We discover through trial and error. Often its as simple as attempting something we haven't tried before and results begin to follow.

Real estate seems like a lofty proposition for many people but there is alot of noise coming from people that are involved in Real Estate and it attracts us. Zero down real estate investing is a simple concept. It means manufacturing deals that require that you need not put the large obligatory escrow deposit to get the right to control property.

The reason why you would want that is simple. Zero down is useless if your utility is to buy the house and live in it and own it. Thats not the point of Zero Down. If you want to buy the Real Estate for your own personal use, then Zero Down is not going to help you. However, if your utility is to make some nice money so you CAN eventually own your own home. Then Zero down is the perfect vehicle and the most direct way for you to accomplish that.

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Knowing what a Good Deal is – Is the Key to Success in Real Estate.

Dear Investor,

Take this little survey: The most important key to Real Estate Success is:

1. Finding Motivated Sellers

2. Funding Your Deals

3. Negotiating

4. Knowing a Good Deal when you see one.

Yes all of them are important. And if you answered #4 – you're right on the money. Why, because if your deal is a not good one, all your other skills and marketing and power will not make you money, and may even lead to disaster.

On the other hand, if you can unfailingly target good deals, you will always be successful and all the other skills and your marketing methods will serve to increase your success.

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Here is a great article by Peter Dobler on successful real estate investment strategies.

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Realtors Get Their Hands on Technology

This article discusses how real estate agents are leveraging technology to make their job easier. One example is Pathfinder from InternetMLS which integrates MLS listings wirelessly with GPS. A quick search for 'real estate software' on Google returns a variety of potentially useful programs for the RE investor and broker a like.

Services like Google Maps and Yahoo! Local allow you to also see what amenities (restaurants, coffee shops, schools, etc.) are near properties. A quick search for "[town name] + census" will generally return the newest census data on that town. Virtual 360 degree tours of houses is also a new but increasingly popular feature requested by potential buyers. The more information and interactivity you can provide over the web, the better. Real Estate is still somewhat of a conservative industry so you can get ahead by leveraging new technologies.

Many RE investors use a strategy of fixing up houses and then flipping them. I recently found a great article by Bruce Ford that explains the pros and cons of this strategy (as opposed to fixing up and holding). He uses straightforward examples to explain the situation effectively. Read more