Winter Problems & Preventative Maintenance: Part 5

 Winter Problems & Preventative Maintenance: Part 5

Welcome back to the final part of winter maintenance and preventative options that help you save you energy, money and time. In case you missed Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, or Part 4, check them out. Don’t forget to visit HomeFaxInspect.com to see our new complete Home Inspection Kits and NationwideHomeFax.com when you’re done.  

Restock Winter Essentials

In case you haven’t done so already, don’t’ wait for the next big winter storm to restock cold-weather essentials, such as rock salt, ice melt, extra food, and extra supplies. If you don’t have a snow blower or can’t afford to purchase one, make sure to have a good quality shovel and supplies for when the winter storms hit.  If you need a snow blower but don’t want to purchase it new, check your local flea market, pawn shop, or small engine/maintenance company in your neighborhood. Chances are you’ll find one at a discount and save yourself time if you live in a region with a large amount of annual snowfall.  

Chimney Sweep

Before using your wood burning fireplace, or any other gas, oil, wood, coal or other heat source, be sure your chimney, fireplace vents, and flue are clean and in good condition (and open). Without proper maintenance, you increase the risk of chimney fires and carbon monoxide escaping into your living space. A professional chimney sweeper will cost you approximately $50 to $100 to determine whether you need a proper cleaning, and $100 to $300 for various chimney cleaning costs. Although this may seem like an additional expense at a time where you’re short on cash from the holidays, but don’t risk the safety of yourself and your family by not ensuring that your chimney and fireplace are clean and safe.  

Lend a Helping Hand

Okay, so maybe this isn’t necessarily a maintenance and preventative option per-say, but lending a helping hand by shoveling your neighbor’s walkway or sidewalk, making sure they are aware of the maintenance suggestions covered through this series, or any other extra hand will go a long way in your personal well-being and attitude. 

This concludes our 5 Part series of Winter Problems & Preventative Maintenance. Thank you for checking in and we hope you save money and time this winter season with these tips and suggestions! If you aren’t aware already, Home Fax Inspections now has 31 piece and 29 piece complete home inspection kits available at our website, www.HomeFaxInspect.com.  Check it out and best of luck with your home ownership now and in the future!

Winter Problems & Preventative Maintenance: Part 4

Part 4 

Welcome back to the winter maintenance and preventative options that help you save you energy, money and time. In case you missed Part 1, Part 2, or Part 3 check them out and don’t forget to visit HomeFaxInspect.com and NationwideHomeFax.com when you’re done. 

Stow your Lawn Mower

As your lawn mower sits in your garage or shed through the winter season, remaining fuel will decompose, varnishing the carburetor and making it difficult to start your small engine in the spring. According to John Deere, these preventative steps can be taken: If you’ve added stabilizer to your fuel to keep it fresh longer, fill the gas tank to the top with more stabilized fuel and run the engine briefly to allow for circulation. If not, wait until the tank is nearly empty from use and run the engine to use up the remaining fuel. Your owner’s manual may also have information about winter and cold-weather maintenance.

Prune Trees or Shrubs in Late Winter

Although common misconceptions have led most people to trim their trees and shrubs in the fall, horticulturalists advise waiting to prune until late winter for most plants after they’ve been long dormant and just before spring growth begins. One exception is large trees and branches that need to be trimmed continuously away from power lines in case of heavy wind and winter storm damage. For information regarding specific vegetation, consult with master gardeners or horticulturists in your local area and state. 

Sump Pump Testing

Slowly pour several gallons of water into your sump pit, every few months, to gauge whether your sump pump is turning on properly. The average sump pump lifespan is approximately ten years, and this maintenance is even more important during a long dry season or shortly before a rainy season.  

Check back for Part 5 of winter maintenance tips and preventative options brought to you by Home Fax Inspections and Nationwide Home Fax.

Winter Problems & Preventative Maintenance

Part 3

Welcome back to the winter maintenance and preventative options that help you save you energy, money and time. In case you missed Part 1 or Part 2, check them out and don’t forget to visit HomeFaxInspect.com and NationwideHomeFax.com when you’re done. 

Downspout Drainage System

To properly direct melting snow and water away from your foundation and structure, add, fix or replace your downspout drainage system to divert water away from your home. Adding 3’ to 5’ downspout extensions are easy, cost effective, and can have a huge impact on your homes long term condition. Not to mention, as the melting water enters the foundation and freezes, your foundation becomes susceptible to the pressure that the water creates as it freezes. On a similar note, fix any screws or missing fixture pieces as additional pressure is placed on them during the winter as well. 

Turn off Exterior Faucets

No one wants to fix bursting water pipes at any point in time. Turning off your exterior water may seem like common sense, but many people experience bursting pipes from ice expansion and encounter additional unplanned expenses as a result of simply forgetting to handle this task.  Disconnect all garden hoses and drain the excess water remaining in the faucets. If you do not have frost-proof faucets, remember to turn the shut-off valve inside your off home as well. 

Drain Lawn-Irrigation Systems

Many homes have lawn irrigation systems, such as automatic sprinklers, that can also freeze, create pressure, and cause leaks if left un-drained prior to winter. Draining sprinkler-system pipes will help avoid freezing and leaks.  This one may require a professional and a $50-$150 charge, but could also save you thousands in the long-run. 

Check back on Wednesday for Part 4 of winter maintenance tips and preventative options brought to you by Home Fax Inspections and Nationwide Home Fax.

Winter Problems & Preventative Maintenance: Part 2

With the winter season officially here, every homeowner should be aware of common homeownership maintenance problems and preventative options for alleviating unexpected costs and time. If you missed Part 1 visit you can check it out here and consider preparing your home for the winter season with the following Part 2 suggestions:

Check your Roof

Before snow covers the vast majority of your roof and has a chance to melt, inspect your roof from the eave (lowest part of the roof line) on a ladder and check for loose, damaged, or missing shingles. If corrections are needed before water has a chance to penetrate the observed areas, hire a handyman to replace a small amount of shingles or a roofer to fix a larger section. 

Clean Gutters

When gutters are full of leaves and debris, especially near rooflines that are surrounded by trees, water can back up against the house and damage roofing, siding, and trim as well as possible ice dams. If your home is too large to clean the gutters yourself, consider hiring a handyman for $70-$200 and have them look for missing or damaged downspout drainage system pieces and fascia boards. 

Caulk Around Doors & Windows

One of the easiest ways for heat and energy to escape your home, and cost you money, is through old, untreated windows with gaps between the siding and window/door frame.  If you see spots that are larger than the size of a nickel, reapply silicone caulk to the exterior. Silicone is best for exterior use because it won’t shrink and it’s impervious to the elements. Add additional weather-stripping as needed around doors, and check window-glazing putty too. 

If you’re planning a move now or in the future, make sure to visit www.HomeFaxInspect.com for your home inspection from Home Fax Inspections, and get your Home Fax Report prior to purchasing the home by visiting www.NationwideHomeFax.com. We’ll be back for Part 3 soon, see you then!

Winter Problems & Preventative Maintenance

Part 1 

With the winter season officially here, every homeowner should be aware of common homeownership maintenance problems and preventative options for alleviating unexpected costs and time. Consider preparing your home for the winter season with the following suggestions that will be posted in parts of this preventative maintenance series: 

Reverse your ceiling fans

If you’re able switch your ceiling fan to reverse, the fan will naturally produce an updraft and push heated air down into the room from the ceiling.  You’ll save energy, especially in larger rooms where heat rises, and be able to keep your thermostat lower. 

Prevent ‘ice damming’ from your roof

Take important steps to prevent damage to your gutters, roof, and more if you experienced lots of icicles, or worse yet ice dams last winter.  Ice dams cause water to back up and flow into your house, are heavy enough to damage your gutters, and place unneeded stress upon your roof materials. A vast majority of these issues are caused from poor air flow, air leaks, or lack of soffit vents.  A weatherization contractor can identify and fix air leaks and inadequate insulation in your attic that can lead to ice dams. You may also be able to find a federal energy-efficiency tax credit, as well as state or utility rebates as well. 

Tune up your heating system

To achieve maximum manufacturer rating efficiency, hire a Heating and Cooling Technician for roughly $100 to inspect and clean your furnace. Remember to change your air filter regularly, and have a couple extra filters on hand in case you run out.  

Check back for Part 2 soon, and don't forget to see how Home Fax Inspections and Nationwide Home Fax help you Know the Home Before You Buy in the meantime! 

Tips & Tricks for Online Real Estate Sales & Auctions

This is a very brief example of how to identify, research, and make an informed decision regarding bargain online real estate investment properties. 

•  Drive by the home and compare current condition to the provided photos
•  Contact previous buyers and ask for their feedback regarding working with the seller
•  Many sellers who do purchase in bulk have not seen the property. Find photos of the inside of the home (or attempt to view the inside when driving by the property). With a quit claim deed, there is no guarantee that the property is in livable condition, let alone a wise investment.
• Contact the county assessor and deed record office to confirm the liens, current owner, deed holder, and verify the property is actually for sale.
• Contact people who have been involved with any other previous property transfers with the same company (find pre-existing deed transfer records for other properties in the same area). 
•  Contact the seller listed on the tax record by phone to speak with them directly.
• Contact the business owner (if any) and confirm that they are currently selling the property.
• Speak with neighbors near the potential home and gather their thoughts on neighborhood activity, vacancy rates, and safety (for example).
• Contact a real estate agent or appraisal office to determine potential value.  
•  Follow up accordingly based on your findings through supplemental research.
• Establish an action plan of what you will do with the property. Are you going to fix and flip, straight flip, rent out, or live in the home yourself?
• Have your cash or payment lined up for yourself after detailed communication with the selling property.  

Hopefully these tips and tricks will help you along the way in your next potential property investment purchase from eBay or any other online auction site.  Remember to always Know the Home Before You Buy with a Home Fax Report from Nationwide Home Fax! Then don’t forget your home inspection from Home Fax Inspections. See how else we can help you in your next purchase, investment, or rental property today. 

Innovation for the Real Estate Industry

Innovation for the Real Estate Industry

The national real estate market is a multi-billion dollar annual industry that has not experienced any significant change in recent time. At Nationwide Home Fax™, we believe we’ve found a better way to make home buying decisions easier and more convenient for consumers, while helping people avoid further financial debt from poor, uninformed real estate acquisition decisions. Even the largest existing real estate companies and websites only account for 1-3% of the total market share, leaving plenty of room for Nationwide Home Fax™ to make a splash.

It is a growing, well known fact that consumers and real estate professionals are seeking advantages over competition through new concepts in the real estate market.  Nationwide Home Fax™ is in the process of creating awareness to new concepts by educating consumers and professionals of the necessity and value of our services. 

Nationwide Home Fax™: Competitive Advantages

Nationwide Home Fax™ is provides personal home buying information services that help anyone Know the Home Before You Buy™. Our mission is for people to make informed home buying decisions, and smarter financial real estate investments, as our Home Fax™ Reports show anyone what it would be like to live, rent, or invest in any residential or commercial property prior to purchasing it. 

Although we are headquartered in Metro-Detroit, Michigan our Home Fax™ Report packages are available across the nation and are targeted towards real estate professionals, home buyers, home sellers, investors, renters, lending institutions, and more. Our vision is to provide a one-stop-shop solution to the consumer home buying and renting process, while indirectly creating and fostering a long-term culture of home-ownership accountability across the nation.  

Home Fax™ Reports: The Personal Side of Real Estate

A Home Fax™ Report is a flat-rate, customizable preliminary home inspection and comprehensive background check for any residential or commercial property, similar to a Car Fax report for motor vehicles. Our Pre-Inspection Analysis, Neighborhood Contacts, Real-Time Photographs, and Videography are a few of the unique, personal components included within our services that cannot be obtained from any other database, website, or real estate company. 

Each Basic, Enhanced, and In-Depth Home Fax™ Report package includes different components that are placed into four major impact categories: Home, Homeowner, Neighborhood, and Community. Our findings and observations for each specific component, through each major impact category, are then broken down into High, Medium, and Low Impact Ratings. 

The total results are placed into an Impact Graph, along with an Impact Category Breakdown, followed by a detailed explanation and analyzed process accompanied by figures, data, and other valuable information that is easy to understand. Home Fax™ Reports can be conveniently ordered online through our website, www.NationwideHomeFax.com, or through direct conventional means.

Giving Back to You & the Community

Nationwide Home Fax™’ has structured their package rates and profit structure to donate10% of all Home Fax™ Report sales to Habitat for Humanity, offer 10% referral bonuses to anyone, and an additional 5% bonus to any client who provides testimonial feedback for Nationwide Home Fax™ to publish. This profit structure allows us to positively impact communities in need, generate an informal sales team across the nation, and better improve our services and company based on consumer feedback.

Did you really Know the Home Before You Buy?

Did you really know what it would be like to live, rent, or invest in your current home?

Most people do not understand the various aspects that contribute to your overall long-term happiness, return on investment, and susceptibility of that purchase or lease agreement. Did you really know what would it be like to live, rent, or invest in your current residential or commercial property before you were there?

Did you understand what all of the statistics, databases, websites, records, and public resources meant in comparison to your family, investment, livelihood, and overall happiness? Have you ever experienced an unforeseen issue with the neighborhood you live in? The neighbors you live by? The condition and continuous maintenance to your new purchase? 

How about the information unobtainable from these sources that our company offers? There are thousands of examples -- Even when you thought you knew all you could, chances are you missed something. 

Innovation

Nationwide Home Fax™ is targeted toward home buyers, renters, investors, real estate agents, property management companies, and private sellers. Our Home Fax™ Reports are a combination of a background check and preliminary home inspection for any residential or commercial property which help our client's Know the Home Before You Buy™.  

We target four major impact categories: Home, Homeowner, Neighborhood, and Community by incorporating unique, one-of-a-kind components, such as: Neighborhood Contacts, Real-Time Photographs, Pre-Inspection Analysis, and Videography and place each finding into Low, Medium, and High Impact Ratings.  

Our customizable Home Fax™ Reports are offered nationally on three separate flat-rate package levels: Basic, Enhanced, and In-Depth. Our packages comprehensively explain key components, findings, and observations regarding your prospective property purchase, helping you make an informed home buying decision…potentially saving you tens, thousands, or hundreds of thousands of dollars!!

Do you really know what it will be like to live, rent, or invest in your next home?

Know the Home Before You Buy™ with a Home Fax™ Report from www.NationwideHomeFax.com

The Internet for Real Estate Home Buyers & Sellers

We all seem to have a different avenue and approach when it comes to buying a new home.  Not only is it a stressful time for anyone, but people commonly rely on similar approaches that, whether they realize it or not, pose future hindrances to making an informed decision and smart investment. 

Did you know that there is one common avenue that buyers and sellers use to assist in their real estate transaction?

#1: The Internet 

According to a 2010 report from the National Association of Realtors, 99% of buyers and sellers use the internet to assist in their transaction. As "the internet" is a pretty loaded source in-and-of-itself, that seems like a pretty logical answer, right? Most people trust and rely on popular internet sources and websites, because they're insightful and helpful.  However, when you start to think about all that's involved in purchasing or selling a home, you may start to think differently.

What if you were asked to rate how many unknown circumstances, repairs, maintenance issues or problems you have experienced since purchasing your new home using internet sources? Most people can immediately recall issues relative to an unforeseen issue. 

If you're having trouble recalling something that those popular internet databases missed, or maybe haven't purchased or sold a home of your own yet, consider the following: 

Have you ever experienced an unforeseen issue with the home, neighborhood, or community you live in? The neighbors you live by? The condition and continuous maintenance to your new purchase? How about a major repair that could have been avoided if only you were informed? Did you pay attention the condition of neighboring homes and understand how it affected your property's value?

The hidden factor that the seller never mentioned? What about the business near your home that produces hazardous chemicals, leading to health and safety risks for your family? The rock band next door that has band practice from 8PM-2AM every Friday and Saturday night? The violent sex offender who lived in your neighborhood, directly across from the bus stop where your child leaves for school? How about the permit that was pulled, suspended, and never completed on your home before you moved in?

There are thousands of more real, and unfortunate examples, and oftentimes one factor alone is not enough to determine what it would be like to live, rent, or invest in a particular property. Overall, popular online websites and sources include very little, if anything, that relates to your long-term happiness, investment, livelihood, safety, and well-being. Maybe you've realized this already, and wished you could know more about your potential home, but couldn't find this information from any other source.

Well, there is!

Nationwide Home Fax has introduced the newest concept to the real estate market for buyers, sellers, and agents.  Our Home Fax Reports help anyone make an informed decision, and smarter financial investment.  At Nationwide Home Fax, our Home Fax Reports target four major categories: Home, Homeowner, Neighborhood, and Community...all of the information that really matters for your purchase or sale! 

Some of our unique components include: Neighborhood Contacts, a Pre-Inspection Analysis, Real-Time Photographs, and Videography, to name a few. You can't get this information from a website or database, and it's targeted around the issues that are extremely common in a home transaction, but were unable to be obtained until now!

Although this is only a small amount of what we do, at Nationwide Home Fax we're committed to changing the world by helping you and anyone else make an informed home buying decision, and smarter financial investment! Don't wait, you can't afford to make another costly long-term investment!

Know the Home Before You Buy with one of three flat-rate, customizable Home Fax Report's from www.NationwideHomeFax.com!

Fund Types & Responsibilities for Homeownership Costs

Introduction

Not only is it important to make an informed decision, and smarter financial investment when purchasing a home, but families, couples, and singles must allocate accordingly for expenses and unexpected costs that they may have not considered when identifying and purchasing a home initially.  Although the ambiguity between renting and buying may exist, allocating accordingly and choosing a home that matches your budget, needs, and strengths is usually the most effective long-term option.  

While renting may be less time consuming, and include less daunting out of pocket costs, property continually appreciates in most areas and regions.  If you’ve identified the right home and purchased accordingly based on information you’ve obtained, such as what is included through a Home Fax Report from Nationwide Home Fax, you’re probably already aware of these home ownership responsibilities and expense examples. Nevertheless, you can never be too prepared for your next purchase, so consider the following: 

Maintenance Costs 

As most home buyers intend to purchase a home as a long-term investment, maintenance and up-keep costs come with the territory of owning a home for an extended period of time. When purchasing, seek to find any high costs issues that may arise shortly or in the future. Most roofs, for example, have reached the end of their service life after approximately 20 years. If you can determine the current condition of the roof and understand the last time it was replaced, you can better allocate for this $5,000-$7,000 future cost. 

For example, if the current roof of your potential home is in above average condition, and was recently replaced 5 years ago, put away $7.70 each week into your “roof fund.” In approximately 15 years, when your roof now needs to be replaced, you will have saved $6,000 for the high-end cost that may have otherwise crippled your savings account and out of pocket costs.  In the meantime, keep up on your home and complete small tasks, such as adding a 5’ downspout extension to each gutter to alleviate the amount of water that continually runs into your foundation.  This is one of the easiest, cost effective maintenance tasks that can save you thousands in the long-run. 

Property Taxes 

Renters have the benefit of not paying property taxes, as they do for most maintenance tasks and costs, but when allocated properly, summer and winter taxes can become less burdensome. Understand the summer and winter tax amount prior to purchasing a property (and ensure no liens exist prior to acquiring the deed and title to the home). 

Most conventional mortgages allow homeowners to roll over their property taxes into their mortgage, although this does vary by loan type, property acquisition type, and state.  Property taxes are allocated by the township, not the bank, but many homeowners do not plan accordingly as they see a mortgage cost that is equivalent, in many people’s minds, to a rent payment. Even if your property taxes are not rolled into your mortgage, understand the amount to set aside each week to avoid these last minute costs.  If, for instance, your total annual property taxes are $1,450 per year, put $27.88 into your “property fund” each week, and your tax amount is paid in full when it comes to that time.  

In addition, one aspect of mortgages that people do not consider, or are unaware of, is that mortgage interest is able to be written off on your annual taxes. Do yourself the favor and obtain what you’ve paid for, and you’ll see a portion returned to you that can be allocated into your necessary “fund” types.  

Conclusion 

The fact of the matter is Know the Home Before You Buy, and let professionals, such as Nationwide Home Fax, guide you in the process and help you potentially save you thousands of dollars in the long-run.  If you’ve made an informed decision, partnered with the right professionals, formulated a strong action plan, and allocated for your “fund types”, owning is almost always the better option compared to renting. Check out www.NationwideHomeFax.com for more information and to make an informed decision in your next home purchase.

It's a Win-Win-Win for #ThanksGivingBack at Nationwide Home Fax

Nationwide Home Fax is a national real estate information service, and Christian based organization, headquartered minutes from Detroit, MI. Our services provide a new concept to the real estate market, targeted toward real estate consumers, professionals, and more.  Our goal is to help each and every home buyer, renter, or investor Know the Home Before You Buy.   

Our Home Fax Reports are essentially a background check and preliminary home inspection for any residential or commercial property.  We research, analyze, and summarize the findings of our four major impact categories: Home, Homeowner, Neighborhood, and Community and place each finding into High, Medium, and Low Impact Ratings to show you what it would be like to live, rent, or invest in any particular residential or commercial property prior to purchasing or leasing.

10% of every gross sale is donated to Habitat for Humanity

As you can probably imagine, the findings of our research are more beneficial toward middle and upper-income neighborhoods, thus leaving unwanted negative impacts on the underprivileged communities that already suffer from economic and social disparities.  As our intentions are to positively impact these communities, we have structured our business and package rates to tithe a 10% donation of every single Home Fax Report sale, for the life of our company, to Habitat for Humanity.

10% Referral Bonus

Are you a person made for sales commissions? Do you ever want to make some extra cash? Do you know anyone that’s moved, bought a property, rented, invested, or entered into a new lease agreement recently?  How about a real estate agent, broker, inspector, or ANYONE else who may be affiliated with the real estate market? 

Chances are you do – and you’re in luck!  We offer YOU a 10% referral bonus, the same donation we make to Habitat for Humanity! Every time, no matter how many referrals you generate! No catch. That’s $20 - $80 in your own pocket, your pocket, for just talking!

How does it work?

• When a new client hears about us from you, the referrer, and lists you on the ‘Referral’ section of the completed sales agreement, they provide a few basic details about you (that are NEVER shared with anyone else, and strictly used to issue your bonus check and validate your identity), including: your referral number only or your name, address, and phone number if you do not have a referral number.

• After a client purchases a Home Fax Report online or directly through our company, we contact and notify you that you had been listed on the referral section, verify your information, and mail you your bonus -- $20 to $80! 

• Cash your check, do it again!

5% Back to YOU -- Testimonial Feedback

After reading about the donation to Habitat for Humanity and the Referral Bonus, you were probably wondering what else was in store for you…

As our client, if you provide us with a completed testimonial feedback form (which is provided to you along with the sales agreement) of your experience and allow us to publish it as a testimonial, we will provide an additional 5% gross sale bonus to the client as long as the form is received within 10 days of issuing the report. 

Although our company is for profit and our concept may seem irregular, we truly understand the need to give back.  Help us change the world, one Home Fax Report at a time! Check out www.NationwideHomeFax.com today to order your Home Fax Report, get your referral number, or find out more information.

Renting v. Buying - Fallacies and Perceptions

There is a growing notion, supported by articles, opinions, and supposedly relevant data, that renting is a wiser long-term option than buying. 

A couple common reasons people choose to rent opposed to own are: 

1) Location. You don't know how long you will be in the general area due to job changes, age, business ventures, and uncertainty of what you want, not to mention having and raising children.

2) Financial constraints. You may be a recent college graduate, have a smaller mean of income, or are not in a position to purchase a home and take the chance of costs associated with owning a home.

Although their are positive points and facts about the growing renters market, and some legitimate reasons why people should rent opposed to buy, many of these articles and points contain numerous fallacies about the positives of renting property opposed to owning property. 

Without getting into too much detail, as this could easily become convoluted, here some pieces of text and points from recent articles: 

• If you could rent a $500,000 home for less than $2,083 a month (or $24,996 a year -- just under 5 percent of the home's value), renting is likely to be the best deal. If renting would cost more -- say 7 percent of the cost of buying, or $2,900 a month -- buying is likely to be the smarter economic choice, particularly when you factor in that rents are likely to increase over time.
• “Don’t overstate the benefits of buying. Many popular, free, online “buy-or-rent” calculators inflate the benefits of home buying. The study shows that calculators provide inaccurate guidance to more than 90 percent of renters considering whether to buy a home by overestimating tax benefits and underestimating the returns an individual can earn by investing.”

Explanations

• Although there are somehow $500,000 homes on the market available for rent, when's the last time you or anyone else considered renting a $500,000 home? If you could rent a home for $2,083 a month, and don't live in New York City, I'd recommend buying any other home, anywhere. Maybe you even own a $500,000 home. That's great, but if you're an investor, you probably aren't going to wait 20 years to profit from your $500,000 property being rented at $24,996 a year. Here's a real situation that is more relevant to this rent to price ratio explanation. 

• My fiance and I decided to rent a home in Metro-Detroit, MI from our landlord who purchased a foreclosure for $20,000 and invested approximately $2,500 into renovations, totaling $22,500.  We signed an 18 month (1 and 1/2 year) lease with a monthly rent payment of $900, which was $200 below the average rental price in the area at the time.  At the end of our 18 month lease, our rent payments totaled $16,200, leaving our landlord $6,300 short of his total investment.

• Not only is this more relevant to the fact of how investors and landlords aim to recoup their investment as quickly as possible, but we practically donated $16,200 to someone over the course of 18 months, walking away never owning a single asset (the property) from our total investment. If our landlord structured the same deal, with a new set of tenants again, he would be in the profit by $9,900. Not a bad return on investment in 3 years, not to mention almost all income generated moving forward would be pure profit for the investor.  

• On the same token, had we placed ourselves in the position of the investor, we would have been in the profit ourselves and not have lost $16,200 by renting the property.  Our total monthly mortgage payment, assuming 2.5% down, would have been $445/month.  From there, pretend your renting and put the extra $455/month back into the mortgage, that we've already budgeted for through our rental, and we're in the same exact position. 
• Sure, there are property taxes, maintenance, and the sheer aspect of capital, but these had totaled less than $1,000 a year for the investor through the duration of our tenancy. Re-do the math, that's $7,900 our landlord would have profited from his total investment in 3 years. It doesn't take a convoluted buy or rent calculator to do this math. 

As stated above, there are opportunities and situations where renting is a wiser option than buying, and not every situation is the same or ideal compared to one or another. The important part is to make the best decision for yourself and others, based on comparable information and informed decisions, and as other groups, investors, agents, and articles have stated:

"We see far more opportunity to buy than we have capital," said Laurie Hawkes, president and COO of American Residential Properties, a Scottsdale, Arizona-based, single-family rental REIT in a September interview. "The fallacy is that the buying is over. It's not."

Anthony Flagg - CEO Nationwide Home Fax - www.NationwideHomeFax.com

Know the Home Before You Buy 

How a Home Fax Report would have Prevented these Horror Stories

We’ve all heard of or experienced the horror story of a new home purchase, rental property, or new move.  The truth of the matter is that no one will ever be able to accurately predict every single unforeseen issue that may ever arise through the duration of a home investment. Although this is true, Nationwide Home Fax has continuously proven its value by informing anyone what it would be like to live, rent, or invest in any particular residential or commercial property.  

Nationwide Home Fax is a new concept to the real estate market, providing valuable information services that precisely reflect a background check and preliminary home inspection for any potential purchase or lease agreement.  Most people consider a home inspection through the process of purchasing a property, but many do not understand the various aspects that contribute to your overall long-term happiness, return on investment, and susceptibility of that purchase or lease agreement. 

Have you ever experienced an unforeseen issue with the neighborhood you live in? The neighbors you live by? The condition and continuous maintenance to your new purchase? Even when you thought you knew all you could, chances are you missed something.  

The concept and findings of each Home Fax Report reach far and beyond what most people would typically consider when purchasing a home. Although the possibilities are endless and the examples to share are never-ending, Nationwide Home Fax has provided a few real life examples of how we would have been able to prevent these horror stories for our clients and ourselves:

--The Unknown Structure

We conducted a Home Fax Report on a newer home built in 1994, close to an industrial factory, with a large one acre parcel.  The distance between the home and factory, as well as the environmental conditions, was important, but what rested in the foundation did not compare. 

After conducting a Pre-Inspection Analysis and Real-time Photographs of the residence, large 2”-3” separation cracks were observed at the base of the foundation, near the crawl space, on the East side only.  One would typically expect a twenty year old concrete block foundation would not suffer from large “staircase” cracks. Through additional environmental research, Nationwide Home Fax discovered that the right side of the home, the East end where the structural damage was observed, was positioned on a flood hazard zone and wetland area. 

The environmental records showed underground water was essentially running through the ground in the exact spot we observed the separation, and was essentially eroding the soil, and foundation, of the entire structure.  It was only a matter of time before the home would require significant costs to repair, or would crumble beneath the unfortunate owner who did not make an informed decision and did not Know the Home Before You Buy. This example is extremely important, as it emphasizes the necessity of critical thinking and analyzing all findings in comparison to one another.  

--The ‘Problem’ Neighbor:

Shortly after entering into a two year lease agreement on a lake house in a secluded rural area, we experienced immediate issues with our neighbor that led to an unhappy, stressful lifestyle in our new home.  The home itself was great and the area was relatively peaceful, but weeks after moving into the home we began to experience problems that generated into safety concerns from our neighbor across the street.  

Through talking with other neighbors (Neighborhood Contacts) we found out that he was best friends with our landlord and had a key to our home!  He was one of those people who gave you ‘that feeling’, not to mention the criminal history that we uncovered, and the same was true for how our other neighbors thought living in the immediate area.  The experience was extremely convoluted, with too much detail to specifically explain through this example, but needless to say, we were always conscious of the neighbor’s whereabouts, activities, and observations through the course of our two year lease agreement.  

Had we of spoken to neighbors prior to leasing the property, we would have uncovered the common issues that each of them had with our ‘problem neighbor’ and would have chosen another property due to the unwanted stress and unhappiness that came from our constant negative interactions with this neighbor.  Ultimately, we made little use out of the great amenities that came with the location due to this problem neighbor.  

Nationwide Home Fax would have found this potential problem, and would have been able to inform the tenant prior to leasing.  Our Enhanced and In-Depth Home Fax Report packages include Neighborhood Contacts (in-person and by phone), as well as Real Time Photographs, and Videography that include direct contact with the neighbors and community.

--The ‘Money Pit’

Recently, Nationwide Home Fax partnered with a real estate agent and investor who was about to pull the trigger on a property in the immediate area that was relatively inexpensive, $110k, for the amount of home and property for sale.  The interior was recently remodeled, the home rested on almost an acre (in an area with an average of .2 acres per parcel), contained four bedrooms and three bathrooms, and was very attractive from an investment perspective, with a rental estimate of $1,200/per month. 

We conducted a Home Fax Report, and found immediate issues with the home that raised concern through Building & Construction Permits, Real-Time Photographs, and a Pre-Inspection Analysis.  Through the course of our research, we found there to have been an electrical and roofing permit pulled on the property approximately two months prior to our research.  However, the permits were suspended before the work ever appeared to be finished or completed.  After further research, it appeared that the owner had experienced unforeseen issues that led to an uncompleted process of the work, and termination of the projects and permits. 

The property was re-listed from a conventional mortgage to a land-contract (meaning no mortgage available, and no appraiser to approve a loan) shortly after the permits were suspended. Nationwide Home Fax arrived at the property and observed large amounts of moisture damage to the roof, which appeared to be partially re-shingled, and two large electrical lines that were cut at the exterior of the home.  

Expecting to see unfinished work on the interior, we instead observed what appeared to be a ‘new remodel’ to the interior, including: new drywall, carpeting, fresh paint, new furniture, etc. Needless to say, a home inspector (conducting a limited visual observation of the interior) would have been unable to foresee any potential issues with the electricity due to the limited scope and observation of their work.  

The investor most likely would have purchased the property, but opted out after further research appeared to confirm our findings. The property that at first glance appeared so attractive was the next potential ‘money pit.’ Therefore, our client was able to make an informed decision, possibly saving in excess of $110,000. However, shortly after we were able to help the agent and investor make an informed decision, the property was unfortunately purchased by another individual who we were unable to inform.

Stop guessing, and stop risking your finances, well-being, and safety when purchasing your next home!  Check out www.NationwideHomeFax.com to learn more and order your Home Fax Report today!

ThanksGivingBack at Nationwide Home Fax

Have you heard...Nationwide Home Fax has announced their ThanksGiving Back promotions in time for the holidays, including Home Fax Report discounts, free home inspections, and additional discounts for Michigan residents affected by the August 2014 floods.  

ThanksGivingBack at Nationwide Home Fax

It’s ThanksGivingBack at Nationwide Home Fax, all about helping the community and giving back. “The ability to create awareness and place a personal touch on informed home buying and renting decisions is just as important as giving back to the community, our clients, and our referrers” said Tony Flagg, co-founder of Nationwide Home Fax.  Although their profit structure is unorthodox, it’s framed with a purpose. Nationwide Home Fax already donates 10% of every Home Fax Report sale to Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization that helps people become homeowners, and offers 10% referral bonuses to anyone, as well as 5% feedback bonuses to their clients. 

In addition to giving back up to 25% of every sale, Nationwide Home Fax has informed the public about their #ThanksGiving Back promotions, currently running through December 1^st, including: 

•         $40 off any Home Fax Report package in Michigan

•         FREE Home Inspection in Oakland or Macomb County with the purchase of an In-Depth Home Fax Report

•          20% off any Home Fax Report package for homeowners in Oakland, Macomb, or Wayne County that were affected by the August 2014 floods. (Offer cannot be combined with either of the above promotions)

Who is Nationwide Home Fax?

Until now, the majority of consumers have failed to identify and understand critical factors when purchasing or leasing a home that affect their well-being, safety, happiness, and long-term investment. Nationwide Home Fax provides a personal touch to real estate information services by the means of their Home Fax Reports, a background check and preliminary home inspection report for any property.  Unique elements gathered in person, such as Neighborhood Contacts, a Pre-Inspection Analysis, and Real-Time Photographs, target four major Home Fax Report categories: Home, Homeowner, Neighborhood, and Community. 

Findings and observations are then analyzed and graphed into Low, Medium, and High Impact Ratings to help anyone Know the Home Before You Buy. “We have a distinct vision to educate people and create awareness, a driven mission to help people make smarter financial investments, and a personal responsibility to positively impact communities and people in need” said Kim Zimmerman, the second co-founder of Nationwide Home Fax. 

In addition, as the rental market continues to expand, Nationwide Home Fax has also informed renters that it will soon offer a condensed version of their Home Fax Report service at a lower cost. Future details have yet to be announced but stay tuned and details will be announced shortly. Until then... www.NationwideHomeFax.com 

 

Creative Ways to Recycle, Reuse & Re-gift Old Household Items: Part 2

Creative Ways to Recycle, Reuse & Re-gift Old Household Items: Part 2

During Part 1 of Creative Ways to Recycle, Reuse & Re-gift Old Household Items we looked at ways to reuse an old door to make a coffee table. In Part 2 of this #ThanksGivingBack series we will look at how to turn that old entertainment center into a play kitchen for children. As many parents know, toy kitchens for your children are often quite expensive, but with a creative reuse of your old, dusty entertainment center, you can turn an expensive Christmas gift into a cheap, inexpensive play kitchen.

#2: Turn an Old Entertainment Center into a Play Kitchen 

1. As there are many different ways to design a play kitchen from variations of many different entertainment centers, we'll mainly focus on basic needs and steps to complete your project. Depending on which old entertainment center you choose to use, you will most likely need most of the following tools and tools and items to complete the recycle: 

Tools: 

• Drill & Drill Bits 
• Jigsaw 
• Tape Measure 
• Scissors
• Paintbrush
• Painters Tape
• Sander (optional) 
• Hot Glue Gun & Glue Sticks 

Items: 

• Primer 
• Paint
• Sandpaper 
• Wood Screws (various sizes)
• Finish Nails
• Hinges
• Metal or Plastic Hooks
• Cabinet hardware 
• Old faucet 
• Metal mixing bowl (for sink) 
• Rope
• Plywood
• Old small door for stove

Other (additional items):

• Spring Curtain Rod 
• Fabric or Dishtowel 
• Picture frame (for window)
• Additional Paint Colors
• Stove Knobs

 2. Photograph your current entertainment center and plan out your project, including: fridge, freezer, stove top, oven, cabinet, and window placement.  

3. If you're entertainment center has an open back, measure the opening of the space from the back.  Cut a solid piece of plywood to size, apply primer, and let it dry before fastening to the back of the entertainment center.

4. Depending on your specific entertainment center, start preparation with the fridge and freezer using plywood and hinges. Sand, prime, and paint your fridge and freezer before fastening to the unit.  

5. Cut an over door to size using plywood.  Cut a hole using a jigsaw for the oven door window. For young children, consider using plastic wrap or a sheet of plastic by fastening to the back side of the oven door instead of using glass (for safety).  Sand, prime, and paint your oven door before fastening to the unit.  

6. Measure the makeshift counter top for placement of the sink and stove, and draw an outline for your sink by tracing the mixing bowl. Use a drill to start the hole, then a jigsaw to remove the circle portion of your counter top.  

7. Create the stovetop next but sanding, priming, and painting a small square section of plywood. Using wood screws, drill the stovetop into the cabinet. 

8. Fasten an old dishtowel to a spring curtain rod (if wanted) and hang it over the window (if wanted).

9. Using your rope, make tight circles (that resemble coils) for your stove top burners.  Use super glue to ensure coils stay tight and fasten to the dry stove top you previously created.

10. Next, add an old faucet and place it behind the kitchen sink. Different faucets will require different means of mounting.

11. Glue old stovetop knobs (if wanted) to the sides of your stovetop, and finish painting your cabinets and remaining tasks that you've planned out before starting your project!

Want some creative ways to Know the Home Before You Buy??? Check out www.NationwideHomeFax.com today, get your Home Fax Report, and make an informed decision, and smart investment, in your next home purchase, rental or investment.  Check out our other #ThanksGivingBack Promotions we have going on as well! 

Do you know what it will be like to live, rent, or invest in your next home?

www.NationwideHomeFax.com

Creative Ways to Recycle, Reuse & Re-gift Old Household Items: Part 1

Many homeowners do not see the possibilities for many household items that are outdated and no longer used, such as old doors, TV stands, and windows. Part 1 of this series will examine Creative Ways to Recycle, Reuse & Re-gift Old Household Items. Although there are many more possibilities than described in this two part series, we have highlighted some of the items that can be creatively re-purposed to meet your needs, save you money, and stand out from traditional items.

#1: Turn an Old Door Frame into a Coffee Table 

Old doors might not look like much sitting on the curb, awaiting the weekly trash, but these items can become creative modern coffee tables. Here's how to turn that old door frame into a coffee table, and a couple photos have been included below:

1. Depending on the look or style you want, start by either: 
a. Sanding down the old door frame and removing the old paint to prepare it for a fresh, clean look (see third image).  After sanding, prime the door and apply one or two coats of paint color. Allow time to dry. 

b. or Applying and spread wax on the door, with original paint, to give it a finished look (see second image) 

2. Attach the door to a frame 
Lay the door face down on a tarp or old cloth.  Center the coffee table frame on the back of the old door, or center on the sides of each corner depending on the look and style you want. Place holding clamps to stabilize the frame and door to ensure it rests properly centered or on each side. 

3. Attach the base to the door using L-Brackets on all four corners  
Purchase L-Brackets from your local dollar store, flea market, or off a clearance rack.

4. Optional: Add a Glass Top 
Take measurements of your coffee table and find an old glass top from other unused items, such as patio tables, coffee tables, or windows. Many times these items will be thrown away, or are able to be purchased cheaply at a flea market or local glass store.

If you want to add a glass top but cannot find the right fit, order a piece of tempered glass and lay it on the top of your table. If you have children, you may want to secure the glass to the top using epoxy or placing rubber stoppers on each of the four corners. 

Part 2 of Creative Ways to Recycle, Reuse & Re-gift Old Household Items will be available on Wed. Until then, check out www.NationwideHomeFax.com and see how our creative Home Fax Reports help you Know the Home Before You Buy.

Cost Effective & Impactful Home Improvement Tasks - Part 2 of 2

Introduction:

As discussed earlier during the week in part 1 of 2, home improvement tasks are one of the more unpleasant tasks for homeowners. Some issues are unexpected and stressful, while others can be prevented with a proactive approach to maintaining your home. 

 

One issue that is fairly common, yet extremely controllable and cost effective on the part of the homeowner, is overgrown vegetation and shrubbery. 

Overgrown Vegetation and Shrubbery: 

Many homeowners are surprised to learn that vegetation greatly affects the appeal, condition, and perception of their home, yet it is one of the easiest tasks for homeowners to maintain on their own. Large plants such as the Golden Euonymus, Bradford Pear, and Leyland Cypress are perfect examples of overgrown, unnecessary, and unappealing vegetation. 

Vegetation should never be closer than 3' to the home, although it's fairly common to see overgrown bushes, shrubs, and plants that seemingly become an unwanted component of the siding. Multiple reasons exist for why overgrown vegetation & shrubbery effects the condition of the home and should be maintained, including: 

• Shrubs, trees and other vegetation can damage the structure, roof, and exterior of your home.  As the plant roots spread out and grow over time, they can penetrate the foundation of the home, pushing and moving the ground and structure of the house.  For example, the Leyland Cypress progressively grows on average 3' a year, and can become 70' tall and 15' wide. Large vegetation usually has large roots to compensate for its growth. 
• The Bradford Pear is another example of a plant that grows much too big for most yards, roughly 50' tall and 40' wide, but weak branching structures make these types of overgrown vegetation prone to storm damage.
• Although you may not experience damage to your roof or siding from storm damage, overgrown vegetation also poses the risk for window damage and other problems that can be costly to the homeowner.  
• Even if the vegetation is not overgrown enough to affect the home by storm damage, shrubs and plants can begin to grow between the siding of the home, opening up possibilities for moisture and pest access.  
• In addition, the foundation becomes a viable risk as tightly grown vegetation can prevent proper water drainage during winter months. 
• Also, large trees come with a large amount of leaves during the fall season.These leaves can clog the gutters and downspout drainage system, placing extra pressure on your roof and less room for water to move through your gutters and valleys.  
• If you have purchased a home with overgrown vegetation, be cautious of the fact that a home inspector cannot see blocked features of the structure, siding, and roof.  

Cost Effective & Impactful Home Improvement Tasks - Part 1 of 2

Introduction: 

Home improvement tasks are one of the more unpleasant tasks for homeowners, especially those which arise unexpectedly and cause stress on your pocket book. 

Sometimes these issues arise from unawareness prior to purchasing the home, while some issues may have been prevented if the homeowner would have proactively corrected short term issues which lead to long term problems. 

In Part 1 of this 2 Part Home Improvement Series, we will look at do-it-yourself ways to effectively maintain current and future home improvement tasks: 

Downspout Extensions & Drainage Systems: 

A downspout is a pipe that carries rainwater from the gutters of a home to ground level, eventually leading into a drain.  A proper downspout drainage system and downspout extensions are important because water will always attempt to find a ground source as it's carried downward with the flow of gravity from the roof.

Without solid downspouts, and 5' extensions, water tends to filter directly into the foundation of the home and structure, posing serious long-term problems and financial burdens. As the standing water sinks into the base of the foundation, soil is expanded and pushed against the foundation which can cause it to crack, sink, stress, and erode the properties structure.

In addition, water can eventually create leaks in your basement or crawl space, mold and mildew in your siding and basement, as well as many other problems. Downspout piping, elbows, and extensions are extremely inexpensive, and can help save you long-term burden and dollars. 

Basic Downspout & Drainage System Checklist: 

• Make sure the top of the downspout drainage system is properly secured to the roof. Look for any separations, cracks, leaks, or holes that allow water to find another unwanted path to the ground. 
• Check for any cracks, holes, or missing pieces through each section of your downspout by following the downspout pipe from the roof and gutters. 
• Ensure that 5' downspout extensions are added to the bottom of your downspout.  If the downspout does not have an extension, it is directing water into your foundation, posing serious long-term problems. 
• Check the grading and landscaping near your foundation, making sure your 5' downspout extension is directed away from your home and foundation.  The goal is to direct the water on another path that flows down and away from your structure. Sometimes this requires an elbow piece or longer extension. 
• Remove splash-plates; frankly they are useless.  If you don't believe it, watch how your splash plates work to direct water away from your house after moving it's way through the downspout.  With a proper 5' extension, splash plates serve virtually no purpose, and your money is better well spent on making sure your downspout drainage system is in good working condition, directing water away from your foundation and structure.   
• Downspout drainage systems are just one component included through a Home Fax Report from Nationwide Home Fax. Included below is a good downspout example, as well as a poor example. 

Check back Wednesday for Part 2 of Cost Effective & Impactful Home Improvement Tasks.  In the meantime, check out www.NationwideHomeFax.com, and make an informed financial investment in your new home purchase with a Home Fax Report today.  Hurry, don't miss our #thanksgivingback promotions which end soon!

How a Home Fax Report is the best decision making option for you to Know the Home Before You Buy

"Failures of perspective in decision-making can be due to aspects of the social utility paradox, but more often result from simple mistakes caused by inadequate thought." -- Herman Kahn 

The pattern of poor home buying decisions and horror stories of withering financial investments in property purchases never seizes to amaze me.  Whether it be the ignorant standpoint of the “unnecessary” expense of a home inspection, to the lack of research and informed decision making conducted prior to purchasing a property, to the economic disparity that leads to poor home maintenance, more and more people continue to enter into poor home buying decisions. As a result, many poor home buying decisions have negatively impacted home sales and values, while increasing the rate of short-sales and foreclosures. 

The cost of this may be small or great, quickly encountered or experienced later, but one point is consistent for most people: the purchase of a property is one of, if not the largest investment you will make in your lifetime.  How many times will you spend $100k, $200k, or maybe even a $1,000,000 on any one purchase in your lifetime again? Not to mention, don’t we all want ourselves and our family to be happy, safe, and comfortable with the home we live and invest in?  

Let’s face the facts…

We’ve all heard of or experienced the horror story of a new home purchase, rental property, or new move.  Most people consider a home inspection through the process of purchasing a property, but many do not understand the various aspects of the Home, Homeowner, Neighborhood and Community which contribute to their overall long-term happiness, return on investment, and susceptibility of that purchase or lease agreement. 

Inadvertently as a result, poor home ownership decisions, and lack of informed decision making, has fostered a higher demand for rental properties. Prior homeowners, and many others, fear the idea of property ownership based on past mistakes, distorted views, and financial struggles that have led them to few additional options other than tenancy. The fact of the matter is that many prior homeowners, young adults, and current tenants were never aware, or are still unaware, of the options, assistance, and information services available to them.  

With this, we give you Nationwide Home Fax. 

Nationwide Home Fax is a national real estate information service, and Christian based organization, providing a new concept to the real estate market. Although our services are targeted toward home buyers, renters, and investors, our Home Fax Reports are also beneficial to real estate agents, realtors, direct sellers, relocation companies, property managers, lending institutions, insurance companies, and more. A Home Fax Report is essentially a background check and pre-inspection for any residential or commercial property, with unique twists that target main focus areas which help our client’s ‘Know the Home Before You Buy’. These focus areas pertain to our four major categories: Home, Homeowner, Neighborhood, and Community, and are available through three flat-rate packages: Basic, Enhanced, and In-Depth. 

Home Fax Reports show each and every client what it would be like to live, rent, or invest in any particular property they’re identified as their next potential home.  We research, analyze, and summarize our direct contact with neighbors and the community, database discoveries, comparisons and contrasts to various sources, pre-inspection (condition) focuses, and much more valuable information into a functional, easy to understand report. The findings of our research are broken down into Low, Medium, and High Impact categories so our clients’ can make an informed decision and understand the areas that most contribute to their long-term happiness, financial investment, well-being, safety, and more.  The findings and possibilities are endless, and hopefully positive, but the fact of the matter is you don’t know until you’ve been informed.  

In conclusion, our goal is not only to help our clients become informed home buyers, renters, and investors, but to make a difference and help our underprivileged communities prosper and grow.  In addition to all our services do to help you as our client, we also donate 10% of all Home Fax Report sales to Habitat for Humanity, and offer 10% referral bonuses to anyone.

Check out our packages and order page at www.NationwideHomeFax.com for more information or you can always reach out to us at Info@NationwideHomeFax.com

 "Decision making is complex. On our own, our tendency to yield to short-term temptations may be too strong for our rational, long-term planning." -- Peter Singer

The Importance of Due Diligence Research with Real Estate Investments

Visit www.NationwideHomeFax.com to see how we help you Know the Home Before You Buy

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is...We've all heard it, but sometimes we still fall for it. 

Have you ever seen the show on HGTV called 'Flip or Flop'? My fiance and I recently attended a real estate seminar from Tarek and Christina El Moussa's program, 'Flip Advantage'.  The program seemed to have high hopes for new information regarding real estate investments, and as the seminar was promoted from their TV series success, and was FREE, we did little research on the program prior to attending.

Shortly after arriving for the seminar, we realized that the presenters were only associates of the couple who were not there. Big deal, we wanted to learn about real estate, we could care less about meeting celebrities. Within a short period of time, the presenters stated that for a small $2,000 investment (which must be paid today) they would be building an investment team with practically unlimited access to capital, promising up to $500,000.00 in immediate funding from their 'Investment Team' with 1-3% interest. It sounded too good to be true, but so perfect for our business. We know how to identify houses, conduct research, make an informed decision, and are able to present our findings to a team of investors, but our only limitation is capital.  As my mind started twirling at all the properties I could obtain for less than $500k, I couldn't help but start to listen more intently. 

For the small (as they put it) $2,000 investment, you would be required to attend a 3 day seminar in the upcoming weeks that lasted approximately 27 hours over three days. Still interested, they continued on that you were GUARANTEED to get your $2,000 back in one of two ways: 1) You would be required to find and complete one deal within 90 days, which would get your money back right away, or 2) After 6 months of not completing a deal, they would refund the $2,000 and basically tell you to walk away. Fair enough, still interested.

After Selling the Dream and providing the audience with one or two small tricks on how to identify bad bank lists and properties, we were informed that we must pay for the seminars today to attend and begin having access to their abundance of networks and capital investors.  Oh, and the speaker had a flight that left town in an hour and a half, so we must hurry.  Still locked in to the $500,000 capital promise, I began to stand up after the speaker was finished to sign up for the seminar.  Luckily, my fiance, and fortunate business partner, was not so amazed.

As we retrieved the registration and payment form, she had a check in her spirit. Me being more risky, tried to convince her that this was a good deal: all the capital we would need, with no risk of losing our money based on the guarantees, right? Wrong. We left the convention without signing up, and decided to do a little bit of further research before proceeding. Thank God (sincerely) for her, because we found out that we were guaranteed NOTHING from the PAID seminars. If we would have signed up for the initial $2,000 we would have been attempted to be tricked into another $27,000, then in upwards of $50,000 after that. 

Point being, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Do your research, and make smarter informed decisions and financial investments. When you find your next investment property, visit www.NationwideHomeFax.com to Know the Home Before You Buy.