I haven’t, but my newest investor clients have.

I don’t know the final straw that finally broke their confidence in the brokers of Wall Street. It could have been when they didn’t get out in time during the “dot.com” crash (lost $125K); or when their broker change companies to go to a big investment firm (they liked the broker, but never received good service from the firm, so they went against their gut instinct and transferred their funds); or it could have been when the economy started to go south late last year, but most folks didn’t realize it (lost $30K)…

Or maybe it was when the investment firm went belly up like a dead fish and their broker stopped returning phone calls. It could have been that during the last two month they still lost another $17K.

I don’t know what pushed them over the edge, but I do know this…

I met “Mrs. Newest Client” at Starbucks, the new one in Tempe next to the Tempe Town Lake, and she told me something very revealing.

“You know Kendall, we have always made money in real estate, and seem to always get killed in the stock market. My husband and I don’t know too much about investing in the stock market, but we do know real estate.

“We’ve never owned more than one home; however, the homes that we purchased to live in have all appreciated greatly. Even in this down market, we would make a $500,000 profit if we sold our current home.

“Could you tell me more about that self-directed IRA or 401K you told my son about?”

The story goes on, but I’ll pause here to tell you what I’m looking for.

I want to know if anyone here on the forum has good resources for self-directed retirement accounts.

I’m going to put all those resources together and give them to my clients in one format. And if you want what I put together, I’ll give it to you for free… If you ask!

I’ve already started compiling information together, but I know there is more quick resource information out there and maybe some of you have in-depth experience with self-directed retirement accounts.

What I’m looking for is:

• Reputable companies that administer these accounts, (I already have Entrust, Pensco, and Equity Trust, but are there any others?
• Company 800#’s are easy to find, but is there a particular person that gives good clear guidance that you may have dealt with?
• What were some of the concerns you or your clients had with rolling over a company-sponsored retirement account into a self-directed one? For example, “Mrs. New Client” stated, “When our account lost money I blamed the broker, but if I would lose it… then it would be my fault.”
• What were your experiences investing with self-directed retirement accounts?

I’ll probably have more questions and discoveries; I will place them in here.

Happy Investing

What is both disturbing and inspiring about Wilke’s responses is the importance he placed on isolation.  How he understood the imperative that one should recapture the freedom had as a child.  The freedom to release your mind from the anxiety string of the world and let it float away as it was a balloon.  Remember those days when you looked in the sky and wondered “Wow”; before you were told to stop daydreaming? Ever since that verbal redirection you began to echo the assimilated others. 

Your true voice has been lost for years hidden in the sofa next to the pennies and jelly beans.

To find yourself again isolate yourself for awhile.  Separate yourself from electronic tethers like the television and the cell phone. Take only the book that is stored inside of you and realize that you have a purpose, a role in this life, large or small, it must be played.  Even if you only have one line, be prepared by finding that voice.

1.  The most recent and similar comparable sales available as part of the sales comparison approach must be used. Any change in market conditions from the date the contract of sale was signed and date of the appraisal must be considered.
2.  Verification of comparable sales with a reliable party that is not associated with the subject property or the subject property’s development, and at least two comparables must be verifiable through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) as Arms-Length transactions.
3.  Two of the comparable sales must have closed within the last 90 days.
4.  At least one current listing or pending sale must be provided.
5.  Comparable sales must be mapped in the appraisal.
6.  Days-on-market for subject and comparable sales must be provided, if applicable. The average days-on-market for the comparable sales must not exceed the “Marketing Time” box marked by the appraiser.
7.  If the appraiser is unable to meet any of the above requirements, the appraiser must provide a detailed explanation as to why the requirements were not met, and if it resulted in making an adjustment to the property value.

Recommended Practice
If the subject property is an REO, or if the subject is located in an area where there are a substantial number of REO properties, the appraiser must identify this fact and discuss its impact on the subject’s property value. In addition, REO comparables should be considered if the appraiser believes that such comparables are legitimate competing properties.

Additional Requirements for New Projects and Developments
1.  The appraiser must use at least one current sale from the subject builder/developer in the project, and either:
2.  One current sale from a competing builder/developer or
3.  A resale from within the subject property’s development that has closed within the last 30 days.
4.  If the appraiser is unable to provide a competing comparable sale or resale within the subject property development that closed within the specified time period, a detailed explanation of why the requirement was not met is required.Purchase Transaction Requirements
As a reminder, in accordance with agency guidelines for purchase money transactions, the appraiser must be provided with a copy of the Purchase Contract so he can take into account any unusual or excessive sales contributions or concessions. Age of Appraisals

Conforming Loan Programs
If the appraisal report is more than 120 days old (180 days if the transaction involves construction completed after the loan application), either a new appraisal or a Form 1004D is required. If a Form 1004D is being used, it must include:

I found an interactive map of the new Phoenix waterpark that will be located in Mesa, Arizona.  Click Here to View.

The 125 acres will be purchased by Wave Yard from the city of Mesa.  The price tag will be $30 million, with $10 million upfront.  

Every Thursday night I watch Donald Trumps’ The Apprentice.  I enjoy both its entertainment value and the business lessons it demonstrates.

This season is called the Celebrity Apprentice. The celebrities are not vying for a $100,000 job with Donald Trump, they are raising money for their favorite charities.

In this episode, Gene Simmons, from KISS fame, happily moved over from the all men team, Hydra, to the women’s team called Empresario.  The task was to raise awareness of how Kodak’s new inkjet printing system saves consumers up to 50 percent on everything they print.

Surprisingly, the team that won did not produce the best packaging or slick promotional material, but focused on the goal of the client.

With coffee-ruined laptops, last-minute promotional material, sloppy set-up, and a sub-par layout, Hydra was singularly focused on making sure each prospect understood the new Kodak inkjet system would save printing cost money.  Empresario, with the “benovelent dictactor” Gene Simmons, decided to go the route of big picture highly stylized and flashy vision of it’s a “Kodak World.”

What I learned from this episode is that promotional material is important.  However, having a focused understanding of what your product or service can provide and effectively communicate that knowledge in a clear, concise way is of greater importance and can be done more cost-effectively than any expensive 4-color fluff piece.

If Empresario was able to just tweak Gene Simmons fantastic promotion to explain how it could save the printer ink buying public more time and money they would have won.  In relation to real estate, this could be equal to having a great product, in a good location, but not being able to deliver in terms for financing.  It is important to understand the entire picture, yet focus on the point that will get a unique product, service, or concept sold will ultimately solve a client’s “heartburn” issue.

If you miss the mark on what your unique service proposition should be you will ultimately hear the words that Gene Simmons did from Donald Trump, “You’re fired!” 

This year thousands of homeowners will step into the abyss of having their homes foreclosed.  The number of folks who think that buying foreclosures is easy, is staggering.

But that is simply not the case. There are so many things that can go wrong when trying to purchase a foreclosed property.  Foreclosures simply aren’t easy to buy!

One of the things that makes’ it difficult, is the uncertainty of communication.  There are multiple layers of red tape you have to go through just to get to a decision-maker.

Here are my five Keys to buying a foreclosed property:

1.        Don’t assume–no matter what the list price is, do your own comparables.  Talk with the neighbors, they might know something about the property that the bank doesn’t know, and wouldn’t tell you if they did.

2.       If you want a smoking deal then search for properties that have been on the market for over 200 days then offer 20-30% less than what they are listed at.  Just because it is a bank has it listed at a certain amount, doesn’t mean they know how to price properties to sell.

3.       Treat your real estate agent as your best friend… even if they aren’t, because you will be talking with them often.  Many times they don’t know what’s going on with the bank either… so you might as well be on the same page with them.

4.       Don’t be intimidated by the banks seller addendum’s.  They aren’t scary… just lopsided because they want all the terms to be in their favor.

5.       When you feel like it is a big hassle and you want to quit, repeat three times; “I like helping to pay my landlords mortgage payments!

You have to be patient in dealing with banks, it could take between four to six weeks just to get a response from the banks about your offer.  If you’re renting, it’s best to get a month-to-month extension because when it’s time for you to close, you’ll need to close quickly.

Side-Step The Big Business Branding Techniques That’ll Leave You Broke And Disappointed And Discover Cost-Effective Branding Strategies That Small And Home-Based Businesses Can Start Using Today

1. Directly offer a product/service for sale at your website. You can offer a product or service on your webpage or you can offer free information to lure people to another where you then have a product or service available. This is the most popular way of making money on the net because it’s easy to set up and you can get the initial profits rolling almost overnight.

Or,

2. Get as many visitors to your site as possible by enticing them to come with something special you offer (Such as valuable information, help, files, free stuff, etc.). Then, once the visitor counts are high enough, you can sell advertising space on your site or sponsorships or banner advertising.

The above aspect of online marketing, with the intent to sell advertising space, is not talked about as much because it doesn’t generate instant cash and requires an investment of time and money of at least six months. Once these sites are successful however, they pay off big and the time commitment and maintenance from that point on is minimal. A good example can be found at http://www.theautochannel.com.

The autochannel site has been a success because it offers daily news on the automotive industry and free information on all things automotive (including new and used car prices and dealer invoice costs). To the best of my knowledge, the AutoChannel generates over three hundred thousand visitors a week (that’s millions of hits a month) and can sell premium advertising space. They generate over $100,000 each month in advertising fees from corporations like Pennzoil and Allstate, regardless of what else they are able to sell.

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Happy Investing,

Kendall E. Matthews, CRMC
Phoenix, Arizona Investment Real Estate

P.s. Review my new e-book “101 Legit Tips To Boost Your Credit Score” Click Here to learn more.

P.s.s. Click here to receive my Free mini e-course for new and experience real estate investors. “7 Steps To Better Real Estate Investing.”

For me this past year has been one that proven very educational.

From going through the market changes of real estate to becoming the sole breadwinner for my family I have learned a lot. 

In 2007, one the two things that I have learned is that the only thing that I can control is my actions and attitude.  I can’t control nothing else, but my actions. With my new focus of just focusing on controlling my actions I have a motto for 2008 and a motto is “Get It Straight In 08!” 

For me, 2008 is a two prong approach for personal and professional success one that will involve simplification and massive action. 

I hope that you enjoy watching me in 2008, as I focused on simple-massive-action results-oriented behavior. 

If you have a motto for 2008 please share? 

“Get it straight in 08!” 

Moving Forward, 

Kendall E. Matthews