"Okay, I'm Ready to Buy. What Do I Do Now?"

• Where will your down payment, if any, come from? Available cash or equity from your home? If you are utilizing the equity from your home start by contacting your lender or financial institution and applying for a home equity loan. When asked for the line of credit amount ask for the maximum allowed or what you are comfortable with. Remember that the amount allowed is based on current market value of your home, the more your home is worth the more you will have on hand to utilize for your investments.
• Credit issues? Severe credit problems will make it difficult to qualify and get favorable interest rates. Take measures to clean your personal credit, reduce or eliminate your debts, avoid buying big ticket items that require revolving or short-term loans. Don't over-extend your ability to pay your investment's mortgage payments.
• Be sure to have a cash reserve after the close of escrow of your investment property. Reserves are needed to cover negative cash flow and unforeseen expenses be it management, vacancies, maintenance, etc. The recommended amount of reserves can be revealed to you by your representative/agent, this amount can vary depending on the investment and the number of investments that you intend to buy.

• Work with a group that has an established track record of assisting investors in the purchase of investment property throughout the country. An investment group that services many areas of the country will be less biased on where and what you buy. Have them produce recent evidence and/or personal testimony from current clients to show they are active in today's real estate investment market.
• THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT POINT!! Work with agents/representatives who have purchased investment properties of their own and have the same goals and aspirations as yourself, this is evidence of their sincerity and accountability. If a stock broker tells you they have a "Hot stock" you should buy ask them how many shares of this "Hot Stock" they own themselves the answer tells you a lot about the person and their motives.
• Does the investment group have a good follow-up system in place AFTER your escrow closes? Will they keep records of you and your property and know if your property has been rented? Service AFTER the sale truly sets apart the good and not so good investment groups.

• Provide your contact information and we will refer you to an approved investment group that fits the profile above to help you begin your real estate investment journey. It is our hope that the information provided to you by our website earns your confidence in our knowledge and services to locate an investment property for you.