Investing Clues - Where To Look When Investing in North Idaho Real Estate

Investing Clues - Where To Look When Investing in North Idaho Real Estate

The old adage, "success leaves clues," can be extended to just about anything. Failure, leaves clues, good health habits leave clues ... you get my point! So I started thinking about investment apportunities. There must be certain clues in regard to investing in real estate and finding value properties.

• CLUE #1 - properties that cannot be built for what they are selling for.
• CLUE #2 - stable neighborhoods with few rentals and little turn over.
• CLUE #3 - value buys - everyone knows a bargain when they see one. 
• CLUE #4 - the ability to read neighborhood trends.
• CLUE #5 - all the other clues that are specific to your area!

An obvious clue for me where I live is the eligibility of financing. We have a great program for first time home buyers, "the USDA loan." The interesting thing about the USDA loan is that it cannot be used in every city in the County. Certain cities are excluded which means that first time home buyers will not be competing with investors for some of those lower end bargains in those places. In addition, first time home buyers in a USDA or FHA program will not buy a property that needs extensive rehab (for two reasons 1. they don't have the will to do the task 2. they are afraid of the unknown.)

I heard Warren Buffet the other day say that real estate and businesses are great investments right now! Gary Keller - a leading thinker and analyst of current real estate trends, suggests that those that can should be investing in real estate. Real Estate is a great investment right now if you can move into it.

... but not everyone knows how to uncover true "value real estate."

If you want to invest look for the right Realtor to help you out. Not just any Realtor, but one that thinks about it the right way.

That individual:

• Has probably purchased value property (a clue)
• Probably has some investors that have already hitched their cart to the wagon (a clue)
• Doesn't just push properties for a sale - but comes to understand the specific needs of each investor - (a clue)
• usually has a teaching approach to others (a clue)
• is probably selling real estate as a vocation - VERY IMPORTANT - because they are in neighborhoods, houses and different communities everyday. The best way to train someone to spot a conterfeit is by handling lots of real money - the fake becomes obvious.

I have shown plenty of value properties in the current market and when my qualified buyers move past a great value (for their own personal reasons) an investor is usually waiting in the wings.