Mark and Terry: A Very Successful TeamMark Kruse works as a Professional Engineer in his day job. His sense of ethics, responsibility and fair play serve him well in his professional and private life.Presently Mark is responsible for 19 people in his role as "Manager, IS Projects Portfolio and Capital Budgets". Mark’s strong sense of organization, team building and capital budget management fill out the strengths in Mark and Terry’s investment team. Mark’s project management ability was an important part of the success of our home renovations. His attention to detail and budget was immensely important.Terry Kruse is an award winning graphic designer. She began operating under Perceptions Design in 1986. This targeted experience marketing new home and condo developments has dovetailed perfectly into Mark and Terry’s growing real estate investments. Terry is a full time real estate investor.We have seen success with home renovations. With a change in direction beginning in 2007 we have gone from “flipping” houses to a buy-and-hold strategy. We plan to purchase 10 or more properties over the next three years. The primary focus is 2, 3 and 4 plexes and small apartment buildings located within 40 blocks of downtown Calgary. We acquired our 1st rental property in November 2007 and our 2nd in February 2008. We are looking to continue this trend and would like you to share in our success.Long-Term Wealth CreationOur Real Estate investing is based on the following fundamental principles:Buying value properties in neighbourhoods of better than average increasing value. We acquire only the right properties in the right locations.Buying properties with multiple exit strategies to maximize our liquidity.Buying only when the price and our detailed Due Diligence checklists fit our system. We always underestimate performance and over estimate costs. We purchase only if this worst case scenario still fits our system.Improving the properties to receive above average rents. This helps our homes to rent and stay rented when the vacancy rate is higher. The renovated rental must be of a quality that we would be happy to live in ourselves.Paying close attention to the economic fundamentals that affect real estate in our area.Win-Win Partnerships. If a situation does not work for both sides, we won’t do it. We specialize in 50/50 Joint Venture (JV) partnerships. We only make money if our partners make money. We also lose if you lose. Therefore, we will use our perseverance, experience and extensive renovation expertise to make each investment a success.The investor's initial investment is returned before the profits are split between joint venture partners.Value Improvement SpecialistsQUOTE In 2004, Terry and Mark moved into a 15 year old log home between Calgary and Okotoks. This home was bought for $385,000 and was in need of extensive repairs. The next 2 years were spent renovating the home with Terry acting as the designer and general contractor for this extensive project. The couple completely refinished and renovated the 3,200 sq ft home, added a 3 car garage and a solar thermal heating system. The Calgary Herald did a 6 part series on the home and its eco-friendly renovation. The home was sold for $1.275 million.We have the ability to look past deficiencies and the talent to improve the value of properties. We prefer freestanding properties rather than condominiums or town homes. Condo properties give you less freedom to distinguish the home from others in the building or area.We also prefer buying undervalued properties and fixing them up for above average rental rates. These homes may have been overlooked by other investors and are therefore undervalued. This allows us a better than average price in and upon exit.0Mark and Terry: A Very Successful TeamMark Kruse works as a Professional Engineer in his day job. His sense of ethics, responsibility and fair play serve him well in his professional and private life.Presently Mark is responsible for 19 people in his role as "Manager, IS Projects Portfolio and Capital Budgets". Mark’s strong sense of organization, team building and capital budget management fill out the strengths in Mark and Terry’s investment team. Mark’s project management ability was an important part of the success of our home renovations. His attention to detail and budget was immensely important.Terry Kruse is an award winning graphic designer. She began operating under Perceptions Design in 1986. This targeted experience marketing new home and condo developments has dovetailed perfectly into Mark and Terry’s growing real estate investments. Terry is a full time real estate investor.We have seen success with home renovations. With a change in direction beginning in 2007 we have gone from “flipping” houses to a buy-and-hold strategy. We plan to purchase 10 or more properties over the next three years. The primary focus is 2, 3 and 4 plexes and small apartment buildings located within 40 blocks of downtown Calgary. We acquired our 1st rental property in November 2007 and our 2nd in February 2008. We are looking to continue this trend and would like you to share in our success.Long-Term Wealth CreationOur Real Estate investing is based on the following fundamental principles:Buying value properties in neighbourhoods of better than average increasing value. We acquire only the right properties in the right locations.Buying properties with multiple exit strategies to maximize our liquidity.Buying only when the price and our detailed Due Diligence checklists fit our system. We always underestimate performance and over estimate costs. We purchase only if this worst case scenario still fits our system.Improving the properties to receive above average rents. This helps our homes to rent and stay rented when the vacancy rate is higher. The renovated rental must be of a quality that we would be happy to live in ourselves.Paying close attention to the economic fundamentals that affect real estate in our area.Win-Win Partnerships. If a situation does not work for both sides, we won’t do it. We specialize in 50/50 Joint Venture (JV) partnerships. We only make money if our partners make money. We also lose if you lose. Therefore, we will use our perseverance, experience and extensive renovation expertise to make each investment a success.The investor's initial investment is returned before the profits are split between joint venture partners.Value Improvement SpecialistsQUOTE In 2004, Terry and Mark moved into a 15 year old log home between Calgary and Okotoks. This home was bought for $385,000 and was in need of extensive repairs. The next 2 years were spent renovating the home with Terry acting as the designer and general contractor for this extensive project. The couple completely refinished and renovated the 3,200 sq ft home, added a 3 car garage and a solar thermal heating system. The Calgary Herald did a 6 part series on the home and its eco-friendly renovation. The home was sold for $1.275 million.We have the ability to look past deficiencies and the talent to improve the value of properties. We prefer freestanding properties rather than condominiums or town homes. Condo properties give you less freedom to distinguish the home from others in the building or area.We also prefer buying undervalued properties and fixing them up for above average rental rates. These homes may have been overlooked by other investors and are therefore undervalued. This allows us a better than average price in and upon exit.0

Mark Kruse | Professional Real Estate Investor | 403-816-5593 (Calgary)