FAQ

So, how much does this cost?
For COACHING, click here. For the ultimate step of being an ASSOCIATE we plan on charging a licensing fee of $9,950 and a monthly charge of $995. (Beginning March 1, 2010.) However, given the fact that we are just beginning, we are charging the “ground floor price” of $5,950 and a monthly fee of $595. There is no long-term contract–only a month-by-month licensing fee. This cost is slightly over 10% of what HomeVestors charges for a new franchise.

What does a license give me? Three important advantages:

1) Use of Stewardship Properties‘ brand name

2) Integration into our myriad of websites–see Websites

3) A web based source of investment knowledge–see RealEstateInvestingToday.com

Is anything else included in the license?
Well yes, in fact there is. We start you off with 500 high quality business cards along with all the Stewardship logo renditions you could ever want. Also, we pass along numerous marketing pieces that the Stewardship Associate Network comes up with. All this gets posted on RealEstateInvestingToday.com.

Can I still use my own name or website? Yes and No. The whole point is to build a brand name. To do business under another name defeats the purpose and solidarity of being associates of Stewardship Properties. For marketing purposes, however, you can use any number of domain names that you find helpful. If you purchase homes in Kansas and own the domain name KansasHouseBuyers.com, for example,  (sorry, we actually own it) then that domain name can be linked to our general website for sellers, HouseCashBuyers.com.   Your specific information will be integrated into as many websites as apply to you and you can easily change your own information at any time. (There may be an additional charge for those using the rental website given the amount of programming needed.)

Why is all of this so valuable? Well, you will have to judge this for yourself. But with our name and website presence alone you will instantly be getting your name out there in the marketplace of sellers, buyers, renters, people in foreclosure, and people with money to lend. Additionally you automatically become part of a network with other knowledgeable investors who help out with your success, and you, theirs. We believe this will give you the kind of momentum needed to take INFORMED ACTION in your real estate investment businesses… and make you a lot of money in the process!

What kind of assistance do you provide your licensees? Because we are not a franchise we make no claims to provide you with assistance other than the very limited help described above. We have no specific training or systems manuals for you to use. We do believe, however, the training and systems you need to become a success can be gleaned from many sources-even used CD and DVD sets from real estate gurus bought off of Ebay! Our network provides a helpful “clearing house” for such sources.

What kind of control do you exercise over your licensees? We don’t have a specific methodology for you to follow so we provide virtually no control. The only time we step in is if it comes to our attention that a licensee is violating the standard of acting with integrity in their business dealings. Such action brings harm to the Stewardship name and is grounds for canceling the licensing agreement. We ask that our licensees live up to the spirit of our namesake-being Good S-t-e-w-a-r-d-s, please click here

Are you an LLC-Limited Liability Company? Yes, we are. Officially the licensing part of our company is Stewardship Properties, LLC. (We don’t put the LLC on our logo because it just doesn’t fit.) We have no legal relationship with our associates other than granting them a license. Those who purchase a license are considered Stewardship Associate Partners and we are all part of the Stewardship Associate Network.

How do licensed Stewardship Associate Partners make money?
Just like any real estate investors–by purchasing or optioning properties, rehabbing them if necessary and selling them at a profit, or holding and renting them out for long-term appreciation. We are, first and last, real estate investors.

How will this make me more money than doing what I’m doing now?
Again, you’ll have to be the judge. You are free to contact other licensees to get their perspective. Our licensing cost about the same as a weekend training seminar with a nationally known real estate guru and without the up-selling and hype! We think it has a much greater value to it than that!! (Two !!’s are about as much hype as we bring to this business!!! Okay, maybe three!!!’s)

Do I need to be a real estate investor to purchase a license? No, our licensees can come from many walks of life, even be real estate agents or lenders, and likely start out as part-time real estate investors. Making the transition to full-time investors is the ultimate goal for most and one we very much encourage.

Can I have a partner? Sure, as long as they are a signer on your licensing agreement.

How many licensees do you sell in a particular market? Unless the local market is quite small we do not limit the number of licensees we sell in a given market. This is not unlike having a number of State Farm insurance agents working in the same area. The downside is that there are others but the upside is that there are others–who are also providing marketing to get even more visibility. In this case we think the benefits of non-exclusively usually outweigh the liabilities.

Do I need to work from an office or hire staff?
To build a sizable business, both of these steps are goals. As a business owner, you are in charge of taking steps to develop the kind of business you want. It’s all about INFORMED ACTION-working ON your business and not just IN your business. Building a profitable business will ultimately free you from working for a business. But there is no shame in starting your operations in “a garage”–just look at Apple and HP! By the way, Stewardship’s first office was… you guessed it, a Wendy’s.

Successful real estate investors build a team around them that includes employees, real estate agents, title officers, house hunters, an attorney and accountant, lenders, contractors, and sometimes other partners. At whatever level you are in building a business and whatever next step you need to take, the key is to find high quality mentors who have “been there, done that” and are willing to help you do the same. We can introduce you to these kinds of people.  

Where do I go from here? Feel free to contact us with your questions or just fill out an application and we can begin the process from there. To begin the application, please click here.