Starting Point REI Journal

I have got to get myself organized before I do anything else. There is absolutly now way I can start a business and move and the pace I need to in ths chaos that I am currently living in and that includes my mind. God spoke to me in my prayer time and instructed me to clean up and clean out my mind, body, soul, spirit, and my office. So that is were I am and what I am doing as off now.

Getting myself ready to start the Success Academy, after reviewing the post of the other students I have to be ready. I am currently researching a few properties that are local owner finance. I am looking for a duplex to obtain. I have a family of 4 looking for a place and I would love to do a duplex, she is going to operate as my property manager. Hey you got to start somewhere.

Oh well just wanted to check in. Love ya have a super great weekend.

Wow so many decisions have been made since I last post. First my husband was let go from his job of 3 years late December of 08. Since then nothing much has been going on....Just alot of studing and talking no doing. Well we still have not produce the money to start Dean's School but we have decided to start making a move on some deals.

In a post previous I spoke about mobile homes, well this week my spouse made an appointment and went and took a look a few, we googled the subject and found a great book regarding fixing mobile homes. So with that knowledge in hand we have decided to make an offer on 2 or 3 depends on how flexible they are, the owner is willing to do owner financing. The only thing he wants to do is the property managment for $25.00 month, and the home has to stay in his lot for 3 years ( plan on working on this one I would like to say 2 years) We are working it up this weekend and are going to move forward Monday. I am nervous but excited.

I realize that mobile homes don't go up in value so to speak and the have very little loan value but if we own the, then we can have a good steady cash flow. I think it is a really good place to start. Well we will know more after running the numbers.

I will keep you posted. Anyone got some feedback. I am all years.

Oh yeah I ordered my new book today, still re-reading BARM.

Okay it has been a very long time since I have posted. I have been reading and learn but I don't know maybe ashamed to post. Not b/c I have been unproductive just took another track. Well I know I posted my husband got laid off and things got very rocky. He is on a work comp case and he is getting no funding at this time or no treatment for that matter. Well we prayed and we decided to launch a business doing home repair & renovation...reason being is that he has been doing that for 10 yrs on the side. So we did that and it is off and running now what we did do to tie this in to our dreams of property investment is that our nitch market is rental property maintance. Some may say it is a side track but it is some income for now to build to the next level. It is also putting us in the loop with several investors and flippers. So we are building our list. It is also teaching us how to network and run a business. I think that is very valuable knowlege.

We are still planning on purchasing our first property in June around the time for the tax sale.

So we are still on track and learning everyday. Hope to start school with Dean very soon. Just have to deal with life first.

Sounds like you guys are still working the dream. Ok so you side tracked but it is still with in the real estate arena. You haven't given up, you are learning which is invaluable.
Stop being so hard on yourself - you'll get as long as you don't give up.
Everyday do at least something small towards your goal - like coming and reading at the forum.
Kat

Everything will work out. I have been reading your posts as well and seems like you are very motivated and you are on a roll. I think alot of us here at DG are in the same boat. I too lost my job about 6 months ago and just finished reading Deans books and checking everything out. I am just like you in needing to plan my steps to take. Just keep movin forward and keep your head up. You are making steps in the right direction. You never know what good things could come out of this new endeavor of yours. Good luck!!

Erika, I agree with Kat and tindan. It really doesn't have to be ALL or NOTHING, and nobody here is like SUPER-REI and has no outside life. (at least I hope not) LOL.
So like you said, deal with life, but keep your dreams/goals alive! Congratulations on making it work for you! You are a winner. And remember, you don't just have to come here when you're on top of the world. Come here for support to get you through the rough spots. I think that's part of what Dean intended for this site. Like-mided people keeping each other focused on a like-minded dream. A VERY ACHIEVABLE dream, I might add, of financial freedom!

God bless,

Rina

You guys "ROCK" I needed to hear some kindness. I am so grateful for this group. I just told my husband that I had to put some time in tonight with my studying and posting. I felt like I had lost focus. I can't not complain God has been soooo good to me and my family. The blessing of our business and the contracts that are coming in are fab.

We are also learning to deal with each other on a business level other than our family. Most importantly my wonderful husband is feeling really good about himself and what he brings to the table. I love this life.

I plan to doing some bird-dogging starting in May. I will have to do some traveling with my new job but I think I can fit it all in. Wish me luck.

Not much action out of town playing basketball with my Oldest daughter. But my husband and I had a business meeting on the way down (just the two of us) and we set goals.

We have decided to revisit a potential starting point that we had on the table before. The mobile home park that had multiple Owner Finance. Now it is shaky b/c it seems that the owner has just purchased the park himself and there is plenty of work to do. Now we have done alot of studying about mobile homes and we have decided to dig a little dipper.

I will keep you posted.

Great success to yall

I am so grateful that I can see progress. With the decision to launch our Home Repair and Renovation biz, in the effort to gain connection with REI, pay off debt, increase capital, and stablize our home front. Things have really taken a turn for the best. I am so excited. I am so grateful to GOD.

I am currently working on a timeline. I don't know if I am going to post it. I should for accountablity but I have not decided. I still plan on getting in the coaching program June/July. Just have to see how things are going.

Currently working on investor/buyers list and website for Renovation business. Alot on our plat but God is truly giving us the strength to make it. Oh my gosh we are moving forward.

Hi Erika, For your short time here, you are doing great. I have all confidence in you and know success will come soon. The renovation business is a good idea. You might be surprised to learn that by doing renovations, you may stumble upon a real estate deal that will work in your favor. Wish you both all success.

Sandra

OMG my husband stubbled upon a awesome deal day before yesterday w/o even looking. In our neighborhood there is this house that has always been the ungly house to me. When we moved over here it had a renter in it, sometime between now and then they moved and it has been empty.

Well hubby looked and it, found an investor with the money and credit. And the investor once to do a 50/50 split with us, we do all the work. We are going to only have to hire out for the plumbing, electrical, and the roofing.

While we are on the move with this one, and pump to do more. The investor is in and wants to do alot with us.

The day my husband called him about it, He told my husband that he was just talking to God about us and doing some projects with us. I am so grateful to God and what He is doing in our lives.

Hi

I just read your entire journal. Wow.. what a ride.

I'm glad you found a deal. When do you go to closing.

I agree that with God there is nothing we can not do, if we put our minds to it.

Congrats again!!!

No closing date yet, still waiting on a response. I just know this is it, God will rejoice, Im so grateful for the journey.

Okay my goals for this weekend is to read Dean's new book Profit From Real Estate Right Now. I have had the book for awhile but just not sat myself down to read it....Well today is the day and I will done by Monday evening no later.

Thought I would post here for accountability.

Okay I did not finish the book, I did let life get in my way. But I am still chipping away and I feel good about it. I have had a productive day thus far.

My deal did not go through but I am still celebrating that step, that was the first. I low balled and some one else gave him what he asked for. Oh well next.

OMG did we take on my then we can truly handle. Trying to start a business and run a home/raise a family on one tru income is crazy and most likely the hardest thing I have ever done. I have no money in the bank, none in checking or savings.

Okay I know if I start actually bird-dogging that would be another avenue to bring in some money until we can actully get a house to flip or rent out on our own.

I know I am experiencing some fear. I have to stop listening to it. I have to go forward and trust what I know.

Okay better now, just had to think alot and get it all off my chest.

PSS okay I got off track with my reading, so got to get back on it.

I am so tired of my ways, here night after night I read and post but, never any action. Reading and posting is not paying my bills, it is not getting me any closer to a better life. God what in the world is going on with me, I am stuck in this life, I need to make some big changes I have to change my life.

My family deserves a change, they really deserve a better life. What is stopping me, what is keeping me from change and growth. I know the answear is me, but I don't know what to do about it. I have read so many books but it is the application of it all that stops me in my tracks over and over again.

Erika, just hang in there and dont give up and you can do it and I know how you are feeling now and not working out the way u want it to be. But be thankful that you can hear on the phones and deal with customers and realtors and unfortunately I can't do the phone network like the rest of them can do. I am very limited too. Hopefully someday you and I will see the light the other side of the tunnel. Just have faith. I just have to work 1000 times harder then most people. Just incase you dont know I am deaf and working on getting my first cochlear implant soon.

Warm reagards,

Paul T. La Moy

Erika, Give yourself a break! First of all your too hard on you! Youv'e got to be good to you! Your on the right track and the time is now. You've got the ticket but you just haven't decided where you want to go with it. I'm not saying this to be smart in anyway! I'm was right there where you are and still have my struggles. Your talking to someone that has been to alot of self awareness seminars, held motivational speeches, sold real estate for 10yrs. Foreclosures was my specialty. The list could go on. What's my excuse now? I know this stuff and have been on the real estate side and worked with many investor's doing it! The problem is that we realize it's going to remind us of what we attempted to do to gain financial freedom in the past, that didn't work. So we become afraid that this technique will fall in the same catagory. And you don't want to fail again! Let go of the past. Take responsibility for what has brought you to this point. Foregive you and go forth. Your growing. You fight the battles you can win. Decide what techniqe is going to work for you and master it. I found out my problem is that I needed to focus on my direction. It's so many ways you can go with this. So much info that it can paralize you momentarily. You go forth with a technique but you leave the door open. One step. Set short term obtainable goals to build your confidence. Stay in prayer! Ask God to continue to give you peace. Don't you give up on your dreams, you can make this happen!See you at the top! Continued success....Lubertha

Ericka I just love Lubertha and she is a very caring woman and always behind us 100% and did you just hear what she said ? I will see you at the top ! She believes in you and I have to say amen.

Warm regards,

Paul T. La Moy

Thank you guys so much, I do feel better and I am very excited about what is to come in my life.

Yes that is right celebrate every step and every decision. No matter what it is, you can't gain a thing by doing nothing. No matter good or bad you decided to do something that is what is very important. And the outcome is that you win.

Trust yourself to do something.

Okay it is time to get serious and either do this or not. So i have decided for my birthday I will be enrolling into the Success Academy. My husband has agreed and I am so excited.

Oh yeah, my birthday is next month so let the count down begin. I am kinda wondering if I should just stop what I'm doing and just rest my mind until it is time to get started. My mind is so cloudy I am really not sure what exactly to do. Oh well.

I have finally connected with another REI on this site that is from OKC, I feel very grateful for that, to be able to assist each other through this journey to prosperity.

It has been 6 wks plus since I posted in my own journal. Which is not a good thing, but here I am working on the nerve to say I am restarting what I never started.

I have still not finished either one of Dean's Book but I am currently reading BARM and I am on pg 99 (not bad). I am also back on the site at least 4 - 5 days weekly. I am working on the belief that I must do something daily for my business. Now my only problem is I have a list of #'s that I wrote down from bandit signs that I have found all over but, I have yet to make a call. I guess I'm just not sure what to say. (I haven't read that part in the book). I tried to attend one of the local REI club mtgs last week but no one showed up (guess I will not be attending that one again) but I have found 2 more, 1 I have attended before and I really like and the other I am planning to attend.

I am currently looking at a few properties that are up with an owner finance option d/t my current credit situation that is the only way we are going to get a property right now. I am just not sure how to work that to make sure I don't get taken advantage of......one is $2500 dn on a $24,000 property and he is willing to finance the other @ 12 % over the next 5 yrs. And the other I am not really sure about it. My partner(hubby) is going to look at both of them on tomorrow.

I still really want to attend Dean's school and that is on the agenda for this month....but I have to deal with somethings on the home front first.

I have not gave up and I want give up either.

I just had to say that b/c he really thinks he is in control and that he has the last say so in my life. But he is a lie and God is the truth. I will never be broke another day in my life and God blessings are taking over me.

I found a new REI club mtg that I had never seen before here in OKC and I plan on attending tomorrow. I found it on CL so I am hoping it is not some sells stuff b/c I am not interested.

Oh yeah I had to say that in my post b/c I had planning on using some money that is due me and my husband to place a down pymt on the property I spoke of in my last post and also enroll me in the Success Aca. and an speedbump is in my path but, I will not be denied in Jesus name.

Oh well I will post about the mtg on tomorrow. Thanks for listening.

If you are talking about the OKCREIA meeting I'm pretty sure it is a legitimate meeting. Tomorrow they are even discussing no money down deals and will have some guest speakers from our local area. I'm really wanting to go to it, unfortunately I won't be able to.

Yes that is the one I am speaking of, I am very excited about the topic it goes right along with my Action Plan and my current needs. I will PM you tonight once I get back from the mtg. I really would like to meet with you and dicuss REI in Oklahoma.

Well today was one of the best ever. I started my day with Women Expo where I learned about Marketing, business plan 101, finances (cash flow statement, balance sheets) I was able to network with other women business owners. Then I finished my day at a local REI club mtg that was the best I have ever been to, this was the most touchable group of people that I have ever been around. This is a place to learn and grow relationships.

I feel so empowered and ready to go forward in my business. I even meet one of the experts of the group that is willing to mentor (there was several). I plan on getting with him next week. I am on a mission to change my families life.

Okay to grow my business, I must do the daily do's ie. make a phone call regarding a property, sending an email regarding a property, attend a networking group to build my business, tell somebody about my business.

You feel like when you are working for someone else outside of working to growing your business you get side tracked. So I have to schedule my daily do's.

Going to look at 2 properties that are being wholesale by a local investor. Both Owner will carry, that is what I need right now. Need to find the money to get them rehab.

I have been speaking to a few angel investors and some family members that have the money to support a project like this. Just have to open their eyes to the possiblities.