What is the best state to sell real estate and what are the requirements to have a real estate license there?

What is the best state to sell real estate and what are the requirements to have a real estate license there?

This is not a good real estate market, but it is improving. The people who make the most money in real estate know their area and have lots of contacts who refer buyers and sellers to them. Moving to a different area means you start from zero with both of the above. Stay where you are, get your real estate license, and work for a well respected local company that will help you get started. If you don't have savings to support yourself for six months to a year, then get a job working for a successful real estate salesperson who needs help doing the small stuff that takes time, but not a lot of skill.

What exactly does a real estate investor do?

I've always thought that a real estate investor just bought houses, fixed 'em up, and sold them for more money or something of that sort.

Am I completely off the mark?

i thought so too. hope u get answers so i can find out

A real estate investor is someone who buys a property and turns it into an asset. In other words they make money work for them. Such as buying a property that is zoned as rural but is about to turn commercial and then making deals to zone it as commercial. Everyone here knows that mcdonalds makes money selling hamburgers, right. No wrong, mcdonalds makes money by making property valuable. In other words they make the building, and make people pay to run it.

There are many ways to invest in real estate. I have been flirting with the idea for awhile of going into real estate. What you mentioned is called flipping homes, there is a great show on TLC called "flip this house", or something like that. Very interesting, they sometimes make six figure profits. You can also buy homes and then rent them out, this provides a continuous stream of income as long as the rent is more than the mortgage payments.

you got it.. thats what they do..

That's one way of doing it. Then there are others who loan money to invest in real estate.

Puts up the money to buy properties that have a high prospect of sale with a larger price tag. Usually this mean you buy a lot of land, and land in around that area. You build somethig on lot A that brings people to the area. Then you sell land in lots B C D and so at higher prices for houses, businesses etc.

Just going out and buying land isn't that easy. And sellig it for more than you got it for is even harder.

What you're thinking of is just a "house-flipper". It's a part of real estate investing, but not the only part. A lot of investors also rent out their property. For example, my uncle is an investor, all of his money comes from renting. He owns lots of buildings, strip malls, etc. He has a huge apartment building with 100+ apartments, each paying him $1000 a month, thats a lot of money. He also owns commercial real estate, which is when you rent out space for businesses.

So basically there's two areas of real estate investing, leasing and selling.

Hope that helped

There are many types of real estate investors but you're describing a very popular kind because going the residential route is one of the "easiest" to get into - plus the fact that there are so many fix and flip tv shows on these days. Akin to the RE investor you mention is the silent partner or financial backer to the individual that is finding, fixing, flipping. Quite often the 'flipper' needs a backer and the backer too is considered an RE investor. There are also RE investors of the commercial variety. Retail strip malls - typical example: buy land, build a strip mall, lease the space - a little more involved than a residential flip. Another retail scenario includes optioning land, approaching a retail chain with a location offer, then build-to-suit. The list goes on... commercial investors that re-fit larger buildings into smaller sections to house more businesses - this one is in many ways similar to the residential fixer and flipper. If you're interested in flipping residential homes check out foreclosure listings by HUD (Dept of Housing and Urban Development), or ask any of your local banks if they have a REO (real estate owned) list. In many cases you can find a house below market value in need of a cosmetic makeover. The Veterans Administration also has foreclosure listings and you don't have to be a veteran to take them over. Hope this helps.

What is pricing structure for commercial real estate brokers?

Is there a range of commissions or fees most commercial real estate brokers use? For example residential real estate varies but is between 5-7% depending upon the area of the country.

Could someone provide a rough outline of commercial real estate broker pricing?

In CA the standard commission is 10%. I would assume elsewhere it is about the same, but I do not know for sure.

How can I start off in the Real Estate Development business?

I am 17 and still in high school. I've gained interest in real estate and know I want to own my own business. How can I start now as a junior in high school to work towards owning and operating a succesful real estate development business. I would like to be operating on a scale that Donal Trump does one day.

http://www.indeed.com/salary?q1=Real+Estate+Developer&l1=&tm=1

http://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=Real+Estate+Developer&l=

Contact some local developers and ask if you can work there as an intern (unpaid) just to gain experience. I work in commercial real estate and there is a lot to learn. I've been doing this for 15+ years and I'm still learning new stuff. If you can gain experience in each area like construction, financial modeling, negotiating and real estate law it will give you a more well rounded education that you'll need to be successful in your own business. Good luck and when you're a big, rich, successful developer don't forget me, I may come to you lookin for a job ;-)

How does one start a business in real estate?

I'd like to start investing in land and I' m thinking about going into the real estate business. And I was wondering if one would have to have some kind of real estate lisence or if one can just start buying up land and just jump right into the business?

It depends what you want to do. If you want to work as an agent with a multiple listing service you will need a licence. You can also buy foreclosures or power of sales and try to sell them for market value. You can rent property out. You could try to gather some investors and start a real estate investment trust, a REIT. The internet has opened a massive potential for for sale by owner websites. You could do all of these.

Be frugal and take things slow. Learn to understand interest rates. Are rates currently rising or falling? Why?Learn about insurance, taxes, utilities, upgrades, etc. Learn to perform the duties of a home inspector or hire one!

Good luck!

Here is an excellent resource for learning how to buy real estate either for first time home buyer or for learning real estate investing.

http://www.cashinhouses.com/ http://answers.yahoo.com/question/accuse_write?qid=1006031501077&kid=TM19W2HoB2OpDdTqF4BZ8plXRG9GbrSaHcRbU2Dium7.Ua5RL26h&s=comm&date=2007-10-25+16%3A21%3A56&.crumb=

Here are some links that may be of help

http://www.getyourebook.com/bargainprops

http://www.getyourebook.com/nomoneydown

http://www.getyourebook.com/becominganagent

http://www.getyourebook.com/forclosures

What to look for in a good real estate agent?

My dad is a public school teacher but he became a millionare investing in real estate. His advise is to hire the "youngest and hottest real estate dame in town". He says they get more people interested in their properties and they are harder to say no to when working through a deal. He sounds like a pig to me on this one but it has worked for him. Any one with experience on this one because I need to find a good agent.

I do not have experience in this... but I read a book entitled Feakonomics by Steven Levitt an Stephen Dubner. In this book it explained why we should have an agent like you father had.

Here are the basics of earning a few extra dollars on the purchase of a home. (sounds strange: but on any investment, the profit is made on the purchase of a deal).

Work to find an agent who is an excellent salesman/woman.

----like your dad mentioned.---

Then write up a contract on the side that states that if they get you into the home for 20K less than the asking price you'll give your agent an extra 5k. If he/she get you in for 40K less you'll give him 10K. etc. etc. (make it realative to the ammount you save) Because you are going to pay him/her anyway... this will have to be done on the side so that they will work hard for you and not their realtor. This process will save you 15K or 30K and give the agent more will power to work to get YOU that great deal.

Be sure you write this up outside of their contract with their Realtor, just to insure that your agent gets the full 5K or 10K and not just the typical 2%.

I hope this works for you.

That is pretty ridiculous. Although it is true that people like to look at good looking people more than they like to look at unattractive ones, when it comes down to it they are not going to buy anything they don't truly want to buy just because the agent is attractive. And the youngest agent is not likely to be very good either because practice makes perfect in representing clients well. I am a real estate agent/broker, but before that I was a consumer who had purchased 4 houses from agents who weren't young or hot. I like to feel that an agent is interested in my needs and is totally involved in real estate so they not only know what is on the market but also how much it is worth-a go getter.

Yep, he's a pig.

Ask people you know. You will find the best agents by referrals from friends, co-workers and neighbors.

There are no silver bullets, either for listing agents or buyer's agents. Buyer's agents are easier - just give a few of them non-exclusive buyer's agent agreements, tell them what you want, and the one that finds the place you want gets paid, while the others don't.

Listing agency has to be exclusive for a time, so that's harder. I'd build a downwards sliding scale of compensation in, both with value and time, and require an agent to agree in writing to release you from the listing agreement if they suggest a price drop. The number one scam agents pull is "I can get you a million bucks" for the property, then within a couple of weeks they are pressuring you to drop the price - after you've wasted the time of highest interest in your property. Most folks have deadlines they need to sell by, and agents who price the property right in the first place are far likelier to get your property sold for a better price.

I found my agent through a coworker. I would recommend asking friends, coworkers, and family members and see if they can recommend a realtor that they had a good experience with. I would choose a realtor based on personality rather than looks. A realtor can be homely, but they have to be a people person in order to be successful.

How to structure a real estate deal with investors looking to develop land?

Whats the most efficient way to structure a real estate deal with a group of investors looking to develop land. One of the partners owns land, but will not put any capital into the investment? FYI, this is an international deal where REITs do not apply? LLC? Other?

*Also, how best to allocate shares?

*Also what are the different exit strategies?

Consult with a Realtor and real estate attorney

Boggles the mind that people would ask questions about such involved issues that obviously require serious consultation with accounting and legal professionals