Modesto Investor

We provide you the information needed to make an informed decision regarding real estate investments.

 

Modesto Investor

We provide you the information needed to make an informed decision regarding real estate investments.

 

Modesto Investor

We provide you the information needed to make an informed decision regarding real estate investments.

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About Us

We are reimagining how people research, buy and sell small investment properties. Our proven systems can help you in your next purchase or sale.

Our Staff

Team Leader/Broker Associate Ron Benning (eXp Realty, CA DRE #01058898) has partnered with a knowledgeable agent in each county that we service. We have over 100 years of combined real estate experience. We seamlessly cover 26 California Counties in the Central Valley, Northern California, Southern California, and the Bay Area. We are now serving Nevada, Florida, and Ohio too!

 

Our Philosophy

No client is more important than you. We pride ourselves on providing objective advice in order for you to make the most informed real estate investments. Even if that results in advising the client not to buy or sell.

 

Our Specialties

We specialize in 1–20-unit real estate investments. With over 200 recent multifamily sales we have the expertise, experience, and resources to guide you through both the buying and the selling of investment properties.

Why Choose Us?

Over 30 years ago when Ron bought his first property, he wished he had better representation. Every bit of research he did not receive, every question that was not answered, and every doubt he had at close of escrow, drove him to develop the systematic approach used today in helping others buy with confidence.

Trusted by Hundreds

Buy with confidence knowing we have successfully helped hundreds of people buy investment properties.

Wide Range of Properties

We can help you buy a property anywhere between 1-50 units. We will carefully be listening to your needs and guide you towards the type of property you are best suited for.

Financing Made Easy

We only work with the most experienced and trustworthy lenders that we can find to ensure you are getting both the best service and the best rate and terms available.

Our Team

Ron Benning, our Team Leader, has owned and sold investment properties since 1989. Ron and his team are here to bring you all of our great systems and experience to your buying/selling process.

Testimonials

We’ve built our standing as one of the top Real Estate firms in the state by putting the needs of our clients first.

Don’t just take our word for it. Here are just a few of the recommendations we’ve gathered over the years. If you have something to say about our services, we’d love to hear from you.

Ron was the listing agent for my home in Folsom. My experience with Ron has to be the best I have ever had with a realtor and I have bought and sold several properties over the years. Ron is extremely knowledgeable, hard working, professional, great negotiator and most of all honest! He was always there whenever I had questions and took care of any and all concerns that I had. He always remains calm and in control which is really appreciated during a stressful time. He is never pushy and listens to what you have to say. He handled the scheduling of all inspections, work that needed to be done and helped with all paperwork and most of it was done online which really saves time! He also remains available to help with issues after the sale, what more could you ask for! I cannot recommend him enough and this is coming from a very picky type A personality. If you are buying or selling property - call Ron, you won't be sorry!

Ricky

I was very fortunate to work with Ron Benning when I was looking for an agent to sell my investment property. Ron went above and beyond an agent's normal responsibility and duty. He was a "step ahead" all the way through the process. I truly felt Ron had my best interest in mind and he was very trustworthy even though I had never physically met him.

Ron was always knowledgeable, responsive, and patient. He worked not only hard but also smartly, and he got me an offer higher than I expected......it was a true pleasure to work with Ron. I appreciate his honesty, integrity, guidance, and kindness a lot. Ron made the best real estate experience I have ever had. He is a true gem in his profession. If there is one agent I want to work with, it’s Ron. I look forward to working with him again in the future.

K. Jett2773 Meadowview Rd.

Ron, Thank you for taking myself and my Fiance’ on a tour of investment properties last weekend. We have been looking for a long time with several different agents around the state. The time We spent in the car with you was invaluable. We were like sponges taking in all you had to tell us about the market, the areas and buying smart! We learned more from you in 5 hours than all the other agents we have worked with in the past combined. Sincerely,

P. Loza

As a retired real estate broker, I could tell right away in talking to Ron that he was going to be the right person to sell my investment Property. It was obvious he understood the market, How to effectively market the property, and was not afraid to start a little on the high side.

When a problem popeed up at the last minute he dealt with it right away and called me once he had figured out a solution. I would not even consider talking to anyone else the next time I am in the market to buy or sell

R. Torres6050 Channing Drive

Ron Benning was a seasoned pro when selling my 4plex. A number of problems cropped up (not his fault) and he handled each one of them with professionalism and tact. I was a nervous seller and he helped me get through it with great success and confidence.

J. Ayliffe

Latest Blog Posts

We offer long-time real estate agents and brokers blogs that cover issues they can relate to.

Uncategorized

Seeing Houses while Social Distancing

Social Distancing is a Topic most of us never really thought about until recently. Many of my friends and clients are reluctant to look at houses or inestment properties during…
Uncategorized

Is the Internet Ruining your Chance of Buying a house?

Is the Internet ruining your ability to find a house? Advice for Sacramento and Roseville Real Estate Buyers By Ron Benning ABR, GRI, A-REO, CDPE "There is too much information…
Uncategorized

Doing a cross country road trip

Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language ocean. A small river named Duden flows by their place and supplies it with the…

Frequently Asked Questions

Is real estate a good investment?

This is really too broad of a question, but in general for most people of average income or above average income real estate is a good investment. With a careful analysis of your goals and the proper due diligence it can be one of the safest type of long term investments. The bigger issue is getting effective representation. Another important consideration is whether the area is growing in population and has a well diversified job base. Without both factors in place real estate might not be a good investment. It also depends on the relationship between local rents and real estate prices.

Why is Real Estate in California so expensive?

Without getting overly political, development costs are outrageously high in California due to excessive regulation, high labor costs, high worker’s comp costs, and out of control spending by local governments. Let’s say a lot costs $100,000 and the cost to build is $125 a sqft with a typical 1800 sqft home. That would come to about $225,000. Add the $100,000 land cost to the $225,000 building costs, but it doesn’t stop there. When you add the building permits (which in many local cities are running about $50,000 or more), and in some cases additional utility tie in fees, schools fees, Etc, Etc. You can quickly see why affordable housing is not practical. In the above example the house would be at least $375,000. Then there is financing costs, holding costs, Real Estate commissions, Title and Escrow fees, and transfer taxes too.

I have said for years that local governments could increase affordable housing by waiving the permits costs for a builder who would put a deed restriction for 10 years that only people with an income of 80% of the median local income or less could buy the home. This would eliminate a big peace of the development costs in the short run and limit the increase in value of the home to keep up with local wages for a reasonable time to allow for affordable housing.

Local governments like to complain about a lack of affordable housing, but in fact they are a big part of the problem.

What are your thoughts on REITs vs buying and managing real estate property yourself?

For someone who wants to be very passive or does not have a traditional down payment this can be a good option. However, I have never invested in one Myself. I like the control of owning the property myself. I have heard from many clients that have been burnt and lost their entire investment in Securitized real estate investments.

Most of the big REIT’s are fairly safe, but there are many small companies running around with securities backed investments that are pretty risky.

Unless it is a big REIT, I would be very careful about investing in any securitized real estate investments without some serious research into who you are dealing with.

What are some expenses on rental properties that people usually leave out?

These are some basic items to keep in mind:

Property management, vacancy factor, ongoing maintenance, water, sewer, garbage, property taxes, yard maintenance, The cost to get a property rent ready after a vacancy, rent up fee if using a property manager. In Multifamily properties many times there is a common hot water heater that the seller pays for. HOA if applicable.

A good broker can tell you what you are missing if you show them your proforma cash flow statement.

Where can we find a free California real estate lease renewal extension form?

Sometimes you get what you pay for and this can be a risky proposition if you use a crappy form. I am not sure if you are a renter or an owner, but it pays to use the most current form from either a state Association of Realtors or a apartment owners association. These forms will be updated regularly and reviewed by attorneys to make sure any important changes in the law have been considered and added as needed. More than likely you can find a local professional who is willing to point you in the right direction. You can help them by referring clients to them. Don’t step over a dollar to save dime or you may regret it later.

What will happen to real estate from aging baby boomers, and less pregnancies in 30 years?

We all assume that with lower birth rates the population will start to shrink. I am optimistic that this will never happen for several reasons. The first and foremost reason is that systems like Social Security need an increasing population to remain viable. If birth rates continue to go down the government will likely loosen immigration standards to keep the population curve on track.

So what will happen when all the baby boomers start to downsize? I am predicting that there will be an over supply of the McMansions in the suburbs. This will lead to smaller homes appreciating very well and larger homes not doing quite as well if family size trends continue. If people are having no kids or 1 to 2 kids they will not need a 5 bedroom home in the suburbs.