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REO Site combines Education with Resources

About a year ago, I had a stellar idea to start a website that would teach REO Education and also provide a list of companies to apply with for BPO work and listings. Alas, I'm no computer genius nor did I have the time to pursue the idea.

But someone else did! Dan with UniversalREO.com has created a terrific website that will teach you how to do a BPO and also provides a listing of lenders and 3rd party servicers to appy with.

Yes, you'll pay a fee to join the site - however, in my opinion, it's WELL WORTH the investment.

And, for the newbies who want more info, he has REO training, a video library, a forms library and so much more. Check it out!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ JOIN ACTIVE RAIN TODAY! CLICK HERE TO JOIN!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Posted by Melissa Schnieders on 08/19/2007 11:50 AM

Comments (25)

reo info for real estate pros

25 Comments on REO Site combines Education with Resources

AUG

2007

Looks like a good site - the only real problem I have with it is the monthly fee is a 12 month lock. If it works and generates business then fine, if not who wants to pay for a year - not me...

Oooohh, aaaaahh! If it had been only 6 months ago, I probably would have signed up before I came back to write this comment. However, I'm learning in my very old age to ask more questions before I spend a bunch of money. I would love to hear some feedback from participants!

Hi everyone,

Daniel Waterman here from UniversalREO.com. I don't blame you for being skeptical, as I am a very critical consumer myself. However, I offer you two options to make the most educated decision for your company possible. The first is to watch "Inside the Site" on our home page. The second is to call me directly at 720-ALL-BANX (720-255-2269) and I would be happy to address any and all of your questions. There is too much information to put into this one blog.

UniversalREO also has its own blog, which you are welcome to look over as well: UniversalREO BLOG

Melissa, thank you for your review. We look forward to helping as many REO Specialists as possible. Be on the lookout for a couple of new items: (1) "UniversalREO Hot Sheets" (2) Podcasts interviewing REO Professionals (3) 3 hour courses (online and live) with a live panel of foreclosure industry specialists.

Lastly, as for our monthly fees, you'll find that we are still well below the competition in our annual costs, require $0 set-up or admin fee, ask for $0 referral fee, we offer far more (direct links to register with over 100 REO and BPO companies to register with AND asset managers use our Agent Search frequently to find our Professional members) than our competition, and we have never had an REO specialist register for all of our companies and NOT get business. Our goal is for our site to be paid for every month with only 1 BPO (our fees are equivalent to 10 Starbucks drinks per month).

Hope to see all of you doing business through UniversalREO.com soon!

Daniel M Waterman
CEO
UniversalREO.com
Daniel.Waterman@UniversalREO.com

When I was a new agent getting started in REO, I would have GLADLY paid this small fee to have access to the list he provides. It took me hundreds of hours combing the internet to put together the small list that I provide for free to those who ask. But, more than the list of contacts, the education he has provided is wonderful!! I have paid thousands of dollars to attend conventions and courses and again, there is a lot of value in his site!!

AUG

2007

I've been registered for a few weeks, and I LOVE it! I would have spent months compiling this list. Although it certainly isn't perfect - it has really helped me out getting started!

Leigh ~ Thanks for sharing! I too found the list of contacts to be a great source of new business! I understand that there are going to be MANY new updates to the site in the very near future.

AUG

2007

Thanks for the information. I'll check out the link soon.

AUG

2007

Hey everyone~

UniversalREO.com just added 23 new REO and BPO companies to it's REO Marketing page bringing the total number of companies that an agent can begin their REO career with to 140! AND, we have direct links to the registration pages making it a walk in the park to sign up as a BPO vendor.

If you register with 140 REO and BPO companies my guess is that you're going find some business. I recently assisted a local REO agent with this process and we completed 8 registrations over the span of 1 hour. He receives approximately 1 BPO per day now (that has been consistent now for 2 weeks)! If anyone would like him as a reference, you have to call me directly: 720-ALL-BANX.

Also, a panel discussion is currently being assembled and in the works hosted by UniversalREO.com. I will be sure to record the discussion for our national Professional members on podcast. The panel will include the following: A portfolio manager, a business development manager from a large financial institution, a veteran REO specialist, the CEO of a title company, and the CEO of a real estate auction house. Yours truly will be the moderator.

Keep the comments/questions coming!

Daniel

AUG

2007

I just wanted to thank you for all of your help and advice. My boss found your postings in march and by following your advice (you didn't give any easy answers just the path) I have signed up with many companies and even have 3 REO listings...I truely appreciate everything, thank you very much!

SEP

2007

Just a quick FYI:

October 5th will be the first of many REO Expert Panel Discussions & Short Course on Marketing and Technology for real estate. You can see the details on www.UniversalNews.TV. It's going to be quite exciting and we'll be hosting an asset manager, a former asset manager/REO specialist, the CEO of an auction house, the CEO of a title company, and the business development manager for Wachovia.

We're already 1/2 full on seating after 1 week and intend to host a full house.

For those of you not in Denver, we won't be far from the Denver International Airport ;)

Daniel

NOV

2007

Great marketing effort. I also receive marketing emails from this company. Realtors pay an expense and it seems as if everyone wants to get into our pockets. Has it helped anyone who has joined as far as increase in work?

Corinne,

We have almost a 100% success rate with agents who put forth effort from our education and services. The cost of our services is typically paid off within 90 days and our agents get business in return for life. If you'd like to truly discuss this in person I'd be happy to offer references and facts. Please be a little more tactful with your claims as well - "get into our pockets" really strikes me as quite negative and spiteful. Remember, others are taking note of how each of us composes ourselves within this community.

Sincerely,

Dan Waterman
CEO
UniversalREO.com & UniversalNews.TV

NOV

2007

I'd love to hear feedback from actual users.

Like most agents-- I'm willing to put money-- where I'm sure I will get some sort of return. Has anyone used this company? Results?

I've used REOTrans--and after a year or so-- I'm starting to get some attention.

Also, I've got someone trying to get me to advertise in DSNews -- Haven't done that -- since he can't promise me anything.

Like everyone else here, I want to expand my REO Business--and am looking for experiences.

Thanks!

-Jason

p.s. If someone gets in my pockets-- I hope they help put money there for them to take.. :)

NOV

2007

Jason - I let some UniversalREO members know that you would like some feedback. Hopefully you'll see something posted here in the next week, pending the holidays. If not, feel free to call me directly and I'll provide references.

Keep your eyes open for some big changes by the way. I'm hoping to offer more insight into the benefits of the site and our services in the near future and potentially reduce the rates.

Lastly, the UniversalREO blog may be beneficial as well...and it's every real estate agent's favorite price: FREE! http://blog.universalreo.com

Best Regards,

Dan

DEC

2007

Jason,

Universal REO is where I started my REO journey. The information provided and the help that Dan provides is well worth the cost. Like anything else...actually, more than most things, getting into the REO business takes more time, work and networking in the beginning. It takes time for the pay-off, but if you're persistent it will come. When I started out, I went to Universal by referral and learned as much as I could and started signing up for the companies that Dan has links for on his website. It took me a few months to get rolling, but I'm now at the point where I've decided NOT to do anymore BPOs for a couple companies and Ihave enough work from companies I WANT to work with. Likewise, it took 3 or 4 months to start getting REO listings.

You do have to be careful where you spend money, but your money is well spent with Universal.

DEC

2007

Thanks for posting this, Melissa. Our team is considering adding BPO/REO services in 2008 and this will be a great resource.

JUL

2008

Just a quick update for any of the readers who come across this post. UniversalREO is now becoming the National Foreclosure Sales Training Institute (www.NFSTI.com). NFSTI will be launching a new website in the next couple of weeks which will have a lot of much-needed updates.

I truly feel that NFSTI/UniversalREO has been blessed by a community of quality real estate agents and brokers. In the last 2 years we have done nothing but grow. I hope to become more involved on a larger scale as things grow, but in the meantime, you know that you can always get in touch with the CEO himself - ME.

Take care Melissa,

Dan Waterman

AUG

2008

After stumbling on to this old post, I went to your new website - is it correct that the annual subscription price is the cost for the datbase? is that price the annual cost or is it a monthly cost with a 12 month term?

also, is the data current? I see that the database has been around for a couple of years - things change, how often is the database updated?

Sorry about posting my questions here but the Contact Us link on your site just takes a visitor to the login page.

Thanks.

JUN

The links provided most of them do not even work - the universal page goes to a godaddy default page when you register a domain. This lady is such a drama queen and what kind of person says all that stuff to try to scare you away from trying to be an REO agent before becoming one? She probably is a selfish agent like most and wants more money to spend on food (check out her pic) so she gives out bad information!

Wow Mark Daniel. For your very first post, you sure are showing your true self. This particular post was written nearly 2 years ago ~ links may not work. Things in life change. I will definitely look into the links - never have I been paid for any info I've been provided. Although, I did get some really NICE hand written notes and emails from agents who were helped by me to get into REO work. Before you bash on someone, stop and ask yourself, "What's the point of this?" If you have nothing nice to say, perhaps do not say anything at all. Just a thought.

Melissa,

I'm so sorry that individuals like Mark Daniel feel compelled to write such things. Amidst a group of 99% professionalism, there's bound to be the other 1%. It's like I've been told, "50% will always see your vision, 30% will always complain, and 20% will feel the need to harm. There's nothing anyone can do to change that."

After looking into Mark Daniel's account it's pretty clear that it's someone who's not going to reveal their identity. There's not much substance to their message, ActiveRain account, phone number (disconnected), or website (although it wouldn't be terribly hard to find out, which I intend to do), and if they'd done their homework they'd know that:

www.UniversalREO.com was absorbed by www.nfsti.com in December 2007.
in the past 12 months there have been more bankruptcies, mergers, and name changes in the business than in the history of REO (hence many of the links not working).

I accept the criticism and will be looking into the links. I admit that with our 300% growth in business between 2007 and 2008 I got a little bit behind on updating the links. However; if Mr. Daniel thinks that this is going to make or break his career in REO then I suggest that he consider meeting with one of NFSTI's many REO advisors on how this industry truly operates. He could also use a polish on his business etiquette. As a former state champion in martial arts I can say without hesitation that it took all of my focus and concentration to see past those comments and identify them for what they truly are without losing my temper - insecurity. Perhaps he used this website as a last-ditch effort to salvage a dying career. In this case, I would like to reach out to him, not push him away.

All my best,

Daniel Mark Waterman (ironic, huh?)

CEO

NFSTI

Dan@NFSTI.com (feel free to email me for some help Mark)

www.nfsti.com (formerly www.UniversalREO.com since 2007)

Hey Melissa,

This actually just came through my email... And unfortunately, I did not see the post about this issue. Nor did I realize this guy was trying to clown on you...

What I can state with an absolute impunity-- is that when I was a "Wanna-be" -- you took the time (Back in 2006) to write me MANY emails with websites-- and tips on how to get a little deeper into the business.

Although, I never worked those leads -- the way I should have--- I can state that some of those tips did provide useful-- and I'm now doing fairly well in REO. You also took the time out of your day -- to look through my market area-- and give me tips on who was doing what -- and how I could differentiate myself from them...

Sorry I didn't send you a Christmas Card-- I just forgot .... Forgive me? >:)

Wow-- I just read Mark's comment-- Fat jokes... How original... Hey Mark-- I'm next!! PICK ME -- PICK ME...

Perhaps if you simply stated "Hey Melissa-- Unfortunately, the links don't work.. Do you have others" ... That might have gone over better than a fat joke. Do ya think she'll help you now?

Hey Melissa-- are ya still doing the HUD thing? Are you working towards the FDIC contract? Stay in touch!!!!!

WOW, Does this get better!

The owner of the website that is promoted on Mark Daniel's ActiveRain account is Imoria Inc Adamczyk. If you'd like to see what a steller character this is, please visit: RIP OFF REPORT to learn more.

Real name: Mark Adamczyk

Also, Mr. Adamczyk has another ActiveRain account under his real name: http://activerain.com/markadamczyk

I DO NOT recommend calling the phone number that he posted, he has since changed his number and the poor lady on the other line was practically in tears because she receives calls like this quite frequently.

Just type in bankownedhomesorlando (.com) over at www.whois.com (a domain name search engine of all register domain name owners). This is the website advertised on Mark Daniel's ActiveRain profile: http://activerain.com/bankownedhomesorlando

Most likely, as a spammer / rip-off artist, he/she is trying to drive web traffic to their site based on controversy. I am going to report them to ActiveRain and suggest that anyone else who doesn't feel like dealing with scum like this to do the same.

See ya Mark....

Mark Daniel. Looked him up. Blank plastic guy with no references or blog. Appears to be controlling, ugly. Judgemental -Holier than thou - type guy who has nothing else to do but pass his brand of of "I'm out to fix the world my way". Reminds me of Hitler. Are you listening Mark? To look at someones pic and make comments about their personality?

IF it was in my power, I'd get Google to black hat your web site...

Daniel ~ THANK YOU for doing some googling and leg work on this guy. I stand behind what I said about the site then as I do now. You and I emailed back and forth when you first started the site and I was a bit jealous that you took the idea to fruition ~ I had the same idea, but no ability to see it thru to conception. You've done great things for REO agents and the industry. And, it was rather kind of you to offer to assist Mark Daniel. He does appear to be misguided.

Jason~ Hey!! I remember you very well! You had many great questions and were very eager to learn. Thanks for the kind words ~ I really needed to hear that today. :D The last 14 months of my life have not been pretty bleak. My personal life shattered and I'm still working hard to put it back together again. I'm no longer a HUD listing agent nor do I list REO properties, my choice, completely. I wish anyone in the REO industry all the best - it's a tough job, especially now and the worst is yet to come (as many of us predicted several years ago.) I'm so glad to know that I helped you, even it if was just a little.

Greg ~ What can I say? Always a knight-in-shining armor, that's you all right. Thank you, my friend.

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