Real Estate Investing tools. (Tool box tips #1)

Ok so it’s time to answer some questions about what the Real Estate investor should fill his or her tool box with. (And more so…why.)

Every Real Estate investor needs certain tools. This is the first article to recommend and suggest tools for the starting investor...as well as the seasoned one.
All the tools and or sources I recommend…I USE MYSELF!!!

OK so let’s jump right in shall we:

First things first…we cannot start to play the investment game if we don’t have a basic understanding of our credit. Now you might ask why I am starting with recommending a credit report before anything else. The answer is easy. If you have bad credit and you know it you will have one less surprise in store for you.
There is several online credit reporting services. Most of these companies also do credit repair. I recommend contact at least one and purchasing a copy of your “TRI MERGE” credit report.

Now a word to the wise here. Don’t think that if you log into “JOE BOBS house of free credit reports” that what they are going to give you for free is anything like a TRI MERGE report. It is not even close 99% of the time… so spend a few bucks and get a real one.

Sites I recommend are:


Doctor Credit they do both repair and monitor your scores for you for a very reasonable fee.

Another one I strongly recommend is:


Lexington Law also a very good company to work with. The best part is they are VERY meticulous.

Ok…now that we are done with talking about the credit issue. Let’s look at one of my all time favorite tools…and the best thing about it. IT HAS BUTTONS!!!

I hate having to work out all the constant non-stop number formulas in order to get to the bottom line of if an investment is worthy or not.

To be honest I just didn’t pay much attention in school to the practical application of mathematics. I mean other then balancing my check book what did I need to worry about. Besides anything I need to do I could use a calculator for.

Yeah right….

A few years back a friend of mine introduced me to a “Real Estate investor’s calculator”. I have been smiling about playing with figures ever since.

The calculator is put out by a company called calculated industries. Now let me start by telling you they have several models/bells and whistles. This is one of my all time 2 favorite tools.

This is the one I use:



This little gem will do all the math figures you need. Everything from DTI to PITI payments. It has a cash flow function as well built in. And to top it off it will allow you to enter all your figures in the same manner that Real Estate professional speak. Not to mention it is programmable for the local property taxes you will come across. I highly HIGHLY recommend this tool.

Well that’s it…the first tools I HIGHLY recommend for your tool box. Look for other “tool box postings” soon.

Just a fast note on investing and growth.

First off I want to thank everyone for helping with the growth of Investor411.ORG as of yesterday we have over 200,000 real estate businesses and support services listed on the site.

Of those about 12% are our advanced ads that are helping our members get more traffic for the offices they work for and support services they offer.
If you’re not listed with us… then go toInvestor411.ORG and log in and set up your listing. IT IS FREE FOR YOUR REAL ESTATE BUSINESS/ support services business.

Ok…next in the hopper…today I will be closing escrow on two new investment properties. I was planning on buying till December but I wasn’t going to let these two go.

One is a duplex in San Diego... It will cash flow about $300 a month from the start. The other is a small SFR that will flow at about $322 a month.
For those that are still holding off on investing I can understand completely….however, if you’re an investor….now is the time.

Ok next order of chit chat….

I have come up with the crazy idea that I think I want to come up with an improved MLS for the nation. More often than not the MLS (at least in SO. Cal) is a bit off in the numbers…or they just don’t have accurate info. Not to mention it is not investor friendly at all…this needs to change.

So I am going to start the research process to “build a better mouse trap”. One that allows both R.E. pros to use it…as well as investors to find projects.

Let me know what you think.
Ok…well that it for now. Time to go sign some papers.

Real Estate Information for FREE

OK gang...here it is...for the next couple of weeks I am going to do my best to list as many new REAL ESTATE professionals on the web site for free.

Lots of emails asking for more agents/brokers/etc in your areas...well since we cant get every areas targeted...im just pushing for across the country.

Sooooo if your a investor...a RE agent...RE Broker...or some one who does something or anything that involves REAL estate....sigh up for free.

Real Estate investing information this is where clients from all over are trying to find YOU!!!!!

I mean we can watch the news and panic...or we can get as much marketing for free as we can.

Geesh..how hard is the idea to help one another. So here it is...on my dime you can advertise your RE office...pool service....loan office...landscape business..etc..etc..

DON'T BUY A HOUSE!! (Till you do these first 6 things.)

Getting into your first house is a scary deal for most of us. Terms we don’t understand, contracts written in legalese that we can’t figure out...and let’s not even talk about financing guidelines. Some people won’t buy a home just out of the fear of the unknown.

For most people buying a home is the largest financial purchase they will make. If it is your first time is sure to take advantage of all the program information and home buying programs you can.

Be sure to prepare yourself before buying. Here are six steps to follow before buying:

1) For most people, home ownership is an integral part of the American dream and the advantages (tax benefits, sense of home, financial investment) far outweigh any drawbacks. Think about what it will be like to be a homeowner.

2) Know your credit score from the start. If you have any bad credit issues, and we all do, be prepared to explain them. If your credit score is really low then you may want to use a credit repair company.

3) Understand exactly what your finances are. For most homebuyers the two most feared words are: DOWN PAYMENT. Today, there are so many different types of loans available that this shouldn’t be as much a worry as it was, say ten years ago. A good loan officer or mortgage broker should be able to walk you through the process and steer you clear of the programs to avoid.

4) Get pre-approved...NOT pre-qualified. Here is the difference. Pre-approval means you have already given a broker or your bank all the information they want in order to actually run your credit and finances in order to see what loan you can get and how much you can actually spend on a home. Pre-qualified means someone looked at your credit application and THINKS they can get you a loan.

5) While meeting with your mortgage broker or banker, have them look into any down payment assistance programs that may be available. There are many programs out there run by counties and cities and other agencies. The trick is to know about them, first, and then to see if you qualify for them.

6) First-time home buyer classes. Many lenders and Realtors offer home buyer education classes. They are usually a few hours long and will educate you through the process of buying a home. From applying for a loan, working with a Realtor, making an offer, going to escrow (closing), and various other responsibilities associated with owning your own home.

These six steps will help you on your path to owning a home. Just remember to ask LOTS of questions. Talk to friends and family who are home owners and see who they trust. Buying a home doesn’t have to be scary as long as you understand what you’re getting into.

About the author:
Getting into your first house is a scary deal for most of us. Terms we don’t understand, contracts written in legalese that we can’t figure out...and let’s not even talk about financing guidelines. Some people won’t buy a home just out of the fear of the unknown.

For most people buying a home is the largest financial purchase they will make. If it is your first time is sure to take advantage of all the program information and home buying programs you can.

Be sure to prepare yourself before buying. Here are six steps to follow before buying:

1) For most people, home ownership is an integral part of the American dream and the advantages (tax benefits, sense of home, financial investment) far outweigh any drawbacks. Think about what it will be like to be a homeowner.

2) Know your credit score from the start. If you have any bad credit issues, and we all do, be prepared to explain them. If your credit score is really low then you may want to use a credit repair company.

3) Understand exactly what your finances are. For most homebuyers the two most feared words are: DOWN PAYMENT. Today, there are so many different types of loans available that this shouldn’t be as much a worry as it was, say ten years ago. A good loan officer or mortgage broker should be able to walk you through the process and steer you clear of the programs to avoid.

4) Get pre-approved...NOT pre-qualified. Here is the difference. Pre-approval means you have already given a broker or your bank all the information they want in order to actually run your credit and finances in order to see what loan you can get and how much you can actually spend on a home. Pre-qualified means someone looked at your credit application and THINKS they can get you a loan.

5) While meeting with your mortgage broker or banker, have them look into any down payment assistance programs that may be available. There are many programs out there run by counties and cities and other agencies. The trick is to know about them, first, and then to see if you qualify for them.

6) First-time home buyer classes. Many lenders and Realtors offer home buyer education classes. They are usually a few hours long and will educate you through the process of buying a home. From applying for a loan, working with a Realtor, making an offer, going to escrow (closing), and various other responsibilities associated with owning your own home.

These six steps will help you on your path to owning a home. Just remember to ask LOTS of questions. Talk to friends and family who are home owners and see who they trust. Buying a home doesn’t have to be scary as long as you understand what you’re getting into.

About the author:
Doc Schmyz has invested in Real estate all over the U.S.. His website gives hundreds of investors up to date real estate investing information Get more info from across the U.S. on Doc's real estate investing resources

The investors tool box.

I am always being asked. “Geek what advice can you give me that will help me with investing. What tricks of the trade or inside tidbits can you share with me?”

The best answer is you need to develop a “toolbox”.

Now before you go nuts scratching your head, let me define the areas of the tool box.
The tool box has three areas.

1)In your head tool box: This is all about how your thinking process works when it comes to investing, and more importantly how open minded you are about investing information. Are you willing to think outside the box in order to look at investment opportunities or must the investment fall within a cookie cutter method you having?

In your head means you need to read books, articles, partake in discussions, and basically interact with that big grey hunk of goo that is in your skull. It is about gathering all the info you can in order to be able to think about investing and where it can lead you.

IMPORTANT ELEMENT:While we all know that a zillion books have been written about investing it is more important to understand that you MUST have some knowledge from that book...WHY? Because if you understand what other investors are reading…it actually makes it easier to work with them since you understand where they are getting their basic tactics and understanding from, that helps steer them to the investments THEY are making.

2) Online tool box: This is one of the most over looked elements…when I say over looked I am not referring to being not utilized…but more to the fact it is not utilized to its overall potential.
For example do you have one site you go to more often than not for investment information? If so why? Your answer is most likely because they have the best info I can use. This maybe the answer however a little side note to this. Most of us get some sort of tunnel vision thinking that one or even a few sites will cover us for all the info we want…but in all honesty we normally close down other avenues of “information input “when we do this.

How do we get around the “Info input” shut down??? The answer is very easy…it’s called the opt in newsletter/update. Here is how it works. Simply put…you create an email address and when you come across a site you think may be a useful reference you join up for the newsletter they email out. They send it to your “Info email account” and you can go thru the emails as you choose. I must warn you however. Once you join an email list…no matter what stay with it for at least 6 months. (Not all great investment tidbits are sent out at first.)

Email lists to get on are for: investment clubs, investment blogs, investment reference sites, etc, etc. I avoid most of the “pop up “ mailing lists for the simple fact that if the info they offer is any good…someone else is going to share it and it will cause enough of a buzz that you will hear about it. If that the case then go ahead and join it.

Other online Tool box sites are certain “E tools”. These go way beyond having a mortgage calculator online. We are talking about tools that you are almost chomping at the bit to try. (I have to admit I have a few of these in my Tool box…I use them every day) When you find these tools you will just know it, find them and BOOKMARK them!

3) Actual physical tools: these are the tools you can actually touch and use when you’re making offers, inspecting property, or doing any one of the other hundreds of things that a good investor does before making an investment commitment. Most of these tools fit in a small briefcase or shoulder bag. These tools can be anything from flashlights, small inspection tools, to calculators etc.So in a nut shell that is all there is to a tool box. Build your tool box and USE IT.

I will be posting tools that have worked for me as well as services and website I have used over the last few years. These are items I recommend for the simple fact that I actually have USED them.

So look for my "ToolBox" recommendations. I will list them under the locations I have placed them in my own daily "super geek investor" life.

Happy investing.

Something for FREE!!!!

How often does someone give you something for free???

So right now let me do just that for you. Yes I know this sounds like a sales pitch…but it’s not.
Right now go to my website and sign up for a free listing of your company… if you don’t have one…then sign up as a member in order to get the newsletters …go right now…here is the link: investor411.org now sign up as a member..Then go to list your business tab…and do just that. (In case you’re curious we have over 180,000 real estate services and companies listed on our website.) See nice and painless.
Ok so why am I doing this…why am I building the largest Real Estate resource directory on the web? The answer is because I hated having to beat the bushes for clients as much as you do.
I was a loan officer in So Cal who had a lot of real estate investors as clients. Clients always want to have the miracle “little black book” in order to call or contact the services they need to maintain the investments they have. Sooo since I was already building that book…why not share it with everybody. By sharing my contacts with MY clients…I got more clients.
It comes down to give your clients something for free, that they can use, and they will give you referrals.
My goal is to get you the exposure you need to succeed. Let’s face it print ads and campaigns are now where near as easy as hoping on the web and looking for information you need.
Right now can you sit there and tell me the email address or phone number of the last ad you saw in a magazine? Most of us cant.
Now let me be honest and upfront with you right now. Is this a free offer for you to list your real estate services company…YES IT IS. You can list your mortgage company…your real estate office…pool cleaning service…Landscape Company…I’m sure you get the point.
So my offer was made to you…it is up to you to act on it.