We all want a good deal, particularly when it comes to our real estate investments and how we define that good deal is very important.  We all want less risk and most of us define good deals by how much money and how much risk they take.  

After all, there’s more risk involved in spending more money, right? While that may or may not be true, to a large degree, those in real estate investment must be wary of dirt-cheap deals on properties. It's tempting to jump on discounts with the assumption that if something is on sale, then it’s a good deal.  Just because you are buying something lower than the advertised price, does not mean it is a good deal.

Curb appeal is king when it comes to your investment properties. Not only does a great curb appeal help catch the eye of good tenants, but it keeps them happy with their home over time. Spring is a vital time to do some work to spruce up your curb appeal. In fact, if you don’t do some maintenance and landscaping in spring, your curb appeal is likely to suffer the rest of the year. This type of maintenance doesn't have to be painful chore, however; here are a few tips to make it easier.  

Sometimes Memphis doesn’t get as much credit as it deserves. Every city has its problems and Memphis is no different — but Memphis has a lot to offer its residents, its visitors and even real estate investors!  It’s where rock ‘n’ roll began and home to great food, great music and a lot of heart and soul. We love Memphis. Part of being a good real estate investor, even if you don’t live where you own rental property, is knowing your market and having a great team in place to help you. That means knowing the people, the city, and being able to sing the praises of the area and your partners.  If you cannot do those things...keep looking!

Security deposits have a reputation for being a source of tension between tenants and owners, but they don’t have to be. Security deposits are a necessary way to safeguard your investment and encourage good tenants to take care of a property.  There are plenty of steps you can take, whether you are working directly with tenants or having your property management handled by someone else, to make sure they are managed with honesty, fairness and efficiency. With these security deposit investment tips, you can avoid headaches and potential legal troubles.

We hope you’re still on-task for your real estate investment resolutions a month into the new year. After all, new investment strategies and re-evaluations can go a long way to boosting not just your bottom line but also your personal satisfaction in your investments. Real estate investing, while often referred to as passive income, takes a lot of time and — you guessed it — investment.

How many of us have heard some version of the following story?

"My Aunt Bernice got taken for a ride by this contractor she hired last year. She hired him because he quoted her a great price, but the whole situation ended up being a nightmare. He was never on time, the work was shoddy, and he went WAAAAAY over-budget."

What about this one?

"Yeah, my friend Derrick totally got scammed by some fly-by-night 'contractor.' He answered an ad on Craigslist because the guy sounded legit and only charged 10% up front. The guy took the money and ran. Derrick hasn't heard from him since."