The Upskillre Conference is coming up soon, and there's a session you won’t want to miss! Ray Woods, a real estate investor and engineer, will be sharing his insights on "Evaluating Real Estate Deals: Key Approaches and Techniques". If you're interested in real estate, whether you’re just starting out or already involved, this panel session promises to be educational and packed with real-world tips when it comes to finding and analyzing real estate deals.
But let's unpack this first...
Who is Ray Woods?
Ray is an engineer and experienced real estate investor from a small town in South Mississippi. He graduated from Ole Miss (The University of Mississippi) with a degree in mechanical engineering, but his passion for real estate has taken him in a different direction. Since 2016, Ray has built a diverse portfolio of real estate properties, including both U.S.-based and international investments.
Unlike some who may only focus on one type of property, Ray has explored various areas of real estate. He’s involved in Airbnb properties in Atlanta, plays a significant role as a co-General Partner (co-GP) in a 186-unit apartment complex in Phoenix, and has partnered in both 32-unit and 16-unit townhome developments.
Ray’s knowledge of the real estate market stretches beyond borders, giving him a unique view of the global real estate scene.
What makes Ray stand out is his mechanical engineering background, which has equipped him with strong technical skills. He uses this expertise to analyze real estate deals carefully, ensuring he makes strategic and profitable decisions. Ray is particularly skilled at multifamily real estate financial analysis and underwriting, which means he’s great at assessing properties with multiple units, such as apartment complexes.
The Journey into Real Estate
Ray’s real estate journey started in 2016.
At the time, he was wholesaling real estate, which involves finding properties at a low price and then selling the contract to another buyer.
What's interesting is...
That this is a popular way to get into real estate without needing a lot of capital. It was during this period that Ray learned the fundamentals of the real estate business, including deal analysis, negotiating, and the importance of understanding a property’s value.
As he gained more experience, Ray began to expand into different areas of real estate. Instead of focusing on just single-family homes, he moved into multifamily properties and commercial real estate. Multifamily properties can be more complex to manage but offer greater potential for income and long-term value. Ray’s decision to explore this sector has proven to be a smart move, as he now manages a wide range of properties.
The Upskillre Conference: Panel Session Overview
At this year’s Upskillre Conference, Ray will participate in a panel session titled "Evaluating Real Estate Deals: Key Approaches and Techniques." The session will take place on October 26th, from 1:30 PM to 2:20 PM EST (New York time). If you’re looking for practical advice on how to evaluate real estate opportunities, this is the panel session you have to attend.
Evaluating real estate deals is one of the most critical skills for any investor.
Before buying a property, it’s important to fully understand whether it’s a good deal, how much it’s worth, and how much profit you can expect to make. During the session, Ray will talk about key strategies to assess deals, as well as some techniques that have helped him make smart investments.
Key Areas Panel Speakers Will Cover
Here are a few of the topics that Ray and other panellists are expected to cover during this virtual panel session:
Analyzing a Property’s Value
One of the first steps in evaluating a real estate deal is determining the property’s value. This might seem simple, but there’s a lot to consider. Ray and other panellists will likely explain how to look beyond the surface of a property and assess its true worth. This includes factors like location, condition, potential renovations, and future resale value.
This example of a spreadsheet walks you through every aspect of the deal, considers income, expenses, acquisition costs, mortgage expenses, and preferred exit strategy, and helps you make the most calculated decision. Source: You Exec
Multifamily Financial Analysis
Ray’s experience in multifamily properties means he knows what to look for when dealing with apartment complexes or multiple-unit buildings. Panellist will likely dive into how to analyze the cash flow and expenses of these types of properties. Multifamily properties often have different financial dynamics compared to single-family homes, so understanding how to approach these deals is crucial for success.
Underwriting a Real Estate Deal
Underwriting is the process of thoroughly evaluating the risks and potential rewards of a real estate investment. Ray’s background in engineering gives him a detailed approach to underwriting. During the panel session, speakers will share how he uses specific calculations and metrics to decide whether a deal is worth pursuing.
Finding the Right Partners
Real estate is often a team effort. Ray has formed partnerships in various real estate projects, such as the 186-unit apartment complex in Phoenix and townhome developments. Partnering with the right people can make or break a deal, and Ray, including with other panel speakers will likely share tips on how to choose partners who bring value to the table.
International Investments
Not every real estate investor works within the borders of their own country. Ray has ventured into international markets, adding a global layer to his portfolio. International real estate investments can be very different from U.S.-based ones, so Ray and other speakers might touch on how to approach these types of opportunities and the challenges that come with them.
After attending Ray’s panel session, you should walk away with a clearer understanding of how to evaluate real estate deals. You’ll learn about the importance of a thorough financial analysis and how to identify potential red flags before you invest. Ray’s advice on underwriting will also be helpful for those who want to dig deeper into the numbers and understand the risks involved.
If you’ve ever been curious about investing in apartment buildings or multiple-unit properties, this session will give you a strong foundation to build on.
Lastly, if you’re thinking about branching out into international real estate, Ray’s experience in this area will be an invaluable resource. He has first-hand knowledge of what it’s like to invest outside the U.S., and he’ll likely share both the advantages and challenges of going global with your investments.
The Importance of Evaluating Real Estate Deals
One of the biggest mistakes new investors make is rushing into a deal without properly evaluating it. Real estate is a significant investment, and if you don’t take the time to analyze a deal carefully, you could end up losing money. Ray’s panel session will focus on helping you avoid these mistakes by providing you with proven approaches to deal evaluation.
Whether you’re evaluating a small single-family home or a large multifamily complex, the steps are similar. You need to analyze the property’s value, determine its potential cash flow, and assess the risks involved. Understanding how to evaluate these factors will give you confidence when making investment decisions.
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced investor, there’s something to take away from this session. Ray’s practical insights and clear explanations will help you better understand how to evaluate deals and make smarter investment choices.
So, if you’re serious about investing in your first, or adding more properties to your existing portfolio, you should definitely get your ticket and mark your calendar for October 26th, 1:30-2:20 PM EST.
Don't wait any longer! Sign up now and get ready to gain valuable insights from Ray Woods and other top industry professionals.
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