself at a REIA real estate investors association will be... Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:21:29 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/Ask-The-Rehabber-blog.html <p><strong>Investor's and home buyer's mistake!</strong></p> <p>I just made an offer on a bank owned property...<p> <p>...and I screwed my offer up real bad!</p> <p>Bank owned properties for sale are at rock bottom prices and with a some fix up you can make $10,000 to $30,000 profit in a few months.<p> <p>Prices in the Michigan area I've seen at 20-cents on the dollar and is a great opportunity to buy a home for cash to eliminate high mortgage debt and live the life of being debt free.</p> <p><strong>So...</strong> I made an offer and the Bank was <strong>negotiating</strong> with me. My <strong>biggest mistake</strong> was I countered their offer and while waiting for a reply, <strong>another offer was submitted.</strong></p> <p><strong>The Bank Stopped Negotiating With Me</strong></p> <p>And replied back with a:</p> <p><strong>We have multiple offers, please submit your highest and best offer</strong></p> <p>Here is the "BIG MISTAKE"</p> <p>The property was a great deal at asking price!</p> <p>We get caught up in making offers and trying to negotiate the lowest price. In fact, on this property, the asking price from the bank was 20 cents on the dollar, needed very little fix up, and already had many major improvements completed. It was <strong>near move-in ready!</strong> <p><strong>I lost the deal because I offered $3,000 less than asking price.</strong></p> <p>The house was worth $20,000 more than asking price as a home to keep or rent, or to flip that house $25,000 profit could have been made easily. <br>The house is a 3-bdrm, 2-bath on 1/2 acre in a nice area close to all the amenities.</p> <p><strong>What To Do?</strong> <p>When you know the price on a house is <strong> a great deal!</strong></p> <p>Another home buyer or real estate investor will also know it's a great deal and move in on you and make an offer if the bank hasn't confirmed your offer yet.</p> <p>I've RE-learned my own lesson!</p> <p>If you are <strong>tempted</strong> like I was to make an offer within a couple thousand dollars of the asking price - <strong>DON'T DO IT!</strong></p> <p>A great deal is obvious and a couple thousand dollars isn't about the deal, that becomes a weird emotion humans have to negotiate just so we don't have to pay full price.</p> <p><strong>Bottom line...</strong></p> <ul> <li>When you're serious about buying a property </li> <li>And the asking price is a great deal and you know it!</li> <li>Offer full price or $500 more and submit your offer quickly.</li></ul></p> <p><strong>Worst Yet...</strong></p> <p>There is no proof that my offer was submitted to the bank during the <strong>"Multiple Offer Procedure."</strong></p> <p>Did the listing agent buy it for themselves?</p> <p>Did the listing agent sell it to their friend?</p> <p>Did the listing agent tell their buyer what my offer was, <br>so the agent could get the listing and selling side of the commission?</p> <p><strong>Don't Hesitate!</strong></p> <p>When it's a good deal and you know it - <strong>Offer full asking price!</strong><p> <p>I lost out on a great deal because <strong>negotiating emotions</strong> got in my way... <br>Not on the next one!</p> Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:56:39 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/staging-homes.html Photos and suggestions for staging homes. Staging a home to sell is effective to spark the imagination of your buyer to write the offer today... Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:53:47 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/staging-products.html Decorative and imaginative staging products commonly used for staging real estate homes for a faster sale that is closer to the asking price. Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:15:29 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/staging-a-house-for-sale.html Photos of simple decorating ideas for staging a house for sale to get your home sold fast. Staging homes for sale can be easy and inexpensive... Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:17:07 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/house-staging.html House staging is the final step after remodeling to get the home sold. Staging a home makes the house look bigger, brighter, and gives the buyer the feeling of a home they would love to live in... Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:16:13 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/construction-safety-programs.html Construction safety programs outlined for real estate investors and home remodelers to keep their job site safe with reference to the OSHA safety manuals... Sun, 21 Jun 2009 21:46:29 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/construction-safety-tips.html Construction safety tips from Ask-The-Rehabber&trade;. Whether you're remodeling your own home or flipping houses as an investor, You are the project's site safety manager... Sun, 21 Jun 2009 19:21:29 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/sell-land-contract.html The sell land contract strategy... Home Sold! No bank financing, mortgage fees, and a quick sale with land contract selling... See how Steve is flipping houses with private lenders. Sun, 21 Jun 2009 13:03:23 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/construction-safety.html Home owners, remodelers, and rehabbers construction safety tips, topics, safety gear, protective clothing, and how to be safe on your do it yourself remodeling project... Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:39:39 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/roof-repair.html The Tenant never told me the house needed Roof Repair! I went over to my rental to get a new hot water tank operational and noticed a water leak in Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:14:42 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/comments-and-suggestions.html Send in your comments and suggestions for Ask the Rehabber Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:00:50 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/diy-bathroom-plumbing.html DIY bathroom plumbing projects and when to consider hiring a plumber... Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:04:02 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/buy-sell-wholesale.html How can I buy sell wholesale and flip contracts from the U.S. to other countries when the owner(s) live here in the U.S.? How can I check the Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:15:46 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/kitchen-makeovers.html The important rehabbing projects are kitchen makeovers and bathroom remodels. Love Your Kitchen! Kitchen cabinet layouts, suggestions for the best return on investment when selling or renting... Sun, 14 Jun 2009 17:27:19 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/bathroom-layout.html Customize your bathroom layout to take advantage of limited space, a limited budget, to luxury accommodations... Don't forget the kids' bathroom! Sat, 13 Jun 2009 18:38:50 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/do-it-yourself-bathroom-remodel.html A do it yourself bathroom remodel can make a big difference in a potential buyers initial reaction or save $1000's on a luxury bathroom for your home... Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:05:13 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/remodeling-bathrooms.html Remodeling bathrooms for the home owner ads value! Rehabbing bathrooms for real estate investors ads profits. How to renovate a do it yourself bathroom remodel... Thu, 11 Jun 2009 23:57:48 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/bad-private-lenders.html I'm scared of bad private lenders. How do I find good private investors to help me buy a home for my family? Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:55:30 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/private-money-loans-against-notes.html What about getting loans (private money) against notes and mortgages. There is great potential in that. That way a secured owner financier could Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:56:30 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/diy-kitchen-remodeling.html Save Thousands of Dollars with diy kitchen remodeling. Homeowners and Investors cost savings ideas... Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:33:08 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/landlord-forum.html Real Estate Investors are buying up the cheap homes - Now What. Go to the Landlord forum to fill those vacancies. Renters can join in too... Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:04:40 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/remodeling-kitchens.html Remodeling kitchens have the best return on investment for Homeowners and real estate investors alike! Complex or simple solutions plus, Safety First! Sat, 30 May 2009 18:45:15 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/tenant-abandoned-car.html Tenant Abandoned Car Tenant Left Car in Drive Way! How Do I Get Rid Of It? I've been renting homes for 25 years this is the first time a Fri, 29 May 2009 23:17:33 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/fixer-upper.html Starting Small on My First Fixer Upper... I am just starting out in realestate rehabilitation. But I did a lot of preparation and planning Wed, 27 May 2009 21:19:02 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/investor-real-estate.html My Project and Investor Real Estate Plans. I am currently working on finishing My First investor real estate home (owner occupied), which was a Wed, 27 May 2009 15:39:09 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/real-estate-success.html Rehabber and Investor real estate success stories! Write your own page it's easy to do. Need some real estate ideas? Leave comments or ask questions to Authors of their real estate success story. Tue, 19 May 2009 20:23:02 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/rehabber-answers-to-questions.html The fastest way to Completion and Success is Finding the Solution fast from the Ask the Rehabber Answers to Questions... Mon, 18 May 2009 16:59:32 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/home-inspection-check-list.html A home inspection check list can get you into trouble! The home Inspector check list is closer to the correct answer, there are several checklist to consider... Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:23:29 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/how-to-find-investors.html Where's my Government Bail Out? How to find Investors, How to find the Money,loan modifications, private money, and how to create money for Rehabbing... Sat, 25 Apr 2009 17:35:54 GMT http://www.ask-the-rehabber.com/creates-money.html Why Joe the Rehabber creates money from a web business to invest in real estate instead of borrowing money and becoming a steward of the lender... Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:01:52 GMT