Landlords understand that the longer their rental property stays vacant, the more profit they will lose on the investment. Keep in mind though that recruiting new renters isn't the only requirement for making a smart leasing decision. Be sure to adequately review a prospective renter's credit history and criminal background before you hand them the keys to your property - or you might find yourself back in the market for another renter much sooner than you expected!

Reviewing the criminal and credit background of prospective renters online is one of the quickest and easiest ways to reduce potential crime, property damage and other rental-related issues within your neighborhood. So with web-based tenant screening resources readily available, why don't more landlords conduct applicant background checks before renting out their property? The unfortunate answer is most individual property owners don't know they can legally and easily review a prospective renter's criminal and credit background before making a leasing decision. That's why we're asking for your help to educate local homeowners by sharing the top Three Ways Tenant Screening Improves Your Neighborhood

Billy Cannon has taught for Robert Allen, J.G. Banks, and Carleton Sheets among others, where he as instructed thousands of students in the ways of investing in real estate. Click Here for more information

Secret #1: You cannot always rely on the Better Business Bureau to determine whether a contractor is qualified or not Many people feel that if the Better Business Bureau does not have any complaints against a company, they must be a reputable firm. Unfortunately this just is not true. You cannot rely on the Better Business Bureau to determine whether you are dealing with a competent contractor. Just because a contractor has not had any complaint logged with the Better Business Bureau does not mean he is competent or that he will do a good job! All that it means is that the Better Business Bureau does not have a file on him at this time. In fact, according to a recent issue of Money Magazine, the Better Business Bureau does not do a very good job of reporting offending companies at all. So, just because a contractor does not have any complaints with the BBB you are not assured your working with someone who is reputable.

1. Are you licensed? Most states require contractors, even sub-contractors to be licensed. Make sure your contractor is properly licensed. Anyone can say they are licensed. Make the contractor prove it by either showing you the license or giving you a copy of it. Remember to check the expiration date. Being licensed is the law. If a contractor cannot produce a valid license, DO NOT HIRE HIM! You can check the contractor’s current licensing status with your states Secretary of State.

Bob is known as the ‘guru’s guru’ and teaches advanced real estate investing techniques including buying discounted liens, notes and judgments, buying out of bankruptcy, short sales, and more.

When I was younger I used to think that having a coach or mentor was something only for athletes and the rich and famous. I also used to think that having a coach or mentor was a total waste of time and was for people who had no self discipline. After all let’s face it, how many regular people do you know that have a coach or mentor in any area of their life, right? In fact it wasn’t until I started teaching my Ultimate Buying and Selling Machine! system (how we buy and sell houses and never look at them and have them sold in two hours or less. www.UltimateBuyingMachine.com) all over the country that I started having students ask me about coaching and mentoring them to help them get started or get to the level that we are at buying and selling houses. At first I was thinking, you want ME to coach YOU? What can I do to make you do what it takes that you can’t do on your own or get out of my course yourself? But the more I traveled around the country, the more people would ask me.

Hard money can be made in two ways: Over the long-term and over the short-term. In order to make hard money in the real estate investment world, there are basic skills you need to learn in managing your money that will help you make money in the long run. These basic skills will help you learn how to respect money, control money, save money, and invest money to get more return on your real estate investment. The more experience you gain with hard money and real estate investing, the more you learn how to invest in property to make money in the short term.

Investing in real estate is an excellent way to make a living or to simply make some extra cash on the side for family vacations, holidays or excess bills. While investing in real estate has become a lucrative business that affords many real estate agents, investors, scouts and dealers an excellent annual salary, many who are interested in investing in real estate simply do not know where to get started. Depending on your level of interest in real estate investment, there are several options for getting involved in investing in real estate.