"Blog Schmog" by Robert W. Bly

Have you thought about creating a blog that will change your life forever by bringing in endless clients, getting you a book deal, and then having a movie made about the blog? There are a lot of "new media" gurus that would have you believe that a blog is the solution to all of your problems- new clients, new friends, a new life.

Then along comes Robert W. Bly with "Blog Schmog" and throws a bucket of cold water on the dream. More accurately, he wakes you up and helps you see reality.

If you want to start a blog, "Blog Schmog" will teach you:

• What to can reasonably expect to accomplish with your blog
• How to set-up your blog, how often to blog, and how to get a following

He also reviews the myth and the reality of blogging. If you are thinking about creating a blog, this is a great book that will give you a realistic view of what is possible and what is probable.

Equity Loans from Banks- Work With the Current Banking System

Take a look at the Clear Day Capital blog for detailed into on how to work with bank equity lines RIGHT NOW for investment real estate.

Warning: A Joint Venture Disguised as a Loan

Take a look at the Clear Day Capital blog for an interesting post about a securities transaction disguised as a loan.

5 More Questions to Ask Before Investing With a Hard Money Lender

Are you thinking about giving your money to a hard money lender to invest? Ask some questions first...

Read the ClearDayCap Blog on what to ask.

Pete Fortunato Real Estate Wisdom

I joined 50 other real estate investors on Tuesday July 7, 2009 for a workshop conducted by Pete Fortunato and sponsored by Investors Workshops. Pete has been in real estate for 44 years and has one of the most creative minds in the country. Here are some pearls of wisdom from Pete:

• Use what I want, to get what I need, to get what I want. Example: I want a house, I need payments so I rent it, so I can pay for the house.
• It is my responsibility to make things happen.
• Market Value is a myth because people make deals, assets don't make deals. Market Value is the average of all prices that people will pay for comperable value.
• Cash: I'll give you a pile! What are you going to DO with the cash?
• My Job: Understand what is in it for the other party. It is not enough to listen- probe and find out. Say it. Get them to say it.
• "Do unto others as they would have done to them."
• "Don't tell me what you WON'T do, tell me what you WILL do!"
• "Opportunities stem from the uncomfortable circumstances of others." William Harding
• We are in the People business.
• Make an offer to open the door and start a discussion.
• Value is PERSONAL- the same house in a different neighborhood is worth less.
• Ask: "Why would you sell a nece house like this?" Then shut up and listen.
• It's about PEOPLE, it's not about the numbers.
• "I will gladly throw you a rope to get out of the quicksand, but I will not replace you or join you in it."
• An initial offer is a starting point- you are guessing based on the information at hand. As a result of the offer you can gather more information to start to construct an offer for both parties.
• In order for it to be a contract it must be understood. How many buyers /sellers /tenants /landlords understand the "standard" contracts?
• We can use currencies other than dollars to make deals.
• Seller finance, stay in the contract, and do the right thing.
• Learn to barter.
• Do a second mortgage with a wrap.
• Documents can negotiate for you. People will not challenge standard documents.
• Secure Options through Title.
• Real estate is a thinking man's game, not a running man's game.
• Every good deal leads to repeat and referral deals.

Do you have any gems of knowledge to share? Post them!

10 Things New Real Estate Investors Must Know

If your next business venture is investing in real estate, read this. It cuts through the hype that comes with real estate advice. http://bit.ly/10ThingsNewREInvestors

HVCC- Bad Appraisals Are Hurting Real Estate

Take a look at this posting about the current state of appraisals. Share your story about nightmare appraisals!

Click here.

Collection Agency for Salt Lake Area Real Estate Investors

As a landlord, I have asked myself, "Isn't there some way to collect what is owed me for unpaid rent and damages that far exceed any security deposit that was put down to rent the apartment?"

The answer is: YES!
How? Use a collection agency!

Jeremy Peterson (jeremypeterson.com) is a real estate agent and real estate investor. He just wrote a great blog post for anyone living in Salt Lake City who needs a collection agency.

Short version? Contact North American Recovery at 801-364-0777.

Read the entire post at Ogden Insights.

10 Questions to Ask Before Investing with a Hard Money Lender

Clear Day Capital is a good source for hard money and bridge loans in Northern Utah. Check out the post.

If you are reading this more than a week or so after the published date, look under "Hard Money."

http://cleardaycap.blogspot.com

"The Ten Commandments for Business Failure" by Donald R Keogh

"The Ten Commandments for Business Failure" by Donald R Keogh is well written, thought provoking, and a good book for anyone who wants to run a successful business, department within a business, or just succeed in their career. Certainly real estate investors will benefit from Mr. Keogh's Ten Commandments. They are:
1. Quit taking risks
2. Be inflexible
3. Isolate yourself
4. Assume infallibility
5. Play the game close to the foul line
6. Don't take time to think
7. Put all your faith in experts and outside consultants
8. Love your bureaucracy
9. Send mixed messages
10.Be afraid of the future
11. (Bonus!) Lose your passion for work- for life

Each chapter is self-contained and a quick read. The style is first-person narrative and very accessible. The are good quotes and examples in each chapter- they stand on their own and collectively make for a good book.

The book is full of reminders- things that you will already know and will be glad to review. What the book does not provide is detailed "how to" remedy the sure step to failure- but their are a lot of detailed books or texts to fix the things that you identify as a challenge in your organization or in your life.

Enjoy this book for what it is: A quick, feel good book that will remind you of bad business practices to avoid and in turn good business practices to put in place.

Real Estate- Real Resources

This blog is dedicated to providing real resources to real estate investors. These are resourcs that have been tried, approved, and recommended by other real estate investors. The resources are cost effectve and provide value.

Why are we doing this? Because one of the biggest challenges to real estate investors is finding resources that they can trust. We are bombarded by e-mail for get rich quick schemes, free tele-seminars, cash-flow properties for $10 down, realtors who have secret sources for discounted properties, and the list goes on...

E-mail is easy to deal with (you just delete it) compared to the vultures that you meet as you start investing. Fraudulent real estate "professionals" in every area, incompetent contractors, education resources that speak a lot, teach little, and up-sell to the next level of eduction, and the list goes on...

Then there is the amount of locl, state, and federal regulation to keep up with. Purchasing and selling properties, HUD and FHA rules, financing guidlines, landlord policies and laws, safety regulations, good landlording policies in municipalities, and the list goes on...

So look forward to great resources! Subscribe so you get every update and please post suggestions for great resources