http://loveaustinhomes.com/blog Austin's Leader in Home Investing Thu, 24 Apr 2008 22:25:35 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Hi, I am a beginning investor looking at Austin. I have been investing for almost a year in my home market of Salt Lake City, but I want to expand my operation. One of my mentors told me that the secret to finding great markets is researching them. ... http://loveaustinhomes.com/blog/2008/04/24/beginner-with-a-question-about-market-analysis-companies/ I am interested in getting started in real estate investing. Do you have any suggestions on training, books, tapes, etc.? I want to start off part time, but evolve into a full-time career. Answer Well, this is actually a long and involved discussion, but let me give you a few pointers. 1) ... http://loveaustinhomes.com/blog/2008/04/08/training-for-new-investors/ I have a question. A friend of mine and his brother live in a house that one of them bought a few years back. The owner of the home is wanting to move to a nicer house, and the renting brother is interested in buying the home from his brother. ... http://loveaustinhomes.com/blog/2008/04/07/selling-a-house-without-professionals/ Has it become more difficult to obtain a stated income loan since the mortgage industry is having such difficulties these days. Dawn ANSWER Dawn, Generally speaking, yes it has, but money is always available to people with good credit, and money is always available to fund good projects regardless of credit. http://loveaustinhomes.com/blog/2008/04/01/stated-income-loans/ Question: Hi, I was looking for suggestions/referrals for a good source of an unsecured line of credit. Thanks in advance, Kevin Answer: Kevin, The only way that I know of to acquire “an unsecured line of credit” is to get a credit line based on your own good credit. This is a great idea ... http://loveaustinhomes.com/blog/2008/03/25/qa-unsecured-lines-of-credit/ I work with major banks in the US who are looking to liquidate their portfolios. You will work directly with the seller mandate to purchase bank REO's in bulk from a minimum of 10 million to 1 trillion dollars nationwide at about a 70% discount on retail value. Our inventory ... http://loveaustinhomes.com/blog/2008/02/25/qa-buying-bad-loans-and-reos-from-lenders/ I was wondering if anyone had any referrals of a inexpensive survey company that can do a Elevation stud for a certificate (Flood Insurance). Thanks, Tim ANSWER Tim, My experience is that any survey company can do this. At least every one I have talked to. Phill http://loveaustinhomes.com/blog/2008/02/04/survey-company-for-elevation-certificate/ Do you need to take the depreciation when you rent out the property? I think I've read somewhere that for rental properties if you don't take the depreciation, you'll still be hit by depreciation recapture when you sell. Is this right? You don't have to take the depreciation. I believe I read on the ... http://loveaustinhomes.com/blog/2008/01/23/tax-question-on-primary-residence-to-rental-property/ Can anyone recommend a way to do this low hassle, low cost? I had heard credit unions had some good programs. Thanks, Ashley ANSWER Ashley, Home Equity lines are a great way to tap low-cost short-term cheap money. Wells Fargo has a great home equity line of credit program. They do not charge any ... http://loveaustinhomes.com/blog/2007/12/15/home-equity-line/ Large profit on the table! We are completely over extended! 1920 Victorian, 2700 sq. ft. two story house, 70% refurbished. 3/3 w/large rooms, new metal roof, all new MEP installed except for final fixtures, original hardwoods in good shape; no need to replace. Master bath has been enlarged and customized ... http://loveaustinhomes.com/blog/2007/12/05/money-on-the-table-investment-property-for-sale-in-bastrop/