New for 2012:
Real Estate Investment Analysis, Version 16

• The Decision Maker
  
  The centerpiece of v16 is a new module called "The Decision Maker." Here is how it works: Enter data about the property -- revenue, expenses, financing, etc. -- as you normally would.  Then go to the new module. The top half of the page will display 12-18 of your key assumptions, like those shown here:
  
  
  
  
  snippet 1 from Decision Maker
  
  
  You can now toggle any or all of your assumptions up or down with the arrows, while watching the effect of each change as it displays instantly on the bottom half of the page.
  
  There you'll see more than a dozen key metrics, such as cash flow and IRR. These will update in response to your clicking the arrows to raise or lower any of the basic assumptions; the data will display going out 20 years.
  
  
  
  
  snippet 2 from Decision Maker
  
  
  For example, toggle the purchase price or the cap rate up and down, and watch the effect on your IRR. Toggle the mortgage interest rate, watch the impact on your cash flow. What better way to decide how -- or if -- you can make this deal work. Hence the name: Decision Maker
  
  
• Detailed Capital Improvements
  
  Many users have asked to be able to provide a detailed break-out of anticipated expenditures for capital improvements. Here it is. You can now choose to fill out a complete year-by-year schedule of improvements, or simply enter an annual total.
  
  
• Detailed Closing Costs
  
  Likewise, the ability to itemize acquisition closing costs has been another common request. You now have two options: itemize or enter a single amount.
  
  
• Improved Reports
  
  We really do pay attention when users call and say things like, "Why doesn't the partnership presentation show cash-on-cash return?" We keep track of those requests, and you'll find several now implemented in v16.
  
  
• Import Data from Your Version 15 Analyses
  
  Here's a big one: If you're upgrading from v15 to v16 you can run a special function that will read all of the user entries from an analysis you did in v15 and transfer that information into the new version.  That's no small trick, but our super-smart programmers did it.

If you're currently a registered user of v15, keep your eye out for an email from us with an offer to upgrade at a nominal cost.

Frank Gallinelli to Speak at BiggerPockets Real Estate Investing Summit and Expo, March 2012

RealData founder and president, Frank Gallinelli, will be one of the featured speakers at the BiggerPockets REI Summit to be held in Denver, March 23-24. He'll speak on, "Real Estate Investment Analysis, Methods and Mindset -- What to Know, What to Do."

According to BP founder Josh Dorkin, "BiggerPockets is planning on having dozens of expert investors, commentators and educators speak to an audience that is expected to include hundreds of attendees from around the country. Through lectures, roundtables, and other session formats, the event will cover topics including rehabbing, landlording, investing in notes & mortgages, real estate financing & capital raising, commercial investing, and much more."

You can sign up to attend by following this link -- when you do, you'll see that there is a discounted admission if you purchase tickets before February 2. We hope to see you there.

As you probably know, we've been a big fan of  BiggerPockets since its early days, and we're not surprised that it has grown to more than 85,000 members and 250,000 unique visitors each month.  What we like is that it steers clear of the "guru" and get-rich-quick nonsense that is so common in the industry, and focuses on genuine investor education and networking. The forums are very valuable and well moderated. If you're not already a member of BiggerPockets, it's certainly worthwhile --  and free to join.

A Few More Bright Spots for Real Estate Investors

Reminder: Free Shipping on RealData Software

We're continuing our offer of free USPS first-class shipping on any software order over $50. For details, check our real estate investment blog.

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