Are Tarek & Christina’s Real Estate Elevated Events a Scam?

The current economy is causing an increasing number of people to need a secondary income source. With so many people heavily in debt, losing jobs, being forced into retirement, or anticipating expenses of higher education, the additional income is all but necessary.

House flipping has become a popular way to bring in a second income, but the popularity has caused a rise in house flipping scams. Scammers hone in on people who are eager to jump on the bandwagon and quickly gain wealth by doing a “quick and easy” house flip. They make house flipping seem like a quick way to make cash without hard work.

Investing in Education

While it’s true that house flippers don’t need to have special training to take on the job, those who are successful in the industry have taken the time to learn the tools of the trade in order to make a profit. It takes time to research various methods and principles of the industry. Wise house flippers will invest in formal education to learn the most effective strategies in the market.

Real Estate Elevated is an excellent course that teaches everything house flippers need to know about getting started in the industry. The free introductory event allows people to learn the basics of setting up a real estate investing business in a short amount of time. But there is still much more to learn!

Attend Our Introductory Event

If you’re a new real estate investor or interested in learning more about the industry, you’ll definitely find it worthwhile to attend a Real Estate Elevated introductory event. These events will help you learn the right questions to ask and the subjects that you’ll want to learn more about. Yes, it’s just the tip of the iceberg, but you’ll get a great starting point by attending!

House flipping certainly comes with a learning curve, and you’ll be able to cut down on the steepness of that curve by learning as much as you can in the beginning. Learning from experts in the field will give you invaluable information that you can apply to your own business. Keep in mind that not all programs out there provide the same quality of education, so it’s good to have caution when selecting where you get your information.

Get a Real Education From Real Estate Elevated

Real Estate Elevated is a reputable course that holds scheduled events, consistently answers calls in the customer service department, and provides real testimonials from students. If you want to get in touch with Real Estate Elevated, you can reach out on social media or attend a workshop around the country.

Should the Program Be Free?

Almost all of Real Estate Elevated’s students walk away from the program happy, but there are a few who complain that the program should be free. In the age of the internet, these people think they can learn the same information in online forums. But online forums do not provide the same level of expertise and tried-and-true methods that our courses offer. Don’t risk your reputation and credit score on the opinions of anonymous online commenters.

You Won’t Get Rich by Buying a Book

While it’s true that you can buy a number of books on the topic of house flipping, Real Estate Elevated provides all the same information in one place that you could spend months sorting through on your own. The course matches any student’s level of experience and helps them move forward in their real estate investment journey.

There’s no magic book or program that will do all the hard work of real estate investment for you. This course can make the whole process a lot easier by providing the tools and knowledge needed for success, but ultimately it’s up to you to make it happen. While Real Estate Elevated may not be the best fit for every aspiring house flipper, it does teach effective methods. It is definitely not a scam!

Learn more about Tarek & Christina seminars and watch Real Estate Elevated reviews.

How to Look More Experienced In Real Estate Investing

Starting anything new from the beginning can be intimidating. Real estate investing is no different. But everyone starts somewhere, and even though you may meet many other investors with more experience than you have, you can still make as many great house flipping deals. Confidence in your knowledge, research, and skill will help you succeed, regardless of how much experience you have in house flipping. 

Would you like to increase your confidence and professionalism in the real estate investing world? The secret is to “fake it till you make it,” even when you are intimidated by your comparative lack of experience. Follow these tips to help you present a confident, professional face while you are still building up your reputation.

Take Time for Marketing

When you’re first getting started house flipping, you’ll be excited to start looking at properties and doing rehabs right out of the gate. And you should—that’s the fun part. But to help build your brand and establish your legitimacy as a house flipper, you’ll need to schedule in some time for marketing. Create a name and logo, pick colors and a motto, and develop both print and online marketing materials that have a consistent voice and brand. These efforts will pay off both in making you look professional and in establishing and spreading your brand.

Pick a Catchy Business Name

Whatever you do, don’t use your own name for branding your house flipping business. Until you are well known and have developed a good reputation, you won’t get very far with your name alone. You’ll do better and get more respect off the bat by picking a catchy name for your real estate business.

Also, when talking to others and in marketing materials, present yourself as the owner of a business, rather than an individual flipping houses, and use professional vocabulary. To do this, refer to your success and work in first person plural, rather than singular. For example, say, “We got a great deal on this investment property,” or, “We start rehabbing our newest investment property tomorrow,” instead of, “I got a great deal.”

Share Your Success on Social Media

Create websites and social media accounts to represent your real estate investment businesses. Post about your successes on these accounts, and don’t be afraid to post about your rehabbing on your personal accounts as well. Make sure to take lots of before and after pictures of the work on your investment properties, and post them regularly to show your progress.

Post about every house flip to share your work with your followers. Before you know it, you’ll have a portfolio you can refer to and a reputation among your friends and acquaintances for success in real estate investment.

Limit Your Availability

When making appointments with anyone in the industry, don’t say something that suggests you don’t have anything else going on in your business. Don’t tell your sellers, agents, contractors, or buyers something like “I’m free anytime,” or “let’s meet when you’re free.” You don’t want to communicate that this is your only project, especially while you’re still getting your business off the ground. Making a project seem like your one and only priority may be a strategy to try once you’re more established, but for now, you want to seem like you’re juggling many properties.

Of course, there’s no need to lie about your availability. Schedule blocks of time for essential routine activities. This includes time for marketing, time for reviewing potential properties and hunting down leads, and time for networking. Make and keep a schedule, and work other appointments around the time you’ve set aside for your real estate investing. 

Even rookies can succeed at house flipping—don’t let the fact that you are new to the game hold you back. For even more tips to boost your know-how and get you started flipping houses, learn more about the popular Tarek & Christina Seminars today.

How to Start Your House Flipping Business

5 Steps to Starting a House Flipping Business

Starting up a house flipping business can be a fun, rewarding career—and a lucrative one. If you are passionate about house renovations, house flipping for profit might have crossed your mind. Getting started can seem intimidating, especially if the market isn’t ideal. But if you know what you’re doing, house flipping can be simple. These basic steps outline what you need to do to get started flipping houses.

Determine Your Budget

The first step is to determine how much your house flipping business is going to cost to get started. This amount will vary depending on where you live. Your business expenses will include purchasing an investment property, the labor and supplies for renovation, and the costs associated with selling the house. Take a look at what investment properties are selling for in the current market where you live, and price out the costs for things like paint, contractors, bathroom renovations, and more. These estimates should give you a good idea of how much you’ll need to spend.

Look for Investment Capital

Once you’ve determined your business expenses, you might feel a little overwhelmed. But keep in mind that you won’t be using any of your own savings. Rather, you’ll be working with an investor or taking out a loan. When considering costs and potential profits on a particular investment property, factor in the investor’s share of profits or interest and other lender fees. Figuring out the best way to fund your business can be a harrowing process, which is why workshops seminars like the Tarek & Christina Seminars tackle the different ways to go about getting financing to fund your real estate deals.

Create a Team

House flippers work for themselves, but they don’t work alone. Start networking within the local real estate and house flipper community so you can find trusted realtors, inspectors, and contractors. Meet with and interview these contacts and determine who you might want to work with on your house flipping projects. Keep in mind how much these people charge—you will need to invest part of the money set aside for rehab into paying them.

Research Local Law

Brush up on local laws, codes, and regulations that are relevant to house flipping. You’ll want to ensure that you understand and operate within the law before you even look at a single property. Some states may require that you be licensed as a contractor or a realtor before flipping houses. Also, make sure you understand construction codes so you can rehab houses up to local safety standards.

Get Going!

After these preliminary steps, you are finally ready to get started finding investment properties. This is the exciting part—and the difficult one. Finding and buying a house to flip can take work, grit, and patience. There are a lot of factors to take into consideration, including the quality and market trends of the neighborhood, the potential of the house, costs of needed repairs, estimated profits, and your ability to make the needed repairs. Research your first property carefully; don’t just jump at the very first opportunity you find.

These steps will help get you going, but there’s a lot more you need to know, do, and understand to find success along the way. You can find more tips and details about how to get started house flipping by enrolling in Tarek & Christina Seminars, which have helped many beginning house flippers. Once you get started, house flipping gets more and more fun, and—with hard work and patience—profitable.

Learn more about Tarek & Christina Seminars today.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHOLESALING AND HOUSE FLIPPING?

When you first get started in the world of real estate, many people will tell you to become a wholesaler. This might actually seem like a good idea at first glance. Wholesaling is similar to filling houses. The difference is that you don't have to do any rehab work to get the house back in shape. All that you need to do is strike a deal with a seller and find another investor interested in buying the property. 

While wholesale deals don't generate as much profit as house flipping, they also don't require as much effort on your part. As you're never actually taking possession of the house, you're just buying a contract, then moving on to sell it immediately. But just as we say in our Tarek & Christina Seminars, real estate wholesaling isn't as simple as it looks like. Some people may find it an ideal way to get started, but it's not a perfect solution for everyone. You need to take a closer look at everything that's involved so that you can make a more informed decision. 

Learning Is Highly Important 

Some people believe that wholesaling gives them the opportunity to skip the entire learning curve that is associated with real estate investing. They may think they can get started right away instead of taking time at the beginning to learn about how the real estate world works, house rehab and marketing strategies. Thinking that you can learn as you go along and skipping the initial learning face will often prove to be a costly mistake. 

On the other hand, if you've attended Tarek & Christina Seminars and have taken the time needed to learn what you should know about flipping, yet are still hesitant to go that route, wholesaling can be a good option. If you know how things work, how to obtain funding and how to spot motivated sellers, you can get started with wholesaling. 

However, you should know that it's still possible to get in over your head. For example, if you haven't looked into how to find investors willing to take over a property when you were researching house flipping. 

Many people see wholesaling as easy, as it's a more "hands-off" process. But once you've made a deal, you'll need to take action quickly to flip the house if you're hoping to make a profit. In order to achieve this, you'll need to have a list of flippers who you can contact to buy the property. But when you're the one flipping the homes, you don't have to build a list of investors, as all that you need to do is to find some leads, rehab the properties you've found and sold them on to interested buyers. 

Figuring Out the Values of Your Properties Can Be Challenging 

If you're skilled in marketing and networking, building a solid list of buyers may not be that hard. But there's another part in the wholesale equation that can be just as difficult: figuring out how much your wholesales are worth. 

Whether you'll be the one rehabbing and flipping the property or you just want to quickly wholesale it, you'll need to obtain an estimate of the rehab costs and the property's after-repair value (ARV). Some real estate experts believe that those interested in flipping houses should get started by wholesaling, as it allows them to gain experience in estimating these numbers without the potential of actually going over a rehab budget like during a flip. 

No matter what kind of real estate investor you become, you'll end up acquiring some useful skills while on the job. You should think of the differences between flipping and wholesaling, do your research and then get into the type of investing that you think is most suitable for you. Wholesaling doesn't make the same kind of money that flipping houses does, but it can nonetheless be a good choice for some investors.

5 REASONS WHY I LOVE UGLY HOUSES

We've all seen the "Ugly House" billboards that shout to the world, "We Buy Ugly Homes." There is a reason this business continues to profit all over the country. There is money to be made in ugly houses. 

The popularity of the house flipping business opportunity has encouraged numerous TV shows and other learning opportunities such as Tarek & Christina Seminars. The enthusiasm surrounding this business opportunity is palpable. Investors should be forewarned though. Without a good business plan, you can lose a lot of money. 

Real estate investment success relies on an investor's ability to buy low and sell high. As the old adage states, the devil is definitely in the details. Many real estate investors claim that the money is made based on the price of the initial purchase. Identifying and selecting the best homes to flip based on attractive margins is critical. That's why ugly houses offer a viable buying option for hungry investors in search of their next deal. 

Below are the reasons investors love ugly houses. 

1. There is less buyer competition. 

While there may be some competition from investors for ugly homes, there won't be too much competition from retail homebuyers looking for their next home. This fact automatically drives the price down as house flippers drive the prices down from a retail price point to wholesale pricing. There is no denying the fact that investors seek profits as their main motivation, but scheduling issues, preferred zip codes and other factors guide investor decisions too. 

2. The price of an ugly house is often depressed for identifiable reasons. 

A common scenario responsible for the ugly house phenomenon is that a home is older and has not been updated like other homes in the neighborhood. This keeps the price down since most homebuyers don't want to spend the money and time required to update the home. This means the price will be much less than a similar home that has new appliances and upgraded finishes. 

3. Ugly homes are easy to identify as possible deals. 

As mentioned earlier, finding a good deal is about identifying the best opportunities. Ugly homes stand out. These undesirable properties often sit on the market for awhile as sellers try and sell their home for higher prices than the market will support. Sometimes it takes unrealistic sellers some time to realize that their home is indeed an ugly home and will not command a retail price comparable to other homes in the area. 

At that point, sellers start considering their options. This timeframe is when sellers are open to negotiating with investors 

4. Inexpensive cosmetic changes can bolster profit margins significantly. 

The good news for investors is that many of the best investment properties only need cosmetic repairs to transform them from an eyesore to a desirable family dream house. Learning what to look for as an investor is extremely important. Tarek & Christina Seminars can teach anyone about how to evaluate properties. Simple fixes such as landscaping, new kitchen cabinets and a paint job can sometimes turn an ugly duckling into home sweet home. 

5. There are well-built, ugly houses available in popular zip code areas. 

Location is everything in real estate. Ugly homes are often located in highly desirable neighborhoods. Some of the best profit margins can be found in these locales. Since ugly homes often come on the market as the result of an older couple needing to sell, many of these homes are in great neighborhoods and are only considered subpar because they have not been updated. Large margins found in popular neighborhoods can be gold for investors. 

Ugly homes turn profits for astute investors who know how to transform them into sweet properties. Identifying these diamonds in the rough is crucial for investor success. There are undeniable reasons for tapping into this profitable market.

Do You Want To Sell Your Flip Faster? Work On Curb Appeal | Real Estate Elevated Reviews

No two ways about it: You want to flip your home as quickly as you can and make a profit. There is one easy way to help you complete this task: work on curb appeal. To see what other people are saying about how our events have helped improve their flipping, read our Real Estate Elevated Reviews.

There’s no exact science to flipping a home quickly and making a substantial profit around it. There are too many factors that can affect the way your home sells, but there are plenty of things that are in your control to help you sell your flip faster.

The real secrets to getting the best and quickest results on your flip aren’t complicated and in fact, flipping quickly with good results is a lot simpler than you’d expect. What’s the secret?

Try a Little Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is everything when trying to flip a home. Financially, it’s one of the least expensive ways to showcase your home in the most effective and aesthetically pleasing way. 

Think about your own home-search experience: You probably don’t even give any time or thought to homes that look unattended to on the outside. Untrimmed lawns and overgrown hedges push people away—they aren’t welcoming! And generally, the outside indicates the condition inside a home. 

Marketing your home includes giving it the proper attention on the outside just as much as the inside. Present your home the right way and give it some stellar curb appeal. 

Keep Up the Lawn and Shrubbery

You aren’t trying to sell a home that would fit in with Halloween. Houses that look like they’re abandoned aren’t going to turn a profit. Just because the inside is up-to-date and clean doesn’t mean people know that just from looking at it.

Make your flip look like someone has been taking care of it. Even if you’re the first owner in decades, take the time and money to get the lawn in order. Mow the grass and trim the hedges. Take care of any fallen trees or potential fallen trees that look like they could damage the home, the fence, or other property. Cut down dead trees as well.

Most external things you can do yourself. Put in that sweat equity and get your landscape looking like the king of the block. 

More Than Just Landscaping

Once you’re done with cleaning up the lawn and fixing the landscaping, it’s time to assess what else the outside of the home needs. You aren’t quite ready to put up a “For Sale” sign but you’re getting there.

Examining the physical exterior of the house is also essential to helping your house achieve better curb appeal. Consider things like the roofing. More often than not, old homeowners won’t replace the roof, which can cause long-term damage if not fixed. Is there mold or debris that needs cleaning? Never trust that previous owners cleaned and maintained the way you would. That’s a recipe for disaster.

You should also consider updating the paint on the outside, especially if it’s cracking. And with the new paint job, plan to hang attractive curtains, easily seen from the street. Putting these improvements into your rehab budget can help you flip your home quicker when the time comes. 

All this maintenance can also be done BEFORE you even start on the interior of the home. Why? Having a beautiful home on the outside will have people interested and calling about the flip. It won’t be ready, and that’s fine. Simply tell interested buyers you aren’t quite yet ready to show the home but you’ll be in touch when you are. 

Before you’re ready to show, you’ll have a list of potential buyers lined up at your (new) door.

Always Remember Curb Appeal

During the entire process of flipping your home, pay attention to the small details, especially on the outside. A small amount of planning and budgeting, in the beginning, can help you stay on task and keep a good timeline in the end. 

From roofing to painting and landscaping to a new mailbox, these are all things that enhance the curb appeal of your house. If you follow these tips, potential buyers will stop and look around, making it easier to sell your flip once you’re done. 

For more tips on flipping homes, register for one of our Real Estate Elevated events. To see how our events have benefited other investors, read Real Estate Elevated Reviews.

How to Invest in Real Estate When Your Credit Isn’t Stellar | Real Estate Elevated

Just because you have bad credit doesn’t mean you can’t invest in real estate. There are plenty of ways to secure a property and start turning a profit on flipping homes.

Whether you want to purchase your own home or invest in real estate as a main source of income, having bad credits hurts.

Since the 2008 recession, across the United States, people have fought to keep their jobs, keep their homes, and keep their credit up. If you don’t have stellar credit, it can be difficult to get a loan and invest in real estate. 

If you don’t have the capital for a large down payment on real estate, getting a loan is the next answer. But if you know you have credit issues, you may have already written off the idea of ever owning real estate. It can take up to seven years to start seeing real improvements on your credit score.

But don’t lose hope just yet.

There are people out there ready to help teach you how to invest in real estate property, even with bad credit. You’d be surprised what you can purchase these days. There are ways to get funds so you can invest in real estate and start flipping homes.

Personally Speak With Investors You Know

If there’s a piece of incredible property you have information on and you need money to make it happen, start talking with investors.

It’s part of your due diligence to put together a proposal for the property. This will take into consideration the market value of comps in the area, what kind of capital you will need for rehab and closing costs, and the after-repair value, or ARV. This will show investors you’re serious about making a deal and making a profit on the property. 

Even if it’s your first property, as you do your due diligence, there’s a chance you’ll find an investor ready to help.

Personally Partner With Another Investor

If you’re a real estate novice and don’t fully understand the process of getting funding, you might consider talking with someone who has more experience.

This process could start with attending Real Estate Elevated seminars in your area. It’s here you’ll get to know other people who have already flipped homes before. Build a relationship with them. Once you do, you can talk about partnering up. You’ll put in the sweat equity if they can take care of the majority of the funding. 

You might also consider talking with investors who are in your family, your circle of friends, or people you know professionally. Approaching more experienced house flippers you know is a great opportunity to not just work with someone you already know, but to work with someone who has experience in the field. If the potential is there for both of you to make money, they will see the property as a no-brainer. 

Look Into Hard Money Loans

Having a hard time finding investors? There are still ways to get money for your property, like hard money loans.

These aren’t like regular mortgage loans. Hard money loans look at the value of the property and its potential, not your credit score. The more success you see in flipping deals and building a stronger reputation in the industry, the easier time you’ll have convincing investors to trust you with their money.

As you gain experience, you’ll also have an easier time working with other flippers on large rehab projects as well as securing lower interest rates on your hard money and private loans.

If you’re serious about purchasing and flipping real estate but are stressed about credit, stop worrying and start taking action. Real Estate Elevated seminars are a great place to get started, especially if you want to gain insight from industry experts. The key to success is getting started, searching out investors, and putting in some sweat equity. 

Sure, you may have to take a higher interest rate and a smaller rate of return early on in the game. But as you progress in the business, successfully flip more homes, and study the industry, your profits may increase and people will trust you more. Hard work equals experience and experience brings in capital -- and future investors.