Ricardo Bueno's Blog

For a lot of people Real Estate is an Investment. But in order for it to be a successful investment, you have to do what the brilliant minds of Wall Street do; practice your "Due Diligence."

I always say, "everything that you do should contribute to a strategy!" -- RB

So I welcome you to my blog! I'll be giving you the tools in the form of knowledge and resources so that you plan your investments accordingly and see your equity grow! I'll teach you how to maximize your cash-flow and increase your rate-of-return.

For any additional resources, please visit my website at http://www.ricardobueno.com/. Or if you're ready to move forward on an investment, please contact me directly at 323.810.2175. And for those of you who are beginners in the world of investing in real estate, please visit my other blog at http://www.mortgagecafe.blogspot.com/ where I'll be teaching you the fundamentals and giving you market updates.

                                                   
Instead take a moment, grab a cup of coffee, and start reading my posts. You'll learn quite a bit about the world of real estate finance so that when you're ready to make that investment, you're confident and prepared!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at 323.810.2175. Or, for additional information, you can visit my website at http://www.ricardobueno.com/.

For the more advanced investor, you can visit my Real Estate Investments blog at http://www.equitygrowth.blogspot.com/ where I will be talking about strategies to maximize cash-flow & rates-of-return.

Here's what you an your contractor should focus on --> Your Inspection Checklist!

• The roof
• Both the heating & cooling systems
• Plumbing...including any leaks beneath the building
• Asbestos, lead paint and/or any other hazardous materials
• The electrical systems, including all of the fixtures in the units
• Windows and skylights
• Termites & other infestations
• Floors & carpets
• Laundry room
• Driveways & parking areas
• Landscaping
• Storage areas
• General condition of the individual units, including the carpets & all appliances

Ricardo Bueno - Your Residential & Commercial Investment Advisor

"For more information you can visit my blog or my website, or if you're ready to move forward on a particular investment, you can reach me directly at 323.810.2175." -- RB

Ricardo Bueno is a Mortgage Advisor & Team Leader with Wilshire Financial, Inc. A diversified mortgage brokerage located in Pasadena, CA - The City of Roses!

"Everything that you do should contribute to a strategy!" -- Ricardo Bueno

The most successful people on Wall Street are successful because they know how to practice their "due diligence." Each investment decision is analyzed from a strategic standpoint. When investing in Real Estate, you should do the same.

I mentioned before that the California Real Estate Market is saturated with foreclosure and pre-foreclosure properties. This should alert you to the pitfalls of making a hasty investment. So whether you're investing in a Single-Family Residence or an investment property, plan accordingly. Follow this guideline to ensure that you're ready to maximize your investment dollars.

1. Define and review your goals

2. Review with your specific team members (Realtor, Loan Officer, CPA, and Financial Advisor) what kind of property can move you close to your goals

3. Pick a part of town where you can:

          a. Find the kind of property you want to own. Remember, if this is an investment property, you don't want to reside too far away from it's location.

          b. Feel comfortable,

          c. Be able to get to easily

4. Begin to learn all you can about that part of town:

         a. start by driving around in the area. Do you like what you see?

         b. Walk and/or jog in the area during all times of the day.

         c. Get all of your team members to help you gather as much information as possible.  

5. Get your knowledge together:

         a. Get the data on the properties you want to own. Your Realtor and Loan Officer will help you here.

         b. Contact the owner,

         c. Demonstrate that you know more about the property than anyone.

6. Put your other talents to play:

         a. You will have more confidence in your own abilities,

         b. You will reduce risk in your investment portfolio

Ricardo Bueno, Your Residential & Commercial Investment Advisor - "Please visit my website for additional resources at: http://www.ricardobueno.com/ Or, if you're ready to move forward on an investment, please contact me directly at 323.810.2175!" -- RB

Ricardo Bueno is a Residential & Commercial Investment Advisor and Team Leader with Wilshire Financial, Inc. A diversified mortgage brokerage located in Pasadena, CA; the City of Roses!

Property ownership is such a large part of the American Dream. Though a lot of people can own a home, they do so hastily and place themselves in poor financial position. Just look at today's statistics...how many foreclosures are currently saturating the marketplace? Too many!

So avoid the pitfalls of homeownership/real estate investing by asking yourself these questions:  

1. Is buying this property the best use of my money?
2. Will this property pay for itself?
3. Can I increase the value of this property?

This is the process of doing your "due diligence." If you can't answer "yes" to any of these questions, then you're not ready to invest! How/why do you think that Wall Street Investment Bankers are so successful? They do their due diligence so make sure you do your part in performing yours.

Ricardo Bueno, Your Residential & Commercial Investment Advisor - "Please visit my website for additional resources at: www.RicardoBueno.com Or, if you're ready to move forward on an investment, please contact me directly at 323.810.2175!" -- RB

Ricardo Bueno is a Residential & Commercial Investment Advisor and Team Leader with Wilshire Financial, Inc. A diversified mortgage brokerage located in Pasadena, CA; the City of Roses!

Specializing in: Residential, Commercial, Construction and Super Jumbo Loan Financing!

Wilshire Financial, Inc. was established in 2003 as a Diversified Mortgage Brokerage. As an affiliate company of Eagle Mortgage, Wilshire Financial brings over 24 years of Mortgage Industry experience.

Who are we at Wilshire Financial, Inc.? We're a mid-sized boutique firm whose sole mission is to provide individuals with the information and services that they need to better their cash-flow, secure/preserve their assets, and provide the financial tools to accumulate greater wealth.

Wilshire Financial, Inc. employs experienced Loan Officers who are actively trained and educated on new products so that they can service clients with the highest degree of quality and customer service. Strategically formed alliances with the nations most innovative lenders allow us to provide our clients with a vast array of financing solutions for all of their Real Estate Investment needs.

Wilshire Financial, Inc.'s Code of Business Ethics reflects the company's existing culture and serves as a guide for our directors, officers and employees in their daily activities. In all of our business practices, we are committed to doing the right thing. As a result, Wilshire Financial, Inc. has a strong reputation for integrity with its customers, business partners, shareholders and its own employees.

When you need Residential, Commercial, Construction or Super Jumbo Loan Financing, remember, we're only a phone call away!

--

Ricardo Bueno is a Residential & Commercial Mortgage Advisor and Team Leader with Wilshire Financial, Inc. A diversified mortgage brokerage located in Pasadena, CA; the City of Roses!

"You can reach me directly at 323.810.2175! Or if you'd like to take your time,  you can visit my website: http://www.ricardobueno.com/ and remember to sign up for my FREE monthly email newsletter!" -- RB

I asked Irina Netchaev, (your Pasadena, CA Real Estate Agent) to give us a Market Update. Here's what she had to report:

Question: by Ricardo Bueno

Do you think you can give me your insights into the following question: Q. How do you see the market performing?

ANSWER: by Irina Netchaev

Great question - real estate market just came out of its cyclical annual slow period - fall and winter months.  Every year, we see a slow down as kids go back to schools and families are enjoying Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year holidays. 

As spring comes upon us, the market starts blooming just like the flowers in my garden.  There are more homes on the market, but also more buyers. 

The real estate market is definitely stabilizing.  We are not seeing tremendous increases of 20 to 25% a year, but are tracking an average of 5 to 7% depending on the area.  When you add these "modest" increases on top of the already high home prices, the sellers are experiencing a nice growth rate. 

San Marino and South Pasadena are doing great since a lot of families are looking to buy into their award winning school district.  Bungalow Heaven, Historic Highlands, Madison Heights and South Lake District of Pasadena are also "flowering". 

It seems like homes in the range of $800,000 to $1.2 million are selling better than homes in the $500,000 to $700,000 range. 

Buyers are not going through as many multiple offer situations which makes it a little easier on them.  TAlthough, we are still seeing multiple offers in some areas. They also have a little bit more inventory to choose from.

It's a WIN WIN for all.

Overall, we're in for another great summer!

For information about Pasadena, please visit the following links:

• Pasadena Real Estate Guide and FREE Multiple Listing Search
• Everything you ever wanted to know about Pasadena and more!
• Looking for condos near Pasadena?  How about Monterey Hills?

 Other interesting information:

• Thinking of Selling Your Home - What should your Agent be doing?
• Heard the Buzz about Staing?  What is it?

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Ricardo Bueno, Your Residential & Commercial Investment Advisor - "Please visit my website for additional resources or if you're ready to move forward on an investment, contact me directly at 323.810.2175."

Ricardo Bueno is a Loan Officer & Team Leader with Wilshire Financial, Inc. A diversified mortgage brokerage located in Pasadena, CA.

Maybe not!

Buying a home is more than just a simple purchase, it's an investment! And with investments you have to plan accordingly:

1. How much will it cost? 
2. What rate of return am I expecting and is that profitable enough for the risk I'm carrying?
3. Do I have an exit strategy?

According to www.foreclosure.com there are currently 768 foreclosures and an outstanding 68,000 pre-foreclosed properties in the state of California. BUT..."Remember...everything that you do should contribute to a strategy!" -- RB So get your finances in order and prepare accordingly that way you don't run yourself into a bad situation.

The ol' Fix n' Flip strategy isn't as easy to carry out as it used to be. Homes simply aren't appreciating at the high percentage rates of prior years. Now you have to hang on to your investment for the longer term. Without proper planning and with limited investment capital, you run the risk of having your investment turn sour.

What do you do if you're the consumer interested in purchasing a foreclosure?

Conduct a proper Title search:

1. Who is/are the owners of the property? But more specifically, who is on Title to the property?
2. How many outstanding mortgages are on the land records of the property?
3. Are there any outstanding lawsuits against the owner(s) of the property?

Get Pre-Qualified:

1. Get appropriate qualification so that you have something solid to negotiate with. You'll be required to close expeditiously after obtaining a purchase contract.

Obtain a Purchase Agreement:

1. You'll need to evidence this to the lender in order to get an extension on the foreclosure process.

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Ricardo Bueno, Your Residential & Commercial Investment Advisor - "Please visit my website for additional resources or if you're ready to move forward on an investment, contact me directly at 323.810.2175."

Ricardo Bueno is a Loan Officer & Team Leader with Wilshire Financial, Inc. A diversified mortgage brokerage located in Pasadena, CA.

Ideal Client:

I pride myself on creating a more informed borrower. As your Mortgage Advisor, I will de-mystify the loan process and provide smart, innovative, professional and ethical financing solutions for your Real Estate Invesments, whether Residential or Commercial. 

I am looking for clients interested in learning to use their mortgage as a financial instrument to create sustainable financial futures for their families.

My Promise To You:

• I will listen to the deeper need that you are expressing and I will provide you with solutions that you can count on
• I will keep your personal information confidential
• I will never sell you anything that you don't want or need
• I will look for the best mortgage that fulfills your investment needs
• I will always provide you with the most competitive rates and prices
• I will keep you updated on market news and mortgage trends as they affect your investment strategy

Specialy Services:

Increasing Cash Flow

Managing Debt

Creating An Emergency Fund

Proper Protection

Building Long-Term Asset Accumulation

Preserving Your Estate 

When you're ready to invest and want to insure the proper guidance, you can reach me directly at 323.810.2175.