Michael's Journal

Been there, friend.. I don't know if what I did would be the same thing you can do, but on "those days", I would just listen...TRY to explain...listen, and listen some more to the angry words, and choke back the tears. Then when I was alone, I would scream and cry into my pillow and then ask God to help me stay strong and wipe my tears and go to DG.com, where I would get a boost of "POSITIVE"! I never let myself be swayed by what I heard, and as I stayed strong in my resolve and continued to move toward success, and MORE success, my other has slowly gotten a little more positive.. like an inchworm, but eventually I know he will be grateful. You really have to ignore the naysayers no matter how hard it is. Love them, but don't let them get into your head. YOU decide what you want to believe, and then BELIEVE it! And go for it! Because everything you are being taught CAN and DOES work. You are putting in your time and effort, so you WILL succeed. Just a matter of time, my friend.

So, I hope that helped a little to boost your spirits (as depressing as part of it was. haha). DON'T give up your dreams, Michael..

To YOUR success,

Rina

I understand completely Michael. Sometimes people LOVE you so much that they don't know any other way to express their concern for you. You just have to believe in yourself. I've been knocked down so many times by family that I've learned to keep my dreams MINE, not anyone else's. Think about it, everything that we enjoy today from our cars to lightbulbs would not have been here if those people listened to someone else. I have yet to make my first deal but I've decided that I will do something everyday to get me closer to a FAT check with my name on it!! You can do it!! You MUST do it! It's inside of you now. There's no turning back.

Leo

Rina & Leo gave you good words of advice. Wish I had their way with words. I know it's hard when someone you love is being negative but my guess is that is fear and lack of understanding speaking. You've already taken some really big steps towards your goal to succeed! I know you can do this.

I wish you the best in REI.

Lea
SPR Property Solutions, LLC

Thanks so much for your kind words of encouragement! I'm much better now and am carrying on! Part of the problem is I can't, to satisfaction, really explain what I'm doing. And trying to explain no money down concepts are completely lost. Rina, I am trying to do exactly what you suggest and just keep listening and explaining; I haven't gotten to the crying jags yet, but it might be an option . It's the only way until I get a deal. To be honest, I really think the only thing really needed is for is for me to get that first deal to prove it works. There is also skepicism about where I got this information...off the TV.

Hopefully you won't get to the crying part. haha (That might be a girl thing anyway, don't know. ) Hey, if you need her to hear from a successful REI WOMAN'S point of view, I would be GLAD to speak with her. Send me a PM if you'd like me to call. I'm guessing that your situation might be more like Lea and Leo said, so that should be an easy battle to conquer. When it's just fear of the unknown on the other person's part, having some light shed might be all it takes!

Rina

I can totally see where you're at. I have been a member for a long time here and haven't yet gotten my first deal...not because I don't have the tools but because I'm holding myself back and not trusting what I know and have learned. I've dragged my feet and cried more tears than I can count. (maybe it IS a girl thing )
I've promised myself that this week is going to be a busy one, I'm getting the train back on the track and getting it done! STAY POSSITIVE!YOU CAN DO THIS! WE BOTH CAN...there, don't you feel better now? Keep us posted on your progress!

Dawn

Hi Michael, i'm in Baltimore also. I have not done a single Deal yet since I joined in April 2009. You see? Hope that give you a boost because you thought you're the only "without a Shoe" now you saw a man "without a FEET". Just PM me if you want talk and lets strategize. There are lots of potential money making leads in REI here in our State. Just like you, i'm also surrounded by negativism but I learned how to ignore them. Just focus on what you believe, believe that Dean's strategy works!!! go go go.

I don't think crying IS a girl thing! I'm much better this week and feel empowered again. You have a wonderful holiday and make that first deal!

Take care. --Michael

Last week was a busy one not only with REI but also the holiday! Lots of fun, lots of food...anyway I met with my realtor this past week and looked at several properties she's been automatically feeding me from MLS, at least a couple of them I'm going make offers on. I'm excited about that. As soon as she gets me the comps and other information, I think I'll be clear on my decision and offer prices. Determining the cost of rehab and other issues is the most challenging. I think once I do it a couple of times I'll be fine. Here we go.

I'm going to a REI club meeting this morning where I am going to meet several fellow DGers. I'm really looking forward to this! It's always important to know one isn't in this alone!

Here at the beginning of the week:

1) I have an appointment to look at more properties tomorrow with my realtor. Some nice stuff just not sure of their real value. Let's hear it for due diligence! I saw five houses with her last week so hope there is going to be a winner soon.

2) I met a fellow DGer at one of my REI club meeting on Saturday and am looking forward to exploring the strategies with her and others we've located on the site who are in Baltimore.

3) At the REI meeting meeting I found a contractor who will give free estimates on rehabs, and a veteran investor who is looking for properties. I'm going to contact him today to get a feel for what he's looking for.

4) I've been in contact with an investor I met a couple of months ago who wants to partner on some deals, so I'm going to see him soon to get started with that.

5) I'm looking more seriously at comps in the areas where three houses I'm interested in are located.

6) I read an article and listened to a webinar on the REIClub website on private money sources which really has me thinking about financing for finding, rehabbing and flipping properties short-term. Pretty interesting.

7) I'm finding I can't sleep at night I'm thinking so much!!

Let's make some money!!

I finally remembered to check out your journal. As I read it I just kept seeing myself! I guess we all must go through the same feelings! I suppose we are going to have our up and down days as far as our emotions go! You hang tough. I'm here for you. I've got pretty strong shoulders so anytime you need to vent, be my guest!

I think you have taken some pretty big strides to bring you closer to your goal. As much as I have done, I still fall short of getting to those properties. So, pat yourself on the back. You are not sitting around waiting for the properties to come knock on your door.

I personally don't talk about this too much to my family. I have spoken to my daughter and son about it because I was hoping they would get involved with it so they could help me out! But, it's my dream not their's.

We have each other's backs and we will go through this together! Just know that you are moving forward as you should be and good things are in store as we go laughing all the way to the bank!

I hope things are going better for you this week. I do have a suggestion. If you and your "significant other" are living together, you might try helping out around the house more. Make the bed. Do the dishes. Vacumm the carpets. Take out the trash all without being asked. No kidding. The other person in your life is looking at it like you are out of work. Working on your REI dream. The other person may feel like they are doing all the work - Perhaps at a job or even at home. Anyway, give it a try. It couldn't hurt. If you start doing chores without being asked, they are sure not to complain about you. Also, better to talk with your friends on DG or other REI friends and not to your significant other about the real estate. I purchased Dean's books in April, 2009 and have read them from cover to cover and then some. I read the newspapers for foreclosure listings. I check the MLS. I drive around looking at properties. I very seldom even mention this to my husband. He would totally support me in REI but is really not interested himself. He is working full time at his job. Has Cancer and is doing chemo and needs to worry about his health right now. He trusts my business instincts. I am a former business teacher. I absolutely love real estate. Just have not done that first deal. Enough said for now. Kathy

Thanks so much for your good comments! I'm doing much better from that first post, thank heavens! I'm discovering that my main problem is is being afraid to talk to homeowners and other people! It's crazy, I'm not a fearful person, generally speaking, but I am afraid. I really believe that the first deal will dash that, so I pray every day for that first deal! I think I'm close.

Verna, thanks for your shoulders. I know we are going to be a support to one another and look forward to that.

Kathy, thanks so much for your suggestions; since I stopped working I have taken over all the household work. The stress is not having the income I once had. That is what is the worry. I just want this to work...I have 'til the end of the month before I have to start looking for another job, which I don't want to do. That was my promise to my significant other!

You two get right out there and make a million, then we'll see how interested those around us are!!!

Take care,

Michael

Well, I had a really exciting meeting with a couple of fellow DGers here in Baltimore yesterday and we're going to partner up on a bunch of REOs, 400 to 500 of them to be exact! So, this may be the mother lode for us.

I've also been in contact with a 30 year veteran in this business, whom I met at an REI club meeting who does financing and buying, fixing and selling. I'm hoping to work with him as a bird dog and learn a bit from him; I'm also hoping that he is able to private fund some of my own deals...I'm waiting to hear. Well, I feel like I'm off and running, I just want the results now!

BTW, just in case you all don't know it, Rina is a GREAT gal!!

More later...

Great motivation you got Michael. Just keep the momentum. You will be surprised with the result. LA

Glad you are working through your issues. Sounds like things are going better for you. It looks like the best thing you are doing in networking!! That's the best thing you can do to grow your business. I have learned over several opportunities of unemployment that not only is networking the best way to find a job but the best way to foster any opportunity in our lives and also to bring an added dimension of fulfillment in every area.

Keep up the great work.

Rick

Follow my journey at:
http://www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/35914/...

Romans 5:3&4: ....but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Hey Rick, Thanks for posting your encouraging words! I'm learning so much and just want to get some deals!

Hey Rick, Thanks for posting your encouraging words! I'm learning so much and just want to get some deals!

Hey there,

Thanks for keeping up with my journal. Look forward to lots of success.

Michael,

Hope things are going better for you these days. I posted something on my journal today that may be of help.

Check it out at http://www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/35914/...

Rick

Michael,

Hope things are going better for you these days. I posted something on my journal today that may be of help.

Check it out at http://www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/35914/...

Rick

Michael,

Hope things are going better for you these days. I posted something on my journal today that may be of help.

Check it out at http://www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/35914/...

Rick

Michael,

Hope things are going better for you these days. I posted something on my journal today that may be of help.

Check it out at http://www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/35914/...

Rick

Michael,

Hope things are going better for you these days. I posted something on my journal today that may be of help.

Check it out at http://www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/35914/...

Rick

Hey Michael,
This is the 1st time that I've reviewed your journal. I'm sorry to say. I've been so caught up in my own endeavors that I sometimes forget (sometimes ignore)the people who are around me. It's one of my personal faults.
I don't have a whole lot to add to what others have already said to you in response to your entries...but simply wanted to say that I finaly noticed you for the 1st time. I apologize for not paying better attention. The interesting thing is that we've both started at about the same time and that's what caught my attention. This journal thing is a great way to get encouraged when needed, can be used as a measuring tool on personal progress over equal time spent and is an awsome source of knoweledge through one's successful experience. I'm not going to pretend that I know the answers to all your situations...but reading my journal and others can give you a sense of what each of us goes through to succeed. My sincere hope and wish for you (as well as myself) is that we can both overcome whatever obstacles come before us. And there will be many I'm sure. I wish you the best and will be looking in on you from this point forward. Have a great week!!!!

Michael:

Because you are in action, you are bound to succeed.
Maybe it was time to switch gears from the 'old job' into
the 'new job'!
Good luck to you and If you have any questions I can help
with I'll be on it!

Happy Holidays too!

Well, I just read the post to which you refer, great stuff! Matt is absolutely right about believing he's going to get his offers accepted. I'm getting ready to speak with my realtor today or tomorrow regarding some properties I've identified from MLS. I think I'm going to believe my offers are going to be accepted. Take care, Rick, and best of luck and success. It's a new year and a new life! Let's go get 'em! Sounds like the foreclosure market is getting better for us too - as in, lots of them.

Take care,

Michael

Anita,

You are absolutly right about the time and need for change. There is no doubt about it and I'm looking forward to replacing my income with money made doing something that is engaging and rewarding!

Best in 2010!

Michael

Hey Dave,

Thanks for noticing me!! I appreciate your comments, I agree the journal concept is a great medium for keeping motivated. I belive 2010 is going to be a completely different animal and am looking forward to it - this is the first time in a long time that I've rally looked forward to a new year...I'm not just getting older any more! The really nice thing for me is I'm beginning to think like an investor and I'm noticing things and situations I wouldn't have noticed 8-9 months ago. I'm just impatient to get going.

Keep going, Dave,

Michael

Michael,
We all need to really LISTEN to ourselves soemtimes. Go back to your first post in this thread and read the second paragraph that you wrote. Think about all those goals achieved, all that ACTION, and all those steps taken getting you closer and closer to your dream.

Now think about it some more.....

Pat yourself on the back and be proud of ALL of that(and what you have done since and are doing now).

YOU motivate me, Sir, and I think you for all your work and sharing. If you think about your accomplishments and also where it is taking you(your dream) you will realize that naysayers, set backs etc are just small bumps in the road. They may cause you a little discomfort but they wont even slow you down.

Scott

-One step closer