[LLCWMember@llcwJoin Date: 2007Post Count: 29]

September 18, 2011 - 6:20 pm

RickH and Jefff1, take a good long look at some of the (currently listed) properties on HBUSA's website and that of 888 US Real Estate – there are some houses that look suspiciously similar last time I checked… and with a noticeable price difference too I would add.

[LLCWMember@llcwJoin Date: 2007Post Count: 29]

September 6, 2011 - 9:58 am

Hi Jane and welcome.

Just to give you my 5 cents worth….
As you have said, the US is a BIG place and each city has its good and bad points. I think that if you actually go to where you would like to invest as you are doing AND get good mentoring (as well as the relationships ie. attorney, accountant, realtor, banker etc) that come with this, then you will find good deals if you look hard enough. 
Also, if you haven't already, I would suggest you also research your chosen cities on http://www.spotcrime.com as well as
http://www.city-data.com – their forums can also be interesting as the locals chat about zipcodes to avoid and the like…

[LLCWMember@llcwJoin Date: 2007Post Count: 29]

September 6, 2011 - 9:37 am

Hi Jeff
So far we have forked out for 3 LLC's and a couple of bank accounts so roughly comes to just under 3K so far. Will sit back and just monitor these purchases for the time being… Have enlisted a couple of buyers agents (non exclusive) so will definitely check out your website, cheers!

[LLCWMember@llcwJoin Date: 2007Post Count: 29]

September 6, 2011 - 9:32 am

I should also add that I have seen identical properties on two separate occasions with both agents…. guess which one had mark up of $10K and $15K?? That's right, the company with low disclosure and up front payment. Funny that….

[LLCWMember@llcwJoin Date: 2007Post Count: 29]

September 6, 2011 - 9:30 am

I am currently with 2 turn key US buyers agents, and have purchased two US props through one more obscure company that have all their listings on the net for both members AND non members to see with full address disclosures. They also only charge their fee if you get to closing AFTER you are happy with your due diligence.  

The other company I am with is a well known company which has appeared on television before and has yet to provide me with any suitable properties. Also, the latter charges upfront (they charge a few thousand per prop, and you pay first to engage their services to find a property) so effectively you are chasing your own money even if you do not like their stock… and they have poor disclosure as they only publish the suburb and state of each property…. I managed to track down one of their props with a bit of detective work on my behalf and found it was in the heart of a high crime area. 

All I can say is do your homework!!!! 

[LLCWMember@llcwJoin Date: 2007Post Count: 29]

September 6, 2011 - 9:23 am

Fantastic information, thank you… haha… comes a little late we are already $3K down on LLC and bank account start up fees, but no matter, this will help going forward!!

[LLCWMember@llcwJoin Date: 2007Post Count: 29]

August 9, 2011 - 1:24 pm

Hello all, thought I'd drop a line here to say that hubby and I will be sharing our experiences of purchasing IPs in Phoenix AZ and Kansas City MO on this thread… if anyone has anything to say about either of these areas we'd be interested in the good, bad and ugly

[LLCWMember@llcwJoin Date: 2007Post Count: 29]

August 1, 2011 - 5:19 am

Rosa, just wanted to say thanks for sharing your experiences with us all thus far…. it really does help the little people who are just starting out

[LLCWMember@llcwJoin Date: 2007Post Count: 29]

August 1, 2011 - 5:16 am

Many thanks for all your thoughts, I appreciate your comments as it makes me relaise that the more I learn, the more it is I need to know….

[LLCWMember@llcwJoin Date: 2007Post Count: 29]

April 23, 2011 - 11:03 am

Thanks Scott, you have confirmed what I was thinking all along – after all, no one can force us to sell the prop at a price that is not favourable to us. Appreciate your comments!
Happy Easter to all!

[LLCWMember@llcwJoin Date: 2007Post Count: 29]

May 20, 2008 - 11:34 am

Sorry I meant to say Margaret Lomas, not Jan!

[LLCWMember@llcwJoin Date: 2007Post Count: 29]

May 20, 2008 - 11:31 am

Thanks for that

[LLCWMember@llcwJoin Date: 2007Post Count: 29]

May 17, 2008 - 1:15 am

Thanks everyone for your well wishes and thoughts, my head was telling me 'don't do it girl'! ! But you know the heart says another…. I will go with what my head tells me though.

Cheers all and have a great weekend.
Lisa

[LLCWMember@llcwJoin Date: 2007Post Count: 29]

May 16, 2008 - 9:25 am

hi Jane

You might like to read Jan Lomas' books, I understand that she focuses on IPs in lower socio-economic areas, and done well out of it too!

Good luck
Lisa

[LLCWMember@llcwJoin Date: 2007Post Count: 29]

May 15, 2008 - 12:07 pm

Hi mattnz

He cannot subdivide due to council restriction. He is thinking of renting each room out to increase cash flow to $400pw as there are 4 bdrooms though.
 
To my mind he is taking on too have a debt burden with too little cash flow! !

Thanks for your comments
Lisa

[LLCWMember@llcwJoin Date: 2007Post Count: 29]

May 6, 2008 - 9:50 am

Yes I have too, I have only just started out with 1 IP settling end of June (apart from my own home). Still got some cash left, so want to maximise that. Will be interesting too to explore developing as that is of particular interest. But more importantly, the positivity that I envisage will be shared round will be awesome and pretty inspiring. Might sound corny, but I'm looking forward to an amazing year!
Lisa

[LLCWMember@llcwJoin Date: 2007Post Count: 29]

April 27, 2008 - 10:05 am

Thanks Michael, let me know how you go! I am doing the RESULTS Program starting this June myself, and thought that after a 'general intro' this may lead into something more specialised (development is what really interests me).
Thanks
Lisa

[LLCWMember@llcwJoin Date: 2007Post Count: 29]

April 18, 2008 - 9:23 am

One investment strategy won't work in every economic climate. In tough times, the entrepreneurial still come up trumps. Have faith, there are many ways to skin a cat.

[LLCWMember@llcwJoin Date: 2007Post Count: 29]

April 18, 2008 - 9:07 am

Thanks Nick, I'll check it out

[LLCWMember@llcwJoin Date: 2007Post Count: 29]

April 17, 2008 - 9:18 am

Hi briceman
I think it really depends on your individual situation – if you are an individual where you are more likely to be litigated (sued), then I would seriously consider purchasing in a trust structure. If you are looking at development (ie. considered riskier than buy and hold), then you may like to purchase in a trust structure. There may also be succession planning (yet another possible reason to consider using a trust) to think about if you have children.
Hope this helps
L