One of the key skills you’ll need to learn as an investor is how to structure deals. When you get really good at this, you’ll be able to pull some real magic tricks out of your hat and profit from deals that other investors wouldn’t touch because they can’t figure out how to make it work. I’m not there yet…I’m definitely still in the learning stages. I spent my first year in real estate investing only making offers on bank owned properties, but once you deal with private sellers it is an entirely different ball game. In fact, I’ve dealt with lots of rejected offers from private sellers over the past several months. Sure, sometimes the sellers simply aren’t motivated enough, but I also have to consider how I can structure and present my offers in such a way that I can increase my number of accepted offers.

In case you’re in a similar boat, I thought I would share a few tips that I’m putting into practice that I’ve received from my mentor as well as fellow investors with several more years of experience under their belts working directly with home owners:

#1: Always provide a written offer

It’s easy to think that you’re saving time by giving sellers verbal offers, but frankly everyone likes to “see it in writing.” Regardless of whether you think your offer will be accepted or not, put the offer in writing and allow the seller a chance to review it and give it due consideration.

#2: Remember cash isn’t always king – give options!

In the beginning, all I would make are low cash offers thinking “Cash is king, right?” Well, yes and no. It can be king for some sellers, but not for others because it really depends on the seller’s situation. Be sure to give the sellers options. If you ask the seller some key questions (e.g. how much is owed on the property, why they are looking to sell, what they plan to do with the money after they sell) you will be able to determine what types of deal structures could possibly work. For example, your written offer can include a few different options:

■Cash
■“Subject to” (liens remain in place and you take over the payments)
■Seller financing
■Combination of “Subject to” and seller financing

#3 Consider an option contract

If your intent is to assign the contract and the seller just doesn’t seem to want to meet you at a number you’re 100% confident with, consider an option contract at the sellers price and just go out there and see if you can find a buyer within the option period (get at least 90 days). There’s no risk! If the seller’s price is completely unreasonable, you don’t need to waste your time….but if its just a little bit too high for your comfort level, go ahead and get that option agreement signed and see what you can do with it.

#4 Consider a partnership

My mentor gave me an example of a deal he did where there was substantial equity in the property but the home needed a lot of work. After a rehab, it was going to be an excellent home to sell to a retail buyer. What he did was set up a contract with the seller and they agreed to rehab the property, market it, sell it, and split the profits. The seller paid the mortgage and carrying costs while the rehab was completed and they both made a nice profit when the property was sold. A win-win for everyone.

#5 Always follow up

Persistence pays. Even if the offer is rejected now, the seller may have a change of heart later. Be sure to follow up a few months after you’ve made the offer and check in to see how things are going. I’m currently working on a deal with a seller I made an offer to back in November! This is more common than you’d think. Don’t miss out on deals because of a lack of follow up.

by Shae Bynes

Do you find yourself fighting the urge to press your nose against the screen because you can’t see text and images clearly?

If so, it might be time to check out some of the features in Windows and Internet Explorer that can improve your view.

Magnify your screen
Windows has a built in Magnifier that lets you magnify your computer screen. Magnifier is a lot like built-in bifocals you can adjust. You see two screens, one the way you’ve customized it, and one that shows the larger font.

You can move your mouse pointer anywhere on the non-magnified part of the page, and then type your changes in the magnified section. This is especially helpful when you have your font set to a smaller size to see everything on one screen but need to have an enlarged view for specific areas.

Here’s how to use Magnifier in Windows 7 or Windows Vista:

1.Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, click Ease of Access, and then click Magnifier.

2.Move the pointer to the part of the screen that you want to magnify.

3.The Magnifier dialog box appears on the task bar. To close the magnifier, enlarge the dialog box, and click Close

Here’s how to use Magnifier in Windows XP:

1.Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, point to Accessibility, and then click Magnifier.

2.Move the pointer to the part of the screen that you want to magnify.

3.The Magnifier dialog box appears on the screen. You can minimize it so it’s on the taskbar. When you want to close the Magnifier, restore the dialog box, and click Exit

About Magnifier in Windows 7
Magnifier in Windows 7 includes full-screen and lens modes. Full-screen mode lets you magnify your entire screen and follow your mouse pointer. In lens mode, the area around the mouse pointer is magnified. When you move the mouse pointer, the area of the screen that is magnified moves along with it. Learn more about Magnifier in Windows 7.

Zoom in and see the Web more clearly
Internet Explorer Zoom lets you enlarge or reduce the view of a Web page. Unlike just changing the font size, Zoom enlarges or reduces everything on the page, including text and images. You can zoom from 10% to 1,000%.

1.Click the Start button, and then click Internet Explorer.

2.On the lower-right of the Internet Explorer screen, click the arrow next to the Change Zoom Level button .

3.To go to a predefined zoom level, click the percentage of enlargement or reduction you want.

4.To specify a custom level, click Custom. In the Percentage zoom box, type a zoom value, and then click OK.

Mice and keyboards with Zoom and Magnifier
Many Microsoft mice and keyboards come with built in Zoom and Magnifier features, making zooming and magnifying as easy as clicking a button.

The Zoom feature makes it a breeze to read small print in documents and spreadsheets and tiny text in e-mail and Web pages, such as disclaimers. The Zoom feature is as intuitive as adjusting the lighting in a room by using a dimmer. All you do is slide a lever on the keyboard to zoom in and zoom out. To learn more details, visit Microsoft keyboard products with Zoom.

The Microsoft mouse products that contain the Magnifier are like a magnifying glass that is held up to your computer screen. With a simple press and hold motion, the Magnifier enlarges the area of your screen that fits inside the lens. To learn more, visit Microsoft mouse products with Magnifier.