FLATHEAD INVESTMENT CLUB PRESENTS: 

Jim Sappington, a 36 year Real Estate Broker, Real Estate Investment course writer, attendee andcoordinator of hundreds of real estate exchange meetings, will be giving an interactive presentation on exchanging properties!

Bring details on one or more properties you want to buy or sell! You will learn new terms and “out-of-the-box” concepts for acquiring investment property. Don't be surprised if you get and make offers on the 17^th! 

For more information visit: www.jimsappington.com or www.flatheadinvestmentclub.com

Members are free -$10 for nonmembers, join or pay at the door prior to 6pm please. 

Insurance Hunting? How much coverage do you need? How do you properly insure an Investment Property? If you have insurance questions, don’t miss our next featured speaker! Shaine Reece, a Farmers Insurance Group Commercial Elite Agent, and 2002 Toppers Club Award winner, will be presenting at our next Flathead Investment Club meeting, October 20^th, 2010. To view Shaine's website, visit: http://www.farmersagent.com/sreece

$10.00 at the door, or free for Members, RSVP with Heather: hreeder@montanasky.net, or 752-5250.

     It’s time to think big for 2010! Learn how to buy motels and hotels for profit from accomplished investor Jason Schubert.  He knows how to trade in your houses for motels, and find the best hotel deals that generate thousands in positive cash flow for the rest of your life! Furthermore, Schubert can help you get started now without spending your own cash.     

     In five life-altering years, Schubert has accomplished what many don’t dream of achieving in a lifetime! From purchasing 30-50 houses a year using “subject to’s”  and lease options, to rehabbing 3-5 houses a month, Jason has established himself as entrepreneur, builder, commercial real estate mentor and coach, national speaker, hotel owner, and master investor. And he has done so without spending his own cash, but with thoughtful, proactive deal structuring.  Since then Jason has taken creative financing and marketing to another level.     

    Jason ‘s success has allowed him to create the Rich In Five^® Mentoring programs and has helped countless students across the country achieve and exceed their financial goals. He will share with local investors how you can buy motels and hotels for profit, increase their value and find ways to improve your potential cash flow. For more information visit http://www.richinfive.com/index.html 

     In today's world of foreclosures, over-zealous litigants, ever-increasing consumer debt, and aggressive actions by creditors, a critical aspect of anyone's estate plan should be asset protection. Now more than ever, asset protection strategies provide investors the means to hold onto what they have and pass it on to their heirs.     

     Attorney-at-law Brian Tanko knows how to customize these strategies to the particular needs of his clients. He offers his professional assistance in all areas of estate planning, including living and revocable trusts. He is familiar with laws regarding asset protection trusts. And he is well versed in Montana’s statutes regarding fraudulent conveyances of property. Tanko also offers tools, such as a family limited partnership or a limited liability company structure, to enhance asset protection where applicable.    

     Tanko Law Office is located in Kalispell, Montana; Tanko is licensed to practice in the states of Montana and Nevada, and is licensed to practice law before the U.S. Tax Court. He also holds a CPA Certificate and is certified as a Fraud Examiner. For more information please visit www.tankolaw.com

Noon Brown Bag- June 2, 2010

The Flathead Investment Club got down to business and welcomed members and guests to participate!  This brown bag (bring your own) lunch meeting provided us with a place to discuss issues that were important to the club members, including further input about the current national legislation on the regulation of Seller Financing. We also addressed the need to learn more about investment strategies and the club's joining the national Real Estate Investors Association. Lastly we brainstormed ideas and topics for future Speakers that interest you!

Title examiner Nick Vernon is no stranger to foreclosure sales. With local foreclosures averaging 15 a month, Vernon often conducts foreclosure auctions as a representative of First American Title.  “One person’s heartache is another person’s opportunity,” he said. Although the rate of foreclosures has slowed down recently, Vernon believes there are still opportunities to find a great deal.

Just like any other purchase, buyers must do their “due diligence.” With 27 years of title insurance experience, Vernon offers the “scoop” about how the foreclosure auction process works and how a successful investor can avoid pitfalls along the way.  A buyer, he stressed, must know the condition of the title before heading into foreclosure. Lack of proper notice, judgments and liens need to be resolved prior to purchase. 

The Flathead Investment Club welcomes your interest in real estate investing and invites you to join others who share the same interest. Founders Michael and Diana Blend invite you to come and meet your fellow members! We will get organized with a brown bag (bring your own) lunch meeting. The agenda will include presentation and discussion of goals of the organization, membership tiers, committee involvement and future events. We will also address affiliation with a national REIA and have time for a round-table discussion regarding what investment concerns you have in the current market. This is your chance to make the Flathead Investment club work for you!

Have you ever wanted to invest in a property but had second thoughts after seeing evidence of water damage and mold? Before you walk away from the deal, however, you may want to call upon the experts from Complete Restoration. Richard or “Rich” Newbury and his partner Cory Rensmon, serve Northwestern Montana with a complete line of restoration services. They can assess the level of water and mold damage before you invest. In fact, as being part of your due diligence team, they can help solve the problem on a distressed property and save you money on the deal.

     Judy Cook is a nationally recognized speaker, author and consultant, who works with individuals and groups that have “purpose”. She doesn't just "talk the talk"… She continues “walking the walk" and has set her own track record with real estate investing!     

     Over 25 years ago, Judy learned how to invest in real estate and honed her negotiating skills after much exposure to the “go- getters & doers” of Houston Texas. Initially, she began on a part time basis, but in a short time realized that working for a large oil company interfered with the life she wanted to live.   

     Judy then ventured wholeheartedly into the world of real estate investing. In a very short time,  she bought and sold over 2,000 houses in the Houston area. She also started buying entire subdivisions. Since that time, she has owned apartments, a “Bed and Breakfast” (“just for fun” she explains) and a group of rental houses. In the last decade, she has spent time developing land in Texas and Montana.    

     Meanwhile, Judy has also become a powerhouse in matching families with homes they formerly could only dream of owning! Such success, coupled with her need to share, has empowered Judy to teach others how to make money by buying homes, and in particular, by “fixing and flipping”. Consequently, she has been honored for her leadership in national real estate organizations and is a published author of books on real estate investing for anyone who has an interest! 

Founder Michael Blend presented the benefits of membership and answered questions about the role of the club in the current economy.

Although, the road ahead appears to be bumpy, Blend said it is actually a good time for investors to look for opportunities while prices are low.  He emphasized getting to know the current market conditions and networking with other investors and associates to establish a new niche in this changing market. Now is the time for continuing education and taking stock of goals, he said, while redirecting your investments and related services. 

Blend  mentioned that the club would take a break and reorganize by spring of 2010. Members were asked to sign up for the various committees, including membership, speakers, and adminstrative. There was a roundtable discussing investing opportunities in the current market and a pitch session. In the meantime, anyone interested in joining should reach us on the "Contact Us Page" and so he can send you information about the next meeting and future events.

As foreclosures soar to record numbers, Realtors®, Brokers and Agents have come to acknowledge the need for short sales. With tens of thousands of homeowners owing more than their home is worth, many are finding themselves caught between losing their home to foreclosure and being unable to sell, it. The solution lies in a complex negotiation called a short sale. That’s where Gary Norris and Ron Rhead or ShortSalesClosed.com can help.  

Our guest speakers shared how ShortSales.com can stop foreclosures and thereby save the homeowner from the negative consequences of foreclosure including deep plunges in their credit scores. Norris and Rhead presented an overview of the short sales process at this meeting, and they will also conveyed how they buy a home threatened by foreclosure with private investor funds and pay a full commission! 

Both Norris and Rhead are real estate investors and actively involved in the real estate business in Idaho. Norris also has experience in discount note buying, "subject to" purchases, lease options, contract negotiations, short sales, as well as the purchase and sale of numerous residential properties. Rhead is a specialist in using self-directed retirement funds to purchase real estate and has grown his Roth IRA from $2,300 to over $500,000 in 18 months. 

For more information please visit www.ShortSalesClosed.com

Foreclosures are taking place in a record number and you don’t have to go outside Montana to witness the heartache. With an increasing number of home foreclosures occurring every day right here in the Flathead Valley, homeowners are may find relief by modifying their loan. Too often however, they miss the timing for doing so and don’t know the process. That’s when it’s helpful to seek professional help with a loan modification specialist.

Peggy Gascon of Choice Loan Consulting, LLC offers hope for homeowners who can’t make their payments but have not yet entered into foreclosure. Gascon assists in getting a loan modification and new terms with their lender. Timing is critical in such instances.

Gascon is a Montana native with 33 years in the real estate profession. She also has worked in the Arizona real estate market for 21 years. She received her loan modification training from Choice Loan Consulting, an Arizona-based corporation with a national presence. For more information visit www.choiceloanmodification.com 

It is time for real estate investors to think outside of the box.  According to Jim Sappington,  investors must still weigh their methods for effectiveness and for reality, and then progress towards their  predetermined goal. “Most people think, 'I give you cash and in exchange, you give me the property and that’s how you buy real estate’,but there are other ways to get there,” said Sappington. He offers an alternate strategy in these uncertain times when cash is less available and loans are hard to procure. He refers to this other method as “Exchanging” and will shed light on its effectiveness and how to implement it in a real estate proposal.

Sappington is the President of BREM Holding, Inc. which provides educational forums and consulting on business and real estate issues.  BREM also provides real estate valuations, business and equipment appraisals and markets business assets. Sappington has been a real estate broker for over thirty years and has achieved designations as an Accredited Land Consultant, Investment Specialist, Certified Business Intermediary, Senior Business Analyst and Certified Machinery Equipment Appraiser. He also is adept at providing expert witness analysis.

Investors are all too familiar with what it takes to rent and maintain investment property.  That’s what brings them to Jennifer Volkert of Glacier Management, LLC,  a full-service property management firm. “We take the headache out of owning rental property,” says Volkert, who has been serving Flathead Valley property owners for the last five years.  Volkert  provides  peace of mind with her level-headed and professional approach. As a licensed property manager, she understands the rental market and the Landlord /Tenant Law. Her business practices include all the lease agreements, accounting, and notices required by law. Furthermore, she and her team can customize their services and adjust their fees accordingly. Headquartered in her main Street office in Kalispell, Montana, Volkert has expanded her hours to meet the needs of the business community.

Are you a real estate investor? As you probably know, not all buyers are investors. An investment purchase serves specific investment goals and is structured to meet those goals. Jim Sappington of BREM Holding, Inc. defines who is an investor, what constitutes a lucrative investment and which financial analysis tools are best to use to calculate your return. He also teaches about using the capitalization rate effectively and avoiding pitfalls in its misuse.

Sappington is the President of BREM Holding, Inc. which provides educational forums and consulting on business and real estate issues.  BREM also provides real estate valuations, business and equipment appraisals and markets business assets. Sappington has been a real estate broker for over thirty years and has achieved designations as an Accredited Land Consultant, Investment Specialist, Certified Business Intermediary, Senior Business Analyst and Certified Machinery Equipment Appraiser. He also is adept at providing expert witness analysis.

Invest with Knowledge & Secure Data Before You Leap!

The place to invest in real estate isn’t necessarily in one’s own back yard. In some markets it’s best to look elsewhere. Kevin Peay and his associates at RealSource offer market research and analysis to help you make sound investments based on actual data in diverse areas. They also help you understand national real estate market cycles, selection and timing of your investments, the benefits of investing in multi-family housing, the advantages of triple net leases, participating in Tenants in Common, using your IRA or 401K to self direct funds into real estate and much more. If you want to do more than just be a real estate “collector” and create real cash flow, you may benefit from the resources offered by RealSource.

Kevin Paey is the Associate Director of Marketing for RealSource. He describes himself as a “base-roots” guy with a background in real estate investing and business. He invested in real estate in Las Vegas in 90’s and knows firsthand how markets can change. His presentation was especially valuable considering the current slowdown in the real esate market and the downturn in the stock market. For more information please visit www.RealSource.net. 

Become and Educated Real Estate Investor

Noveau Riche graduate DeLynn Nedrow shared his success story on October 29th from 7:00pm – 8:30pm.  In a little more than one year with Nouveau Riche Nedrow achieved his “dream” of retirement at age 57. This was a free event that the Flathead Investment Club sponsored. Nedrow informed us on the ways to become financially independent through this real estate education program. 

Flathead Investment Club founder, Michael Blend, and member, David Hart are available to share more about the Nouveau Riche's educational opportunities.  For more information Michael can be reached at 406-257-0541 or through his office at BridgeSource Capital at 406-752-5250.  David can be reached at 406-261-5231.

Real Estate Investment Strategies for the Current Market

Is there a silver lining for investors in the "mortgage meltdown"  Investors appreciated learning how to create opportunities in these times of turmoil. Michael Blend, founder of the Flathead Investment Club, presented his strategies for real estate investing in the present market downturn. He discussed how to find the best investments and where the financing might come from. He also shared his insight on how to structure creative real estate deals that apply a win-win approach for both the seller and the investor.

Blend got his start in Montana in 1995 when he purchased a fixer-upper for himself in Columbia Falls. He has since bought and sold dozens of properties in the Flathead Valley, including various types of residential and commercial properties. He has also been a general contractor as owner of Blend Design & Build, a construction business. For the last three years he has focused his business on building income property for various partnerships that he has assembled. Blend has developed residential and commercial subdivisions and specializes in difficult-to-develop properties.

This FREE WORKSHOP focused on using your IRA funds to invest in residential and commercial  real estate.

Why Real Estate is the Preferred Investment Vehicle.

• The basic building blocks of a successful Real Estate Investment portfolio.

• How to direct your tax deferred IRA dollars to purchase residential and commercial real estate.

• How to gain personal control of your financial future and reach your retirement date sooner.

When it comes to gaining knowledge as real estate investors, it is important to have options. This month Loy Roberts, a local expert in the real estate mortgage field, will present investment opportunities to make high returns during tough economic times!  Learn from the expert how to lend money on real estate and assemble win-win transactions.

Our guest speaker Loy Roberts has 30 years experience in the mortgage industry since 1979. He started buying and selling deeds of trust while in college and then worked for a traditional mortgage company. He quickly moved up the ladder from loan officer to a management position. He liked the business so much, he started his own mortgage company in Arizona in 1983 and has since moved to the Flathead Valley. Roberts now lends money on non-traditional property and to non-traditional borrowers. 

The real estate market seems to stump us all in one way or another. Few people realize that they can use their individual retirement account (IRA) to invest in real estate. But Corey Salois, a broker for Dean and Leininger Real Estate in Kalispell, knows of the “hands-off” approach to buy and sell real estate within an IRA. This involves an “arms-length” process conducted through a holding company which Salois explained during her June 5^th presentation. 

Over the last five years, Salois has seen the ups and downs in the market while working at Dean and Leininger offices in Kalispell and Bigfork. Known as a “go-getter,” Salois stays up on the latest technology. She aptly applies the best marketing strategies while approaching each deal with enthusiasm. Not only is she an astute broker with in-depth knowledge of Flathead Valley’s real estate opportunities, but she also offers Dean and Leininger’s full range of property management services. Salois currently volunteers as a paramedic with Bigfork Ambulance and serves as their vice president. 

Look no further! Janet Beumer of First Class Environmental Coatings offers a wide range of expertise on mold. Beumer can readily identify the common varieties of mold found in Northwestern Montana, and knows what causes mold, how it impacts health, how to test for it, and remedy any contamination. As a Certified Mold Remediator and Inspector, Beumer is dedicated to the protection of human health and environments. For more information visit her website at www.envirocoats.com.

Now working within the private sector, Morrison offers a common sense approach combined with solid planning tools. Morrison has contributed to the success of premier projects such as Quail Ridge Subdivision, a 69 Lot Residential “Cluster,” and Lakeside Shores, a condominium development. She is also a member of the Montana Association of Planners and the American Planning Association.com