Newsletters

November, 2008
	Welcome: Bad Credit Woes? You Can Help Your Clients Rebuild Their Credit! Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. Families who have gone through foreclosure need financial and emotional help . . . including finding a new place to live, rebuilding their lives and most important, building their credit. Whether you're working with renters or you're dealing in lease-options, this month's banking and credit experts share their resources and strategies for helping people rebuild their credit after foreclosure. Their tips and advice will help you help your potential clients - and build a strong sales pipeline for the future.
	Feature Article: Three Steps to Rebuilding Your Credit After Foreclosure Stephen R. Elias, Attorney Gone are the days when rebuilding one's credit history after going through bankruptcy or foreclosure was straightforward. With the crash of the sub-prime lending market, consumers are under intense scrutiny when applying for mortgages and credit cards, which means rebuilding credit can now take three to five years - or longer!. In his article, bankruptcy attorney and author Stephen R. Elias provides three key steps that you can pass on to your clients who need advice on how to recover from foreclosure.
	Success Strategies: Finding a Reputable Credit Counseling Company Robert Giuliana, Author, Save that Mortgage! People who experience foreclosure need expert advice to help them regain their financial footing. The good news is that there are plenty of organizations out there eager to provide it. The bad news is that not all of them are reputable. Author and mortgage expert Robert Giuliana provides a wealth of resources to help you and your clients locate proven, reputable professionals who can provide credit counseling. And, just as important, Robert alerts you to the red flags that can give away companies that shouldn't be trusted.
	Interview with the Expert: Helping Families Get Back on Track Financially After Foreclosure Jennifer Matthews, Founder, Creating Financial Literacy, LLC You can play a key role in helping clients get back on their feet both financially and emotionally by understanding the challenges they face. According to Jennifer Matthews, an advocate for those who have been through foreclosure, often times people lack basic financial literacy and management skills - the lack of which contributed to their financial woes. In this livley article, Jennifer Matthews provides the essential tools consumers need to increase their financial literacy, repair their credit, and recover from foreclosure.
October, 2008
	Welcome: Welcome: 1031 Exchanges Explained - Even We Learned Something! Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. The experts we spoke to about 1031 exchanges all said the same thing: your rank-and-file real estate investor doesn't know too much about them - plus they're not widely used in New England. In this issue you'll learn all about 1031 exchanges and how you can use an exchange to preserve wealth, defer capital gains taxes, and purchase foreclosed properties now but not take Title until later (yes, it's true!).
	Feature Article: Preserve Your Real Estate Wealth with 1031 Exchanges Karen Hurd, Compass Advisors The 1031 exchange gets its name from the section of the IRS code under which it falls - and as such, it's a technical, document-driven process that must be managed by a 1031 expert - or Qualified Intermediary - such as Karen Hurd. In her article, Karen explains the ins and outs of 1031 exchanges, when to use them, and how to ensure your exchange is transacted smoothly in order to prevent audits.
	Success Strategies: Capitalize on the Current Real Estate Market with a Reverse Exchange Gary Gorman, The 1031 Exchange Experts Did you know that you can purchase foreclosed properties now, while the market is still down, but not take Title to them until you're able to sell your current properties when the market goes up (and thus defer capital gains taxes)? It's true - and you can do this with a reverse 1031 exchange. Like the normal 1031 exchange, the reverse exchange has its own set of rules and guidelines, all of which Gary Gorman, the reverse 1031 exchange expert, explains in this article.
	Interview with the Expert: Real Estate Savvy Financial Planners Can Save You Big Bucks! Eileen Schwartz, Real Estate Investor Let's say you want to pay off your mortgage and buy the retirement home of your dreams by selling one or two of your investment properties. What most people don't consider, explains financial planner and real estate investor Eileen Schwartz, are the tax implications of these real estate transactions. In this interview, Eileen discusses why working with a financial planner who also understands real estate (including 1031 exchanges!) can literally save you big dollars - now and in the future.
	Financing for Investors: PMI - Back to Basics Jeffrey Chalmers, Real Solutions LLC Now that the heady days of go-go market are long gone, lenders have tightened lending guidelines - and have reinstated PMI, or private mortgage insurance. But as always, you can find ways to beat having to pay PMI. Mortgage expert Jeffrey Chalmers explains how to cut your PMI costs - and even eliminate them altogether!
September, 2008
	Welcome: How Coaching Can Help You Grow Your Business In a Down Market Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. Think a professional business coach is a fancy name for a business "therapist"? Think again! In this issue of ForeclosuresMass Monthly you'll hear how three successful real estate entrepreneurs used business coaching to help them overcome their doubts, take positive action, and more importantly, grow their real estate businesses - even in a down market! We also welcome real estate finance specialist, Jeffrey Chalmers, who will present a column each month on financing for real estate investors.
	Feature Article: How Green Light Realty Exploded Profits by Documenting Business Systems Don Armstong, Green Light Realty Working with E-myth coach David Hilton, Don Armstrong put in place documented systems that has helped him run his business more efficiently, lower his costs, generate more leads - and close short sales 93% of the time. Don takes you inside the experience of working with a professional coach and explains three of the steps he took to transform his business.
	Nothing Succeeds Like Success: Accountant Turned Real Estate Investor Closes 10 Deals First Year Out Paul Deltorio, CPA After twenty-five years as a CPA, Paul Deltorio was ready for a change. With coaching from real estate investor Jim Gage, Paul launched a successful real estate business, closing ten deals in twelve months. In this interview, Paul explains how Jim taught him to approach homeowners experiencing foreclosure, identify great deals, and stay focused on his goals. One year out, Paul is considering giving up accounting to pursue real estate full time!
	Interview with the Expert: FCM Co-Founder Blasts Her Way Into Prosperity Thinking Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. As Sheila Farragher-Gemma states in her interview, success is based on your attitude. Carry a negative mindset and you'll never accomplish anything. Change your attitude and you can achieve anything. Sheila explains how she's used Dan Kennedy's program, Wealth Attraction for Entrepreneurs, to learn what separates the *really* successful entrepreneurs from the rest of the pack. As she reveals, combining positive thinking with action can help you overcome self-doubt and develop the "millionaire mindset" - the kind that attracts real wealth.
	Financing for Investors: Change is Good in the Financial Markets Jeffrey Chalmers, Real Solutions LLC Despite evidence to the contrary, real estate financing is definitely not dead. As Jeffrey Chalmers points out in his new column, the market correction - and the changes being ushered in - is good. Good for the market, good for lenders, and good for real estate investors. Read how you can take advantage of these changes to continue to close deals - despite market hiccups.
June, 2008
	Welcome: Real Estate Syndication Offers a Wealth of Business Opportunities Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. In this issue, we introduce you to real estate syndication and explain how you can take advantage of this powerful investment tool to build the type of profitable real estate business you've been dreaming about. You'll learn how successful real estate entrepreneurs have used syndication to invest in multi-million dollar properties they could not afford on their own.
	Feature: How Real Estate Investors Make Big Money with Syndication Eileen Schwartz, Real Estate Investor Want to get in on a little "secret" real estate professionals have long known to offer a very considerable return on investment? Eileen Schwartz shares her knowledge of real estate syndication, a potentially lucrative strategy that involves forging a partnership with a group of shareholders to invest in multi-million-dollar properties. This introduction to real estate syndication provides everything you need to know to get started.
	Success Strategies: Establish Your Credibility as a Serious Real Estate Investor Ann Bellamy In a business where most deals are based on referrals by trusted associates, building your credibility is as essential as carrying a cell phone. Networking alone is not enough - you need to establish yourself as a trusted and knowledgeable partner. In this article, Ann Bellamy shares eight strategies to help you build a reputation as a trusted expert in your field so that others think of you first when an opportunity arises to partner on an important deal.
	Interview with the Expert: Using Syndication to Fund Multi-Family Transactions Kate Dobens, Clear River Partners, LLC In the fall of 2006, Kate Dobens attended a training seminar about owning and operating apartments. Now, a year and a half later, she and her husband manage $18 million in multi-family assets - thanks to syndication. Read her advice about getting started in syndication - and how you can use it to consider deals that are double or triple in size.
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: The Truth about Mortgage Lending Websites Deborah Siegel The wonderful thing about the Internet is that it has empowered consumers - and this is especially true with the new mortgage lending Websites. Simply give these companies your personal information and they'll give you back loan rates. As you'll learn in Debbie's article, however, you do so at your own risk. Read about how these sites are harassing consumers and providing less than spectacular experiences and rates.
May, 2008
	Welcome: Using the Internet to Build Your Real Estate Business Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. Do you have a Facebook page? Have you become a well-known denizen of the blogosphere? Are you hip to SMS? No, no, and no? Then this month's issue is for you! This month we bring you the skinny on Web 2.0 - YouTube, social networks, text messaging and the like - and explain how you can use these emerging technologies to build your real estate business and have some fun at the same time.
	Feature Article: How Web 2.0 is Changing the Face of Real Estate Joel Burslem An expert on Web 2.0 and the real estate industry, Joel Burslem closely follows how real estate companies across the U.S. are incorporating emerging Web 2.0 technologies into their marketing mix. In this informative interview, Joel discusses how the state of these technologies, including YouTube, Facebook, and blogs, are changing the face of real estate - and whether or not they're living up to their potential.
	Success Strategies: Blogging for Real Estate... A Primer for Starting a Blog Ted Demopoulos Blogging has definitely hit the mainstream - and with over 750 real estate blogs at last count - it's time you consider starting a blog if you haven't done so already. In his article, author and blogging expert Ted Demopoulos gives you his three success strategies for starting and maintaining a blog. The key takeaway: become familiar with the blogosphere and get to know other real estate bloggers before you jump in feet first.
	Technology Corner: Generate More Leads With Text Messaging Dylan Schleppe You know the problem with flyer boxes - you're forever filling them up only to find out two days later they're empty again. Wouldn't it be great if you could eliminate the flyer box problem - and give your prospects property info when they want it? Now you can with SMS (also known as text messaging). In his article, SMS technology expert Dylan Schleppe talks about the state of SMS and how real estate companies and investors are using this technology to generate leads 24/7 - without breaking the bank.
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: FICO 2008 Deborah Siegel Fair Isaac Corporation, the company that determines your credit score, is revamping its scoring model. What does this mean for real estate investors? It depends. Debbie Siegel explains what goes into comprising your credit score and how banks and lenders will be looking closely at potential borrowers with "young" or "thin" credit.
April, 2008
	Welcome: Get a Leg Up on the Competition by "Packaging" Your Property Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. If you're selling a property in this market, you need an iron gut. You also need merchandising skills. Think about it - we often buy products because of their packaging, so why is it any different for real estate? In this issue, our experts give you some great tips for staging - or packaging - your property for faster sale. You'll learn everything from how to make your house look like a model home to transforming your ho-hum yard into a well-manicured outdoor space. Read their advice and then get to work - your property and buyers will thank you.
	Feature Article: Enhance Your Property's Value and Charm - Stage It! Erin Rhindress, ELR Designs You may think you can get away with not staging your property, especially if you've invested thousands of dollars in renovations. Yet not staging is akin to a Hollywood actress wearing the most beautiful designer dress to the Academy Awards but forgetting to do her hair. No matter how stunning the dress , people will only remember the hair. The same holds true for your property, says Erin Rhindress. Read her five tips for staging a property - and watch your buyers fall in love at first sight.
	Success Strategies: Seven Tips for Improving Your Property's Curbside Appeal Tony Bernstein, SLDA Landscape Associates You have about 30 seconds to impress potential buyers as they drive by your property for a "look-see." If they drive by and notice trash, weeds, dead grass and other problems, they'll keep right on driving. In his article, landscape architect Tony Bernstein gives you seven tips for improving the curbside appeal of your property - tips that will get buyers out of their cars and into your house.
	Interview with the Expert: Eileen Schwartz Plays Real Estate Matchmaker Eileen Schwartz, Real Estate Investor Buying and selling properties takes real acumen, and veteran real estate investor Eileen Schwartz has plenty of that - having learned real estate at her mother's knee. Yet according to Eileen, it's building a network that's been the key to success. Read about Eileen's new program for investing locally and in Miami - and learn her tips for building a rock solid network that will deliver the deals you won't find on your own.
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: Debbie Siegel, Westchester Mortgage Deborah Siegel Congress recently passed the economic stimulus package and while getting a check in the mail is nice, real estate investors should really be concerned about the changes to the conforming loan limits made by the Federal Housing Authority. Read Debbie's article to learn why the higher limits don't necessarily bode well for real estate investors.
March, 2008
	Welcome: Knowing How to Negotiate is the Key to Successful Deals Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. Whether you're dealing with a seller or a bank on a foreclosed property, it helps to have sharp negotiation skills. Bungle the opening round of any conversation concerning a deal, and you just may lose it altogether. In this month's issue we bring you three experts, well-versed in the art of negotiation, who explain how to succeed in various real estate scenarios - from lease-to-own options to short sales.
	Feature Article: Five Strategies for Successfully Negotiating Short Sales Elizabeth Weintraub As any seasoned investor can attest, dealing with banks on short sales requires a large bottle of aspirin and the wisdom of Solomon. Real estate broker-associate Elizabeth Weintraub gives you the low-down on how to successfully deal with banks - everything from dealing with confrontational bank agents and writing contracts to proving to the bank why you're the best buyer.
	Interview with the Expert: What is Hard Money and How to Use It Dan Burke If you're new to real estate investing, you've probably heard the term "hard money" but have no clue what it is. Simply put, "hard money" is short-term financing. In this month's Interview with the Expert, Dan Burke explains how hard money differs from conventional financing and why hard money financing gives you a better advantage when dealing with really hot deals or bank short sales.
	Success Strategies: The Three Cardinal Rules of Negotiating Real Estate Deals James A. Gage If you're living by the ABC rule - as in, "always be closing" - you're living by the wrong advice. According to Jim Gage, getting to closing too quickly means you're leaving out a bunch of steps in the process. In his article, he explains the three cardinal rules of real estate negotiations - and how you can use them to successfully close more deals. (Hint: one of the rules means keeping your mouth shut, but you knew that, right?)
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: Choosing the Right Mortgage Broker Deborah Siegel You don't choose just any old doctor or child care provider, so why would you trust your finances to just any old mortgage broker? In this month's Mortgage Minute, Debbie Siegel explains how to find the right type of mortgage broker - one you trust, yes, but also one who will fit your style, whether you're a jittery first time investor or a number cruncher who knows exactly what you want.
February, 2008
	Welcome: Why You Need a Team of Professional Real Estate Advisors Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. Having a team of real estate advisors, from an accountant to a closing attorney, can definitely help keep your real estate business on the right side of the law. Enter a transaction without benefit of their counsel, however, and you may just find yourself up the proverbial creek without a paddle. In this month's issue, two real estate lawyers discuss the "dark side" of real estate investing - legal disputes and Title issues - while our resident mortgage expert Debbie Siegel explains how to find a broker you can trust. Read their advice and then, if you haven't already, begin building your team of advisors.
	Feature Article: Keep Your Title Clean: Three Strategies for Preventing Title Problems Jacqueline Fitzgerald-Boyd Did you know you can create some serious Title problems when you transfer Title on your own? And, did you know that a Title problem can sometimes exist for more than 20 or 30 years without ever being found - and then bang, one day this hidden ticking time bomb becomes your major Title headache? It's true. Title expert Jacqueline Fitzgerald-Boyd talks about common Title issues and how you can alleviate them. (Hint: Title is more than simply a piece of paper.)
	Legal Spotlight: How to Keep Yourself from Being Part of a Third Party Claim John B. DiSciullo, Esq. As a real estate investor, you have relationships with contractors, sub-contractors and other real estate investors - relationships that can leave you open to third-party claims if you're not careful. In his informative article, real estate attorney John DiSciullo talks about three of the third-party claims you're most likely to encounter: disputes involving contractors, insurance issues, and claims between buyers and sellers and how you can help prevent these disputes from occurring.
	Interview with the Expert: Finding a Mortgage Broker You Can Trust Deborah Siegel With the media full of stories about unscrupulous lenders pushing loans that people can't afford, you may be wondering if trustworthy mortgage brokers still exist. Rest assured- they do. In this month's Interview with the Expert, Debbie Siegel explains the difference between independent mortgage brokers and lending companies -- and the questions you should ask any potential broker or lender before deciding to do business with one.
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: Should You Pay Off Your Mortagage Early? Deborah Siegel Paying off one's mortgage early is usually seen as a good thing. However, as Debbie Siegel explains, paying your mortgage early isn't always the best action - especially if your mortgage is new or you haven't funded your other accounts. In this month's Mortgage Minute, she gives you five questions to ask yourself to determine if an early payoff is right for you.
January, 2008
	Welcome: Welcome! New Year's Resolution: To Have a Stupendous 2008! Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. Whether you've yet to close that first deal or you're ready to make serious money, make 2008 your year to blast off. In this month's issue, our experts give you their advice about how successful people reach their goals and how to conquer fears regarding real estate investing. And, you'll learn how one successful investor took his business not just to the next level - but far beyond that!
	Feature Article: Not Going Anywhere Fast? It's Time to Hire a Coach! David Hilton If you've played on a sports team, you know the value of coaching: a good coach builds your confidence and helps you become a better athlete. A business coach does the same thing. Veteran E-Myth consultant and coach, David Hilton, explains the coaching process, how it can dramatically improve your business, and most important, how it will help you change your perspective - and change your life.
	Success Strategies: The Top Three Fears That Prevent You From Making that First Deal Kelle Sparta If you've yet to close on your first deal, it could be that something is blocking you. According to author, trainer, and coach Kelle Sparta, people usually have the following fears when it comes to real estate investing: they think they don't have enough information, they're afraid they'll lose money, or they believe they aren't the real estate investing type. Read her article to find out how to conquer these common, yet debilitating, fears!
	Nothing Succeeds Like Success: Joe Roche Gets to the Next Level via Coaching Joseph A. Roche Like many successful entrepreneurs, real estate investor Joe Roche had a thriving business. However, he was too maxed-out to take it to the next level. So, he hired a coach. In this candid interview, Joe explains how coaching has helped him expand his business, eliminate low-value tasks, and triple his income potential!
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: Can You Really Afford that Mortgage Payment? Deborah Siegel The perfect mortgage should be based on your lifestyle, your expenses, and your goals. Debbie Siegel explains what to consider when determining how much loan you can afford - and how to work with the unexpected, such as commuting costs and even new furniture. Once you know how much you can afford, and why, you'll be less tempted to buy that property that's just a "teeny bit" more expensive.
December, 2007
	Welcome: Feel Like the Market is One Long Roller Coaster Ride Down? Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. Gone are the days of easy money and fast profits. However, just because it's a down market doesn't mean you have to wait months or years to jump in. In this month's issue, our experts share their strategies for getting the most out of the current market - including how to obtain conventional financing with a less than perfect credit score, generating profits with long-term exit strategies, and how to anticipate potential hazards that can bring your deal to a crashing halt. Read their advice and take action. It's a true buyers' market and that, our friends, is a wonderful thing.
	Feature Article: Conventional Financing for Less Than Stellar Credit Jeffrey Chalmers, Real Solutions LLC Have a so-so credit score and need financing but aren't ready to go the private money route just yet? You can still get conventional financing - if you use a combination of lender and seller monies. Mortgage expert Jeffrey Chalmers explains the lending process and what banks look at when determining your loan amount and how you can work with motivated sellers to help finance that next deal.
	Success Strategies: Generating Profit in a Down Market Michael Ouellette With property values decreasing across the board and sellers refusing to lower prices, it's more important than ever to know how to determine the true value of a property in order to realize profit. Long-time real estate investor Michael Ouellette explains why you must know the After Repair Value of a property - versus its market value - and why exit strategies such as owner financing can net you greater profits and appreciation long term.
	Interview with the Expert: Kevin Norton Reports from the Foreclosure Trenches Kevin Norton Having ridden out the late 80's market downturn in Massachusetts, REO and auction expert Kevin Norton has seen a thing or two. In his report from the trenches, Kevin gives a first hand account about how this market differs from the last downturn and why investors should anticipate Title fraud due to "no doc" loans, tightening insurance standards, and even 5% cash deposits at the large style auctions.
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: Governmental Response to Changing Market Conditions Deborah Siegel With the number of foreclosures continuing to rise, the Federal government has begun taking steps to stem the crisis. Although proposed FHASecure refinancing options and an amendment to the Internal Revenue code will provide some relief to borrowers who financed a primary residence, real estate investors may also be subject to even greater scrutiny when purchasing properties from foreclosure.
November, 2007
	Welcome: Special Tips for Massachusetts Real Estate Investors Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. If you’re a Massachusetts real estate investor, you’ve probably run into two of the biggest problems in buying and selling properties in our fair state: Title V and mold. This month our experts give you skinny on how to ensure you don’t run into problems with the state. Read their advice and when confronted with either or both problems, calmly take the appropriate steps in order to remain litigation – and contamination -- free years down the road. Your pocketbook will thank you
	Feature Article: Septic Systems - The Good, The Bad and The Smelly David Presby, CEO of Presby Environmental, Inc. Title V, the Massachusetts law that stipulates a septic system must pass inspection before the close of sale on a property, is punching big holes in homeowners’ pocketbooks. Septic system expert David Presby explains why Title V is important for the environment and how to troubleshoot your septic system in order to keep it running trouble-free for years.
	Legal Spotlight: Don't Try This At Home - Leave Mold To the Pros! Brian McDonough If you or a home inspector find mold in your home, don’t panic – and more important, don’t try to treat the problem yourself. Certified mold inspector Brian McDonough explains why dealing with mold should be left to the pros (you could very easily contaminate yourself and your family) and the number one mold strategy most people don’t think about: preventing mold from happening in the first place.
	Interview with the Expert: Don't Let Mold Become *Your* Problem Steve Goselin, EnviroTech Clean Air, Inc. Finding mold in a building can literally bring a real estate deal to a crashing halt. No matter how much or how little mold there is, as the seller you’re responsible for clean up – or selling the property “as is” with full disclosure. In his article, mold remediation expert Steve Goselin explains why mold is causing problems in the real estate industry and what you can do to ensure it doesn’t become your problem.
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: No Closing Costs Too Good To Be True? Deborah Siegel When you hear “no closing costs,” do you think you’re getting something for nothing? Think again. Someone has to pay the costs associated with the title search, lawyers fees, etc. and that someone is you. In this month’s Mortgage Minute, Debbie Siegel explains why it’s vitally important to ask, “What exactly am I responsible for paying?” whenever you hear the phrase, “no closing costs.”
October, 2007
	Welcome: Welcome! Have You Thought About Investing Outside Your Home State? Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. Buying real estate in your own backyard is a great strategy, but going out of state can help you build serious profits and wealth, too. As investor Holly Daigle says, you certainly can’t buy a nice four-family for $100K in Massachusetts! This month our panel of experts give you the low-down on what to expect when buying properties outside of Massachusetts (or any other state) – from logistical strategies to researching markets via the Internet.
	Feature Article: Five Strategies for Successful Long-Distance Real Estate Investing Holly Daigle Yes, buying properties in other states can be a logistical nightmare – especially when you need a team of real estate experts for each state in which you do business. Real estate investor Holly Daigle explains how to develop foolproof processes for keeping everyone in the loop and why it’s essential you build a network of people you absolutely trust.
	Success Strategies: Using the Internet to Research Emerging Markets Charles Warnock Because travel is expensive and time-consuming, it pays to know how to find information on emerging markets and neighborhoods via the Internet. Charles Warnock, Director of Marketing for eNeighborhoods.com, explains why a town’s Website is your most important first stop, plus how you can find a goldmine of information at local, county and federal government sites such as HUD.
	Nothing Succeeds Like Success: Gail McCarthy Powers Her Way to Profits Gail McCarthy A real estate investor since 2004, Gail McCarthy recently completed two deals in Alabama for 100+ unit apartment buildings. She talks about her personal journey and how she’s been able to leverage her experience investing in single-family homes into a new career in commercial real estate.
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: Changes in Interest Rates Affect Your Bottom Line Deborah Siegel Do you know what’s really going on when “The Fed” talks about raising interest rates? In this month’s Mortgage Minute, Debbie Siegel explains why, if you have an adjustable rate mortgage or home equity loan, you’ll want to keep close tabs on what the Fed does in the coming months.
September, 2007
	Welcome: Plan Your Exit Strategies Before You Sign the Dotted Line Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. Don't wait until after you purchase a property to figure out what you're going to do with it. Whether you want to flip or rent out the property, you need to plan your exit strategy before you make an offer. This month our experts explain the various exit strategies and how you can make them work for you.
	Feature Article: Use Exit Strategies to Reach Your Investing Goals Joseph A. Roche Planning your exit strategies will help you anticipate potential opportunities and problems and how you'll deal with them - as well as ensuring that you don't lose money on a deal. Real estate investor Joseph Roche discusses the six most common exit strategies, including wholesaling and lease options, and how and when to use each one to reach your investing goals.
	Success Strategies: Eight Questions to Ask Property Management Companies Matt James If you want to buy and hold (rent out) investment properties, but really don't want the responsibility of maintaining them, then a property management (PM) company is your number one exit strategy. Real estate investor and property manager Matt James gives you eight questions to ask potential PM companies, including how the accounting is handled and whether or not the company works with out-of-state investors.
	Interview with the Expert: Know How to Use Your Contingencies David Camiel, Attorney If you think you can use an escape clause to get out of a real estate contract, think again. Because the courts look unfavorably at escape clauses, contingencies are a better way to protect your interests - as either the buyer or the seller. Veteran real estate lawyer David Camiel explains the legal ins and outs of real estate contingencies and how they can work to your advantage.
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: The Good Faith Estimate - Don't Leave Home Without It! Deborah Siegel Did you glance at your last Good Faith Estimate (GFE) and then toss it in the pile with all your other real estate mumbo jumbo? Huge mistake. In this month's column, Debbie Siegel tells you how to keep the cash in your pocketbook by comparing the line items on the GFE with your closing documents. The GFE is so important, you don't want to leave home without it!
August, 2007
	Welcome: Welcome! Online or Off, Buying or Selling at Auction Is a Great Investment Strategy Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. Historically, auctions were conducted at vacant, boarded up properties in the inner city. Nowadays, traditional auctions have moved to suburbia and well-heeled areas of the Cape. They've also gone online - eBay anyone? This month our experts give you their profit-generating strategies for successfully buying and selling properties at auction - online or off - including how to compile comprehensive market demographics to help determine value. (Hint - comps aren't everything.)
	Feature Article: How to Successfully Sell Your Property Via an Online Auction Site Neil Kaplan Newcomers to the real estate game, online auctions generate excitement and allow real estate investors to bid 24/7. Plus, you can sell your property within weeks, instead of the months that traditional methods can take, while still generating healthy profits. Like traditional auctions, you can lose money if you make a misstep. In his informative article, Neil Kaplan, founder of online auction site agencybid.com, gives you three strategies for successfully auctioning your property online.
	Success Strategies: Six Tips for Buying Properties at Traditional Auctions Kevin Norton Traditional auctions aren't for the faint of heart; purchasing properties as-is at auctions can be risky - unless you know what you're doing. A 13-year veteran at the auction game, Kevin Norton gives you his top six strategies for buying properties at auctions - including how to determine value without using an appraiser, how to place a winning bid, and what to do if you get cold feet after the fact. (Sign your name the right way and you can offload that property to another investor. Really.)
	Interview with the Expert: Look at Deals with an Appraiser's Perspective Mark Jackson Do you truly know your market and how to determine the value of a property? If not, you may not be making as much money as you could. Why? You're not seeing properties from a trained appraiser's perspective and could be buying duds. In this interview, expert appraiser and real estate investor Mark Jackson explains why you need more than the MLS and comps to determine a property's value - you need comprehensive market demographics.
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: The Secret Behind Mortgage Rate Charts Deborah Siegel Do you use mortgage rate charts - usually found in the weekend real estate section of most newspapers - to help you compare rates among lenders? Huge mistake. As Debbie Siegel writes this month, mortgage rate charts come with a dirty little secret . . . they're not posted in newspapers for your benefit.
July, 2007
	Welcome: Do You Know Both the Advantages and the Pitfalls of Being a Landlord? Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. Being a landlord sounds easy enough: rent out a property, collect the rents, do the occasional odd job – and watch your investment appreciate. Nothing is further from the truth. From evicting disruptive tenants to fretting over your cash flow due to unforeseen vacancies, being a landlord can cause some anxiety and end up costing you money. Our experts give you sound advice that will have you making a real profit.
	Feature Article: Get Rid of Bad Tenants; Find and Keep the Good Ones Brendan O'Brien, President, Property Master Many tenant problems can be traced back to the landlord's failure to set clear expectations from the get-go. In this informative article, Brendan O'Brien gives six tips for finding and keeping good tenants. Check your references, learn how to "read" people, and explain your rules up-front - you'll find you have fewer tenant problems.
	Success Strategies: Working with Plumbers, Electricians, and HVAC Types Michael Farmer Unless you use the services of a property manager, owning a rental property means you're responsible for maintenance and repairs. If you're all thumbs when it comes to toilet seals and the like, you'll have to call in the "trades" to help. Veteran contractor Michael Farmer tells you how to find good trades people you can trust - and how to ensure you get what you pay for.
	Nothing Succeeds Like Success: Heidy Gisler Eases Into Real Estate Investing Heidy Gisler Are you uncomfortable with risk? Before she purchased her first rental property, Heidy Gisler was, too. In this month’s Nothing Succeeds Like Success interview, she explains why buying and renting a two-family was a relatively low-risk way for her to get into the market – and help her move on to bigger and more lucrative opportunities.
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: Are You Ready to Be a Landlord? Deborah Siegel When shopping for mortgages for a rental property, it pays to know how the bank factors any potential rental income into your credit worthiness. Not all banks rely on the same method - and how they make the determination can make a huge difference in your eligibility for a mortgage.
June, 2007
	Welcome: How to Work with Contractors to Maximize Your Rehab Profits! Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. Rehabbing properties is an excellent way to grow your real estate business. However, rehabbing requires an "iron gut": cost overruns, unforeseen conditions, and no-show contractors can wreak havoc on your budget. In this issue we bring you experts who work in the trenches on both sides of the real estate fence: a contractor and two experienced rehabbers. Take note of their advice - and then rehab that next property with confidence!
	Feature Article: Talk Like a Contractor to Explode Your Rehabbing Profits Paul Esajian What's the number one fear that prevents investors from rehabbing properties? The potential nightmare of working with contractors! The star of A&E's popular "Flip this House," TV show, Paul Esajian gives you three steps for establishing expectations with contractors up front. Learn how to talk their language - and reap the benefits!
	Success Strategies: Five Tips for Building Successful Contractor Relationships Michael Burgess General contractors want to see you achieve success with your rehab project as much as you do. In this informative article, fulltime contractor Michael Burgess explains how to build a win-win relationship with your contractor. Think outside the box when it comes to due diligence, get detailed estimates, and run those numbers - you'll find the good contractors will call you!
	Interview with the Expert: The Nitty-Gritty Rehabbing Tips You Must Know Kevin Lacasse What's the biggest mistake real estate investors make when it comes to rehabbing properties? According to expert rehabber Kevin Lacasse, it's paying too much for a property! Read his tips for figuring out how much you should pay - and how to budget for those unexpected cost overruns.
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: Financing Home Renovations Deborah Siegel When shopping for home equity financing, be aware you can purchase three types of programs – all of which have different rules and interest rates. Read Debbie’s article to see which one is right for you!
May, 2007
	Welcome: Welcome to Our Special Issue on Women in Real Estate Investing! Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. Although women are purchasing real estate in record numbers, many still view money and investing as "complicated" or something that can't be done until they're married. In this special issue, we bring you three experts who discuss women, money, and investing. Read their stories and advice - and get ready to make your next move!
	Feature Article: How to Become Financially Literate - Without Getting a Degree in Finance Ann Bellamy Think you need a finance degree to understand the real estate "numbers" game? Think again. Ann Bellamy, real estate investor and hard money broker, gives you seven tips on how you can become financially literate and comfortable with real estate investing. (Hint: Don't be afraid to take chances.)
	Success Strategies: Three Tips for Updating Your Financial Myths Szifra Birke It's a fact that old money myths can keep your from reaching your goals. If you carry around ideas such as, "I'm not good with money" or "It's better to help people than make more money," then you need to read Szifra's article on how to banish these limiting beliefs from your life.
	Nothing Succeeds Like Success: Linda Valentine Finds a Second Career Linda Valentine When the job market closes, what's a woman to do when she's definitely not ready to retire? Become a full-time real estate investor, that's what! With four deals in the works and one recently closed, Linda shows how it's never too late to jump-start a second career in real estate investing.
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: Changes in the Lending Market Impact Investors Deborah Siegel The flexibility we all enjoyed in real estate financing is quickly disappearing. Thanks to sub-prime lenders going out of business, traditional lenders and bankers have tightened the rules. In her monthly column, Debbie explains how this new environment is impacting real estate investors.
April, 2007
	Welcome: Direct Marketing Strategies that Get Results! Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. It's easy to focus on financing and deals when it comes to real estate investing, but you have to make time to market yourself, too. Whether you want better response from direct mail or you're thinking of getting a website, our experts tell you how to generate more qualified leads.
	Feature Article: Using Direct Mail Lists to Reach Potential Home Buyers Lois K. Geller Rookie real estate marketers spend 90% of their time on creative when putting together a direct mail campaign. Lois Geller explains why this is a backwards approach - and why you should focus on building a targeted list instead.
	Success Strategies: Five Do's and Don'ts for Developing a Real Estate Website Jim Somers Thinking of putting together a website this year? Read why you don't want to leave this task to your "techie" kid - or worse - yourself. From fuzzy photographs to ugly design, DIY websites seriously detract from your business.
	Nothing Succeeds Like Success: Brian Jones Reveals His Marketing Strategies Brian Jones Looking for new ways to market yourself as a real estate investor? Brian Jones, who closed five deals in 2006, shares some of his strategies - including classified advertising and contacting junk removal companies!
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: Don't Get Stuck Paying Extra Tax! Deborah Siegel Thinking about withdrawing funds from your 401(k) or IRA to help make a down payment on a property? You may want to reconsider. The IRS stipulates only first-time homebuyers can withdraw funds - and only from an IRA.
March, 2007
	Welcome: Finance Basics For a Hot Foreclosure Market Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. When you get involved in real estate investing, you hear lots of advice from well-meaning people about loan programs, your credit report, and even your investment portfolios - but sometimes it's the wrong advice. This month we bring you four finance experts, including our regular columnist Debbie Siegel, who give us the skinny on everything from ARMs to the right to rescind - and why it's important you do your financial homework.
	Feature Article: Don't Become Another Statistic! Choose Your ARM Program Wisely Jeffrey Chalmers, Real Solutions LLC If you listen to the media, ARMs have become the new "dirty word" in real estate lending. Despite the negative press, a number of ARM programs exist that won't have you turning into another foreclosure statistic. In this article, Jeffrey Chalmers explains ARM programs, the terminology you'll encounter, and how to choose the right loan for you.
	Success Strategies: What Banks See When They Look at Your Credit File Tammi Koza and Carl Phinney, Family First Mortgage Corp. Most people know the credit score is the first thing the bank looks at when reviewing a credit file, but did you know lenders also look at a host of other data? In this article, Tammi Koza and Carl Phinny explain why you need to view your credit file the way a bank does if you're serious about investing in real estate.
	Interview with the Expert: Incorporate Real Estate Into Your Financial Plan Judy Carryl-Young, Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Financial planners often see clients who want to put everything they own into real estate . . . sometimes with disastrous results. In this interview, licensed financial planner Judy Carryl-Young explains why single asset allocation may not be the best choice for you and how you can maintain your financial security by keeping a diversified portfolio.
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: Exercising Your Right to Rescind Deborah Siegel Do you know when you're allowed to exercise your right to rescind on a loan? If you guessed, "never," you guessed wrong. In this article, Debbie Siegel discusses the Three-Day Right to Rescind rule and when you can and cannot use it.
February, 2007
	Welcome: Ready to Go From Dreaming to Doing? Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. We hear from new investors all the time, "How do I get involved in investing? How do I close my first deal? How do I make more income?" In this issue, we brought together three experts who show you the action steps you need to take to reach your goals. Whether you're just starting out or have closed a few deals, you'll learn how to get to the next level of your investing career!
	Feature Article: What's Your Next Step? Develop a Plan That Works For You Sharon Teitelbaum, MA, PCC Do you dream large? That's great! Dreams are important, but to turn your dreams into reality, you need to develop a plan that tells you where you're going and how you'll get there. In this article, Sharon Teitelbaum gives you three steps for developing a realistic game plan that includes both short- and long-term action steps and milestones for today, tomorrow, and six months from now.
	Success Strategies: Seven Traits of Highly Effective Investors James A. Gage We all know about the late night talk show gurus who promise you can become a millionaire overnight. Yet, as James Gage explains, successful investors practice seven traits most "gurus" don't talk about. Read his article to learn how you can turbo-charge your investing business - and go to sleep earlier at night.
	Interview with the Expert: You Quit Your Day Job. Now What? Derek Ebrecht Moving into real estate investing full-time (aka, quitting your day job) is a big step. Full-time investor Derek Ebrecht talks about the challenges you're likely to encounter and what you'll need to get your business up and running.
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: Don't Miss Those Real Estate Deadlines! Deborah Siegel Making an offer on a property sets in motion a whole slew of activities and deadlines. Miss one and you'll put your deal into serious jeopardy. Debbie Siegel explains which deadlines you need to meet and why.
January, 2007
	Welcome: Happy New Year! Are You Ready to Rock and Roll? Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. This month, ForeclosuresMass Monthly focuses on the basic skills, knowledge, and strategies you need when investing in real estate. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or just starting out, you'll come away with nuggets to you can put to use immediately.
	Feature Article: Appraising a Property Without Stepping Foot on the Premises Steve Krasnow, Certified Residential Appraiser Determining a property's value in order to make the right offer or bid takes practice and experience. Knowing how to evaluate a property when you dare not step foot past the boundary line is another whole kettle of fish. In this article, Steve Krasnow gives four strategies for determining value - without having to tour the property.
	Legal Spotlight: Think Title Insurance Is a Waste of Money? Think Again! Jason Kane, Esq. You may have heard title insurance isn't available for foreclosed properties or that it's an "optional" (read: unnecessary) expenditure. Yet, as Jason Kane explains, title insurance protects your investment from undisclosed liens and fraud - and can save you from literally losing the shirt off your back.
	Interview with the Expert: Strategies for Building Your Real Estate Network Cathy Toomey, Broker / Owner, Stone Ridge Properties Real estate agents are often the first people homeowners call before their home goes into foreclosure. In this interview, Cathy Toomey, a real estate broker, tells you how to build a solid network of real estate professionals - and how to use this network to find homeowners "motivated to sell."
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: Staying on the Good Side of the IRS Deborah Siegel When preparing your 2006 tax documents, it pays to know what's deductible and what's not with regard to points, mortgage interest, and real estate taxes. Debbie Siegel explains how to stay on the good side of the IRS.
December, 2006
	Welcome: Hello and Welcome Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. 2007 is just a few short weeks away. This month, ForeclosuresMass Monthly focuses on bringing you tools, tips and insights for making the coming year your most profitable ever!
	Feature Article: Getting Clear For a Great Next Year Sharon Teitelbaum, MA, PCC Lots of people set goals, but as experienced career coach Sharon Teitelbaum explains, that alone is not enough. Read on as Sharon offers five specific recommendations - recommendations which go beyond simply setting goals - to help you start or grow your real estate investment business in the coming year.
	Winning The Client: Door Knocking For Profit Eric Woolhiser Knocking on doors is an effective technique for meeting and connecting with homeowners. It's also overlooked by many investors. Eric Woolhiser explains why this approach is so much more effective than simply sending letters, and offers three, field-tested insights regarding how to put this tool to best use.
	Nothing Succeeds Like Success: An interview with investor and realtor, Dana Robinson Dana Robinson In seven years as a real estate investor, Dana Robinson has done everything from buying and rehabbing commercial properties to investing in and flipping multifamily foreclosures. We caught up with Dana recently, to learn more about his "CRE Kit," a simple, but effective, tool for introducing himself and gaining the trust of homeowners and potential partners.
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: What is Mortgage Insurance and Do You Need It? Deborah Siegel Mortgage insurance is required on mortgage loans that have less than a 20% down payment. It protects the bank, however, and not the borrower, and is therefore best avoided when possible. Debbie Siegel explains what MI is and how it works.
November, 2006
	Welcome: Hello and Welcome Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. With two full months still to go, it's not too late to make 2006 a terrific year. Now is the time to drive hard for the year-end finish line, and this month's issue is packed with insights for getting you there!
	Feature Article: Are You A Corporate Mystic? John Alexandrov, CEO, Legacy Capital Solutions, LLC The top business schools in the country don't offer courses in corporate mysticism. Maybe they should. Best selling author and successful entrepreneur John Alexandrov makes a compelling case for building wealth and achieving business success by tapping your intuition and vision.
	Closing the Deal: Watch Out for Sale Contingencies When Selling a Property David Camiel, Attorney With a drop in the sheer number of buyers, foreclosure investors who intend to sell properties must pay close attention to the details of any deal. Attorney David Camiel explains what to look for - and what to look out for - before signing an offer to purchase or a purchase and sales agreement. Don't miss this information-packed article!
	Nothing Succeeds Like Success: An interview with full time investor, Derek Ebrecht Derek Ebrecht Derek Ebrecht's got focus, drive and insight into what makes for successful investing. He's also got several profitable deals under his belt, despite his relative newness to the foreclosures field. We spent some time with Derek this month to understand the reasons behind his success.
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: What Does Mortgage Documentation Consist Of? Deborah Siegel Naturally, obtaining a mortgage involves documentation. How much, however, will have an impact on the rate you ultimately receive. This month, resident mortgage expert Debbie Siegel explains the three levels of income documentation that you may be asked for when applying for a mortgage.
October, 2006
	Welcome: Hello and Welcome Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. The market has shifted since the turn of the year, and successful investors will be those who continue to learn as much as possible and stay creative. This month, we take a look at some innovative approaches to profiting in uncertain times!
	Feature Article: How To Protect Yourself In A Lease Purchase Deal James A. Gage Lease purchasing is when a potential seller transfers control of and rents a property to a potential buyer, until the buyer exercises his or her option to purchase the property. The benefits to both seller and buyer can be significant, however there are any number of factors which can derail the deal along the way. Jim Gage offers 11 practical tips for keeping things on track to the finish line.
	Negotiation Skills: Developing Strong Relationships... A Key to Success with your Contractors Richard Cohen, Negotiation Coach and Consultant As a property investor, you're challenged by the sheer number of contractors with whom you must negotiate. It can be a struggle, but as Richard Cohen explains, it doesn't have to be. Build strong relationships with these folks and watch your negotiations go smoothly.
	Nothing Succeeds Like Success: An interview with full time investor, Susan Munafo Susan Post Munafo How can someone who's been investing in the New England market for less than a year become so successful, so quickly? We sat down with Susan Munafo, Founder of HomeFree Real Estate Group, to find out what she's done to hit the ground running.
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: A Mortgage with a Rate of Three Percent? Deborah Siegel Such a low rate is indeed possible, but it may not be all that it's advertised to be. Read on as Debbie explains the four payment options associated with Option ARMs, and clarifies this often tricky product offering.
September, 2006
	Welcome: Hello and Welcome Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. The market may have softened but there are plenty of deals to be had and profits to be made for the savvy foreclosure investor. We've still got four solid months left in 2006, so put your foot to the gas pedal and make this your most profitable year yet!
	Feature Article: The Five Biggest Mistakes Made at Property Auctions Dale Schaetzke As foreclosures increase in numbers, auctions are sure to do the same. Bidding successfully however, is not as easy as it may look. Read on as auction expert Dale Schaetzke explains the most common errors and offers insights into how to avoid them.
	Creative Financing: In a Soft Market, Put Real Estate Notes To Work George Riley, Genesis Funding Resources A Real Estate note is an agreement in which one party owes the other party money or other form of consideration. In a slow market, sellers may be willing to finance your purchase - often with no money down - in exchange for a higher price. George Riley explains the ins and outs of this innovative concept.
	Nothing Succeeds Like Success: Jeremy Cyrier Jeremy Cyrier, The Cyrier Sales Team After learning that he netted $60k on a house he owned for just six weeks, we wasted no time in scheduling an interview with Jeremy Cyrier. Read our interview and find out what he's done to be so successful.
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: Accelerating Your 30-Year Mortgage Deborah Siegel 30 years is a long time, but taking out a 30-year mortgage doesn't mean you must keep the same loan for all that time. Read on as Debbie explains your options with a fixed-rate long-term mortgage.
August, 2006
	Welcome: Hello and Welcome Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. Finding the right investment property may sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. With the right information in hand, your search will be that much easier. This month, we hear from a range of experienced professionals on the topic of finding the ideal foreclosure investment for you.
	Feature Article: 5 Must Haves in Screening and Hiring a General Contractor Kris Sawyer, President and Founder, Redlands Construction Inc One of the most effective ways to flip a real estate investment is to purchase a fixer-upper, invest in strategic improvements, and sell or rent at a profit. Getting it done the right way however, is not that simple. If you're considering working with a general contractor, you won't want to miss Kris Sawyers simple wisdom on this important topic.
	Legal Spotlight: Beware of Legal Landmines When Purchasing a Pre-Foreclosure Property David Camiel, Attorney A wise investor will go to great lengths to determine the viability of a particular pre-foreclosure transaction. A title search by itself however, may not tell the entire story... when you buy a pre-foreclosure property outright, you are taking the property "subject to" several factors. David Camiel explains what these are and why they matter.
	Interview With The Expert: Selecting and Working with a Home Inspector Flemming Lund, President, Apex Home Inspection A critical aspect of purchasing a property is making sure that an inspection is completed by a qualified and licensed home inspector. Flemming Lund, President of Apex home inspection in Sudbury, Mass, covers everything from finding and working with an inspector to the idiosyncrasies of older homes.
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: Some Points About Points Deborah Siegel Mortgage points. What are they and how do you know whether or not they're worth paying for? Debbie Siegel sheds light on this often tricky topic with her usual clear insights and practical recommendations.
July, 2006
	Welcome: Hello and Welcome Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. Credit is at the heart of real estate investing. This month, we take a look at how credit and credit scores work, and as importantly, what you need to know to ensure that the system works in your favor.
	Feature Article: 4 Things You Probably Don't Know About Credit Deborah Siegel Credit is the starting point from which lenders of all types and sizes will decide whether or not you are a good risk. But it's not as obvious or as straight-forward a process as you may think. Read on as Debbie Siegel explains what really goes on behind-the-scenes.
	Success Strategies: Buying and Renting a Vacation Home - Making it Work Joan Talmadge Renting a home has become a very popular vacation alternative; an ongoing trend which continues to drive up rental rates. If you're considering making one of your investments available as a vacation rental, you won't want to miss the five tips offered by vacation rental expert Joann Talmadge.
	Interview With The Expert: Managing "Bad" Credit Marty Eerhart, Senior Loan officer, Assured Mortgage Getting the approval needed for an investment loan is heavily dependent on your credit score. Unfortunately, if you have "bad" credit, it can get in the way of making a purchase. Marty Eerhart talks about what you can (and can not) do to improve your credit score.
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: Understanding Escrow Accounts Deborah Siegel You've heard the term every time you've purchased a home or refinanced, but do you understand what an escrow account is? This month Debbie explains how escrow accounts impact your monthly mortgage payments.
June, 2006
	Welcome: Hello and Welcome! Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. There are more opportunities than ever in today's foreclosures market. That said, there are also any number of ways for an inexperienced investor to get off track. This month we focus on investing profitably, but intelligently...
	Feature Article: Do You Have an Unlimited Liability Company? George M. Megaloudis, Attorney at Law, Roach and Wise, LLP A limited liability company provides protection to those investing in pre-foreclosure properties. Simply establishing such an entity however, does not necessarily protect you to the full extent. George Megaloudis explains why, and offers suggestions for making sure your company - and its related actions - are properly aligned.
	Success Strategies: Negative Amortization - Useful Tool or Risky Tactic - or Both?! Trish Signet, Loan Officer, Summit Mortgage With interest rates rising steadily over the last few years, it's become harder for property investors and others to make the numbers work. Negative Amortization mortgages may offer an alternative, but as Trish explains, buyer beware.
	Interview With The Experts: Fireplaces and Chimneys, High Value, High Risk Sherrill Rosoff and Holly Bradman, Co-Owners Fireplaces and chimneys... so many homes have them, but according to Sherrill Rosoff and Holly Bradman, they are often not well cared for. As both a potential fire hazard and source of carbon monoxide, any property owner needs to make sure that the fireplaces are well built and well maintained.
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: Bridge Loans Deborah Siegel For an investor who finds a desirable property but needs to sell an existing property to afford the new one - and the closings don't coincide - a bridge loan can be a valuable tool. But it can also be expensive, so make sure you have the facts before you jump in.
May, 2006
	Welcome: Hello and Welcome! Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. This month's edition of ForeclosuresMass Monthly focuses on getting the deal done - whether with a homeowner, bank, contractor or other party. In addition, we are thrilled to announce the launch of ForeclosuresConn.com!
	Feature Article: Will I Own the Property If I'm the Successful Highest Bidder? Gregory F. Arcaro If you're thinking about bidding at a foreclosure auction in Connecticut, be forewarned that in this state, simply being the highest bidder does not necessarily mean that you own the property. Read on as local attorney Greg Arcaro explains what can go wrong... and how to fix it...
	Success Strategies: Bank-Owned Properties Offer Terrific Investment Opportunities Eric Woolhiser Real Estate Owned properties or 'REOs' are properties that are taken back by the bank after failing to sell at auction. What many investors don't realize is that there are often attractive opportunities among REOs - provided you know where to look...
	Interview With The Expert: Richard Cohen Richard Cohen, Negotiation Coach and Consultant For any real estate investor, negotiation is a part of everyday life. Whether with tenants, contractors or homeowners, any time you are trying to influence someone else, you are negotiating. This month we speak with Richard Cohen, a negotiation coach, consultant and real estate investor, to understand more about this critical skill...
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: Adjustable Rate Mortgages Deborah Siegel An adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) can be a valuable tool for real estate investors seeking lower monthly payments and higher cash flow. But buyer beware. It's important to know how, when and why this figure may change, so that you fully understand your loan...
April, 2006
	Welcome: Hello and Welcome! Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. Spring is here, a sure sign that the sales side of the real estate market is about to heat up. This month's group of experts focuses on marketing those properties you've worked so hard to acquire and improve...
	Feature Article: Four Marketing Secrets Turn Connections into Gold Ken Lizotte, CMC Beyond the usual blah-blah marketing advice of putting up a website, printing out a stack of business cards and designing a lavish four-color brochure, exists four powerful marketing techniques that are so little-used, they can for all practical purposes be labeled "secret." Read on as Ken Lizotte tells all...
	Success Strategies: Buy It if It's a Steal Lisa A. Maini There's plenty of real estate out there and no shortage of people offering advice on how to find it, buy it and sell it. Marketing expert Lisa Maini gathered together an all-star cast of real estate experts, picked their brains, and distilled what she learned into this one, meaty article...
	Interview With The Expert: Three biggest tax-related mistakes Dolly Di Pesa, President, Di Pesa & Company, CPA's With April 15th just days away, there's little that can be done at this point to change the reality of your 2005 tax return. That said, you can still have a substantial impact on your 2006 return. We caught up with CPA Dolly Di Pesa at her office in Quincy for her take on how professional real estate investors can avoid significant tax-related mistakes in the coming year...
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: What's APR and Why Does It Matter? Deborah Siegel Everyone who takes out a mortgage pays close attention to the associated interest rate. That's fine says Debbie, but what most investors don't realize is that there's another metric - APR - that's of equal importance in managing expenses over the life of a loan...
March, 2006
	Welcome: Hello and Welcome! Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. It's tax time again, and the options and implications for your real estate investments are many. Join us as we dig into some of the hottest - and most frequently misunderstood - topics facing investors today...
	Feature Article: 1031 Exchanges - The Smart Way To Buy Investment Property Jack Cutone 1031 tax deferred exchanges are an IRS approved method for selling property and reinvesting in another property, all the while deferring federal (and most state) capital gains taxes. It's a terrific arrangement, but not without it's complications. 1031 expert Jack Cutone explains how it works and, as importantly, what's required to make it happen...
	Success Strategies: Don't Worry, B-SASSY: A Six Step Program For Reaching Your Investment Goals Sharon Teitelbaum, MA, PCC Goals are a critical component of any successful investment strategy. As we enter March however, many of us are already falling behind the objectives we set for the year. In this suggestion-packed article, long time career coach and real estate professional Sharon Teitelbaum offers specific strategies for keeping yourself on track...
	Interview With The Expert: Sonia Stingo Sonia M. Stingo CPA, PFS, Livingston & Haynes Everyone knows that If you own investment property, you may be eligible to deduct loses on your tax return. When?, Why?, How much?, Under what circumstances? ... those are much more complicated questions. We caught up with certified tax expert Sonia Stingo this month, and asked her to review some of the basics...
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: The Fed Deborah Siegel The Fed meets regularly throughout the year, and when it does, it often revises its target for short-term interest rates. This month Debbie explains why this may - or may not - impact the mortgage rate you'll ultimately pay on your property...
February, 2006
	Welcome: Hello and Welcome! Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. Financing... a critical aspect of any real estate investment. You've got many options - more than you're probably aware of - and this month we dig in and explain what they are and how they work...
	Feature Article: Financing of Investment Properties George Riley, Genesis Funding Resources When it comes to the financing of investment properties, there are almost as many methods and combinations of methods as there are deals. In this month's feature article, George Riley lays out several approaches (some of which you may not have heard of), and offers insight into when and why some are better than others...
	Success Strategies: Seller Financing Asheesh Advani Financing - an arrangement wherein the seller acts as the "bank" for the buyer - has seen a rebirth in recent years, thanks to a market characterized by high prices and rising interest rates. Asheesh Advani explains how this approach works, and why it can be beneficial to both buyer and seller...
	Interview With The Expert: Trish Signet Trish Signet, Loan Officer, Summit Mortgage 100% financing: The purchase of a property with no money down. Sounds too good to be true? Not necessarily. We sat down with lending expert Trish Signet for her insights on how it works, where the risks are, and what to consider before jumping into this creative financing approach...
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: Pricing Deborah Siegel Wondering what a property is worth? Make sure you know the difference between these three, often confused terms...
January, 2006
	Welcome: Hello and Welcome! Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. To help you start 2006 off right, we bring you several helpful articles - not to mention the introduction of two new newsletter sections - all focused on making this your best year ever!
	Feature Article: Change Your Focus - Change Your Life John Alexandrov, CEO, Legacy Capital Solutions, LLC Financial independence - a goal we all crave. According to John Alexandrov however, what most people don't understand is that making money in real estate is not only the result of hard work and technical proficiency. In this month's feature article, John shares his insights on how a change in focus can lead to a change in everything...
	Success Strategies: Is Real Estate Investing For You? Kelle Sparta Real estate investing is an attractive, potentially lucrative field. But it's not for everybody. Author, trainer and veteran investor Kelle Sparta highlights the six attributes needed for success, on her way to helping you decide if real estate investing is for you...
	Nothing Succeeds Like Success: Jennifer Wilson Jennifer Wilson In just 4 short years, Jennifer Wilson has grown her real estate investment practice from a standing start to one which expects to buy and sell 25 properties in 2006. ForeclosuresMass sat down with Jennifer to understand what's worked - and what hasn't - in her quick rise to the top!
	Debbie Siegel's Mortgage Minute: Interest-Only (I/O) Mortgages - Look Before You Leap! Deborah Siegel Thinking about an Interest-Only mortgage? Get the facts first. Expert Debbie Siegel explains what this is and the potential risk involved...
October, 2005
	Welcome: Hello and Welcome! Jeremy B. Shapiro, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. For the past several months, the goal of our teleseminars and conferences has been education. We want to make sure that you are in the know when making the decision to invest in foreclosed properties...
	Feature Article: Is Lease Purchase Investing For Everyone? James A. Gage All investing has risk, some more than others. But there is one exception to the rule - lease purchase. With a lease purchase, investors receive all the benefits of control/ownership of the property without ownership - how can you beat that scenario?
	Investor Interview: The Reason Why I Do This! Michael Ouellette For Mike Ouellette, making money isn't the only answer, and it can be one of the biggest mistakes investors make when getting into the foreclosure market...
	Marketing Corner: Connect Successfully with Distressed Homeowners Maureen O'Grady Condon, MS Investors who have succeeded in the foreclosure market have mastered one key skill - they know how to write compelling letters to distressed homeowners...
September, 2005
	Welcome: Hello and Welcome! Jeremy B. Shapiro, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. Now that the summer is over and we're entering fall, a lot of folks are turning their focus back to business again and thinking about investing in foreclosures...
	Legal Corner: Do your Homework before Investing Suzanne Brunelle, Portnoy and Greene, PC So, you heard you could make a financial killing or find your dream home buying property at foreclosure? That may be possible, but first you need to beware the pitfalls of the novice and, as my father always said, "Do your homework"...
	Agent Success: Pulling The Trigger: Do You Have What it Takes? Kevin Norton Getting involved in the foreclosure market can reap great rewards, as long as you take the time you need for study, research and observation. The more you know in any business - especially foreclosures - the more success you'll enjoy...
	Feature Article: Three Common Mistakes New Investors Make - And How To Avoid Them Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. Success in real estate investing requires a commitment to keeping emotions out of the picture. Anyone who has plunked down hard-earned savings or leveraged their good credit to fund a real estate investment...
August, 2005
	Welcome: Hello and Welcome! Jeremy B. Shapiro, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. Good communicators have a competitive edge in most industries, but in the foreclosure market, it's vital to be a skilled, strategic and smart communicator...
	Feature Article: Negotiating For Profit James A. Gage Your approach in a negotiation dramatically affects the outcome of the deal. I've distilled this concept down to three essential principles. These principles are always at work for you and will help you get what you want smoothly...
	Legal Corner: Banks are willing to work with investors to find equitable solution Bob Tenney, Cunningham Machanic Bob Tenney, attorney at Cunningham Machanic in Natick, is on the frontline of the foreclosure process. Tenney and his firm review claims by lenders to review properties for foreclosure. If proper conditions are not met...
July, 2005
	Welcome: Hello and Welcome! Jeremy B. Shapiro, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. We, at ForeclosuresMass know how important it is to be "in the Know" and that an educated investor is a profitable investor. As a result, our team has been hard at work preparing for our Year of Education...
	Feature Article: An Educated Investor is a Smart Investor David Offut, Exit Realty Plus As a real estate broker and investor, I know how important it is to have a finger on the pulse of the investment market — especially when it comes to investing in foreclosed properties. Knowing the foreclosure process inside and out is very important, especially knowing how foreclosure laws differ from state to state...
June, 2005
	Welcome: Hello and Welcome! Jeremy B. Shapiro, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. We hope we included something for everyone this month - whether you are just getting your feet wet in the foreclosure market or are a seasoned investor...
	Feature Article: Financing Your Foreclosure Investment Deborah Siegel "I'm looking for a good deal!" I hear this sentence several times a week. Unfortunately, you're not the only one looking for a great deal on a house, but you can separate yourself from the rest...
	Finance Corner: A Good Fit: Real Estate in Your Investment Portfolio Christopher P. Gullotti, MSFP Financial planners hear comments about real estate investments frequently. Does investing in real estate truly offer financial opportunities? Many times yes, but not always for the reasons people think...
	Tax Strategy: Defer Your Taxes via Like-Kind Exchanges - Combine with gain tax exemption on home sales! Andrew Goloboy, CPA I would like to take this opportunity to describe a very important tax planning arrangement approved by the IRS for property owners. You may have heard it called a tax-deferred Section 1031 "like-kind exchange" or "tax-free exchange"...
May, 2005
	Welcome: Hello and Welcome! Jeremy B. Shapiro, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. This month's Special Agents' Edition of the ForeclosuresMass newsletter was put together for the realtors who subscribe to ForeclosuresMass. ForeclosuresMass isn't just for investors, mortgage brokers and homebuyers; it's also for those real estate professionals who know how to list and sell foreclosed homes quickly...
	Feature Article: How Effective Networking Helps You Close More Deals Susan LaPlante-Dube Motivated buyers. Motivated sellers. Real estate investors. Home improvement specialists. Home inspectors. Electricians. Appraisers. Bankers. Mortgage Brokers. Real estate attorneys. The list of people you need to run a successful...
	Technology: Leveraging Technology To Maximize Success Jay Case Consumers are doing more and more business through Internet sites and e-mail. They also are more plugged in to mobile devices, relying on their cell phones, pagers, PDAs and other gadgets to keep them connected business associates...
	Agent Success: The Essence of a Good Real Estate Agent John Ralen Much has changed in residential real estate sales over the last several years, but many core competencies and strategies remain the same. Many of the skills and attributes that make an individual successful as a realtor...
April, 2005
	Feature Article: Maximizing Your Success at an Auction: Do's & Don'ts for Before & During Auctions Dale Schaetzke Are you intrigued by the opportunity to buy property at auction but unsure about how to navigate the system? Knowledge is power before and during an auction, so take the time to educate yourself about the process before jumping in...
	Legal Corner: The Foreclosure Process: What Potential Buyers Need To Know Howard D'Amico It pays to be informed, prepared and diligent if you plan to participate in a foreclosure auction. Having an understanding of the entire foreclosure process from start to finish will give you realistic expectations and maximize your chances of getting the property you want...
	Success Story: Sincerity and Generosity Help First-Time Investor Net $15,000 Derek Ebrecht Talk about hitting the ground running: Derek Ebrecht had only been subscribing to ForeclosuresMass for three months when he landed his first deal. Every Friday, Derek would download the online foreclosure data he received in his emails and send out letters to homeowners - until one Friday when a 2-family in Roslindale caught his eye...
March, 2005
	Welcome: Hello and Welcome! Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. In this month's newsletter, we bring you a comprehensive overview of the Massachusetts judicial process regarding foreclosures by Attorney Chuck Levin. Whether you are the holder of the mortgage or the prospective buyer, it is good to know not only your legal rights but also those of the homeowner!...
	Feature Article: Letters to Homeowner Prospects: 6 Rules Will Get Them Read... and Answered! Ken Lizotte, CMC Of all forms of writing, letter-writing may be the toughest. After all, who reads letters anymore, let alone writes them? Most of us frantically clip thru our snail mail as quickly as possible, casting 90% of it unopened into the trash. Thus, any letter you send to a foreclosed homeowner must grab your recipient's attention at once, hold his or her interest and (best case scenario) motivate your reader to action...
	Legal Corner: The Foreclosure Process Charles R. Levin, Esquire Whether you're an investor, home buyer, realtor or mortgage broker interested in working with foreclosures, it's important to understand how the process works from the bank's perspective. Take a moment to put yourself in the shoes of the mortgage holder...
	ForeclosuresMass Tips: Maximizing the ForeclosuresMass Website Jeremy B. Shapiro, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. "There are 142 NEW Foreclosures in your counties!" Each week, a message similar to this one appears in your inbox, notifying you of all the new foreclosures that have started in your counties. With so many new foreclosures filed each week, knowing what to do with them is as critical as knowing that there are new foreclosures...
February, 2005
	Welcome: Hello and Welcome! Jeremy B. Shapiro, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. The New Year is only weeks behind us and many accountants are already too busy with tax season to answer the phone! Fortunately, you still have a little over two months before the dreaded Tax Day, but it's not too late to make some tax plans for 2004 and some longer term plans for 2005 and beyond...
	Feature Article: Note Buyers Help Investors Seal the Deal George Riley, Genesis Funding Resources One of the common reasons investors look towards foreclosures is because foreclosed properties can be purchased for below market prices. One of the ways you can further a negotiation along is by asking the seller to "hold paper"...
	Finance Corner: The Real (Tax) Deal Sonia M. Stingo CPA, PFS, Livingston & Haynes Purchasing real estate as investment property can provide taxpayers with some substantial tax savings. But there are a few pitfalls to look for and consider in your process of acquiring investment property...
January, 2005
	Welcome: Looking Forward - ForeclosuresMass 2005 - The Year of Education Jeremy B. Shapiro, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. 2003 and 2004 were years of building and growing. We expanded the wealth of foreclosure data available for our subscribers, enhanced the site and grew the data side of our business...
	Setting Goals: Focus Your Drive -- With Goals for '05! Sharon Teitelbaum, MA, PCC People set goals in order to achieve them. Why, then, do so many people set goals but NOT achieve them? As a coach who works with real estate professionals and investors around the country, I regularly see...
	Success Story: How a Father and Son Team Meet their Goals Adam Scarcella In the beginning... Adam Scarcella, software engineer by day, real estate investor by night, stumbled across ForeclosuresMass 14 months ago. After reading, Are You Dumb Enough To Be Rich?, Adam decided that pre-foreclosures were the best way to break into the real estate business...
November, 2004
	Feature Article: Contacting the Homeowner Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. All of your new foreclosure data has been downloaded and you're ready to contact the homeowner. Before you establish contact, there are some things you should know...
	Finance Corner: What you Need to Know When Financing a Foreclosed Property Lisa Halpert, Loan Officer, HomeVest Mortgage Corporation While other investment properties allow a buyer ample occasion to view the property, inspect the systems and bring in experts to assess the improvements necessary for habitation, purchasers of foreclosed properties may have little or no ability to walk through the building. In addition, when foreclosed properties are purchased at auction little time is left for reflection regarding price...
	Success Story: Lessons Learned... Government Financing isn't Always What it Seems Jeremy Cyrier, The Cyrier Sales Team In our last article, husband and wife real estate team, Jeremy and Sarah Cyrier, listed an apartment complex. (The property was discovered from the daily email alerts generated by ForeclosuresMass.) Two offers had already been made on the apartment complex, and it looked like a third offer was on its way. The homeowner was extremely relieved that he was going to avoid foreclosure. Things were looking up for everyone. That was last month. Here's what else happened...
August, 2004
	Welcome: Hello and Welcome Jeremy B. Shapiro, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. It has been a busy few months at ForeclosuresMass. We have asked you for your suggestions and opinions and you have eagerly responded. In turn, we sorted through all of your feedback and created a new and updated website...
	Legal Corner: Banks are willing to work with investors to find equitable solution Bob Tenney, Cunningham Machanic Bob Tenney, attorney at Cunningham Machanic in Natick, is on the frontline of the foreclosure process. Tenney and his firm review claims by lenders to review properties for foreclosure. If proper conditions are not met, they are also the folks who send out demand letters—the step that begins the foreclosure process for the homeowner. "We send the demand letter and give the homeowner time to reinstate their loans. If that doesn't happen we proceed with the foreclosure," says Tenney...
	Success Story: Husband and Wife Team Know it Pays to be Sincere when Making Deals Jeremy Cyrier, The Cyrier Sales Team As a real estate broker and investor, Jeremy is always on the lookout for good investments for both himself and his customers. Through weekly emails from ForeclosuresMass, Jeremy is notified of foreclosed properties listing up-to-date, accurate data. Not too long ago, Jeremy was notified of a foreclosed apartment complex that peaked his interest. This is what transpired...
April, 2004
	Welcome: Hello and Welcome Jeremy Shapiro and Sheila Farragher-Gemma, ForeclosuresMass, Corp. We are proud to bring you the first edition of our ForeclosuresMass.com newsletter. The goal of this newsletter is to provide you with expert advice on a range of topics so you are more successful with your foreclosed property investments...
	Legal Corner: What to Know Before You Buy: The Legal-Ease of Foreclosed Properties Suzanne Brunelle, Portnoy and Greene, PC Over the past ten years, attorney Suzanne Brunelle of Portnoy and Greene, PC in Newton, has handled thousands of foreclosures. Her advice is simple: find out as much as you can as early as you can about the property that interests you...
	Success Story: One Deal, $90,000... Dominic Kirchner II, Exit Realty Center Full-time realtor and professional investor, Dominic Kirchner II, received his Foreclosures Mass email one Friday afternoon. After reviewing the stats, he quickly downloaded the data and sent out inquiry letters to the people who had received foreclosure notices...
	Professional Profile: Using ForeclosuresMass.com Can Ease Mortgage Woes for Investors says one Mortgage Company President Gary Yi, Secure Mortgage Corp. Gary Yi, President of Secure Mortgage Corporation is a very busy man these days. Lower interest rates have caused a boom in purchases and refinancing. There are some tricks to buying foreclosed property that could make the process easier if you are looking for financing...

Did you like this article? You May Also Like:

	Feature Article: Is Lease Purchase Investing For Everyone? James A. Gage All investing has risk, some more than others. But there is one exception to the rule - lease purchase. With a lease purchase, investors receive all the benefits of control/ownership of the property without ownership - how can you beat that scenario?
	Interview with the Expert: The Nitty-Gritty Rehabbing Tips You Must Know Kevin Lacasse What's the biggest mistake real estate investors make when it comes to rehabbing properties? According to expert rehabber Kevin Lacasse, it's paying too much for a property! Read his tips for figuring out how much you should pay - and how to budget for those unexpected cost overruns.
	Success Strategies: Capitalize on the Current Real Estate Market with a Reverse Exchange Gary Gorman, The 1031 Exchange Experts Did you know that you can purchase foreclosed properties now, while the market is still down, but not take Title to them until you're able to sell your current properties when the market goes up (and thus defer capital gains taxes)? It's true - and you can do this with a reverse 1031 exchange. Like the normal 1031 exchange, the reverse exchange has its own set of rules and guidelines, all of which Gary Gorman, the reverse 1031 exchange expert, explains in this article.
	Feature Article: How Effective Networking Helps You Close More Deals Susan LaPlante-Dube Motivated buyers. Motivated sellers. Real estate investors. Home improvement specialists. Home inspectors. Electricians. Appraisers. Bankers. Mortgage Brokers. Real estate attorneys. The list of people you need to run a successful...
	Success Strategies: Working with Plumbers, Electricians, and HVAC Types Michael Farmer Unless you use the services of a property manager, owning a rental property means you're responsible for maintenance and repairs. If you're all thumbs when it comes to toilet seals and the like, you'll have to call in the "trades" to help. Veteran contractor Michael Farmer tells you how to find good trades people you can trust - and how to ensure you get what you pay for.
	Feature Article: Five Strategies for Successful Long-Distance Real Estate Investing Holly Daigle Yes, buying properties in other states can be a logistical nightmare – especially when you need a team of real estate experts for each state in which you do business. Real estate investor Holly Daigle explains how to develop foolproof processes for keeping everyone in the loop and why it’s essential you build a network of people you absolutely trust.
	Tax Strategy: Defer Your Taxes via Like-Kind Exchanges - Combine with gain tax exemption on home sales! Andrew Goloboy, CPA I would like to take this opportunity to describe a very important tax planning arrangement approved by the IRS for property owners. You may have heard it called a tax-deferred Section 1031 "like-kind exchange" or "tax-free exchange"...
	Professional Profile: Using ForeclosuresMass.com Can Ease Mortgage Woes for Investors says one Mortgage Company President Gary Yi, Secure Mortgage Corp. Gary Yi, President of Secure Mortgage Corporation is a very busy man these days. Lower interest rates have caused a boom in purchases and refinancing. There are some tricks to buying foreclosed property that could make the process easier if you are looking for financing...
	Closing the Deal: Watch Out for Sale Contingencies When Selling a Property David Camiel, Attorney With a drop in the sheer number of buyers, foreclosure investors who intend to sell properties must pay close attention to the details of any deal. Attorney David Camiel explains what to look for - and what to look out for - before signing an offer to purchase or a purchase and sales agreement. Don't miss this information-packed article!
	Success Strategies: Bank-Owned Properties Offer Terrific Investment Opportunities Eric Woolhiser Real Estate Owned properties or 'REOs' are properties that are taken back by the bank after failing to sell at auction. What many investors don't realize is that there are often attractive opportunities among REOs - provided you know where to look...