The Top Three Best Real Estate Investments…

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I ran into a good friend, Jason Gilbert, co-founder of Creative Real Estate Workshops last week when I was flying out of LAX International Airport.

After catching up about our families and personal lives, and the landing gear retracted into the fuselage, we didn't waste any time talking about our latest ventures.

I mentioned that I was busy with some online ventures, and had just landed two large contracts with some clients where I was improving their SEO and internet marketing. He said he had just returned from a cruise where he was speaking about how to buy commercial land using none of your own money.

I casually told Jason that I was actually looking to purchase some apartment buildings in the next couple of months and if he knew of any good brokers that could assist me.

Without hesitation, he said, "Mark, I have to talk you out of buying apartment buildings. I've seen it happen too many times. I'm not saying that apartments are bad investments, but there are better ones. See, the real estate investor who is comfortable with single family units or  quadplexes, gradually evolves into apartment buildings. Its within their comfort zones but there are better real estate investments."

Now, before I share the keys to Real Estate Investing, I have to tell you a little about Jason Gilbert. Jason served 10 years as a US Marine Corps Officer. Since leaving the USMC,  Jason has been involved in real estate ever since. He has sold or transacted over $50 million dollars in real estate since 2005 and his largest single deal was a $20 million renovation of five 3-story buildings in San Diego. He operates four real estate companies and in his spare time he patents inventions.

Jason is smart.

He knows real estate.

When Jason speaks about real estate or real estate development, you better listen.

The Top Three Commercial Real Estate Investments a la Jason Gilbert.

The magic of all of these real estate investments is that they are recession-proof, meaning they'll get be great investments if the US economy slows or stalls.

1. Buy Mobile Home Parks

Advantages:

Mobile Homes require minimum maintenance and management
Huge Cash Flow
Opportunity for creating additional profit centers.

Most of mobile home parks range from 10 to 20 acres - some are even as large as 50 acres.

Land becomes valuable that eventually replaced by retail, residential, or commercial real estate. Mobile home parks are creating huge amount of cash flow because you are renting the dirt that the mobile homes sit on -  which makes it a very attractive investment.

By leasing the land to residents, there is very little maintenance required. You will need to ensure that the electrical, gas, water and sewer are in good condition, but from the point of connection into their homes, the owners are responsible for all maintenance expenses. The expenses incurred by the mobile home park owner are minimal, (compared to apartments or single family homes)

Other Benefits:

Most residents stay for a very long time.

Creating many profit centers, like selling new units to tenants on a lease option (or sold on a note). So you are not only leasing the land, but you are selling the mobile home on terms as well.
 

2.  Invest in Self-Storage Units

There are Three "Generation" Types of Self Storage Units.

1st Generation: As Defined, usually developed in the 1960s and 1970s.

2nd Generation: Typical row buildings, some multi-story facilities and conversion to older buildings.

3rd Generation:  Excellent Lighting, air conditioned units and aesthetics.

Invest in 2nd Generation. They offer the biggest bang for the buck. Look for units with high occupancy.

Self Storage Park Advantages

Low Maintenance

No Tenant Headaches
Large Demand in Boom or Bust Cycles. People will utilize storage when they downsize in a real estate bust. People will utilize self-storage when they are upgrading to bigger homes.
Cash Flow

3.  Invest in Self-Assisted Living complexes.

Baby Boomers Drive this market.

Advantages.

Cash Flow
Large Demand
Little Maintenance
Looking at Jason's recommendations, you'll see one thing in common. Very low maintenance and management and very high cash flow.

This is my type of investments.  High Cash Flow and Low Maintenance. Sounds a lot  like the internet.