Buy Direct USA?
Do you use Buy Direct? Is it a scam, good deal? Any feedback would
be appreciated. Thanks.
David
ANSWER
David,
I used to be a member.
Here is the deal – they have all of the wholesale price lists and catalogs for hundreds of manufacturers of clothes, appliances, furniture, etc. etc. and you can order direct at those prices.
For items with high mark-ups, like furniture and clothes, the deals can be remarkable. Even some home fixtures (like jacuzzi’s) have mark-ups up to 80%. The catch is that you have to pay for shipping and handling which can be steep. For example, I found that I could always find electronics heavily discounted at local retailers for the same price or less than I could buy wholesale when you added in the shipping and handling. However, I did get a really good deal on a cook-top, and some furniture. I also got a great deal on some counter-tops, a water purifier, clothes, some fixtures, golf clubs, and various other miscellaneous items.
The other catch is that even though they have hundreds or even thousands of price lists and catelogs, they don’t have everything, and nothing is in stock – you buy from catalogs.
I joined when I moved to Austin and was setting up a house. I probably saved $2-3K on $8K worth of purchases, and it cost me about $1200 to join. When it came to renew, I passed because I did not expect to spend enough to justify going forward.
At times I which I still was a member – or perhaps I would be interested in joining with someone else, but you have to spend a fair amount to justify it.
- LAH
Property Mgnt s/w?
Someone suggested to me HYPERLINK “http://www.rentright.com”www.rentright.com for software for
rental property managment. Do you have another software to suggest that they like better or equally?
Were using a simple excel spread sheet only now.
thank you in advance for your reply.
jules
ANSWER
Jules,
I’m a big fan of Quicken and Quickbooks.
Quicken just introduced a new LOW COST ($99) Rental Property Manager program that looks promising: http://accountant.intuit.com/products_services/quicken_rental_property_manager/index.aspx
They also have some more sophisticated solutions shown here: http://realestate.intuit.com/
Quickbooks Solutions for Property Management: http://marketplace.intuit.com/search.asp?category=109
Phill
Attorney?
> Hello - I’m an investor and new to the area. Does anyone
> know of a good local attorney who is an RE investor and understands the
> business (contracts, etc.), who understands entity structures (LLC’s, L/P’s,
> etc.), and who is accessible and is reasonably priced? If so, I’d
> appreciate some names and numbers.
>
> Thank you,
> John
ANSWER
John,
I use Charlie for most of my contract and property manager work. He has written many of my ‘creative’ contracts and helped me through a lawsuit. He will create an LLC or LP for you fast and cheap. He is also good with evictions and foreclosures. I’ve put one of his kids through school.
I also found myself in need of a lawyer to give good advice on how to set up my companies. It seems the lawyers gave me advice on limiting my liability while the accountants game me advice on saving money (mostly on taxes). Unfortunately, the advice from lawyers and accountants is often contradictive. So, finally, I found an accountant with a law degree and hired him to do my taxes and set up my corporate structures. His name is Eugene Adrian Van Zelfden Jr.
Update: Unfortunately, Van Zelfden told me he was no longer doing real estate.
Phill
Property in Austin Texas
Greetings,
It is great to have this resource. I am a real estate
investor. I have acquired a property in Austin Texas (Travis
County), Southeastern. Basically, I am looking for a transfer of
ownership of this property.
I would like $10,000 for the property. The property is a KB home, 4
bedroom 2 bathroom. It has a 6.3 30 year fixed loan. With taxes and
insurance the loan comes out to $1300 a month. After a title
transfer, the person can simply take over payments of the property.
The house it 2 years old, has a 2 car attached garage, 2 story, large
backyard, and has several nice amenities.
Please let me know if you would be interested in this property, or if
you know anyone who would be. Feel free to forward this information
out.
Sincerely,
David
ANSWER
David,
Ummm – What is the balance of the loan??? In other words, what is the cost of this property?
Also – where is it? I’m seeing KB homes in the $50/ft and less down south. How big is it?
Phill
