Prosper Newsletter: May 2008 > Real Estate

You understand that the following information is educational in nature and is not intended to be legal, accounting, or tax advice. You are responsible for your own financial decisions and should consult your own legal, accounting, and tax advisors before making your financial decisions.

Vacant Property

Finding Owners

Property abandonment is rare in most markets. As with most valuable belongings, people are almost always ready to claim ownership. In cities where people pay $1,000 to $2,000 per square foot to purchase property, there is very little property that goes unnoticed. However, there are markets where property isn't so scarce, and where the competition to look for deals isn't so fierce. So, you may come across a seemingly abandoned piece of property. In that case, you have several sleuthing options.

Right from the start, you should identify the nearest known/marked addresses. How close is it to the nearest intersection of clearly marked roads? When you have that information, you at least have a start. All counties in the United States keep records for tax purposes. If they don't keep track of who owns what, then they would never be able to levy and collect taxes. So with the best coordinates possible, head to the county courthouse to discover who is listed as the property owner.

Some counties have joined the digital age and have made all of their public records accessible online. In this case, you may need to pay a nominal subscription fee to access those records for a given period of time. Additionally, there are public-records sites that collect data from hundreds of counties across the country.

If the courthouse or public-records sites both turn out to be dead ends, your next best place would be local experts. Why not let someone else do some of the groundwork for you? Search for a well-networked agent that is familiar with the area. Most local phone books can put you in touch with dozens of agents. Additionally, Coldwell-Banker and Prudential Real Estate have central sites you can access to find a recommended agent in your area-or the area in which the prospective property is located.

If you still run into dead ends-either because the area is remote or the population of the region is sparse-feel free to contact a real estate agent in the nearest city. Many of them usually have connections with agents in their primary city and in the surrounding areas. You can also arrange to visit the area and talk to neighbors, local businesses, or the mail carriers. With a little detective work and a few experts on your team, you shouldn't have any difficulty figuring out exactly who owns what and for what price they might be willing to sell.

Tip of the Month

Getting Back Up

Real estate investing is one of the greatest ways to accumulate wealth and make money. It is not always easy, and most investors experience periods of frustration, confusion and even anger when their business is not moving forward as expected. Sadly, when tough times hit, many investors, especially new investors, throw in the towel and give up. The initial excitement of getting into the business has worn off, and the reality hits that success may take some effort and perseverance.

When tough times hit, it is important to reevaluate why you got into the business in the first place. What was it that inspired you to become a real estate investor? Was it a dead-end job? Was it frustration caused by never having enough money to make ends meet? Was it the desire to provide a better future for your family and children? Was it because you simply wanted financial independence, or you wanted to enjoy life and not spend it struggling financially? Whatever the reason was, you need to draw strength and inspiration from these goals or desires to keep yourself motivated and on the road to success.

Vince Lombardi once said "It's not whether you get knocked down; it's whether you get back up."

What is it that will inspire you to get back up when you get knocked down? Don't let getting knocked down keep you from success. Success in real estate is there for all of us; we just need to stay inspired and motivated, and most important-we must never ever give up.




*See the Elective Class Catalog in your Success Center for the latest dates, times, and class details.

May

Elective Class Schedule:

  1. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Jeremy Brand

    1st

    Time:
    11:30 AM (MST)

    Topic:
    Big Profits in Short Sales - pt. 1

  2. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Matt Gunderson

    1st

    Time:
    8:45 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Approaching Real Estate Auctions Like A Pro

  3. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Jeremy Brand

    2nd

    Time:
    11:30 AM (MST)

    Topic:
    Big Profits in Short Sales - pt. 2

  4. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Jeremy Brand

    3rd

    Time:
    9:00 AM (MST)

    Topic:
    Foreclosures

  5. 4th

  6. Real Estate Elective Class Given by John Breedlove

    5th

    Time:
    6:00 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Intro to Commercial Real Estate Investing

  7. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Carter Brown

    5th

    Time:
    8:00 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Deal Analysis

  8. General Elective Class Given by Dave Mink

    6th

    Time:
    7:30 AM (MST)

    Topic:
    Business Organizations

  9. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Cary Beagley

    6th

    Time:
    4:00 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Intro to Multi-Unit Real Estate Investing

  10. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Jeremy Brand

    6th

    Time:
    7:00 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Big Profits in Short Sales - pt. 2

  11. General Elective Class Given by Paul Weaver

    7th

    Time:
    12:00 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Revitalize and Activate Your Goals

  12. Real Estate Elective Class Given by John Radmall

    7th

    Time:
    1:30 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Lease Options - Leveraging Your Way to Wealth

  13. Real Estate Elective Class Given by John Radmall

    7th

    Time:
    6:30 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Selling Houses With Lightning Speed

  14. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Carter Brown

    8th

    Time:
    3:00 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Get Started in Real Estate Investing

  15. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Jeremy Brand

    8th

    Time:
    6:30 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Foreclosures

  16. Real Estate Elective Class Given by John Radmall

    9th

    Time:
    9:30 AM (MST)

    Topic:
    Navigating Contracts With Confidence

  17. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Matt Gunderson

    9th

    Time:
    5:00 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Approaching Real Estate Auctions Like A Pro

  18. General Elective Class Given by Darren Hardy

    9th

    Time:
    6:00 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Small Business Accounting

  19. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Jeremy Brand

    10th

    Time:
    9:00 AM (MST)

    Topic:
    Big Profits in Short Sales - pt. 1

  20. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Janeen Patch

    10th

    Time:
    3:30 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Assigning of Contracts

  21. 11th

  22. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Gail Long

    12th

    Time:
    6:30 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Creative Finding Techniques

  23. General Elective Class Given by Paul Weaver

    12th

    Time:
    6:30 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Revitalize and Activate Your Goals

  24. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Carter Brown

    12th

    Time:
    8:00 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Get Started in Real Estate Investing

  25. Real Estate Elective Class Given by John Radmall

    13th

    Time:
    1:45 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Selling Houses With Lightning Speed

  26. General Elective Class Given by Dave Mink

    13th

    Time:
    4:00 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Business Organizations

  27. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Jeremy Brand

    14th

    Time:
    5:30 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Big Profits in Short Sales - pt. 1

  28. Real Estate Elective Class Given by John Radmall

    14th

    Time:
    6:00 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Navigating Contracts With Confidence

  29. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Jeremy Brand

    15th

    Time:
    11:30 AM (MST)

    Topic:
    Foreclosures

  30. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Carter Brown

    15th

    Time:
    3:00 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Deal Analysis

  31. Real Estate Elective Class Given by John Radmall

    15th

    Time:
    6:00 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Lease Options - Leveraging Your Way to Wealth

  32. 16th

  33. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Jeremy Brand

    17th

    Time:
    9:00 AM (MST)

    Topic:
    Big Profits in Short Sales - pt. 2

  34. 18th

  35. Real Estate Elective Class Given by John Breedlove

    19th

    Time:
    8:00 AM (MST)

    Topic:
    Intro to Commercial Real Estate Investing

  36. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Cary Beagley

    19th

    Time:
    3:30 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Intro to Multi-Unit Real Estate Investing

  37. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Matt Gunderson

    19th

    Time:
    6:30 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Approaching Real Estate Auctions Like A Pro

  38. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Carter Brown

    19th

    Time:
    8:00 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Deal Analysis

  39. General Elective Class Given by Dave Mink

    20th

    Time:
    4:00 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Business Organizations

  40. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Jeremy Brand

    20th

    Time:
    7:00 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Foreclosures

  41. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Janeen Patch

    20th

    Time:
    8:00 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Assigning of Contracts

  42. Real Estate Elective Class Given by John Radmall

    21st

    Time:
    1:30 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Lease Options - Leveraging Your Way to Wealth

  43. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Gail Long

    21st

    Time:
    2:30 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Creative Finding Techniques

  44. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Jeremy Brand

    21st

    Time:
    5:00 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Big Profits in Short Sales - pt. 2

  45. Real Estate Elective Class Given by John Radmall

    21st

    Time:
    6:30 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Selling Houses With Lightning Speed

  46. Real Estate Elective Class Given by John Radmall

    22nd

    Time:
    12:30 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Navigating Contracts With Confidence

  47. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Carter Brown

    22nd

    Time:
    3:00 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Get Started in Real Estate Investing

  48. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Jeremy Brand

    22nd

    Time:
    6:30 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Big Profits in Short Sales - pt. 1

  49. General Elective Class Given by Paul Weaver

    23rd

    Time:
    11:00 AM (MST)

    Topic:
    Revitalize and Activate Your Goals

  50. General Elective Class Given by Darren Hardy

    23rd

    Time:
    6:00 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Small Business Accounting

  51. 24th

  52. 25th

  53. General Elective Class Given by Dave Mink

    26th

    Time:
    7:30 AM (MST)

    Topic:
    Business Organizations

  54. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Carter Brown

    26th

    Time:
    8:00 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Get Started in Real Estate Investing

  55. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Gail Long

    27th

    Time:
    5:00 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Creative Finding Techniques

  56. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Matt Gunderson

    28th

    Time:
    11:45 AM (MST)

    Topic:
    Approaching Real Estate Auctions Like A Pro

  57. Real Estate Elective Class Given by John Radmall

    28th

    Time:
    2:00 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Selling Houses With Lightning Speed

  58. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Jeremy Brand

    28th

    Time:
    5:00 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Big Profits in Short Sales - pt. 1

  59. General Elective Class Given by Paul Weaver

    28th

    Time:
    6:30 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Revitalize and Activate Your Goals

  60. Real Estate Elective Class Given by John Radmall

    29th

    Time:
    12:30 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Lease Options - Leveraging Your Way to Wealth

  61. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Carter Brown

    29th

    Time:
    3:00 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Deal Analysis

  62. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Jeremy Brand

    29th

    Time:
    6:30 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Big Profits in Short Sales - pt. 2

  63. Real Estate Elective Class Given by John Radmall

    29th

    Time:
    6:30 PM (MST)

    Topic:
    Navigating Contracts With Confidence

  64. 30th

  65. Real Estate Elective Class Given by Jeremy Brand

    31st

    Time:
    9:00 AM (MST)

    Topic:
    Foreclosures

For more info