Calvins' Journal

Welcome to the DG website and congratulations for starting your real estate investing. You may want to try to create an action plan that includes meeting other investors in your area. Try to join a real estate investment club and network with others in your area. You will learn along the way and maybe even discuss or discover some deals. Good luck on all your future deals! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Thanks for the advise and I forgot to mention that I did join a club and I will be going to the meeting on the 15th of september, I have been looking forward to that. So now I know what information to gain or expect from that meeting...Thanks.

That is a great move, joining clubs. Find apartment associations too. I would suggest getting business cards made too, you can get some cheap ones at Office Max or something to start with then upgrade later but its good to have your name, number, email address, and what you want it to say. Pass them out to everyone!!! What you will find is when you come in contact with other investors, they love to talk real estate investing too so pass out cards to let people know.

Thanks for the comments and advice. As I find out about a week ago there is actually a small business down the street from me that actually makes business cards. Since you said that I think it is a sign that I am moving in the right direction. So I geuss I will come up with some practice models for what I would like my card to look like.

So today was just another normal day. I want to give a shout out to Indiana Joe, I actually finished reading every last one of his post today. Just reading his post help me to understand more of what the journals are for, and inspired me to keep everyone up to date on progress that I am making. THANKS JOE! you and your wife are a great inspiration. Don't worry I plan to read every one else's by the end of this month.

So this week I have really been tied up with trying to get back in school. If I did not tell you guys I am a third year college student at Alabama State University in montgomery Al. It was kind of heart breaking getting bad news after bad news. I had actually took a semester off last spring to get my finances in better shape, which did not turn out too good(Probrably because I didn't find Dean's program until now). From not being able to find employment until late feb. when my fiance and I finally were able to purchase a vehicle. To only have the motor give out in less than three months,lol. So this semester I was hoping for a drastic difference and still are thanks to Dean I have one thing to look forward to, but my school situation im sorry I can not say the same for. After registering this past week and getting my schedule how I "would have" wanted it. I found out that I was not elgible for financial aid this semester.(BUMMER). My advisor told me I would have to pay for a semester before I could get my aid back( how I wish I was already investing)!

So after that bad news and seeing all my classmates back at school, I decided to keep my head up and try and find some positive out of the situation. I figure this gives me alot more free time to focus on investing and once I put my all into this, it can pay for that semester I need and get me back on track with school without any worries. I truly have faith in Dean and this program, and I also believe in my abilities.

So with all that in mind I have took Joe's advice and created an action plan. I want to share it with my Dean family so you guys can give me input on what else you would recommend. So with out further a do!!lol:

1. Continue to look for employment to help with more investment tools that I have in mind, to acquire from Dean
2.Find a way to get business cards made and sample what I would like for them to read.
3.Prepare some questions and answers I would like to get out of the investment club meeting
4.Continue my search for an agent or broker to work potiential deal with.
5.Find a way to search for motivated sellers and potential assignment properties.
6.Find Financing for Dean's Acadamy if I do decide to join(I may not needed, but we will see).
7.Contact owners and inquire about their properties. Just to get a feel on what to say to them and for experience.
8.AND STAY MOTIVATED.

oyea and figure out a slogan I can use for my journal entries.
Have a great weekend everyone and Thanks for taking the time to read!!!

Thanks for the positive comments and I am glad our journal was helpful and insightful. Sometimes things come up in our lives but it can make us stronger and better prepare us for future challenges. So keep the faith and keep moving forward. You will continue to make progress and prepare yourself for the next deal.

In regards to your college education, it is the best investment you can make. What I would suggest is try to take at least one class to stay in the swing of things. Also as you look for employement see if there is an employer that may offer tuition reimbursment. This may be an option. Otherwise, when you complete a few deals this will provide some additional funds as well.

Good luck with your action plan, your schooling and real estate investing. If you have a plan you can accomplish anything! Looking forward to reading about your progress and future real estate deals! Believe and Achieve! - Joe

Well it has been quite some time since I have posted in my journal but alot of progress has been made.Even tho I have not posted a lot I have been on the site every day disecting information from every one. I have took some time to learn a lot about my market in Montgomery Al, and what a great up and coming market. I have been networking with investors in my area and have had great response. I have one deal I am working on right now with a fellow investor.
From the info I have gathered so far it is a rental property with tenents already in half of them. The Investor said it is about three seperate apartments in one single family home. WORST HOME IN BEST NEIGHBORHOOD. Two three bedroom apartments and a one bedroom with one bath in each apartment. He says he is ready to move on from the property and has an existing mortgage of 53k on the home, he would be willing to except 64k on an all cash offer. Now on to the next step which is, PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, but I need to see what other homes in the area are selling for. to see what this property is potentially worth, and after that try to veiw the home and calculate the repairs.

Hello fam, I have had a slight or should I say major change of enviornment. I actually moved back home to Atlanta. I just had to come home for a few months to get on my feet, but I am doing just fine and actually invessting in Atlanta is looking very profitable. I searched Atlanta MLS today and found hundreds of foreclosures, HUD's, and REO's. One in particular was a $10,000 Duplex REO that in July was valued a little above $120,000. Great Investment potential, so guys I have to change my scenery but only had to adjust my action plan, and my target area,lol.

But wish me good faith guys as I start on a new investment journey in a new city. And of course if there are any Investors in the Atlanta area that would like to maybe patner on some deals or would like me to help you find a great investment property send me a PM.

That's the way to go. If it is not working in one area, move to the next. Calvin, you have what it takes to be successful in real estate. The $10K duplex seem to be a great fine. In a few years from now, you could make a killing. All the best.

Sandra