“First they ignore us, then they laugh at us, then they fight us, then we win.”

– Gandhi

This memorable quote may be what you experience if and when you start (or restart) a new venture.

And if you’ve thought about buying or investing in real estate recently, it’s entirely possible that you have been met with a few quizzical looks and several skeptical remarks.

That’s because the housing market is so unpredictable right now. The collective  economy, too, is still shaky.

All that may not matter to you, however, if you see the bigger picture. Specifically, mortgage interests rates, as well as housing prices, are at record lows. Prices will eventually correct, which puts you — as a homebuyer or investor — in a nice spot moving forward.

When investing in real estate there may be people who ignore your desire and/or dream. Some may even scoff or laugh at your “foolish” decision to invest in real estate at a time like this.

However, if real estate investing is something you really want to achieve then ignore the doubters and proceed with your passion. In the end, you — not them — will have to live with your decision.

Wouldn’t it be nice to invite them along as you laugh your way to the bank several months/years down the road?

Regardless of your decision — or whatever else you do in life — do something you love. Passion will fire your personal energy source and lead you to the finish line.

Whether you buy a flawless gem or a diamond in the rough, your new home is going to cost you extra after closing.

That amount, of course, depends on the condition of the home and your taste. Some improvements are often more practical than others, and in some cases, utterly essential.

Whatever the case may be, we can all agree that spending the least amount of money on the most fixes and/or renovations is always high on the priority list.

That’s where we come in.

The July 2010 edition of Foreclosure.com’s free educational newsletter, “Investment Exchange,” is now available, which answers these important questions and details everything you need to know about “Calculate rehab costs.”

It’s all about priming you for rehabbing your distressed property. You’ll learn how to find great contractors, money-saving “Do it Yourself” (DIY) projects, which problems to look out for and much more.

To read this month’s free educational newsletter from Foreclosure.com CLICK HERE.

One of the most daunting aspects of getting involved in distressed real estate is the misconception that you have to go it alone.

On the contrary, enlisting help from local professionals who have experience and “on the ground” knowledge can make your house hunt as profitable and painless as possible.

It just makes perfect sense … and cents.

Fortunately, there is a lot of help out there to see you through your distressed property purchases from start to finish.

And Foreclosure.com is the place to start.

In addition to free access to the best, as well as the most current and accurate distressed property listings in the United States, we also provide you with all the education and resources you need to get going.

These resources include community experts to help you pinpoint the best houses in your area. They also include reliable agents who can handle all aspects of your distressed property purchase.

To find a qualified agent in your area today, and to search our nationwide broker network, click here.

In addition, the May 2010 edition of Foreclosure.com’s free educational newsletter, “Investment Exchange,” is now available. Dubbed “Find an agent,” it’s all about helping you find the right agent so that you can snatch up that perfect property … before someone else does.

All you have to do is find some properties you think you might like and then pick up the phone or fire off an email to your local community expert.

It’s that simple. Just check out “Find an agent” today to learn more.

To find a qualified agent in your area today, and to search our nationwide broker network, click here.

So says Colorado Springs, Colo., real estate agent Shawn Jardine in a recent article from the Christian Science Monitor:

“It’s a feeding frenzy right now. On one property listed for $65,000, I had 15 offers. The best offer won at $20,000 over asking price.”

Wholesalers, which are basically investors with lots of money who can buy in bulk, are “snapping up” a healthy chunk of the best distressed property deals currently available on the market.

It’s common these days for wholesalers to swoop in and make all-cash offers, making it difficult for first-time homebuyers and other “small-time” investors to land their deals.

With the nationwide housing market riddled with bargains, and a volatile stock market, wholesalers are literally banking on the notion that the market will eventually rebound. Perhaps not to pre-collapse levels anytime soon, but nonetheless, it’s bound to happen.

When and where is still a huge question mark. In the meantime, opportunistic wholesalers have the ability to buy low now, renovate their homes (if necessary) and then hang onto them for however long it takes to rent or re-sell at later time for huge profits.

To beat wholeslaers, investors and other buyers to the punch, we always recommend that you consider our FREE email alerts. We send you the hottest deals in your area the moment they hit the market.

Timing is everything … now more than ever!

There are several things that can and do often send homebuyers off the rails during the homebuying process, but CNNMoney.com whittles down the list of the most common pitfalls to six:

1. Not knowing your credit score
2. Buying a car before a house
3. Skimping on home inspection
4. No lawyer
5. No contingencies
6. Not budgeting from insurance

Remember to also check out our “First-time Homebuyer Program” Webinar to ensure that your experience is the best it can possibly be … it’s well worth it.

Avoid costly mistakes now and in the future!