Overview

While real estate is experiencing one of the largest downturns in recent history, it is important to understand that this creates an ideal situation for real estate investors. Industry problems such as record high foreclosures cause serious issues for realtors and mortgage lenders, but they create an absolutely ideal situation for investors poised to relieve banks and homeowners by purchasing properties at discounted rates. In a down market, well-informed investors are able to capitalize on trends such as increased rental occupancy rates or the high number of abandoned houses. While the current market situation creates additional options for investors, it also forces them utilize new resources and tools.

Investing Overview

According to the Board of Realtors, one third of all real estate transactions are done for the purpose of profit, making real estate investing nearly a trillion dollar industry. There are over a dozen real estate investing strategies including common methods such as rehabbing homes or renting apartments for passive income. Less common niches range from land lording commercial office buildings to purchasing trailer park notes. In a changing market many real estate professionals and investors struggle because they lack the fresh information needed to make necessary adjustments. Our company, RealEstateInvestor.com, offers investors news from leading real estate sources and education from industry leaders. More importantly, REI connects individuals with other investors who are sharing their specific real estate experiences in real time as they occur.

Market Size

Real estate investing has always been popular among business minded individuals and all indications show that interest is growing. The National Real Estate Investors Association has grown from 44 groups to 178 in the past three years. Real estate investing conferences have gained popularity, such as The Real Estate and Wealth Expo, which now attracts over 400,000 annually. The fact that there are currently four different cable television programs about flipping houses displays strong public interest in creative real estate. While the high turn over of investors is extremely high, RealEstateInvestor.com believes our free online community will help new investors to get over initial difficulty by empowering them to build a strong network of business associates.

Investment Education

Yahoo Finance reports that real estate investment education is a growing industry that now generates over $2 billion annually. In addition to the success of large national seminars many individual gurus have generated high sales through the internet, on teleconferences and with home study courses. For example, Russ Whitney Education Group (publicly traded as RUSS) reported revenues of $179 million in 2006 with a reach of over 400,000 students. High interest in real estate investment education has helped Donald Trump become the highest paid speaker in the world, earning $1.5 million for every one hour appearance at real estate conferences.