The Pros and Cons of Selling Your Home to the "We Buy Houses"/ Real Estate Investor Guys

If you have a home listed for sale, chances are you’ve either noticed the abundance of roadside signs that read, “We Buy Homes Fast!” or perhaps you’ve even received an offer to purchase your home from a real estate investor   The real estate market has changed dramatically over the last decade and it’s becoming more and more common for a typical home seller to encounter investors.  But if you’re like most home sellers, this may be your first experience dealing with investors.  So, what are the pros and cons of selling to an investor?
Pros of Selling to Real Estate Investors

• Flexible Payment Options – Investors may offer various payment methods such as certified funds, cash, pre-scheduled cash payments, or perhaps they may even take over the existing mortgage completely.  With multiple options available, sellers may find a solution that suits their needs.
• Cash Offers – Quite often investors are willing to pay cash for a home and with the recent tightening of financial restrictions, coupled with the growing number of complaints about low appraisals, having a cash buyer has become even more appealing.
• Selling “As Is” – Typically, investors offer to purchase a property “as is,” many times sight unseen.  As a seller, that allows you to avoid any costly repairs that would normally be considered your financial responsibility. If you list with an agent more than likely they are going to give you a list of repairs before the house can be sold. If you sell to an investor, you sign and walk away if you like.
• Fast Closings – There are investors who can close within 7 days.  How is that possible? Because the sale of the property is not reliant on approved financing, appraised values, home inspections, or the like; bypassing all of these steps expedites the process considerably. Here's another way to look at it. Dealing with investors is like selling your used car.  You can either list your car in the paper, Craigslist, or sell it yourself and deal with all that entails or you can sell it to the dealer for less and have cash in hand the same day.
  

Cons When Selling to Real Estate Investors

• Investors Do Not Need a License to Buy – This means as the seller, you know nothing about the person/entity offering to buy your home.  Some investors are corporations, but some are individuals who just happen to also be real estate agents.  This is cause for concern for many sellers because they question the motive behind the purchase; do they want to buy my home to resell it for more?
• There are Plenty of Scam Artists Posing as Investors – There’s a risk of fraud in any financial transaction, but it’s especially critical to avoid scams when dealing with your largest asset.  To avoid any issues, get the name of the investor and do research online to see who they are, ask for references, look them up with the Better Business Bureau, and ask your listing agent to do some research on your behalf.
• Homeowners Will Likely Sell Below Market Value – Investors have their own costs to contend with and you can be assured that those costs will be factored into their offered price.  Investors are also aware of the power behind their cash offer and the fact that they are taking a risk by purchasing “as is.”  They may be relying on your motivation to get out quickly.   Whatever the reason, it is unlikely that an investor will pay market value for a home in its peak condition.

Greg Hammond Eagle Thirteen Properties Louisville, Ky

The Ultimate Gatlinburg Winter Vacation Guide

Now is the time to start planning your Gatlinburg winter vacation. The quaint mountain village has plenty to offer, with numerous attractions, shopping, dining and, of course, the great outdoors available to visitors. Likewise, Winterfest is a highlight of the season, offering wintertime activities, dazzling light displays and special events. Ready to makes the next steps on your Gatlinburg winter vacation? Read on to discover tips, insight and the best things to do this winter.

The Great Smoky Mountains with a dusting of snow.

Before You Go

Weather during a Gatlinburg winter vacation is generally pretty comfortable, with an average temperature of 50°. Keep in mind, this weather forecast is for the lower elevations. While you’re out exploring, you’ll no doubt gain elevation seeking those stunning Smoky Mountain sights. The higher you go, the colder it gets and the chance for snow increases greatly. Plan your day accordingly, as well as your suitcase! With conditions changing frequently, you’ll want to wear layers and have plenty of cold weather gear. Above all, plan to stay comfortable–it is vacation after all.

Cabins are the perfect place to stay during a Gatlinburg winter vacation.

Where to Stay

For a cozy Gatlinburg winter vacation, I highly recommend staying in a cabin. Gatlinburg cabin rentals have locations in the heart of the mountains. You’ll be surrounded by nature–you might even see some wildlife! In addition, the seclusion of your cabin gives you a sanctuary in the mountain that’s all your own. Many of these cabins are rather luxurious. For example, hot tubs, are a standard amenity. And really, what could be better than a hot tub soak on a panoramic deck?
Eden Crest Vacation Rentals
Featuring luxury one- to five-bedroom log cabins, Eden Crest Vacation Rentals offer an ideal place to unwind in the Smoky Mountains. Moreover, guests can enjoy a variety of features within each rental, including free Wi-Fi, home theaters, flat-screen TVs, pool tables, whirlpool spa baths, saunas, and more.
Hearthside at the Preserve
As the highest elevated resort in all of the Smoky Mountains, guests have a magnificent view of the mountain range and landscape. Further, these luxury cabins with 1-3 bedrooms feature picturesque views and offer extraordinary amenities like hot tubs, upscale furnishings, fireplaces and much more.
Hearthside Cabin Rentals
Hearthside Cabins are nestled in and around the heart of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the Great Smoky Mountains. Cabins offer amazing mountain views, game tables, hot tubs and are pet friendly.
Bluff Mountain Rentals
Located at the foot of Bluff Mountain, these quaint cabin rentals include hot tubs, easy access to the Smoky Mountains, and comfortable accommodations for your Gatlinburg winter vacation.

Save

Snow tubing and smiles go hand-in-hand.

What to Do

A Gatlinburg winter vacation has no shortage of things to do. Coupled with everyday fun, below are some of the seasonal highlights.
Ober Gatlinburg
This ski resort makes its own snow and is fun place to tube, ski or snowboard down the Smoky Mountains. Ice Skating is available too.
Ripley’s Aquarium
One of my favorite downtown Gatlinburg attractions is the Ripley’s Aquarium. Diving into life under the sea is not only interesting, but educational. Kids love the aquarium, and during the holidays they have a Musical Christmas Tree standing 5-stories tall which entertains guests with a musical light show.
Trolley Tour of Lights
Through January 31, 2018, you can hop aboard a Gatlinburg Trolley to see the Winterfest light displays. The guided, enclosed excursions leave from traffic light #5. Then, they travel through downtown and along Highway 321. For your convenience, multiple tours leave nightly.

Snowy road during winter at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park/

Auto Tour the Smoky Mountains
It might be too chilly for a hike, but it’s never too cold to auto tour the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Stop by local coffee shop, Coffee & Company for drinks and snacks. Then, hit highway! A few routes worth cruising are Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and Newfound Gap Road.

Where to Eat

The Gatlinburg Parkway is full of places to dine. Whether you’re looking for a laid back night out, or an elegant night for two, these Gatlinburg restaurants have you covered.
Smoky Mountain Brewery
A casual restaurant modeled after an Alpine Lodge, the Smoky Mountain Brewery offers fantastic beers, delicious pizza and calzones, as well as hearty dinners of steak and pasta. I recommend the pretzels and beer cheese an appetizer accompanied by the Mountain Light brew.
Peddler Steakhouse
This pioneer cabin turned restaurant is a rustic yet elegant place to eat in Gatlinburg. With a creekside location, the ambiance is superb as are the top-grade steaks and service. For this reason, it’s one of the most popular places to eat in the Smoky Mountains.
Wild Plum Tea Room
This pet-friendly restaurant is a Gatlinburg hidden treasure. The cuisine and decor are inspired by the Austrian tea houses and their menu is constantly rotating with new and exciting dishes. Since this is a popular choice among locals and tourists alike, reservations are recommended.

Escape to the Smokies this Winter

What are you waiting for? As you can see, a Gatlinburg winter vacation is an ideal escape. Be sure to book your hotel and attraction tickets through Reserve Gatlinburg.

8 Powerful Tips for Real Estate Investor Business Cards

Business cards speak volumes about who you are, what you offer and how serious you are at marketing your real estate investing as a business. A school bell rings letting kids know class has started. Your business card is your bell announcing its time to get together too or your are ready to help people solve their problems. The following are some proven tips using business cards to increase your chances of creating and maintaining more business opportunities.


8 Powerful Tips To Get More Out of Your Business Cards
#1. Never leave home without them. Before leaving home, your checklist should be expanded to include business cards, as part of "do I have my wallet/money, house keys, driver's license'" etc. Any 'per chance' meeting is an opportunity to give out a business card. A morning run or a quick trip to the local store could be an opportunity to network in line. Make it a habit to always carry business cards. Give out your card to everyone and their mother!! My kids even have their own supply to pass out. Someone told me they taped their cards inside outhouses when they attend fairs, festivals, concerts and frequently received calls from them. Hey – whatever works!

#2. Insert a business card when mailing bill payments. Bills contain advertisements. Why can't you advertise your skills or services the same way? My reasoning behind this is inspired by a movie. The movie, entitled "6 Degrees of Separation" points out that we are 6 people away from knowing someone of influence. Eric Horvitz of M Microsoft Research and Jure Leskovec of Carnegie Mellon University analyzed 30 billion conversations among 240 million people using Microsoft Instant Messenger in June 2006. It turned out that the average path length, or degree of separation, among the anonymous users probed was 6.6. You could be 6 people away from knowing the President of the United Sates, your favorite movie star or someone who is in a position to hire your skills or services. Each of us knows someone, who knows someone (X6.6 on average), who we need to know...

#3. Use proper business card etiquette. Whenever you give a business card, ask for a business card. When given a business card, don't just take it and place it in your pocket. Make the person feel important by looking at their card for a few seconds. You might see something that could be a topic of discussion. Write comments on the card such as date, location and common points of interest. These comments will prove valuable when following up with that person. This also demonstrates a sincere interest in the other person. Then place it in your wallet. This lets them know they reside in a special place with you. "Skill with People" by Les Giblin is a book that expands on this approach. Make people feel important, in order to make yourself important to them.

#4. Be generous. Give business cards out to everyone, including family and friends. Hoarding your business cards only makes your wallet feel full, not your bank account.

#5. Ask for referrals. When giving a business card, people feel more comfortable when you ask; "I would appreciate a referral, if you know anyone that could use my services". Give them 2 cards.

#6. Maximize every "per chance" meeting. You never know when you might meet someone who can help you. Small social events, like a birthday party your son is going to, could produce unexpected encounters with people you will want to network with. You never know who you might meet

#7. Place yourself at the right place at the right time. Have you ever been to a REI club meeting to find out you were not really given an opportunity to pass out your cards. Volunteering for REI speaking and networking events for big name speakers has been a very successful resource for me to grow my business. Zig Ziglar, one of the most successful sales trainers in the world says "if you help enough people get what they want in life, you will get what you want in life".

#8. Do consistent follow up. Immediately after a meeting a person who could be part of your REI business, I suggest you "snail mail" a hand written note thanking the person for their time. Insert your business card. Now you're in the driver's seat in standing out from other people. If you get no response and were expecting one, do it again. Patience and persistence pays off. . Make it a habit to do this once a week. Remember '6 Degrees of Separation'. You just never know. Remember, people open invitation type envelopes faster than any others.

Easy Steps to a Building a Real Estate Website

How To Build A Real Estate Website In 5 Easy Steps

If you operate a business and you don’t have a website yet, you should really consider building one.
Why should you build a business website?
The truth of the matter is that you can’t afford not to have one.
Your business website can help you generate more clients throughout all aspects of the customer acquisition cycle, such as when a prospective client:

• Performs a broad internet search for what sort of businesses can help with solving his/her problems – and discovers you;
• Wants to find out more information about specific businesses to see if he/she should inquire for more information;
• Retrieves your contact information to reach out to you either through email or the phone.

The situations on how you can benefit from having built a business website are endless.
Let’s face it, you probably use the internet to find out more information about various businesses too, right?
Gone are the days when you can only rely on having your business listed in the Yellow Pages or word-of-mouth. While these “old school” methods are still effective to a certain extent, creating a business website is complementary to other methods of attracting new customers.
If you’re wondering how to build a business website, just know that it’s not as hard as you think.
This guide will walk you through what you need and how to get started in building your first business website.
You probably have a million things on your To-Do list, and adding a website to your long list can be overwhelming.
This is why we create this ultimate guide to show you how you can quickly and easily build a professional business website all on your own.
Here are the 5 simple steps to get started:

5 Easy Steps to Building A Business Website

1. Get a domain name
2. Get a personalized business email address
3. Choose a business website builder right for you
4. Choose a website template design right for the type of business you have
5. Populate your website with your content and information

1. GET A DOMAIN NAME

Anyone who ever used the internet knows you need to insert a website address to get to any website.
A domain name is the address of your website.
While it is very common for businesses to have domain names that are the same as their business names (such as walmart.com), you can pick a domain name to include any text phrase you want as long as it is not already taken.
For example, the domain name for our website is www.websitebuilderexpert.com.
There are two costs associated with getting your own domain name:

1. Cost to buy a domain name; and
2. Cost to keep your domain name registered every year.

A domain name typically costs around $10 to $12 to purchase, and the same price range for you to keep it registered in your name every year.
If someone already owns the domain name you want, you’ll need to select a different domain name or it is possible to reach out to the owner to buy it.

Here are some FAQs about domain names:

Q: Where can I buy a domain name?

A: Some popular domain name providers are GoDaddy and NameCheap.

Q: Where can I find more about domain names? For example, how to pick, purchase and register my domain name?

A: Here is our comprehensive beginners guide domain names. You’ll find everything you need to know about domain names in our guide.

2.GET A PERSONALIZED BUSINESS EMAIL ADDRESS

To make your business look more professional and established, you’ll need a custom business email address.
You probably don’t want your prospective customers to see that you’re using a Gmail email address such as jane@gmail.com.
They’ll probably perceive that your business is not as established.  While this is pretty judgmental, it’s just human nature.
The most common business email addresses format actually uses your business domain name.
For example, our email address is info@websitebuilderexpert.com
So yours can be yourname@yourwebsiteaddress.com
Getting a custom business email address is fairly easy, fast and cheap. Our recommendation is to use G Suite which is powered by Google.

It’s basically Gmail for businesses except you have a personalized email address. You get the friendly user-interface, reliability, and security of Gmail.
It only costs $5 a month per email address, which in our view is a very reasonable price to pay to get your own customized email address and you can sit back and let Google manage everything else.
We also use G Suite ourselves and we’re very pleased with their services.

G Suite is fully integrated with some of our recommended website builders.
If you choose to use one of these website builders, they make it easy for you to setup your own personalized business email addresses. You won’t have to sign up to G Suite separately as you can get your email addresses all setup within the website builder control panel.
More about our recommended website builders below.

3.CHOOSE A BUSINESS WEBSITE BUILDER

This is one of the most important steps when building your business website.
This is because if you choose the right website builder software based on your needs, building a business website can be as leisurely as a walk in the park versus climbing Mount Everest.
There are a lot of website builders out there and they all have their own sets of pros and cons. We’ve pretty much used most if not all of the website builders to create all sorts of different websites, so we want to share our recommendations with you.
When choosing a website builder, keep this in mind:

Never choose a website builder that is too complex and offers all sorts of features that you don’t need.

It so easy to get enticed by all the bells and whistles and make the mistake of falling for business website builders that offer the most tools. After all, our brains are naturally wired to believe that more is better.
Features are great only if you actually use them. Remember, the more features a website builder have, the more complex and difficult it may be to use. Try to keep things simple and it will make your life a bit easier.

When choosing the right website builder, make sure you consider your technical and design skill levels, and what complex features you realistically need for your website.

There is no such thing as a perfect website builder for everyone. Some business website builders will work better for some people. As long as you don’t get side-tracked by fancy tools that you might potentially use 5 years down the road, you will be fine.
To help you through the selection process, here is a guide we wrote on how to choose the right website builder with 9 simple questions you can ask yourself.

How to Winterize Your Vacant Rental Property

Though occupied homes can also benefit from a quick winterization, vacant houses are particularly prone to damage during extended periods of freezing temperatures. By winterizing a vacant house, you are protecting your investment, and keeping it in good condition so it can be sold, rented or otherwise inhabited at a moment’s notice without worry of unforeseen issues. If you own property in a cold climate that’s prone to long winters, here are a few suggestions that will help you in winterizing it.

Winterizing with Utilities

First of all, it is advisable to leave the heat on very low. Though it might seem like a waste of money or energy at first glance, a minimal heating bill will be less expensive than the cost of potential repairs if everything were to freeze up. There are many systems and components in a house that are meant to be kept at or near room temperature. By using your furnace or boiler at a low level, you are keeping these things secure.
Most people know that a big part of winterizing is dealing with pipes and plumbing. If you have turned off the water, hopefully that means the house was plumbed on a downgrade so you were able to drain all the pipes completely and eliminate the chance of water expanding inside them and breaking the pipes. If not, it usually is advisable to leave some water running through the pipes by turning on the fixture closest to where water enters the house and at the farthest point indoors, say in an upstairs bathroom. It needs to trickle constantly to keep water flowing.
It is also advisable to wrap insulation around the water heater, the pipes leading to and from it and insulate any pipes exposed outdoors, in a crawl space under the house, etc. If the pilot light is left on, it is not necessary to drain the water heater, but if not, then it probably should be drained and turned off. You might call a local plumbing company in your area to discuss whether you should turn the water back on or not.
It is not a bad idea to put some antifreeze in both the tank and bowl of each toilet. If the heat goes out and water inside the toilets freezes, it could crack the china fixtures.

Other Winterizing Techniques

Winterizing your plumbing and water systems might be the most important aspect of winterizing in general, but coming in pretty close is inspecting your roof and cleaning out your gutters. The roof and attic of a vacant house might be left alone for very long periods of time, so getting a roof inspection for about $500 before cold weather hits is a fantastic idea, and could end up saving you some serious money in the long run. Gutters, like plumbing, can develop real problems if ice is allowed to build up in them. Having your gutters cleaned before winter begins will reduce the risk of too much ice forming inside them.
Finally, make sure someone checks on the house every week or two, if at all possible. Though you can certainly take precautions such as winterizing whatever you can in and around the house, unexpected situations can still occur. A quick look around done periodically for as long as the house is empty (even during warmer weather) can mean the difference between a problem being caught early enough to be fixed before any damage is done, and a problem that’s left unchecked long enough to cause hundreds or even thousands of dollars in damage.