Steve Cook
Since 1998 Steve Cook has flipped many hundreds of houses as an active Baltimore-area real estate investor. Steve's unique specialty is the "flipping homes 1-2 punch", a proven system of real estate investing that powerfully combines wholesaling and rehabbing houses. Steve Cook is dedicated to helping others succeed through understanding and aggressively applying his time-tested, step-by-step approach to flipping real estate.
-
What is a Fixer Upper?
It always amazes me when I talk to beginning investors about the homes that they are looking at and calling fixer uppers. They frequently tell me stories of homes that they feel need to be torn down, and when I see them I think they are in good shape, at least as far as a …
-
Understanding Appreciation
For the last few years, most places in the country have been experiencing tremendous appreciation in the values of real estate. For the longest time I talked about how my house went up in value and, daily, I hear many others talk about how their homes have appreciated in value. Well, I have news for …
-
The Only Contingency You Will Ever Need
Entering the real estate market as a new investor can be very intimidating. That’s why so many people are tempted to add contingencies to their purchase contracts that allow them to escape from an offer unharmed. Not that there is anything wrong with this line of thinking. Protection is good and necessary. The error is …
-
The Gut Rehab
When approaching the world of rehabbing there are many different ways to go. Beginners usually like light cosmetic rehabs They’re sometimes referred to as “shave and a hair cut” (interpreted as paint and carpet). Others prefer regular cosmetic rehabs which usually amount to paint, carpet, and updating everything that you can see such as painting, …
-
The Art of Conversing With Team Members
Honestly, I’m sad to admit that it has taken me so long to get around to writing an article like this one. For many years, I’ve been teaching people how to do deals. In this process, I’ve also taught them how to establish relationships with team members, and I’ve seen some flourish and others fail …
-
Success Trap-Why Investors Give Up On What’s Working?
With all of the students that I have taught, I’ve noticed a subtle, yet problematic trend. I hope you pay close attention and watch for it in your own investing. I believe every investor will, at one time or another, face the same temptation…. Everyone Starts With “Sweat Equity” Of course, when you get your …
Success Trap-Why Investors Give Up On What’s Working? Read More »
-
Success Strategy – Aim For The Low Hanging Fruit Part 2
Last month in Aim For The Low Hanging Fruit Part 1 you read about my early days as a computer salesman. There, I did not try to be a good salesman, and educate, sell and motivate people to buy a computer system that they weren’t sure they wanted. In part one of my lesson in …
Success Strategy – Aim For The Low Hanging Fruit Part 2 Read More »
-
Success Strategy – Aim For The Low Hanging Fruit Part 1
Those who know I invest in real estate may not realize – I got my start in computer sales. Now, before you say to yourself – “computer sales and real estate investing have nothing in common!” I suggest you take a moment to listen to my story. (As you read, look for the early-developed habit …
Success Strategy – Aim For The Low Hanging Fruit Part 1 Read More »
-
Starting your Real Estate Investing Career the Right Way
I am often asked by people “How do you get started in real estate investing?” My answer to this question is becoming clearer to me the more I give an answer. However, before I tell you my answer, let me share some observations that I have made over the course of my investing career. The …
Starting your Real Estate Investing Career the Right Way Read More »
-
Should I Quit My Day Job?
This is a question that many new investors ask themselves and I have asked myself this many times also. This of course must be answered individually, however below are some things to consider prior to taking that much desired step as an investor. My first year I used my job earnings to put money back …
