Stan Humphries, chief economist at Zillow.com, has published his latest analysis of the U.S. housing market, and it tells the same story that every reasonable person could anticipate:  The government’s efforts to “prop up” the U.S. real estate market has fallen flat and many real estate markets across the United States appear poised for a double-dip in home values.

Nationally, Humphries says that U.S. real estate declined by another 5% in 2009, with some markets - like Las Vegas, Nevada - doing much, much worse.

And in a sign of the times - the Mortgage Banker’s Association lost it’s Washington headquarters to a short sale at discount of $37.7 million to their purchase price of $79 million (according to TheStreet.com).  Doesn’t it strike you as quite odd that the organization whose purpose is to “represent the real estate finance industry” couldn’t see the writing on the wall for itself?

I don’t know if this is funny or really scary.  In some sick sort of way, I believe it’s the former.  Another case of “pride coming before the fall”?

Thanks for reading http://realestate.BryanEllis.com - check back frequently for more great updates and news items of value to real estate investors.  Your comments are welcomed below!

Since I spend most of the time on this blog talking about news items and how they effect real estate investors rather than focusing on the latest investing strategies like everybody else, you may not realize that I actually have a very extensive background in real estate investing.  In fact, I authored three courses (don’t worry - I’m not going to sell them now) that thousands of people all over the United States (and even internationally) have acquired.

One of these courses - called “The Hard Core Subject-To Investing System” - is a real goldmine of information, and I want to give you that information at no cost.  Note that I’ve sold this product for $795 to many people, and it’s gotten consistently great reviews.

Why am I giving it to you at no cost?  The reason is simple - I want you to know that I value you and do not perceive you to be a “wallet with an email address” like many of the big-time gurus out there.  Yes, I do sometimes publicize events at which you can make purchases from reputable experts.  (This helps to pay the bills for running this website.)  But rest assured that I will also give you the very best content possible at every opportunity.

That’s why I’m offering a free webinar during the time between Christmas and New Years that will address the notion of Subject-To Investing in 2009 and beyond.  Here’s why I’m doing this:

• With the increase in foreclosures, there are (and will continue to be) far more opportunities for you to use creative strategies for acquiring distressed properties - and Subject-To is the “Mercedes” of such creative methods
• A lot has changed about Subject-To Investing in the last few years, not the least of which is the government’s (federal, state and local) opinion about it.  Subject-to is virtually illegal in a couple of places in the United States and has been restricted in some other places.  But most places, you can still use it just like you always would have.  You need to know the difference.
• A lot of your subject-to deals will involve acquiring properties from investors who themselves acquired their property via subject-to transactions.  This type of transaction brings some benefits and complications and is something you’re certain to run into, so I’ll give you the best ideas on how to handle it

There are a lot of reasons to be excited about this webinar.  Here they are:

• It’s absolutely free.  You won’t pay a dime to hear it, or to get the associated documents and contracts.
• No selling or pitching of any sort.  100% pure content.
• You’ll learn exactly what you need to know about Subject-To investing.  If you’re a total newbie, you’ll learn what you need.  If you’ve done 1,000 deals, you’ll still learn some things you’ve never known.
• You’ll get my famed “Monster Purchase and Sale Agreement” for buying properties via Subject-To
• I’ll help you understand the difference between deals that make sense and those that don’t
• You’ll learn how to truly acquire real estate at little to no cost and with no credit involved at all

There are a lot more benefits to getting on this webinar.  However, I’m not even accepting registrations yet (we have not yet set the exact date).  The reason I’m bringing this to your attention is as follows:

I would really appreciate if you’d tell me what you’d like to know about Subject-To Investing and creative real estate buying strategies so that I can be sure to make this event as valuable as possible for you. Just enter your questions/comments in the space below and I’ll do my very best to address those questions during the presentation.

Next week, I’ll give you the exact date and time for this very special presentation.  And remember - this will be 100% pure content with no fluff, filler or sales talk.  I’m doing it just as my way of offering sincere thanks to you for being a subscriber to the RealEstate.BryanEllis.com Newsletter.

So take a moment now and give me your best questions and comments about Subject-To and creative real estate strategies, and in turn I’ll do all I can to give you the best FREE education possible.

Thank you for reading RealEstate.BryanEllis.com!