Monthly Archives: July 2007

Real Estate Investing vs. Stock Market, Again

I really don’t have too much time to spend on the blog today. Wall to wall appointments. But when I saw Jeff Brown had posted a post titled My 4% Will Beat Your 10% Any Day – Stocks vs. Real Estate I thought I would have to point you in that direction.

In fact, Jeff is in the habit of handing out Bawldy awards to the best posts of the day. I want to urge Jeff to give himself one.
My opinion? I can’t agree with Jeff any more than I do. To me it’s a moot point, anyway. I don’t have the cash it takes to play in “the market.” But I do have the ability to get 5% down, buy a place and let someone else pay for it. Rental homes to sell when I’m older that I didn’t pay for. Just seems like a good idea to me.

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Building A Competent Real Estate Investing Team

For those of you who are actively investing in real estate you know that one of the most important things you have to do is build your real estate team.

You are looking for an attorney, a CPA, contractors and a competent real estate agent that can help to walk you through situations for which you may have been unprepared. Professionals that will give you guidance and alternate points of view.

To better serve you it is important that you know that I am constantly acting as a student to those who have gone before me. And I am actively looking for an agent to add to my team that can follow behind.

Because of the success of BBQ Capital in combination with my other marketing efforts through the web I am to the point where another pair of hands would come in handy. So first, let me say “thank you.” And I want you to know that the point of all of this is to run a successful, profitable real estate business that provides service and advice that is second to none in the Kansas City area when it comes to real estate investing.

It’s just that I need help so that I can run this successful business AND see my family on a regular basis! :o) After all, I know some of you are anxious to learn of the different opportunities out there that you would salivate over.

On another note I am really wanting to expand the capabilities of this real estate blog for you. What are your needs? What are you looking for in a real estate blog concerning the Kansas City area? Who would you like to hear from? An attorney? A CPA? Nominations would be welcome. Let me know what you think!

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What Will That Investment Duplex Rent For?

What are the real rents?

Do you think that question is funny? You shouldn’t. If you have been a real estate investor for any period of time you know that rental values can be manipulated. Here are ways;
  1. Charging a higher monthly rent but getting 1-2 months “free.”
  2. Charging Section 8 tenants more than the market will actually bear.
  3. High rent…but utility cost are included in rent.
  4. Charging a higher rent in lieu of a security deposit.

That should get your mind started. When I look at rents in a particular income property I am always curious as to what the rest of the neighborhood is getting. Curious enough that I will research the rents online and also knock on doors.

I’ve actually had sellers tell me they are getting $995/mo when every other property in a two block radius is getting $750. Well, maybe they really are. But when it goes vacant, what do you think you are going to get to replace it?

Know your true rent values. That’s my $.02.

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Happy 4th of July From BBQ Capital: Kansas City’s Real Estate Blog

Regardless of race.
Religion.
Or political affiliation.

To every man, woman and child since Columbus landed that has given their life in sacrifice to this country I say “Thank you.”

Your sacrifice has allowed me to

Stand proud.
Disagree.
Live free.

Pictured in the photo is this country’s only WWI Memorial recognized by the United States Congress. It is located in Kansas City.

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Real Estate Investor From California Loves Kansas City – Real Estate Investor Interview #2

Today’s real estate investor interview is from a gentleman residing in the Los Angeles area of California. He chooses to go by Phil “N” and that is enough for you to know! You see, many people are not looking to sell books and tapes as real estate gurus. They are looking to build a Retirement Worth Having.

This interview stands in stark contrast to the last interview I did. Our last real estate investor had owned property consistently over the last 50 years and had many properties. Compare that to this interview and see the similarities and differences.

Q: How long have you been investing in real estate? I have been investing in real estate for almost one year now. That is with the duplex in Blue Springs, MO. I researched for about two years before I bought.

Q: Why did you choose to start investing your capital into real estate? I think it is a good idea to invest in real estate because of he fact that you’re able to leverage a larger amount of appreciation of funds for a smaller amount invested. In other words, my $30,000 investment is actually $150,000 appreciating at 4% a year, not to mention that someone else is paying off the mortgage, I’m able to benefit with reduced income taxes, and the duplex I bought in Blue Springs is actually operating in the black by $300/month already.

Q: Okay, but you live in California. Why did you choose Kansas City? I chose Kansas City (after much research) because it offers good cash flow on my property. The combination of purchase price v. rents was a good ratio (i.e. good cap rate). The neighborhoods are nice, the per capita income in Kansas City is higher than the national average, and Kansas City seems like a good place for large businesses to operate from.

Q: Does owning property so far away cause you to lose any sleep at night? The only concern I have is that because I’m so far away, I’m not as familiar with the day to day changes within the community where my duplex is. I rely on my property manager to keep me up to speed on changes in the neighborhood that might influence future value of the property. I subscribe to an online newspaper for Blue Springs that allows me to keep up with local news.

Q: So now you have one under your belt. What are your future income property plans? I’m very happy with the duplex, and I plan to buy one or two more properties within the next year in the Kansas City area.

Editor’s Note: These interviews are done without me writing the answers. I swear. But they sound like things I preach. Hmmmmmmmm.

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The Police in Concert

You will have to pardon me if I don’t have a lot of heavy posts today and tomorrow. You see, I have a bunch of phone calls to make, contracts to check on and inspections to work with before I leave at 1:00 pm today to head over to St. Louis for The Police concert this evening.

I worked all weekend with my real estate investing business. It’s time for play this evening. Now, if I could only find my parachute pants…

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Osawatomie Under Seige…Again

In a story that is being reported around the country Osawatomie, Kansas is under siege by flood waters. 46% of the town has been ordered to evacuate this small town about an hour’s drive south of Kansas City, KS.
I drive through here all the time on US 169 on my monthly trips to Oklahoma. Good people live down there. But sometimes the Marais des Cygnes river bests them. Even with all the levies and dikes built around the town.
John Brown, the famous anti-slavery fighter, fought against the Missourians there in Osawatomie. And the term Jayhawks is believed to have first been used there. So I like the town already!

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