Buy a discounted property, do the work yourself, force appreciation from the work, sell it off or refinance it, and the money’s in the bank—it’s the real estate investing dream, right? Yes! Of course it is. It’s one of the fastest ways to make some serious buck. But let’s not kid ourselves here.…

While Hollywood movers and shakers are known for lavish mansions priced in the multi-millions, the veritable village that movie producer and tech titan Thomas Tull recently put on the market for $85 million is beyond compare. Located in the hills of Westlake Village , just northwest of Los Angeles ,…

Let’s face it: If you’re an Airbnb host, you likely face stiff competition that is only getting worse. There are almost 4,000 listings in Denver alone. As the sharing economy grows, so do the number of short-term-rental listings nationwide. Case in point: hosting isn’t getting any easier, and if you…

Both the real estate market and the stock market have been on a tear lately—driving home prices up and generating huge gains for investors. For some, this has presented a dilemma: Should I invest the money I’ve saved into real es tate, or should I focus on maxing out my retirement accounts? What…

Midcentury Modern architecture—a catch-all term that encompasses a wide range of styles, from Bauhaus-inspired glass houses to the California ranch home —has gained cultish popularity in recent decades. For devotees, the classic Atomic Age house—picture a compact geometric design, an open-plan…

It’s a new year, and most of us have a brighter, more successful future on the brain. The start of a new year lends itself perfectly to building your company vision: A specific set of ideas that describe what success looks like for your company at a future date. A company vision statement can act as…

Taking a cross-country road trip with pets to move to your new home may seem like fun for about… two minutes? Then you realize that would mean… driving across the country. When air travel seems like the way better choice, there are some things you need to know to ensure your pet has a safe and…

Problem: You want to live like royalty, but also don't want to move out of Idaho. Solution: Build the Boise Castle . Now listed for $2.78 million, this four-story, 5,845-square-foot, five-bedroom castle in Boise is actually a gorgeous home. "The owner designed it with an architect," says listing…

Honestly, I was broke for most of my 20s. In fact, for a time, I was spending way more than I was making, and I really dug myself deep into credit-card debt. It wasn’t fun. But I climbed out, and now, looking back, I’m able to see what caused the problem. I can also what helped me out of it. If you…

January 17, 2018 Every year, the Swanepoel T3 Group releases the SP2018 Trendsetters list that identifies and celebrates innovators, dealmakers, and movers-and-shakers who have made a significant impact on the real estate industry over the past year. We’re excited to announce that David Greenberg,…

January 17, 2018 (NEW YORK/PHOENIX) January 17, 2017 - Updater, the nation’s leading relocation technology platform, today announced a partnership with Realty Executives International, one of the largest real estate franchises in the United States, with over 8,000 agents and 500 offices across the…

Grandfather clocks are beautiful household items that often turn out to be family heirlooms passed from one generation to another. Not only the room they are in but also the entire house or apartment can look really cozy and charming thanks to the presence of a single floor clock. If you’re planning…

Today I will once again turn to Peter Drucker , the “father of modern management,” regarding how to make effective decisions. As he notes in The Essential Drucker , “Effective people do not make a great many decisions. They concentrate on the important ones. They try to think through what is…

Comedian, actor, and producer Russell Peters is ready to sell his Malibu, CA, beach house at a bargain price. Peters has relisted his mansion for $8.8 million, which is about $3 million less than what he was asking for in 2016. But have no fear, the notoriously thrifty funnyman might still clear a…

The rise of Bitcoin, a form of cryptocurrency, has piqued the interest of real estate brokerages. For interested sellers, some brokerages are now listing properties with the equivalent prices in Bitcoin. Across the nation, brokerages and clients are now exchanging cryptocurrency for properties.…

It’s been sought after and clamored for throughout recorded history. People are killed for it everyday, and some say it’s the motive for every war. Wealth. Though virtually everyone seeks it, I wonder how many have stopped to consider what it really is. You may have joined the BiggerPockets…

A ventless gas fireplace is one without a chimney or vent—and it's an increasingly popular option for cash-strapped homeowners, since installing a fireplace vent can cost up to $3,000. But is a ventless gas fireplace safe and effective? Here's what you'll want to know before you buy one for your…

Within the real estate sector, there’s a lot of talk about primary and secondary markets. If you’ve encountered these terms before, you’ve probably wondered, “What makes some thriving cities primary markets, while others are secondary markets?” or “How do you tell the difference between secondary…

You know what a condominium is, and you're familiar with cabins. But what about a "cabiminium"? The hybrid dwelling is a real thing, and we've found one on the market for $649,000 in beautiful Banner Elk, NC . “It’s very similar to a condominium,” listing agent Karen Cleghorn says of the property.…

Deal flow is an issue. The experts and podcasts tell a story of high prices throughout most of the real estate industry. It’s a difficult task to prospect new buying opportunities, and the MLS seems as though it’s an overpriced luxury mall. Cash flow properties are rare needles in a large haystack…

Real estate photos can be gorgeous—or horrifyingly ugly. As proof, look no further than the Facebook group Really Bad MLS Photos , where members share the biggest clunkers they've seen. Seven years ago, Paul Meleedy , a real estate agent in Lakeville, MA, created this Facebook group to teach members…

Those overstuffed couches and armchairs are a movie-watching, weekend-lounging dream. Except when moving day comes, nobody quite remembers how you got them into the living room in the first place: the furniture doesn’t fit the door, no matter how you measure it! Where there’s a will (and some…

Is it ever possible to really have complete clarity and foresight? None of us has a crystal ball. What may first appear to be a disaster can become one of the most fortunate happy mistakes of your career. As real estate investors, we aim to solve problems daily. We try to use common sense to make…

Happy new year! It’s 2018, and you know what that means? It’s time to reflect on the goals we set last year and make new ones for this upcoming year. While reflecting on 2017, I looked back at my goals and atop the list was to read 60 books. Initially, my goal was to read 12, but after reading Grant…

Paul Williams was known as an architect to the stars in the '40s and '50s, when he designed French chateau, Regency, and Mediterranean-style mansions for the likes of Frank Sinatra , Lucille Ball , Cary Grant , and Barbara Stanwyck . Williams was the first certified African-American architect west…

In today’s competitive real estate market, investors need to move quickly. In doing so, however, eager investors might inadvertently skimp on due diligence to seal the deal. This is a HUGE mistake, according to seasoned real estate professionals. A property that you anticipated to be a successful…

Credit reports are one of the most valuable tools for landlords and property managers when screening tenants. But an individual’s credit score is more than just a number on a report. Beyond the number are clues into an individual’s behaviors that have resulted in earning that particular credit…

Pack your favorite jersey, brush up on your sports trivia, and lace up your sneakers: this is your itinerary for a true sports vacation to Green Bay, WI . You’ll see just how much this Midwest community values its teams by getting in on the action, in person. Here are the sports activities in Green…

Tech entrepreneur and venture capitalist Andy Rubin is one of Silicon Valley's most influential residents. Now the founder of Android and former Google exec has listed his magnificent property in Woodside, CA, for a whopping $34.6 million. Built in 2003, the 6,000-square-foot Craftsman contemporary…

If you list it, they will come. For the right price anyway. Coming off a stint with the Washington Nationals , pitcher Joe Blanton is making moves in 2018. To start, the reliever has relisted his sprawling home just outside Nashville, TN, for $1.69 million. It had been listed for $1.95 million in…

This week’s most expensive new listing on realtor.com® is a $44 million property in Palm Beach, FL . Built in 2006, this megamansion has an intriguing backstory. The owner, developer Robert Matthews , made headlines recently after almost losing the home to foreclosure and other legal troubles. Now…

When I was growing up, my grandparents lived in the mountains outside of a small, rural northern California town, far removed from the comforts of modern city living. They had electricity, but there was no city water or sewer out there, not even phone lines. Communication with the outside world was…

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) is now the law of the land. This mammoth tax reform law creates momentous tax changes for all Americans. We’ve all been wondering how the new tax plan affects property managers. In general, you’ll be relieved to hear, we predict that many property managers will do…

Green Bay… Packers? If that’s the only thing you know about Green Bay, WI, it’s time for a visit. This gem of a city has a lot to offer in addition to great sports, though of course, you need to check those out too… Here are six reasons you need to visit Green Bay this year. Green Bay Packers Hall…

It seems “you need to read Dave Ramsey” is a cornerstone of financial advice given lately. Because I have not read a basic financial book in a while, I thought I should see what all the hoopla is about. I picked up The Money Answer Book and delved into it, hoping to be enlightened by some Ramsey…

There is one member of your family who will probably be the most stressed about your upcoming relocation, and it’s not you. Most likely it will be your best friend. Your dog. Moving home with children can be stressful enough, but you have the ability to communicate and reassure your child, and…

A model home made from shipping containers in McClellan, CA, is now up for grabs for $127,500. If you’re imagining something stark and utilitarian—as the low price and industrial material might suggest—prepare to be surprised. “It’s so nice when you walk in—it’s very high-end,” says listing agent…

Perched on a majestic oceanside hill, the Maui Clifftop House is a piece of art you can live in. Designed to exist in harmony with the surrounding landscape, the noteworthy home in Wailuku, HI, is now on the market for $2.4 million. A beach house unlike anything else in the world, the property has…