Welcome. Looking for a Real Estate Agent to represent your interests? If so, check out this page at the International Real Estate Digest. Looking to bump up your knowledge on Real Estate purchasing? Check out these links and tips for HUD's "Buy a Home" web page.
We're not your typical Real Estate sales team, so this is not a typical website. Many, if not most agents, wow you with glitz and glitter yet fall short on knowledge or performance. 98% of the time, we work it the other way around.
Does that make me, or those on my team, boring or a little too serious? Sometimes. Does that mean I'm never late to an appointment, or some of the folks I work with never make even minor mistakes? No.
But, check out my next goal and you'll see why we're a little different.
One of my main goals for '09-'10 is to help 10 clients make an extra $25,000 that they would not have made, had they not met me. That's in cash, or in personal net worth. As of July 2010, we're over one-half way there -- in one of the toughest markets since the great depression!
So, we truly enjoy helping Des Moines and Central Iowa Real Estate clients reach their ownership and RE investment goals.
Here's another example of something we do a little differently. Check out this video of our 2nd Annual Two Rivers REIA convention.
Why should this matter to you? Well, because the RE market is a crazy one today and you have to be on your toes! You've got to be sharper than most of the knives in the drawer!
While the market hasn't been this good (in much of the US) -- for Buyers -- since 1981, when you're the buyer, you have to know what constitutes "a good deal". And today, maybe good isn't good enough. A "good deal" should be structured to be a great deal!
Navigating through the valuation process, performing due diligence, assessing risk vs. reward, potential ROI for investment properties, comparison shopping CAP rates for each property grade, patiently waiting for the right home, or property to come on the market -- these are the details which lead to a successful acquisition, and keep your hard earned cash working for you!
These are the times when geeks like me help a lot of people become wealthy. And I can help enough other people reach their goals, I will reach mine. Interested?
Read on...
I'm currently working many, many short sales helping clients avoid foreclosure as well as helping Buyer and Seller Clients negotiate their way toward successful investments. And while should not look at their personal residence as part of their "investment portfolio", a personal residence well purchased and maintained should always be a fairly liquid asset. People will always need someplace to live.
This may be an exceptionally good time to take advantage of the economic situation, to move into a nicer home, yet you want to check as much of your emotion as possible at the door. It's a great time to upgrade, yet at what price?
Along with every opportunity comes a responsibility to exercise due diligence. And, there is no time like the present to pay attention to the details!
Many REALTORS belong to Associations. I do, too. However, in addition to belonging to the Des Moines Association of REALTORS, the Iowa Association of REALTORS, and the National Association of REALTORS, I run one!
I am Executive Director of Two Rivers REIA of Central Iowa, a four-year old group designed to help people make better investments! As founder and an investor, I'm actively involved in education, training, and mentoring with many of our members and guests. We are constantly seeking ways to provide member benefits, even to other Realtors. (In fact, we're growing our Johnston Office, currently looking for an astute agent to join our team. If you know of someone who might be interested, please have them call me, today! -- 515-710-1955).
The responsibilities include arranging 21 meetings per year, as well as coordinating an annual convention. And at every meeting, I learn a little more about my craft from several at the meeting. I believe this effort has made me one of the top investor Realtors in the City of Des Moines. But don't take my word for it. Come to a meeting and I'll introduce you to all those brilliant people who were smart enough to work with me! (A shameless, self-promotion, yet if you can't promote yourself, who can you promote?).
By the number of clients I've helped to increase their personal net worth, or to generate cash, I'd say we've been helpful to a lot of folks!
Because of my involvement, we have been able to attract nationally-recognized speakers to Des Moines, which had not frequently happened prior to our existence. This allows me to keep my skill set sharp and to be aware of local, regional and national trends -- a direct benefit to both my investor and owner-occupant clients!
If you have ever considered RE investing, or just want to sharpen your skills at picking a home, which would be both a great place to live and a good investment, come to one of our meetings. We're 70 active members strong so we must be doing something right!
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With 30 years of business experience, including 10 years of real estate sales and investing experience, I work "By Referral or Appointment Only". I find that works best for all parties.
If you're not a current client, don't be shy. Feel free to give me a call, yet don't be surprised that I'm extremely busy. If finding or selling property is important to you, I think we can find a time that will work for both of us.
Areas of Expertise
Owner-Occupied Housing -- the full spectrum.
Investment Real Estate - anything residential, from one unit to 128, and more!
Short Sales/Pre-Foreclosures -- we've gained considerable expertise with this effort over the past two years. Should you know someone in danger of losing their home, check out IowaShortSale911.com.
For newer investors - I recommend attending our Two Rivers REIA meetings, for several meetings, if not years, before making that first purchase. Some can make the leap and succeed within a few weeks, yet why risk it?
Your best bet is to have a mentor if you want to jump in really quickly. If you're going it alone, most will benefit greatly by making a serious study of the subject before jumping in with both feet.
Why am I so cautious? My plan is to help my clients always make money with their real estate investments. I've helped at least six make over $25,000, in cash, or in an increase in their net worth, over the past year and one-half. And my target is to help four more in 2010.
Do you want to be one of the four? Then let's get together.
I have a team of professionals with whom I work; lawyers, accountants, appraisers, property inspectors, property managers, and several highly-qualified contractors. This doesn't mean I can't be flexible and work with your team. I simply state this because I do have a wide network of professional contacts for Central Iowa, particularly if you happen to be an out-of-state investor -- or an out-of-country investor, needing to make a connection with someone you can trust.
I save my clients time, and many headaches. I've had clients ask me, "Andrew, how is it that you know more than the appraiser, or even the loan officer on what the FHA regulations are?" My answer, "Well, I do make a study of my craft. I don't get everything right, 100% of the time, but I do make a study of my craft".
Which brings me to my final thought. In today's fast-paced world, people like to make decisions fast. Might I suggest that this is not appropriate for making RE investments, even just one personal residence. But we can go a lot quicker, because we allow our clients to operate with the "Speed of Trust".
Isn't life more fun when you work with people whom you can trust?
If all this meets with your satisfaction, give me a shout. I try to make it easy to join my list of satisfied clients, even in these challenging times.
Proudly serving the Des Moines Area for over a decade!
Andrew C. Lietzow, MBA, GRI
The ACL Group, Inc.
Andrew.Lietzow@gmail.com
RE/MAX Opportunities
4725 Merle Hay Rd Ste 200
Des Moines, IA 50322-1983
Fax (888) 850-7680
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