Let's Make A Deal

It is so nice to hear you gathering your "to do's" and just brushing aside the overwhelming part and not getting caught up in the details!

You will do it!

What an amazing Boots on the Ground you must have had with Joe and Stacey; they are amazing, so smart, such Rock Stars!

The right Agent will make a huge difference, so be picky, use your "gut", and keep searching, don't settle. I think it's kinda like finding love-- you'll know it when it's right.

Keep us posted!

-Tina

Thanks, Tina,for the welcome and advice about the agent.

-Barb

What do you have to do to get cited as a "Superstar"?

Barb

Welcome to your new adventure in REI. WOW what an experience you are going have. The DG family is the absolute BEST in the world. Wishing you the best in success with you adventure and KEEP doing your daily to do list you WILL get to your goals. We are on our way to the top. Keep in touch when you adventure over to the east coast.

Keep reaching for the stars
Donna

30 days is a great book, but don't forget about the other ones as they will add more knowledge as you go and get you going as well. Tammy

I am along the same path too! bcarten is right! its like finding Love! HAHA!!

Has it only been one week? We really have learned so much, and yet there is so much more to learn. We got over the fear of calling real estate offices looking for "the" agent, then got over the fear of asking all the questions, including if they would run a list of all the cash sales in the last 90 days. We have even gotten over the fear of rejection. One agent which I initially thought might be a good match, really got snotty and indignant when I asked questions like, "Are you open to submitting low- ball offers?" He then wanted to know what our business plan was and let us know in no uncertain terms that he had personally rehabbed 20 homes and is the top realtor in NWI. He very well may be, but I don't want to work with him. Oh, well. On to the next agent.

I absolutely love this site. Where else can you get so much information and support for a new endeavor? I am bowled over by how much information is readily shared. Can't wait until I can make a real contribution to someone.

Good luck to everyone this week.

Let's Make a Deal,

Barb

(Note: This was originally posted in the wrong forum.)

Has it only been 5 days??!!
Completing the end of our first week as official REIs. I'm stopping to give myself a pat on the back. In the beginning of the week I was a little nervous about calling realty offices, but anytime that happened I would just remind myself that in order to make this work I've got to take ACTION. As Dean says, you can have all the knowledge in the world, but if you don't use it, what's the sense.

Then I felt a little hesitant about asking the agents to run a search for cash buyers, but again I kept my focus on success and just did it. Too, today was a beautiful day along the shore of Lake Michigan where we live. I thought to myself at one point, I'd rather be outside at the beach or working in the garden, but then I thought about my priorities, what do I really want. I thought about my big WHY and continued doing what I had to do to become a successful investor. This is going to work because I'm going to make it work.

I am so glad to be a part of this community. Reading everyone's posts, whether from newbies like me or seasoned investors, keeps me on track. Thanks to all.

Barb

Hi Barb,

My wife and i are in the same boat as you and your husband. We are going into this together extremely excited and motivated. We know this will work for us once we have a better understanding of it all. We just got done with the 3 day workshop today and signed up for the boots on the ground and are terrified but also ready for it. I know what you mean when you say you know this will work for you because we feel the same way you can just feel it, and this feels right... There are so many sources here on this site and so many willing to help the only way to fail is to give up on yourself.. I wish you luck with your journey and i hope to hear of your success along the way.

Michael

what a treat to have Joe and Stacy do your Boots on the Ground- they are both awesome!
It's great that you started your journal, it will help you stay focused and accountable for achieving your goals!
Don't forget to watch the weekly wisdoms that DG does every week and posts here on the homepage.

Wishing you great success on your rei journey,

p.s. to achieve 'superstar' you have to come to this site and post a lot; every time you post you accumulate points

Dear Michael,

This will work. You read everyday about the successes of others on this site. If it can work for others, it can work for us. And you are right. The only way to fail is to stop taking action. What a gift this site is. If you have a question, it can be answered here. How cool is that.
Nothing to fear about Boots on the Ground. What state are you in? We are in Illinois/Indiana and had Joe and Stacey Jurek for our session. They were a wealth of information and inspiration. You and your wife will love it. It's a much smaller group and not as intense as the three day workshop.

Beat of luck to you both.

Barb and Bill

Thanks, Valerie for the warm welcome and for answering about what a 'superstar' is. What do all those other symbols represent? I want them. What do I have to do?

Barb

Hi, congratulations on getting started.

I did want to make a comment on the agent you mentioned that said he had rehabbed 20 houses etc. etc. Now it could very well be that he is just an arrogant know it all, however:
What if he actually knows the local market place and he knows that low- ball offers from left field will not be accepted and would prove a waste of time for you and him? What if he actually can tell you the spreads that are working and what investors are actually purchasing at in your market. I see so often on this site where people blow off agents when the problem is totally how the newbee presented themselves. Agents work for a living, they are like you and me.
SOME agents really know what they are talking about and the strategies we are taught may need to be modified to the specific area we are working.
What works in Detroit WILL NOT work in L.A. Detroit you can make 50% of ARV offers and have a chance. L.A. is more like 80% of ARV.

Good luck and keep taking action!

Michael Mangham
Mentoring/Team Building Nationwide
MD Home Acquisitions LLC

Dear Michael,

I appreciate you taking the time to comment on my agent experience. Yes, this agent seemed to know what he was talking about. Yes, he might have been able to help us. And I want to have a comfortable relationship with our agent. He might have knowledge about real estate, but I do believe he was totally full of himself. Had to go with my instincts and move on. Have talked with two other agents and am waiting to see if they send me the list of cash buyers in the area.

Thanks for another perspective and the words of encouragement. I enjoy reading your posts. You seem very knowledgeable about real estate investing.

Barb

Happy Father's Day to all fathers in the DG family!

What a week. Dean says that real estate goes in cycles like a roller caster. So does learning to be a real estate investor.
I have been encouraged and enthused, disheartened and disappointed, and back to confident and pumped, all in one week.

We started the week by reading Week 2 in Dean's book, Thirty Days to Real Estate Cash. It's basically about building your buyer's list. I had asked three different realtors, through the same email (copied and pasted), to run a search for all the recent buyers with cash in our area and I got three entirely different responses. The first realtor just sent me the number of cash buyers, 293. The second sent me the listings for 15 cash sale, but narrowed the search to those properties under $100,000. The third, although she keeps saying she will do it, has not yet sent me anything. I became very frustrated and started tailspinning.

By the next day, my spirits picked up. Bill was going to go to the County building, about 30 minutes away, to see how to find the names and mailing addresses for these cash sale, but before he left I called the office just to be sure this was actually the right office. The clerk suggested I email the addresses, she would look everything up and send the information via email. How nice was that? We are sending letters to them now.

On Thursday we went to our first REI club, an hour away. We met the nicest people, including a fellow student from Boots on the Ground. We got some information about a Landlord Club in our city and even the name of a contact. We walked out of the meeting walking on cloud nine. It was so great to be in a room with like-minded, supportive people. Oh, well. I guess the ups and downs are part of the journey. Now matter, we are unstoppable. Barb

Hi,

Yes, I thought of that and did promptly send "Donna" a thank you note via email. I have regularly found, living most of my life in Chicago and just recently in Mich. City, that the small town government offices here in Northwest Indiana are generally very helpful and friendly. Maybe the amount of people/ work pushes people over the edge in the larger cities.

Thanks for the reply,

Barb

We have been driving the neighborhoods, getting familiar with the area, and jotting down the addresses of vacant properties. We have found an angel at the county building who speedily sends us the name and mailing address of any property we send via email. How sweet is that.

We are awaiting the arrival of our business cards which we will start handing out to EVERYONE. But, best of all we will be going to the Buying Summit in Las Vegas this coming Wednesday and can't wait to be in a room filled with successful, knowledgeable investors. I'm bringing my camera because I am going to get a picture of Dean and me together and look at it everyday to keep me inspired. This is a lot more work than I had imagined, but every week I'm learning more and more and what seemed so difficult is much easier by the end of each week. But, it's not easy. I'm starting to get what Dean says, "It's simple, but not easy."

Dean said in some video that this site is crucial to our success and I believe it. When I'm feeling overwhelmed and downhearted, coming here, reading about the successes of others, picks me up and reminds me what my goals are, why I'm doing this. Thanks to everyone.

Barb

Sounds like you are off to a great start! Yes, you will have many ups and downs in this. Just make up your mind from the git go that you are in it for the long haul and giving up is not even an option. Eventually, things just start cracking open. For some the cracking open happens sooner than for others, but just don't give up! No matter what!

Karen

Dear Karen,

I read your profile and we have a lot in common---widowed with three girls, born to be an entrepreneur, into learning and self improvement. I am into this for the long haul, no doubt about it. Just one question. How long did it take for you to do your first deal? Would you tell me about it?

Thanks for your reply.

Barb

For getting started and welcome to the DG family...one of the best families you'll ever be part of!!!
Shirley

Thanks, Shirley. I already sense the power of this group, the DG Family. Glad to be a part of it.

Barb

Bill and I are in Las Vegas at the Buying Summit. Dean Graziosi talked today and then spent over an hour signing and giving away free copies of his new book, Your Town, Your Real Estate Profits and posing for pictures with us. He comes off as a genuine and generous man who truly wants us all to succeed. It doesn't get any better than that. I love his stories. He gets on stage and speaks from his heart. He really, really cares about all his students.

I just started the new book and I think it will be terrific. I think ten or so successful students are profiled, telling in detail what they did to become successful. Can't wait to get into this book.

The bottom line so far at the summit is this: Knowledge is great, but without ACTION it's nothing but knowledge and knowledge alone will not make you money. Put out offers and the deals will follow, as will the money. Certainly, gain and increase your knowledge of real estate, but don't wait until you know everything. Just like one of Dean's friends said in Dean's latest video blog, "Anything in life worth doing, is worth doing wrong." (Watch the video to understand that one.) You don't have to be perfect to be successful, but you do have to make offers.

Looking forward to Day Two.....

Barb

P.S. Wait til you see our picture with Dean. He's the MAN.

There is an awful lot of information being passed out here in Las Vegas at the Buying Summit. Just when I thought I was really pulling it all together, my head began spinning from information overload. All the info is great, but I have made a decision to keep on following the weekly blueprint we have been following in Dean's book, 30 Days to Real Estate Cash and not get sidetracked. We will stay focused on taking whatever action we are told to take each week according to the plan.

I almost hate to say it, but if only we had gotten into this years ago.....I know, what is, is. We can only do what we are doing now, but I intend to use as many tactics as I can to greatly speed up the process. One thing that was suggested today was to get an"advisory board" , a person or several people who are already successful in real estate investing and take advantage of their knowledge and experience. I will do this, just haven't quite figured out how to find these people. Someone in my own backyard. I would really appreciate their guidance.

Another thing that stuck with me today is the importance of getting other people to be a part of your team so you don't wind up spending your time on stuff that really doesn't make you money or get you closer to a deal. In the past, I have typically tried to do it all. This will change. I like the idea of getting college kids to intern for us. My stepson is interning at an office that ties in with his major and he loves it. I just have to think about how best to utilize a student.

Day Three is covering asset protection. Should be insightful.

Barb

You guys are doing an AWESOME job! And, this site is definitely the place to get direction and encouragement.

Keep up the great work!

I like the tips you have listed from each day. Two are critical to a new investors success. In fact success won't come with out them!

Day 1. - TAKE ACTION
Day 2. - You don't need to know everything, don't waste time trying, just work with people that know what you need to know!!! Delegation is a MUST if you want to make a real business out of REI.

Have fun!

Michael Mangham
Mentoring/Team Building Nationwide
MD Home Acquisitions LLC

Thanks for the encouraging words.

Barb

It's always a pleasure reading something you've written. Thanks for commenting on my post.

Called another realtor today. The one we had did everything we asked ( got a list of all cash buyers in town), but she deals in a nearby beach community, not the areas of town where investors buy and sell. Anyway, the new realtor was a wealth of information and gave me the website for a landlord association in town, which from the things she told me, will be a wealth of useful information for us. My point is, I took action (picked up the phone and talked with the realtor) and one of the results was I now have access to a group of people who are much more experienced in real estate than I. I didn't want to make that phone call, but I remembered what Linda, who appeared on Dean's Weekly Wisdom blog this Monday said while out in Vegas at the Buying Summit: "If you don't want to do something, then that's the very thing you need to do." Proof positive today.

Barb

I am a Real Estate Broker / Investor looking for other creative ways to find motivated sellers. I want to purchase single family homes to buy and hold -- lease out long term. I have tried the MLS, bandid signs, and probate. Any suggestions that are currently working for you ? Your input is much appreciated.

Greg Peace
Independent Real Estate Broker
Mandeville, LA

We just ordered our bandit signs today. Many people on this site swear by them. You have to put out at least 20-25 at busy intersections. We are expecting a lot of leads from these. You might try putting "bandit signs" in the search box on the top lefthand side of the home page, press the enter key on your computer, not the magnifying glass, and see what comes up. Maybe you didn't quite use them in the way suggested.

Good luck!

Barb

Today is the kind of day where I have to remind myself of the things that are going well.

- Our bandit signs arrived today.
- Posted adds for cash buyers on craigslist.org, backpage.com/classified/index, kijiji.com
-Called a landlord assoc. in town to inquire about their next meeting.
-Created three different flyers for cash buyers and gave them to Bill to post all over town.
-Received an email saying our second set of business cards are in transit.
-Received an email from a potential cash buyer whom we had contacted by letter.

I guess I'm a little tired today because everything seems so disconnected. Will this all really come together into a great first deal? When will the pieces of the puzzle fit together?

DG family, I need some LOVE, some inspiring words. Giving up is not an option, but today has been a tough one.

Barb