flipping homes

Erin Cureton: How to Form a Team to Buy and Sell Foreclosed Homes

Buying Realtor You want to find a realtor who specializes in selling foreclosed properties for banks. These realtors work for one or more banks. They work on a volume basis they have to turn multiple properties a month to make a profit. Ask for people who buy and sell houses which realtors are in this business.

Mortgage Professional Find a mortgage broker who will work with you. A young broker is likely to be able to spend more time with you, one with experience will likely ad wisdom to the team. It is important they have the skill and desire to get you the lowest rates, and to close quickly.

Selling Realtor If you get the right buying realtor, they will not have time to sell your home. He will be too busy listing properties for the bank. You want to find a realator that will get you the most money in the shortest time. This is a business where if a house must sell quickly to make the maximum amount. You want a realtor who can get you the right price, too low you lost money on the sale too high the property will sit costing you interest and utility payments.

Home Inspector If you don’t get this right it can cost a lot. Imagine buying a house without running radon tests or asbestos tests, only to find out months and tens of thousands of dollars later that you can’t sell because the beautifully remodeled home is contaminated. he key to choosing a home inspector is to make sure they hold certifications and can check your investment for mold, radon, lead paint, and asbestos. Also, if you pay attention to the home inspector reports, you will learn what to look for when you first visit a house.

Contractor As the investor, a lot of what you need to know to buy wisely is learned by working with your contractor. The contractor controls the pace of work. The contractor also spends your money for you. They help you to develop and adhere to a budget. Some people walk into an investment property, see holes in the walls and ceilings, and get scared off. I walk in, see those same holes, and know that for $400-$1,000 there are no more holes in the walls, the plumbing is repaired and I can move onto another phase of my renovation.

Suppliers You can save a lot of money buying wholesale. Typically you can find a wholesaler through an internet search or in the phone book under Building Supplies – Wholesale. To get an account, you need a company name, a credit card and a bank account, that’s it. Don’t buy retail! Home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowes charges 20-40% markups for nearly every product on their shelves.

CPA Now is not the time to buy Turbo Tax or do your own 1040EZ. In fact the 1040 will never be EZ again. You have profit and loss from outside of your normal job. You will need the help and experience of a CPA who is familiar with real estate investing. Also, don’t wait until tax time to find your CPA. Find one early, interview them and get their advice months ahead of time. This will make the tax season a whole lot easier and less stressful.

Attorney If you buy a commercial building a real estate attorney is a must. Not always an essential member of the real estate team, a real estate attorney can help you avoid some land mines as you grow your business. They can help you decide whether you should incorporate, form an LLC or go it alone as a sole proprietor.

Insurance Agent Like all other team members, it is key to find an agent that you know and trust to handle your real estate insurance needs. You need to ask tough questions to your agent and consider what your exposure will be to loss from fire, flood, theft, or injured workers/ tenants. If your policy leaves you exposed in any one of these major areas, your work could all be done for nothing.

Friends & Family If you feed them well, provide a frosty beverage or two, and don’t overwork them, the friends and family work crew will have fun, make your job more fun and most importantly work for free. Jobs like light demolition, painting, cleanup and many yard projects can be handled by anyone who owns a home.

Erin Cureton is the managing partner of Cureton Property Alliance. For small plumbing problems like a Sweating Toiletvisit Leaky Pipe. Also consider sewer lining to reduce costs. This message brought to you by advertising Agencies