Meeting Archive

PAST MEETING ARCHIVES

OCTOBER 27th:

SPEAKERS:  Jamie Pearson & Dieter Zimmermann.

TOPIC: International Investing / Ecuador

TIME: doors open at 6:00 p.m.

SEPTEMBER 29th:

SPEAKERS:  Gabriel Hink, Jason Palagi, Rick Shaw.

TOPIC: Finding, vetting, and funding deals in this economy.

TIME: doors open at 6:00 p.m.

.

.

May 2011 – ….. no evening meeting ….

LUNCH & LEARN – OPEN TO MEMBERS & GUESTS

Montana Rib & Chop House

Thursday May 26

11:30 am

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR: STOCKMAN BANK

>>>>>

>>>>>

April 28, 2011

>>>>

Mike Butler (Louisville, KY) How to Buy Without Banks, Money or Credit!

Mike Butler, author of Landlording on AutoPilot, will be giving Big Sky REIA a live, interactive presentation of his FAMOUS presentation

“How to Buy without Banks, Money, or Credit!”

>>>>

WE ARE SO EXCITED TO HAVE MIKE SPEAK TO THE REIA! TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY. THIS IS A MUST SEE!

Click on the link below and scroll down to read Mike’s very inspiring biography.

>>

>>>>

>>>>

March 2011    Homestead Properties - The real estate team at Homestead Properties will be teaching us how to use technology to find great deals locally and nationally. This meeting will be part practical technology instructions (e.g. how to use google maps to see the street view of a property) and part practical real estate education!

Linda Schicktanz

>>

>>

FEBRUARY 2011 – JUDY COOK (Houston, TX & Ronan, MT) Former President National REIA

TOPIC: The “Diamond of Investing” Lease Options

February 24 - Judy will present at our regular monthly meeting – the last Thursday of February.

February 26- Judy will teach a half day (4 hour) class on Lease Options. The cost of this class is $125 which includes a text book. Refreshments will be served.

Register HERE now!

Judy Cook is a nationally recognized speaker, author and consultant, who works with individuals and groups that have “purpose”. She doesn’t just “talk the talk”… She continues “walking the walk” and has set her own track record with real estate investing!

Over 25 years ago, Judy learned how to invest in real estate and honed her negotiating skills after much exposure to the “go- getters & doers” of Houston Texas. Initially, she began on a part time basis, but in a short time realized that working for a large oil company interfered with the life she wanted to live.

Judy then ventured wholeheartedly into the world of real estate investing. In a very short time,  she bought and sold over 2,000 houses in the Houston area. She also started buying entire subdivisions. Since that time, she has owned apartments, a “Bed and Breakfast” (“just for fun” she explains) and a group of rental houses. In the last decade, she has spent time developing land in Texas and Montana.

The former President of the National REIA, Judy has also become a powerhouse in matching families with homes they formerly could only dream of owning. Such success, coupled with her need to share, has empowered Judy to teach others how to make money by buying homes, and in particular, by understanding and executing the undiscovered “diamond of investing” the LEASE OPTION. Consequently, she has been honored for her leadership in national real estate organizations and is a published author of books on real estate investing for anyone who has an interest!

<<

<<

JANUARY 2011 –

KAYCEE CAROLL – WESTERN SECURITY BANK

Kaycee was born and raised in Billings, Montana and graduated from Billings West High School in 1997. She has a degree in Finance and has worked for Wells Fargo Bank and Western Security Bank as a Consumer Lender. She transitioned into the mortgage department in 2007 .

Kaycee is a member of the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity.  Additionally, she has spent the past 13 years remodeling distressed homes, flipping a few for profit, and building a small inventory of rentals.  She formed her investing business, Cobblestone Properties, last year.

Aside from her career, volunteer work and business, Kaycee is a full-time, single mother of two adorable children. Her son, Dylan, just turned 7 in December and her very energetic daughter, Payton, will be turning 6 in March.  Both of Kaycee’s children are involved with many sports from basketball, baseball, and soccer to gymnastics and swimming.

DECEMBER 16, 2010 – Holiday Luncheon

Jake’s West 11 am. Sponsored by First Montana Title

..

NOVEMBER 18, 2010 -     HOWARD SUMNER – 2010 5th annual Market Wrap Up

Howard Sumner is coming back for the 5th November in a row. This is always a popular meeting. Howard shares his amazing record of keeping statistics on the Billings real estate market both for home sales and rentals. At the end of the presentation Howard makes a prediction for where our market is headed and so far his crystal ball has not let us down. If you want to cut to the chase and get after the numbers, don’t miss this meeting.

>>>

OCTOBER 28, 2010  Regular Meeting   and   Class from 9-5 October 30th, 2010:    Buy your tickets now – seating is limited    TICKETS

PETER GAUTHIER- (Baltimore, MD) Wholesaling Genius System. PETER’S BIG SKY REIA VIDEO

Captain Pete, the nation’s top expert on using options, Baltimore’s leading wholesaler and founder of the Wholesaling Genius System is coming to Big Sky REIA  Thursday, October 28th at 6:00pm AND Teaching Wholesaling for Huge Profits!  Saturday October 30th from 9-5. This event should sell out, so reserve your seat now:   TICKETS

Peter will cover the 4 Easy Steps To A Big Wholesale Check. You won’t want to miss this fun and educational event!

You’re going to learn how to get motivated sellers calling you and what’s working in today’s market; You’re going to learn how to build and qualify a huge cash buyers list; You’re going to learn how to use options to control real estate without cash, credit or risk; and you’re going to learn how to package your deals so your buyers are fighting each other to get your deal! There’s no better feeling to know your wholesale deal is sold before you ever buy it!

SEPTEMBER 30th 2010 –

Jason Shubert’s Roadmap to Millions! Straight from Austin, Texas, Jason is coming to share his secrets to incredible cash flows through purchasing distressed commercial properties (i.e. hotels/motels) the exact same way you purchase residential real estate. Jason will teach us how he uses creative financing (e.g. lease options, private money, etc..) to get into these monster deals with no money and no credit. The commercial tsunami is coming. Catch the wave NOW.

Here are the HOW TO’S you don’t want to miss!

• * How to trade in your houses for motels with ease and confidence

• * How to find the best hotel deals that generate not hundreds, but thousands of $$ in positive cash flow, every month for the rest of your life
• * How to evaluate your hotel and making sure you have not just a good deal, but a great deal!!
• * How to increase the value and cashflow of your potential cash cow!
• * How to buy motels with none of your own money! Yes, it can be done, I do it every day! And so will you!!
• * Exit strategies, options, and what to do with all the money. You may need to call Brinks! (just a hint!)

To find out more about Jason go to www.richinfive.com For information about his Orlando, FL bootcamp click here: Ri5 Orlando

August 26th, 2010 -

Jason Schubert (www.richinfive.com) webinar exclusive to Big Sky REIA. Topic: subject to and commercial real estate, specifically motels. Jason will be talking about his upcoming commercial bootcamp which takes place in Las Vegas September 9, 10, 11 and is not to be missed!

May 2010 -

REAL ESTATE LAWYER: Andrew Billstien (Brekke Hoskins) – Bring your contracts. Andrew is going to help us make sure all elements necessary to be protected are in there! If you want to submit them to him ahead of time, he will use your contracts in his presentation. WHAT? Free legal help? Only at BRIC!

April 29, 2010

INSURANCE PROFESSIONAL: who knows what the state of health insurance in American will be by April?  For the small business owner / self-employed, this has always been a critical and complicated topic. BRIC will feature one of the most knowledgeable and respected agents in Billings Pat DiFronzo of DiFronzo Insurance to discuss our options including Insure Montana and catastrophic only plans -vs- benefit rich plans. Hey, where does worker’s comp fit in with all of this (does it?) What should we do to be covered? Find out at this meeting.

March 25, 2010

DON’T PAY UNCLE SAM AN EXTRA PENNY!  Big Sky REIA has invited popular tax professional Jeanne Stecher of Accounting and Tax by Stecher, to get us ready to file 2009 taxes. What laws have changed? What’s coming up? and What are some of the ways real estate investing professionals can save money? Did you know about the 25% deduction from the first $4000 spent on a rehab? Find out of this applies to you.  Jeanne will have you laughing all the way to the bank… after she answers these questions and any others you bring to the meeting!

February 25, 2010

SECONDARY MARKET & COMMERCIAL BANKING FOR INVESTORS -So much has changed and is changing … keep yourself in loop.

NATE ROYER     652-1648                                TY ELKIN
Ty will talking about commercial lending and Nate will be presenting secondary market information … including how to read a rate sheet to know exactly how credit scores and LTV’s affect your rate. Plus we will look at how the decision to roll points into your loan or pay them up front can affect your bottom line on a long-term hold. BRIC asked these lenders to give us a very detailed report on where investors can find money, where rates and requirement guidelines stand and the state of the banking industry currently as well as the forecasts for 2010. Have you heard they’ve changed the secondary requirement back from 4 to 10 spots? Have you heard the feds won’t be buying mortgage-backed securities as of March 10th? Come to this meeting, separate fact from fiction, and learn how it affects you as an investor!

January 28, 2010

ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLLEGE BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS PROFESSOR. Scott Severance, one of the most popular and beloved professors at RMC, a real estate investor himself, and an accomplished speaker and writer is coming to help BRIC members get ready for 2010. January is a great time to get focused on setting goals for the upcoming year both for your business and yourself. Attendees of this meeting will leave inspired to charge forward with sound information regarding the state of the economy and an individualized plan of action for the new year.

ABOUT SCOTT:

• Spent sixteen years as a head basketball coach at the college and high school levels.
• Has run three successful small businesses to date.
• Played professional basketball overseas, and has traveled and played in 28 countries around the world.
• Is a member of the RMC Athletic Hall of Fame.
• Is an artist and continues to find ways to market his work.
• Does consulting for small business owners.
• Sam Walton Fellow, Montana Coaches Association
• Does several speaking engagements each year.

February 25, 2010

LOCAL BANKER – BRIC will host a local banker in February to give us a very detailed report on where investors can find money, where rates and requirement guidelines stand and the state of the banking industry currently as well as the forecasts for 2010. Have you heard they’ve changed the secondary requirement back from 4 to 10 spots? Come to this meeting and find out of the rumor is true!

*December 30, 2009 (WEDNESDAY!)

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING TRAINING: Wes Krivonen, a very well-respected local structural engineer and all-around good guy, of Krivonen Associates will teach us how to be more sophisticated buyers of property in Billings and the surrounding areas. He will show us what to look for, what to avoid, and other important information along with the usual disclaimers because in an hour or so, really, he can’t do it all!

*November 25, 2009 HOWARD SUMNER!

HOWARD SUMNER’S MARKET RECAP: This is BRIC’s most popular meeting. Howard will be back for 5th Annual Market Update to share with us the statistics of what has happened in both real estate sales and rentals. His reports are jam-packed with useful information and he wraps up with his prediction for the following year. So far, Howard has yet to lead us astray. This meeting is always packed. Come early!

October 29, 2009

MARKETING FOR REAL ESTATE INVESTORS! One of the top marketing executives in Billings, Doug McIsaac has agreed to teach us the basics of using social networking to identify, target and reach your buyer/seller. Doug is the owner/principle of socialmontana.com and CEO of socialtraffic.biz.  Everyone’s twittering, facebooking and now BRIC will help you understand how you can use these tools to increase your sphere of influence or at least understand the buzz. Did you know the MONTHLY growth of Twitter is over 132%? Or that Facebook has over 300 million users and is growing 8% a month? Wow – this is big!

ABOUT DOUG MCISAAC:  Doug is currently the CEO of Social Traffic Inc, the training and certification arm for Simon U Ford, the author of the wildly successful eBook Social Traffic. Social Traffic’s first public courses will launch in October 2009. Social Traffic has proven itself to be on the leading edge of Social Media training through several years and thousands of hours of on the ground testing to find out what truly works to drive traffic and build your business.

With almost 20 years of business ownership and management experience, Doug is an entrepreneur at heart and enjoys helping other business owners grow their businesses. Doug has been utilizing online tools to build businesses since 1997 when he built RMTG, Billings, Mt based software company from a $6,000 investment into a 30 employee company that delivered ARx the pharmacy management system used in all of the Albertsons pharmacies in the nation.

September 24, 2009

APPRAISAL PROFESSIONALS. Leonard and Kathy Dailey, highly reputable and experienced appraisers who own and operate EI Appraisals and who also teach appraisal basics to realtors, are presenting the shocking/strict changes that have come down since the credit crisis. They were recently in a very important meeting with Senator Tester where 22 real estate professionals in Montana shared with him the negative impact of recent legislation. The Daly’s will share with us the information we need to be in the know.

HEATING AND COOLING COMPANY OWNER: Pat Harmon of Midwest Heating and Cooling will speak to BRIC about the new law affecting investors. Did you know owners of all income properties with fossil fuel burning heat sources must have carbon monoxide detectors installed by October 1, 2009 in the State of Montana? Pat is going to teach us the difference between the models of CO2 detectors as well as where and where not to install them in order to have the best protection without alarming false readings.

May 30, 2009

Seller Financing From BANKS: The Million Dollar REO and Foreclosure Technique

Speaker: MIKE WATSON

Mike taught us how to work with banks to liquidate their REO portfolios and lend you 100% of the money you need to do this. This technique is really cool. Talk to a BRIC member who attended the meeting to get more information. This was a good one.

April 30, 2009

Speaker: Bob Gephart, Life Success Coach

Topic: The Science of Achieving Your Goals and … Getting Rich

Right now, you’re standing on the brink of your possibility. It’s time to seek out your destiny. It’s time to see and achieve one goal after another with a clear-headed and confident stride … no matter how big you might think that goal to be.

Bob Gephart is a member of Bob Proctor’s International Teaching Team. Built around the ancient text that spawned the movie, “The Secret,” Master Secret Teachers Bob Proctor and Jack Canfield’s Science of Getting Rich is the world’s only comprehensive method ever known to EXACTLY and IMMEDIATELY begin creating real wealth and abundance for every person who follows its simple direction.

March 26, 2009

Thursday, 6:00 p.m. doors open

TOPIC: Stimulus Bill Items Affecting RE Investors + Updated Mortgage Programs & Terms

SPEAKER:  Mike Hennessey & Kara Cotter, Countrywide Home Loans

BIO: Mike R. Hennessy
Housing Authority of Billings 1983 – 1991 Section 8 Rental Assistance Administrator
Intermountain Mortgage 1991 – 1996 – Mortgage Originator
Mann Mortgage 1996 – 2005 – Branch Manager
First Citizens Bank 2005 – 2006 – Mortgage Loan Officer
The Hennessy Group 2006-2009 – Owner Operator Mortgage Broker & Built Three Houses
Countrywide Home Loans – Current – Home Loan Consultant/Sales Manager

BIO: Kara Cotter
Countrywide Homeloans – 2006-2009
Kara grew up in a Realtor home and worked in a Real Estate office for 2 years. She served agents with marketing requests under her own freelance company. Kara has a Bachelors degree from the University of Colorado in Business and Marketing and joined Countrywide in September of 2006. Though she has worked closely in real estate Kara found her passion to be financing. She specializes in residential financing and working with first-time homebuyers.

Mike & Kara will talk first about which aspects of the “Jobs Bill – aka Stimulus Bill” will directly impact either a purchase or exit strategy for RE buyers & seller. They will also cover how the retraction of the “Creative” products used liberally over the last 5 – 7 years has returned the markets to the conventional & governmental products which previously dominated the industry (FHA, VA, Rural Development). They will also address the reality that we as investors will find more restrictions in lending and plan to bring ideas for getting deals done.

February 26, 2009

TOPIC: Investing in Commercial Real Estate

SPEAKER: Matt Robertson, Coldwell Banker Commercial Real Estate Agent

Matt Robertson of Billings, MT has been in the Real Estate market for the past 6 years and is currently specializing in Commercial Real Estate. Matt graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Business Administration (option in finance). He was 1 of 4 American’s to be chosen to participate in a 3-month global leadership conference held at Lehigh University. Prior to his real estate experience Matt was a portfolio analyst for American Express. As an analyst Matt worked with local investors and planners to help evaluate investment opportunities and manage investment portfolio risk. Once in real estate Matt began specializing in foreclosure and multi-family properties, and closed nearly 2 million dollars worth of real estate in his first year. Matt is an active member in the Rotary Club of Billings, a supporter of the Downtown Billings Association, Billings Chamber of Commerce, and the Big Sky Economic Development Authority.

January 29th, 2009

TOPIC:  Tax changes for 2009

SPEAKER: Jeanne Stecher

Jeanne Stecher graduate from Havre Central High School and has a BA from Kinman
Business University of Spokane, Washington. Her love of taxes drew her from a General
Motors Accountant position at Evans Engine Spokane, Washington to pursue a
profession in the Income Tax Industry. She has 40 years in the tax industry. In 1984 she
earned her “Enrolled Agent” status and was licensed by the U S Treasury to practice.
This required her to pass a four part exam on all areas of taxation. It is administered
annually in Helena by the Internal Revenue Service. It also requires that continuing
income tax education be annual for the renewal of her license. The Accreditation Council
for Accountancy & Taxation, Inc (ACAT) has designated her as an Accredited Tax
Preparer and Tax Advisor in 1996.

She is also a member of the National Association of Enrolled Agents, National Society of
Accountants, Montana Society of Public Accountants, American Society of Woman
Accountants, National Society of Tax Professionals and ACAT.

Jeanne has owned her own Accounting & Tax by Stecher EA practice for the past twentyone
years and currently employees five full time employees and four employees part
time. They are located at 807 Grand Ave, Billings, Mt.

November 20th, 2008

TOPIC: Where Investor Financing Stands in the Wake of the Credit Crises

SPEAKER PANEL:

Commercial Banker: Wayne Nelson, President Heights Branch of Stockman Bank
Credit Union: Kip Post, Avanta Federal Credit Union
Mortgage Broker: Tavell Peete & Ramani Arnett, Division Mortgage Group

Each speaker gave a brief overview of the credit crisis from the prespective of their particular industry.  A lively discussion and round of Q&A’s followed.

October 30, 2008

TOPIC: Yearly Market Report

SPEAKER: Howard Sumner

4th Annual – Billings Market Year-End Wrap up with Howard Sumner. Howard has published dozens of newspaper articles, and compiled one of the area’s largest real estate statistical databases. His knowledge and many years of experience have earned him a reputation as one of Billings’ most reliable real estate experts. Howard’s peers have honored him with awards for real estate excellence including Billings’ Realtor of the Year in 1995, and Salesperson of the Year in 2003.

September 25, 2008

TOPIC: 1031 Tax-Deferred Exchange from A-Z

SPEAKER: Ted Lovec, President of American Title Company and American Exchange Corp

From AM Exchange’s Website … In a typical transaction, the property owner is taxed on any gain realized from the sale. However, through a Section 1031 Exchange, the tax on the gain is deferred until some future date.

Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code provides that no gain or loss shall be recognized on the exchange of property held for productive use in a trade or business, or for investment. A tax-deferred exchange is a method by which a property owner trades one or more relinquished properties for one or more replacement properties of “like-kind”, while deferring the payment of federal income taxes and some state taxes on the transaction.

Ted was recently voted Title Person of the Year for 2008. A well-known expert in the field of 1031, he was our natural choice for bringing this topic to BRIC. Ted will be teaching us not only about the different reasons an investor would utilize a 1031 exchange but the different types (do you know how to complete a reverse 1031?). We will also learn about Accommodators & Qualified Intermediaries and basically how to use this powerful strategy when reorganizing, selling, or otherwise making changes to your portfolio.

May 29, 2008

TOPIC: TOPIC: Proven Strategies and the Basics of Investing in Commercial Real Estate

SPEAKER: Matt Robertson, Coldwell Banker Commercial Real Estate Agent

This meeting will pack a 1-2 punch. First we’ll learn how actual investors in Billings have created real wealth through specific strategies. Additionally, Matt will teach us the basics of investing in commercial real estate. Young and technologically savvy, Matt is known around the Billings commercial market as being a real go-getter! He started out as a residential realtor and transferred to commercial after seeing what an amazing opportunity there is to build real wealth through this type of investing. There are only a handful of agents with expertise in commercial real estate in Billings and there is no MLS! Matt’s talk will be a real eye opener to those of us who have been curious about investing in commercial real estate but need to know where to start and what to look for.

About Matt:

Matt Robertson of Billings, MT has been in the Real Estate market for the past 6 years and is currently specializing in Commercial Real Estate. Matt graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Business Administration (option in finance). He was 1 of 4 American’s to be chosen to participate in a 3-month global leadership conference held at Lehigh University. Prior to his real estate experience Matt was a portfolio analyst for American Express. As an analyst Matt worked with local investors and planners to help evaluate investment opportunities and manage investment portfolio risk. Once in real estate Matt began specializing in foreclosure and multi-family properties, and closed nearly 2 million dollars worth of real estate in his first year. Matt is an active member in the Rotary Club of Billings, a supporter of the Downtown Billings Association, Billings Chamber of Commerce, and the Big Sky Economic Development Authority.

April 24, 2008

TOPIC: All Aspects of Insurance for the RE Investor: Including Residential & Commercial Property + Business and Personal Liability

Speaker: Streeter Bros Panel – Linda Schmaing and Shaunna Kemm

March 27, 2008

TOPIC: Answers to questions presented by BRIC Members

Dave Wass, Appraiser & Appraisal Instructor
AQB Certified USPAP Instructor

David’s presentation was excellent. Members walked away understanding the role of an appraiser and the methods they use to estimate value. Dave also gave us some minor insight into what is and isn’t flipping. Buying a house, improving it and reselling it for a profit does not fit the definition of “flipping” in fraud terms. This supports the notion that the best terms to describe this practice include “rehabber” and “quick turn.”
Sometimes referred to in Billings as “The Appraisal God,” David has 29 years experience including authoring/preparation of forms & narrative reports and 20 years of specific appraisal experience specializing in narrative reporting, commercial, industrial & investment property analysis. He has served as Expert Witness at all court levels. Mr. Wass is the original founder/partner in Appraisers Canada, a multi-faceted Ontario, Canada based appraisal corporation specializing in all types of appraisal assignments and is co-founder, president & CEO of Appraisers International Inc., a multi-faceted Montana, USA based corporation specializing in all types of appraisal assignments. BRIC is very excited to bring David Wass to our membership – he is the go-to guy for appraisals in many parts of the country. We are honored to have him.

February 28, 2008

TOPIC: FINANCING: In-house (Portfolio) and Secondary Market Financing in Billings

Speaker: Panel: Wayne Nelson, Presdient Stockman Bank Heights Branch and Tami Pisk – Secondary Market Mortgage Department Director.

Wayne and Tami are going to bring the goods. Consider it a continuation of AJ’s talk about the “right answers” to use when getting a deal funded. Wayne will talk about the commercial side of portfolio lending and Tami will talk about how and when you can use secondary market lending to accomplish your financing needs.

January 31st 2008

TOPIC: Former Banker Reveals Financing Secrets!

Speaker: AJ Stutz – Full-Time Real Estate Investor

AJ, a BRIC member and full-time investor for over eight years shared his knowledge as a former banker with US Bank. He gave us formulas for calculating the profitability of a deal (not just cap rate – but also formulas that take financing into consideration). He gave us the banker’s view of a financing request so we can better package ourselves to get deals funded. Did you know owning beneficial interest in your parents’ or grandparents’ estate can be listed on your balance sheet as an asset?

December 2007 – Pam Robbins, A.D. – Strictly Business Interior Design

TOPIC: Preparing a Property For Sale – Staging for quick and profitable sales.

Pam Robbins is an interior designer with over 25 years of experience. She earned her Associates Degree in Interior Design from Southwestern University in Southern California and has spent the last 10 years working in property sale preparation. Pam shared the tips and tricks designers use to make a room seem bigger, to draw the eye to an architectural focal point, to make a flaw recede into the background, to have your potential buyer walk in and say, “Wow!” She covered the upgrades you should consider as well as those to avoid for the quickest turnaround with the least expenditure. Her talk was very informative and several BRIC members asked if we can book her again next year.

November 2007

3rd Annual – Billings Market Year-End Wrap up with Howard Sumner. Howard predicted the rental market will be even stronger in 2008. The gap between the cost to own the average house and rent the average house is over $400 which will send lots more qualified renters into the market. The “slow down” in real estate does not appear to be hitting Billings in light of our steady population growth and national companies (e.g. GE, Cabela’s, Macy’s) bringing good paying jobs to our community. We have a continued need for more work force housing, affordable rentals, and it’s a great time to be a landlord in Billings.

Howard has taken over 60 real estate education courses, published dozens of newspaper articles, and compiled one of the area’s largest real estate statistical databases.His knowledge and many years of experience have earned him a reputation as one of Billings’ most reliable real estate experts. Howard’s peers have honored him with awards for real estate excellence including Billings’ Realtor of the Year in 1995, and Salesperson of the Year in 2003.

Wyeth Friday.JPG

October 2007 – Wyeth Friday, AICP, Planning Division Manager

City of Billings Planning and Community Services Department

Wyeth Friday is the Planning Division Manager for the City of Billings Planning and Community Services Department. The Planning Division provides planning services to the City of Billings and most of Yellowstone County. He has worked for the Planning Division for four years. During his tenure, he has received his certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners, and took on the role of planning liaison to the Board of County Commissioners and County staff on planning projects in the County.

Wyeth grew up in Hamden, Connecticut, and worked as a journalist for six years in Virginia, Connecticut and Wyoming. He spent three years working for The Sheridan Press in Sheridan, Wyoming, covering planning issues. The work in Sheridan sparked his interest in planning and he completed a Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.

Growth management and good planning are vital to the future of the Billings Community, according to Wyeth. He says he leads an excellent Planning Division staff in helping shape the Community’s future.

September 2007 – Lauri Lauri Waddell – President Dew Services LLC

BRIC was excited to be able to present Lauri Waddell in September. Lauri Waddell is a motivational speaker, an expert in short sale packaging, a 50 state certified investment mortgage broker, and an award-winning mentor. Lauri is an expert is short sales and foreclosures will be presenting a short sale package for those of you who work with loss mitigation departments. She wil also show us her financing packages that work in Montana and are specifically created for investors. This meeting has the potential to send you to the big time.

Speaker: May 31, 2007 – Andrew T. Billstein, Attorney with Brekke Hoskins, PLLC.

Topic: Business Entity Primer – The functions and differences between an LLC, LP, C Corp, S Corp, etc… including the potential positives and negatives of owning real estate in these entities as an investor/landlord in Montana. There will be an extended question and answer session at the end of his primer. Bring your questions!

Andrew was born and raised in Billings, Montana. He attended Hillsdale College in Michigan and graduated in 2000 with a BA in Political Economy. He then attended the University of Montana School of Law and graduated with a Juris Doctorate in 2003. Andrew has been an associate with Brekke & Hoskins PLLC since 2003. Andrew is a member of the State Bar of Montana and the Yellowstone Area Bar Association. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Eastern Montana Association of Affordable Housing. Andrew specializes in estate planning, business planning and real estate law. One of Andrew’s specialties is in tax-exempt entities including residential and commercial development associations such as homeowner’s associations. Andrew’s e-mail address is ABillstein@BrekkeHoskinsLaw.com

April 2007

Tyler R. Elkin ty_elkin.jpg

Ty is a Senior Vice President at Yellowstone Bank in Billings. A flexible and knowledgable commercial banker, Ty is responsible for business, commercial and real estate lending at the West End YB Branch. He works with many investors and developers and will be discussing Yellowstone Bank’s “in-house” real estate loan structure – specifically down payment requirements, the ability to leverage other assets, flexibility in payment terms, appraisal requirements, etc… Many seasoned investors use “in house” loans to remain flexible and competitive. See you in April!

March 29, 2007 – Rica Dombrovski – First Montana Title

Rica.bmp

Phone (406) 869-9667 Fax (406) 294-1985

Your title company is an important member of your team. Rica will be talking about the real estate process from the title standpoint. She will be presenting a new product she is working on specifically for investors — the foreclosure report –. It’s free and may be very beneficial to BRIC members who work in foreclosure, preforeclosure & short sales. Rica may bring another title officer with her. ATTN BRIC members: Feel free to bring your questions!

February 22nd, 2007

Matt & Brigid Wagner
Owners/Operators
BillingsbyOwner.com
1302 24th Street West, #252
Billings, MT 59102-3861
(406) 671-4845

BillingsByOwner.com is a locally owned and operated web service that provides excellent and affordable web advertising for people who are selling real estate on their own. Several BRIC members have successfully used BillingsbyOwner.com’s service. Matt and Brigid presented their “For Sale By Owner” product to BRIC members and showed us how to use it (for those of us who struggle with computers!) They are not real estate agents. Their product is similar to the MLS but the listings are all from FSBO sellers. When a deal is tight – BillingsbyOwner can provide a viable exit strategy for investors. BRIC was pleased to feature BillingsByOwner.com in February. The members who attended gave Matt & Brigid high marks.

January 25, 2007 – Jim Adamek (E-focus & Free Rental Finder)

Jim works with his wife, Cari, in their web development business which was founded in 2001. Their passion is to provide relevant website designs for small business. In the printing business for many years, they have experience working for small businesses including one owned by Cari’s father. Their expertise was in typesetting and desktop publishing. They wore many hats in this business – their duties included customer service, database programming, inventory control, accounting, shipping and receiving, quality control, employee problems (er! “relations”), etc. They know firsthand the challenges that small business owners face.

They started e-focus with a dedication to helping small businesses take advantage of the many resources that the internet provides … truly putting the internet to work for you. They found early on that their customers wanted some degree of control over the content in their website. This might be in a photo gallery, shopping cart, or real estate listings. In recent years they’ve focused their attention on the rental market. They started Free Rental Finder in the summer of 2005 and have developed websites for 4 property managers in town. Their listings are fed from www.freerentalfinder.com to their own website.

Jim and Cari have learned a lot from listening to their clients and coming up with effective ways to meet their needs. You can see the property management websites they have produced at:

www.billingsrpm.com
www.profmgt.com
www.billingsarearentals.com
www.hdamanagement.com

You can view their full portfolio www.e-focus.ws

This month Jim will show you ways to utilize Free Rental Finder in your real estate investment business:
1. Market Pricing Analysis – assess rental income for various parts of Billings
2. Rental Analysis – overview of your available rentals
3. Introduce the category, “Lease with Option to Buy”

Back by popular demand!

December 28th – Thursday 6:30

Jim Pearson, CMH dad.jpg

As a Certified Mechanical Hygienist, Mr. Pearson is a specialist in Indoor Air Quality issues such as mold remediation and chemical sensitivities. Jim is a frequent presenter at national technical seminars and a speaker at international industry conventions. He is a Montana Board of Realty Regulation certified instructor on environmental issues and is ASCR’s representative to the primary committee drafting S-520 the international mold remediation standard. Jim has also been instrumental in providing technical knowledge regarding state standards for clandestine meth lab remediation.

Jim will be speaking to investors about how to spot and remediate toxic mold as well as how to recognize the signs of a clandestine meth lab. The scariest ones for investors are the properties where labs have existed but the lab was never busted by the authorities. If the property is not on the “watch” list, how do you as a potential investor protector yourself?

November 30th – Thursday 6:30

Thomas Kish

Real estate guru, Thomas Kish, is an expert in using new business lines of credit to make big money in real estate. A sought after speaker and mentor, Tom teaches people from all walks of life how to duplicate his profitable real estate system. Experience the power of his system firsthand by attending the November BRIC meeting as we teleconference with this well-know name in the world of creative real estate financing. Don’t be late, the online conference call begins at 6:45 p.m.

October 26 (6:30) – Howard Sumner – Billings Real Estate Expert.

Topic: Review of Billings Market Trends Heading into Fall.

Since 1982, Howard has been one of the most knowledgable agents in Billings. He has taken over 60 real estate education courses, published dozens of newspaper articles, and compiled one of the area”s largest real estate statistical databases.
Howard”s knowledge and many years of experience have earned him a reputation as one of Montana”s most reliable real estate experts. He is a “go to” guy for many real estate organizations that need or want good numbers about what’s happening in Billings’ real estate market.

September 28, 2006 – Great Meeting!!!

Thank you to member, Linda Schicktanz for setting up the following speaker:

Ron Moore, manager of the Tax Increment Finance District (TIFD) will speak to our group. He may bring someone from CTA along.

FROM THE TIFD WEBSITE http://www.billingstifd.com/index.cfm

The intent of TIFD use is essentially to be a vehicle for economic growth.
Public attendance is welcomed and encouraged at all/any TIFD Meetings.

The Big Sky Economic Development Authority, partnered with the City of Billings, the Downtown Billings Partnership and Celebrate Billings, is moving forward with implementing a Tax Increment Finance District (TIFD).

A unique approach will be used in the process, one in which the ‘design and writing pen will be given to the public.’

With the mandates of public participation, constituency and ownership, Moore Engineering and CTA Architects Engineers have been charged with the tasks of guiding the public at large and its stakeholders through a four-step process. These steps are defined by requirements set forth in the Montana Constitution and initial tasking with a Steering Committee formed specifically for the project.

TIFD Four-Step Process

1. Define the Geographic Boundaries of the TIFD
2. Identify and Document Areas of Blight in the Formed District
3. Formulate an Urban Renewal Plan
4. Legally Adopt the TIFD and Urban Renewal Plan

(June, July, August – Summer Hiatus)

May 2006 – Networking Meeting

BRIC Meeting April 27th, 2006 Speaker:

Marlene Walter mwalter.jpg
Sales Associate
Office Phone: (406) 896-2235
Email: marlene@remax-billings.com

Topic: How Investors Can Work Effectively with Realtors.

Have you ever wondered why some investors seem to work well with Realtors and others can’t get the time of day? What’s the difference in approach?

Marlene has been a Realtor in Billings for 14 years. She has worked extensively with real estate investors and will share her observations and experience. The investor’s questions, investing parameters, and behavior are an important part of this vital relationship. The gurus consider Realtors a necessary part of your “power team,” yet many investors need to fine tune their approach to working with Realtors. Learn about what Realtors need and expect from you as well as the benefits of adding an experienced Realtor to your team.

March 30th, 2006

Speaker: Steve Tucker, American Mortgage

Topic: Financing for Investors

Steven Tucker joined the American Mortgage team in November of 2001 and manages the Billings branch office. A Montana native and outdoors enthusiast, Steve was raised in Missoula and graduated from the University of Montana in 1993. Steve has been a Billings resident since 1996 and enjoys living in the Magic City along with his wife Lynn, daughter Madison, and new son, Jaxon. With a double major in Finance and Computer Science, a residential construction background, land and multiple investment properties in the area, Steve’s expertise in investor financing will make him a real asset to BRIC members. He is a preferred lender in the Billings real estate market of many real estate agents and investors.

February 23rd 2006:Speaker: Roundtable Discussion

Subject: Sizing up a Deal – How to Run a Deal through its paces, doing due diligence, creating a checklist of things to do, prices to check, people to talk to, and make that final decision

The members examined a real deal for a BRIC member and made suggestions about possible exit strategies. Several “due diligence” issues were raised. Two investors presented current properties.

January 26th, 2006 Subject: Tax Considerations for RE Investors

Speaker: Renee Simmons, CPA

Renee talked to BRIC about the notion of “Dealer Status” and the tax ramifications of being labeled a dealer by the IRS. Renee also touched on self-directed IRAs, and self-employment tax for real estate investors.

December Meeting – postponed to January for Holiday observances.

November Meeting (Dec 1)

Speaker: Howard Sumner, Sumner Real Estate http://www.realestatemontana.com/

Howard Sumner has taken over 40 real estate education courses, published dozens of newspaper articles, and compiled one of the area’s largest real estate databases. Howard’s knowledge and many years of experience have earned him an excellent reputation in Billings. Chosen as Billing’s Realtor of the Year in 1995, and Salesperson of the Year in 2003, BRIC is pleased to feature Howard as our November speaker.

Topic: Sales Market Trends in Billings (by neighborhood pocket)

Howard will be presenting the sales statistics of the recent Billings market and giving his analysis of where the hot & cool spots in the market are developing. He will be accepting questions and answers from investors. Don’t miss it!

October 27, 2005

Speakers: Laura Odeggard, Prudential Floberg & Chris Ackerman, Wells Fargo Bank

MSU-B in partnership with Prudential Floberg Realtors presented a one hour workshop about house flipping. Chris compared typical owner-occupied residential financing with the new short term invetsment loan products (including interest-only lines-of-credit and short term ARM products) that have accompanied the rise in house flipping among investors. Highlighted were the differences between closing fees, rates and risk aversion as it applies to variable rates. Laura presented the pit-falls and potential challenges when picking the property and also what improvements are the “biggest bang for your buck.”

September 29, 2005

Speaker: Jim Pearson, CMH, Member of Board of Directors (ASCR), published writer and national speaker on the topic of indoor air quality and the liability involved with improperly remediating contaminated property.

Topic: How to turn houses contaminated with asbestos, meth, & mold into Gold!

Jim gave an informative talk about what to look for when buying a suspected “mold” or “meth” house, how to properly remediate, liability issues, and gave excellent handouts.