Look around and you may notice that 40% or greater of your marketplace is distressed properties. These properties may be comprised of short sales, foreclosures, REO’s and even owners about to go into pre-foreclosure status.

According to some accounts, there may be over 8,000,000 projected foreclosures in the United States for the year 2009. In fact, according to RealtyTrac there were nearly 750,000 foreclosures filed in the 4th quarter of 2008 alone. To further illustrate this point, nearly 15.25% of FHA mortgages were in default in the first half of 2008 and nearly 33% of all mortgages were in default in the first 3 quarters of 2008.

With these staggering numbers being realized throughout the country, many visionary agents are taking aggressive actions to stay ahead of the curve. You may have noticed an increased amount of agents in your marketplace specializing in short sales and foreclosures. Since the marketplace looks to remain full of these types of sales for the next several years, this may prove to be a wise endeavor.

New Focus on Multi-Family Investment Properties:

Another smart decision that many agents are making is to become proficient in all aspects of multi-family sales. Agents are quickly learning that there is an undeniable direct correlation between foreclosures and multi-family sales. The fact of the matter is that due to home foreclosures, the following positive effects are taking place in the multi-family market:

1. There is an abundance of former homeowners becoming tenants

2. Rental prices have stabilized in areas where rental prices were statistically dropping

3. Rental prices have increased in stronger metropolitan areas

4. As a result of these factors, vacancy rates in multi-family properties have decreased

5. Also due to these factors, the value of multi-family sales have increased

In essence, the multi-family market is benefitting from the downturn of the general market. This means that educated agents in the field of multi-family homes are reaping large gains. Agents today seeking to learn all that they need to know about multi-family properties are earning the “Multi-Family Specialist®” real estate designation. They are choosing to earn this certification so that they can react intelligently to the positive turn in the multi-family marketplace.

Educational Solution: Multi-Family Specialist® (MFS) is the only certification and designation available to real estate agents which is specifically geared toward multi-family properties. Multi-Family Specialist designees have the ability to differentiate themselves in this very competitive market. This is due to the fact that agents who previously only focused on single family sales can now confidently approach and target multi-family property owners and display the array of knowledge that they have in this specialized field. Additionally, MFS members can effectively demonstrate to investor purchasers their ability to translate facts and figures from an investment property to determine the true appeal of the subject property. Only until the introduction of this informative designation, many agents have avoided the multi-family market. By earning the MFS designation and adding this additional niche to their sales portfolio, agents are increasing their income dramatically. Earn the MFS designation today by logging onto www.MFspecialist.com and begin to tackle this untapped market today! Questions Answered:

Agents who earn the MFS designation will be able to respond intelligently to their client’s questions. Agent will be able to inform their buyer and seller multi-family clients about many important topics, such as:

• Determining the value of the investment property

• How to build value on their investment property

• How to obtain and retain tenants long term.

• How and when to sell their multi-family investment

• How to locate a multi-family property

• How to produce and understand a profit and loss statement

• The basics of 1031 tax deferred exchanges and much more!

Agents wishing to earn this powerful and timely designation can register for and take the online course at www.MFspecialist.com. The course is taken online in the comfort of your home or office and is done at your own pace. Agents will read course materials online with the assistance of the corresponding video that is segmented by chapter.

Published: May 27, 2009

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Michael Minervini, ABR, CNHS, CRS, e-PRO, MFS, QSC, RCC, SRES is the Founder of Multi-Family Specialist® (MFS), a designation which trains agents on all aspects of multi-family properties. Mike is a leader in the multi-family real estate market and a Broker-Associate with over 11 years of real estate sales experience. Mike has trained many agents in areas of multi-family sales and various other topics. Mike has also been active in local government, serving on the Board of Education and as the Mayor in his former community. For more information, visit www.MFSpecialist.com. Contact Mike toll free at 1-800-921-8922 or 732-688-4922 or by email at .