Don’t rely on the experts for your near-term plans

That goes to show that it’s risky to base your near-term decision-making solely on the forecasts of experts.  

There are a lot of smart people working in the world of finance and investing.  But as we’ve seen so recently with the world-wide financial crises, they’re only human and people make mistakes.

No one knows for sure what interest rates will do

Here’s just one example of the foreboding interest rate prognostications being made by respected money experts early this year:

 And here’s what rates actually have done so far in 2010:

Volatility in a very narrow range

In reality you could say that the alarmist financial prognosticators got it somewhat right: 30 year fixed mortgage rates in the US as tracked by Freddie Mac did rise from roughly 4.9% in February 2010 to about 5.2% in early April.

But a 30 basis point rise is not exactly a steep, devastating jump.

Mortgage rates near record lows

And after that, 30 year mortgage rates fell right back to roughly 4.9%.

So in mid-May we have interest rate status quo so far this year: mortgage rates have jumped around a bit in 2010, but only in a narrow range. 

Today, mortgage rates remain at near-record lows . . . right where they were at the start of the year.

No one knows the future

For your long-term investment and financial plans, it’s smart to rely on expert advice. 

There are wonderful books and plenty of reliable resources on money and investing that will serve you well in the long run.

Just don’t listen to the pundits on the morning news and on blog posts who make frightening predictions about the near-term direction of  interest rates and the markets.  They may mean well, but they’re often proved wrong by what really ends up happening!

Copyright ©2010 02038.com

Opportunity for first-time MA real estate investors

One of my clients has created a successful house flipping venture in Massachusetts. Family-owned and operated, they are looking for equity investors to participate in upcoming home acquisitions.

Here’s a video I created showcasing their most recent successful flip of a single family home located in Franklin, MA:

Real estate investing with experienced guides on your side

I think very highly of these guys; they are very honest, hardworking and have a good eye for value.

This is a solid investment vehicle for beginners looking to get their feet wet in Massachusetts real estate. (A disclosure is in order: while I would not hold an equity stake in the property being purchased, I would “have an interest” in the investment in that I would act as listing agent for the re-sale of the home.)

With the Massachusetts real estate market on the mend, 2010 looks to be a good time to make some money while you learn the basics of home flipping with the help of some skilled, trustworthy guides!

Please contact me if you’d like more information.

Copyright ©2009 02038.com

Post card mailer versus YouTube video

I tried an interesting mix of traditional and cutting-edge marketing for this listing. 

Here’s the front of a “Just Listed” post card I snail-mailed to the neighborhood.

The post card uses an original photograph I took of the statue of Ben Franklin at the Franklin Town Library.  The Library is just steps away from the home for sale.

This mailer pulled a lot of locals to the open house I held last Sunday.

But the YouTube video I created proved very effective because it enabled me to highlight the strengths of the home’s superb location in town:

What a transformation!

The magnitude of the improvements to this home becomes apparent when you look at some “Before” and “After” photos:

It’s astonishing what these investors did with the property.  My clients’ renovation work is high quality and the finished product is now a very stylish, modern home!

Investment opportunity?

My clients are seeking investors to participate in future rehab ventures.

So if you’ve been thinking of getting into real estate investing, but have held back because you didn’t know where to start or lack the background to undertake your own project right off the bat, you may want to contact me for more information. 

The fit would have to be right, but you never know where that real estate investment opportunity inquiry might take you!

Copyright ©2009 02038.com