Real Estate Deals In Boston MA

How does "forced networking" help you flip properties

April 26, 2014 by bostonareia Leave a Comment

I have people ask me all the time, “What is ‘forced’ networking and how exactly does it help me flip properties in the Boston area?”

Forced networking is for everyone. Originally we started doing it at Boston AREIA for the wall flowers of the group. You know the people who are uncomfortable walking up to someone and saying, “Hi, my name is ……………….. and I’m a new investor and I want to meet…” I wanted to give those folks a way to get business cards from people so they could call them up later and meet with them. But, it’s turned out to be one of the favorite sections of our meetings. For the wall flowers and everyone else as well! During our forced networking section, we bring different groups of people to the front of the room…for example, “Can all the wholesalers come up to the front of the room…now, everyone who wants someone else to find them deals, come up and exchange business cards, don’t talk for 5 minutes, exchange business cards and move to the next person…” This is the fastest form of speed networking that you will find. We don’t give you 5 minutes, we give you 5 seconds to exchange business cards so that you can connect with the people you want to after the meeting in a one on one setting. Wholesalers love it because they are able to increase their buyers list quickly. Rehabbers/Flippers love it because they get a whole new group of people looking for properties for them. Realtors and lenders love it because they get a whole new group of people that they can connect with where real estate is concerned. And, you know what happens when you connect an entire group of people focused on flipping properties in some form or another? Deals get done! So, forced networking most definitely helps you to flip properties. Check out some of our pictures from our last meeting…we began with a coaching session, then went to regular networking, then forced networking, then speakers for education. If used properly, your Boston AREIA meetings will help you build your power team and help you make connections, business partners and friends that you will work with the rest of your life!

Yours in success, Bernadette Trafton, Boston AREIA Chief Connector

My favorite direct mail marketing campaign

July 24, 2013 by bostonareia 4 Comments

Good afternoon everyone,

I wanted to share my favorite direct mail marketing campaign. It’s my favorite because it doesn’t cost that much and typically you get great results. First, you need to determine the area that you want to market in and know the zip codes.

I prefer to work with out of area owners, because depending on their situation, they are more likely to want out of the property. So, I go to my favorite list place, www.Melissadata.com. There are other list places, this is just the one that I’ve grown accustomed to using. Wherever you get your list, choose out of area owners in the location that you are looking to buy in.

Now, many folks will tell you to send a postcard campaign and make the postcard yellow or orange. I’m not all that fond of this method because the call rate is less than 1%. I like to use Send Out Cards. Yes, I send a card! Think about it, are you more likely to open a card or look at a postcard? If you are like me the postcards get thrown in the trash and the cards I open. It’s pretty simple. The call rate is higher and worth the little extra money you pay to send the card. It depends on the card, but, usually it costs 2 points plus the cost of postage. 1 point costs .31, plus the cost of postage, so around $1.00 per card, unless you create a card using your own photos, then it is 3 points, plus postage, so around $1.40. They also have postcards, but, I really like the cards better, higher open and respond rate.

Once you set up your Send out Cards account, it’s as easy as upload the leads to a specific group, then choose or create a card, enter your text, choose the recipients, hit send and within a week you should be getting calls. Now, mind you, I do this consistently so the phone rings consistently. Make sure you set your marketing budget ahead of time. If you are doing things right and consistently, in the beginning, your marketing budget is similar to a car payment every month…and not a Yugo car payment…are they around anymore?

Cheers to a great summer and happy investing!

DESIRE. COMMIT. SUCCEED!

Bernadette Trafton, Chief Connector

Boston AREIA

Boston AREIA Real Estate Club present deals and more deals

July 9, 2013 by bostonareia Leave a Comment

Good morning everyone! So, I’ve had some deals come in over the last few days. I will also be posting these deals on the deals page as well. Make sure you bring your deals next week at our Christmas in July meeting on July 18th! See all upcoming events for Boston AREIA real estate club on our events page.

Ok so, let’s go through the deals that came across my desk:

70 School Street, JP 2 family, 3/4 beds and 1 bath each. 2 parking spots, laundry hookups in each unit. 2,620 sq ft. $535,000. Good rental income property cash-flowing $3,600-$4,000 a month.

78 Pine Street, Fall River, MA 02720 Commercial Building Uses: Sober House or similar, office building Adjacent to Route 195, 79, 138, near 24 No 21E on File Handicap Accessible, 1st and 2nd Floor Lot 8,599 SF includes 20 space parking lot across the street Built 1917 Location within 1 mile of new courthouse Top floor office has view of River Close to Fall River Heritage State Park 12,228 SF The building is full business zoned. That allows for hotels / rooming house. The City of Fall River does not require a special Sober House license, just a rooming house license. No special permit or variance required. Information from others in the business says they use 200 sq ft per room, including hallways, common kitchen(s) and baths. That would allow for 52 rooms / beds without disturbing the 3rd floor auditorium. If the room charge is $500.00 per month, that’s $26,000 gross income per month. Purchase cost is only $7,692.00 per room.

Westwood/dover line great opportunity for builders. The existing home it has 5 bedroom beautiful well maintain sitting on 7 acres. The land has been approved to build two other properties on it so with one price they get the home and two other buildable home. Bernadette@BostonAREIA.com

Rare beachfront land and real estate on the north shore of Boston, Ma – bernadette@bostonareia.com

Existing now is a parking lot along with a few older buildings to be torn down and rebuilt. Retail is now renting the street floor space in the existing buildings. This will be a five-phase project consisting of five buildings with 40 units in each building for a total of about 200 units based on the current permitted zoning.

The current property owners have owned the property for 100 years and are in good standing with the town. The assessed value of the property currently is over 3 million and it’s owned free and clear. The owners will sell for 8 million and will get paid on a per unit sold basis. Each of the 5 buildings sold out will generate over $20,000,000. Interested parties, email Bernadette@Bostonareia.com

Make sure you check back at your real estate club deals page

Happy Investing!

DESIRE. COMMIT. SUCCEED!

Bernadette Trafton, Chief Connector

Bernadette@Bostonareia.com