Knowledge is power. If you are considering investing in real estate -- read, ask questions, study, go to seminars (you can either learn the hard and expensive way, or learn from others who have already "been there, done that"), join groups (see below), and always keep learning. Here are a few REI links you might find interesting. And, many sites have bulletin boards for REI information sharing -- a great way to learn. Some really great stuff on the 'net, huh? Why Consider Investing in the Raleigh-Durham Area? The link above is a presentation I made in March 2008 to a group of 300+ real estate investors in San Francisco, considering investing in the Raleigh-Durham real estate market. If you too have an interest in choosing the Raleigh-Durham market as your next real estate investment, either give me a call or send an email and let's make something happen!   REASONS TO MOVE TO WAKE COUNTY The above link will take you to articles about the Raleigh-Durham area. Articles for Investors While you are doing your fact finding, here is a real estate glossary so you can pick up some real estate lingo, or clarify an unfamiliar term. And, there are a number of unique terms you will see and hear in real estate investing, so here is a link to The Rogue Investor with a glossory of investing terms that will help you out.   Buy and sell property using retirement dollars  Everyone knows the rule of thumb that you must diversify your investment portfolio to spread out your risk. . . . more Understanding Capital Gains  When you sell a stock, you owe taxes on your gain-the difference between what you paid for the stock and what you sold it for. . . . more Eleven Commandments for First-time Property Investors  Leave emotion out of the transaction; think small loan; buy close to home; and more secrets to . . . more Online Real Estate Investing Community  Learn investment strategies and get tips from other people who have experience in the arena. . . more Real Estate Investment as a Retirement Tool  4 Ways to Make Money on Real Estate Investments . . . Many real estate professionals use their experience in buying and selling . . . more     Foreclosure Resources Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Properties -- HUD properties are listed on http://www.hmbireo.com (a partial listing). To make an offer on any HUD properties, you must use a HUD approved real estate broker (That would be us :-)  Using an agent who is familiar with the bidding process can effortlessly take your purchase through the government maze and will insure that the transaction will go smoothly. Listing Alert! Be the first to know! Get property updates delivered to your emailbox. If you are interested in receiving up-to-date listings of foreclosed properties (HUD, FNMA, bank or corporate REO's*) in the Triangle area, I can alert you when properties become available. If you will contact me, giving details of your preferences, I will email properties for your review. Or, if you wish, give me a call and we can talk about it -- 919.961.7777 * An acronym for "Real Estate Owned" -- sometimes called OREO's (pronounced the same way as those wonderful cream-filled chocolate wafers), and stands for "Other Real Estate Owned" More Links for Investors Are you aware you can invest in real estate using your IRA? The helpful folks at Equity Trust Company can answer all your questions. On this site, there are pages and pages of helpful information about using your self directed IRA to invest in real estate. The Creative Investor From the site -- "The Creative Investor web site was created for Landlords, Property Managers and Real Estate Investing community. Through using our forums, investors will be able to talk about finance, no down payment purchases, debt payoff, purchase strategies and current real estate news." Mr. Landlord Fom the site -- "Welcome to MRLANDLORD.COM, the #1 website where rental owners ask landlording questions and get answers and tips from other landlords." 1031 Tax Deferred Exchange Discusses rolling one investment property over into another like property, to delay paying taxes on the gain. Realty Exchange Corporation By doing a 1031 tax-deferred exchange of like-kind property, a taxpayer can defer the payment of capital gains tax on the sale of an investment, business or rental property. Tax Loopholes There is a "Real Estate Wealth Builder" calculator, along with other interesting resources for current and future investors. http://www.realdata.com Resource for real estate software http://www.reiclub.com Real Estate Investing for the Creative Real Estate Investor Suggested Reading and Listening The Millionaire Real Estate Investor  by Gary Keller with Dave Jenks and Jay Papasan "Millionaire Mondays" - a weekly internet program featuring guests who discuss various aspects of real estate investing. Weekend Millionaire - From the site - "In my best selling book The Weekend Millionaire´s Secrets to Investing in Real Estate, (McGraw-Hill 2003) I gave readers a roadmap to building wealth with small real estate investments." Check out the weekly online chats. Open to all interested investors. Foreclosure Investing For Dummies shows you how to invest in foreclosures.  Personal-finance author and lecturer Robert Kiyosaki developed his unique economic perspective through exposure to a pair of disparate influences: his "poor dad" and his "rich dad". Rich Dad, Poor Dad lays out the philosophy behind his relationship with money. Organizations to Join http://www.treia.com Triangle Real Estate Investors Association - Real Estate Investors from the Raleigh, Durham, Research Triangle Area meet monthly (except December and July). http://www.nationalreia.com Find a RIA (Real Estate Investors Association) near you Note: (The fine print :-) These links and the accompanying information are offered to help expand your knowledge and awareness of real estate investing and are not necessarily endorsed by the site owner. Before implementing any investment philosophy or strategy, it is recommended that you consult your attorney, accountant, real estate agent or a successful investor before incorporating any ideas into your personal investment plan.