An unbelievable Resource

My friend and fellow Real Estate Investor, James Erickson (www.emcdental.com), today, fwded this site to me.

I don't believe ZILLOW is 100% accurate, ever, but they are GREAT for giving you a ballpark number on a house.

NOW, it's accessible from your CELL PHONE.

Check it out:

http://lifehacker.com/373816/check-home-prices-on-your-cell-phone

Now, What OTHER excuse do we have for not having info we need to make an offer?

Adios and...Go Make an Offer!

~Jerry

Must-Read Article

Hope the weekend is treating you right. Snow, Hail and sunshine here in Salem today.

I came across this article recently and if you are in the residential investing, quick-turn business, (YOU SHOULD BE), this is a great article on market conditions.

http://www.foreclosurepulse.com/archive/2008/03/11/5582.aspx

NOTE: My SOREM (www.secretsofrealestatemillions.com) site has all the tools and techniques you need to BE a residential quick-turn investor...I use the very same techniques and tools discussed and showcased - Just this week, my two partners and I bought and sold a house with a net profit of just under $22,000.00. This is our average profit per deal right now - even in this "bad economy." Just $9.95 gets you started and your first 30 days are FREE, plus you'll receive over $1,000 worth of FREE "Get Started NOW" Bonuses!

Managing Management

Last week when my wife and I arrived at our vacation home, we quickly realized it was time for a visual meeting of the minds with the property mgmt company.

It wasn't long after that and we finished up a 30-minute or so intense meeting with one of the owners, the customer svc rep and the head of maintenance.

It's not often Tracy wants to get involved usually because we try to keep business and home life separate, but in this case, I think it was the best decision to get her involved. They needed to see her frustration and mine - in person - and give us a plan, both verbal and in writing, what they were going to do to correct the issues we raised.

The lesson, without the gory details is this: In life, EVERYTHING you expect to happen needs to be a MANAGED expectation.

If you desire an outcome, MANAGE the process.

That doesn't mean you get involved in the minutiae, or the small details, but you look at the process of what you want to happen and if you have an idea of how it should work, voice your thoughts. Don't sit on them. 

Have an INFLUENCE on each stage so the outcome matches what you want. Plain and Simple.

Every successful builder of homes is at the homes or a rep of his/hers is at each home on a REGULAR basis to make sure the process goes as they want. 

Because, as many have told me, there are too many decisions you'll have someone else making for you that are likely contrary to your vision.

Got it? It took me going through this with our property mgmt company to remind me just how important this is.

Adios and have a good weekend - Now, Go Make an Offer(TM)!

~Jerry

P.S. Watch for a special, BLOG reader's only offer coming up, OK? It'll be one not to miss for sure. I am just wrapping up the details now.

The Condo King?

I've been really blessed this month to have some wonderful people to
interview for my SOREM site members. (http://

www.SecretsofRealEstateMillions.com)

First, I interviewed Miss Spitfire, Monica Villasenor. Monica's a
former dental hygienist kicking some butt in commercial real estate.
She's located in Vegas. In a few days, SOREM members will have access
to that recording and call notes.

Then, today, I interviewed the Condo Conversion King, Mr. Matt Sparks
from Denver. Matt's done several Apartment to Condo conversions and
was just a wealth of info today for the members lucky enough to hear
him in person.

Learn more about Matt at: www.thecondokit.com

You can learn more about Monica at: www.MonicaVillasenor.net

Oh, I almost forgot: As a special treat this month for Platinum LOS
members, I posted a fascinating interview of Mr. George Ross and My
HERO Ron LeGrand(R) on the SOREM site as well.

Wow...It's been an amazing month - I can't say it's been a slow one
for knowledge uptake!

To learn more about membership at SOREM, visit the link above or

http://www.JerryJones.tv - New Gold and Silver Members get over $1000
in free bonuses just for signing up - which is only $9.95. Platinum
LOS Members will do slightly better at over $18,000 in bonuses...To
learn more, just visit the site!

I'm off on Spring Break this next few days with the girls...Skiing
and some good times for sure.

Go Make an Offer(TM)!
~Jerry

P.S. If you're a dentist and you missed the All Referral Dental
Practice Event in Salt Lake City, just call my office to reserve your
own copy of the 15+ CDs that covered the event...They're just $495
and a bargain at that, plus you'll receive ALL of the same info the
attendees received, too - all the print material to support the CDs!
Call Melody: (503) 339-6000.

Visa, Crushed Housing & A Stock Market that Knows Nothing

The recent news of Visa's $18B (yes, B as in BILLION) IPO that hit yesterday gets me to thinking: Just how bad is it out there in Stock Market land? And, I wonder if THIS company is honest?

About this time last week, news began to surface about Bear Stearn's woes and the fact it looked like someone would literally need to bail them out. JP MorganChase did.

This of course is bad. But, how much of this is B.S.'s fault? It'll be interesting to see the stories that emerge. Embattled CEOs and CFOs, lies, cheating, stealing. Gee, sounds like another Enron? Another WorldCom?

Then, the Fed dropped rates 3/4%.

Where does that leave us Real Estate Investors?

Good Question.

I'm pretty sure, even in markets that are quickest to react like California, Arizona and Nevada, we've got  a ways to go before a "bottom" is reached.

This shouldn't scare us. Why?

If you're following the rules, when you BUY is when you make your money. You get paid when you sell (unless you're lease optioning the property as an exit strategy and you'll get some now and some later of course).

So if you're buying a property with a $100k first and an $80k second, and you're wiping off the 2nd for $1k and you choose to bring the 1st current if it's a good loan and you can sell the home on an AITD or other situation, what's ugly about that? Why would you STOP investing?

I've noticed a lot of investors pulling back. Frankly, that's unfortunate. The best deals are still out there and there's another 12 to 18 months of them to go, unlike what most experts originally thought that there'd only be 12 to 18 months of a run like this and now, we're 12 months+ into it already.

Get back to basics. Get some training. Get to events where the guys are in the trenches everyday so you can stay up-to-date on how the loss mitigators are handling cases.

For you commercial investors out there, just know that any properties you are developing, you better be prepared to have a financing and money plan in place that will help you hold tight for 24 to 36 months until things pick up again.

We looked at a gorgeous 27 acre property last week here in Oregon, but, problem is, even in a nice market like that, we're 36 months from IT taking off and being able to absorb our project, not to mention some of the serious issues to be dealt with like moving a few roads and blasting through a lot of rock to do it. With a Seller that's not in a position to wait to be cashed out, it's not a deal for us.

Anyway, now more than ever, thinking through each deal is critical. That doesn't mean there aren't deals out there, it means the SMART investors will make the most money. You've got to play the game to win. 

So don't sulk. There's money out there (Visa proved it - $18 Billion) and there's always going to be losers that lie cheat and steal. Now's the time to make hay while this type of "sun" is shining.

Now, Go make an Offer(TM)!

~Jerry

Earlier Post from Today on Productivity

Hi Guys/Gals,

The post I made earlier today didn't quite get finished out. Gary
Bencevinga is one of my hero copywriters...ie creating print ads that
sell.

His tip was sooo good and a great reminder and fit right in with a
couple earlier posts about time mgmt, that I couldn't resist sharing
his No-Nonsense approach with you.

I am just finishing up a seminar in SLC, UT, tonight, on building an
all-referral dental practice. It was a great time and from the
feedback, a great success.

I'll be posting some info this week to my BLOG on a project we're
getting ready to make a move on this week and I'll let you check out
the LOI if I can, once it's ready to go.

Incidentally, here in SLC, commercial property is BOOMING. The entire
downtown is undergoing a lot of renovation and building. Across from
our hotel, and the Temple, a large building's foundation was being
poured last night. They had 4 pumper trucks and a line of concrete
trucks (about 30 to 40 of them) getting the job done. I snapped a
couple photos with my cell and have attached 'em here.

Check out Loopnet.com and take a look at what's going on here - The
bad news is it's probably too late to get in on a lot of the
commercial stuff here - but every market cycles! I would bet
apartment complexes would be viable targets still, though and Loopnet
will give you an idea! Go Make an Offer(TM)!

~Jerry

The #1 Strategy for Exploding Your Productivity This Year

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Gary Bencivenga" <Gary-Bencivenga@BencivengaBullets.com>

Date: March 4, 2008 8:23:54 AM PST

To: "Jerry Jones" <jerry@jerryjonesdirect.com>

Subject: New BULLET from Gary--The #1 Strategy for Exploding Your Productivity This Year

Reply-To: Gary-Bencivenga@BencivengaBullets.com

Dear Top Gun,

     A new BULLET--one that is so critical to your success

that I consider it a rare SILVER BULLET--is now posted for

you at the link below.

     It is entitled, The #1 Strategy for Exploding Your

Productivity This Year.

     I guarantee that this little secret is so powerful, it

will not only double or even triple your personal

productivity, but will also give you (at least) an extra

two hours a day to spend on whatever you want, whatever

makes you most successful and happy.

     Hard to believe? Perhaps. But as you'll see, I am not

the only one who feels this way after putting this secret

to use on a daily basis. With so many people and projects

placing so many demands on your limited time, this is one

of the most important secrets of success I have ever

discovered. As with all the Bullets, it's yours free, my

gift to you...and waiting for you now at:

http://www.bencivengabullets.com/bullets.asp?id=26

Sincere wishes for a good life

and (always!) higher response,

Gary

Accountable Advertising, Inc.

734 Franklin Ave., #312

Garden City, NY 11530

United States

--

To unsubscribe or to change your contact details, visit:

http://getresponse.net/r/0seq+,/J76G-535p

Jerry A. Jones

3488 Liberty Rd S

Salem, OR 97302

jerry@jerryjonesdirect.com

www.jerryjonesdirect.com

P: (503) 339-6000

F: (503) 218-0557

Blog031308

You'll need Quiktime to view this Blog Post.
You'll also hear typewriter in the background...I'm just learning how
all this cool Mac stuff works!
Go Make an Offer!(TM)
~Jerry

Jury's In...Looks like a Deal worth Pursuing

Last night I posted a note about a 27 acre parcel. I drove the 4 hour round trip today and all I can tell you is it was worth it.

We'll be making an offer on this property likely, tomorrow.

Some cool things I learned or re-learned in some cases, today:

1) If a broker likes you, he's going to work hard to get an offer presented to the seller, (Some states, this can be their client and you, too, the buyer, can also be their client - some states this doesn't work and it takes a special indiv to handle dual roles - buyer's and seller's agent and some investors will never get into that situation where that's the case - I have had it go bad, too, but, I've also had it work well - it's all about who you're dealing with, as usual.) and make sure your offer gets the explanation and consideration it should. Under law, a broker has to present every offer to their client. However, we both know that if a broker doesn't like you, that's strike 1. It goes both ways: If you don't like them and don't think they job can get done, WHACK 'em.

2) No matter what, walking the land is important. It gives you a perspective you simply cannot get any other way. Hence, my demanding of myself that I travel SOMETIME to the mid-west this summer and visit some of our multi-family units. It's a unique situation so I have not as of yet, but soon will.

3) Every state has its own micro-economies. What's happening in Salem isn't likely happening in Florence, 2-hours away. GET THE FACTS and talk to people that are in the know and that have the data to back up yours and their assumptions.

OK, enough for tonight - I gotta get some more work done.

Now, Go Make an Offer(TM)!

~Jerry

Real Estate Education & FREE Information for Busy Dentists - For more information visit http://www.SecretsofRealEstateMillions.com

Deals, Deals, Deals.

Now's the time to be looking anywhere and everywhere for deals. My partner Tom and I are headed to a property tomorrow, that is listed, in my opinion and based on my research, at about 50% of its true value. Why the owners are selling I have no idea. I also don't think they are hurting for cash, instead, just want to cash in their chips and relax...as in retire (sounds boring to me!).

It's a 27 acre parcel with good views, close to a Wal-Mart, has all services at site and the only questions I have so far are: 1.) what's the capacity for the services (can they handle a lot of infrastructure) and 2.) will the owners carry back some or all of the paper so we can get in with no-money down and structure a payment on the back end. All my other initial questions have been answered. I do know enough about the area and its growth rate to feel some initial confidence so we'll see what else we can dig up.

It's a chunk-a cash they're looking for, a hair over $5,000,000, so we'll see what happens. I think an option to purchase is even more attractive! I wonder if I can get one for a few hundred bucks? A challenge for sure!

I hope I have some good news to share with you about this piece in a day or two.

There's deals everywhere I look, including Loopnet.com and well, frankly, if you're not making offers on residential properties all around you that are in foreclosure, you're wasting time!

Good luck and Go Make an Offer!(TM)
~Jerry


Real Estate Education & FREE Information for Busy Dentists - For more information visit http://www.SecretsofRealEstateMillions.com

More on Loopnet!

A quick video blog post on Loopnet.com!

State-wide Deal Search...VALUE or time waster?

This is no joke, but last night, I spent almost 90 minutes straight, uninterrupted searching through deals on Loopnet.

If you don't know about Loopnet, that's going to change here after my post.

Here's the thing:

Loopnet is HUGE. It encompasses millions dollars of properties for sale and lease, over 2.5 million members and there's a deal in every state of the nation and other COUNTRIES, too. So, it's truly a massive resource for you to check out commercial property deals in your area.

I think I pay about $134 a year or something like that for premium membership and it allows me to even post ads.

During my 90 min search, I came up with about 4, maybe 5 potential deals.

I email those to Melody in my office and she prints out the details on each one and I evaluate whether or not I want to pursue them.

Pursuit is as easy as calling one of my brokers and putting him on it. Or, I call the listing agent - depends on where and what it is.

The HUGE value is being able to cover an entire state of commercial property deals in 90 minutes!

I had a broker for one of the big national cos. tell me one time that only the "Crap" properties are on that site.

Depends on your definition of crap I suppose. If you want all "retail price" deals and you like paying full price (I hate that) then it's not a place you'll want to visit. Those full priced properties can be found anywhere, anytime.

For instance, I found a deal on Loopet recently that on the surface looked so good I had to email the broker to see if it was a misprint on price. It wasn't. I sent that deal off to a Platinum LOS Member in Texas for further eval. We'll see where it goes.

Anyway, since these last two posts were about Time Management, loopnet.com's a great place to spend a few minutes every day or once a week. (I like daily since the deals are easier to recognize and that killer one may just still be there by the time I see it!)

Have a great week! Now, Go Make an Offer(TM)!

~Jerry

Real Estate Education & FREE Information for Busy Dentists - For more information visit http://www.SecretsofRealEstateMillions.com