Thinking of Investing in Real Estate at Cedar Creek Lake?

Avoid These Mistakes

Investing in real estate provides many owners with positive cash flow, tax benefits and the satisfaction of making an impact in others’ lives. Like any investment, real estate has market trends that, if ignored, can cause an investor tremendous headaches.

Many first-time investors part with their hard-earned money without taking the time to study their investment. They rely on traditional trends and gut feeling. Before you risk your money, take the time to learn all you can about your market. By aligning yourself with the right professional, you can avoid these twelve common mistakes and ensure an excellent return on your money.

1. Failure to determine your time needs. Money, capital appreciation, tax benefits, loss of management, equity pay down and simple pride of ownership are a few of the things that must be addressed before you make that first investment. A service-minded real estate professional can be a tremendous asset by taking the time to evaluate your needs and make sure you’ve got all your bases covered.

2. Not checking out the seller or seller’s agent’s numbers. Claims of extremely high rates of return run rampant in real estate investment. Don’t get caught up in a wave of excitement regarding a property. Check every detail - rents, payment history, taxes, expenses, deposits, future modifications - everything regarding the finances of a potential investment. Be certain you are working with a good agent - it’s like an insurance policy against overlooking all the seemingly insignificant but very important details.

3. Don’t get emotionally attached, it’s just business. Owning investment property carries with it a great potential for creating and holding wealth, but you may also be forced to make potentially difficult decisions. Evictions, re-investment into the property, and time management all need careful consideration. Real estate investment is not a “hand’s off” type of business - it will require your vigilance.


4. Avoid negative cash flow. Property that eats cash every month can drain your working capital rapidly. This can create stress, frustration and become painful over a period of time. Expecting constant appreciation and positive cash flow may be unrealistic for a novice investor. A strain on your bank account may cause you to sell the investment before the benefits of ownership are ever fully realized.

5. Failure to do a thorough inspection. Look everywhere! Hire a professional inspector. Ask the tenants about pest problems, structural damage or recurring problems and don’t overlook anything. A value-driven real estate professional will help you find the right inspector and can help you avoid costly mistakes.

6. Failing to have adequate insurance. Investment properties bring liabilities such as tenants, cars, parking lots, cleaning facilities, property liability - the list can be both extensive and daunting. Adequate insurance coverage is an absolute must. Be sure to consult with an insurance professional to protect your assets.

7. Inspect, approve, and confirm all documents. The list of documents that need to be proofed can be overwhelming to the first-time investor. Building permits, zoning laws, rental and lease applications, health licenses, inspection reports, title policies - the list is long and you can’t risk oversights on any of these. The right real estate professional will work with you to make sure nothing gets overlooked.

8. Get a bill of sale for all personal property involved. Many types of personal property (appliances, furniture, draperies, fixtures, etc.) can be involved with an investment sale. Be very detailed and know who owns what.

9. Charge fair rents. Vacancies, turnovers and lease terminators are your biggest expenses. Charge fair rent, treat your tenants with respect and respond quickly to their needs. It’s a lot less costly in the long run to take care of the little problems while they are still little rather than waiting. A vacant property doesn’t make you money.

10. Select qualified, good tenants from the start. You must take the time to check references. Previous landlords, employers, financial references, credit and judgments are all vitally important. If there are any questions, do a thorough investigation. Drive by their previous residence. A little work up front can save you all sorts of problems later on.
11. Make sure you get estoppel letters. Get letters from the tenants confirming the status of tenancy. Make sure their version of the rental agreement or lease corresponds with the seller’s interpretation.

12. Don’t spend positive cash flow. Most successful investors have free and clear properties. Be sure to re-invest your positive cash flow back into the property payment and speed up the amortization schedule. This decreases your debt load and increases your equity, which in turn increases your net worth.

Investment property can be one of the most rewarding aspects of your financial portfolio. Be sure to be as knowledgeable as possible before risking your money. Do your homework! Consult with a professional real estate agent and protect yourself from the hidden troubles that can plague first-time investors.

13. Choose your agent wisely. Working with a full-time professional real estate agent is a must. Choose your agent by asking questions of him or her. Find out how knowledgeable they are about houses currently for sale in your price range and also of houses that have recently sold. Does your agent work with a good lender that has the reputation of excellent service and low rates to assist you in obtaining financing? Does your agent ask questions of you in order to have a full understanding of what you are looking for and to help you to find the best property for you?

For prompt, courteous, professional service, call Robin Moon:
Office: (903) 887-7899
Cell: (903) 880-5351

Visit my web site at: www.robinmoon.com
E-mail: robin@robinmoon.com
Have questions, need advice you can count on or just want to discuss this further?
Don’t waste any more time; pick up the phone and call me now! I’m here to help!

I appreciate you as a client and a friend. I appreciate your business, your loyalty, trust and your referrals. It is my goal to provide the very best counsel, advice and service possible for your real estate needs. If I may ever be of assistance to you, a relative, friend or co-worker please don’t hesitate to call me. I look forward to the opportunity to serve you.™

Cedar Creek Lake Area Fishing Report for July

Hope you enjoy the Cedar Creek Lake fishing report. Water is lightly stained. Temp. is 80-86 degrees. It is currently .4 foot low. Black bass are good on buzzbaits, jigs, and Texas rigs. White bass are good on Humdingers and topwaters. Hybrid striper are good on swim baits. Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs over brushpiles. Catfish are good on prepared bait.

Investors! Check out this Report!

FREE REPORT # 25 From Robin Moon


INVESTORS: The Best Way To Invest In Real Estate Today!


Purchasing a rental property may be for you - especially in today’s real estate market - if you are looking for a way to increase your personal wealth. Of course, we can’t expect sky-high appreciation rates all the time and one thing about real estate, particularly land, they’re not making it any more! With the continued increase in population and area growth demand, values will continue to increase. And how many times have you heard someone say, I wish I had bought property back when prices were low? Today we must look at a residential market in which a well-chosen, well-managed rental property of one to four units can be the “shining star” in any investor’s portfolio. The key to success is doing your homework and making sure that the numbers work in your favor. If you bought your own home, you already have realized the financial advantages of real estate ownership. The following report will give a brief overview of the many ways you can profit from owning rental real estate today.


1. Investment properties can lower your taxes. Investors tax incentives can be substantial. Some investors can use deductions from rental property assets to offset some of their wage income. Other investors, while not eligible for the offset, can avoid owing taxes on their rental income by showing adequate expenses and deductions. Even if rental payments do not cover the investor’s expenses, tax breaks may actually make up the difference or more. As an investor, you can claim deductions for actual costs you incur for financing, managing, and operating the rental property. That means mortgage interest payments, real estate taxes, insurance, maintenance, repairs, property management fees, travel, advertising, and utilities if not paid for by the tenant, can all be deductions. All can be subtracted from your adjusted gross income when figuring your personal income taxes up to the amount of real estate income you receive. Also, don’t forget about depreciation. The tax code assumes buildings and improvements wear out over time. These losses are deductible from income, regardless of the property’s actual market value.
2. Have a positive cash flow. Positive cash flow results when the rent you receive exceeds the total you pay for the mortgage, taxes, insurance, maintenance, and other costs. That’s not at all as hard as it sounds. First, decide whether you need a positive cash flow before or after taxes. A pre-tax positive cash flow translates into current income, a goal of many retired investors and others with current expenses. Properties yielding a pre-tax positive cash flow are harder, but certainly not impossible, to find. Be aware that not all properties will yield rental income which is high enough to cover your expenses. Make sure you know how much rent to expect by researching rents for similar units nearby, the property’s current rental fee, and that of the last increase.A positive after-tax cash flow can come from a negative pre-tax cash flow. Generally, the depreciation deduction makes up the difference. If you meet the eligibility test, you’ll be able to use the depreciation to shelter some of your taxable income and reduce your tax bill. Second, you’ll want to ensure your tenants make timely rent payments and take care of the property. Of course, a positive cash flow is impossible without income. A thorough credit, employment and landlord check of any potential tenants is a must and will help you track down the best renters.

3. Use leverage. As an investor, you magnify the returns on your investment by borrowing a large part of the purchase price using the bank’s money! That is, by limiting the amount of cash you invest, you make your cash go farther. Leverage means using borrowed money to increase equity. And equity - the difference between what the property is worth and the balance owed on the mortgage - is what’s important when figuring out whether your dollars are wisely invested.
4. Benefit from growing equity. Even at a modest rate of appreciation, real estate will yield a higher return on the cash investment than most other financial investments, such as bonds or long-term CD’s. Each mortgage principal payment you make is a payment to yourself. You build equity as your mortgage principal is paid down, even if your investment property doesn’t increase in value. Although homes in different parts of town may appreciate at entirely different rates, the key is to have a knowledgeable professional carefully guiding you through the steps. Know how much equity you have and learn to use it to leverage into other properties; then watch your real estate portfolio and your personal wealth grow!

Choose your agent wisely. Working with a full-time professional real estate agent is a must. Choose your agent by asking questions of him or her. Find out how knowledgeable they are about houses currently for sale in your price range and also of houses that have recently sold. Does your agent work with a good lender that has the reputation of excellent service and low rates to assist you in obtaining financing? Does your agent ask questions of you in order to have a full understanding of what you are looking for and to help you to find the best property for you?
Thank you for requesting a copy of this “FREE REPORT”

For prompt, courteous, professional service, call Robin Moon:
Office: (903) 887-7899
Metro: (972) 971-6868
Cell: (903) 880-5351

Visit my web site at: http://www.robinmoon.com/
E-mail: robin@robinmoon.com
Have questions, need advice you can count on or just want to discuss this further?
Don’t waste any more time; pick up the phone and call me now! I’m here to help!

I appreciate you as a client and a friend. I appreciate your business, your loyalty, trust and your referrals. It is my goal to provide the very best counsel, advice and service possible for your real estate needs. If I may ever be of assistance to you, a relative, friend or co-worker please don’t hesitate to call me. I look forward to the opportunity to serve you.™

Cedar Creek Lake Memorial Day 2008

We had a great turn out for our open house on Memorial Day weekend! The lake was buzzing with people. Hope to have a great summer and hope to see you here!

Cedar Creek Lake in the summer

My Uncle Elzie says,: Come see Cedar Creek Lake! It is beautiful in the summer and the fishing is great!