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Real Estate Strategies
THE PERFECT REAL ESTATE CRAIGSLIST AD?
by Josh Schoenly
63,216,431 people used Craigslist in the month of September. Based on this information, do you think there may be a slight possibility that you could generate additional leads and sales using Craigslist real estate marketing strategies for your business?
Although the answer to this question should be a resounding "yes", there is certainly a right and wrong way to use this platform. Unfortunately, with our years of experience working with agents, investors and brokers around the country, we have found that many professionals are not initially implementing this technique correctly.
Here's the major issue we have found. Since Craigslist closely resembles a form of traditional classifieds based advertising, a majority of users choose to utilize this real estate marketing tactic by simply running basic ads with no or a very poor call to action. We cannot expect visitors to contact us directly. Instead, online marketing strategies require us to be proactive instead.
A Craigslist Case Study
For instance, if you were to spend 15 minutes scanning over local postings on Craigslist, you would typically find a lot of listings that rattle off a bunch of features and benefits of a particular home, with perhaps a link to a website or property search tool.
However, the problem with this approach is that 95% of the population is doing the same exact thing! Unless that prospect is ready to buy or sell on the spot, your ad could quickly be glimpsed over with no action being taken. The difference with using Craigslist real estate marketing strategies is that you must focus on lead capture instead of simply advertising your goods and services to a huge marketplace.
True, this is a super simple concept to grasp, yet too many real estate professionals are still following outdated methodologies to build their lists. Consequently, this calls for a complete mindset shift in order to fully take advantage of all that Craigslist has to offer.
Introducing the Craigslist Ad Sandwich
I decided to cover this exact topic in a recent video training video that I published. I am going to keep the text portion of this part short and sweet. Here is a basic Craigslist real estate marketing outline that you can refer to to get the real nuts and bolts of everything that is involved with this process:
Gripping Headline: What makes your listing or offer unique? Focus on features, benefits, and pain points that will grasp your audience�s attention. This has to be compelling to get people to first click on your ad.
Image/Banner Ad: Once a person opens your ad, the very first thing that should draw their attention is an image or banner ad with a very strong call to action. The offer should be something that will speak to your audience and cause them to click over to your opt in page.
Property Info With Link: This portion of the Craigslist real estate marketing ad should be very short and to the point. The property information can be followed by an HTML link that directs to a property specific landing page with lead capture for future follow up.
Final Call to Action: You can finish off your sandwich with an image or text link call to action. Create a twist on your top offer leading to the same landing page, or perhaps target buyers on your first image ad and sellers for the bottom portion.
2 GREAT WAYS TO FIND
INVESTMENT PROPERTIES
by Russ Whitney
Thanks to the Internet and plenty of online resources, your next investment property may be just a click away. I'm not suggesting that you should invest in properties in other states or other countries. If you're just beginning, keep it simple and invest in the markets you know best - in your own backyard. A quick search online can yield a goldmine of properties in your own market.
Top Online Sources For Finding Investment Deals
Here is a list of the site that I use personally in finding investment property deals:
Craigslist.com - just click on "real estate for sale" and type in your city and you'll get a listing of all the properties listed each day. This is also a great source for finding buyers and tenants; just click on "housing wanted" on the home page.
Zillow.com - although a terrific tool for researching values on specific properties, it's also a valuable tool for finding properties for sale in the markets that interest you.
Backpage.com - another great resource for sellers as well as buyers. Just click on your metro area to get started.
Kijiji.com - this is just like the old-fashioned classifieds section in the newspaper. Owned by eBay you simply click on your city and then select what you're looking for: homes for sale, room & roommates, etc.
Cheap Local Guerilla Marketing Technique
Here's another great way to find investment properties. It involves using a "guerilla marketing" tactic that I was doing long before it was even called "guerilla marketing" and is still one of the best tools to find properties: Bandit Signs.
These are the 18 x 24 corrugated plastic signs you see along the sides of the road at major intersections or on poles.
Believe it or not these work fantastic. In fact, the simpler you make the sign the better. Some of our best signs are made with a white background and we handprint in black marker any of the following messages along with a phone number:
"Cash in 7 days for your house"
"Don't let those other guys steal your house"
"If you don't sell me your house I'll cry"
"I buy junk property"
"Cash for clunker properties"
One of our best signs simply says, "I love to buy hood houses." We posted that sign at several major intersections on a Friday and we had one man who owned 2 properties called us right away and we had a deal on those 2 properties the next day.
The key is to handwrite the message. It sounds crazy but people have told us that they were embarrassed by their property and didn't want to deal with a large corporation who has better looking signs. They want to deal with regular people who are local.
WARNING: City and county laws may prohibit posting signs so check with your local government before posting the signs.
I know some investors who wait to put the signs out on Fridays after 5 pm knowing that municipal workers won't pick them up over the weekends. And then the investors pick them back up by Monday mornings. But be careful they are getting wise to that.
Try it. It's cheap. Easy to do. Best of all it's proven again and again to work! Again, I only pass along what's worked so you can start making money fast.
Yours in Success,
Russ Whitney
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Real Estate Investment Strategies
Real estate offers a variety of investment strategies to suit different risk tolerances and financial goals. Here are some of the most common and effective approaches:
1. Rental properties (Buy and hold)
Strategy: Purchase properties and rent them out to tenants to generate rental income.
Benefits: Potential for steady passive income, property value appreciation, and tax benefits.
Considerations: Requires management of tenants, maintenance, and potential vacancies.
2. Fix and flip (Flipping properties)
Strategy: Buy properties in need of renovation at a discounted price, improve them, and then sell them for a profit.
Benefits: Potential for significant, relatively quick returns.
Considerations: Requires strong knowledge of construction and renovation, accurate market assessment, and potential for unexpected costs.
3. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
Strategy: Invest in companies that own and manage income-generating real estate, such as apartments, office buildings, or shopping malls.
Benefits: Provides exposure to real estate without directly owning or managing properties, potentially offering diversification and liquidity.
Considerations: Investors do not have direct control over the properties and returns are subject to market fluctuations.
4. House hacking
Strategy: Purchase a multi-family property and live in one unit while renting out the others.
Benefits: Can help offset mortgage payments and other expenses, making homeownership more accessible.
Considerations: Requires sharing space with tenants, potential for maintenance responsibilities.
5. Wholesaling
Strategy: Find distressed properties at a discounted price, secure a contract to purchase, and then sell that contract to another investor for a fee.
Benefits: Requires minimal capital investment, offers relatively quick profits.
Considerations: Requires strong networking and negotiation skills, ability to find motivated sellers and buyers.
6. Real Estate Investment Groups (REIGs)
Strategy: Pool money with other investors to purchase and manage properties, often with the help of a professional management company.
Benefits: Allows for larger investments, potentially reduces individual risk and responsibility.
Considerations: Investors share profits and decisions with the group, potential for fees associated with management.
7. BRRRR (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat)
Strategy: Buy a distressed property, renovate it, rent it out, refinance to pull out the equity, and then use that equity to buy another property.
Benefits: Potential for rapid portfolio expansion and wealth creation.
Considerations: Requires significant upfront capital for renovations, strong understanding of the refinancing process, and ability to find suitable properties.
Other strategies
Tax lien investing: Purchasing tax liens on properties with unpaid property taxes.
Triple net lease properties: Commercial real estate investments where the tenant is responsible for property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs in addition to rent.
Choosing the right strategy
The best real estate investment strategy depends on your individual circumstances, including:
Risk tolerance: Some strategies are inherently riskier than others.
Time commitment: Some strategies require more active involvement than others.
Capital availability: Different strategies require varying levels of upfront investment.
Investment goals: Are you seeking passive income, quick profits, or long-term appreciation?
It is crucial to thoroughly research and understand each strategy before investing. Seeking advice from a qualified financial advisor can also be beneficial.
City planning strategies for rural areas
City planning in rural areas, also known as rural planning, focuses on developing and protecting both the human and physical capital of non-urban, small towns, and open spaces.
This involves balancing economic development goals with the need for resource conservation and maintaining the unique rural character.
Here are some key strategies:
1. Smart growth principles
Focus development in existing communities: Instead of sprawling outwards, encourage growth in town centers and areas with existing infrastructure, where businesses can thrive and residents have convenient access to amenities. This helps preserve open space, farmland, and natural beauty.
Mix land uses: Encourage a mix of housing, businesses, and public spaces to create vibrant, walkable communities and reduce reliance on driving.
Prioritize multi-use facilities: Incorporating facilities that can serve multiple purposes (e.g., a community center that also houses a library or clinic) maximizes resources in rural areas.
Create walkable communities and diverse transportation options: Promote infrastructure that supports walking, biking, and public transit to reduce vehicle emissions, save money, and improve public health.
Preserve open space and environmental areas: Protect farmland, natural areas, and critical environmental areas through zoning and other policies to maintain rural character, support agricultural industries, and provide recreational opportunities.
Strengthen and direct development towards existing communities: Focus investment and development in existing town centers and areas with infrastructure to revitalize downtowns and create vibrant, accessible places.
2. Economic development
Diversify local economies: While traditional industries like agriculture remain important, explore opportunities to diversify by supporting value-added agriculture, agritourism, or related businesses.
Support small businesses and entrepreneurship: Rural communities often rely on small businesses for essential goods and services. Invest in programs that provide resources, training, and support for entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Attract new residents and workers: Highlight the benefits of rural living, such as lower housing costs, access to nature, and quality schools to attract new residents and expand the workforce.
Invest in infrastructure: Ensure access to reliable infrastructure like broadband internet, quality roads, water, and wastewater treatment, as it is crucial for attracting businesses and residents.
3. Community engagement and collaboration
Engage the community in the planning process: Foster a participatory approach where residents and stakeholders are actively involved in shaping the future of their communities.
Build linkages and regional cooperation: Work with neighboring towns, villages, and regional organizations to share resources, ideas, and build planning capacity.
Celebrate local character and identity: Preserve historic buildings, support cultural expression, and create public spaces that reflect the unique identity of the community to foster a strong sense of place and promote heritage tourism.
4. Addressing specific challenges
Protecting rural character: Define and protect rural character through land use designations and policies that manage growth, preserve open spaces, and maintain the natural beauty of the area.
Providing rural services: Plan for the efficient provision of essential services like healthcare, education, and social services, which can be more challenging in sparsely populated areas.
Adapting to changing demographics: Plan for the needs of diverse populations, including seniors, families, and young professionals, by ensuring access to appropriate housing options and services.
By implementing these strategies, rural communities can revitalize their economies, improve quality of life for residents, and create resilient, sustainable places for the future.
Real Estate Earning Strategies: An Overview
Real Estate offers a variety of strategies to generate income, ranging from hands-on approaches to more passive options. The best strategy depends on your individual circumstances, including time availability, financial resources, risk tolerance, and desired level of involvement.
Here are some of the most common real estate earning strategies:
1. Appreciation
Buying and Holding for Appreciation: This long-term strategy involves purchasing a property and holding onto it with the expectation that its value will increase over time, allowing for a profit upon sale.
Factors affecting appreciation: Location, development in the area, and property improvements are key drivers of appreciation.
Example: Purchasing a property for $400,000 and seeing its value rise to $500,000 over 10 years results in a $100,000 profit (excluding holding costs and selling expenses).
2. Generating Regular Income
Rental Properties (Long-Term): A common strategy involving purchasing properties and renting them to tenants for a steady stream of monthly income.
Types of rental properties: Includes single-family homes, multi-family homes (duplexes, triplexes, apartment buildings), and commercial properties.
House Hacking: Buying a multi-unit property, living in one unit, and renting out the others to help cover mortgage payments and generate passive income.
Short-Term Rentals (Vacation Rentals): Renting out properties on a short-term basis (e.g., via platforms like Airbnb) in desirable locations can generate higher income than traditional long-term rentals, according to SparkRental.
Commercial Leasing: Investing in commercial properties such as office buildings, retail spaces, or industrial facilities and leasing them to businesses, often with longer lease terms and potentially higher returns.
Other Income Streams: Renting out parking spaces, storage units, or undeveloped land for various purposes can also generate income.
3. Active Real Estate Investing Strategies
House Flipping: Buying undervalued properties, renovating them, and quickly selling them for a profit.
Requires: A good understanding of market trends, renovation costs, and effective marketing to sell quickly.
Real Estate Wholesaling: Acting as a middleman, you find motivated sellers with distressed properties, secure a contract to purchase at a low price, and then assign that contract to a cash buyer for a fee, without ever taking ownership of the property.
Requires: Strong networking, negotiation, and marketing skills.
Value-Add Commercial Real Estate: Actively investing in underperforming commercial properties and increasing their value through renovations, improved management, or raising rents to market rate.
4. Passive Real Estate Investment
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): Investing in publicly traded companies that own or finance income-producing real estate. REITs offer diversification, liquidity, and dividends as a source of income.
Real Estate Crowdfunding: Pooling money with other investors through online platforms to invest in larger real estate projects or loans. This allows for lower initial investment amounts and can provide access to diverse projects.
Real Estate Syndications: Similar to crowdfunding, but often involves a smaller group of investors pooling resources for specific projects, with a professional sponsor managing the investment.
Investors often have a more direct ownership stake than with REITs.
Real Estate Note Investing: Investing in the debt instruments of real estate, essentially buying loans secured by properties and collecting interest payments from borrowers.
Choosing the right strategy
Consider your goals: Do you want to build long-term wealth, generate consistent income, or seek quick profits?
Time commitment: Active strategies like flipping or managing rentals require significant time and effort, whereas passive strategies like REITs are more hands-off.
Capital availability: Some strategies, like purchasing multiple properties directly, require substantial capital, while options like crowdfunding or REITs allow for smaller investments.
Risk tolerance: Flipping and development involve higher risk, while established rental properties and REITs may offer more stability.
Education and Expertise: Thorough market research and potentially professional guidance are crucial for success in any real estate investment strategy.
By carefully assessing your individual circumstances and researching the various strategies available, you can develop a real estate earning strategy that aligns with your financial goals and personal preferences.
