Ed Witzke’s 101 Adult Education Real Estate Course

Click here to start Ed Witzke's Adult Education Real Estate Course 101

“The only common sense home reality inspection course in the world”

            Hi. I’m Ed Witzke, your professor of rottenbuildings.com and referred to as “Doctor Death” by realtors!  I would like to share with my new students 14 steps for finding a good investment property.  For my former students that have forgotten these steps, here is my review.

Class is now in session! Pay attention and follow these steps carefully.  Please phone me for further clarification or instruction after class.

Here they are:

1. Always talk to neighbors. The more the better.
2. Visit city hall / municipality / regional district.
3. Visit the fire department/hall.  Talk with fire fighters.
4. Talk with the insurance company.
5. Look inside garbage cans.  It’s amazing what the insides of a garbage can can tell you.
6. Always, always look at a building / property in the early morning, middle of the day and middle of the night.  Look at the property and its buildings during heavy rain and bright sunlight.
7. Visit my website under “Meet the agents:  The realtor that doesn’t tell the basic lie about what the house is worth won’t get the listing”
8. Never ever let the realtor (s) control you!  Don’t listen to such opinions as “It’s a hot market”, “There is a back up offer”, or “This is one of a kind”.
9. Find your own independent home/property inspector.  Never use those recommended by the realtor (s).
10.  Recommend using an experienced real estate lawyer to deal with your real estate transactions.  Lawyers are trained in negotiating and know law, while realtors are simply salespersons.  I would also recommend using an accountant to help you save tax dollars.
11. Always consider houses with good continuous roof overhangs, and good roof slopes.  Visit my websites under rottenbuildings.com
12. Be careful with house that feature certain types of roofing materials, certain radiant heating systems, inaccessible crawlspaces, flat non draining roofs, built-in non draining gutters, many owners, inexpensive renovations, “the quick fix”, painted rot, flat decks, balconies over living areas, deep basements, and inadequate attic venting.
13. Study the properties topography, drainage, soil and site conditions, and how the water drains.  Where do winds originate from?  How about the warm sun rays?  Any contaminated soils?  Always keep in mind the sunny bright kitchen.  Study your compass bearings.
14. Always remember to ask a lot of specific questions.  Never take “I don’t know” for an answer.  Assume nothing and take nothing for granted.  If the small stuff doesn’t look right to you, believe me the big stuff and all the other stuff that you can not access may not be right either.  Always always look at all the details, and keep quality, durability, low maintenance, precision and workmanship in mind.

I wish all my students many fortunes.  Stay informed and always stay in touch.

Remember my saying “Expect the best, look of the best, and get the best”  No excuse for not getting the best.

If you carefully follow my above steps, you are almost assured to find a good investment anywhere in the world.  I appreciate your patronage.  If realtor(s) tell you not to use me as your independent inspector on your next purchase, I wear that as a privileged badge of honor. 

Click here to start Ed Witzke's Adult Education Real Estate Course 101