Real Estate Investing ? FSBOs vs. Agent Listings?

Many would-be real estate investing professionals face discouragement because of the assumption that acquisitions require deep-pockets. Some even believe the myth that nothing-down purchases are impossible.

The early 1980s era in real estate investing known as the Zero Down Real Estate Movement was initiated by Robert Allen with his best-seller, "Nothing Down." After observing how commercial properties were acquired with no money down, Allen applied 50 techniques from the commercial real estate industry to the residential property marketplace. He was reportedly paid $1 million advance royalties for his publication, and began holding real estate investing conventions across the country.

The Nothing Down era was a startling eye-opener to the public. Very few were aware of Allen's predecessors, like Nick Nickerson, Al Lowry and Mark Haroldsen who wrote books on real estate investing requiring no money. Allen popularized the notion, and it was a strong public draw for his real estate investing seminars.

However, some of Allen's convention speakers were ultimately revealed as "con men," and some bellied up. Robert Allen himself went bankrupt in 1996. The public generally concluded that Allen was probably a fraud, and that real estate investing was impossible without deep-pockets.

The Wall St.Journal got wind of the Nothing Down Real Estate Investing Movement, and interviewed many investors who were using "Zero Money Down" techniques. The business editor of the Wall St.Journal interviewed me repeatedly (and others who knew of my real estate investing), and featured me in an editorial as one of the most successful investors in the nation who had purchased millions of dollars in rental property without any money.

These previous unfolding events are pertinent to the conclusion of how to buy real estate properties with limited funds.

I proved that properties could be acquired without cash (or credit) to the tune of $10 million in real estate investments during my first 4 years. I used a $10 bill in the acquisition of many of my properties.

Purchases from FSBOs (For Sale By Owners) were possible through negotiations with motivated sellers. I bought millions of dollars in real estate properties without cash or credit by learning acquisition skills that required no money down.

On the other hand, real estate properties listed by real estate agents minimally require a down payment that covers the agent's listing fee. These listed properties were no more valuable than the FSBO properties, but the agent fees demanded cash upon acquisition. In the intervening years since the 1980s, I have purchased some agent-listed properties, but my target acquisition continues to be FSBO real estate property from a motivated seller.

Phil Speer, Ph.D., started his real estate investing career 25 years ago. Without the availability of credit and using only a $10 bill, he purchased $1 million in properties in his first year, and had accumulated $10 million in properties by his fourth year. He was featured in a Wall St.Journal editorial as most successful investor in the Nothing Down Real Estate Movement, and was honored with a Caribbean cruise as top investor of the year. In his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, he has been a businessman and Human Resources Consultant for 30 years. He is an author, speaker and seminar director. To learn how to profit in real estate investing, even without cash or credit, read his report at http://www.CashinHouses.com/. Subscription is free to his Fix-up Ezine. He and other contributing authors provide free articles and resources on real estate investing at his online "Academy of Advanced Real Estate Investing Techniques" - http://www.AAREIT.com/.

---

Maintaining Small Town Charm In An Ever-Changing World

Virtually any state in the country has the appeal of... Read More

Finding, Fixing, Financing, and Flipping - The Short Course

Most people get involved in Real Estate investing to make... Read More

Dealing With Dual Real Estate Agents

Historically, real estate agents have represented the seller of a... Read More

Becoming A Battle Hardened Real Estate Veteran Without All The Scars

Step 1 is always to determine the fair market value(FMV).... Read More

Buying and Selling Real Estate: Negotiating to Win-Win

You don't get what you deserve - you get what... Read More

Rehab Your Way to Wealth: The Quick Way to Fixer-Upper Success

Completely rebuilding a house is not necessary to make money... Read More

How to Use Color Psychology to Prepare Your Home for a Top-Dollar Sale (Part 1)

You've decided to prepare your home for sale. Whether you... Read More

Real Estate Business

Starting real estate business is not that simple. Multiple aspects... Read More

Get To Know About Building Codes & Town Planning Applications, If You Want To Build A House

These are real building questions that I received from readers... Read More

Home Inspectors - Negotiating a Lower Price

To help you negotiate a fair sale price for a... Read More

4 Dangers In Flipping Real Estate

If you have recently purchased some real estate for investment... Read More

Advantages to Buying or Owning a Condominium

Condos have become an increasingly attractive home ownership option for... Read More

Home Selling: How To Set The Right Asking Price

Many homes remain unsold for a long time because they're... Read More

Real Estate Investing In Mexico

Mexico is CHEAP! But its getting more expensive. As property... Read More

Mortgage Broker Training: How to Secure Loyalty From Realtors

So you've just returned to your office after delivering an... Read More

Why it is Important to Hire Just One Real Estate Agent to Buy a Home

In our fast paced and frantic real estate market, buying... Read More

Expense List for Buying a Home

There are many expenses that come with buying a home.... Read More

Buying a Newly-Built Home? Ten Benefits of Using a Real Estate Professional

It might not seem necessary to involve a real estate... Read More

Dont be Tempted by We Buy Houses (Updated)

Do you want to sell your home right away? Don't... Read More

Tenant/Buyers Have Multiple Options

Lease Purchasing affords the tenant/buyer a wonderful opportunity to get... Read More

How to Create Cash Flow Out of Thin Air!

Want to see a trick every real estate investor will... Read More

The Real Estate Cycle

The real estate cycle, like the business cycle, refers to... Read More

18 Easy Steps to Buy a Bargain House

What is a "distressed" property? What is "bargain" real estate?A... Read More

Equity

Equity is the value of your home minus what you... Read More

Investment Real Estate Done Right -- Your Quickest and Safest Path to Wealth

In investment real estate the quickest way to wealth is... Read More

Make Your House Earn Its Keep

Did you realise that there is a lot you can... Read More

Property Investing Secrets 5

Property Investing Secrets:How To Work With Agents And Get What... Read More

Property Investing ? Port Melbourne Life on the Edge

Property investing prices pick up following a cooler winter last... Read More

How Can I Stop Foreclosure on My House?

We understand the being in foreclosure is a scary thing.... Read More

Housing Bubbles and You

Are we in a housing bubble? To answer that question... Read More

Do You Need to Download a Landlord Inventory On-Line Today?

Do you need to download a Landlord Inventory on-line now?... Read More

7 Different Ways Anyone Can Become a Real Estate Investor

Being a real estate investor is not really that hard,... Read More

Home Warranties: Are They Too Good To Be True?

What is a 'Home Warranty?'A home warranty is like an... Read More