Boomer’s Blog

A huge, largely underestimated and under-reported glut of foreclosed, real estate owned (REO) inventory is clogging up the U.S. housing market, and the majority of doesn’t seem to appear on the MLS. The size of this “ghost inventory” is unknown, but its effects cold be chilling for cash-strapped lenders. What does this mean to real estate investors? Tons of cash if you know how to buy right and stay on top of the real estate marketing curve.

Inventories, Foreclosure Filings Skyrocket
In November, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported an 11.2-month inventory of existing homes on the market, up from a 10.3-month in October. But now it seems those sky-high numbers statistics could continue rising dramatically, which is likely to lower home sales prices, and slow overall U.S. economic recovery.

Foreclosure filings were reported on 2.3 million U.S. properties in 2008, and an 81 percent hike from 2007, and a whopping 225 percent surge from 2006, according to RealtyTrac’s U.S. Foreclosure Market Report released in mid-January.

These inventory and foreclosure statistics are interesting enough to raise a few eyebrows among hungry real estate investors. But when RealtyTrac compared NAR’s MLS data with its foreclosure data they raised more than a few eyebrows: they raised the question of whether a vast “ghost inventory” is lingering in REO lender clutches, and if so, is it poised to deliver another hard blow to the U.S. housing market?

Piecing together the “Ghost Inventory” Puzzle
RealtyTrac recently examined the MLS listings in four states, including California, Maryland, Florida and Wisconsin, and found that they contained only a third of the foreclosures it has in its database. Research and analysis by Mr. Mortgage points to an even more widespread problem. There are several possible reasons for this apparent disparity and none of them are good for lenders.

At a minimum, preliminary data suggest that only one-third of foreclosures are reaching the MLS database, and it’s entirely likely that this is a conservative estimate.

The value of REO property on the books of FDIC-insured banks at the end of the Q3  rose 21 percent from the previous quarter, to $23 billion. That total represents a 134 percent increase over last year, according to the latest quarterly report released by the FDIC.

Since there is no reliable way to track these data and existing systems are likely overwhelmed by the high volumes of foreclosures working their way through the system, all we have at this point are estimates as to the number of houses that are haunting  REO’s “ghost” or “shadow”  inventory, as it also is coming to be known.

According to CNNMoney, current U.S. housing market declines are likely to sharpen dramatically as a result of this situation because so many foreclosed homes are lingering in bank possession without representation in the MLS.  Regardless of how the government and lenders approach the problem, averting a tidal wave of foreclosures appears to be impossible.

What’s the Holdup?
What could explain this Grand Canyon-sized gap between the numbers of foreclosures that are recorded vs. the number that has appeared on the MLS? Here are a few explanations that immediately come to mind:

• Inventories of foreclosed and REO properties has grown so fast and in such high volumes that the banks can’t keep up with processing demands, which could delay the MLS listing process.
• Federal and state government attempts to slow the foreclosure tide and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s holiday moratoria on foreclosures are contributing to MLS listing delays for many of these properties.
• Because it’s taking longer to process the foreclosures, the REO properties are getting vandalized or suffering natural damage as a result of what’s becoming long-term neglect. Getting these properties on the MLS is further delayed while banks grapple with making necessary repairs.
• It’s also possible that lenders are lagging in submitting these distressed property listings to the MLS in hopes of deferring their losses as long as possible in hopes of protecting their institutions from insolubility.
• Many of these REO properties might already be listed as short sales.

What does the Ghost Inventory Mean to Your Business?
REO housing inventories are expected to shatter more records in 2009 as more of them hit the market and banks continue their struggle to stay afloat. These market conditions are ideal for real estate investors who deploy sound purchasing strategies and stay on top of the game with effective real estate marketing.

For a quick  video detailing how and why this “ghost inventory” is likely to unleash a mighty wave of foreclosure inventory on the U.S. Housing market, check out this Mr. Mortgage interview on CNBC’s Faber Report.

SalesTeamLive Tows Your REI Bottom Line
As housing markets evolve, so must your marketing strategies. If you want your business to thrive, especially in a challenging economic landscape, you’ve got to set your priorities. If marketing doesn’t top your list, you’re cramping your growth and potential for profits in this business.
If you’re looking for cost-effective strategies that are designed to conquer today’s markets and build a stronger future for this business, SalesTeamLive’s Done-for-You marketing campaigns deliver results you can bank on.

To learn how you can leverage quick-fire market developments such as the REO “Ghost Inventory” to generate tons of cash for your real estate investing business, check out SalesTeamLive or call us directly at 1-877-STL1 (that’s 877-438-7851).

No Capes and or Tights Required. These Two Outstanding Opportunities are all about

Stealth, High-Equity Real Estate Market Penetration … Not Fashion! Or Wedgies!

See it to Believe it!

• NOON EDT: PROBATES BY PRESTON LIMITED RELEASE
• 1:00 P.M. EDT: VIRTUAL WHOLESALING WITH CRIS CHICO & STL

Check out these two lunch dates I’ve lined up for you today. But only attend if you’re interested in developing your own unique REI superpowers & making tons of cash in real estate!

“PROBATES BY PRESTON“: SO HOT, IT’S RADIOACTIVE!

Preston Ely is releasing a scant 279 copies of his hit “Probates by Preston” home study course promptly at Noon EST. This is the first time since August that this course has been available. Be prepared! Savvy investors are going snatch them all up in a blink of the eye.

Preston uses his gritty intellect, superhero agility and supersonic speed to propel you through the probate investing learning curve and transmits only the knowledge you need to be a superstar in this arena.

Catch this Glimpse of What You Can Expect from “Probates by Preston” :

• An insightful introduction to Probate REI,
• Cutting-edge info on how to pump-up your pipeline,
• Writing the perfect, no-pressure sales letter and sending it to the right people,
• Finding your own REI path of least resistance and
• How to cultivate relationships with the right players involved in probate estate cases.

IT’S A BIRD! IT’S A PLANE! IT’S CRIS CHICO!

Don’t worry if you missed last night’s call with Cris Chico. Due to popular demand, we’re posting a replay at 1:00 p.m. EST.

Cris’ superhero gift is harnessing the power of Virtual Wholesaling technology.  I combine  it with SalesTeamLive’s awesome Done-for-You Marketing to spot the best deals from amazing distances and deliver them to your desktop without so much as a squint.

Tune in at 1:00 p.m. EST and learn how you can slay your competition, conquer tough markets and elevate your bottom line in a single bound! Discover how you can gain complete control of your business and zap the burdens - and hidden costs - of doing all the tedious work yourself.

BE THE FIRST TO CONNECT WITH EAGER WHOLESALE BUYERS

Listen and learn how to find the eager wholesale buyers you need to meet your tightest deadlines, keep your pipeline flowing and triumph over any market conditions!

ATTRACT HIGH-EQUITY, ABSENTEE SELLERS IN HOT MARKETS

See how you can laser-target properties in areas with massive pro.fit potential! What you’ll find is a bounty of eager absentee owners with maximum equity on the properties that’ll make you a bundle!

When you discover how to pull all this off at reduced costs and with blazing speed, precision timing and laser accuracy, you’ll feel the power beginning to surge through your veins.

Claim Your VIP Pass to Moneymaking Real Estate News, Marketing, Strategies & Tips
Miss this event? Don’t worry! We’re constantly planning great, free opportunities like these for our members here at GaryBoomershine.com.

At GaryBoomershine.com, our focus is on delivering the the most timely real estate news, resources, tools and systems that build stronger real estate investment decisions and boost your bottom line.

Sign up either here or on the main page at GaryBoomershine.com and you’ll get the best this industry has to offer in real estate news, real estate marketing, real estate training systems, and all the creative real estate ideas that drive success in this business. Members also get exclusive access to compelling multimedia content and jaw-dropping discounts!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to Make Tons of Cash in Real Estate! Join us today and get ahead of the pack!

Baste your Business for Flavor & Instant Profits: Get Cooking with

SalesTeamLive & Cris Chico!

Free Virtual REI Thanksgiving Feast Tonight & Thursday: This  Call Is So Great, We’re Dishing it Up for You Twice! Join us Tonight at 9:00 p.m. EST or Catch our Replay Thursday at 1:00 p.m. EST!

Is it Time to Update Your Recipe for REI Success?
As turbulent housing markets continue to evolve, so must your strategies and tools. If you want your business to thrive, especially in a challenging economy, you must set your priorities and focus on what’s working in today’s markets.

Most of the strategies and tools out there now simply aren’t geared to cash in on current market changes. Right now, it doesn’t matter how good a deal you have, it’s impossible to monetize your opportunities without a strong list and the right tools that are calibrated to give you an edge in meeting current market demands.

You need a list that conquers the market’s shifting variables and a strategy to generate the leads you need to get your best deals on the table. To do this, you need a better recipe for REI success.

That’s why I’ve lined up this Free call with Virtual Wholesaling Pioneer Cris Chico. Listen in and you’ll learn why last year’s hottest strategies and tools no longer work to generate massive profits in real estate & find out what’s really working, RIGHT NOW!

Uncover Strategies and Tools So Good, They Melt in Your Mouth!
Here’s a snapshot of what we’ve got in store for you Tonight at 9:00 pm EST and Thursday at 1:00 p.m. EST:

What Is Virtual Wholesaling?
Wholesaling, in a nutshell, is placing a property under contract and then assigning the deal to another buyer who will close on the property in your place. There is little risk using this technique, since investors usually never put any money down or close on the property.

Virtual Wholesaling takes this practice to the next level by leveraging technology. “This method allows investors to generate huge checks with little effort,” Chris says. During the call, we’ll also cover:

How You Can Bring a Bounty of Gourmet Deals to your Table
We’ll tell you what happens when you combine the magic of Virtual Wholesaling with SalesTeamLive’s Done-for-You Marketing campaigns. It’s better than magic, because you’re in complete control without the burden of having to do the work yourself.

• Find Eager, Active Wholesale Buyers: We’ll be talking about what you need to succeed and grow your business in any market conditions. By getting the active buyers you need to meet your tightest deadlines and keep your pipeline flowing, you’ll surge to the head of the pack.You’ll also learn the mission-critical role technology plays in pulling this off at reduced costs, blazing speed, perfect timing and surgical precision.
• Attract High-Equity, Absentee Sellers in Markets Primed for Profits: You’ll earn how you can laser-target properties in zip code areas with massive profit potential. What you get is a bounty of eager absentee owners with maximum equity on properties with deferred maintenance issues.

Don’t miss this opportunity to savor the best strategies in tools that are working in today’s markets.

Join us Tonight or Thursday for our Free Virtual Feast and Dig In! Now, Who Wants Pie?

Claim Your VIP Pass to Moneymaking Real Estate News, Marketing, Strategies & Tips
Miss this event? Don’t worry! We’re constantly planning great, free opportunities like these for our members here at GaryBoomershine.com.

At GaryBoomershine.com, our focus is on delivering the the most timely real estate news, resources, tools and systems that build stronger real estate investment decisions and boost your bottom line.

Sign up either here or on the main page at GaryBoomershine.com and you’ll get the best this industry has to offer in real estate news, real estate marketing, real estate training systems, and all the creative real estate ideas that drive success in this business. Members also get exclusive access to compelling multimedia content and jaw-dropping discounts!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to Make Tons of Cash in Real Estate! Join us today and race ahead of the pack!

I’ve heard a lot of talk from self-proclaimed real estate gurus out there that homeowners are willing so sell their properties at 30 percent to 60 percent below value to real estate investors on the very first call. This is a pervasive myth that needs to be shattered. Right here. Right now.

The truth is that sometimes, if they do enough marketing, an investor will get lucky and a stray seller will discount their property on that first phone call. However, statistics show that effective sales negotiations take a lot more effort to pass that mustard.

The Facts About Sellers and Effective Negotiations
National research shows the following data regarding investor contact with sellers and how real-life deals actually transpire:

• Eighty percent of real estate deals take place between the 5th and 12th conversation investors have with sellers.
• Only two percent of real estate deals take place after only one conversation with the seller.
• In reality, only 10 percent of real estate investors bother to talk to sellers more than three times. And that’s your competition as a real estate investor!

Evidently, the playing field is wide open for real estate entrepreneurs who apply some tenacity and sound strategies in negotiating with sellers. Successful investors, those who are thriving while others settle for “surviving,” know that that it takes more than one conversation with sellers to pull off the deals that make a difference in their real estate businesses.

Go Deep for the Best Prices!

If you’re looking for deep discounts on your transactions, you have to maintain your focus on establishing a great rapport with sellers. Doing this successfully could take several conversations over the course of up to six months. Smart investors are willing to put in the time because they know that their patience and persistence pays off.

People who are talking to sellers multiple times using SalesTeamLive’s Follow-up Campaigns are getting discounts of $30,000 to $70,000 below the opening offer they made to the seller on their first call. They’re succeeding where others fail because they make multiple contacts with warm leads and their strategy is sound; they know that negotiating can be the highest paying job in the world.

How the Big Players Do It
Dan Doran has created the best sales course on the planet. It’s called Sales Mastery for Real Estate Entrepreneurs. Here, he teaches investors that if there’s equity in a property, then get in the car and go meet with the seller! You’ll get an immediate 10 to 20 percent discount just for taking time out to establish a great rapport with the seller. ANd you’ll do this through initiating multiple conversations with them.

Six Steps to Negotiating with the Masters
Making your dream deals not only requires persistence, it also takes some finesse. Nobody in this business can better instruct you on adding the “magic touch” to your deal negotiations than Dan Doran. Here are some cues you can take from his Sales Mastery for Real Estate Entrepreneurs course with Richard Roop and Willie Hicks.

1. Get on Top of Your Game: A useful trick for anti-stress and instant mood elevation is to recollect your last great transaction or happy moment. Use this memory to infuse your negotiations with passion and confidence. Tap into the resources you’ve got to make an instant change. Go into the negotiation with a fresh attitude and a clear vision of the goals you want to reach and the steps it’ll take to get there. If you spread enough enthusiasm, even your prospective client eventually will catch it.
2. Deliver a Great Presentation: Always use a simple, prepared presentation: this strategy is scientifically proven to boost your sales. Most investors don’t even realize they need one because they’re in a rut of thinking that real estate is just a numbers game. They’re wrong. Don’t be jaded. Remember, you’re selling a service. Show clients the magic you can work for them. Embrace your purpose as a problem solver. When you’re dealing with prospective clients, address them by name, agree with them whenever possible, avoid using technical jargon and always follow a script.
3. Uncover the Hot Button Issues: Beyond the obvious financial problems that are likely to burden your prospective clients, figure out what other factors may play a role in their distress. Chances are, the hot-button items are emotional rather than financial in nature. To get a handle on your clients’ hot buttons, you have to spend time with people, and be sincere in your motivation to help solve their problems. By spending quality time with clients, you’re able to use the hot-button issues you’ve identified to gage their agitation levels. Once you’ve done this, you can draw them into the solution posed by your proposal and hopefully, give them some peace.
4. Nail the Close: A good closer is a great presenter in this business. Many real estate investors don’t realize that the sale is actually created during the presentation, not during the close. A good way to engage with your clients is to apply yourself in conducting a great value-building presentation. Even if you’re not completely convinced that the client is into the deal, you must always mentally proceed with the sale. Here again, attitude is everything. To instantly improve your sales results, commit yourself to performing a great presentation. If you can do that, all that’ll be left in the close is the paperwork.
5. Follow up Like a Master: Do what others won’t, or just don’t bother to do: follow up after the close. The more distressed the client is, the more important it is to follow through after the close is complete. This important step lets people that they’re important: It crowns the transaction. It’s also how you’ll get your greatest testimonials.
6. Elevate Your Self Esteem: Develop a great self image relative to selling. Richard and Dan say they battle this challenge constantly in their personal coaching endeavors. A positive self-image is the most powerful sales tool in your kit. If you believe in yourself, you can do anything. Get negative sales experiences out of your head. In coaching, Boost your self-image and you’ll make better deals and get phenomenal sales.

You can read more about it in my Sales Mastery for Real Estate Entrepreneurs course review in the Resources section of GaryBoomershine.com.

Don’t Be a Sucker: Get the Facts Before you Invest
To get the rundown on more lies and hidden truths in real estate investing, join GaryBoomershine.com using the yellow fields on the right side of this page or on the main page of GaryBoomershine.com.

Claim Your VIP Pass to Moneymaking Real Estate News, Marketing, Strategies & Tips
At GaryBoomershine.com, our focus is on delivering the the most timely real estate news, resources, tools and systems that build stronger real estate investment decisions and boost your bottom line.

Sign up either here or on the main page at GaryBoomershine.com and you’ll get the best this industry has to offer in real estate news, real estate marketing, real estate training systems, and all the creative real estate ideas that drive success in this business. Members also get exclusive access to compelling multimedia content and jaw-dropping discounts!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to Make Tons of Cash in Real Estate! Join GaryBoomershine.com today and get ahead of the pack!

You don’t need any cash or credit to buy in today’s down-turning markets. There are some especially hot, moneymaking strategies right now, depending on where you are and how you like to approach your deals. One of my personal favorites for making tons of cash is high-equity of free-and-clear real estate investing.

Why? Because by definition, properties that are owned “free-and-clear” have no mortgage debt and, as a consequence, fewer complications that can complicate or slow a deal down. Another reason I like this strategy is that the bulk of these homes are held by the most rapidly growing segment of the U.S. population: Retirees and Baby Boomers.

Experts Say Even Free-and-Clear Homeowners are Feeling the Crunch
“In the world of household balance sheets there are two Americas. Roughly two-thirds of homeowners have mortgage payments to worry about and are, to a large degree, tapped out. The other third own their homes free and clear and a lot of them have money in the bank. But they are hesitant to spend it on either a new fridge or shares of General Electric,” Forbes reported earlier this month. That’s about 24 million homeowners, many of whom are feeling the pressure of tightening credit markets — and options for when the going gets tough.

Credit Shortage Ups the Ante on Seller Motivation
Even among the 24 million free-and-clear homeowners, one-third of them are soon likely to find themselves underwater in these properties and, due to the credit crunch, they’re also facing new challenges in obtaining the easy credit to help them through the rough spots as the uncertain economy struggles for a lifeline to recovery, predicts A. Gary Shilling in an editorial slated to Appear in Forbes’ November issue.

Follow the Snowbirds to Real Estate Bargains
In a post-hot, down-turning market, such as what we’re seeing now in Florida for example, prices are dropping and properties are staying on the market for a long time. In such areas, high-equity, free-and-clear properties are a no-brainer investment bargain.

Free and Clear Market Research & Strategy
The real estate markets with the highest concentration of free and clear properties often are in areas with especially high senior citizen populations because so many of them have reached a point in their lives where their homes are completely paid off. More often than not, desire or need to downsize comes with this phase of life. These factors stimulate seller motivation to make a great deal.

In terms of geography, investors usually can find the best selections of hot free and clear properties in coastal areas. Some great current examples include:

• California,
• Florida,
• Oregon,
• Washington and
• Boston.

Free-and-Clear Markets Are Springing Up
Although they’re not  coastal areas, it’s definitely worth noting that we’ve been finding that Arizona and Utah have strong emerging — and virtually untapped free-and-clear markets just waiting for investors to come along and reap the profits.

The trick with free and clear is to go into the deal and pay 100 percent of the seller’s asking price, but do it on your own terms.  For example, the owners want $200,000 for their home and I’ll agree to that price, but pay maybe $500 per month on a zero-interest loan over the next 10 - 15 years, and I can cash flow that deal.

High-Equity Real Estate Investment Tools of the Trade
SalesTeamLive’ Free-and-Clear Done-for-You Marketing Campaigns are perfect tools for investing in high equity, free and clear properties because we’ve got the best lists for virtually any market segment and we’re constantly working on adding new technologies and refinements to ensure we’ve got the best lists out there. We’ve also got  legendary real estate genius Richard Roop writing the marketing copy that’ll make prospective clients putty in your hands.

Hedge Your Bets with Free-and-Clear Investing
Investing in properties that have no mortgage burden also a great inflation hedge, an attraction that’s growing in appeal for a growing number of Americans who’ve been watching the markets –and been feeling the gravity of our economic roller coaster ride this year.

Think about it. If we’re hitting huge amounts of inflation, milk isn’t going to be $4 per gallon; it’s going to be $10 per gallon. At that point, there are only a couple of places lefts where you can safely hedge your bets. Generally, when you have inflation, gold, silver, platinum and those types of things go up in value, but you can’t generate any income off of them.  With real estate investments, not only do you have a great hedge, you’ve got cash flow. Especially if you BUY RIGHT.

Join Us @ GaryBoomershine.com
Signing up for my monthly newsletter and special reports always is the best way to ensure you’re first to learn about the hottest real estate investment strategies, techniques and tools. When you join, you’ll also benefit from special promotions and deals I’ve brokered for the exclusive benefit of my community members.

Claim Your VIP Pass to Moneymaking Real Estate News, Marketing, Strategies & Tips
At GaryBoomershine.com, our focus is on delivering the the most timely real estate news, resources, tools and systems that build stronger real estate investment decisions and boost your bottom line.

Sign up either here or on the main page at GaryBoomershine.com and you’ll get the best this industry has to offer in real estate news, real estate marketing, real estate training systems, and all the creative real estate ideas that drive success in this business. Members also get exclusive access to compelling multimedia content and jaw-dropping discounts!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to Make Tons of Cash in Real Estate! Join GaryBoomershine.com today and get ahead of the pack!

I’ve been hearing a lot of buzz about the future of the markets from real estate gurus, zealots and cynics. And with all the insanity we’ve seen on Wall Street over the past several months, it’s no wonder why everyone’s talking. But since a lot of folks I’m hearing from seem to need some help separating fact from myth when it comes to talking seriously about the future of U.S. real estate markets, I thought I would share my thoughts with the community on this Blog.

The Best Moneymaking Facts Often Hide in Myth
Let’s say a ship is in the ocean and is absolutely loaded with gold. And it hits an iceberg and sinks all the way to the ocean’s floor. Does that gold disappear? Of course not. It’s resting at the bottom of the ocean. So the trick is to get to the gold without drowning.

To get you started on your search for real estate gold, lets try a little exercise to distinguish the difference between Fact and Myth in today’s changing real estate game.

Are These Statements of Fact or Myth?
Evaluate these widely circulating statements. I’ll give you my opinion, but at the end of the day, what you believe could make — or break — your future in this business.

• Statement: This is one of the Worst times Ever for Real Estate Investors.
• Myth: This is one of the best times ever for real estate investors. We’re currently in what’s called a net zero gain. Money, in this case $1 trillion has not been lost, it’s just changing hands.  The trick is figuring out how to get in on that.
• Statement: Real estate investors are buying properties in every part of the United States for .45 cents on the dollar.
• Fact: REI are able to buy properties at these prices – and lower – especially if you’re working in some of our California markets right now.
• Statement: You need cash and credit to buy real estate in today’s changing markets.
• Myth: That is absolutely a myth. You don’t need any cash or credit to buy in today’s down-turning markets.

Get the Lowdown on Separating Fact From Myth
The reality is, there are some red-hot  strategies right now that’ll turn your spreadsheets green — and your competitors green with envy.

At GaryBoomershine.com & SalesTeamLive, we’re always busy working to deliver -– directly to your desktop — the latest strategies to emerge from the best and the brightest minds in the business.

We’ve got the latest tips and tools that are sure to fill your ship with gold. But we also offer solutions such as SalesTeamLive’s Done-for-You Marketing that specifically are designed to keep you from hitting that iceberg!

See for Yourself: We Set the Standard for Beating the Competition and Boosting Your Profits

• Take this week’s online multi-media extravaganza with Ken Wade for example: Wednesday night at 9:00 p.m. EST, we’ll we blowing the lid off of the secret cycles that rule the U.S. real estate markets. (For more info, check out my my review in the resources section of GaryBoomershine.com.)
• Coming soon, we’ve got Larry Goins on tap, waiting to tell you his best-kept secrets for making tons of cash in real estate.

We Give you the Facts, so You Can Leave the Myths Behind
These special events are absolutely free and are available on a first-come, first-served basis to folks who join GaryBoomershine.com. All you have to do to make sure you can participate is register ASAP using the yellow fields on the right side of this page, or on the bottom right-hand side of the main page at GaryBoomershine.com.

We’ll send you all the details you need to participate in the money-making events that’ll give the edge you need to build your future on facts instead of myths. Join us in your search for Real Estate Gold!

Claim Your VIP Pass to Moneymaking Real Estate News, Marketing, Strategies & Tips
At GaryBoomershine.com, our focus is on delivering the the most timely real estate news, resources, tools and systems that build stronger real estate investment decisions and boost your bottom line.

Sign up either here or on the main page at GaryBoomershine.com and you’ll get the best this industry has to offer in real estate news, real estate marketing, real estate training systems, and all the creative real estate ideas that drive success in this business. Members also get exclusive access to compelling multimedia content and jaw-dropping discounts!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to Make Tons of Cash in Real Estate! Join GaryBoomershine.com today and race ahead of the pack!

Tim Ferriss, author of The Four-Hour Workweek: How to Escape 9–5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich (4HWW), majored in East Asian studies at Princeton University. Soon after graduation, he found his self-imposed cubicle lifestyle wasn’t giving him room enough to breathe, much less twirl. In 2004, Ferriss was working 80 hours a week to build his company and found himself burning out. So he put three days of clothing into a backpack and bought a one-way ticket to London … and wound up in Argentina as a world-class Tango dance champion.

Ferriss’ manifesto, the 4HWW, captures the wisdom and quixotic joy the author found when he traded his cubicle for the excitement-packed lifestyle of his dreams. Published last year, the book quickly became an international best seller.

Escape Inhibitions and Discover your Life
Ferriss urges people to shed the traditional expectations that wedge them into cubicles and create luxury lifestyles in the present using the currency of the new rich: time and mobility. This process is an art and a science that Ferriss refers to as lifestyle design (LD), and in 4HWW, he provides a deceptively simple strategy for achieving it.

Design your Lifestyle
For real estate entrepreneurs, 4HWW nails the formula for maximizing effectiveness in your endeavors. Your business may be surviving, but is it thriving? Many of us escape the regular grind only to become totally submerged in busywork that keeps us from accomplishing the more important tasks that fuel our business growth.

To really excel in this business, no true innovation is needed. When you automate and outsource your grunt work and use systems that have been proven effective, you’re well into the metamorphosis from which you will emerge a true real estate entrepreneur.

Automate and Recreate
For most of us in the real estate game, marketing easily can become a central vacuum system that swallows time and energy and rarely pays off. How can you effectively run your business when you’re struggling with lists, copy writing, mailings and postage?

If this is not your strong point, it may be time to follow Ferriss’ advice: Emphasize your strengths by delegating your weaknesses. When you’re using your strengths to build your business rather than being forced to focus on your weaknesses in mindless tasks such as marketing, your business, your income and your self esteem can reach new heights.

Give your Strengths a Workout
When you’re using an effective marketing system, such as SalesTeamLive, you know it’s working because you’re receiving a steady flow of calls from motivated and qualified sellers and buyers every day. And you’ve actually got the time to make the deals you know will take your business to the next level.

In 4HWW, Ferris successfully reminds us that time is short and we only have one chance to live the lifestyle each of us desires. His lifestyle design provides us with the necessary framework to transform our businesses and to embrace opportunity without fear or regret. Bravo, Mr. Ferris.

Look for my full review of 4HWW, coming soon.

I’ll be heading south on Saturday to check out the Los Angeles Real Estate Investors Club’s (LAREIC) Investor Essentials Seminar. I’ll be teaching entrepreneurs how to Make Tons of Cash in Creative Real Estate and explaining how their success hinges on effective marketing. There is a lot more to this than just a catchy lesson title. Clearly, greenbacks don’t raise the dead or cure cancer, but tons of cash — especially in creative real estate — is the lubricant for success.

It has been statistically proven that seven out of 10 millionaires in the United States have made their fortunes in real estate. In the meantime, the other three have kept their millions by investing in real estate. This is all true even in California, where RealtyTrac reports bank repossessions are up 557 percent over this time last year. While these figures represent devastation for many, real estate investors are beginning to see new opportunities emerge on the market’s horizon.

There is no disputing the credit crunch and the market downturns in the Golden State have taken their toll. As a California real estate investor, I know what the conditions are, just as I understand their cyclical nature. I’ve bought and sold hundreds of properties, and have seen Bay Area markets rise and fall like the tides.

But despite the market’s persistent downturn, if you’re buying right and getting the good deals, you’ve got great potential to succeed. In my business, SalesTeamLive, I see this happening every day. We have more than 800 people using our Done-For-You marketing service and we’ve sent out more than 8 million mailers for folks across the country. In the past six months alone, we’ve generated over 40,000 inbound calls. This business gives me a bird’s eye view of what’s happening in markets throughout the nation.

I see viable real estate investment opportunities in many markets, but especially in California. People are picking up properties for 50 to 60 cents on the dollar. And if they’re buying right, there are plenty of motivated and qualified buyers out there who will take them off their hands.

However, I’ve also noticed that, especially with the gloomy headlines, the credit crunch and the market’s woes, a lot of us tend to be fearful, become overwhelmed and procrastinate. This Saturday in L.A., I’m going to teach entrepreneurs how they can overcome the negativity and show them exactly what their time is really worth. Using the right tools, real estate investors can still write their own tickets to the destinations of their choice.

In California specifically we’re coming into one of the best buying opportunities of all time. If you’re using the right model and you already know what works, you don’t have to invent it. It’s easy to make money right now in this market if you have the success formula.

If you can’t be in L.A on Saturday, please remember that you don’t have to innovate to make it in this business:

• If you want success, it comes down to marketing;
• If you want survival, it comes down to automation and delegation;
• If you want wealth, it is waiting for your call.

If you would like to hear an audio preview of my presentation, recorded during a phone conversation with LAREIC President Phyllis Rockower, it is freely available on her Investor Essentials registration site.

On March 20, the blog discussed a recent article from Fortune magazine I think is essential reading for REI investors seeking build their businesses while so many others seem to be failing. The title of the story begs the question: “How bad is the mortgage crisis going to get?”

The answers from Princeton economist Paul Krugman are chilling, and they echo my sentiments that things are going to get much worse for the economy before they get better. Krugman has predicted that the crisis that began when subprime lending spiraled out of control, is likely to result in an average property value drop of 25 percent for homeowners. The domino-effect is expected to continue leveling markets — and the economy — until 2010.

Folks, I made some bold statements in Q4, 2007 that included my prediction that a major Wall Street firm other than Goldman Sacs would fail. At the time, I suggested that Bear Stearns, Merrill Lynch, UBS or Lehman Brothers were all prime candidates for disaster.

And as I write, the Wall Street Journal reports that Fed staff are literally on-site at Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Morgan Stanley, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., Merrill Lynch & Co. and Bear Stearns, which consented to be sold to J.P. Morgan Chase in a deal brokered by the Fed in March.

Each of these brokerages has borrowed from the Fed since it opened its temporary lending program last month in hopes of preventing another Bear Stearns style bloodletting on Wall Street — and the fall-out that would likely permeate the greater economy. These efforts represent the first time that the Fed has supported loans to entities other than banks since the Great Depression. (For details on the Fed’s temporary program that was deployed in March to provide emergency cash to ailing security firms, see yesterday’s post: “Fed Defends Bear Loans, Supplies Cash Tourniquets.”)

The U.S. Senate wants answers about how all this turmoil has happened, and a bipartisan alliance has asked the General Accounting Office (GAO) office to review the SEC’s enforcement program.

All this leads me to believe that at least one more Wall Street monolith will hit the pavement this year. But that doesn’t mean that real estate investors have to hit the ground, too.

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