subject: Time Saving Ideas When Buying Houses [print this page] It's a problem faced by a number of individuals and companies involved in real estate-not buying enough houses to make the business worthwhile. A company might have a massive amount of private lender money, but the owner might not have the time to purchase properties. The real estate experts say there are a number of secrets to dealing with this problem:
Secret #1: Delegate!
You might feel as if you want to retain control of the property buying process. But there are only so many minutes in a day, and the you might simply lack the time and energy to devote to buying. In such a case, it's best to delegate the buying to someone you have worked with before, who has at least some real estate experience. You can then train the individual on the finer points of buying houses.
When I followed this formula, I ended up purchasing 21 houses the first year, 48 the second. In fact, we were so successful we were buying houses faster than they could be sold.
Secret #2: Advertise!
There's an old saying that it pays to advertise-and that is certainly true when it comes to buying homes. The more you are able to advertise, the better off you'll be. But how do you make sure you get enough bang for your buck?
One of the most cost-effective methods of advertising is an ad in the local Yellow Pages phone directory. You don't have to invest in a color ad-a black and white ad can certainly do the trick. It should be dollar bill-sized, and should explain to potential clients what your company is all about. The more information you can include in the ad, the more calls you are likely to generate.
Another effective means of advertising is to place 'bandit signs' in the area in which you would like to purchase houses. The signs should be 18 by 24 inches and in hard-to-miss colors, such as yellow and black. You can also nail smaller signs to utility poles.
It's best to outsource the signs to someone you hire to work on a per-sign basis. You'll need to give them a map of the area and ask the runner to mark where the signs have been placed. That way, you can check on the signage before you actually pay him or her.
By simply following these secrets, you too can become a success at buying investment properties, building the foundation for a lucrative career in real estate.
