Category: The CarrotCast Podcast

From online marketing to mindset, join us as we unlock the best stories, tactics, and strategies from America’s top investors and agents.

  • EP 306: Section 8 for Real Estate Investors – Here’s What You Need to Know w/ Kris Haskins

    EP 306: Section 8 for Real Estate Investors – Here’s What You Need to Know w/ Kris Haskins

    Broke people live rich and rich people live broke. 

    – Kris Haskins

    Section 8 for Real Estate Investors – Here’s What You Need to Know

    Many people hear about section 8 properties and immediately run the other way. It is not on their radar. But for Kris Haskins, these underserved communities have brought more than just a check. They have brought fulfillment in knowing he is stepping in and helping to change people’s lives.

    On today’s episode of the CarrotCast, Kris will be showing us how section 8 for real estate can be a highly-profitable, overlooked income stream for investors. He aims to help others raise their financial literacy through real estate and entrepreneurship. 

    Read the Full Show Notes Below…

    Kris Haskins has done it all. He worked in the music business for several years, experiencing all of the highs and lows of the industry. Part of the reason he is so passionate about section 8 for real estate is that he knows what it’s like to struggle with housing inequality.

    Not only have section 8 properties provided him with a profitable and low-maintenance portfolio, but they have also provided him with incredible tenants, experiences, and friendships. Here’s a look at how Kris incorporates section 8 for real estate into his portfolio and why you should too. 

    Serving the Underserved

    At one point, Kris was on top of the world. But like many people who have money, he didn’t know how to manage it. After losing everything, Kris realized he needed an income stream and a life that was stable. He found his niche in section 8 for real estate, providing tenants with dignity, respect, and a quality place to live. For Kris, his section 8 tenants have proven to be more reliable, honest, and drama-free.

    He highly recommends section 8 for real estate over conventional tenants. Today Kris has about 20 rentals, with 30% of those dedicated to section 8 housing. His other properties are lease-option, which means that no matter what the market does, Kris is able to count on a stable source of income. 

    Section 8 for Real Estate – The Pros and Cons

    The Pros of Section 8 for Real Estate

    You Will Always Get Your Money

    The rental market is strong and affordable housing is in high demand. Filling your section 8 properties won’t be a problem. Plus, if your tenant should lose their job, the government will step in and cover the rent. You will be able to count on a steady check each month no matter the situation your tenant is in. 

    Your Tenants are Happy

    As a landlord, when you step in with a positive attitude and respectful demeanor, your property will be a place people want to live. Many of these tenants have lived in unfavorable living conditions. To be in a place in which they feel safe and welcomed will give them a sense of pride, hopefully becoming stable and long-term tenants.

    In Kris’s experience, his section 8 tenants have stayed the longest and have caused him the fewest amount of problems. He strives to treat each with dignity, empathy, and respect. 

    Repairs are Minimal

    When the tenants are happy, they will do all they can to keep the peace. Their gratitude in having a high-quality place to call home eliminates the petty calls conventional landlords often deal with. Kris has had tenants handle their own repairs, make improvements, and treat the properties as if they were their own. 

    You’ll Get Market Rates

    When using your property for section 8 for real estate, you will need to go through a “rent reasonableness test.” This will compare 3 similar units in your area, helping to determine a fair rental price. You won’t have to worry about renting at a reduced rate. 

    The Cons of Section 8 for Real Estate

    Passing Inspection

    When using section 8 for real estate, your property will be subject to inspection. The process can seem a bit tedious, but this is actually a good thing for new investors. It will force you to check the windows, doors, and locks. It will help you get your property into tip-top shape, which is something you should want to do anyhow. 

    Vacancy Between Tenants

    Kris had a tough time coming up with cons for section 8 properties. The only con he could think of is the loss of income between tenants. That said, if you are providing a great place to live, people won’t want to leave. Your property will be in high demand, so you will be able to find a new tenant right away. The government doesn’t subsidize for the time in between – which is typically very minimal. 

    Screening Tenants

    A big reason why Kris has been so successful with section 8 for real estate is that he has a meticulous process for screening tenants. He will pay them a home visit, ensuring things look like they are in order. The prospective tenants should be able to perform basic cleaning in preparation for your visit. Of course, you can have a bad apple, but the vast majority of Kris’s experiences have been positive ones. 

    How to Get Started With Section 8 for Real Estate

    To get started with section 8 for real estate, you will need to register your property at Affordablehousing.com. You can list a single-family home, a unit within a building, or an entire multi-family property.

    Once listed, you can take the property down at your discretion. People are looking for affordable housing of all types, in all sorts of neighborhoods. One-bedrooms, two-bedrooms, single-family houses, or townhomes, you can do it all with section 8 for real estate.

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  • EP 304: The “Hidden Door” Deal w/ Adam Mitchell & Lance Doty | Behind the Deal

    EP 304: The “Hidden Door” Deal w/ Adam Mitchell & Lance Doty | Behind the Deal

    People ask, “How do you convince people to take a low offer on a property?” We don’t. It’s either a cash deal opportunity or a listing.

    – Lance Doty

    The “Hidden Door” Deal w/ Adam Mitchell & Lance Doty

    Adam and Lance are two of the best in the business. Their dedication to transparency, service, and providing sellers with options has allowed them to create a profitable and scalable business.

    Today we are going Behind the Deal to learn how Lance and Adam were able to increase a home’s square footage, help a homeowner through a difficult time, and walk away with $80k. 

    Read the Full Show Notes Below…

    Adam and Lance are operating a lead generation business. They have found great success in real estate because they always offer transparent service and refuse to box sellers into one type of solution.

    Their focus on inbound leads and hybrid solutions has allowed them to maintain a 1 in 10 close-ratio, with their numbers getting better each year.

    Here’s a look at one of their latest deals which resulted in a great profit, a happy seller, and a mysterious room behind a hidden door.

    The Deal

    Adam and Lance rely on inbound leads to run their business. Facebook ads and SEO are 80% of their business. Their form is set up to provide them with all of the information they need when going into a call.

    They know going into this deal exactly what the homeowner was dealing with and what they wanted to get for the home.

    Their initial offer was low and after running the numbers they were able to get closer to what the seller wanted. After purchasing the property for $185k, they were able to sell the property for $370.

    After their renovation costs, holding costs, and selling costs, they were still able to walk away with a profit of $80k.

    The “Hidden Door” & Lessons in Square Footage

    After buying the property, they discovered a 12×14 bonus room that was located off of the garage. Because there was no direct access to the house, it was not included in the square footage of the property.

    Adam and Lance were able to add a door through the existing laundry room and into this bonus room, thus adding more square footage to the property. While they contemplated turning it into a full-blown mother-in-law suite, the returns just weren’t there.

    Being Approachable

    One of the most innovative things Adam and Lance incorporate into their marketing is the use of video texts. After Lance meets with a seller or talks with them on the phone, he will send a short video text telling them more about the business and thanking them for their time.

    This quick video helps people get to know him while making the business stand out from the rest. It personalizes the experience, which is an effective marketing tactic in any industry.

    Winning with the Hybrid model

    Listing homes is not what Adam wants to do. However, The Home Buying Guys are dedicated to finding the selling solution that will best benefit the client. By bringing an agent onto their team, they are able to funnel the retail leads and split the commission 50/50.

    Fewer leads are wasted and more homeowners are being served. By offering multiple options, Lance and Adam are able to have a greater impact on more people.

    Tips That Actually Work: Adding a Bio Block

    We are all about transparency and credibility and a great way to convey that is on your About Us page.

    The seller needs to know who they are working with. A great feature of your Carrot site is the bio block where prospective buyers and sellers can learn more about you. Add some photos of who you are and what you’re all about.

    For Adam and Lance, this means having their faces all over their site, letting people know that they are just two good dudes, doing good work.

    Learn more about how to use a bio block here.

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  • EP 302: $420k in 6 Months of Flipping Land with a “Basic” Carrot Site | Learn How w/ Russ Williams

    EP 302: $420k in 6 Months of Flipping Land with a “Basic” Carrot Site | Learn How w/ Russ Williams

    Put the right things and people in your ear. If you keep sitting on it without taking action, opportunity is going to pass you by for sure.

    – Russ Williams

    $420k in 6 Months of Flipping Land with a “Basic” Carrot Site

    Buying and selling land is a powerful investment strategy that anyone can do. With little overhead, low competition, and an abundance of leads, creating a land investment business is a popular strategy we are seeing with many of our clients. Russ Williams has worked as a loan officer, flipped properties, and held a portfolio of long-term rentals. However, it has been land that has allowed him to grow and scale his business without any ceiling. Here’s the story of how Russ made $420k investing in land in just 6 months using a basic Carrot website.

    Read the Full Show Notes Below…

    We don’t often talk about land here at Carrot, however, we should! It’s a great option for those who are new to real estate investment and for those looking to diversify or shift their investment strategy. Land deals are typically pretty simple and do not come with the headaches of contractors, repairs, or tenants. 

    And the sellers are out there, in fact, it’s the third most popular lead type we receive! Here’s how Russ Williams is building a scalable business and how you can too! 

    Transitioning to Land

    Many investors gloss right over land leads because of their low margins and income potential. This is often a mistake as land can prove to be extremely profitable whether it is developed or resold. Plus, it can be a lot less work. Most transactions can be completed remotely, with buyers never even stepping foot on the land before reselling it again. You will not have to pull permits, hire contractors, or worry about expensive holding costs. For Russ, it was these great perks that made moving from residential investments over to land, an easy choice. 

    The Marketing

    Russ gets leads both on and offline. Direct mail does well in his markets as does simply sticking up a “for sale” sign. His letters will include a contract, making it simple for owners to sell right away. Russ was an early adapter here at Carrot and has had a site with us since 2015. When he transitioned to land in 2018, Russ created a stock Carrot site, with very few modifications. He has created some basic city/state landing pages and made sure to upload testimonials after every deal. Over the next year, he plans to hone in on his PPC and evergreen content. 

    Options With Land

    Land allows for different types of contracts and ways for deals to get done. One of those is an option contract which allows the buyer a specified amount of time to buy the property. For the “skinny” deals, Russ will use an option contract, allowing him 3 or so months to buy the property. During that time, he will market the land in an attempt to find a buyer. He will then use the buyer’s funds to close on the property. This helps Russ to maximize his marketing dollars by making some money off of a property he likely wouldn’t have purchased on his own. 

    Taking Back Your Time

    The ultimate goal of many entrepreneurs isn’t to make all of the money, but rather to buy back your time. With its low maintenance, overhead, and hassles, land can be a simple way to build a career in real estate investment. Its simplicity and scalability have allowed Russ to take two months off each summer to spend time with his family – even though through most of his journey he has been a one-man-show. Now Russ is able to scale his business, expand his team, and dive into new markets. It is this type of freedom that we are all looking for within our businesses – and with land investment, you may be able to find that too. 

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  • EP 300: The “$10k House” Deal w/ Beau Hollis | Behind the Deal

    EP 300: The “$10k House” Deal w/ Beau Hollis | Behind the Deal

    People don’t want to buy a problem. I am inheriting the problem which is why people will sell low.

    – Beau Holis

    The “$10k House” Deal with Beau Hollis

    Imagine making a flippant offer and having the buyer say “yes!” That’s exactly what happened to Beau Hollis when he offered $10k for an occupied rental property.

    In this episode of Behind the Deal, we will learn how Beau got the lead, made the offer, and how he is handling a difficult tenant situation with tact and professionalism.

    Read the Full Show Notes Below…

    Beau Hollis is an investor, entrepreneur, mentor, and frequent guest here on the Carrot Cast. He is known as “The House Buying Guy” and has seen his fair share of deals – both good and bad. In this episode of Behind the Deal, we talked about dealing with tenants, why people will choose to sell for a low price, and how Beau calculates his risk when buying a property.

    The Lead

    When the lead came in, they learned that the property was owned by two investment partners who were in the process of liquidating their shared assets.

    This was the last property they owned together and were both eager to sell and walk away. The house was a 3/2, in decent shape, with tenants currently occupying the space. 

    The Offer

    As the property was in a part of town that is heavy with rental homes. Beau made the offer of $10k, not thinking they would accept, but rather it would be a starting point. Without any counteroffers, the seller quickly accepted $10k in exchange for a fast closing. 

    The Catch

    Immediately upon closing, Beau reached out to the tenant. There was some misinformation provided about what they were paying, the condition of the property, and who was actually living there. Long story short, the tenant wasn’t going to pay, so Beau immediately began the eviction process with his attorney.

    While this process isn’t fun, it will only cost Beau about $1k to remove the tenants, plus the delay in flipping the property. 

    Why People Sell at a Discount

    People sell for less than a property is worth when they are going through something. Maybe a partnership is dissolving, the tenants are trouble, or there are other debts that need to be paid. 

    While some may say that making a low offer to someone in this situation is unethical, what they don’t understand is that people are paying for a solution to their problem. Maybe there is an eviction, repairs, or another problem they don’t have the time or money to deal with.

    In many cases, it can be much easier to pass the problem onto someone else and simply walk away. 

    Calculating the Risk

    For Beau, he has made the decision that $10k is what he can offer for a property in his market and still make a profit. Of course, this number will vary greatly depending on where you are buying. It is through years of experience and knowledge of his local market that Beau has settled on this number. In the case of this house.

    He will likely be able to flip it, making about $20k. With a little fixing up, it could be even more. 

    Tips That Actually Work: Adding Testimonials

    We talk about testimonials a lot here at Carrot, which is why we now offer a great feature for our member sites called testimonial blocks. Using this tool makes it easy to add video, photos, and headlines to your testimonials.

    You should always include a headline on your testimonials that disarms an objection a seller may have. This will help increase conversions and close more deals. 

    Tune in every other Thursday for more Behind the Deal Episodes live on Facebook! 

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  • EP 298: Attorneys + Wholesalers | 18 Legal Tips for Better Closings w/ CC Moreno

    EP 298: Attorneys + Wholesalers | 18 Legal Tips for Better Closings w/ CC Moreno

    This episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. 

    You have to be willing to respect the people who are involved in your transaction – the contractor, the title company. Be willing to respect those people’s time as much as you respect your own.

    – CC Moreno

    Attorneys + Wholesalers | 18 Legal Tips for Better Closings w/ CC Moreno

    How’s your relationship with your attorney? While many investors are looking for cheap advice as quickly as possible, it’s more important to take the time to build a genuine and mutually beneficial working relationship. Real estate attorney CC Moreno is here to teach you why you need to consider your attorney or title company a partner in your business as opposed to just another vendor. She will be sharing with you exactly what to ask, what you should watch out for, both now and in the years ahead. 

    Read the Full Show Notes Below…

    Here at Carrot, we spend a lot of time teaching people how to get leads and develop a great mindset. But one thing that comes up a lot, that we haven’t addressed as frequently, is the legal aspects of wholesaling and how it all works. CC Moreno, Esq. works in property law and is the brains behind Wholesale Hackers – the private Facebook group she runs with her husband Brent Moreno and where you can see CC’s full list of 18 tips. 

    4 Things That Prevent Fast Closings

    CC runs into many things that can delay a closing – but that can also be easily avoided. Some of these things include: 

    • The contract is filled out incorrectly
    • No earnest money is being offered
    • There is no “out clause” 
    • There are liens or judgments on the property

    While CC can search the title for you at any point, every investor should know how to do a search themselves. Most states have an online database where you can pop in the address to find everything associated with the property in question. 

    Wholesalers, Ask Your Attorney these Questions:

    When choosing an attorney or title company to work with, there are a number of questions that you should ask. Many are used to one type of closing, done a certain way, and may not have the skills you need to close on time. When working with a new attorney or title company, be sure to ask… 

    • Do you work with investors frequently?
    • What is your hourly rate?
    • Do they understand double-closings and what are the laws in your state?
    • Are you able to handle out-of-state closings?
    • What’s in the settlement fee? 
    • Does it include document preparation?
    • Does each closing come with title insurance?
    • When do you run the title on the property?
    • Do you offer wires and paper checks?

    Maintaining a Great Relationship with Your Attorney

    As an investor or agent, you’ll quickly learn the value of good relationships. Your contractor, title company, accountant, and attorney all play vital roles in the success of your business. Don’t take these people for granted or be disrespectful of their time and efforts. 

    • Don’t ask for stuff for free
    • Stick to your appointments
    • Respect people’s time as you would respect your own
    • Pay whether or not you close on a deal
    • Don’t change the contract without informing the person preparing the closing documents

    Bad Apples & The Future of Real Estate: Hybrid

    Real estate investors have often been associated with the underbelly of real estate. Sadly, a few bad apples have tarnished the industry in the eyes of many. As legislation changes for wholesalers throughout the country, one of the main things we expect to see is a licensure requirement. We’ve been talking about the hybrid model for years. Being licensed may have different requirements, but ultimately it will help build your credibility while allowing you to cash in on your retail leads. 

    Working with the right attorneys, title companies, and other professionals will ensure you experience fast and efficient closings, without any surprises. Be sure to visit the Wholesale Hackers Facebook group for further explanation on these great tips.

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  • EP 296: The “Top-Dollar Teardown” Deal w/ Keith Sant | Behind the Deal

    EP 296: The “Top-Dollar Teardown” Deal w/ Keith Sant | Behind the Deal

    Answer your phone.

    – Keith Sant

    The “Top-Dollar Teardown” Deal w/ Keith Sant

    Our new series is taking you behind the scenes of some of the most interesting and rewarding deals that our customers are closing. Keith Sant is a returning guest, avid Carrot Camper, and a trusted home buyer based in Tacoma, WA.

    Today we will learn how he found the lead and how the process went while answering all of your questions about the process. Join us every other Thursday at Carrot.com/deal

    Read the Full Show Notes Below…

    Keith Sant named his company Kind House Buyers for a reason. As we go behind this deal, you will see why. In this situation, Keith was able to not only go above the asking price but also make over $30k on the deal. Here’s how he did it… 

    Behind the Deal

    The lead came in from a PPC campaign, from someone who was doing their research on buyers in the area. Because Keith had a credible website and a strong reputation, he was one of the buyers she called.

    Keith answered the phone when other investors didn’t and he was able to immediately set up an appointment to see the property. 

    This property was a manufactured home, with plumbing and electrical problems. There was an unpermitted addition, which had also put a lien on the home.

    The property could not be listed in the traditional sense, and the family wanted to relocate their aging father who was living on the property. 

    Breaking Down The Numbers

    The family owed about $78k on the property and had also spent a good $10k on family-related issues. Keith knew he could easily sell the land alone for $100k.

    After crunching some numbers, he was able to offer more than what they owed, helping to reimburse the family and pay for relocation expenses. 

    Normally Keith would ear down the property and simply add a new manufactured home, He could then quickly resale it as a brand new home.

    However, because of the high demand fr mobile homes, he know this would take a while.

    So instead, he flipped the property to a fellow investor who had the tools and means to fix up the property. In this situation, everyone came out ahead. 

    Building Your Reputation

    There are many reasons why homeowners turn to Keith when they need to sell. One of those is the strong reputation he has built over the past 4 years. Keith regularly adds content to his website, adds customer reviews, and is completely transparent about how he works.

    Recently, Keith was even feated in an article in the Olympian which spoke of this deal in particular. So many times investors will be painted as vultures who are just after a quick buck.

    By being informative and getting his name out there, he is not only building trust but changing the perception of the industry for the better. 

    Tips That Actually Work: SEO Keyword Rank Check Tool

    If you are putting links out there online and not tracking them, how will you know where your leads are coming from? Our keyword tracking tool will help you see where your leads are coming from and which keywords they are searching.

    You will be able to make tweaks to your content to get more eyes on it, thus improving your rankings in Google search results. Look for more data to be added to the keyword tool in the months ahead!

    Join Us Live! 

    Join us every other Thursday on Facebook Live. We’ll be taking you behind the deal with some of the top guys and gals in the industry.

    Get answers to your questions live on air while learning the fundamentals of the business.

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  • EP 294: Growth Hacking Real Estate Marketing: 5 Uncomplicated & Unheard of Online Marketing Tips w/ Keith Sant

    EP 294: Growth Hacking Real Estate Marketing: 5 Uncomplicated & Unheard of Online Marketing Tips w/ Keith Sant

    A lot of people have it in their head that marketing is hard – but once you learn it, it is the most valuable skill out there. 

    – Keith Sant

    Growth Hacking Real Estate Marketing: 5 Uncomplicated & Unheard of Online Tips

    Keith Sant hates cold-calling. He has always focused on inbound marketing, whether it is through his website, his social media, or even with his bandit signs. What he realized is that his lead to close ratio and average profit per deal were higher with these inbound leads.

    So he focused his energy on bringing more traffic to his site by using some incredible growth hacking strategies.

    Now he is closing 6-10 deals a month online. Today we are diving into what growth hacking is and how you can use it to grow and scale your business no matter the industry. 

    Read the Full Show Notes Below…

    Growth hacking is taking data and experimentation, mixing it with marketing and psychology, then adding technology, tools, and automation.

    Great marketers share this incredible mindset that allows them to take something that isn’t working, tweak it, and have it work amazingly well. When Keith started with Carrot, he wasn’t doing much online.

    He used bandit signs and was using his Carrot site to amplify this form of marketing. But with some testing and tweaking, he now does the majority of his business with online leads.

    Here are 5 of the best growth hacks he used to grow his business over the past 4 years. 

    Amplify What You Are Already Doing

    The best way to use your new Carrot site is to amplify what you are already doing. For Keith, that meant putting his website on all of his bandit signs. He also added a link to his Craigslist ads, helping him to build trust and credibility.

    Craigslist is still working in Keith’s market, so he has a VA post on his behalf each and every Friday. Using tracking links on his Carrot site, he can see exactly which ads are performing well. 

    Budget for the Right Keywords 

    Many people will take all of their marketing budget and throw it behind keywords such as “sell my house” or “we buy houses.”

    While these work great in some markets, this isn’t true for all. If these keywords aren’t performing well in your area, take your budget and focus on the keywords that are performing. 

    Use Calendly Links

    A simple and effective growth hack Keith used was to add a Calendly link to his website. This allows people to jump ahead and instantly book their own time for Keith to come out and see their property.

    They don’t have to wait for a callback, they can arrange a meeting simply by visiting Keith’s website.

    He included this link in his first follow-up email and on the “thank you” page a person sees after filling out a contact form. 

    Get Creative Backlinks

    Backlinks will build trust in the eyes of Google. While you can go for the low-hanging fruit on social sites and Zillow, there are some other ways to get creative backlinks. 

    • Sign up and learn how to use HARO to answer questions, generate backlinks, and build authority. 
    • When networking, ask to exchange backlinks
    • Collaborate with other investors
    • Ask for reviews on Yelp, Zillow, and the BBB

    It is important to think about where your ideal lead is looking. Many people aren’t a fan of the BBB and how their business model works, myself included.

    However, many people in an older demographic will utilize the Better Business Bureau to determine the credibility of a business. 

    Edit Your Forms Wisely

    Small changes can have a big impact. For example, Keith had a form on his website that was rarely filled out. He added a small money bag icon to the form and almost immediately, one-third of the form submissions on his site come from that one. 

    Unless you are paying for traffic, you will need to tweak and optimize to get more people on your site.

    Using these creative growth hacks can quickly change your rankings, traffic, and sales!

    Which growth hack will you try first? Remember, a year from now you’ll wish you’d started today!

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  • EP 292: The “I Quit My Job” Deal w/ Beau Hollis | Behind the Deal

    EP 292: The “I Quit My Job” Deal w/ Beau Hollis | Behind the Deal

    Madison was successful because she wasn’t afraid to fail forward. She wasnt saying “I don’t know what to do.” She just tried. I really appreciated that.

    – Beau Hollis

    The “I Quit My Job” Deal w/ Beau Hollis

    Beau Hollis, the closer out of Louisville, is back to take us behind another one of his awesome deals. This one in particular changed the lives of both the buyer and seller. Beau has spent much of his career as a solo investor.

    Recently, on a day like any other, Beau met Madison, an aspiring investor who wasn’t afraid to do the work. He brought her in to make some calls, and show her the ropes, and together they closed their first deal in only a couple of weeks. Right then and there, Madison quit her day job.

    Here’s how Beau is finally expanding his team while helping others to gain financial freedom. 

    Read the Full Show Notes Below…

    In our most recent Behind the Deal Livestream, we dove into a lot of great topics. From mentorship and growing your team, to doing deals that are out of state. You’ll hear how the lead was found, how they worked with the seller, and how much they made when all was said and done.

    We were most excited to hear about the incredible impact he made with this deal, as well as Beau’s advice for overcoming your nerves. Keep reading or listen in to learn more… 

    Mentoring Your Way to a Larger Team

    Despite what Youtube might tell you, you don’t learn this business overnight. The best way to become an expert is by getting out there and doing the work. Finding a great mentor can be the fastest way to learn. However, experienced investor can only devote their time to those who are eager to learn. 

    In the case of this deal, Beau worked with an acquisitions person named Madison. He was at the bank one day, wearing his infamous “House Buying Guy” shirt, when Madison asked if he was serious.

    After a number of questions, joining his FB group, going to Meet-Ups, and getting on the phone to make some calls, Madison got this deal in the door. 

    The Deal

    While Beau primarily works in Louisville, this lead came in from Florida. Normally, he would let the lead go, but he gave it to Madison so she could practice on the phones. The owner had recently lost his wife and they didn’t feel right trying to negotiate with him.

    It was a tenant-occupied property that the owner simply wanted to sell right away. He wanted $85k and that’s exactly what Beau and Madison offered.

    They sold for a $64k profit. And after the commissions and closing costs were covered, they walked away with about $54k.

    Beau gave Madison a 10% split and she turned around and quit her job to pursue real estate full time. 

    Having Conversations

    The best advice Beau can give is simply to talk to people. Many people get rattled by nerves or hesitate to pick up the phone because they aren’t sure what to say. The only way to get over this fear is by getting out there and doing it.

    The only way to have good conversations is to have a whole bunch of bad ones first.  Beau recognizes that we are in the people business. He loves talking to people and helping them find solutions.

    He could hire a bunch of people to do this for him, but he genuinely loves doing the work. 

    Fear as a Healthy Motivator

    Regret can be a huge motivator. Next time you are nervous to make that call or email that lead, think about how you will feel if you don’t do it. Even if you don’t close the deal, just by making the call you will be proud of yourself. Regret can be a healthy motivator.

    Put yourself in that emotional state. How will I feel after I make the call? How will I feel if I don’t do it? 

    Tips That Actually Work: Landing Pages vs. Location Pages

    A lot of our users have had questions about landing pages vs. location pages. In our experience, we have found that… 

    • The home page will build trust and rapport, driving people through the journey. They are great for SEO, especially for those on a desktop who may be in search mode. 
    • Landing pages do great on mobile and are a great place to point your Google/Facebook Ads. These pages are more simple than the home page, with less navigation and the opportunity to click away. 
    • Location pages are hyper-specific and are meant to bring traffic to your page. Just like Zillow or Realtor, adding Location Pages to your website will help to improve your SEO. 

    Join us at carrot.com/deal every other Thursday for Behind the Deal where you can ask your questions and watch live!

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  • EP 290: The “Zombie House” Deal & How to Dominate SEO with Video w/ Anthony Beckham | Behind the Deal

    EP 290: The “Zombie House” Deal & How to Dominate SEO with Video w/ Anthony Beckham | Behind the Deal

    When it comes to video, you don’t need a lot of views to drive a lot of business.  

    – Anthony Beckham

    The “Zombie House” Deal & How to Dominate SEO with Video w/ Anthony Beckham

    In this episode of Behind the Deal, we brought in our friend Anthony Beckham, a local agent and investor who is doing big things in our small town.

    Within just a few years, he has built an incredible team and become one of the top agents in our area.

    Today we will hear about “the Zombie House” and how he is using video to improve SEO rankings and dominate the local market.

    Read the Full Show Notes Below…

    Our motivation for these Behind the Deal episodes is to demystify and break down the process of investing in real estate from start to finish.

    We are letting you know how they found the lead, closed the deal and persevered through all sorts of crazy challenges.

    This episode is no exception.

    Anthony not only bought the Zombie House, but he was able to sell it twice. Here’s how he did it… 

    The Deal

    Anthony typically focuses on his brokerage, which does over 100 transactions a year in a market of about 25,000 people. He also does a handful of wholesale deals a year, only buying in situations where he can not lose.

    In the case of the Zombie House, Anthony knew he would be able to at least sell the land, breaking even on the deal.

    For this deal, in particular, the lead came in from a friend and fellow real estate professional with a Carrot site. The deal wasn’t right for them, so they called up Anthony to see if he was interested. 

    The Numbers

    On the lead form, the seller referred to the house as the “Zombie House” and she wasn’t kidding. While the property looks ok from the outside, the inside required a lot of clean-up and renovation.

    The seller was originally thinking they would sell for $80k, but after meeting with Anthony, they ended up selling directly for $25,500. 

    Selling the House Twice

    Anthony was able to find a buyer for the property who paid him $45k for the property. This meant a fast profit of about $19,500.

    After spending some time working on the house, the new buyer realized it wasn’t going to be worth it to continue putting money into the property and that they were better off listing it.

    And guess who they hired to be the listing agent? Anthony helped them get the property on the MLS, selling for $60k. He helped the investor achieve a small profit while picking up a 3.5% commission on the deal. 

    Hacks to Dominate SEO with Video

    Anthony has built an incredible reputation locally through the power of SEO. He has a full-time videographer on staff who has turned him into a bit of a local celebrity.

    Together, they create new videos each and every week that has helped build brand awareness and answer questions buyers and sellers often have.

    By creating this informative, evergreen content, Anthony has positioned himself as the local expert real estate expert. 

    Tips That Actually Work

    The use of video is one of our favorite tips that actually work.

    We’ve created a Video Marketing Playbook to help you with keywords, scripts, and 52 excellent content ideas. You’ll want to create videos that are about 3-8 minutes long as posts of this length can easily be turned into written blog posts.

    Keep in mind that when you are first starting, you may not receive a ton of views. But if you stay consistent, you will build your audience quickly.

    Shooting a video one time has the potential to generate leads for years to come.

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