Whatever your opinion is on the BBB; never underestimate your rating and how it will affect your potential client’s decision on whether to do business with you or not. Moral of the story, always check your online rating for your business: Check out what I mean by Clicking Here
To your success,
James Gage
Friday, October 28, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
What Should Real Estate Investors and Taxi Cab Drivers Have in Common?
By James Gage
Before I get all sorts of e-mails questioning my sanity, please give me a moment to explain what real estate investors and taxi cab drivers should have in common. When I lived in England in the early 1980s while serving in the Air Force, I had the opportunity to strike up a friendship with a local cab driver. What I learned from him has served me well not only in real estate investing, but in investing in general. He picked me up from base one day and brought me down to the local village where I was having lunch at the local pub with some of my friends. When I arrived at my destination I paid for my fare and exited the cab, and by the time I turned around to say thank you – he was gone!
I really didn’t think much of it, in fact I pretty much forgot about it until the following week when I needed to go over to the next village. I called the local cab company and requested a ride. When the cab arrived and to my amazement the same cab driver that I had a week prior showed up to take me on my trek! As I entered the cab and settled in for the ride, I struck up a conversation with the cabbie and politely asked why he was in such a hurry during my last trip? He said that he was the top producing cab driver for the last 3 years running for his company and his goal was to retire in the next 5 years! He further explained that he would be able to retire because he mad 4 times what the other cab drivers made on a weekly basis. I asked him why he was making so much more then his colleagues on a regular basis; what he said is something I have applied to my investing plan ever since that day in the cab- he said…. “It’s all in the meter drop”!
I asked him to further explain, he said that while other cab drivers would sit outside different sites of the Air Force base turning down small fares and waiting for those big money fares to London 75 miles away, he would take those multiple small fares over and over again. When it came to the end of the day he would make 4 times what the “big fare” guys would make, because he was willing to drop the meter for the smaller fares. So what does this have to do with real estate investing? It has a lot to do with it actually! Over my 25 years of investing I have seen many investors walk away from transactions because there was not enough money in the deal for them – is that crazy or what? I tell those types of investors to send me all their “scrapes”; I’ll do them all day long. Why I’m I bringing this up today? I’m I trying to flaunt my success in a challenging economy? No, rather I am trying to encourage people to adopt the philosophy that has served me well over the years. Mainly, stop looking for the big hit and focus on what I call “kibble and bits” strategy!
Why would you sign on the dotted line for hundreds of thousands of dollars on a property in a down market, without any guarantee of being able to sell the property for a profit? Why not do Assignments where there is no risk in the event you can’t get rid of the property? Would you be happy making 3-7 thousand dollars for just assigning your contract over to someone and then move onto the next transaction? Let’s be very conservative here; could you do 2 of these type of transactions per month? If so, that would be 6K on the low side and 14K or more at the top for only a few hours, rather then multiple hours on a traditional transaction with no guarantee of a good pay day. Does this sound good to you? Well, that’s what assignments can do for you; in fact many investors do this in order to raise seed money for their other RE transactions.
If this makes sense to you and you would like to read more about how assignments can get you to the “Hip National Bank” in record time, click on the link provided below now…
http://bit.ly/kqNQkF
Before I get all sorts of e-mails questioning my sanity, please give me a moment to explain what real estate investors and taxi cab drivers should have in common. When I lived in England in the early 1980s while serving in the Air Force, I had the opportunity to strike up a friendship with a local cab driver. What I learned from him has served me well not only in real estate investing, but in investing in general. He picked me up from base one day and brought me down to the local village where I was having lunch at the local pub with some of my friends. When I arrived at my destination I paid for my fare and exited the cab, and by the time I turned around to say thank you – he was gone!
I really didn’t think much of it, in fact I pretty much forgot about it until the following week when I needed to go over to the next village. I called the local cab company and requested a ride. When the cab arrived and to my amazement the same cab driver that I had a week prior showed up to take me on my trek! As I entered the cab and settled in for the ride, I struck up a conversation with the cabbie and politely asked why he was in such a hurry during my last trip? He said that he was the top producing cab driver for the last 3 years running for his company and his goal was to retire in the next 5 years! He further explained that he would be able to retire because he mad 4 times what the other cab drivers made on a weekly basis. I asked him why he was making so much more then his colleagues on a regular basis; what he said is something I have applied to my investing plan ever since that day in the cab- he said…. “It’s all in the meter drop”!
I asked him to further explain, he said that while other cab drivers would sit outside different sites of the Air Force base turning down small fares and waiting for those big money fares to London 75 miles away, he would take those multiple small fares over and over again. When it came to the end of the day he would make 4 times what the “big fare” guys would make, because he was willing to drop the meter for the smaller fares. So what does this have to do with real estate investing? It has a lot to do with it actually! Over my 25 years of investing I have seen many investors walk away from transactions because there was not enough money in the deal for them – is that crazy or what? I tell those types of investors to send me all their “scrapes”; I’ll do them all day long. Why I’m I bringing this up today? I’m I trying to flaunt my success in a challenging economy? No, rather I am trying to encourage people to adopt the philosophy that has served me well over the years. Mainly, stop looking for the big hit and focus on what I call “kibble and bits” strategy!
Why would you sign on the dotted line for hundreds of thousands of dollars on a property in a down market, without any guarantee of being able to sell the property for a profit? Why not do Assignments where there is no risk in the event you can’t get rid of the property? Would you be happy making 3-7 thousand dollars for just assigning your contract over to someone and then move onto the next transaction? Let’s be very conservative here; could you do 2 of these type of transactions per month? If so, that would be 6K on the low side and 14K or more at the top for only a few hours, rather then multiple hours on a traditional transaction with no guarantee of a good pay day. Does this sound good to you? Well, that’s what assignments can do for you; in fact many investors do this in order to raise seed money for their other RE transactions.
If this makes sense to you and you would like to read more about how assignments can get you to the “Hip National Bank” in record time, click on the link provided below now…
http://bit.ly/kqNQkF
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
January Home Sales
Hello All:
January home sales are in! Guess what? According to all the media outlets 37% of all sales were foreclosures!! It seems that investors are swooping in and buying up investment property. Is this a good idea? I am often asked that, and to be honest there is no generic answer! It depends on a lot of factors and what geographical area you reside. I would say a good rule of thumb would be if you can get an investment property and make $500.00 or more positive cash flow each month after paying your obligations - pull the trigger.
Some would say they would be happy with $200.oo positive cash flow per month, I say, that would replace 1 hot water heater after installation - get my drift. That's why I love lease options; all the benefits of ownership, without owning the property - it's about control.
Until next time be well.
James Gage
January home sales are in! Guess what? According to all the media outlets 37% of all sales were foreclosures!! It seems that investors are swooping in and buying up investment property. Is this a good idea? I am often asked that, and to be honest there is no generic answer! It depends on a lot of factors and what geographical area you reside. I would say a good rule of thumb would be if you can get an investment property and make $500.00 or more positive cash flow each month after paying your obligations - pull the trigger.
Some would say they would be happy with $200.oo positive cash flow per month, I say, that would replace 1 hot water heater after installation - get my drift. That's why I love lease options; all the benefits of ownership, without owning the property - it's about control.
Until next time be well.
James Gage
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Real Estate Investing: Happy Thanksgiving !
Happy Thanksgiving!
I love this Holiday and whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not
I wanted you know that I am grateful for you, for your
friendship, loyalty and business.
Whatever your tradition, whatever favorite foods you enjoy,
whomever you spend the day with--I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving,
with plenty of time for reflecting, sharing with others, and
enjoying the day.
Truly, you are the best!
Be well.
James Gage
I love this Holiday and whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not
I wanted you know that I am grateful for you, for your
friendship, loyalty and business.
Whatever your tradition, whatever favorite foods you enjoy,
whomever you spend the day with--I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving,
with plenty of time for reflecting, sharing with others, and
enjoying the day.
Truly, you are the best!
Be well.
James Gage
Monday, November 15, 2010
Breaking Real Estate News: Foreclosures
Hello All:
James Gage here with breaking real estate investing news; it seems Florida has put foreclosures on the fast track!According to CNN, Duval County (which is Jacksonville) has hired retired Judges to push foreclosures along at record speed. It seems Duval County along with others state wide are getting rid of the foreclosure backlog by having these hired Judges rule on Foreclosures from filing to sale at an average of 2 minutes per case! The average Judge will hear and render a decision on a whopping 35 or more cases a day.
Sounds to me like there will be a lot of challenges going on at the Florida Supreme Court level to these retired Judges verdicts. Is it me or does anyone else think that the bank and or mortgage companies have something to do with this process? I understand the frustration on both sides of the coin, but I was always taught if you are going to do something make sure you do it right the first time, and it seems to me that 2 minute hearings don't fit the bill.
As for us real estate investors, this means it's time to brush up on our REO strategies.
Until next time be well and to your success.
James Gage
PS: For more great tips and strategies click here to join our FREE Newsletter.
James Gage here with breaking real estate investing news; it seems Florida has put foreclosures on the fast track!According to CNN, Duval County (which is Jacksonville) has hired retired Judges to push foreclosures along at record speed. It seems Duval County along with others state wide are getting rid of the foreclosure backlog by having these hired Judges rule on Foreclosures from filing to sale at an average of 2 minutes per case! The average Judge will hear and render a decision on a whopping 35 or more cases a day.
Sounds to me like there will be a lot of challenges going on at the Florida Supreme Court level to these retired Judges verdicts. Is it me or does anyone else think that the bank and or mortgage companies have something to do with this process? I understand the frustration on both sides of the coin, but I was always taught if you are going to do something make sure you do it right the first time, and it seems to me that 2 minute hearings don't fit the bill.
As for us real estate investors, this means it's time to brush up on our REO strategies.
Until next time be well and to your success.
James Gage
PS: For more great tips and strategies click here to join our FREE Newsletter.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Real Estate Investing News: Robert Kiyosaki
Robert Kiyosaki said today on the Alex Jones Radio Show, that if you owe more then your home is worth you should walk away from your mortgage, even if you can make the payments!!!!! He further stated that this is what the financial elite do and that's why they have the money they have; if it doesn't perform dump it!!!! What great financial advice - huh!!!!
That will fix the housing market mess won't it Robert????
For sound real estate advice click here for my Free Newsletter.
Be well and let's make things great again.
James Gage
That will fix the housing market mess won't it Robert????
For sound real estate advice click here for my Free Newsletter.
Be well and let's make things great again.
James Gage
Friday, October 15, 2010
Real Estate Investing Tip: Lease Options
Unfortunately, the current economic situation has made it challenging to buy houses with traditional methods; why not look into Lease Options, AKA Rent to Own?
Click Here to find out !
and in the words of Forrest Gump: "That's all I have to say about that...."
James Gage
www.JGage.com
Click Here to find out !
and in the words of Forrest Gump: "That's all I have to say about that...."
James Gage
www.JGage.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)