Real Estate Investing
As a seasoned real estate investor, I have seen all the ups and downs of investing. I've done "no money down" deals. I've put lots of money down. I've made lots of money on properties. I've lost some money on properties. I've got rental property that cash flows. I've got rental property that doesn't. I've done deals with real estate agents and deals without.
Ultimately, I believe that every good investor has an agent (or agents) they work with. Not all deals are appropriate for "agent involvement", which means inexperienced buyers or sellers may wish to avoid them. If a person has never bought or sold a property ... he or she really should get an agent... at least once. There's a lot to learn, and the price is generally low. If you're buying, odds are that the seller will pay the agent and you won't be out of pocket anything. In many cases, the seller will not discount it if you don't have an agent - the listing agent will simply pocket more change. In these cases, it's totally appropriate to have an agent on your side.
What does an agent do? A good agent is a "project manager," handling the deal from offer to closing. This agent (or the agent's assistant) will coordinate the paperwork, the lender, the title company, the inspectors, and others to assure the deal closes on time.
Can the agent teach you real estate investing? Certainly. If the agent knows anything about it. If you're looking to invest, assure your agent is an active investor. Ask lots of questions about the kinds of deals he has done, and you may be able to learn quite a bit.
I love to talk about my investing, and love to help others get into it. Personally, I'm a fairly conservative investor, taking fewer risks than some. I'm happy to help you get started - just ask.
