Lately I have been thinking at length about what is at the  core of our Blueprint real estate investing strategy. There are many moving parts and elements to consider when putting together such a strategy: Location of properties, assets specs, financing, asset protection, tax implication, exit strategies etc. But as crucial as are all those aspects, at the end of the day, the Blueprint real estate investing strategy can be summarized in a simple two word mantra: Buy Quality When you … [Read more...]

Real estate investors come in different varieties. Some are so risk averse that they keep six months of payments in cash reserves for each investment property they own. Others don't really feel like they're investing unless they're going "all in" on some deal every week. But no matter where you fit into the risk spectrum, you should know exactly where you stand before you start investing. Then pick investment vehicles, strategies and advisors that suit that investment "personality". I know that … [Read more...]

I'm writing this from Terminal D of Houston's Intercontinental airport so I'll be brief. Brevity notwithstanding, the concept I want to talk about today will deeply affect your success with real estate investing. Most aspiring real estate investors think that success in this business looks like a series of home runs. You know, you buy a house, flip it, double your money - then rinse and repeat till you get to your desired number of millions. Or the other popular choice: Buy five dozen homes, … [Read more...]

Most real estate investors  that do it wrong, do it backwards. They acquire a portfolio of cheap inferior properties in inferior locations with inferior schools and amenities. Then they try to figure out a way to place top notch tenants in them that will sign long term leases, will pay on time and will treat the property like they own it. And when time comes to sell the properties they acquired, then they try to figure out a way to sell them for maximum dollar. That's trying to fit a … [Read more...]