How would you like the opportunity to buy into an investment - one that is already up and running - where you could earn up to 16% on your money? Interested? Then please read on.

First, some background: 2008 marks the 11^th anniversary of the year my wife Stephanie and I purchased and then "flipped" our first home - long before the era of the myriad "Get Rich Quick in Real Estate!" schemes found on all over television of late. As my 36th birthday fast approaches, I remain amazed by the many changes in the real estate market over the past decade.

Often, someone wearing a long face asks me, "So, how has the real estate market been for you?" I surprise him or her with my answer: "Not too bad, actually." Their surprise fades with the simplicity of my explanation: "Buyers who want to buy take action: they buy. And sellers who want to sell adjust their prices in reaction to market forces, and sell." (Of course, sellers who refuse to lower their asking price or upgrade their home to meet that price do, indeed, find the market bearish.) Simply put, the market works for me because I have adjusted to the realities of the current market.

One major adjustment I have made is a change to my business so as to meet the needs and demands of the new market. One of the steps I have taken is a move into property management of rentals in single-family, multi-family and lo-rise units. My work experience led me naturally in this direction: I have 10-plus years in the real estate business and as being a landlord; and in August 2008 I will receive my Pennsylvania real estate brokers' license, thus giving me the opportunity to catch and ride the new wave of exploding growth in residential property management.

Why the exponential growth in rentals? Because ever-tightening credit standards, (minimum scores of 720-plus for Fannie and Freddie, and 650-plus for the FHA) along with a glut of unsold inventory means more property owners must resort to renting out the homes they can't sell. Thus, more consumers have become (or will remain) tenants.

ALL OF THIS CONFUSION PRESENTS A PROFIT OPPORTUNITY! Most property-management companies will not work with small owners (those with fewer than 3-5 units or those with single-family properties). Yet these are the owners who have the greatest need for management help. Many small investors bought into flips they cannot unload, or bought expensive units at the top of the market that have turned from gems into white elephants. For most of these investors, being a landlord was never their desire or goal. However, the only choices they have are losing money on a vacant property, or renting and recouping some of their losses until the market strengthens. But they face this daunting task with little or no experience in property management (i.e., dealing with tenants).

And that is where my business - and your opportunity - come together.

Through RE/MAX Main Line, my wife Stephanie and I began assisting some of our investors who came to us seeking help in property management. Without aggressively pursuing these investors, we were able to grow our business in the first half of 2008 to almost $5,000,000 in investor assets, with gross rental-collections of some $200,000 annually. We are presently negotiating with a multi-unit investor who, if he comes aboard, will double our business to some $10,000,000 in asset management, and gross rental collections of $400,000 annually. As property managers, we take a percentage of those gross rental collections - money that comes in month after month as residual earnings. The question is how can you benefit from the net cash flow mentioned above?

We are seeking investors who would like a return of between 8% and 16% on their cash investment so we can grow our business to the next level. First-stage funding of $100,000 will enable us to grow the asset management to $25 million. Second stage funding of $250,000-to-$1million will allow us to truly grow and potentially acquire an existing property-management company and stake our claim in the Delaware valley market as a major player in the business.

For those investors who have larger sums to invest, we are prepared to offer premium returns on their investments. At present, from just the properties we are currently managing, the passive net cash flow could easily pay 16% on a $100,000 investment in interest-only payments.

If these returns on investment have piqued your interest, and if you want to know more, please call me directly at 484-433-3931. Or you may visit our web site at www.AskTheBigGuy.com

"IN CONFUSION THERE IS PROFIT!" --Tony Curtis, Operation Petticoat

You can view the Main Line Real Estate Press Release here.

Christopher Benedict, one of the top real estate agents in the Main Line area, has launched a new campaign via his main line PA website. The Main Line real estate investment agent focuses on providing investors, new and seasoned alike, a chance to practice investing in SIN, or "Strength In Numbers."

While the weakening dollar and sub-prime mortgage meltdown has depressed real estate prices, the tightening credit crunch is making it harder even for well-heeled investors to land investment properties without putting in substantial down payments, as high as 25 - 40%. To offset the typical "go it alone" mentality of investing in real estate, Main Line REALTOR Christopher Benedict, most notably known as "AskTheBigGuy.com," is encouraging investors to pool their cash and buy larger, more stable commercial and residential apartment investments while the prices are in good territory.

Mr. Benedict is angry at how many pockets have been picked, often helped by buyers' own greed. "I was surprised to find out how many well-intentioned new investors flocked to seminars, forked over cash and immediately lost money in the real estate market," Benedict said. "I knew several good people, some with much more than $100,000 to invest, take on real estate investing as a part-time job, with the hopes of making their real estate riches, forgetting that the race is a marathon, not a sprint. If I had been able to pool those people together, I could have structured a sound investment plan for many of them, possibly helping them as a group purchase apartment buildings in the price range of tens of millions that they would not have ordinarily even considered a potential as a solo investor. Larger investments tend to be more stable in an area of high demand like center city Philadelphia and the Main Line. They are more easy to leverage and can produce a nice steady cash flow or tax shelter if packaged properly."

As banks restructure their lending practices and hedge their bets on more conservative loans, Mr. Benedict believes that the SINful approach will be the next wave in real estate investments. "I would love to say that I am the first to encourage people to work together, but we have been told this time and again. Just like in Aesop's fables, the strength of many twigs is firm, while a single twig can be snapped with the greatest of ease."

About AskTheBigGuy.com:
Christopher Benedict coined the brand, Ask The Big Guy in 2001. Something of a maverick on the ritzy Main Line, Christopher is developing a network of young, high-energy professionals who share his "Strength In Numbers" philosophy. Christopher Benedict specializes in working with investors, as well as continuing to provide real estate services for buyers and sellers on the Main Line and the greater Philadelphia region. Visit www.AskTheBigGuy.com to learn more.

If you'd like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Christopher Benedict, please call Stephanie Benedict at 610-779-5300 or e-mail Stephanie at PR@AskTheBigGuy.com

Today in the news:

DEVELOPER SENTECED TO PRISON:
PHILADELPHIA - "Real estate developer Mark Mendelson was sentenced this morning to two months in prison and a $1 million fine after pleading guilty to conspiracy and bribery charges for a deal involving the purchase of a former flea market in Montgomery County."

This is a good article on why it doesn't pay to cheat! The worst part about it is that even after the fine, I think he will still make a decent profit, and he only has to spend a lousy two months in prison? Move over Martha, here comes Mark!

Looking for Main Line Real Estate at a bargain of just $6,000,000?? If anyone is bored on April 19th and you would like to go see one of the most exciting Main Line real estate auctions of the decade, then please, by all means, give me a call! Of course, if you are in the market for a Main Line mansion, I will gladly help you buy this 17,000 SF estate home, and rebate half of the commission, which could be as much as $90,000 to you! Not bad for a day's work if you ask.

"At 11 a.m. April 19, Accelerated Marketing Group of Newport Beach, Calif., and the Main Line Realtor who goes by Linda "Z" will auction it off. Bidding will open at $3 million; reserve is $6 million." as reported by Michael Klein, Philadelphia Inquirer columnist, in the March 23rd column.

Can't wait until the day of auction to see this place? Then view the video from NBC.com: http://video.nbc10.com/player/?id=227909
or you can read up about the sale in Forbes magazine in the Home of the Week!

FOR SALE: The Bonfield Estate, a true piece of Main Line real estate history!

BRYN MAWR -- Bonfield Estate, the former home of businessman Warren V. "Pete" Musser and his ex-wife, is scheduled to be auctioned in April.

PROPERTY:Gatsbyesque Magnificence in 17,000 +/- SF of living space on an unheard of 24+/_ acres in the "Main Line", Bryn Mawr, PA.

Formerly offered at $12,000,000; Will Sell to the Highest Bidder at or above $6,000,000 reserve. Seller has right to lower reserve during bidding.

710 SPROUL ROAD, BRYN MAWR, PA

AUCTION DATE: April 19, 2008 / 12:00 noon

Click here to download the terms of sale (PDF).

Click for brochure (PDF).

Click Here to View Photographs (PDF).

"Bonfield" was built next to the old Radnor Hunt Club in the 1870's by the Clyde family. Many Fox Hunts were held here in the 1880's and later, until Radnor Hunt moved out to Malvern. Later maps show that the property was owned by Henry Breyer of the ice cream family. Henry Stewart bought the property in the 1960's and helped conserve this magnificent 24 acre property by restoring the original Estate House and keeping all the grounds in a charming and rural setting that is unparalleled on the Main Line today. This is one of the most private estates for sale on the Main Line today. It's proximity to schools and local areas of interest is one of its primary selling points.

The current owners have transformed the Estate House, Guest house, Pool House, and Greenhouse, Art studio & office into a family compound that is a quite special and unique on the Main Line. There are nearly 17,000 square feet of totally finished living areas in the four structures. The master suite contains over 1530 square feet in six rooms decorated to perfection with no compromises made. See rooms by clicking on Main Line Estate details.
Tennis players will love the indoor/outdoor lighted Har-tru tennis court on the left side of the photo above.

There are numerous nature trails through-out the property. One can visit the 2 ponds and then hike up the sloping trails to see unspoiled vistas of the countryside. Horses are possible.

If you own Main Line Real Estate, are looking to buy Main Line Real Estate or are just a fan of Philadelphia Magazine (aka Philly Mag, or www.phillymag.com) then I think you should read Lavinia Smerconish's lastest article about the national media's influence on the local buyers and sellers.

While I do not have the local audience she does, I think sites like Active Rain and Localism.com are a great place to spread her recent message, and that message is that the national media is killing the local real estate markets.

Real estate is a very personal and local commodity. What happens in Miami or Phoenix, or for that matter in Reading PA, does not usually impact your local market. Cyclical changes in the market usually are confined to school districts, or even counties, but to assume that a simple blanket formula can be applied to real estate in all parts of the country is sheer nonsens!

Read the full article here: How Matt Lauer Is Wrecking the Philly Real Estate Market

"In any market, people are interested in the value of their home. But I've been in real estate for 24 years, and today, the intensity of interest in the market is unprecedented. It's gotten so I can't go anywhere on the Main Line without being buttonholed by some panicked acquaintance worried about the so-called "real estate crisis." I've fielded inquiries over dinner at the Guard House in Gladwyne, in the Cosi coffee line in Bryn Mawr, in the frozen foods section at the Genuardi's in Radnor, and at the movies in Edgmont.

I tell the curious what I know: Yes, the Main Line market has indeed softened, but it's a far cry from any crisis. The softening has nothing directly to do with the sub-prime market, or the availability of quality real estate or mortgage money. The market forces in effect here are Matt Lauer, Diane Sawyer, Ann Curry and their ilk. Of course, not everyone in the media has nefarious motives. (I should know; I'm married to a member of their ranks.) But the media-driven perception of what's going on in the marketplace has me concerned. " To read the full article, click here: How Matt Lauer Is Wrecking the Philly Real Estate Market

ARE YOU MAKING THE RIGHT DOWN PAYMENT?

Okay, you're getting ready to to work with your professional Realtor look at houses to buy.

You have a pretty good idea what price range you need to look in, but what about the down payment?

How much will you need to be prepared to put down and what should you put down?

The standard in buying a house is between 5% and 10% down payment. For example, if you were looking to buy a$100,000 house with 5% down, which would be $5,000, the remaining$95,000 would be financed with a mortgage company. Let's say you have owned that house for one year and the property appreciates in value by 10%, making it's value at $110,000. What that means is that you have gained $10,000 on your initial investment of $5,000. That is considered high-leverage and is a great return on borrowed money.

However, with any investment, especially real estate, profits can go up and down. Going with this same example of a $100,000 house and a 10% down payment, if the value of the house goes down in that first year by $10,000, you now own a house worth $90,000, meaning you have lost 100% of your investment. Just remember, that if value does go down, there are several factors that can just as easily bring it right back up.

The more you put down, the less money will be financed in your mortgage, meaning your monthly payment will be lowered. If you can put more down, the better. However, not everyone is in that position so rather than putting yourself in a tight financial situation each month, you might consider waiting another year to save a little more.

Remember, if your down payment is minimal, the choice of loan problems will be limited. In addition, if you are using a gift as your down payment, there are other limitations, and if you need the lender or seller to help cover some or all of the closing costs, there will be even further limitations. Finally, if you plan on using money from your 401-K or retirement plan, there will be different loan programs and rules.

In addition, be sure you account for all your expenses. Whether you buy a new or used home, there will be expenses once you move in. For new homes, there are appliances, draperies, and for used homes, there are usually repairs. When deciding the amount to use toward a down payment, just keep in mind that you should have a little tucked away for those other expenses.

If you aren't sure about which direction to go, you can always take some time to meet with a loan officer or financial consultant to determine how much of a down payment is best for your specific situation.

Growing up on the Main Line, and attending Lower Merion High School, Collegeville was considered a land far, far away. Fast forward 10 years later, and I would follow my parents out to western Montgomery County as the Route 422 corridor exploded with new housing growth. Now it is a short 30 minute commute for people working in King of Prussia and Great Valley, Chester County, who moved west for a lower cost of living. The Spring Ford Area School District is a good place to find a good home in a good school district at an affordable price.

As far as real estate is concerned, compared to high ticket areas like Lower Merion, Collegeville is about a good of a bargain as they come. The lowest sales price in Q4-2007 was $255,750 with the highest at $470,000, and an average sales price of $324,900 which is less than half for the average sales price on the Main Line in Lower Merion.

Courtesy Of : Christopher Benedict 484-433-3931

RE/MAX Main Line 610-935-3200

In the Radnor Township section of the Main Line, the housing market data from October 2007 to end of September 2007 showed some surprisingly similar results to those of Lower Merion, as compared to the negative data we have been bombarded with from the main stream media. Then again, nothing sells like bad news, except worse news.

The lowest sales price for a home in Radnor township was $120,000 with the highest selling home (or should I say Main Line Mansion) sold at $3,142,955.

If you are thinking of buying a home on the Main Line, better get out your checkbook and get ready to pay. The average (yes, AVERAGE!) listed price for homes on the market was $742,842. That means half of the homes on the market for sale were for higher than $740,000, and half lower. And to think, I was worried about paying for my three kids' college funds!

The positive news: The average days on market (DOM) was 66 days, just 15 days more than the previous quarter in 2007.

In the Lower Merion School District, the housing market data from October 2007 to (end of) December 2007 showed some surprising results, as compared to the negative data we have been bombarded with from the main stream media. Then again, nothing sells like bad news, except worse news.

The lowest sales price for a home in Lower Merion township was $129,000, with the highest selling home (or should I say Main Line Mansion) sold at a mere $3,434,000. The home was originally listed at $3,975,000.

If you are thinking of buying a home on the Main Line, better get out your checkbook and get ready to pay. The average (yes, AVERAGE!) listed price for homes on the market in Q4 was $666,876. That means half of the homes on the market for sale were for higher than $666,000, and half lower. And to think, I was worried about paying for my three kids' college funds! The average sale price was down about $65,000 for the quarter.

The negative news: The average days on market (DOM) was 77 days for Q4-2007, as compared to 62 DOM for Q4-2007.

Which is the Best Season to Sell Your Home in Pennsylvania?

Realizing the time has come to sell your home can create mass confusion. Timing is everything in real estate; however, some also believe one season is better than another to sell your home.

If you ask a real estate professional when you should sell your home, most will say, "Now is the best time to sell your home".

Real estate today is a year-round business, and most agents will agree that they do nearly as much business in December as in June.

If that is the case, then how do you decide which is the best time of year to list your home? Each season has its own characteristic. Let's review each one.

According to most real estate professionals, spring is the busiest time of the year for buyers and sellers -- spring offers the opportunity to showcase their home at its best. There's always something nice about listing your home when it's not too hot or too cold out and the air is fresh.

If you have a green thumb, summer might prove to be the best time to show off your garden. Potential buyers come through houses looking for such amenities as a well-cared-for garden. Also, if your kids are away for the summer, you might be able to keep their rooms clean from one showing to another. If you have central air, this season is also a great time to show it off. This is also a great time to boast about any access to summer recreational activities such as a beach, a lake, or community tennis courts or swimming pools.

A possible downside to showing a house in the summer is that most kids are home, and you'll have to work harder to ensure their rooms are maintained clean enough for buyers to get through them.

Even though falling leaves could make for extra work in the fall, with children back at school, daytime showings might be easier to accommodate. The tax benefits of home ownership can be a push for homebuyers to get into a new home by December 31.

Fall is historically a shorter selling season. A home that doesn't sell in the fall can be stigmatized as being held over on the market until the New Year. An old listing number in the MLS can give buyers the misleading impression that a home has been on the market for a long time and the seller might be willing to accept a lower offer.

Real estate professionals agree that only the most motivated buyers and sellers are active in the market during the winter season.

If you decide to sell your home in the winter, expect the unexpected. You will come across buyers who want showings at odd hours, or during your family holiday parties. At this time of year, you can expect potential buyers to track mud, snow, and salt through your home

In conclusion, how do you decide which is the best season to sell? As discussed, every season offer some plusses and minuses. If you want to list your home in the spring, you might want to list in mid-January, rather than waiting for February or March. On the other hand, you might get even more attention if you wait until mid-March, when many of the spring houses have already come on the market and buyers are hungry for something new.

Real estate is an industry of immediacy. It's always a good time to sell your home if the price is right, no matter what the season.