Inventory is high, sellers are making concessions, money is available, and for the investor market there are plenty of deals to be had! BUT I have talked and worked with more "tire-kickers" than ever before. It seems that even in today's outstanding "Buyers' Market" more people are afraid to actually make a commitment to buy.

My investors list has grown exponentially as compared to actual buyers. I have spent more time this year researching and breaking down potential deals than ever before. My time driving, meeting potential clients, selling myself and my services to the investors market has been easier but more time consuming than in past years. Easier because I know and keep on top of my business segment-the investor-but more time consuming because there are so many "new" investors out there, thinking this is the way to eliminate all of there financial problems in life. (that's a course of study to lengthy for this post)

I spend much more time in the education of my clients-or in some cases-re-education. Clients that come to me directly from some of the more popular REI courses like Real Estate Riches and Trump University find my methods and practice very compatible to their growth. No, I have not taken these courses, (I started with Carlton Sheets course in the 80's-do you remember the 80's? I was getting great deals at 13-15% interest rates!) but they do teach a very solid understanding of the REI game plan.

Investors-you are not investors just because you took a class and call yourself an investor. Investors are strong and courageous-they are forward thinking and big picture oriented with a well detailed business plan. They are decision makers-ready to pounce when the prey peeks his head from under the brush. They are not dependent on others for their success-but do rely on the team they put together to get the job done right.

It is on that point that I wish to expand just a bit. NO ONE can be successful in this business without the strength and knowledge of a good team surrounding them. Look at some of the most influential people or groups.

Ronald Reagan-one of the most popular Presidents since FDR-He is not the know all of American Politics-but he was outstanding at building a team of like minded individuals to move the agenda forward toward his vision of a better Country.

Abraham Lincoln-Took office just before the outbreak of the Civil War. Probably the most turbulent time in US history, yet he built a team of Generals that would follow his command and lead their armies with firm hand to a victorious end. No other outcome was acceptable in his eyes.

OK maybe a little closer to the industry-what about the effects of Team Trademark of Charleston, South Carolina. From a small individual investor-Richard Davis-grew a team that is now in the process of expanding Nation wide through partnerships.

Maryland has its own-Investors United from Charles Parrish or Flipping Homes from Steve Cook. Both of these individuals started as small investors that grew into large teams that spawned their own training academies. whether it be a physical school or online and video course training.

These two men, along with the traits mentioned earlier, made the decision to be successful by actually buying properties when the numbers worked-not over thinking or second guessing but moving forward according to their plan. Much like President Lincoln-failure was not an option.

Oh, Yes, mistakes were made, I have no doubt in their humble beginnings that money wasn't lost on certain deals, but the overall outcome would move them one step closer to their ultimate investing goal. If a deal did not give the expected return or actually lost money-in the end it was not wasted money-it was money invested in a greater understanding of the ups and downs of the REI business. Mark it an educational expense!

Important to any REI Team is having a strong support person with their finger on the pulse of the local RE industry. Being a Realtor and Investor, gives me that unique characteristic that cannot be found in every Realtor. I have a keen understanding of what is happening in the local market and keep my eyes and ears open to the opportunities to aid the growth of an REI business. The investors that I choose to work with also realize that I always put their needs and wants in the forefront when representing them.

Investors finding their own deals know that I will be happy to do an extensive breakdown to figure cash flow or 1st year Return on Investment. This gives the investor an unbiased, professional 2nd opinion to minimize the amount or depth of mistakes that will be made. I emphasize "will" because no amount of research can insure that our speculative crystal ball is infallable.

Are you one of those investors that believes adding the Realtor is a waste of time and money, I won't argue the point, but I do urge you to read "I don't need no stinkin agent!" Do you want to learn more about the Real Estate Investment Business? Check out the NEW, Real Estate Investors Email Training Series

The point of this post-Investors this is the time to solidify your REI Business Plan and move forward toward your ultimate Investing goal. As the market levels off and turns back toward the sellers-and it will-you will be in the position to capitalize and achieve your ultimate goals.

Stephen D Luckett

LuckNet Real Estate group

443-384-6000 office

443-912-4866 cell