You have got to love modern technology. And the rate of development of this stuff is mind boggling.

You can now get live real estate data while you're out and about with the new Zillow iPhone App. See Zillow's estimates of home values, for-sale listings, home details, historical data, and more on 88+ million homes. That's 95% of the homes in the US.

This free app is also GPS-enabled which means the map and the respective house values update when you're on the move.

You can download it via the Zillow website.

Check out the demo video below:

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The other night Jeff Adams recorded a no-cost webinar (recording below), in which he showed us how to buy bank-owned houses for pennies on the dollar using none of your own money or credit.

With the rising number of foreclosures, banks are over run and desperate to unload homes, even pretty homes in nice neighborhoods. Its easy to see why this is a hot topic.

On this call Jeff revealed how, over the past 14 years, he has successfully profited from buying and selling bank-owned properties and continues to do so to this day.

Here are some of the topics Jeff covers:

• Foreclosure buying systems for securing properties directly from lender and banks at rock bottom, almost unbelievable prices.
• Business and marketing systems to grow the right way—fast. You won’t walk into the same traps most real estate investors make, because you’ll know what to look for and how to avoid them.
• Negotiation systems and quickly mastering the art of communication and influence. Create win-win solutions for any scenario and quickly have other the side “see things your way.”
• Selling systems that work in any market. Right now investors are shivering in their boots when it comes to the thought of selling today—that’s not you. Discover the same supercharged selling strategies Jeff uses to unload properties that work even in the worst markets in the country.

Full article… Foreclosure training: how to buy from banks…

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I found this video today and strongly recommend you sit through it. At 55 minutes it is long but I was so impressed with the common sense that Warren Buffett displays on this issue.

Like most of us, I have listened to many different opinions on the topic and in this interview Warren made more sense than anyone else I've heard discuss the crisis.

As expected from a professional investor of his stature he is not in a state of panic or even worry over the state of the economy even though he has never seen things this "bad" in his lifetime. Instead he is busy acquiring bargain investments in readiness for the next phase of growth. He continues to operate on the basis of:

"You want to be greedy when others are fearful and you want to be fearful when others are greedy."

He uses an analogy of the economy being a star athlete in need of emergency medical treatment which brings a lot of clarity to the issue. Not only about what needs doing but about the futility of playing the blame game. He is pragmatic, compassionate, decisive and easy to understand.

Just watch it!

If you liked this video please Digg it or Stumble it below.

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In this very quick wrap-up video of the Billionaire Inside, Donald Trump shares his most important rule to live by:

Above all else, never ever quit.

He says there are many important tips for success such as "love what you do", "know what you're doing", but the number one thing is to never quit.

For more information about this program visit billionaireinside.cnbc.com

Popularity: 14% [?]

Technorati Tags: donald trump, real estate video, success tips

In part 5 of the Billionaire Inside, Donald Trump talks about how your business and personal lives overlap and how to get balance between the two. 

 Part 5 Summary:

•  business begins with an idea but you must be able to implement
• only you can know when the right time is to leave your job in order to build your own business and it's a tough decision to make
• it's very hard to have balance in your personal life when you love your business
• if your spouse is not understanding of what you're doing it's not going to work
• too much of a distinct personality / look can be a liability but you've got to be yourself
• the biggest mistake he's made in business was losing focus
• his idea of a vacation is a working vacation
• you can position your business at either end of the spectrum and still succeed
• on branding: you have to get the word out
• you may need to be more creative with advertising when starting out on a small budget
• prenuptial agreements are sad, ugly instruments but you have to protect yourself from the downside

I'll have the final installment of the Billionaire Inside for you tomorrow.

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Technorati Tags: donald trump, real estate video, success tips

Alright, here is part 4 of our six part video series with Donald Trump.  Today's clip concludes the discussion on real estate investing from yesterday.  Enjoy.

 Part 4 Summary:

• there's so much going on in Dubai it's hard to resist
• the US better get smart or it will get left behind
• there's great opportunities outside the US
• China and India are probably the most exciting markets right now
• real estate is largely a local business so make sure you have great partners when investing away from home
• now is definitely the time to go out and pick up some residential properties at a big fat discount but you will probably want to rent them out and hold them for a while
• it's easier to rent out in a down market
• the worst of the real estate recession is close to being behind us

Feel free to leave a comment below.  And we'll continue with part 5 tomorrow.

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Technorati Tags: donald trump, real estate video, success tips

Today's excerpt of the Billionaire Inside is pretty short and unfortunately the audio drops out for a moment at one point.  However it gives you an insight into Donald Trump's opinions about the state of the real estate market and what that means for investors.  So here it is along with the summary below.

 Part 3 Summary:

• now is THE time to get into real estate
• there is less interest in real estate now when there should be more than ever
• it is not a time to sell though – so don't be thinking that it's a bad time because you can't find buyers
• to get into commercial real estate learn from a good commercial firm
• commercial is more of a people business – you need contacts

Okay, that's all for part 3 but we have three more parts of this program to review this week so stay tuned.

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Technorati Tags: donald trump, real estate video, success tips

Here is part 2 of our 6-part video series with Donald Trump for this week.  The summary is below and part 3 tomorrow is where he talks most about real estate so stay posted.

Part 2 Summary:

• face-to-face is often the only way to do business
• he has been lucky in building his brand but you still have to know what you're doing
• education isn't a must but it gives you a big advantage
• on luck he quoted golfer Gary Player: "The harder I work, the luckier I get."
• keep great people around you and keep them motivated but stay smarter than them
• persistence is a state of mind

Popularity: 9% [?]

Technorati Tags: donald trump, real estate video, success tips

Whether you love him or hate him it would be rather silly to imagine you can't learn a thing or two from Donald Trump about success and real estate.  But, to be honest, I hadn't paid much attention to his information myself because I just didn't imagine there was much relevance for the average RE investor who invests in single family homes.  However, I've started reading a book called "Trump Strategies for Real Estate: Billionaire Lessons for the Small Investor" by George Ross and have been surprised how much relevant information there is. And due to that fact, I went hunting for some videos of Donald sharing some tips for success.

Low and behold, I found a 6-part series on YouTube which is actually from a special episode of the Millionaire Inside that premiered in October 2007.  The special was named the Billionaire Inside for obvious reasons and I thought I'd share each of the 6 parts with you over the coming week.  Keep an eye out for the third part in particular where he talks about real estate, the credit crisis, and what that means for investors.

Full article… Donald Trump Video: Success Tips and Insights Pt.1

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As a follow up to my previous post about whether now is a good time to invest, I just found this Rich Dad video on YouTube which is very helpful.  I wish I had found this earlier in the year given it is about predictions for 2008 but it is still very pertinent to this discussion since the major trend at the start of the year is still very much in force – the housing and mortgage crisis.

The views expressed by Robert and his advisers should really provide some clarity for people who are trying to determine what action they should take given the current state of real estate markets.

Well, I hope that has shed some light on the current state of the markets and will help you make more confident decisions regarding your investing activities.  Don't forget to submit your questions and comments below.

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Technorati Tags: housing crisis, ken mcelroy, mortgage crisis, rich dad poor dad, robert kiyosaki

We've been talking about ways to reduce risk for beginners so you can muster enough courage to do that first deal.  One of the best ways to mitigate risk in real estate is by doing a thorough financial evaluation as part of your due diligence.

But here's a great tip from our friends over at FlippingHomes.com.  Using a Letter of Intent to make your offers is a great way to ease your nerves as a beginner and I strongly encourage you to start applying this idea if you are having trouble getting started.  I used this approach myself when starting out and it certainly helped me.  I remember being quite anxious signing a contract for the first time.  So for those of you looking for a little more peace of mind, this might help.

So, there you have it.  A quick and easy tip today but a very effective one for beginners.

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Technorati Tags: beginning real estate investing, letter of intent, risk management, risk reduction