QuickTips Index

Using Twitter as a Real Estate Investor
Though Twitter only turned three years old in March 2009, its user growth the previous year was 1287%. See how real estate investors can use it for profit.

The New World of "Subject To" Financing & "Due On Sale" Clauses
Many a real estate investor has been stopped short of a really great buying opportunity via “subject-to” financing by a concern over the lender’s ability to exercise their “due on sale” clause.

Why Should I Invest in Real Estate?
With a major portion of the 1990's Standard & Poors Earnings running at 5% to 6%, with dividend earnings running 2% or less, an astute real estate investor would have done much better. With a strategy of only purchasing properties with expected rental yields above 6%, the added return potential of amortization, leverage, appreciation, tax advantages and more make real estate a sound alternative to other investment vehicles.

Trend Toward More Urban Green Space and Real Estate Investing
As with most things economic, it's all about supply and demand. With environmental concerns growing, many urban areas are converting land to green space, parks and community use. See how this impacts real estate investment.

Investing in Markets With High Home Inventory
In markets where inventory has increased for reasons other than area economic problems, it could be an opportunity for real estate investors to purchase rental properties.

Home Repair Estimating for the Real Estate Investor
Real estate investing, and especially the flipping of properties, frequently involves the purchase of a property in poor condition and repairing and remodeling it to result in a profit when it's sold. Obviously, great risk is assumed if the real estate investor isn't able to accurately estimate repair costs. Here are resources to help.

Real Estate Depreciation for the Investor
The cost of income producing property is recovered through depreciation, a non-cash accounting entry which may produce yearly tax deductions. You cannot simply deduct your mortgage or principal payments, or the cost of furniture, fixtures and equipment, as an expense. Depreciation must be calculated in accordance with the rules stipulated in IRS Publication 527.

Steps to Selecting the Right Real Estate Investment Club
Real estate investment clubs are a popular way for new investors to learn about the business, and for experienced investors to share helpful information and resources. Learn the steps to join one.

What to Expect from a Real Estate Investment Club
Real estate investment clubs have launched many a successful real estate investor. What to expect when you join a real estate investment club.

Should You Join a Real Estate Investment Club?
The decision of whether to join a real estate investment club or not is an individual one. Join or not? Get some help here.

Real Estate Investing Part-time or Full-time to Start?
Should you begin your real estate investing part-time or just jump right in? Get the Information here to help you to make that decision.

The Equity or Mortgage REITs Decision - The Differences Explained
There are definite differences in the type of REITs available for real estate investors. The two basic types are equity REITs and mortgage REITs. Knowing the differences and your tolerance for risk can make all the difference in your investment success.

Private REITs Compared to the Public Real Estate Investment Trust
Though not widely publicized, private REITs are an investment offering chosen by some over the public real estate investment trust. What are the drawbacks?

REITs and Bonds Compared as Investments
REITs and bonds are not truly competitive as investments, but there are some common reasons why one might own one or both. Learn the differences and compare them.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) or Utility Stocks?
Should you move into REITs or stay with Utilities stocks? It's a dividend and growth decision, balanced with changing conditions.

How the Case-Shiller Home Price Index & the OFHEO HPI Differ
There are several notable differences in the way that the OFHEO HPI and the Case-Shiller Home Price Index are calculated. The differences can produce short-term divergence between the two indexes. Learn the differences here.

Is It Mortgage Assumption or Subject to Mortgage?
A real property purchase with a mortgage assumption is quite different that purchasing a home subject to a mortgage. Learn the difference here.

Real Estate Investing with Undervalued Real Estate
Though it might seem obvious, one of the best ways to profit by investing in real estate is to purchase properties at prices below their real value.

ARV - After Repair Value in Real Estate Investing
Real estate investing frequently involves the purchase of a property in need of work, getting it repaired or remodeled and then selling or flipping it at a profit. This requires the ability to determine approximate repair and remodel costs and the value of the property after completion. This value is the ARV or After Repair Value

Using Financing for Real Estate Leverage
Carefully selected and applied, financing with lower cash up front can increase your ROI (return on investment) cash on cash with leverage. In short, even after the P&I payment is factored in, you can dramatically increase the percentage of ROI in the right situations.

Real Estate Investments as Compared to Corporate and Government Bonds
A comparison of investing in corporate or government bonds as opposed to real estate investments, primarily rental properties. Bond interest is static, thus purchase power falls with inflation. Generally rents will increase with inflation for several reasons.

Types of Real Estate Investor Mortgage Loans
The type of investor mortgage loan that you select as a real estate investor is a key factor in determining your level of risk and the cashflow that your investment will generate. Here are some things that you should consider. Options include fixed rate, arm adjustable rate, zero down, balloon, exotic and low documentation loans.

Exotic Types of Investor Mortgage Loans
Over the past several years lenders have come up with a number of complex investor mortgage loan types generally categorized as “exotic options”. These complicated structures may offer some advantages to sophisticated investors in terms of flexibility and lower payments, but all carry increased levels of complexity and risk.

Zero Down Investor Mortgage Loans
You won’t have to look far to find information on zero-down real estate investor mortgage loans. This is the method of choice for real estate “gurus” who are selling investment courses. Zero down may be the right strategy for some investors and will give you a higher rate of return on your investment, but beware of the pitfalls.

Balloon Type Investor Mortgage Loans
A balloon investor mortgage loan is a mortgage that amortizes over a longer schedule than the term of the mortgage – meaning that payments will be calculated as though the mortgage were a longer term (say 30 years) but at the end of the term (say 10 years) the remaining balance will be due.

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