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I Need Your Advise! I've been dealt a terrible blow.

by Adam Kenzington
9 replies
OK guys, I need some help (information & opinions). THIS IS NOT A PLEA FOR MONEY! I just need your opinion on a project I am thinking about doing as a WSO.

Background:

Christmas Eve I received the call. I had the rug pulled out from under my world. Things have been pretty bad, of late. I am a Real Estate Appraiser, and with the market the way it is, my income for 2008 is only 1/3 of what it was 2 years ago. I also am a recent victim of Identity Theft. All of my money gone (my last $4,200. It may not seem like much, but it was what I was supplementing my income/helping pay my bills with.)

December 24th I get a call from my main appraisal client telling me that as of January 1, 2009 they would be going out of business. I didn't see it coming. But, I am not as bummed about it as you might think. I've been a Real Estate Appraiser for 12 years, and I was really getting tired of all the work involved for the little pay I was receiving. (most of the lenders had made us cut our prices by $100 per appraisal, if we still wanted to receive work). The upside is, now, I can focus on my IM activities.

So, here's what I'd like to know from you. I am looking to fill the gap in my income situation (self-employed, independant contractor - so no Unemployment Compensation). I am thinking I will market my services doing the dirtiest, most dreaded tasks that you hate to do yourself.

I am thinking about doing a WSO where I will do "Niche Research" for you.

I am thinking of picking a theme and including 10 niches with the 500 top ranked keyword phrases for each niche. Included would also be the number of searches, number of competitors, PPC Cost, etc... (Let me know of anything else you think should be included. I'm brain-storming, here).

Example:
Theme - Health/disease
Niches - Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Disease, etc...
Sub-niches - Alternative cures, treatment regimens, etc...

Theme - Collectibles
Niches - Toys, Teddy Bears, Dolls, etc...
Sub-niches - Hot wheel cars, Beanie Babies, Madam Alexander Dolls, etc...

So, my questions are:
What would you be willing to pay for such information?

How many of each grouping of 10 Niche/Keyword packages would you make available?
(The fewer sold, the more valuable would be the package...But the more exclusive the number of packages sold, the more I would need to charge.)

Would you make the offer for 50 units sold? 30? 20? How many?

What would you pay if the offer was to do the research on the niches YOU wanted done, on a exclusive arrangement? (you, and you alone would get the information. It would not be sold to others).

Any suggestions would be deeply appriciated!

I'm under the gun. I need to take action now. The job of an appraiser is mostly research. I am thorough. I have the technology (several of the paid programs), I have the know-how. (I'm sounding like the 6 Million Dollar Man, here... "We can re-build him!" ) I just need your input on what exactly you would want to see offered in this package, and how much you would pay for it.

Do you think the exclusive research is the way to go, or would you offer a limited number of the same package?

Finally, (without giving up your niches), is there a certain theme you would suggest I concentrate on for my first offering?

Funny, as I have been writing this, I am leaning more towards the exclusive packages. Or, maybe some of both.

Well, any suggestions you can offer will be definately appriciated.

Thanks again,

Adam
#advise #blow #dealt #terrible
  • Profile picture of the author winebuddy
    I, too, am in real estate - a broker an owner for 22 years.

    I took one of my hobbies and figured out how to sell the info online. I make $37 per sale an sometimes it's over $200/day.

    Got any hobbies or interensts?

    maybe you can turn them into cash...
    Signature
    "Knowledge is NOT power... ACTION on Knowledge is power"
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  • Profile picture of the author Kristi Lane
    Bev Clement recently posted Amazon's list of most common New Year's resolutions . I'd suggest focusing on niches related to those topics.

    I don't pay much attention to how many packages are offered. I'm painfully aware of how few products I actually use and know I'm not alone.

    I'd also suggest you look at the viability of a "real estate appraiser exposes all" type ebook leveraging your expertise in helping people to sell their homes for top dollar in this market.

    Kristi
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  • Profile picture of the author kevinw1
    Lots of people *like* doing niche research. In fact that's one of the things which would be last on my list to outsource. Not sure how others feel but if they feel the same way that would affect your market.

    At least one other service like this exists, called Keyword Junkies, there may be others. So obviously there is a demand.

    Kevin
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    • Profile picture of the author ss442
      Here's a thought,

      Write an Ebook about how to increase market value of a property.

      Soup to nuts. You have an "insiders view" on valuating property and what specifically influences your decisions. Good and bad.

      Good like prepare curb appeal, lose the family pictures, paint, clean up the clutter, buy a home appliance insurance plan, etc.

      Bad like no notes that say "Don't let the cat out", watch out for dog in garage, bad floors, carpet, paint, dead landscaping etc.

      I too have a background in R-E and have sold a report on getting listings but I would think an insider report on getting more for you residential or income property sale would generate interest.

      Everyone who markets a home would like to know how to get top dollar.

      Another idea would be to market a pamphlet to provide to Realtors to give to homeowners preparing to sell their homes. A lot of Realtors are reluctant to tell homeowners their home looks like crap and some kind of information that could direct a homeowner (written by a bona-fied appraiser) might help everyone.

      Ed
      Signature

      Ed Sunderland

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  • Profile picture of the author Adam Kenzington
    Wow guys,

    That was not the response I was expecting. And no, I don't enjoy doing keyword research, but I was willing to do it to pay my bills.

    As for the Real Estate book...What do you think of this?

    I know a devious way to sell your house within 2 weeks from the time you list it (in the newspaper - you don't need a realtor to do this) to the signing of the contract of sale.

    Most of the 2 weeks is spent in getting the house ready to show. You can literally get the contract signed the same day you start showing it.

    Even in this market, you can have perspective buyers fighting over who will get the house, first. Sneaky stuff, but totally legal & ethical. It's just that most people don't think of doing this.

    I am also well versed on "Lease Options", too. If you want to have the advantage of monthly income, without the headache of being a landlord, this could be a viable solution. You get paid a monthly "rent", but you play up the fact that these people are buying the house. (Owners will typically treat the home better than renters) So, if the toilet leaks at 2:00 in the morning or the roof springs a leak, they are not calling you to fix it. They take care of it, themselves. You are basically the bank. You don't call the bank when the toilet is leaking, you hire a plumber!

    So do you think a book about how to get your house in it's best condition for sale, how to sell it yourself (FSBO), with people fighting over who gets to buy, and/or how to do a lease option would find a popular market?

    I'm not sure how much printing costs would be, but taking the first part of the book and marketing it as a pamphlet to realtors to get seller's houses in a ready to show condition may work too. (as mentioned by Ed, above)
    I think I would try to sell it first, before printing the pamphlets, to make sure I had a market.

    So, is this the advice you are giving? You think the real estate angle is the way to start?

    Let me know.

    And, Thanks,

    Adam
    Signature

    "I can" is much more important than I.Q.

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    • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
      Originally Posted by Adam Kenzington View Post

      Wow guys,

      That was not the response I was expecting. And no, I don't enjoy doing keyword research, but I was willing to do it to pay my bills.

      As for the Real Estate book...What do you think of this?

      I know a devious way to sell your house within 2 weeks from the time you list it (in the newspaper - you don't need a realtor to do this) to the signing of the contract of sale.

      Most of the 2 weeks is spent in getting the house ready to show. You can literally get the contract signed the same day you start showing it.

      Even in this market, you can have perspective buyers fighting over who will get the house, first. Sneaky stuff, but totally legal & ethical. It's just that most people don't think of doing this.

      I am also well versed on "Lease Options", too. If you want to have the advantage of monthly income, without the headache of being a landlord, this could be a viable solution. You get paid a monthly "rent", but you play up the fact that these people are buying the house. (Owners will typically treat the home better than renters) So, if the toilet leaks at 2:00 in the morning or the roof springs a leak, they are not calling you to fix it. They take care of it, themselves. You are basically the bank. You don't call the bank when the toilet is leaking, you hire a plumber!

      So do you think a book about how to get your house in it's best condition for sale, how to sell it yourself (FSBO), with people fighting over who gets to buy, and/or how to do a lease option would find a popular market?

      I'm not sure how much printing costs would be, but taking the first part of the book and marketing it as a pamphlet to realtors to get seller's houses in a ready to show condition may work too. (as mentioned by Ed, above)
      I think I would try to sell it first, before printing the pamphlets, to make sure I had a market.

      So, is this the advice you are giving? You think the real estate angle is the way to start?

      Let me know.

      And, Thanks,

      Adam

      Adam

      You are in a prime position to make big $$$$ in that market with some inside knowledge..

      3 e-books/ real print books (think eMillions style, sell on amazon)

      $37 --> $47 --> $97+

      Insider tips getting better and better going up the chain.

      Eben Pagen talks about something called speed of implementation.. whatever you are going to do....do it NOW.

      You could probably have your first book created by tomorrow

      Peace

      Jay
      Signature

      Bare Murkage.........

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  • Profile picture of the author skydivedad
    Dang
    I wanted to buy your WSO and now your not going to run the niche research service. I had an assignment ready if you were going to do the exclusive! Oh well. Best of luck with the infoproducts they sound like they could make some good money. Sorry to here about the recent loss of income but looks like you have the smarts to turn lemons into lemonaide!

    I have connections in the "Physical" book publishing industry PM me if I can help. The last thing you need is an unscrupulous Publisher or a garage full of unsold books. The world of Physical book publishing can be very challenging you really need to research that before you make a decision on who and how your going to do that. I have an excellent ebook on the subject you should probably read if you want to go down that road. Done correctly you can make excellent money, make a mistake and your worse off than you are now. Hope this Helps.
    All The Best
    Paul
    Signature

    Making Lemonaide... Skydivedad's Blog

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    • Profile picture of the author GingerColeen
      Hey Adam -

      You don't need to worry about printing costs too much. Start with digital downloads and market to the FSBO sites. You can get your book on Amazon once you have an ISBN number and all you have to do is apply for one. You can even sell and self publish or have a local printing agency spiral bind them as you send them the orders. I had a friend do this and he made out very well.

      There are even web membership sites you can join to learn how to skyrocket your book sales.

      I like your research idea as well. I'm going to start outsourcing a lot of things and I might consider this as well.
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      • Profile picture of the author Shafiq Kamal
        Adam
        I think you should publish ebook on your expertise. Do Whatever You Love or Love Whatever Skills/Expertise You Have; Money will Follow You. eBook publishing is really very low cost, easy and high profiting. Beside that the subject is your very own. You have copy writing skill too. So you can dominate it easily. And here I am always ready to help you. I'll make your ecovers and format your ebook for the best usability. So go ahead. Write down today and send the .doc file to me.
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