Becoming a wholesale real estate investor is often one of the first steps you should take if you are considering taking part in the housing sector. The amount of money needed to get started – or lack thereof – and the minimal risk involved make becoming a wholesale real estate investor a great way to enter the business. It’s worth noting, however, that the process associated with transitioning to a wholesale real estate investor from someone that has never done it before isn’t easy by any stretch of the imagination; you will have to work at it. Only those that are willing to put in the time, learn the right material and make smart decisions will find the wholesaling industry to their liking. It just so happens that anyone can do it, and you are no exception (so long as you exercise the right strategy).
While it may appear that becoming a wholesale real estate investor offers the path of least resistance, it’s absolutely imperative that you mind due diligence. If for nothing else, those that exercise the proper amount of due diligence and possess an acute attention to detail are more inclined to reach their true potential. Strive to separate yourself from the competition by setting your own bar high. There is great opportunity within the wholesale industry; those that can take advantage of it will find themselves ahead of the game.
Wholesale Real Estate Investor Rules To Live By
As a wholesale real estate investor, or at least someone looking to become one, you must expect to wear many hats. And while wholesaling isn’t necessarily a one man show, you can’t expect it to be a walk in the park. At the very least, those that are prepared for what’s in store will find that this industry can be very giving. To get to that point, however, there are certain rules you should live and work by. If you want to become a truly great wholesale real estate investor but aren’t exactly sure of where to start, consider the following:
- Wholesaling is hard work: If becoming a wholesale real estate investor was easy, everyone would be doing it. Wholesaling doesn’t require large cash reserves, but you still need to spend money. Between bandit signs, direct mail lists and other marketing, these items can add up quickly. Getting your phone to ring is only part of the equation. Once you start taking calls, you need to work every new lead you get. If you can get one or two interested sellers out of ten, you should view it as a success. Out of your two hot leads, you may get one of those to contract. That means that nine out of ten leads will run you ragged without a payoff. You can’t get frustrated with the process and annoyed at every seller you talk to. You never know which will be the lead that turns into a deal. The minute you stop working hard, someone else will swoop in and get the deal. Very few deals will just fall into your lap. You need to be willing to outwork everyone else in your area if you want to be successful.
- Have a plan in place: It is important that you understand the process of becoming a wholesale real estate investor if you want to experience any level of success – from beginning to end. If you don’t have an end-goal in mind, you will do a lot of work for nothing. Even if you only plan on closing one wholesale deal a month, you still need to treat it like a business. This means having a firm grasp of expenses and an idea of what works and what doesn’t. It also means having an exit strategy in place and clear goals in mind. You should be prepared for whatever comes your way during the process. Many deals change gears on the fly. You need to be able to know what you are doing every step of the way. Even if you don’t know everything, have someone in place that you can reach out to. If you don’t have a plan, you will end up losing deals.
- Think like a seller: One of the mistakes new wholesalers make is thinking that everyone that needs to sell is going to sell. Many sellers you speak with will be in distressed situations that they wish they could get out of. Even though they know selling is what’s best, they don’t always do it. How you talk to sellers is the single biggest thing that will get you more deals. Instead of pressuring them to sign a contract, you need to listen to their situation. Find out everything about their motivation, how they got there and where they will go after they sell. When meeting a motivated seller, you should listen much more than you talk. Have a script in place, but don’t sound scripted. Ask important questions, but listen to the answers. Your seller may not want to move for six months. They may have unrealistic demands to move out. If you ignore these facts, you will work for months without ever closing. Motivated sellers will work with investors that they trust. When meeting for the first time, don’t think like an investors, think like a seller.
- Build your investor list: Getting the deal to contract is not a wholesaler’s end goal. You need to have an end investor is place to complete the transaction. A wholesaler should work on building their investor list every day. Every “we buy houses” sign you see could be a potential investor partner. Look on Craigslist and other real estate websites for investors who are actively buying. Get as many business cards as you can at investment club and networking meetings. The bigger your buyer pool is, the easier it will be to assign your contract. Having only a few investors is not enough. Add a name or two to your list every week. Find out what they like and where they want to buy.
Wholesaling is just one of the many ways to get started in the business. It requires just as much work as anything else you will do as an investor. You need to treat wholesaling like your own mini business. This means finding ways to generate leads and having a plan to work them. Wholesaling can be something you are successful at and want to stick with for the long term. It can also be a stepping stone in getting involved in other deals. Whatever you do in real estate, you need to give it your all. Remember, how you do anything is how you do everything. Becoming a wholesale real estate investor is no different; you have to give it your all if you hope to realize any level of success.
