Jean Norton’s Real Estate Adventures
(est. 2009)
Welcome to my Blog!
Featured on CNN Money, the Wall Street Journal, and awarded 1st Place as the “Best Real Estate Investing Blog” by REIClub.com, Jean shares her experiences in real estate investing. A student since 2009 with the likes of Armando Montelongo, Cliff Gager and then Phill Grove she shares her triumphs and learning’s with you.
Recent Blogs
Strike These 2 Paragraphs from your Listing Agreement
These 2 Hidden, Seemingly Innocuous items in your Listing Agreement can Cost...
Jean Norton in the Wall Street Journal-And some Favorite Posts
You never know when your comments, experiences, or opinions will attract some of the big names like CNN Money and the Wall Street Journal, which is why being open and transparent in your business will boost your credibility at little or no cost to you.
What I’ve Learned since Transitioning into the Lending Side of the Business
Bankers and underwriters can take their sweet time processing a loan without taking any responsibility of their inefficiencies, holding the borrower and the lien holder hostage without repercussion or penalties…
“Jean, What are doing with Graphene?”
Someone asked me, "Jean, what are you doing with Graphene?" I was...
Is Flipping Dead?
Profit Margins are dwindling for flippers. How can we make money in real estate today? 1 of the 3 strategies outlined sounds very promising.
Armando Montelongo Lawsuit Plaintiff Count Rises above 420 & Re-files in Texas Courts
Plaintiffs in the lawsuit against Armando Montelongo have refiled in Texas Courts, Bexar County, 2018-CI-13094 Citing Deceptive Trade Practices and more.
Demystifying Hard Money Lenders in Real Estate Investing
Hard money lenders seem to be everywhere these days with deals that seem too good to be true. I’ve seen hundreds of ads from scammers posing as lenders with incredible rates and offerings, only to find out there is an up-front fee. Know how the hard money lending business works.
How NOT to get Screwed as a Private Lender
When people lose money on Real Estate Deals, the common issue that runs true with all of the stories I’ve heard is they DIDN’T PROPERLY SECURE THE LOAN. Here are 5 simple steps to make sure your loan is protected.
Entrepreneurial Motivation: Why Some Hesitate to Take Action
Being a Serial Entrepreneur experienced in many industries, there...
Armando Montelongo RICO Lawsuit Update-Plaintiff Count more than Doubles
The Rico Case against Armando Montelongo intensifies as the number of Plaintiffs more than Double in count: 356 claim severe damages.
Disaster Scams from Irma and Harvey Hurricanes
Rebuilding from Irma and Harvey Disaster The outpouring of donations, prayers...
The Real Estate Investing Strategy we Forgot About
The real estate investing world has since changed. Foreclosures have dried up, people think their houses are worth more than they are. Who can blame them, really?
Dissecting this Tampa Bay $458,000 Foreclosure Shock
Condo associations have the right to foreclose based on unpaid dues. Sometimes they go to high bidders, sometimes they revert to the association. This does NOT extinguish any underlying lien. Therefore, the association or the new title holder can enjoy, lease, or otherwise CONTROL the property subject to underlying liens.
Gap Funding for Real Estate – 3 Different Views
Gap Funding can make all the difference with your successes in real estate....
An Open Letter to Banking Regulators
THIS IS AN OPEN CALL TO BANKS, MORTGAGE BROKERS, UNDERWRITERS AND REGULATORS TO THE ATROCITIES THAT OCCUR DUE TO LAZY UNDERWRITERS, BAD MANAGEMENT, UNLIMITED PRIVILEGES OF THE BANKS AND NO RECOURSE FOR PROMISES MADE.
12 of the Most Bizarre Pics I’ve Seen While Researching Properties
Copyright by Jean Norton and those that took the original pictures. Please do...
Women as Real Estate Investors are a Subset of the most Successful Investors that Exist
The words, the body language, the “deer in the headlights” look when they introduce themselves as a new real estate investor. It’s obvious and they are scared.
AirBNB vs VRBO Findings
This post is about my experience dealing with both AirBNB.com and VRBO.com. Given I have 2 very different kind of rentals, I want to share my experience for your information.
About Online Auctions for Real Estate Investing
Online Auctions are my favorite way to obtain Real Estate for my Investing. I...
Investing & Strategy for Ladies
Plus some pampering... Men and women solidify their investing strategies very...
How an HOA can Destroy your Property Value Overnight
Homeowner's Associations (HOA's) are, and have been the cause of much grief...
The EASIEST Way to Make Money in Real Estate is…Cash Flow
Making money in real estate can be easy, it can be risky, but nobody will deny...
The Power of the Mastermind in Real Estate
About 18 months ago I started an "invite only" small networking group of...
Should Short-Term Rentals be Part of Your Portfolio?
I finally jumped on the bandwagon and entered the world of short-term...
The Plot Thickens for Armando Montelongo’s Civil RICO Suit
For a complete listing of publicly available files, dockets, and other...
What are CWCOT REO’s Anyway?
A little known term in the REO field, CWCOT, is a class of foreclosed inventory that is currently hitting the market. This is what you need to know about them.
You don’t need an MBA to Invest in Real Estate…but it helps…
Nobody needs to be educated to make money in Real Estate. I’ve never seen an industry with such diversity where so many people can make money. It doesn’t matter about your race, religion, level of education, speaking skills, presentation or even how smart you are. This, with the onset of of Social Media, I’m doing business with anyone and everyone. I’m talking real estate strategies with anyone and everyone. We all have the same goal; making money. The one and only golden rule in this business is “Everyone has to win”. You don’t have to know rocket science to understand that one.
Blueprint for Success? Or a Setup for Disaster?
Real Estate Investing offers the most expansive level of creative thinking than any other industry I’ve experienced. Here’s why the “system” or “blueprint” the guru sold you isn’t working.
Why are Land Trusts so Powerful?
Most of those that know me, know that I use Land Trusts in my real estate investments. The more I learn about Land Trust, the more I understand the vast power and flexibility they bring to my business.
Scammers…
How to Spot the Scammer? Ultimately the scammer will ask you for a fee to get you somehow connected to you getting the loan. They may refer to it as any one of these terms:
Finally, a “GURU CHALLENGE”
With all the bluster, lies, showmanship, and exaggerations amongst the totally unreliable, deceitful and so called real estate experts out there, finally someone decided to host a “guru challenge” to separate the talkers from the true action takers. And I’m so excited to be a part of it.
Finding Comps without a Realtor-Updated
Don’t burnout your real estate agent by constantly asking for comps. Get your own comps by using ZipRealty.
Is Your Real Estate Investing a Business or a Hobby?
One of the biggest mistakes real estate investors make is not treating their investing as a business. We often hear people say, “Finding money for my deals is my biggest challenge”, or “How can I get a business line of credit?”.
Bad Energy in your Real Estate Investment – aka (Bad Juju)
After going into hundreds of houses, both for my own acquisitions AND through all the Field Trips I’ve held in the past*, I know that each property has it’s own energy. If you haven’t felt it, you haven’t been in enough houses.
Why Gurus Recommend Avoiding Condominium Investing Part 2
Many real estate GURU’s recommend against investing in condominiums and they have good reasons, but how important is it for the association to be FHA approved?
The Absolutely Cheapest Way to do a Background Check on Someone
One of the biggest problems in this real estate business is knowing other people’s level of integrity. Knowing how to do a simple background search on someone can save you a bunch of time, money, and aggravation.
Strike These 2 Paragraphs from your Listing Agreement
These 2 Hidden, Seemingly Innocuous items in your Listing Agreement can Cost You Thousands You would think that after all of these years renovating properties to sell to retail buyers that I would have come across this before. But either my Listing Agents were...
Jean Norton in the Wall Street Journal-And some Favorite Posts
You never know when your comments, experiences, or opinions will attract some of the big names like CNN Money and the Wall Street Journal, which is why being open and transparent in your business will boost your credibility at little or no cost to you.
What I’ve Learned since Transitioning into the Lending Side of the Business
Bankers and underwriters can take their sweet time processing a loan without taking any responsibility of their inefficiencies, holding the borrower and the lien holder hostage without repercussion or penalties…
“Jean, What are doing with Graphene?”
Someone asked me, "Jean, what are you doing with Graphene?" I was at my weekly real estate investing meeting when a fellow real estate investor asked me about the Facebook Check-in post I made while at the "Global Graphene Expo & Conference" held by...
Is Flipping Dead?
Profit Margins are dwindling for flippers. How can we make money in real estate today? 1 of the 3 strategies outlined sounds very promising.
Armando Montelongo Lawsuit Plaintiff Count Rises above 420 & Re-files in Texas Courts
Plaintiffs in the lawsuit against Armando Montelongo have refiled in Texas Courts, Bexar County, 2018-CI-13094 Citing Deceptive Trade Practices and more.
Demystifying Hard Money Lenders in Real Estate Investing
Hard money lenders seem to be everywhere these days with deals that seem too good to be true. I’ve seen hundreds of ads from scammers posing as lenders with incredible rates and offerings, only to find out there is an up-front fee. Know how the hard money lending business works.
How NOT to get Screwed as a Private Lender
When people lose money on Real Estate Deals, the common issue that runs true with all of the stories I’ve heard is they DIDN’T PROPERLY SECURE THE LOAN. Here are 5 simple steps to make sure your loan is protected.
Entrepreneurial Motivation: Why Some Hesitate to Take Action
Being a Serial Entrepreneur experienced in many industries, there is one common theme I see when people start building their own new business: They Hesitate to Take Action. Why Some Hesitate to Take Action These are some "Excuses" I Hear (and some...
Armando Montelongo RICO Lawsuit Update-Plaintiff Count more than Doubles
The Rico Case against Armando Montelongo intensifies as the number of Plaintiffs more than Double in count: 356 claim severe damages.
Disaster Scams from Irma and Harvey Hurricanes
Rebuilding from Irma and Harvey Disaster The outpouring of donations, prayers and human support for those affected by Hurricanes' Irma and Harvey disasters remind us of the good in humanity. However, there will always be opportunists and scammers that crawl out of...
The Real Estate Investing Strategy we Forgot About
The real estate investing world has since changed. Foreclosures have dried up, people think their houses are worth more than they are. Who can blame them, really?
Dissecting this Tampa Bay $458,000 Foreclosure Shock
Condo associations have the right to foreclose based on unpaid dues. Sometimes they go to high bidders, sometimes they revert to the association. This does NOT extinguish any underlying lien. Therefore, the association or the new title holder can enjoy, lease, or otherwise CONTROL the property subject to underlying liens.
Gap Funding for Real Estate – 3 Different Views
Gap Funding can make all the difference with your successes in real estate. When people say you can make money in real estate without using any of your own money, it's almost true. Yes, I've made money in real estate utilizing none of my own money, many times.*...
An Open Letter to Banking Regulators
THIS IS AN OPEN CALL TO BANKS, MORTGAGE BROKERS, UNDERWRITERS AND REGULATORS TO THE ATROCITIES THAT OCCUR DUE TO LAZY UNDERWRITERS, BAD MANAGEMENT, UNLIMITED PRIVILEGES OF THE BANKS AND NO RECOURSE FOR PROMISES MADE.
12 of the Most Bizarre Pics I’ve Seen While Researching Properties
Copyright by Jean Norton and those that took the original pictures. Please do not distribute without contacting me first. I wish I could find the really bizarre picture I first stumbled across with a property I bought in Highland Park, IL, where there was nothing but...
Women as Real Estate Investors are a Subset of the most Successful Investors that Exist
The words, the body language, the “deer in the headlights” look when they introduce themselves as a new real estate investor. It’s obvious and they are scared.
AirBNB vs VRBO Findings
This post is about my experience dealing with both AirBNB.com and VRBO.com. Given I have 2 very different kind of rentals, I want to share my experience for your information.
About Online Auctions for Real Estate Investing
Online Auctions are my favorite way to obtain Real Estate for my Investing. I was motivated by a lot of questions I get through social media, including BiggerPockets.com, a great resource especially for new investors, and finally made the conference call I had...
Investing & Strategy for Ladies
Plus some pampering... Men and women solidify their investing strategies very differently. Plus spending my entire career life in male dominated industries, I see that Real Estate is no different. I see women in networking meetings, and way too often they have that...
How an HOA can Destroy your Property Value Overnight
Homeowner's Associations (HOA's) are, and have been the cause of much grief for many over the years. They exist for a communal benefit of a group of property owners. But who could have guessed that one HOA could stigmatize a property so badly that the retail value...
The EASIEST Way to Make Money in Real Estate is…Cash Flow
Making money in real estate can be easy, it can be risky, but nobody will deny that the best way to earn money with your real estate investments is through CASH FLOW. There are 2 types of ways to make money. One is working for it, the other is NOT working for it....
The Power of the Mastermind in Real Estate
About 18 months ago I started an "invite only" small networking group of people local to me that that had the expertise, the experience and desire to propel their real estate business forward. Facing some growing pains myself, I solicited others to meet weekly and...
Should Short-Term Rentals be Part of Your Portfolio?
I finally jumped on the bandwagon and entered the world of short-term rentals for a recent condo I purchased in Chicago. The condo was cheap, not really in the greatest of areas, yet still near transportation. The HOA existed but still recovering from the...
The Plot Thickens for Armando Montelongo’s Civil RICO Suit
For a complete listing of publicly available files, dockets, and other official documents concerning the Armando Montelongo Civil RICO Case, get an account (if you don't have one) with Pacer.Gov and search the case number in the Northern California US District Courts....
What are CWCOT REO’s Anyway?
A little known term in the REO field, CWCOT, is a class of foreclosed inventory that is currently hitting the market. This is what you need to know about them.
You don’t need an MBA to Invest in Real Estate…but it helps…
Nobody needs to be educated to make money in Real Estate. I’ve never seen an industry with such diversity where so many people can make money. It doesn’t matter about your race, religion, level of education, speaking skills, presentation or even how smart you are. This, with the onset of of Social Media, I’m doing business with anyone and everyone. I’m talking real estate strategies with anyone and everyone. We all have the same goal; making money. The one and only golden rule in this business is “Everyone has to win”. You don’t have to know rocket science to understand that one.
Blueprint for Success? Or a Setup for Disaster?
Real Estate Investing offers the most expansive level of creative thinking than any other industry I’ve experienced. Here’s why the “system” or “blueprint” the guru sold you isn’t working.
Why are Land Trusts so Powerful?
Most of those that know me, know that I use Land Trusts in my real estate investments. The more I learn about Land Trust, the more I understand the vast power and flexibility they bring to my business.
Scammers…
How to Spot the Scammer? Ultimately the scammer will ask you for a fee to get you somehow connected to you getting the loan. They may refer to it as any one of these terms:
Finally, a “GURU CHALLENGE”
With all the bluster, lies, showmanship, and exaggerations amongst the totally unreliable, deceitful and so called real estate experts out there, finally someone decided to host a “guru challenge” to separate the talkers from the true action takers. And I’m so excited to be a part of it.
Finding Comps without a Realtor-Updated
Don’t burnout your real estate agent by constantly asking for comps. Get your own comps by using ZipRealty.
Is Your Real Estate Investing a Business or a Hobby?
One of the biggest mistakes real estate investors make is not treating their investing as a business. We often hear people say, “Finding money for my deals is my biggest challenge”, or “How can I get a business line of credit?”.
Bad Energy in your Real Estate Investment – aka (Bad Juju)
After going into hundreds of houses, both for my own acquisitions AND through all the Field Trips I’ve held in the past*, I know that each property has it’s own energy. If you haven’t felt it, you haven’t been in enough houses.
Why Gurus Recommend Avoiding Condominium Investing Part 2
Many real estate GURU’s recommend against investing in condominiums and they have good reasons, but how important is it for the association to be FHA approved?
The Absolutely Cheapest Way to do a Background Check on Someone
One of the biggest problems in this real estate business is knowing other people’s level of integrity. Knowing how to do a simple background search on someone can save you a bunch of time, money, and aggravation.
SEC Violators on Facebook?
So many real estate investors, wholesalers and dealmakers unknowingly violate various SEC and other Federally mandated rules. I see these on Facebook quite often. For my real estate friends, be smart.
2014 Year in Review, 2015 Goals
It’s taken me over 5 years, but I can now officially say I am a successful real estate investor! I’ve learned very valuable lessons, I’ve faced evil schemers, cried for those that lost to them, and learned about my strong points and am still painfully aware of my weak points.
Why Gurus Recommend Avoiding Condominium Investing Part 1
I really don’t mind Gurus telling people to avoid condominiums. Less competition for me! But they have good reason to steer you in the other direction. If you are aware of the risks, and know the profit potentials, it could be a reasonable opportunity to make some good money.
Contractors SUCK. Rehabbers are STUPID.
A painful and eye-opening revelation on how we, as rehabbers, set ourselves up for this terrible moment…that moment when you realize the contractor has most of your money and hasn’t delivered the products or services.
Do You Get Tired of Real Estate Investing and Rehabbing?
After 5 years of creatively finding real estate deals, renovating the properties and selling them, sometimes I get tired of the same ol' thing. The same ol' balancing act where I'm not in control of so many moving parts. The same ol' sets of problems; the conflicts...
Have you Hit a Brick Wall with Your Real Estate Investing?
You aren’t alone. I’ve talked to hundreds of people that just couldn’t make it work; either what you were taught didn’t work for you, you felt you were left to fend for yourself, you talk to people that tell you “it doesn’t work that way”, and all you can do is keep writing those monthly checks to pay off that dang credit card.
When the Real Estate Deal Goes Bad…with Jinean Florom and Sue Vesel
When the Real Estate Deal Goes Bad…
Special guests, Jinean Florom and Sue Vesel joined me to discuss options on how to handle disputes within real estate parties, especially when the project is certain to experience significant losses. Jinean is an experienced negotiator in these situations, and where not everybody walks away happy, they at least don’t walk away threatening lengthy law suits.
Blog Transfer Nightmare
It isn't often I write about something that isn't real estate related, but since I recommend to people in my eBook "How to be a Cash Magnet for Your Real Estate Deals" that you should be blogging your experiences to position yourself as an expert, I will tell you my...
It’s Hard Money or Conventional Financing-How Can We Meet in the Middle?
Where is the Medium Money?
The NOTE Business is EXPLODING – an Interview with Note Broker Robert Young
Great discussion on today’s credit markets and how that is propelling Robert Young’s business as a Note Broker. Learn how he started in this business and how you can capitalize on this niche.
Live from Atlanta – Coast 2 Coast Radio Show!
This was such an awesome radio show because it was LIVE from the Atlanta Field Trip. The guests got to ask questions to the guys and they got GREAT ANSWERS from the guys...and me. You will NEVER guess what they asked.
Real Estate Groups Worth Your Time and Energy
My real estate networking world ranges from local meetings to national communications thanks to this blog, emails, Facebook, Google Plus, Skype, Meetup and more. Even though it's been 5 years since I started investing in real estate, it's obvious to me there is...
Deep Dive Analysis of a Real Estate Market – Webinar Recording
How to Analyze a Real Estate Market This revealing webinar is for you if: • You can’t get a real estate deal with profitable spreads • You want to double, triple or quadruple your existing profits by expanding to other markets • You want to maximize your otherwise...
Incredible Report from the Chicago Field Trip
I had to laugh. Right before the Hard Money Lender spoke to us at the Chicago Field Trip, I had covered The 5 Styles of Contractors. He showed up and said the 5 styles in Chicago are: bad bad bad bad worse What a great guy. He totally understands the challenges...
ABC News 20/20 Features Real Estate Horror Stories
Just when I thought I heard all the horror stories, leave it to ABC News 20/20 to find even more. Real Estate Investing is full of surprises, and there are times the innocent turn to desperate measures to follow through with their dream. The Landlords from Hell The...
My First Real Estate Investment – How I REALLY Felt
For those of you that think doing your first real estate deal seems easy for some, it's not. I've blogged for over 4 years, starting with my first real estate investment in Riverside, CA, right after I attended an Armando Montelongo Bus Tour. Everything turned out...
How to find Biggest Profit Spread: Foreclosed Prices vs Standard Prices via RealtyTrac
RealtyTrac changed things around a bit, but I found the same data - This is awesome for people wanting to rehab properties across the nation where the greatest profit spreads are found. Get your free 7 day trial HERE. http://youtu.be/H1GX8IEetWs This is an incredible...
How the Tools You Use to Communicate Can Blow a Deal
There was a time, centuries ago, where the only method to communicate was to see someone in person, write a letter or place an advertisement in a newspaper. Oh how we have advanced in our choice of tools we use to communicate. I do my best to accommodate...
What is the Future of the Detroit Housing Market?
I personally don't have an interest investing in Detroit, but many are saying the opportunities are tremendous right now. I want to know your thoughts! Will China buy Detroit? Will other manufacturers move into the area? Will Motown make a comeback? Is there...
Recognizing Priorities as a Rehabber…
If you've known me for any amount of time, or been to one of my Rehabbing Remotely Field Trips, one of the topics we discuss at length is how to understand your teams priorities and how to make sure they align with your priorities. Even to this day, I find myself...
What I Learned About Traveling Contractors – Final
If you've followed my stories about "The Saga of Jean's Traveling Contractor" Part 1 and Part 2, you'll be interested in this final blog post. I originally wasn't going to post a final, but decided that positive or negative, a learning experience happened for everyone...
The Saga of the Traveling Contractor, Part 2
Here we are in week 4 of a 2 week construction project which has eliminated any hope of coming in under budget with this deal. That's OK - I don't think it will be that far over budget and I've learned a lot in this process. In addition, I do believe I was being...
The Saga of Jean’s Traveling Contractor Part 1
A Contractor can be a real estate investor's worst nightmare or biggest hero, and I've experienced both. This is the first time I've actually sent a contractor travelling to a remote location to run a renovation project for me. One week into the project and here's...
Changes are Scary
Really? I'm going to build a house on that lot? I'm gonna do it. The real estate market demands it. The methods I learned 4 years ago for rehabbing houses isn't working NOW. I've seen what's happening in California, and those that do what I'm about to do are...
Are We in a Booming Economy?
Are we in a booming economy? Can you believe this? Can you believe that foreclosures are down, housing prices are going up, interest rates are low and the DOW is above 15,000? Geez - It sounds like we are in the middle of a booming economy! Is this the perfect...
What do you do when Someone Screws you out of a Real Estate Deal?
I asked this question in a very active real estate oriented Facebook Group and it got some significant attention! The answer ranged from "let it go", "move-on", etc. to a very emotional response from someone that just got screwed out of $350,000. In real estate, we...
Blame – Was it Somebody Else’s Fault? Every Time?
Assigning responsibility for a loss. Whenever I observe a similar emotions or accusations in diverse areas in my life, it makes me pause and think how these emotions come to play our business, and our dreams. I've written about "mistakes" made in real estate and how...
”Real Estate is Cyclical and will ALWAYS be Cyclical”
"Real Estate is cyclical and will ALWAYS be cyclical". Marvin H., Austin Real Estate Investor Today there was a big discussion in my weekly real estate networking group about price increases in Austin and if the rental price increases were moving up as much as the...
Never Underestimate the Knowledge Inside a Gated Community
Never underestimate the power of the Gated Community. Now that real estate investing is entering a new era or cycle, I've been challenged to think of other ways to make money in real estate investing. When I started in real estate investing, neighborhoods were...
More on Bid-Rigging at the Courthouse Steps – “Collusive Conduct” can land you 10 years in jail
"Collusive Conduct" on the Courthouse Steps can land you 10 years in jail You go to the Courthouse steps to see if you can snag a sweet deal on a foreclosure property - then you see your buddy there who wants to do the same - snag a sweet real estate deal. As you...
Future Blog Posts Now at "JeanNorton.com"!
Please continue to the new blog posts on the entire "http://jeannorton.com" umbrella. Everything in one place - all the "how-to" Videos, the "rehabbing remotely" recordings, everything. Join me for great content at http://www.jeannorton.com...
Are you giving up on Real Estate – Or is it too late?
Did you give up on your idea of wealth through real estate investing? What stopped you? How can you go from so pumped up on real estate investing to giving up? Here are the reasons I see: Tried once and gave up Tried twice and gave up Did OK but got tired Never got...